VWMusic

All images courtesy of Ken Phillips Publicity Group/Feature image Joe Schaeffer

By Andrew Daly
andrew@vinylwriter.com

Recently, I caught up with veteran alt-rocker, Ajay Popoff of Lit. Among other things, we touch on Ajay’s origins, Lit’s latest music, his approach to songwriting, and what’s next for Lit as we move forward.

If you would like to learn more about Lit, the link to their webpage is here. Once you’ve checked that out, dig into this interview with Ajay. Cheers.

Andrew:
Ajay, thank you for taking the time. As a young musician, what was the moment which first sparked your interest in music?

Ajay:
As far back as I can remember I’ve been obsessed with music. The point at which I decided I had to be on stage performing my own music was after seeing my first arena concert, which was Iron Maiden’s Killers Tour. That was life-changing.

Andrew:
Who were some of your earliest influences that first shaped your style? How would you say that style has evolved as you’ve moved through your career?

Ajay:
Early on, my brother Jeremy and I used to listen to our dad’s record collection which ranged from old classic country music to groups like Def Leppard, and Mötley Crüe, along with artists like Elvis Costello and other classic rock. It was very eclectic, and I think it all finds its way in through my subconscious.

Andrew:
What were some of your earliest gigs where you first cut your teeth?

Ajay:
My very first gig was back when I was still playing drums. It was at the legendary Troubadour in Hollywood when I was fourteen. We were a bit of a glam rock band at the time, and we opened for some hardcore metal bands. [Laughs].

Andrew:
Take me through the formation of Lit. How did the group come together?

Ajay:
We were all born into this band and will die in this band. It was basically a bunch of kids in high school with the same dream. We said, “Hey dude! That’s a cool concert shirt! I was there too! Wanna start a band? We’ll get tons of chicks!!” [Laughs].

Andrew:
Let’s dig into your newest single, “Mouth Shut.” Break the track down for me.

Ajay:
So, “Mouth Shut” is a high-energy summer anthem, where we talk about the constant struggle with putting my foot in my mouth. Sometimes it’s just best to keep my mouth shut…but that doesn’t mean I always choose that route. Maybe we’re all guilty of the same thing sometimes.

Andrew:
From a songwriting perspective, how have your collective experiences affected the music? You experienced great success in the late 90s and early 2000s. How has Lit evolved since then?

Ajay:
We’ve always loved collaborating with other artists and writers throughout the years, taking something new from it every time. I love how we’ve evolved as writers but I’m even more proud of what we’ve done on the new record, Tates Like Gold. We’ve managed to put ourselves back in the mindset that we had back in the early 2000s while keeping a fresh new feel with our production approach. 

Andrew:
How about the production mixing side of things? Take me through that process, and how the final sounds were honed in. 

Ajay:
Working with our co-producers, we were really digging the sounds that they were getting on the early demos. So, we really stayed with that vibe throughout the record, and kind of honed in on the early Lit sound that our fans fell in love with while continuing the development, and future feel for the band. I see it as a “retro-evolution,” if you will.

Andrew:
As a songwriter, how personal are your lyrics? Or are you coming from more of a storytelling perspective?

Ajay:
The stories we tell in our songs come from personal experiences for sure. But as the stories unfold, they’re coming from the different perspectives of all of us writers. We like leaving our songs open for outside interpretations as well. I think that’s what makes a song relatable.  

Andrew:
Last one. What’s next for you in all lanes, Ajay?

Ajay:
I’ll be working a lot on myself. It all starts with a healthy mind and body. I’m excited to take these new songs on the road. We’ve been on a roll, so Im eager to continue with this new wave of inspiration, and creativity, and see where that road leads us. 

– Andrew Daly (@vwmusicrocks) is the Editor-in-Chief for www.vwmusicrocks.com and may be reached at andrew@vinylwriter.com