Hello everyone it’s your host Daniel from Dulaxi, and today I have with me the exceptional artist Joey P. from Chicago, Illinois, United States. And Joey P. is here to discuss his fan-favorite single “Walked In” which was originally released on August 4th, 2021. So, welcome, Joey P.! But before we begin our interview, to our audience; here is what you need to know about this artist.
Joseph Pacius, professionally as Joey P., is a Chicago-based singer, songwriter, and guitarist has steadily emerged as one of the most compelling voices within the city’s underground R&B and alternative pop landscape. Blending emotional storytelling with atmospheric production, Joey has spent the past several years cultivating a distinctive sound that has become synonymous with his signature lo-fi astral R&B style. Since launching his musical journey with the release of his debut project, “STAR,” in 2021, he has continued to build a loyal and expanding audience, amassing more than 100,000 streams across multiple platforms while earning recognition for his raw honesty, creative individuality, and deeply personal approach to songwriting. His artistic growth has been matched by an unwavering commitment to personal development, having earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science from Purdue University in 2023 while simultaneously developing his independent music career and currently working in healthcare in downtown Chicago. Joey’s momentum has only accelerated in recent years, with his 2024 project “DYING TO LIVE” receiving praise from independent music platforms, tracks such as “Pearle” and “Amative (Alternate Mix)” gaining traction through influential online music communities, and his 2025 project “MISSING IN ACTION” achieving a major milestone when the single “Only One” reached #1 on the Canadian iTunes R&B charts. As he approaches his milestone 25th birthday on June 30th, 2026, Joey is revisiting and reintroducing his debut single “Walked In,” the fan-favorite release that first defined his artistic identity and laid the foundation for the career he continues to build today. More than a nostalgic look back, the renewed focus on “Walked In” serves as both a celebration of his evolution as an artist and a testament to the ambition, confidence, and self-belief that fueled his earliest days in music. Through every chapter of his journey, Joey P. has remained committed to inspiring listeners with the message that dreams are achieved through persistence, growth, and continuing to build even when nobody is watching.
Having this brief Introduction about Joey P., I’m sure new and current fans must be excited about our Interview today.
INTERVIEW SESSION
**Daniel: As you approach your 25th birthday, how does it feel reintroducing yourself to the world at this stage of your journey, both personally and artistically?
Joey P.: Firstly, I’d like to start by thanking Dulaxi for hosting me on their incredible platform. It’s truly a blessing to be making music for a handful of years and still have an audience to reintroduce myself to. I feel the best I ever have in my musical career and I have no plans on slowing down. I don’t think Joey 5 years ago when I first started making music would believe how far we’ve come.
Daniel: How would you define your identity today as an artist coming from Chicago’s underground R&B and alternative pop scene, and what sets your sound apart from others in that space?
Joey P.: Joey is a fashionable influential charismatic cultivator of all things elegant. I didn’t start that way at all, every year of my life seems to give me a new perspective of my artistry. My sound highlights the beauty in vulnerability and imperfections, I translate complicated emotions into pop songs enjoyable on all seven continents.
Daniel: Balancing a growing music career with working in healthcare and your academic background in biomedical science, how have these dual paths shaped your discipline and perspective as an artist?
Joey P.: My goal in life has always been to use my time and energy to help others. I think people often overlook how much of a blessing it is to be useful.
“Daniel:* What does Walked In represent to you emotionally and creatively, especially when you reflect on where you were in life when you first released it?
Joey P.: I recorded “Walked In” in my brother The Ultimate Rage’s basement. It’s hard to remember the exact reason but I was extremely motivated to release a project. “Walked In” represents the purest form of my art, the first song as “Joey P.” on all platforms. When I reflect, I’m reassured my goals are obtainable as long as I never stop believing in myself.
Daniel: When listeners connect with Walked In, what core message or feeling do you hope they take away from it?
Joey P.: Listen to your heart, don’t miss out on opportunities because of hesitation and indecision. The love of your life really might have just walked in to the party and you’ll never know unless you give it a shot.
