
An interview with JiLLi
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New York-born and Los Angeles-based Singer, Songwriter, and Producer JiLLi has landed on the scene as a multi-faceted talent, driven and determined in her creative pursuits. Known for her dynamic voice and lyrical proficiency, JiLLi has been working to grow her reputation, building her discography with solo tracks like ‘Pure Bread’ and ‘Perfume’, whilst offering vocal sample packs to showcase her versatility, skill, and musical breadth. Having had collaborations with various artists, as well as performances at top festivals like Lost Lands and Countdown, JiLLi is paving an exciting way, encouraging genre enthusiasts worldwide to take note of her unique approach and original sound.
So, join us for this exclusive interview with JiLLi as we dive into her creative process, inspirations, and approach towards her craft.
Can you describe your musical style and influences in just one hashtag?
#authenticity or #hehehe
What’s the first thing you do every morning and how does it set the tone for your day?
I write down my dreams from the night before so I don’t forget! I keep a shared note on my phone called “COLLECTIVE DREAM JOURNAL.” Then I feed my dog Brady and take him for a nice walk. I dive into my daily checklist of the things I want to get done that day, write down some manifestations, and meditate on them. I try to respond to people (since I’m the worst at that) and get social media posts uploaded. Anything I need to offload from my brain before I dive into being creative!
When you’re working on a new track, what’s typically playing in the background for inspiration, and do you have any go-to tracks or playlists?
I love to explore what the people closest to me are listening to from their playlists. Sometimes I’ll sit in silence with my thoughts on the balcony and let a stream of consciousness flow through me and write down what comes up. Other times I’ll listen to anything from Mac DeMarco’s 8-hour playlist of demos to heavy EDM that I’m trying to write a topline for.
Which blogs or social media platforms do you regularly visit for new trends and inspiration in your creative work?
I scroll through TikTok and Instagram to see different ways people are sharing their art. There are always new trends I can apply to my own craft. I also pull inspiration from specific personalities that inspire me, considering things like how they caught and maintained my attention. Renee Rapp was a huge influence on me, permitting me to show up authentically on social media. It’s an entirely different hat I wear being vulnerable in an ‘influencer world’ rather than through my lyrics and melodies.
How would you describe your personal style both in the way you create music and in your daily life?
Very intuitive. My direction and decisions are led by my inspiration in the present moment. What do I WANT to do today? I know I’m going to get the most productive and meaningful work done when I’m genuinely invested in what I’m working on. Same with small decisions like what to wear—what’s my body asking for? What will make me feel good and confident in this moment? I pursue what catches my attention in the now and show up to create from that inspired awareness.
Can you pinpoint the moment when you realized you wanted to pursue a career in Electronic music?
It wasn’t one exact moment. Entering music school at Icon as an Indie-Pop/EDM-influenced artist, I adapted a mentality of openness to possibility and new direction. The people I was surrounded by definitely had a huge impact on my developing skills and taste, and I’m so grateful for that.
Looking back on your childhood, what kind of kid were you and how do you see those traits reflected in your work today?
Little Jilli was a ball of energy and always unapologetically herself. My mom raised me to be my own girl and created a safe space for me to explore whatever my curious mind was drawn to. She supported and embellished my desire to be myself in every way. The world definitely tried to knock me down at times through this pursuit of authenticity. I’m grateful that I still resonate with the younger me in that way and never lost that part of myself growing up. I will always be a kid at heart—my name literally means ‘youthful’! Peter Pan was one of my favourite movies because even when the world was harsh at such a young age, I never wanted to lose the purity and innocence I felt safe existing in.
Who are your favourite Electronic music artists right now and what about their work resonates with you?
Since I’m starting my journey behind the decks, I’m really invested in wubs and bass artists. I’m super inspired by Know Good, dêtre, pheel., and LYNY. For toplines, I’m obsessed with Sophie Hunter. Her style influenced “Pure Bread”—a first step in a new direction I’m so stoked to be exploring and mashing together with EDM. Also, Ooga’s music makes me feel so happy. I really resonate with it!
What are some software plugins or instruments you can’t live without in your daily music production?
Little Alter Boy is a must! I love the way Raum reverb sounds on literally anything I sing. I’m ALWAYS using Clear for cleaning up room noise but also soloing a vocal from a track or pulling a topline off of something I want to write to.
If you could create your own version of any song from any genre, what would it be and why?
Hahaha, well I’m obsessed with Flowdan. Seriously OBSESSED. If I could create something like his songs with Skrillex, that would be so frickin’ cool—the bass of his voice and his accent are SICK and something I don’t naturally have access to in my own vocals.
Who or what inspires you the most in your creative projects?
Life is like music. It’s supposed to be fun! Healing. Connecting. I love the idea that we should always show up as we are. Silly, goofy, and meaningful experiences and people fuel my fire. I feel so lucky that I picked an industry that thrives off of wacky, weird stuff. I’m inspired by the idea that I’m creating my own lane with my authentic approach and through that inspiring and connecting with other people. As artists, we are a work of art ourselves—one that is never completed and always expanding. The deeper I dive into the process and lean into obstacles as opportunities to grow, the better I get at aligning my intentions to this concept.
Are there any specific challenges or obstacles that motivate you to push yourself further in your career?
I try not to waste energy or time stuck in the thought that I should be doing more and on a bigger scale than I already am. I really try to ground myself in gratitude for the present moment and remember that the process is the whole point. I’m here now, and this is exactly where I want to be.
Everyone has a guilty pleasure—what’s yours when it comes to music?
There’s nothing like taking a trip down memory lane and revisiting all the kid’s music I loved when I was growing up. Like the Kim Possible soundtrack or the OG Hannah Montana album. Hilary Duff. There was this girl band called “Play” that I loved too!
If you could collaborate with any three artists, living or deceased, who would they be and why?
Jon Bellion—his creative process has ALWAYS been so inspiring to me. His connection to the muse and the way his lyrics resonate with me. His album “The Human Condition” was the soundtrack to my college experience and it’s always been a dream of mine to experience collaborating with his beautiful mind… or even just for him to know how much of an impact he’s had on me as a human and creative.
Chelsea Cutler—her music and artistry inspired me to pursue mine. I love her, she’s so real, down to earth, and tapped in. I love her fans; there’s nothing like the energy in the crowd at a Chelsea show.
Skrillex—anything he’s creating at any point in time is basically what the world is obsessed with—and it’s so valid; he’s absurdly talented. A groundbreaking artist at every turn. I’d love to experience being on the frontlines of trendsetting and see how he constantly creates what artists draw their inspiration from.
Lastly, what’s your favourite venue or festival to perform at and what makes it special for you?
Lost Lands is such an epic experience because it was also the first festival I attended as a fan and also performed at. Performing with one of my favourite artists and close friends, Muerte, made it a million times more special. “Body of Bones” was such a huge chapter for both of our careers.
Wrapping up our conversation with JiLLi, it is evident that her creative journey is just beginning. With a foundation rooted in diverse musical experiences and a relentless drive for innovation, JiLLi stands poised to make waves across the Electronic Music scene, preparing to release new music and expand her repertoire further. So, we end our interview by thanking JiLLi for her time, looking forward to following her along as she continues navigating through the landscape of Electronic Music.
JiLLi Online