Motifv Builds A Headline With Mission And Magic [Exclusive Interview]

Motifv has been steadily carving out his own lane, blending nostalgia, melody, and bass into something that’s uniquely his own. He creates music that weaves together fragments of different eras and textures, stitching pieces of musical history into one flowing moment that unfolds like a memory you didn’t know you missed. The kind of sound that keeps a quiet smile on your face without you even realizing it.

On March 6th, Motifv takes over Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom for his largest headline to date, showcasing his music on the same stage he once stood in front of as a kid in the crowd. It’s a full circle moment in the same room that shaped him long before his name was ever on a flyer.

In a space with so much meaning, every part of this event is intentional. Even the lineup is personal and layered, featuring 5AM, Swum, Sycamore Sounds, and SNDY. Each name ties into a different chapter of his journey, from early inspiration to rising talent he believes in. This bill is basically a curated reflection of the world he has been building over the years. 

The night also carries weight beyond the music. Motifv is partnering with Conscious Alliance to donate $1 from every ticket sold to support hunger relief, while also supporting immigrant organizations across Denver through a portion of the merch sales. At its core, the show centers on connection and finding light within each other during a time that can often feel heavy.

There’s a lot of momentum building around Motifv right now. A trilogy of EPs that expanded his sound. New music on the horizon. A longer project quietly taking shape. The Cervantes headline is not a conclusion. It’s more like a checkpoint. 

A moment where growth, mission, and magic meet in the same room.

Ahead of the show, we sat down with Joseph Kechter aka Motifv to talk about evolution, intention, and what it means to build something that reflects exactly who you are becoming. 

LISTEN TO THE LATEST EP “Drift Theory”

SAMPLING THE MIND OF MOTIFV

Kaylee Leitzel, Electric Hawk: This first question you’ve probably been asked before, but I like to start with it. Where did the name Motifv come from?

Joseph Kechter “Motifv”: When I was first starting to make music, everything I was making was sample-based. I was pulling from a lot of different people and different times to create my own music.

“Motifv” was a way to pay homage to those artists and influences I was pulling from. What they were doing still remains a motif in my music today, but as I’ve evolved, the name has taken on a new meaning. I feel like the motif of my music, and the underlying theme of all of it, is just me now.

KL: Since you’re pulling from motifs and samples, do you feel drawn to a certain era or history of music that you keep going back to?

Joseph: Yeah, usually it’s like the mid to late 60s. That era of music really resonates with me for a lot of reasons. Of course sonically, but also the attitude that was in the air during that time. It was all about reformation and giving people rights that didn’t have rights. It was rebellious, and I resonate with that heavily.

KL: It’s been seven years since your project started, and now you’re doing this massive headline at Cervantes. How do you feel like you’ve changed from your early days back then to you now?

Joseph: Well…there’s been a lot, but in the context of Motifv, one of the biggest changes is that when I started, playing shows was an afterthought to just trying to get what I’m thinking and feeling into music. Now I’m a lot more conscious of the fact that a big part of this is bringing it to a live setting and showcasing it to people. I’ve been able to keep the core values and the flavor of what Motifv is the same, but upscale it so I can create a real experience. It’s no longer just, “Here’s my beats that I made.”

Another thing that’s evolved is my ability to take what’s in my head and actualize it into something you can listen to. For a long time, I felt like I was shooting for the moon and falling a little short every time. Now I feel like I’m hitting the targets I want to hit. The things I envision are becoming reality when I go into the studio rather than just tinkering.

KL: For people who don’t make music, to me, that’s one of the hardest things to wrap my head around. What do you think helped with that change? What did you have to teach yourself to get there?

Joseph: Honestly, becoming more proficient and skillful with all the tools I’m using. So when inspiration hits, I’m not left trying to figure out how to get it there. Now there’s not much of a barrier between me and the tools.

There’s also a more personal aspect to that. As I get older, I’m getting more in tune with myself and what I’m feeling about things like what I want to stand for and how I want to say it.

KL: You’re one of those artists where you meet you, you hear the music, and it all makes sense. Your music fits your vibe perfectly. Was there ever a project or song that felt opposite or pulled out a different part of you?

