J.Mystery Talks New Single, Musical Memories And More
Words by Glenn Sargeant
Feature Image Photo Credit: Pedro Gomes
J.MYSTERY is a singer-songwriter from Portugal. His latest single and music video ‘Change’ is out now and he very kindly chatted to us:
What is your earliest musical memory?
I grew up in church, where music was always a big part of everything. Some of my earliest memories are of me setting up a little toy drum kit right next to the church drummer and trying to play along for the entire service.
Afterwards, the musicians would stay and have these jam sessions, and I’d just sit there completely fascinated, soaking in all that talent and musicality. I didn’t fully understand it at the time, but I knew I was witnessing something special.
When did you begin songwriting?
I had a guitar at home growing up, and I’d pick it up from time to time, just playing around and trying to come up with melodies, but without really thinking about writing songs.
Later on, when I started singing in church, that’s when I began writing more intentionally. I was around 17 at the time.
But it wasn’t until I was about 24 that I started exploring broader themes in my music, writing about things beyond the church and really finding my own voice as a songwriter.
You have released your latest single ‘Change’. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?
“Change” came from a very personal place. It was written during a time when I was going through a lot internally, questioning who I was, where I was going, and what I needed to let go of in order to grow.
At the same time, I was also questioning everything that’s going on in the world right now, how often we stay silent, even when we know things aren’t right. It made me reflect on how we, as individuals, actually have the power to make a difference, but sometimes choose not to act.
The song lives in that space between personal and collective change, that uncomfortable moment where nothing feels stable, but you know something has to shift. Writing it was my way of processing all of that and accepting that change, even when it’s difficult, is necessary for evolution.
Where did you record the track and who produced it?
The track was recorded in Portugal across three different studios, Arda Recorders, Estúdio Eléctrico, and Zilia 2.0.
It was produced by Francisco Reis, and working across different spaces really helped shape the overall sound and atmosphere of the track.
Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?
Recording days are always really fun. I wouldn’t say I have a specific funny story, but I’m still in that phase where everything feels new and exciting, and I honestly hope that never goes away.
I feel incredibly privileged to experience all of this alongside such talented and professional musicians. Just being in the room, creating and learning from them, is already a memorable experience in itself.
Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?
I’m probably not the best person to go into the technical side of things, because I don’t focus too much on that, I leave it to my producer and the engineers handling the recordings.
For me, it’s more about the feeling. Being in the studio sometimes feels like being in a toy store, with so many options and sounds to explore.
If I had to highlight one instrument, it would definitely be the piano we recorded at Arda Recorders, a Fazioli F278 grand piano. It has an incredible sound and really added something special to the track.
Which of your tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?
a) Happiest — “Reverie”. That track captures a lighter, more free side of me.
b) Angriest — “Breakdown”. There’s a lot of raw emotion and tension in that one.
c) Most reflective — “Change”. It’s a track that was written to make people think and, hopefully, take action.
Who were the musicians who were on the song with you?
I had the privilege of working with some incredible musicians on this track, and I’m truly grateful to share this music with them:
Keys — Miguel Campos
Bass — Luís Correia
Drums/Percussion — Gonçalo Salta
Guitar — Andrés Malta
Violin — Ian, Ana Ribeiro
Cello — Nikolai Gimaletdinov
Viola — Mateusz Stasto
It was an amazing experience collaborating with such talented people.
Was it a difficult song to write?
I wouldn’t say it was difficult, but it definitely felt necessary for me to write. It was one of those songs that needed to come out, almost like a form of release.
Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?
I was born in Brazil, but I moved to Portugal as a baby. I currently live in a small village called Fonte Arcada, with around 1,450 inhabitants.
If I had to describe it in five words: Calm, peaceful, natural, inspiring, simple.
How do you look after your voice?
Rest, hydration, and knowing when not to push are essential. I also make sure to warm up properly, your voice is an instrument, and you have to respect it.
I also work weekly with a vocal coach, Joaquim Caetano, and it’s been an incredible journey discovering and learning how to truly use my voice as an instrument.
Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2026?
The first confirmed dates are in Portugal, I’ll be opening for Father John Misty on June 1st and 2nd, at Sagres Campo Pequeno in Lisbon and Coliseu do Porto.
I’m really excited about these shows, and I’m looking forward to confirming more dates and starting to take my live performance beyond borders.
What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?
That people felt something real and that they leave seeing a part of themselves differently.
Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?
I play acoustic guitar and sing, and I tend to keep things very simple. I don’t rely much on gear, I’m still learning and figuring out what works best for me.
For now, I just focus on the performance and the feeling.
The track is accompanied by an official music video. What was the thought process behind the video and who directed it?
The video was directed by André Tentúgal, an incredible director who has been with me since the very beginning. Together, we’ve been developing a very unique and beautiful visual language for this project.
This was our first time shooting a video in a studio, and the idea was to represent the emotional state many people find themselves in, stuck in a cycle, trying to break free, but constantly being pulled back by something or someone.
We wanted to capture that tension that’s present in the music, and build towards a sense of release. For me, it’s a video that draws you in and follows the song in a simple but powerful way.
Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?
I’m inspired by artists who create atmosphere and emotion, people who aren’t afraid to be vulnerable. I’d recommend exploring artists that make you feel something, not just hear something.
I really love the work of RY X, Matt Corby, Jack Garratt, and Bon Iver, they’ve all had a strong influence on me in different ways.
Do you have any further new music releases planned for this year?
Yes, more music is coming. “Change” is just the beginning of a bigger story I want to tell.
I’m also planning to release another EP this year, so there’s a lot more on the way.
What makes J.Mystery happy and what makes you unhappy?
Creating honestly makes me happy. Being with my family, and especially being able to work and share this journey with my wife, means a lot to me. Sharing these moments and achievements with someone who believes in you, sometimes even more than you believe in yourself, is something I truly value.
What I struggle with is feeling disconnected from purpose. I also find the music industry can sometimes make it difficult to genuinely connect with other artists, to share music in an honest way without everything feeling too transactional.
Feature Image Photo Credit: Pedro Gomes
J.Mystery’s latest single ‘Change’ is out now.
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