By: Staff
Talented indie artist Pjos is back with his latest dreampop offering, “Everything Was Taken Away”, a mesmerizing exploration of loss, resilience, and the delicate beauty within vulnerability. Known for weaving deeply atmospheric soundscapes, Pjos takes listeners on an emotional journey with reverb-drenched guitars, emotive vocals, and lush, cinematic production.
The single delves into the duality of loss, longing and nostalgia intertwined with a quiet strength that comes with letting go. This introspection is further enhanced by the accompanying ambient b-side, “But It’s Gonna Be Okay”. Evolving from the outro of the main track, the b-side offers a contemplative closure, contrasting the intensity of its predecessor with a subtle glimmer of hope. Together, the two tracks paint an evocative picture of melancholy and resilience, leaving listeners captivated by the story within the sound.
This Poland-based artist, born in Brazil, started his music journey in 2023 and remains a fiercely independent creator.
To expand on the themes of “Everything Was Taken Away”, Pjos has created a lyric video featuring additional quotes that deepen the listener’s understanding of the song’s introspective message. Both tracks are now available on all streaming platforms, promising to envelop listeners in the lush, nostalgic beauty that defines Pjos’ sound.
We had the privilege of sitting down with Pjos to dive deeper into his creative process, inspirations, and the journey behind his latest release. Keep reading to explore his thoughts on crafting cinematic soundscapes, navigating the indie music world, and what lies ahead for this talented dreampop artist.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview:
Hello Pjos, we’re thrilled to have you for this interview! We’ve had a blast diving into your music and exploring your work, and now we’re even more excited to learn more about you, both as an artist, and as a person.
What inspired the name Pjos for your artist persona? How does it capture the connection you want to build with your fans?
The name Pjos comes from the initials of my real name. It felt like a natural choice. I liked that it wasn’t too revealing, but still connected to my identity. To me, it represents how my music is deeply personal but also open to interpretation.
We loved the music video for “Everything Was Taken Away”. The visuals were so captivating. Who handled the videography and editing?
Thank you so much! The video was made using footage provided by the guys at "Life on Super 8." I took their material and edited it myself, piecing everything together to align with the song's mood. I’m glad you liked it.
What are some of the most important images or themes you intend to capture for the viewer?
The video features footage with a vintage aesthetic, chosen to evoke nostalgia and a sense of longing, the bittersweet emotions tied to loss. Everything shown in the video feels like a memory of things that were taken away, fragments of a past that can’t be revisited but still lingers. I wanted to immerse viewers in a reflective experience, where they could connect with feelings of absence, love, and resilience that loss often leaves behind.
The lyric video for “Everything Was Taken Away” includes additional quotes you wrote. What role do these quotes play in expanding the listener's understanding of the song’s message?
The quotes were a way to extend the emotional depth of the song. They offer a glimpse into the thoughts behind the lyrics. I wanted to create a more immersive experience for the listener, encouraging them to sit with the emotions a bit longer.
“Everything Was Taken Away” explores themes of loss and resilience. Can you share the personal or artistic journey behind creating this song?
This song came from a place of introspection about those themes. The artistic journey was about channeling emotions into something that felt authentic. The ascending chord progression reflects the struggle of moving through pain, while the intensity mirrors the weight of those emotions. Pairing it with the b-side “But It’s Gonna Be Okay” felt like completing that emotional circle.
Your music is described as blending a palette of colors, textures, and movement. How do you approach crafting these rich, atmospheric soundscapes?
I approach music almost like painting, layering sounds to create depth and movement. I start with a feeling or an idea and build from there, using textures like reverb-drenched guitars or ambient synths to evoke a specific mood. Movement comes from how these layers interact, how they evolve or fade, guiding the listener through an emotional journey. For me, it’s about creating a world the listener can step into.
You’ve mentioned that the b-side track, “But It’s Gonna Be Okay,” contrasts the intensity of the main song. What made you choose this and what does this contrast symbolize for you?
The contrast felt essential. Everything Was Taken Away is intense and cathartic, while But It’s Gonna Be Okay feels more reflective and soothing. For me, it’s a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there’s a path forward, however small it might feel at first.
What does it mean to you to manage every aspect of your music independently, and how does this hands-on approach affect your creative process?
As a solo DIY artist, managing everything from writing and recording to promotion, is challenging and rewarding. It gives me complete creative freedom, but it also requires juggling a lot alongside my 9-to-5 job. The hands-on approach makes the process feel more personal and genuine. It ensures that every part of what I share reflects who I am and what I want to express.
We read that your journey in music began in 2023 with a cover song. How has your music evolved since then, and what lessons have you learned along the way?
Starting with a cover helped me find confidence as a musician, but creating original music allowed me to explore my voice more deeply. Since then, I’ve learned to connect with my feelings and translate them into sounds and messages.
How do you hope listeners connect to the themes and emotions in “Everything Was Taken Away”?
I hope listeners feel a sense of recognition in the emotions the song explores. Loss is a universal experience, but it’s also deeply personal. I want people to connect with the duality of the song, the pain of something ending and the quiet hope that emerges from moving forward.
What was the creative process like for recording and producing the ambient b-side track? Did it evolve naturally from the outro, or was it a separate vision?
The ambient b-side, But It’s Gonna Be Okay, emerged naturally from the outro of Everything Was Taken Away. While working on the outro, I realized it had the potential to evolve into something more, a soothing counterpoint to the intensity of the main track. The process was intuitive, layering ambient synths and subtle textures to create a sense of calm and reassurance. It was like building a safe space after the storm of the main song, a place where everything feels like it might eventually be okay.
How do you envision your sound evolving as you continue to develop your craft and explore new themes?
I see my sound becoming even more immersive and nuanced. I want to continue blending cinematic and melancholic elements with fresh influences, exploring new ways to create emotional landscapes. Collaboration will likely play a bigger role in the future, as it brings perspectives I might not reach on my own. I’m also excited to experiment with live performances, which I think will introduce a new dynamic to my music and push me creatively in unexpected directions.
In a world where the music industry can be demanding, have you ever faced moments where you questioned continuing? What motivates you to push through those moments?
There have definitely been moments where the weight of balancing my music with a 9-to-5 job and managing everything independently felt overwhelming. But in those moments, I remind myself that music is how I express my truest self, and that alone is worth pushing through the challenges.
If you could make one change in the music industry to support emerging artists like yourself, what would it be?
I’d love to see more platforms and opportunities for smaller, independent artists to be discovered without requiring a massive budget for promotion. The industry often favors established names or viral hits, which makes it harder for emerging artists to get noticed. A shift toward valuing diversity and creating accessible pathways for new voices to reach an audience would make the music world much richer and more inclusive.
What’s next for Pjos? Are there any upcoming projects or directions you’re excited to share with your audience?
I’m currently planning new releases for 2025, including collaborations that explore different sides of my sound. I'll keep my eyes open for opportunities to play my music live for the first time as well. There’s a lot to look forward to, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone.
Pjos, thank you so much! We appreciate you taking the time to talk to us.
Thank you for the opportunity! I really appreciate your support and the chance to share a little more about my journey and music.
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared Pjos’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
Now, click the links below to experience their incredible work firsthand!
Check out this latest release and listen to more on Spotify & YouTube
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