I became a fan of FKJ (French Kiwi Juice) back in my first Covid lockdown when I was living in Singapore. Boy that was weird. Imagine moving to, living and working in another country and thinking “its only 13months! Whats the worst that can happen?” and Covid hits around the half way point! Not to mention, before anyone else back home and the rest of the Western world. Good times…
I actually loved my first ever lockdown experience (and this current, second one for that matter). I’m sure i’ll write more about it. I had my morning routine down pat, I woke up every morning excited for the new and unpredictable day, and one of the things I spent a lot of time doing (which I would tend to neglect a lot – still do) is paint! I love arts and crafts and any reason to get creative but no matter how awesome it makes me feel while i’m doing it or when I’m finished, I just never prioritise it. It kind of comes with having a million and one different hobbies but I had no excuse with all the time in the world. So I ordered paints, canvas paper and spent some really enjoyable time painting.
My room had beautiful, wall length, wide spread windows on the two sides of the room joining together in the corner, at seventeen stories high, overlooking the condominium pool and surrounding palm trees. There were also two ledges below both windows, also joining together where I had my candles and trinkets. This is usually where I would paint or read. When the curtains were all drawn back and the windows open, it looked and felt like the room was floating out in the sky. And when it was time, I would shut my door, blast my music and zen out painting.
During this lockdown period in particular, I was getting really into the lo-fi, cafe jazz, ambient worlds sort of playlists that went with my new devoted time to relaxation and creativity. And one of the artists I had previously heard a collaboration with Masego, was FKJ. The song was ‘Tadow’ and I fell in love with the instrumentals which were all done by FKJ. So I looked up more of his craft and was hooked.
Also during this painting/drawing period of lockdown, I liked choosing the Youtube vids that were either live or had cool visuals, ya know to really get into the mood. Some cool vids I found were artists doing specialised performances in cool locations around the world. I then found FKJ and a Youtube thumbnail that i couldn’t oversee. It looked like the edge of the world, where the ocean meets the sky and sun is touching its own reflection. It’s called ‘FKJ live at Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia for Cercle’.
A one and a half hour video of FKJ performing live, by himself at the edge of the world. A one man band, at least 15 instruments, a stage floating on the water and the most magnificent sunset you’ve ever seen (just watch it already). This was my jam to paint to for a while. You can’t not get creative while witnessing something like this. Some people just amaze me! Nature just amazes me!
A year later and now in my second lockdown, I try to get back into the creative groove and decide to search on Apple music if this video is available to download to my library. Unfortunately it isn’t HOWEVER, I then discover this dude has made a collaboration with Calm (about a week ago from when I searched) and put out a short 20-min album called ‘Just Piano’. The first key played got me hooked and I listened to it about 18 times straight over in less than a week. 3 months later now and according to my Apple Music account on my laptop, I’ve listened to it 107 times… so far.
There’s no lyrics, no other instruments, Just. Piano. And I think I already memorise the entire album off the top of my head. It sets my mood to sleep, wake up, read, write, clean, paint! There’s something about art that inspires other art. It’s something deeper than entertainment, almost spiritual.
FKJ is an amazing artist and his music is inspiring. I love music that makes me feel and he has a bond with the instruments he plays that is special and i’m grateful to be able to listen to it whenever I like. What a time to be alive. If you don’t know him already, do your homework. Also there’s a matching videoclip for ‘Just Piano’ on YT if you’re feeling like some inspiring visuals to go with your melodic stimulation!
Peace
**April ’24 update:
I ate a leftover half eaten edible brownie I had in the fridge a couple Sunday’s ago and felt like listening to something while doing some arts and crafts and the Cercle video thumbnail was chilling on the side of my youtube and I thought “nah, i’ve listened to it so many times… Actually, maybe i’ll just have a little tease”. I opened it and the brownie hit and I just got transported. Holy crud, it is SO BEAUTIFUL. Please listen to/watch it. He is a masterpiece.