INTRODUCTION
Hello everyone it’s your host Daniel from Dulaxi, and today I have with me the talented Eye of TJ from Mobile, AL, United States. Eye of TJ is here to discuss about his recent transformative single “What Love Should Be”. So, welcome Eye of TJ. But before we begin our interview, to our audience; here is what you need to know about this artist.
Eye of TJ is an outstanding alternative rock project celebrated for its raw storytelling and cinematic melodies, blending 2000s-inspired rock nostalgia with a unique digital vocal persona. The project quickly gained recognition for its progressive yet deeply human sound, resonating with listeners through emotionally honest and relatable themes. The debut release, “Everything I Didn’t Say”, has surpassed 30,000 streams and features the standout track “Letting Go of You,” highlighting the project’s focus on narratives of heartbreak and introspection, often described as “the silence after the final word.” Eye of TJ represents a pioneering fusion of human songwriting and digital performance, operating under the tagline “Real Life Stories // Digital Voice.” TJ, the lyricist and creative director, crafts deeply personal stories of resilience and emotional growth, which are consistently delivered through a digital vocal persona. Notable achievements include the debut album surpassing 24,000 streams in its first month, the viral single “Don’t Trip” accruing over 500 streams daily, and placements on prominent playlists like Melodic Rock Route and Rock Music Station. The project appeals to fans of Breaking Benjamin, The Script, Daughtry, and Secondhand Serenade, cementing its growing influence in the alternative rock scene.
And of course here’s a little something on the track; “What Love Should Be”:
“What Love Should Be,” released on March 13, 2026, by Eye of TJ from Mobile, AL, is a high-energy, 2000s-inspired Alternative Rock anthem. Riding the wave of 40k+ Spotify streams and 3.5M+ TikTok views, it leads the upcoming Deluxe Edition with a cinematic, soaring chorus that replaces past breakup grit with optimism. Designed for big speakers and “Epic Rock” playlists, the track combines modern Post-Grunge vibes with a “turn the page” narrative. Supported by features on KIMU, Dulaxi, and Music On The Rox, plus a high-budget cinematic lyric video, it’s poised for global rollout, premier reviews, and playlist domination.
After that interesting Introduction about Eye of TJ and his transformative single; “What Love Should Be”, I’m certain new and current fans must be excited about our Interview today.
INTERVIEW SESSION:
Daniel: Can you share the story behind the creation of Eye of TJ and how the project came to life?
Eye of TJ: Honestly, I never anticipated Eye of TJ becoming as popular as it has. Initially, it was just a creative outlet for my YouTube channel, but the response was overwhelming. I had fans reaching out and pleading with me to bring the music to Spotify and Apple Music. After seeing that demand, I did the research and decided to launch on all streaming platforms. I’ve been writing songs since I was eleven years old, and my goal has always been to get my stories heard. I know there’s a lot of debate surrounding AI, but for me, it’s the tool that finally allowed these songs to live. I have a talent for writing, not necessarily singing, and the technology allows me to bring my lyrics to life in a way that people actually want to listen to.
Daniel: How do you define your sound and what sets Eye of TJ apart in the alternative rock scene?
Eye of TJ: I define it as “Cinematic Alt-Rock for the Digital Age.” What sets it apart is the intentional friction between the organic and the synthetic. You have these heavy, stadium-sized guitar riffs and drums, but they’re interwoven with a digital vocal persona and glitch aesthetics. It’s deeply nostalgic for that mid-2000s era of bands like 3 Doors Down or Daughtry, but it feels like it’s being broadcast from the near future.
Daniel: What influences or experiences have shaped your artistic identity so far?
Eye of TJ: Musically, I’m driven by the titans of the early 2000s, the bands that weren’t afraid to be dramatic, melodic, and loud. Visually and conceptually, I’m influenced by sci-fi and the idea of “digital ghosts.” Personally, it’s about the struggle to stay human in a world that feels increasingly automated. That tension is the heartbeat of the project.