Joseph: Last year I did a series of three EPs. While they’re still very Motifv at the core, that was the farthest I’ve moved toward bass music and thinking differently about the live environment while creating. I also just put out the FLiPS project this February. That’s another side of me people might not have seen through my music. I really like making that kind of stuff too.

KL: Can we expect more FLiPS volumes? I noticed that was labeled volume one.

Joseph: Yea, definitely. There will be another one this year.

KL: Speaking of the three EPs, you said they “all have the same magic but different spells”. Now that they’re all out, how do you reflect on the series as a whole?

Joseph: It was a really cool way to put that music into the world. When you put it all together, it’s kind of like an album but dividing it into three gives each chapter space to breathe.

It’s some of my favorite music I’ve put out because it feels very current to Joseph right now, while letting people see the evolving side of me.

KL: Do you feel like your personal life reflected the EPs as they came out?

Joseph: Yeah, absolutely. The first EP Alpine Echos came out around the co-headline I did at Cervantes with Phyphr. It had “Making Magic” on it and leaned more into this hip-hop bass sound.

The next chapter, Busy with the Wizardry, stayed in that world but got more magical.

Then Drift Theory closed it out as an exclamation point. The heavier side of Motifv.

KL: Are there any significant songs from the series?

Joseph: Rock the Boat from Busy with the Wizardry stands out. I made it up in Steamboat within one day. At the time, it felt effortless and matched where I was in life.

Also Save You, the last track on that EP. The line “Busy with the wizardry, why don’t you come and visit me?” I sampled that probably 20 times before it finally landed in the right song. It ended up becoming the EP name too.

KL: You mentioned the Cervantes co-headline with Phyphr. What does it mean to you to be back there doing your biggest headline yet?

Joseph: This is truly a full circle. I grew up in Fort Collins and would drive down to Cervantes very frequently starting in eighth or ninth grade. I saw so many artists there that sculpted me as a person and my sound. Even my first gigs in Denver were at Cervantes. Being able to curate a lineup in a space that shaped me is super special.

KL: You mentioned brand new production on your socials. Is there anything you can tease?

Joseph: We’re collaborating with a visual artist Ozwvld, who has worked on some other major productions in the scene. This show will lean more into a video-focused production than I’ve done before. I’ve always incorporated lights and lasers, but this time we’re adding layered visual elements that connect directly to the overall theme.

The theme is all about finding light in ourselves and our community because the world feels dark right now. We need outlets. Ways to contribute and connect.

KL: You mentioned wanting to use your platform. What’s the mission moving forward?

Joseph: Musically, I live between hip-hop melody-driven music and bass music. I want to push further in both directions and bridge that gap, but I also want to apply what’s important to me to my shows.

For the Cervantes show we’re donating a portion of the merch sales to support the immigrant community here in Denver, and for every ticket sold we’ve partnered with Conscious Alliance to donate $1 to support hunger relief. I want to use my platform to make a real difference.

KL: Do you have anything special planned for the Cervantes set?

Joseph: A lot of new music. I’ve been doing EPs for the last two years. This year I’m focusing on a longer-length project. There’s definitely an album in the works.

I’ll be playing a lot of that plus collaborations and some special guests.

KL: We’re in the final days before the show. What’s your mindset this week leading up?

Joseph: It’s been busy, but now it’s about staying present. Putting finishing touches on music and not autopiloting the moment. The work is done. I feel good about it.

KL: Any meditation rituals?

Joseph: Yeah, I try to take at least a couple minutes every day to get centered. It helps with whatever the day brings.

KL: You mentioned this lineup has intention behind it. Can you talk more about that? 

Joseph: Yea, huge shout out the support lineup because it’s fire.

5AM is super sick. Very bass-forward, but also very jazzy and soulful. I don’t even know how those all fit in the same sentence, but that’s exactly what it is.

Another highlight is Swum. He actually played a big part in the creation of Motifv in a way. I was listening to his music all the time during that period of my life. So having him on this show is super special. It adds another layer to the full-circle feeling of how meaningful this is for me.

Then Sycamore Sounds is playing right before Swum. He’s brand new to this. I honestly don’t know if he’s played many shows yet, but his music is really good. I think we can expect a lot of cool things from him over the next couple years.

And SNDY too. I met him at a Pretty Lights afterparty. So this night is going to be awesome.

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