Daniel: Are there specific lines or moments in Walked In that you feel best capture your mindset at the time, and why do those stand out to you personally?
Joey P.: “Girl you know I love that dress, how you flauntin” hits because I feel that learning to appreciate your partner in their beauty can strengthen relationships. Making others feel empowered is one of the most empowering things someone can do.
Daniel: What do you think contributed to Walked In becoming a fan-favorite and defining your early signature lo-fi astral R&B sound?
Joey P.: I wasn’t sure RnB was really my genre when I first started with music. When I showed “Walked In” to a group of friends before its release they told me it was a hit. The reaction to “Walked In” gave me belief that I really could get others to listen to my music.
Daniel: How has your perspective on Walked In changed now that you’re revisiting it with years of growth and experience behind you?
Joey P.: It’s comforting to know that I had what I needed from the beginning, I just needed to grow as a person. Seeing that even now people still enjoy “Walked In” means the world to me. I love my own music now and as fellow artists can attest that’s not always the easiest thing.
Daniel: How does Walked In connect to your debut project “STAR” and the early foundation of your artistic direction?
Joey P.: “Walked In” was the first track in my 5-track debut EP “STAR” that I released on all platforms August 4th, 2021. It was the most successful track on the EP and honestly did better than I expected. In college I remember having friends of mine actually listening to my music and it was mind blowing. Usually people liked “Walked In” when I played it for them and I ran with it.
Daniel: Can you walk through the creative process behind your lo-fi astral R&B sound, especially how you build atmosphere and emotional depth in your production?
Joey P.: Using acoustic guitar to lay something down then heavily editing the recording in my DAW is my typical production process. Astral R&B is a partnership made by whatever vocal melody I choose and the instrumentation behind the song. I tend to use a lo-fi reverb which is where the lo-fi aesthetic comes from. A recording trick I learned from a fellow artist is to layer your guitar recordings to add depth.
Daniel: When writing your music, how do you typically balance emotional storytelling with structure and melody to create a cohesive listening experience?
Joey P.: I’ll typically record at least three versions of whatever song I’m making using different melodies and lyrics. After recording everything I’ll listen back to each track and see what makes sense; not only what sounds best but also what makes the most sense. Then I’ll record the final version.
Daniel: As a guitarist, how does live instrumentation influence the way you compose and shape your songs compared to purely digital production?
Joey P.: I prefer live instrumentation always, but have a deep appreciation for digital production. If I’m making a beat myself, live instrumentation is a nonnegotiable. I do want my discography to include both live “acoustic” type songs and more produced tracks end of the day.
Daniel: Over the years since your 2021 debut, what would you say has been the most significant evolution in your sound and artistic confidence?
Joey P.: The more you have people tell you they actually listen to you or like your music it changes your perspective on things. I no longer question if I’m an artist or not. It’s a blessing to be able to share my art with the world, I didn’t always have that perspective.
Daniel: How did your experience studying biomedical science at Purdue University influence your creativity, discipline, or way of thinking about music?
Joey P.: Making music is a way to help people just like practicing medicine is. I met a lot of incredible people during my time at Purdue that had a heavy influence on my music. On that same note, I applied the same work ethic on my music as I did on my school work; I really only wanted to give my best.
Daniel: Working in healthcare while building your music career, what lessons from that environment have most impacted your resilience as an artist?
Joey P.: Everyone you meet has a dream or something they enjoy doing. No matter who it was, the #1 thing that “killed” the person I was talking to’s dream was belief in themselves. No matter what, I’ll never stop being an artist in my own eyes.
Daniel: Looking at projects like “DYING TO LIVE,” “MISSING IN ACTION,” and your recent chart success, how do you see your growth shaping your current artistic identity?
Joey P.: I’ll always be Joey P. recording his first tracks in his friend’s basement. It’s a blessing to have people listen to my music. I never want to turn my back on the fact that God has blessed my efforts in a world where nothing is guaranteed.