Daniel: “What Love Should Be” is being described as a 2000s-inspired alternative rock anthem. What inspired this particular song?
Eye of TJ: I wanted to write a song that felt like the ending credits of a movie where the protagonist finally wins. A lot of alternative rock tends to stay in the “darkness,” which I love, but I felt it was time to explore the “light.” I was inspired by the realization that after the “battlefield” moments of toxic past relationships, there is a version of love that is actually peaceful, steady, and empowering.
Daniel: The track trades “battlefield grime” of previous breakup tracks for an optimistic chorus. Which lyrics or lines in the song capture this shift best?
Eye of TJ: There’s a specific line in the chorus that really anchors the song: “You didn’t fight, didn’t stay, didn’t care enough to change, now I know what love should be, and it’s nothing like the way you treated me.” It’s a simple realization, but it marks that transition from survival mode to actually living. It’s the moment you stop looking over your shoulder for the next argument and realize you’re finally safe.
Daniel: How does “What Love Should Be” fit into the narrative of your upcoming Deluxe Edition and your broader musical journey?
Eye of TJ: If my debut album, Everything I Didn’t Say, was the documentation of heartbreak, the Deluxe Edition represents the healing process. “What Love Should Be” acts as the emotional breakthrough. It’s the bridge between the version of me that started this project, angry and hurt, and the person I am becoming. It’s the “happily ever after,” delivered with a rock-and-roll edge.
Daniel: When writing this song, did you draw from personal experiences or observations, and how did that shape the message?
Eye of TJ: It’s a mix of both. It’s definitely fueled by the relief of leaving a heavy situation, but I also looked at the people in my life who have healthy, long-term connections. I wanted to capture that “Aha!” moment when you see a positive dynamic and realize, “Oh, that is what I’ve been missing.” It turned the song into a manifesto for what I want in my own life.
Daniel: Which part of the song’s lyrics or melody do you feel listeners will connect with most, and why?
Eye of TJ: I think the chorus melody has a “soaring” quality that feels very liberating. People naturally connect with the feeling of release. We’ve all felt trapped by something, a person, a habit, a mindset, and the melody of the chorus feels like finally breaking those chains.
Daniel: How do you approach the musical structure and arrangement to achieve the cinematic, stadium-sized sound your songs are known for?
Eye of TJ: It’s all about the “Wall of Sound” philosophy. I layer a lot of textures, distorted synths hidden behind heavy guitars and ambient pads that create a sense of massive space. I want the listener to feel like the sound is physically surrounding them. In “What Love Should Be,” I kept the verses slightly more intimate and “small” so that when the chorus hits, it feels like the walls are falling down.
Daniel: What role does the digital vocal persona play in shaping the song’s emotional delivery?
Eye of TJ: The persona acts as both a shield and a megaphone. Sometimes it’s easier to be completely vulnerable when you’re “in character.” It allows me to push the emotions to an extreme, making the highs higher and the lows lower, because the digital elements can emphasize the “glitches” in the human heart in a way that feels very modern.
Daniel: How has your artistic journey evolved since your debut album Everything I Didn’t Say?
Eye of TJ: I’ve become much more comfortable with being positive. When I started, I thought “Alt-Rock” had to be synonymous with “suffering.” Now I realize that strength and optimism can be just as heavy and impactful as sadness. My production has also gotten more refined; I’m learning how to balance the “chaos” of my sound much more effectively.
Daniel: Were there specific challenges or breakthroughs during your creative growth that significantly impacted your music?
Eye of TJ: Finding the right balance for the digital vocal was a huge breakthrough. In the beginning, I was worried the technology would make the music feel “cold.” The challenge was learning how to make that digital edge sound “warm” and human. Once I cracked that code, the whole Eye of TJ world opened up.
Daniel: How do you balance vulnerability and authenticity in your storytelling while maintaining your signature sound?
