Meet Jeia: Music Producer, Sound Designer & Composer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeia, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
To pace myself, to learn to say no, and to trust my gut instinct.

There was a time in my life where my mindset was always “go go go”. I took every opportunity comes my way, regardless of whether or not it will advance me. I just wanted to work, I just wanted to do music. I don’t want to miss out on anything, so I said yes to everything.

As a result, I have gotten into multiple situations where I felt like, “wait, this isn’t right.” Either it’s with the wrong people or where I felt like I wasn’t valuing my work as much I should. No regrets, though. Those situations helped me learn to sharpen my instinct of what is good for me in the future.

We have a path in life. We’re the only person who knows what our path is, what kind of person we need to work with, and where to go. Every single time we’re presented an opportunity – new gig, new people, new contract, etc – you KNOW if it’s right for you or not. You feel it. There’s a physical sensation in your body. It’s different for everybody but mine is in the chest area. You need to learn to listen to it. Sometimes we use our brain too much – especially when we overthink or when we try to weigh-in on pros and cons of whether or not a decision is right. Then our feeling get desensitized. Turn the brain off once in a while. And turn the heart on.

Sometimes it also helps to imagine the right scenario for you. Oftentimes I just sit and think about – what if I have it all? What does “having it all” means? What are the situations? How do I feel? Who am I involved with? How does my team look like?

I realized my choices are often influenced by external factors. That exercise helps me get out of the “should” and instead focus on the “need”. It’s also nice to daydream and it makes me feel good!

And lastly, I learned that I’m not missing out on anything I say no to. Instead I’m giving more space to things that are right for me. You have a path and nothing will take that away from you.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Not easy, but it is a very fulfilling work.

I have done various music production work, but the most profound joy I’ve experienced is definitely when I’m working with an artist or songwriter.

The best part is when an artist or songwriter comes up to me with their song idea for me to create the music for it. Seeing their face lit up when they hear the music around their song for the first time is the energy that I crave so much.

The opposite rings true as well. When I make an instrumental, send it to an artist or songwriter, and they send it back to me with their vocals laid down on it, it really sends me over the moon. There’s nothing like it. It’s like, “I get you. I get what you’re trying to say. I get your story. I hear you.” It’s the ultimate feeling of being understood. Everyone’s ego is out of the window and we just do what the music calls us to do. It’s the most beautiful feeling.

I’m also currently crafting my personal brand, “Jeia” the artist. As an instrumentalist and producer, I communicate with sounds and spaces and notes. This side of me is more like a personal playground. Pure expression and sound exploration.

Music is a constant curiosity for me, and curiosity is an art. It is such a stable and peaceful energy that can sustain me doing music for a very long time.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love this question! Toronto has awesome parks and beaches. Definitely will take them to Woodbine Beach and High Park. Greektown for the food. Def Kensington Market also for the food, and on the weekends for the dope street performers. Also The Village – just because!

Toronto has so many dope regular live shows too. We definitely should check out The Build, Frequencies, Subtle Blend, Loop Sessions (if they’re a producer and feeling adventurous). This city is full of amazing performers and artists – we can just pull up a calendar and see what’s cool that week! Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh man!!

Books!
There are 3 autobiographies that really shaped how I work today.
Timbaland’s (“The Emperor of Sound”), David Foster (“Hitman”), and Kanye West (“God and Monster”)

I cycled these books on Kindle during my 27-hour flight from Jakarta to Toronto. It was the biggest move I made in my life. These books really grounded me and helped me see clearly of what steps I need to take once I get to Toronto. I learned a lot about centering my production work around the artists and use that power to take a song to the next level. The Kanye one gave me an insight of how a producer can also be an artist.

People!
Definitely my parents for letting me run wild (thank you and I’m sorry! Lol)

The beautiful people in the Toronto music community for the constant good vibes.

My mentors in Toronto: VJ/Pursuit Grooves who taught me how to unapologetically be myself & stand my ground creatively; and Brad Wykes for the insights and for being so generous with his resources.

My manager Cliff Beiner for helping me navigate the intricasies of music biz, for the positive energy, and for being such a good human. I promise you you’re not crazy for believing in me!

My first music/booking team in Indonesia – too many to mention but you know what you did. Shoutout to you all and for the beautiful memories that I will keep in my heart forever.

Everyone who gave me a chance, listened to my music and supported me since the very beginning – shoutout to you all. It means so much to me.

Website: thisisjeia.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thisisjeia

Twitter: twitter.com/thisisjeia

Facebook: facebook.com/thisisjeia

Youtube: youtube.com/thisisjeia

Other: A Spotify playlist of the releases I produced! http://bit.ly/prodbyJeia