Take us back to college—what sparked your music journey, and why did that first live band performance change everything for you?
Before I came to college, I had never seen a guitar or drums being played live—I’d only seen them in posters or on TV. So when I attended my first live band performance, I was completely mesmerized, because it was the first time those instruments felt real and present in front of me.
The moment I heard the drums and guitar together, I felt an instant spiritual connection. I actually had tears in my eyes, and that was the moment I realized I wanted to be a musician—and I wanted to be on that stage one day.
I started learning drums because they were available in the college band room. I used to attend every jamming session, and when everyone began packing up, I’d use those last 10–15 minutes to sit at the kit and practice. That’s genuinely how my music journey began.
You’re trained as an architect—how do you structure a typical week when you’re juggling design work and music?
Music is the core thing for me, so I made a decision early on to keep my architecture work flexible. That’s why I started freelancing and only take on a limited number of personal projects at a time—usually one or two max.
Right now, I’m about 80% focused on music and 20% on architecture. Working independently gives me the freedom to stay consistent with music, without completely stepping away from what I’ve studied and built professionally.
Architecture still matters to me, but keeping it in a smaller, controlled space helps me protect my creative energy. It lets me move forward as an artist while still staying connected to my design practice.
What was the first song you fully finished, and what did it teach you about songwriting?
“Laachari” was the first song I composed, and finishing it taught me patience more than anything. It took me a long time—around a year and a half—to properly record it and bring it to a point where I could say it was complete.
Once it was done, I realized something important: you don’t need heavy technical knowledge to compose a song. You don’t need to be lost in complex theories or strict structures to create something meaningful.
If your foundation is strong—basic music theory, a good ear, and determination—you can absolutely create your own songs. That belief really shaped the way I write today.
Walk us through how a new track comes together for you today, from the first idea to a rough demo?
Most of the time, it starts when I’m casually jamming on guitar and a tune catches my attention. As soon as I find something that feels attractive or fresh, I record it right away so I don’t lose the mood or the melody.
After that, I decide where to go based on the feeling of the tune. Sometimes I’ll pull ideas from my lyrics bank, and if nothing fits, I start writing lyrics while playing pieces of that tune on loop until the words naturally match the emotion.
For my first three songs, the process was different—I wrote the lyrics first because they were directly based on my real-life experiences. Because they were so personal and clear in my head, it didn’t take me long to write them down.
When you play an original song straight through, what do you want people to feel—like in this performance?
This performance is of my original song “Yaadein.” It was the second song I composed, and I wrote it about a year ago.
The song is about holding on to the best, most beautiful memories with the person you love. It’s really about reminding her how important she is in his life—and about not letting the relationship slip away.
Whenever I perform it, I want it to feel honest and emotional, like a direct conversation you’re having with someone you can’t afford to lose.
For your debut track “Laachari,” what can you show us from the making of it—and which part of the process are you most proud of?
On “Laachari,” I handled almost everything myself—lyrics, composition, arrangement, production, and even the drum beats. I like being involved in the full build because it helps me keep the emotion consistent from the first idea to the final version.
If I had to pick one detail I’m most proud of, it’s the guitar solo. That section really feels like my signature on the song.
It’s one of those moments where the track lifts emotionally, and I feel like it says what words can’t.
If someone had 20 seconds to understand your guitar style, what would you play for them?
This close-up clip is a quick snapshot of the way I naturally riff and phrase on guitar.
What does your voice sound like in a raw, no-frills take—just you and the melody?
This is a simple phone-recorded vocal take—kept raw so the natural tone comes through.
Tell us about a lyric draft that captures an original song in its earliest form?
Here’s a look at a draft page where the song is still forming—before everything gets polished in the studio.
How do you weave an Indian classical touch into your Western pop/rock phrasing?
This clip shows the kind of melodic run and phrasing I lean into when I’m blending those two worlds.
What’s a live moment—stage, rehearsal, or audition—that captures your energy performing “Yaadein” or another original?
This short clip is a live-style moment that reflects how I carry the song in a real performance setting.
Where do you do most of your recording right now, and what does that setup look like?
This is my current recording corner—the space where most of my writing and takes come together.
What does it look like behind the scenes when you’re creating—mid-process, not polished?
Here’s a behind-the-scenes clip from the middle of the process—writing, arranging, and building things step by step.
How do you think about visuals for your music—what cover art best matches one of your songs right now?
This is a cover image that connects with the mood and identity of one of my tracks.
When you’re preparing to perform, what does your setlist or rehearsal notes usually look like?
This is the kind of setlist/rehearsal reference I keep to stay organized during live prep.
What can you tease from the unreleased song you’re currently working on?
Here’s a quick peek at what I’m currently developing—still in progress, but heading somewhere exciting.
If you had to sum up your current sound with one lyric line, chord chart, or melody note, what would you point to?
This image captures a line/idea that feels closest to where my sound is right now.
Contact and Follow
- Name: D Jay (Jai Kumar)
- Email: aktofgod@gmail.com
- YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aktofgodband?si=-3LwpZ_PVpdNROEf
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djay28_sings/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AktOfGod
