Having spent the last few years exploring the broad and dynamic soundscapes of the psych-rock and dream-pop worlds, Estonian singer and producer Macajey now returns with his latest breezy offering 'Mornin''.
With its light and euphoric aesthetic, 'Mornin'' makes for the perfect accompaniment to lounging around under the summer sun. With its glimmering guitar hooks and soaring production, this new delight cements him as one of the more vibrant acts we have discovered this year so far.
So with his new single brightening our day at every turn, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has inspired him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
When I was in elementary school I really fell in love with all the classical band instruments and ended up playing trumpet, although I was also interested in violin and clarinet.
What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?
Me and my wife were talking recently about how your surrounding environment really does seep into your soul. It's interesting that some reviewers have described my music as sunny and perfect for road trips. Growing up in California I took many, many sunny road trips to the beach and San Francisco! So all of that is imprinted onto me and can't help but inspire my music.
What kind of music did you love as a teenager?
From playing in the Jazz bands in middle school, and San Jose, CA having a pretty good Jazz scene that helped to spread Jazz culture around, I was quite into Jazz, Miles Davis, Red Rodney, Buddy Rich Big Band. In my later teens I found Red Hot Chili Peppers/John Frusciante, The Mars Volta, Santana and even though I loved those Jazz artists, that music spoke to me a bit more.
Can you remember the first song that made you want to pursue a life in music?
For me I would count doing jazz improvisation there. It was the first time where the goal was to be creative and express yourself in the moment. So I think I was hooked from a young age.
When you wake up in the morning, what kind of music do you like to listen to?
Usually I don't listen to music in the morning. Ill usually start with podcasts, but later in the day you can check out this playlist that has been on rotation for the last year.
How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?
Oh, at least a few about/influenced by my wife. Most of my songs are about feelings and states of mind now that I think about it.
What has been the most memorable moment in your career so far?
I got to do a set at 1015 Folsom a number of years ago, that was pretty cool playing on that sound system in a pretty legendary San Francisco venue. More recently just last week I got to take a road trip from Tartu, Estonia – Vilnius, Lithuania to play at a venue called Loftas for this music incubator thing which was really cool. I only started singing recently, and would say its my biggest fear to sing live, so being able to do that trip and perform in another European country was a big milestone.
Outside of music, what is your biggest passion?
I would say my own personal growth as a person living on earth. I also am a FOH Engineer and work at our local venue here in Tartu called Genialistide Klubi, which is always a source of inspiration.
If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?
If it were an option to be a Bhuddist monk that might've been interesting! Or being a surfer bum in Hawaii in the 50's would've been pretty cool, free diving for fish right in the ocean. It is warm enough to not worry that you're going to freeze to death if you sleep outside. But being serious, I actually had a big interest in Archaeology. Searching for dinosaur bones or doing Egyptian digs would've been really cool.
And what advice would you give to other musicians looking to start a career in music?
The chances of success are so much better if you are creating authentic music. There's such a low chance of even being able to support yourself with music, let alone be famous, you may as well have as much fun with it as you can, and in doing that, it actually increases your chances of some success. It's nearly impossible to manufacture your own success by copying others these days. So be who you are, and be it fully.
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Macajey's new single 'Mornin'' is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it in the player below.