Interview: Back in the 210 with Jay Wile

Austin-based R&B/soul singer Jay Wile spoke with Afterglow about his two 2019 projects, performing on the same stage as Miguel, and his influences following his set at Mala Luna Festival in San Antonio.

Written by Thomas Galindo

Photo courtesy of Jay Wile

Having dropped his second project of the year, Somewhere in Mind, in September, Jay Wile is looking to establish a home and fanbase in Austin. The Converse, TX-raised R&B singer took the stage at 1:00-1:15 p.m. on Saturday at Mala Luna Festival. 

During his set, he performed his hits “Honest” and “Numb” from his 2018 debut album Blue Patio, along with “Who’s Lovin’ U?” from his newest EP Somewhere in Mind. 

We discussed how he put together his setlist, what being at Mala Luna means to him, and his future in Austin.

In your social media bio it says that you’re Austin-based, so being from Converse, how did you find your way to Austin?

I always wanted to move to Austin since I was little. I always thought of myself being old (and) living in Austin. So whenever the time came and I graduated from school, I moved back home for a year to get everything situated and figured out. All my friends that I was already making music with lived in Austin, so it was an easy jump to make, not being too far from home — only an hour and a half away — but understanding that it would be nice to have that distance.

How long have you lived in Austin?

It’s been almost a year now, since December.

In terms of your music and the music you listen to, who are your main inspirations?

I’m inspired by Stevie Wonder, John Legend, and of course I love Frank, so Frank Ocean. Those three have been the major impacts. But I love hearing other genres and hearing their take on music.

Do you ever try to check out any Austin local music?

Yeah, so I’ve been trying to get used to it. I’ve been going out and seeing more shows where some of my friends are doing shows. 

Seen any good bands lately?

So my friend, who actually did a couple tracks with me on my recent project, is in a band called Flora & Fawna. They’re a two-piece, but they have some friends who help out, and they’re a really cool band. Also, PNTHN is pretty dope.

With you having an album (Bloom Series) that came out a few months ago, what was the process of dropping an EP (Somewhere in Mind) only a few months after that?

So with Bloom Series, half of the project was already out in the form of singles, so I really just wanted to put that out together in one cohesive thought, more of a “Back To The Future” arc. We look back and see these different periods of time in one project. With this most recent project, I had been working on it for the past year, so it was more of a true follow-up to my 2018 album Blue Patio.

How big was it for you to see that Bloom Series got a million streams on Spotify?

It was nuts, man. I had checked that Spotify for Artists page and I saw the number and was like “Oh sh-t!” To see that was just motivation to keep working, because people are always listening and people are gravitating towards the music. 

So what does it mean to be able to perform at Mala Luna?

It’s been mind-blowing honestly. I was telling my friends earlier, to be from here, and to see myself 10 years ago, when I was first trying to do music, I have the same mindset now. But the execution wasn’t there versus now to see the progression — I’m speechless man. To see myself on the same stage as Miguel, it blows my mind, because I’m a huge fan of his.

So aside from Miguel I’m assuming, who do you plan on seeing this weekend?

I just saw Smino — he was amazing. The first song he came out with, “Reverend,” is my new favorite song I just heard recently so he caught my attention immediately. I really want to see Summer Walker, too.

Being a big Frank (Ocean) fan, how do you feel about his new single “DHL”?

I haven’t sat with it enough. I feel like with all his music it’s something you have to sit with. You have to understand where he’s going with it. 

How do you decide your setlist for performances like these when you’re always coming out with new music?

I go with what I feel like. With the set time I was given today and the situation I had, I feel like the setlist I put together was the best sound. I still put the songs that everybody’s interested in. My biggest song’s “Honest” so I played that, and I played the biggest songs from my new project. And “Numb” is my favorite song to play live, so I played that. But I really just play whatever I’m feeling, and my friends that I play with understand and are flexible, so I never have to throw wrenches into any plans.

Lastly, do you plan on staying in Austin for a while, or would you like to use it as a springboard to building your career?

I don’t really know. I’m enjoying my time in Austin right now. I’m just now getting started, so I want to figure out what I like about the city and get more comfortable with it. The idea of LA or New York is tempting, and if that situation does come up, that’s a situation I’m going to entertain at least, but at this point Austin is home for now.

This interview has been edited minimally for clarity and length.
Listen to Jay Wile on Spotify and find him on Instagram and Twitter @jaywile_