Exposed Vocals Interviews JustJay

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

 

JustJay:

 

I was born in Mount Vernon, New York, But raised in the New Rochelle and The Bronx. My interest in music began around the time when I was about thirteen or so. My older cousin use to live with us back in the day and was always in the living room with his friends writing verses and what not. I took to it and began indulging into the artistic side of the music. As I grew older around my senior year in high school I began to take a more serious outlook on my music. This of course is after I began working with my good friend now but at the time one of my co-worker Jesus. At the time he had his own studio setup in his basement on Centre Ave. in New Rochelle. Which back then was the first real home studio I had ever seen and from there I was completely hooked. From there Jon Force another core member of the I&I collective introduced me to his cousin Marv Middle from there we chopped it up and began making music together. After some time went by Inspiration & Innovation was founded and now we’re here with what we have today.

 

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

 

JustJay:

Well if you ask the rest of I&I they’ll all laugh and go through the list of names that I’ve taken on and even let go of. As for JustJay, it originated do to the fact that I have many aliases and I wanted to switch it to Jay. But I figured JustJay would be appropriate so I can tell individuals “It’s JustJay”.

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

 

JustJay:

I believe music sharing is dope. The more music the better that’s always my outlook. Yet too much of anything is bad. And yes I’ve always given out my music for free which won’t always be the case because

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?

JustJay;

 

Always look for opportunities if none are presented create some of your own. Don’t depend on anyone or expect hand out. Network, ask questions and follow up. Plain and simple.

 

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

 

JustJay:

I have many forms of writing and they all have their own unique weird process. Mainly my inspiration comes from my day to day actions, music, movies and life. I honestly try to test all forms of writing and ways of approaching music every day. Each day is a journey for me, I’m still searching for myself as an artist and the sound that I’m comfortable with.

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

 

JustJay:

www.Soundcloud.com/JustJay-INI

www.YouTube.Com/InspireInnovate

Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Soudcloud, NumberoneMusic, ReverbNation.

 

 

 

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

 

JustJay: Honestly I would travel the world with family and friends. What ever is left, I shall invest. I’m simple lol.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

 

JustJay: I mainly network through social media, Soundcloud being the main driving force of the music of now aside from a few other personal contacts. Soundcloud & Twitter seem to be working best at the moment.

 

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

 

JustJay: My next quest is to take on more opportunities which allow me to travel the world and experience as much as possible. Also I’ve recently released a mixtape “Beats.Budds. & Body. Vol.1” (www.soundcloud.com/JustJay-INI) This tape and the other volumes to follow will be a collaboration of all the music that I’ve conjured up over time that haven’t made it to my larger projects. These tapes will expose and embody the mass of passion and creativity I pour into my music.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

 

JustJay; If I weren’t making music I’d definitely would still be doing something creative. I’ve always been into fashion and design. But I’ve never really seen myself doing anything else other than this music.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

 

JustJay; It’s not easy but I tell myself that this is meant for me and I’m built for it so I always find the time and a way to get it done. In addition I have a great support system from my friends, family and loved ones they help me to keep going a lot.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?

 

JustJay : Fans definitely should be on the lookout for the Beats.Budds. & Body Volume series for sure. Also more visual will be on the way as well as my debut album.