#Jelliss #TheUnconquerebels #band #guitarist #vocalist #debute #album #IfFeetCouldTalk #Reggae #Roots #EuropeanTour2022 #Overjam #spiritual #heartical #rastamanvibrations #Jamaica #interview
Natural musical skill, strong will, huge heart, and unstoppable determination shaped Jellis into a professional musician, who has plenty to share with the world. In this interview, you will learn that Jelliss truly is a multi-talented musician, who inspires us through his conscious reggae music. He launched his musical solo career in 2018, has released various tracks in roots, reggae, and dancehall and has written for other genres. His musical creations are a true expression of his heart and soul. Jelliss has proven to be a skilled songwriter, vocalist, and instrumentalist.
It has been a rather eventful and more than a successful musical year for Jelliss. A tour with Hempress Sativa and the Unconquerebels, led him to Europe for the first time. Their Jamaican vibes touched many hearts and welcomed and fulfilled many souls around Europe. Recently, however, he completed a very important musical project and thus released his first solo debut album “If Feet Could Talk”.
While on European tour, they also visited Tolmin, where we had an opportunity to meet him at this year’s Overjam. He impressed us alongside Hempress Sativa as the lead guitarist of the Unconquerebels band. After the amazing Hempress Sativa concert, he took over the microphone and pleasantly surprised us, when he also performed and unexpectedly blessed us with some of his songs.
In this interview, we talk about his experience at the Overjam festival, about his feelings from the European tour; he shares some professional musician secrets; in more detail presents his debut album »If Feet Could Talk«; shares his musical visions and touches on deeper spiritual topics. Read all this and more in this powerful interview with Jelliss.
The interview:
Hempress Sativa and The Unconquerebels concert at Overjam was a true blessing for me. Truly unforgettable experience. You all gave us a wonderful concert, and you are all absolutely amazing. Healing, heart-warming vibrations completely flooded Overjam.
Even before the start of the concert, you've created a pleasant atmosphere at the tone rehearsal, when Overjam was chanting along with you, and we had no idea that you would also surprise us with a solo performance at the end of the concert... Please, can you share some of your feelings after such an extraordinary concert. How did you like the energy at Overjam?
»Overjam was amazing I enjoyed every moment of it. It was very unexpected to even get to perform my songs in a setting like that.
I was overjoyed. The reception I got after the performance was amazing my team was supportive and were amazing, we've had a fantastic run and chemistry the entire tour.
The people and Overjam energy were epic I loved every moment of it and to be so receptive to someone they’ve never heard before was amazing. «
It's true. The energy was amazing all the time, you truly impressed us a lot with your performance, as we did not expect such an exceptional end of the concert, nor of the festival.
Did you get the opportunity to present your songs in any other European city?
»I got the opportunity to perform a few of my songs on a lot of the club shows we did, which was super amazing. «
"The Hempress Sativa tour 2022 has been an amazing experience..."
If we touch on your overall feelings from this year's European tour with Hempress Sativa and the Unconquerebels band...
»The Hempress Sativa tour 2022 has been an amazing experience. The best I've been on with a team, and chemistry and energy. Though there were few hiccups, we pulled through and kept the energy going. I've known the musicians outside of playing on tour, so it’s amazing to be on the road apart of the Unconquereble team. «
You did 15 shows around Europe with zero cancellations, so clearly the tour was more than successful. Please tell us about your overall feelings at the end of the tour. What was it like coming home to Jamaica? Did you expect to get such a warm welcome in Europe?
»Coming back to Jamaica was good, though we felt we were just getting ready for the road. Because the whole energy was epic and every night it transitions, through the music on stage. But it was good to be back, I was very proud of the work that I did, it's just a bit unfortunate that you mostly get recognized for your works outside of your home.
This was my first time on the road with Hempress outside of Jamaica, but I can see why they love the movement you know - soul food. «
"I don't have one specific memory that I cherish more than another, but if I really should choose, it would be Overjam..."
The tour was probably full of heartwarming moments, can you share any favorite memories from the tour?
