Meet Exact Change Project

There are few greater pleasures in life than paying for something with exact change. Specifically, I derive great satisfaction for buying an overpriced cup of black coffee from a swanky coffee shop, meticulously counting coins in front of an irate barista. 

Today’s band does not carry around an excessive amount of coins, but do make some excellent, jazz infused hip-hop. Hailing from Queens and Brooklyn, Exact Change Project delivers something special. 

Following their latest release, Concrete Canvas, these fellas reveal a house plant affinity, discuss their place within the history of hip-hop, and offer some excellent advice for chores. 

Give it a read and I’ll buy you a coffee! 

MORE PRIME TIME GOSSIP a Mad-Lib By, Exact Change Project

The ever FEISTY "Gilligan vs THE MOON" looks as though it will end up an ALERT feature in ORBIT. Both Universal INSTRUMENTS and Paramount ROOFS are competing to turn this MAJESTIC comedy into a DISCONNECTED blockbuster What world-famous THERMOS designer is FEROCIOUSLY tearing his AMYGDALA.out? His staff sold the same provocative and RESILIENT low-cut PALLADIUMS to two of TV's leading TEACHERS. The women hate each other's ANKLES.

Would You Rather…

be made of rubber or steel? What would you do with your new-found powers?

J: Rubber. I'd rather be flexible, malleable, free moving. I feel like rubber would give you more flexibility and freedom than steel. If I were made of rubber, I'd be able to vibrate and remold my state of being. I can just imagine rolling myself up to slide through different cities, slipping in between the cracks to get into places I'm not supposed to be in...

Some Questions with Exact Change Project

If you could ask another musician any question who would it be and what would you ask?

J: If I could interview any musician, it would probably be Sun Ra or Flying Lotus. I'm fascinated by musicians those compositions are inspired by dreams, and proclaimed extraterrestrial experiences. I want to learn how to tap into THOSE vibes for our next record…

Do you have any house plants? How are they doing?

J: Yeah, I have a whole corner with a palm tree, a couple of money trees, and a few other plants. They are doing really well considering my apartment doesn't get that much direct sunlight. Full disclosure, my wife does most of the plant care around here. She talks to the plants and everything...

Do you ever have exact change?

J: I barely ever have exact change. I find myself using physical currency less and less, and change, forget about it. It just feels clunky in my pocket. The change concept refers to the constant state of evolution happening around us.

Where do you place yourself within the history of jazz and hip-hop?

J: I love this question. It's hard to think of music on a timeline, but I find it interesting to analyze and connect the musical inspirations and influences of artists. Growing up, Luge and I were hardcore NYC hip hop heads; it wasn't until we were in our 20's when we really started getting into jazz. During our time living in Buenos Aires, Argentina, we became real heavy jazz heads. As we were studying the music of Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey, Coltrane, Bill Evans; really we were digging everybody from the Hard Bop era to newer jazz fusion artists. Over the past few decades, our most important influences are musicians that fuse genres; Steely Dan is crazy. We exist somewhere in between all of these worlds. Our early albums sound like classic jazz and boom-bap fusion, A Tribe Called Quest, Madlib type vibes. I think we're currently in a space of history where we are fusing all of these influences, all of the musical vibes that we love, and trying to create our own version of the music that we want to exist in the world today.

What has been the biggest highlight in your music career so far?

J: It's hard to pinpoint one single moment. There have been so many great concerts that we've done, opportunities of meeting great musicians around the world. I think the highlight(s) that are most rewarding are conversations with people about how our music has impacted them in some way, or has helped them process their emotions during difficult times. That's the key for me.

What would the title of your memoir/biography be?

J: Lead by Example

What's the most vivid dream or nightmare you had in 2019?

J: I wish I remembered more of my dreams. It’s hard to recall in detail. Most of the dreams that I can remember when I wake up are about my other job (teaching).

When writing a song, do you privilege harmony, melody, or lyrics first?

Luge: It depends on what I'm feeling. Sometimes I have a melody in my head that I wanna build on, and harmonizing brings other parts of the song together. Or vice versa. More recently I've been starting by building a specific mood with drums or a bassline. The important part is to catch the feeling/inspiration while it's there to allow you to develop and express it most effectively.

What is your least favorite chore?

Luge: Probably laundry, just because it requires much more time than anything else. Dishes I can bang out in 10 minutes, but folding takes a while. I usually work on tracks or practice while washing and drying, and throw on a podcast or album while folding. Works out.

Who are your favorite musical acts active in NYC right now?

Luge: We like a whole range of stuff, from Nick Hakim and Gabriel Garzón-Montano to Cory Henry and the Funk Apostles and Robert Glasper. J3PO is dope, going to see him rock this week actually. Homeboy Sandman is a beast.  Luckily NYC has so much talent and so many good venues to see music; any day of the week you can discover some new fuego.

What is the one thing you want people to take away from your music?

Luge: To be inspired and inspire others. To show love to people because it'll bring us together, and because you never know what someone is going through. To respect the process and the discipline it takes to succeed, and believe in yourself and know you can get there. To work towards expressing yourself as best you can, whether it be through conversation, art, music, or any other medium. And that it's never too late to exact the necessary change you may need in your life.

What is the best pizza in NYC?

Luge: There's too many to choose from. You have all the giants in Brooklyn and Manhattan, but sometimes the local joints really hit the spot. For a traditional NYC slice, Sunnyside Pizza brings it.  Quality cheese and sauce, perfect dough crispness, and sesame seeds on the crust to top it off.

 Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Has this in any way shaped your music?

Luge: I am a bit of an introvert. I like to just lay in the cut and have a good time.  On the other hand, Jay leans more towards an extrovert; he's more social and meets people easier.  As for how it shapes our music, it helps me buckle down and grind on beats at the crib for hours on end, as well as facilitating creative navigation.  Jay's outgoing and adventurous nature brings him unique experiences that make for good writing and lyrics in general, apart from giving him good crowd communication.  Overall, we probably have some of both characteristics in us. 

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

Luge: Listen to our new EP "Concrete Canvas", out on all streaming platforms. And make sure to vote!