Eye of TJ: The “signature sound” provides the framework, but the lyrics are always the absolute truth. No matter how many effects I put on a track, if the words aren’t honest, the listener will feel that disconnect. I try to write my lyrics as if they are private journal entries, and then use the production to turn those entries into anthems.
Daniel: Looking back, what moments or songs have been most defining in your journey as Eye of TJ?
Eye of TJ: It has to be “Letting Go of You.” That’s the song that started it all. That was the track where fans first started reaching out, asking for it to be on Spotify and other platforms. That song made me realize that people actually wanted to listen to my music, not just as a video on YouTube, but as a part of their daily personal playlists.
Daniel: How have fans responded to your previous tracks like “Don’t Trip” and “Tonight, I Miss You,” and did their reception influence your new music?
Eye of TJ: The response has been incredible. Seeing people use the songs to soundtrack their own lives, whether it’s for a breakup or a workout, is the ultimate reward. Their energy definitely influenced “What Love Should Be.” I wanted to give them something they could scream along to in the car with the windows down.
Daniel: How do you connect with your audience on social media and through your cinematic visual assets?
Eye of TJ: I treat social media as an extension of the Eye of TJ universe. I use a lot of glitch art and “cyber-rock” aesthetics because I want the visuals to feel like they belong in the same world as the music, a bit mysterious, high-energy, and always emotionally grounded.
Daniel: What upcoming projects or collaborations can fans look forward to following the release of “What Love Should Be”?
Eye of TJ: The Deluxe Edition marks the conclusion of this current era, but I have so many more songs waiting to be heard. I’ll be starting work on my second album very soon. I also have a very special standalone single coming out next month for my mom’s birthday. She passed away two years ago, and I wrote this as a tribute to her. It’s coming out in April, which is her birthday month and the time when flowers start blooming, so the timing feels perfect.
Daniel: Are there any new directions or experiments you’re excited to explore in your future music?
Eye of TJ: Rock will always be my home and my main focus, but I have a deep appreciation for all types of music. I’ve actually written a few country songs recently. I’m not saying I’m dropping a country album tomorrow, but I’m excited to “test the waters” and see what an Eye of TJ version of a country song sounds like. I love the idea of surprising my audience.
Now that I Have Listened To “What Love Should Be”, This Is My Thoughts And How I Feel About This Work Of Art.
Listening to “What Love Should Be” by Eye of TJ, I’m immediately struck by how the track perfectly balances raw emotional honesty with cinematic, anthemic rock energy. The lyrics; “You didn’t fight, didn’t stay … Didn’t care enough to change … Now I know what love should be … And it’s nothing like the way you treated me” lay bare the emotional journey from disappointment to clarity, and Eye of TJ’s vocal delivery mirrors this evolution, moving from reflective restraint in the verses to an assertive, soaring intensity in the chorus that makes the realization of self-worth hit even harder. Musically, the track is a masterclass in dynamic storytelling: the guitars open with melodic, contemplative riffs that set the introspective tone, while layered textures and subtle piano accents create space for the emotional weight of the lyrics to breathe. The rhythm section; steady, precise drums and supportive bass, grounds the track without overshadowing its emotive core, allowing the song to build naturally into anthemic choruses that feel both empowering and cathartic. Production-wise, every instrument is crisp yet immersive, blending modern polish with alternative rock authenticity, so that the listener feels both the personal vulnerability and the cinematic grandeur simultaneously. The bridge strips back instrumentation to a reflective core before launching into a climactic finale, emphasizing the narrative arc of moving from hurt to insight. Overall, “What Love Should Be” is not just a song about heartbreak, it’s a carefully crafted journey of self-realization, demonstrating Eye of TJ’s ability to transform deeply personal experiences into universally resonant musical storytelling, making the track both emotionally compelling and musically sophisticated.
Finally to our audience, you’ll get the clarity you seek about love in “What Love Should Be”, 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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