»I don't have one specific memory that I cherish more than another, but if I really should choose, it would be Overjam as it created a space for me to express my craft on a setting like that and I would love to do it again. «
Your songs touched our hearts, we became curious, and we want to know more about you...You greatly inspire souls around you. Please tell us how you became such a great musician? What is your recipe for musical success? Can you share any of your inspirations or mantras, do you have any good routines?
»Becoming a great musician starts from being a great student of life first and that transcends through the works you do. In whatever you do, try to be sincere. So, when I play music, I play with my whole heart and spirit and body.
I'm inspired by everything around me.
Especially plants, the remind me that in a world where everything moves so fast and people want things now, life is about the journey and that everything that's good, always takes time, so learn to be patient
Mantra: »Today is gonna be a good day. «
I do not have a specific routine, but I go with anything that is a natural vibe for me. «
"..I go with anything that is a natural vibe for me.."
You radiate strong and positive energy, which can also be felt through your music. Please tell us how you maintain your high vibration and connection to the most I?
»I like being in solitude a lot as it gives me time to connect with myself and navigate through different feelings and emotions as I'm never the same because I try to grow a little so it's constant work HARD WORK. But I must read, my Bible prayer is important, meditation is important as it is a blueprint on how to navigate through this life. What you consume is what you are, so I listen to a lot of music that deals with the frequency of his majesty and positive energy, because you are what you surround yourself with. «
I see that you carry a great knowledge about life, music... So, you're also an educator? What do you teach? Can you share some of your teachings?
»I am a multi-instrumentalist, so I am able to teach or guide someone from a beginner to intermediate/advanced, depending on the instrument. As I've studied music and I acquired a degree in music performance.
I have the "Know How" principle. And anything I don't know; I can figure it out.
Sharing a teaching: »Always be patient with yourself, it's never about speed but always about accuracy. «
Tell us, what else, besides music, is that you love?
»Apart from music I love to cook, and I love painting, when I do have the time. As well I love to find different or creative ways to do anything, I think I have an interest in.
If I wasn't doing music, I'd be doing art or be cooking those things I have a passion for. «
What is the importance of the present moment... any thoughts?
»The importance of the present moment is to realize that what you do now determines what you do next, so LIVE! «
Please share with us some of your thoughts about the sacred plant, ganja sensimilla.
»Ganja is a great thing. I consider it to be a medicine both physically and spiritually. I call it the truth serum, it makes you see your true self, the one no one else sees. Some people demonize it and all type of things, but Marijuana isn't anything bad, it's just an amplifier of a man's character, that amplifies what is already there, the truth serum, it allows you to slow down and think for yourself and confront your fears so babylon can't control or distract you with all the smokescreen. But if you realize, the system only "legalizes" it when it’s convenient for them. This is a herb in its most natural state, doing what it is created for clarity. «
"Music is everything for me..."
We could say that music is a universal language that connects us in the most magical way. What is your definition of music?
»Music is everything for me. It's considered to be painting with sounds, different colors and textures. It has all the parts and components to make something that’s bitter, taste sweet. It can be your damnation or a door to your redemption. So, the magnitude of music for me is very deep. It's not as lite as people make it out to be. That's the key to the portal of your soul and it comes in all different flavors, some good, some bad. «
In these times we are witnessing a mass spiritual awakening of humanity. More and more people are becoming aware of their true meaning, their mission, their truth... Why is it important for someone to be true to himself and connected to the most I?
»Connection to the most high is very critical and the most important thing one can ever choose to do especially in a time like this, when the narrative is no morality something that isn't natural. If you check the history of man, we've been on a downward spiral, since biblical times nothing seems to be getting better because most have now become lovers of self-more than lovers of Jah. «
With the truth and love that you express through music, you greatly contribute to the mass awakening of humanity, so let's touch on your new musical project.
On October 15th, 2022, you released your first solo album "If Feet Could Talk". It is available on all main music platforms.
