“It’s easy to fall into thinking something should be a certain way, just because you’re used to it. That’s in life too I guess, but there’s always more outside your own scope.” With these thought-provoking words, Kayle Butler, the creative force behind the project known as JVLY, gives us a peek into his mind and his unique approach to making music.
The Australian singer-songwriter-producer stands out in the ever-evolving music landscape with his blend of electro-R&B/Soul, as demonstrated in his new track‘here.’ This is a wonderfully calm, smooth song that sinks deep into the mind and draws you in.
“If you see me around the chances are that I’m having a joke, but yeah, I spend too much of the day thinking sometimes, it definitely comes out when I go to write,” JVLY shares, indicating a rich internal world that influences his sound. This unique personal touch adds depth and complexity to his music, revealing an artist who is as thoughtful as he is creative. In our interview, we delve deeper into JVLY’s creative process, his experiences with collaboration, and his approach to maintaining an authentic connection with his audience.
header photography by Bruno Stefani
Kayle, you’ve collaborated with Maxwell Byrne and Tom Urquhart on your new single ‘here.’ Can you talk about what that process was like, and how these collaborations enriched the track?
I write a lot of my music alone. Sometimes though I get to a point with an idea where I like it and I know it’s close but I’m just at a wall with it. With ‘here’ I had it all written but the chorus just didn’t have the energy that I needed it to, and that’s when I reached out to Tom who plays keys in my live band. We just focused in on the chords and the synth sounds in that part to get it where it needed to be, it lifted it so much, he’s a wizard. I had tracked live drums with a Free Nationals type sound in mind (who I love), but they just weren’t feeling potent enough to me. Max recreated the drums with a more electronic vision in mind, more inspired by Blood Orange, and it was the key to finishing it really. That and the fact that we spoke about arrangement and how holding certain layers back until later in the song could give more nuance and impact, he opened my mind to that on this one. It’s easy to fall into thinking something should be a certain way, just because you’re used to it. That’s in life too I guess, but there’s always more outside your own scope. So, they both enriched it for sure, and my experience with making it too, the satisfaction at the end was better.
You’ve mentioned that ‘here’ is potentially the best song you’ve written so far. Can you explain why you think this, and what aspects of the song you are particularly proud of?
I think purely from a songwriter’s perspective that it’s the most complete idea. I tried to make every line count towards the story by staying as concise and honest to it as possible. It felt like there was only one right melody for it. But all that aside it’s really just that I knew the exact feeling I wanted to capture, and it worked out.
“When I make music it’s a melting pot of all the things that inspire me, so I don’t really mind how anyone defines it, I just want it to connect with them.”
You’ve previously stated that you “always have your demos with you on the train or walking around the city or wherever and have these headphones that almost seem to mute the world.” Using headphones to ‘mute’ the world can be perceived as a form of escapism. How does this practice impact your relationship with your surroundings and the people you encounter?
I guess it could be escapism, but on the other hand I’m not really trying to avoid anything negative. When I’m roaming around with them on, everything around me is kind of romanticised by the sounds in a way, like the people, the streets, anything. It seems to help spark ideas. But yeah, it does kinda sound like some escapist vibes now that I think of it.
The introspective and soothing quality of your music is quite distinctive. Is this a reflection of a conscious effort and an aspect of your personality, or does it naturally emerge from your creative process?
I think there’s duality for sure because if you see me around the chances are that I’m having a joke, but yeah, I spend too much of the day thinking sometimes, it definitely comes out when I go to write.
“When I’m roaming around with headphones, everything around me is kind of romanticised by the sounds in a way, like the people, the streets, anything. It seems to help spark ideas.”
Your music has been described as “chilled electro-R&B/Soul.” Do you feel this accurately captures your style, or is there more complexity to it that you’d like your audience to know about?
I can see why that’s the case but really, I don’t think about music like that. R&B and Soul are massive influences without a doubt. When I make music it’s a melting pot of all the things that inspire me, so I don’t really mind how anyone defines it, I just want it to connect with them.
How do you feel the current music scene in Australia has helped or hindered your growth as an artist?
There’re so many brilliant artists here, a lot of them have become good mates of mine too, it definitely makes you want to be better and keeps you motivated being around people like that.
In a world increasingly driven by social media and digital platforms, how do you navigate maintaining an authentic connection with your fans?
It’s interesting because it’s a whole separate skill to making music. But I like it. I make music hoping it affects or connects with someone, so anyone who relates to it for whatever reason, I love talking to them, I be chatting with them all the time!
‘here’out now: bfan.link/jvly-here
Follow JVLY for more:
soundcloud.com/jvlyxx
www.facebook.com/jvlymusic
twitter.com/jvlyxx
www.instagram.com/jvlymusic
www.tiktok.com/@jvly___
