What is music for Jay Sean?

MANILA, Philippines - I recently attended a press conference for Jay Sean and got the chance to do a one-on-one with the British pop sensation at EDSA Shangri-La’s Garden Ballroom wing. He warmed up immediately when I asked my questions. Jay Sean performed at the Araneta Coliseum last Sept. 3.

Who influenced your music most from your family?

Actually, my grand dad has a great voice...he specially comes out after a few drinks then he starts singing (hahahaha). I think that’s where I got it.

Here in the Philippines we have a well-known singer Charice Pempengco

Yes, I’ve heard a lot about her...I’ve actually seen her! She’s incredible.

She is probably the first in our generation from our country to make it big in the mainstream. In the same light, what’s the impact like for you as a South Asian singer coming to the world arena of music and what did that moment feel like when you realized you were into something this big?

For me, I consider it a privilege and a huge honor representing a huge scene...I mean it’s like a movement...it’s fun…it has its ups and downs. It’s difficult to be the first sometimes because you become the first to come across these obstacles and hurdles and it’s down to you to figure out a way to knock them down. But the sense of accomplishment or achievement I get when I come across those hurdles and knock them down is what keeps me going. I thrive on that, on the fact that success is an uphill climb you know. And I just enjoy the journey.

Are there offers for you to do films?

Yeah, yeah. There have been...and it’s definitely something that I want to do.

Any preferred genre?

I think comedy would be good... comedy thriller or a drama. Comedy because I don’t want to take myself too seriously. It also will give me the opportunity to do something so different from what my job is like as a pop R&B artist. And I think to be able to do that you know... it’s fun!

Have you had any formal education in music?

Actually no... I used to play the piano when I was younger.

Oido?

Sorry?

I mean... do you read notes?

I used to be able too but I can’t anymore... I can’t read them anymore no...

Not even...

No no no...

How do you begin recording don’t they bring you music sheets?

I listen to them... so for me when I have music or when I’m writing songs or recording songs it’s in what I’m feeling

That’s what it is.

What’s the creative process or what moves you to write a song? Do you draw it from experience?

Sometimes… usually they’ll play me the music, I walk into the studio and the producers would normally have music ready for me. Then I’ll start humming a melody normally. It depends on what the song makes me feel. It could be a sad song, a happy uplifting song. I’ll hum out some music and usually the melody will tell me what I need to write about.

How do you avoid catching yourself sounding like everybody else?

Well, I think you kinda just know (pause). That’s a good question hahahaha. I think I wouldn’t be here if I sounded like everyone else. I think everyone has his own voice.

When do you stop to say this song is done? That you’re finished composing this song?

It’s very difficult to let go sometimes but I think too much thinking can ruin everything. So you have to just know when it feels good... I don’t know how else to explain it, you just have to know it’s done now.

How did you compose Do You Remember?

Well, the music itself was very uplifting. That made me wanna write a song which was quite anthemic. Something which would sound huge in a stadium or arena, you know what I mean? And I wanted it to sound big and easy to remember. I want people to be able to sing along with it and attach themselves to it, and in years to come it could be perhaps their song, you know. Whether it’s a couple or a group of friends or whether it’s a family or whatever it might be, it would be that song that reminded them of summer 2009.

With newfound success, is there a mission in your life you want to fulfill?

It goes two ways. First, I don’t go thinking too hard about things like that because I feel like life is gonna take me where I’m meant to go. Also you gotta make plans along that way but there are a few things in terms of purpose, that I’ve touched before, me being a representative of the South Asian community I feel I’m in a position where I can open doors for people and make a difference and people will remember one day this guy called Jay Sean made it a little bit easier for us to come into the mainstream and I think that’s a nice thing to be able to do.

What can you say about Filipino singers? Do you know some of them?

Of course, I do yeah. I know a group called Passion. I’m a big fan of them in YouTube and of course, Charice. For me I just think Filipinos somehow somewhere I don’t know what it is in their vocal cords… Man, a big soulful voice comes out.

Do you have a girlfriend?

Yes, I do have a girlfriend actually.

In the UK?

In every country actually. I’m joking hahahahahaha! She’s in America.

Anything else you wanna say that you’ve not said in any interview?

I have a monkey!

Really? Is it here?

Yeah, he’s right there (points to his bodyguard) hahahahaha! (bodyguard waves).