Daniel: You’ve described “Walked In” as representing hunger and confidence, how do you maintain that same mindset today while operating at a higher level?
Joey P.: I always have a new goal I’m trying to hit or a new campaign I’m running. It doesn’t feel right when I sit around and I’m not pushing my music in some way. The second I slow down is the second I lose. Maintaining a positive mindset and a healthy body is my goal.
Daniel: How have listeners and streaming communities responded to your music growth over the years, and what kind of feedback has stayed with you the most?
Joey P.: I’ve seen a lot of love from a lot of different communities which is refreshing. Sometimes people will compare me to some of their favorite artists which always mean a lot. I think it’s worth putting yourself out there, for all the L’s you might take the W’s make up for it.
Daniel: What role have social media and online music-sharing communities played in expanding your audience and keeping your music alive across platforms?
Joey P.: My music has grown almost completely online. I’ve been able to reach listeners all over the world which I would have never been able to do on my own. Social media has allowed me to reach people that relate to me from every corner of the globe.
Daniel: As you step into this new chapter at 25, what plans do you have for upcoming releases or the next phase of your sound and artistry?
Joey P.: A lot of collaborations hopefully, I really want to branch out and start working with other underground artists from Chicago and beyond.
Daniel: How do you plan to celebrate your 25th birthday, and in what ways will it reflect both your journey so far and the future you’re building toward?
Joey P.: I am and will forever be grateful for the journey and everyone that’s supported me up until this point. I have a photoshoot planned and maybe a little vacation but nothing crazy. I thank God for guiding me to a life that is in line with what I envisioned growing up.
Thank you so much Daniel and Dulaxi for having me. We’ve worked a few times in the past and I want to deeply express my appreciation for your platform and willingness to feature me on it.
Daniel: Thank you very kindly Joey, much love and respect for you and the music you put out for the entire world.
Having Spent Time In The Atmospheric World Of “Walked In,” Here’s My Perspective On A Song That Transforms Ambition, Self-belief, And Artistic Emergence Into An Intimate Listening Experience.
Listening to “Walked In” felt like stepping into the opening chapter of an artist’s story and hearing the exact mindset that sparked everything that followed. What struck me most was how Joey P. transforms simplicity into strength, building an immersive alternative R&B experience that never relies on excess to make its impact. The production is beautifully restrained, allowing warm basslines, soft percussion, and drifting atmospheric textures to create a spacious environment that feels both intimate and limitless. There is a dreamlike quality to the instrumental, yet every sound serves a purpose, reinforcing the track’s reflective and self-assured character. Joey P.’s vocal performance is equally compelling; his soft, breathy delivery carries a conversational sincerity that immediately draws me into his perspective. Rather than showcasing technical complexity, he prioritizes emotional connection, and that choice proves incredibly effective. The subtle harmonies and layered vocal textures enrich the song without disrupting its calm, focused atmosphere. Lyrically, “Walked In” is built around themes of emergence, confidence, and identity, capturing the moment an artist begins to believe in his own potential. The repetitive phrasing works almost like a mantra, reinforcing a sense of arrival and purpose with every passing line. What makes the song resonate even more deeply is knowing that it represents the same ambition and determination that continue to drive Joey P. today. The track functions as both a reflection on where he began and a reminder of the vision that shaped his artistic path. Even years after its original release, “Walked In” feels remarkably fresh because its message is universal: growth starts when you step forward with belief in yourself. As a complete piece of music, it succeeds through atmosphere, honesty, vocal restraint, and focused songwriting, making it not only a defining moment in Joey P.’s catalog but also a fascinating introduction to the creative identity that continues to evolve.
~ Daniel (Dulaxi Team).
Finally to our audience, I urge you to listen to “Walked In”, add it to your playlist and be inspired by it, and on behalf of Dulaxi I like to appreciate you all by saying thank you everyone, See you on our next interview.
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