Exclusive Interview with 16 year old singer/songwriter Sebastian Janoski
Performing since the age of 7, Sebastian Janoski is a 16 year old singer/songwriter based out of Lititz, Pennsylvania. He is nationally known for his many musical releases, appearances on various television shows, Broadway Theater, movie roles & soundtrack work. Sebastian rose to National prominence as a contestant on NBC’s Americas Got Talent at age 12 and has been regarded as “One To Watch” by American Idol Champion Jordin Sparks, legendary music producer Clive Davis and talk show host Katie Couric. He saw his star rise even further in 2014 with the National release of his single & video “When You Were My Girl” through Sony Music/The Orchard which gained nationwide FM as well as internet radio play, charted through BDS & was a finalist in the 2014 GRAMMY Amp initiative.
Sebastian has spent a majority of 2015 touring & writing/recording new music due to be released throughout the 2016 year. He has also spent time working on movie soundtracks such as “Natural Selection” starring Mason Dye, Anthony Michael Hall & Katherine Mcnamara.
For more Sebastian Janoski news, tour schedule and all links please visit http://www.SebastianJanoski.com
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Sebastian Janoski:
Well, I’ve been in LITITZ, Pennsylvania (a very small town about and hour west of Philadelphia) for About 13 years now. I grew up surrounded by music. My aunt, Ann Straley, (who is a singer) always encouraged me when it came to music and she would always invite me up on stage with her to perform and I guess I got addicted to the feeling of being up on stage and it just snowballed from there. I haven’t stepped down from the stage since then 😉
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Sebastian Janoski:
I think online music sharing is a crazy awesome thing. Not everyone can get their music in the stores, obviously, and some people just pray for the day that someone will hear their music. I think online music sharing is a very effective way to answer those prayers and I think so far it has done an amazing job doing just that for a lot of artists.
The people that come to my shows sit in the crowd and listen to my music and take their time to listen to me sing, there’s no way I wouldn’t give away a free cd or something (like merchandise)
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?
Sebastian Janoski:
There is going to be SO much disappointment. I don’t think that’s something anyone should be shielded from, they should be warned. It’s inevitable, but, that’s what makes the good things even sweeter. Never stop! No matter what trash people try to throw your way or whatever discouragement comes along, throw it over you shoulder and continue on. NEVER STOP! Oh! And, always carry a demo with you, you never know who you could run into;)
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Sebastian Janoski:
I really want to lie and say, “no, I’m always perfect,” but I don’t think that’s something anyone would even believe. ITS LIVE! There’s no reason to focus on the bad things you just have to focus on the fact that you got up there and gave it your all. You might forget some words, you might hit the wrong note, you might not even hit any note at all, but, don’t let that be the tell-all of your talent. There’s so much more to being a performer than hitting every note perfectly and remembering every word.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Sebastian Janoski:
I’ve done LOTS of touring in the past and I’m currently doing a small tour (www.sebastianjanoski.com for dates!) it’s definitely something I want to do more of in the future. Being able to meet all kinds of different people and experience different venues is such an awesome part of it. That would definitely have to be the highlight, other than performing of course 😉
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Sebastian Janoski:
98.8 % of my songwriting inspiration is pain, sadness, anger, and depression. The other 1.2% is happiness. I am probably one of the genuinely happiest people you will ever meet, however, I feel like pain and sadness are such strong emotions that, when you are truly feeling pain or sadness, it is much easier to write a song and it flows so well, so, the first thing I will do if I’m feeling angry or sad or having a bad day is grab my guitar and a note pad and write away. Most of my songs are written within 30 minutes to an hour. I refuse to force a song out. If I have inspiration, I’ll sit down and it’ll flow out, but, if I try to force myself, I’ll be sitting in front of my note pad, with my guitar on my lap, for hours.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Sebastian Janoski:
I do have a website. It is Www.Sebastianjanoski.com
Simple enough, right? 😉 the platforms I use the most are Twitter, vine, Instagram and YouTube. And they’re all under ‘sebastianjanoski’ 🙂 go check Em out!
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Sebastian Janoski:
I’d be lying if I said I don’t jam out to ‘hit me baby one more time’ every now and then 😉
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Sebastian Janoski:
I am actually graduating from high school this year, so, I wouldn’t have to worry about that so I’d probably, of course donate some, and then I would probably spend that year on a cruise ship traveling the world. A boy can dream right? 🙂
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Sebastian Janoski:
Good old word of mouth. Of course, I use social media, because it works very well, but, I find that just a little shameless self promotion whenever I’m out or at one of my shows never fails.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Sebastian Janoski:
I will say it time and time again, my biggest aspiration as an artist is to sell out Madison square garden. So, I would definitely perform there. Choosing who I would perform with is the tricky part. I look up to so many artists and I don’t know which one would be the best or most enjoyable. I would say Adele, but, you sneakily said dead or alive so I have to go with Michael Jackson. He will always be my biggest inspiration.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Sebastian Janoski:
April 8th was the official release date of my first single of 2016, “pure gold,” which I wrote and recorded with producer PJ Bianco, who is well known for his work with Jonas Bros, Demi Lovato & Metro Station to name a few, he also has the single “Champagne Problems” on the on the upcoming Nick Jonas Album!…We also wrote & recorded a few more which we will be releasing throughout 2016. Big things are happening and i am so excited!
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Sebastian Janoski:
I would probably be a writer. There’s something so entertaining about creating your own story and your own character and bringing it to life on a page. If I wasn’t so dedicated and stuck like glue to my music, I would totally be writing a couple novels here and there 😉
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Sebastian Janoski:
Oh, how could i forget. I was 8 years old, and I had just gotten completely obsessed with Michael Jackson. I went to the store with my birthday money and bought the ‘Number one’ album of all of Michael jacksons number one hits. It was on replay for a literal 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I never stopped and I still loop it a couple times now and then. Michael never gets old!
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Sebastian Janoski:
By the grace of God. He keeps me on my feet and I would not be able to stay sane if it weren’t for that man upstairs. Also, I take my classes online. I have a couple of classes that I physically take with a teacher, but most of them I can finish at my own pace and wherever I am at the moment, so it’s pretty flexible for my traveling for performing and recording. It can get a little stressful when I have an essay or project due and I have a show the same weekend, but, it always seems to work its way out.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
Sebastian Janoski:
NEW MUSIC!! NEW MUSIC!! NEW MUSIC!! I have a good 3 or four (maybe more) songs coming out this year and I have never been more proud of my music or my sound. I also am going to be doing so much more performing and touring, so look out for dates and announcements!