7 songs on the album that are teaching us valuable lessons about life, love, creator, truth, music and more, are: Saints Prayer—Back to Reality – Fly High – Love Like This – If Feet Could Talk – Mr. Ego & Mr. Ego dub with Kibir La Amlak.
It is a wonderful musical creation, each song is special on its own, you play with different riddims, you evoke "rootical" feelings, your singing is heartfelt as well are your messages.
We can feel that every song was carefully crafted. Please tell us what makes this album so special, why is it also of a great importance to you?
»If Feet Could Talk is my first full project and everyone can relate to the title. We often don't remember all the brushes and dirt and cuts that our feet go through, both physically and metaphorically speaking.
Every song has been a passionate moment of my life that I have encountered, whether it be joy,pain,different struggles or seen different battles been fought around me. So, it's for everyone, this project is also a reminder to myself first, because I still listen them to help me when I'm having rough days, on days I feel like giving up. «
How did you feel after completing the project and releasing the album?
»Completing this project was a great accomplishment because I wrote all the music, arranged, mixed, mastered as well as played most of the instruments, along with some magnificent musicians as well. I could not do it without them. This project speaks to the journey I'm on. I know it will not be easy, but this will be the fuel to keep going. «
"...if you're not conscious you're unconscious, just another statistic in the matrix..."
Your music and lyrics are conscious, when listening to, we feel heartical vibrations... What is your message to humanity?
»CONSCIOUS music is critical which means if you're not conscious you're unconscious, just another statistic in the matrix.
So, my message to humanity is "to wake up and live" and be mindful, patient, and kind. The hardest battle you will ever fight is never with your brother or sister. The hardest battle you'll have to fight is within yourself. Do not be mastered but master yourself and you can change the tide of your future. «
"..my message to humanity is "to wake up and live" and be mindful, patient, kind.."
Do you have any additional messages regarding the »If feet could talk« album?
»I have a lot of things in store. We are currently working on visuals for the projects, limited edition vinyl is also on the way as well as »If feet could talk« merchandise that everyone could be a part of. I am thankful for the support so far and happy that it will do for someone else what it is doing for me. «
Your future visions? As Jelliss & as Unconquerebel?
»As the artist I am working towards being an independent touring musician, sharing my gifts around the world. I enjoy touring with The Unconquerebels as well and greatness is in the future of this team«
Any visions about your musical creations?
»I'd love to see this music everywhere, to do greater good on a larger scale, to have it written in the hearts of many. «
Are you already working on any new projects?
»I have already started working on new projects, hopefully some new stuff next year, but most of the focus now is on If Feet Could Talk. «
"I can see why they love the movement you know - soul food..."
Of course, we would very much like to see you repeat the European tour in 2023 as well. Hopefully you will return to Slovenia. Are you already making some plans in that direction? Did you receive any callings for the African tour?
»Next year is going to be an eventful year in terms of concerts. I've been to Africa a few times before as a supporting musician but also as an artist and did a few performances. And I'm excited to go there again.
I'd love to come back to Slovenia again and Africa awaits its creators, so we know things will manifest in due time to go back to Africa as Jelliss and with Hempress Sativa and The Unconquerebels. «
Jelliss, from my whole heart, I thank you for your precious time, for this extensive interview, for your powerful words and for a deep insight into such an extraordinary musician as yourself.
I wish you all the best in the upcoming year. Please continue to inspire people all over the world. I would like to see you touch as many people as possible, with your wonderful healing vibrations, that give us confidence in ourselves and connect us to our magic in the most natural way.
The end of the interview.
Everyone Check out Jelliss's album If Feet Could Talk!! Now!!
Thank you kindly for your support, dear Brother or Sister! Hopefully this deep insight into Jelliss, and his music inspires you too, makes you see your true beauty and gives you courage to live as your highest self as well.
Sending you some Rastaman vibrations!
Stay strong, stay healthy, much Love!
Jelliss Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jelliss
Jelliss Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jelliss2017
Jelliss Bandcamp: https://jelliss.bandcamp.com/
Jelliss Instagram: @jellisslive
Photo source: Jelliss album cover; Tosvami photo from Overjam
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