Modern Artist: Mississauga's Ajay Massey of U.N. Jefferson
/In conversation with the talented Ajay Massey.
1. How long have you been an active musician?
I started playing guitar and joined my first band in high school (90’s) and I’ve been making music and playing shows ever since.
2. What's the most rewarding aspect of what you do?
Being able to create art and entertain people is very rewarding to me. I also value the connections I’ve made with people I’ve met over the years.
3. How would you describe your sound?
Our music is inspired by the vintage sounds of classic Soul artists like James Brown, The Temptations, and Wilson Pickett. We draw from everything that Soul music has to offer, from early R&B and Funk to elements of Jazz and Gospel.
4. Where do you draw lyrical inspiration from?
Sometimes the ideas behind the lyrics come from personal experiences, while other times they come from things I see or hear in my interactions with other people. It usually ends up being a combination of the two.
5. Where did the name "U.N. Jefferson" come from?
I heard it in a movie when I was growing up. I always thought it sounded great and it just stuck with me. When it came time to name the band, I thought it was perfect.
6. What succinct advice do you have for developing musicians?
Get out and play as much as you can and build relationships with others in the music community. Believe in what you do, stick to your vision and give it all you’ve got.
7. What does 2020 look like for you?
Playing as much as possible, spreading the word and making people move.
8. What three things can you not live without?
A guitar, good food and good company.
9. "Testify" won song of the year - Describe how you felt when you won.
It was amazing! It’s a great feeling to know that people are into what you do. My mom was in the audience that night with a big smile on her face and that made it even better.
10. Scale of 1-10: How cool was it to get a shoutout from Alan Cross?
I’d give that an 11! I’ve always been a huge fan of his. It was a little surreal to have someone as influential as him show the band some love on such a big scale. It definitely meant a lot to us.
unjefferson.com
Listen to them on Spotify and Apple Music
