Boulder-based artist Stryder Jones joined DJ Jules in the KGNU studio for a live interview and in-studio session. He discussed his new album Kitchen Window, including the personal childhood moment that inspired its title track, as well as his hands-on production style where he builds songs using keys, drums, and synths.
Stryder also spoke about his early influences, including Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, and Tyler, the Creator, whose album IGOR led him to begin making music at a young age. The session featured his tracks Kitchen Window and Chase Sensation, along with conversation about his debut album Love and Forgiveness and his current work as an emerging local artist performing and releasing new music.
Listen to the interview here:
Transcript:
DJ Jules: All right, folks. Hello, hello, hello. It’s your girl, DJ Jules, still hanging out in the Boulder studio. If you were listening before and remember what I told you would happen an hour ago, or maybe you’re just tuning in right now, I have Stryder here in studio with me for a live interview.
Hi, Stryder.
Stryder Jones: Hello.
DJ Jules: How are you today?
Stryder Jones: I’m splendid.
DJ Jules: Awesome. Hey, KGNU cuties and listeners, you were just listening to a track from Stryder. That one is called Kitchen Window, and we were dancing over here in the Boulder studio.
Stryder Jones: Boogie.
DJ Jules: We were. I love it. I love that you’ve got a little shimmy in you at all times, even with Stevie Wonder we were dancing together.
Stryder Jones: Played Stevie Wonder recently, and I was just… oh my God. Perfect song. It’s a perfect hype song.
DJ Jules: Yep, there we go. I wanted to hype you up in our interview.
Stryder Jones: Sunshine. That’s right, that’s what it is.
DJ Jules: I love that. Yeah, it is sunshine. I love that so much.
Okay, wonderful. Welcome to KGNU. Thanks for being here. What brings you into the studio today?
Stryder Jones: I’m working on a new album, and I’m trying to do more of the musician thing where you go out and put yourself out there instead of staying in your room all day making music. I’m having fun meeting people, getting to know the community, and getting out there. I’m Boulder-based, born in Boulder.
DJ Jules: I love that. And how perfect is that, that you’re Boulder-based, born in Boulder, and there’s public community radio where we love to amplify local voices and musicians right here in your backyard.
Stryder Jones: Yes.
DJ Jules: The first track we played is called Kitchen Window. What can you share about that song and how it was made?
Stryder Jones: I’ve been very influenced by Stevie Wonder and David Bowie. I’ve been listening to vinyl, and there’s something magical about it compared to streaming. That inspired the album, which is called Kitchen Window.
It’s about looking into someone’s kitchen, or even yourself looking in. It’s a place where people put love into what they create every day. I imagine light shining through the window and someone dancing in the kitchen. That’s what this music feels like to me.
The sample at the beginning of the track is a recording of me ten years ago, in 2016. I had my iPad and my brother was convincing me to make YouTube videos. I was excited, I pressed record, and at the same time my mom was cooking noodles and they overflowed.
My brother said, “Okay, can we stir it?” but it sounds like “Can we start it?” Then I said “Okay,” and the song begins. It’s symbolic of that time in my life. I was about eight, doing talent shows, improvising dance, and really embracing spontaneity and music.
DJ Jules: I love this so much. You’re speaking to my mother heart because I have an eight-year-old son. Our kitchen is a place of dance parties while cooking noodles, singing, and just moving around. It’s joyful. It’s where life happens.
Stryder Jones: Yes.
DJ Jules: You talk about being eight and doing talent shows. It sounds like you had a really supportive environment for creativity.
Stryder Jones: Yes. My mom was very supportive. Even as a baby, she would tap the beat on my back when music played and dance with me. They always had full confidence in me because they cared about my passion.
If I put energy into something, they believed I could go far with it. I’ve been dancing and making music my whole life. At 10 years old I listened to IGOR by Tyler, the Creator, and that changed my life. It inspired me to start making music on a computer.
I’ve been doing it for about eight years on and off, especially during COVID when I would join online school Zooms and then leave to make music all day.
DJ Jules: Beautiful. So what is your creative process?
Stryder Jones: I get inspired by something like Stevie Wonder, and I feel like I need to make something better or express that feeling. It becomes like hunger. I sit down, load drums, samples, and vinyl chops. I’m not a drummer, so I build everything digitally.
I play bass, keys, percussion, sound effects, everything. Sometimes the best songs feel like they’re already happening before I make them. I’m just trying to keep up with them.
Michael Jackson talked about something similar, like songs just arriving fully formed. That’s how Kitchen Window felt. My whole body was moving as I built it.
DJ Jules: Amazing. Let’s hear your next one, Chase Sensation.
[Song plays]
DJ Jules: All right, we are back. You’re listening to the Afternoon Sound Alternative with DJ Jules, and I have Boulder-born and based Stryder here in studio. What was the name of that song?
Stryder Jones: Chase Sensation.
DJ Jules: So fun. The community just heard Kitchen Window and Chase Sensation. Where can listeners find your music?
Stryder Jones: I’m on all streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and YouTube. I have four albums on my Stryder Jones account. My debut album Love and Forgiveness is out as well. It’s my best work so far. It’s about 48 minutes long.
Check out my Instagram too. I’m doing performances and staying active as a young artist. That’s where you’ll find updates on shows, new music, and music videos.
DJ Jules: I’m excited to see where your path goes. We’d love to have you back for more live sessions and performances. Anything else you want to share before we wrap up?
Stryder Jones: This world is amazing. Go outside. It’s really nice out. I believe in art and creativity as a guiding light in life. Everyone is creative—whether you’re cooking in your kitchen or making something for yourself.
Art is nourishment for the soul and something we all need.
DJ Jules: It totally is. Stryder, thank you for coming in today and sharing your art and passion with us at KGNU.
Stryder Jones: Thank you.
