Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
[JD-Hi-Hello]: Grew up in the SeaTac, WA area my goal as an artist is to make music that relates to anything personal in your life.
Fast forward the story a bit…
I’m sitting inside a cell four walls surrounding me… with only my thoughts to give me company, “am I insane?” or “why do I ask so many questions?” as I get up as my door to my cell unlocks, and they say it’s time for breakfast. Just the other night before today the beast had awaken inside of me, I couldn’t control him anymore & I just flipped the switch. It was as if reality had hit me, but I didn’t want to come to the grips that I was becoming more like my father everyday. That day in Juvenile Detention taught me two things. 1. That freedom was circumstantial & 2. That reality was really a b***h
Rap music gives me my voice, so for that I thank God for allowing me the ability to control my thoughts, and use the beast that’s inside of me to my advantage for good!
“Art started to become a HUGE impact on my childhood, I remember drawing cartoons such as Batman & Robin or I would draw pictures of random people from either magazines or the newspaper.”
(The Beginning of something great!)
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
[JD-Hi-Hello]: The shy persona I developed was my security blanket, it was one of the only things I knew would keep me safe.
So basically I’m embracing the fact that Hi, Hello was my biggest fear as a child, I was very reserved.
At an early age, I suffered low self-esteem and a lack of confidence having watched my father slap my mother around while she was pregnant with my little sister & on top of him beating me up as well when I was only two-three years old… it messed me up man.
That is where this persona came alive from!
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
[JD-Hi-Hello]: All be honest the latest EP I did though called, “Restless” cost me about $900 just under a grand. That I’ve considered giving away free (no strings attached)
Now on the other hand, my very first EP “Momentarily Silent” which is what the photo at the top depicts, is something I spent $3000 plus on so, I’m sure you’ll see what that one come’s with (strings attached) I’m willing to give away the whole EP for download if the audience or listener is willing to share the track(s) on all there social media outlets, then email me back at Dove1892 @ Gmail (dot) com.
Btw, if you would like to buy the “Momentarily Silent EP” here’s the link: “Momentarily Silent EP” Available on iTunes now! 2015-2016 Release
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
[JD-Hi-Hello]: Here’s the thing I’m gonna be straight up & brutally honest.. I don’t think these venues since the digital age, value the artists anymore..
“It’s almost as if they view them as disposable silverware”
So honestly starting out online is in my mind.. A better idea for emerging artists (In my opinion). I’d say this because, use your online resources, blogs, social media, family, friends, etc… building that fan base. Then you’ll have more leverage negotiating your stand points.
I’ve done shows, I’ve probably done like 6-7 open mic’s from the span of 2012-2013 went into a musical hibernation, I’ve done like 2-4 live shows in my musical career. There is only one that stood out to me, it was at Studio 7 in Seattle. My friend & I preformed in front of “T-Nutty” A west coast rapper from Sacramento, CA T-Nutty Wikipedia
Most of the rest of the shows where so-so. My advice… build some leverage.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
[JD-Hi-Hello]: The most recent show I did with my friend, “Tae Boogie” was again at the Studio 7 in Seattle.
I stumbled over a couple words, and during that performance the crowd to me felt like it was dying down. The show was totally a bust, being honest with you guys. I did learn that having more microphone presence one stage really draws a crowd in. I’m just the type of individual that feels other peoples vibes, and that moment the vibe was dull, so I gave a sup-par performance to a good song.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
[JD-Hi-Hello]: Right now I’d love to be able to do shows in Seattle, Tacoma for a audience of at least 500-1000 people.
The biggest audience I ever preformed in front of was roughly around 120 people.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
[JD-Hi-Hello]: “I felt art gave me a voice to let go of all these skeletons that where already sleeping inside my closet.”
Usually my songwriting inspiration comes from outside idea’s and views. I absorb what I see, I tend to be somewhat of a realist so when I write you can definitely hear that come out in the music. I remember buying this book off of Amazon called: Rap Rebirth Lyricist Guide: How to Write Amazing Hip-Hop Lyrics
In that book I got to see how rhyme schemes where forged, rhyme patterns where discovered, & how the Wu Tang Clan wrote or recorded there music. Great book by the way!
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
[JD-Hi-Hello]: JDHiHello Artistcard EPK with Full Bio There you can read the full Bio.
https://soundcloud.com/
https://twitter.com/JDHiHello There you can follow me on Twitter, “I stay active”
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
[JD-Hi-Hello]: I’m not even going to hide from this question, type in JDHiHello Conspicuous Files on google search, there it should be under band camp these songs where recorded late 2011 and published around early 2012. There was potential but I go back & listen.. I’m like “Oh Sh*t”
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
[JD-Hi-Hello]: Now, I’ve been honest this whole interview, so I’m a stay honest through it. I’d probably give half of that money first in foremost to my mother. Then the other $250,000 I’d invest $20,000-$40,000 on some solid professional studio time, would sign agreements all that “yada, yada, yada” Record a full length album of 12 songs. Stash at least $50,000 in a savings account.
Then here’s comes the selfless response, I’m probably going to donate at least $50,000 to charity. The rest of the money I’d keep for paying bills.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
[JD-Hi-Hello]: I’m solo as Obie Kobie right now. Really all promotion right now.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
[JD-Hi-Hello]: Word of mouth, the internet, blogs, social media, family, friends, & trust in God to lead to in the right path.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
[JD-Hi-Hello]: You knew this answer was coming, & if you didn’t well the first person would be none other than “Eminem” no need to feel ashamed he was my favorite growing up I could relate to the struggles.
If you read my full artist bio, on my Artist Card link shared above you realize why.
The list goes, (Not a list for who’s the best).
1. Eminem
2. Royce Da 5′ 9
3. Tech N9ne
4. Rittz
5. Lil Dicky
6. Tupac/Biggie
Then any unsigned artists or local artists that want to collab I’m down.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
[JD-Hi-Hello]: Promoting & more promotion. Build a bigger fan base, get more followers on Twitter. Brain storm idea’s for my first full length album.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
[JD-Hi-Hello]: Probably trying to become a Youth Activist.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
[JD-Hi-Hello]: Ironically my first Rap CD I ever bought was “Lil Wayne Carter 2” He’s not my favorite rapper, one of my favorites but that was my first CD I bought at the local Fred Meyers up around my way.
All that was going through my head was “I need something to bump right now!” I’d always bought songs on iTunes but never purchased a real CD I’m from that digital age.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
[JD-Hi-Hello]: One day at a time, that simple. I’m a simple person in real life, just hella chill & laid back no worries, I let the worries worry themselves.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in the next year or so?
[JD-Hi-Hello]: Maybe by the grace of God, I can be making those hit records on MTV & the radio might even come through & be like “That, Do Or Die song, is a hit” that’s how I think. I’m optimistic but realistic. Anything can happen.
