In this conversation I caught up with Cleveland-based musician Justin Miller, whose indie project Kultures features a range of collaborations. Kultures recently released two singles 'Favorite Number' and 'Living In The Same House'. and have now just released their self-titled debut album. I asked Kultures about their brand new LP, the meaning behind their latest singles and the process of recording visuals and music for the project.
Hi Justin (Kultures), tell us a bit about yourself!
Hey! Thanks for having me. My name's Justin, I'm the songwriter/producer behind Kultures. I'm very excited to finally be releasing my debut LP and happy to be answering some of your questions today.
You've just launched a new indie-rock project under the name 'Kultures', could you tell us how this idea came about and why you've decided to start this project?
Kultures was first conceptualized back in 2019 when I started listening through some demos I had pieced together in between working a full-time job and writing music for another project I was promoting at the time. I realized that I had started building a collection of songs that fit well together and rang true to where I was in my life at the time. My passion for music creation led me to dive deeper and I eventually decided to launch Kultures as a platform I could use to write and release music in a free and organic way.
My passion for music creation led me to dive deeper and I eventually decided to launch Kultures as a platform I could use to write and release music in a free and organic way.
You released your debut single 'Favorite Number' back in April, it's such an atmospheric track and I love the lyrics. Could you tell us the meaning behind the single?
Thank you! 'Favorite Number' was a really fun song to write and produce. I tried to pull together quite a few different sonic elements to create a unique soundscape. The meaning of the song centers around trusting the path you're on in the pursuit of something meaningful, something beautiful. It's often impossible to know where life will take you, but it's important to identify and appreciate what matters to you most, and that's what 'Favorite Number' is really about.
You've also just released your second single 'Living in the Same House'; what was the inspiration behind the track?
'Living in the Same House' was inspired by a long-distance relationship I was pursuing at the time. I had been spending months driving back and forth between Cleveland and Chicago and started reflecting on what it meant to want to be with someone and to share a life together. The song captures certain emotions I was experiencing at the time.
I love the cinematography of the music video for 'Living in the Same House', how did you come up with the idea for the music video and would you say that when it comes to visuals you tend to have a set vision in mind?
The imagery in the video primarily centers around fire, in its various forms. The flames are symbolic of love, or something deeply cherished. I wanted to create a visual aesthetic that complimented the lyrics and helped express the intensity of the emotions wrapped up in the song. My song writing process usually starts as an expression of the subconscious and is often triggered by extremely unpredictable moments. The visual components are something that come into focus much later in the process after I've had time to immerse myself in the sound and feeling.
How was the recording process, did you face any challenges when it came to recording during a pandemic?
The recording/production process is one of the most rewarding parts of creating music for me. I love digging into the details and finding ways to bring new life to the music. I get much closer to each song through the process of reflecting on each layer and making sure things are captured in the best way possible. The pandemic definitely made collaboration more challenging than it would otherwise be. I work with Leon Taheney, a fantastic mix engineer based in Toronto, and unfortunately, the US/Canada border was shut down when it came time for our mix sessions. I've become accustomed to working remotely, but I really love to be in the room for a final mix session to dial in some of my favorite details. Luckily, I have a great relationship with Leon and I'm really happy with the way things turned out.
Will ‘Favorite Number’ and ‘Living in the Same House’ feature as part of a larger project?
Yes! These are the first two songs from my self-titled debut LP, which will be released on Friday, June 4th. The record has been finished for almost a year now, but due to everything going on in the world, I decided to hold off on the release for a bit. It's very exciting to finally have the songs out in the wild.
Do you have any artists/musicians who you consider having influenced your sound?
I've loved music my entire life and I like to think everything I've experienced impacts how I create music in one way or another. In recent years, I've been a huge fan of artists like Bon Iver and The National. I think some of their music has a slightly more direct impact on certain elements of my sound.
Could you recommend some artists/musicians to our readers?
I always like to recommend Sufjan Stevens to anyone who isn't intimately familiar with his work. Although he's one of the most respected artists out there, many people still don't know much about him. His talent and relationship with music is something I've always admired.
What advice would you give to someone who may be interested in starting a musical project?
Don't do it! (just kidding) My honest advice would be to get started on your musical journey as soon as possible and prepare to be patient. There is no substitute for the experience you'll gain over time and the more you create the better you'll understand creation itself.
What is the best advice you have received? The best advice I've received is to create music that is as genuine and expressive as possible. This leads to music you are truly passionate about, and passion is the #1 thing that will keep you afloat throughout your career.
Check out Kultures' brand new album in the links above or hear it in full on my Spotify featured artists playlist, where you can find a link to Kultures' Spotify page.
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