1. Congratulations on the release of "Tribe." What inspired this piece, and what
story did you want listeners to experience from beginning to end?
Tribe was born from the need to begin a new life. I wanted the listener to
experience a real journey, from the silence of isolation to a collective
awakening. It is a call to reclaim our deepest nature.
2. You describe Tribe as more of a ritual than a traditional song. What does that
distinction mean to you as a composer?
A traditional song follows clearly defined layers and structures, generally
intended for entertainment, whereas a ritual piece is meant to transform a
state of mind.
3. Your previous single, "Floor," explored themes of depression and isolation.
How does Tribe represent the next chapter in that emotional and spiritual
journey?
Floor represents me as an individual, forced to struggle in order to emerge
from an intense state of emotional alertness. Tribe becomes the result of that
struggle: rediscovering my true self and reconnecting with life, with everyone
gathered in a circle, holding hands around the fire
4. Rhythm seems to be the heartbeat of everything you create. When did
percussion become more than an instrument and transform into a language
for you?
5. It happened when I needed to rediscover my true self, starting again from the
ancestral sounds of my own body: whispers, whistles, harmonized voices,
laments, and so on, sounds that take us back in time and reconnect us with
nature. The rhythm and percussive sounds were a great ally in shaping the
composition, not so much for the rhythmic pattern itself, but for the sound they
create.
6. Your music draws from Southern Italian traditions, Brazilian Candomblé
rhythms, North African influences, and cinematic soundscapes. How do you
blend such diverse inspirations while maintaining your own unique identity?
It wasn’t difficult. These cultures are connected by invisible threads; in many
ways they resemble one another, especially through the same need to
reconnect with the divine and with nature. I simply told my own story using the
artistic languages I had acquired over the years.
7. What role does spirituality play in your creative process, and has that
relationship evolved over the years?
Spirituality, for me, is about listening. Over the years, it has evolved from
being a conceptual search into a daily practice. When I compose, I don’t try to
“create” something out of nothing. Instead, I step aside and allow the sound to
pass through me. It is an act of surrender and of profound gratitude toward
life.
8. You have collaborated with artists connected to Olodum, Timbalada, James
Senese, Tony Esposito, Mario Venuti, Rosalia de Souza, and many others.
What lessons have those collaborations taught you?
From giants like James Senese, I learned the value of intention: it doesn’t
matter how many notes you play, but how much soul you put into them. From
Brazilian and Afro-Cuban masters, I learned devotion to the groove and a
sacred respect for tradition.
9. Was there a specific moment in your life that inspired the transition from the
darkness of Floor to the sense of renewal heard in Tribe?
It was a moment of conscious surrender. I realized that being among the
thorns in Floor was not a punishment, but a preparation. When you accept
your shadow, the light returns naturally. That moment of acceptance was the
spark from which the contagious energy of Tribe was born.
10. Much of today's music relies heavily on digital production, but your work feels
deeply organic. Why is it important for you to preserve that human, acoustic
connection?
In an era dominated by algorithms and synthetic perfection, the sound of drum
skins, wood, and the vibration of air retains a sacred imperfection. It is that
imperfection that reminds us we are alive.
11. The title Tribe suggests community and belonging. In today's increasingly
disconnected world, what does the concept of "tribe" mean to you personally?
In an increasingly individualistic society, we have lost our sense of
community, and this has created a great deal of discomfort and disconnection.
Tribe recalls that fundamental need to take one another by the hand,
reconnect, and create a sense of community and sharing.
12. The accompanying video moves from monochrome imagery into warmth,
color, water, and fire. How closely did you work with the visual concept to
complement the music?
The video is an integral part of the composition. I worked very hard on it
because I wanted the transition in colour to mirror the musical transition
exactly: from the black and white of isolation to colour, fire, and water, which
represent the alchemical elements of rebirth.
13. The release under the Waxing Gibbous Moon adds another symbolic layer.
How much does nature influence your songwriting and artistic vision?
Nature is the first great composer. Synchronising a release with lunar phases
or natural cycles is a way of aligning the energy of the work with a greater
flow. The Waxing Moon carries with it the energy of expansion and creation.
14. As both the composer and performer of every instrument on the recording,
what were the biggest challenges and rewards of creating Tribe almost
entirely on your own?
The greatest challenge was maintaining a sense of critical distance, since I
was taking on every role myself. The greatest reward, however, was complete
expressive freedom: being able to translate every subtle nuance in my mind
directly onto the instrument, without filters.
15. Can you describe your home studio setup and how that environment shapes
your creativity?
My studio is an alchemical laboratory filled with drums from around the world,
vintage instruments, and traditional instruments. It is a protected space,
almost like a mirror of my mind, where I can experiment without time limits
and allow ideas to emerge in their purest form.
16. How did producer and engineer Andrea Cangianiello approach capturing such
a raw, immersive sound while maintaining clarity in the mix?
The key was the microphone recording technique: capturing not only the
direct sound of the instrument, but also the air and the environment
surrounding it. I tried to preserve the natural dynamics and those small, “dirty”
details that make the sound feel alive and three-dimensional.
17. What was it like working with mixing engineer Ruggiero Balzano and
mastering engineer Emanuele Bossi to bring the final sonic vision to life?
It was a collaboration based on a great deal of mutual understanding.
Ruggiero was able to give the tracks an incredible three-dimensional space
while respecting the organic nature of the sound.
Through the mastering, Emanuele added the warmth and final presence that
allow the track to sound powerful on any sound system.
18. Your upcoming album Yelè promises themes of memory, transformation, and
spirituality. Without giving too much away, what can listeners expect from the
full record?
Yelè will be an immersive experience. It will be a journey through humanity’s
rhythmic memory, where percussive trance merges with electronic and
harmonic soundscapes. Listeners will encounter both light and shadow, but
above all, a strong sense of liberation and hope.
19. Many listeners use music for meditation, healing, or mindfulness. Have fans
shared stories about how your music has impacted their lives?
Yes, and that is the greatest reward. Knowing that the frequencies you create
can help support someone else’s healing is an invaluable gift.
20. What do you hope someone feels after listening to Tribe from beginning to
end with no distractions?
I would like listeners to open their eyes again feeling lighter, almost as if they
had just taken a long, deep breath. I would like them to experience a strong
sense of presence in the here and now, together with an impulse to open
themselves more fully toward others.
21. Finally, for listeners discovering Canja for the very first time through The Jiggy
Jaguar Show, what message would you like to leave them, and where can
they follow your musical journey as Yelè approaches its release?
To all the listeners, I would like to say: let the rhythm guide you. Don’t be
afraid to explore your roots and your inner light. You can follow Canja’s
journey and all the updates about Yelè on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube,
and across all streaming platforms. A warm embrace of rhythm and light to
everyone.
Social Handles:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/canja82
IG: https://www.instagram.com/_canja__
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Canja_art
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/35vl9D4Ue6wkqCplOxNdBH
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@._.canja
Q: Looking back a few months after its release, how has the response from fans…