Music review and interview with JLC for ‘Turn up”
The production on this track sounds sublime, the opening notes, sounds and effects create an immediate atmosphere of dreamlike intensity. There’s a modern electronic edge to the whole thing, but the piano that runs consistently throughout the track brings a touch of acoustic emotion to the piece. As the vocals step forward into the sound, it’s not quite what you’d expect from the music, but it’s always good not to feed into expectations. The chorus of voices singing or chanting the hook section is, on the contrary, a lot like a number of other similar underground hip-hop tracks of recent years – it’s not a massively unique hook, but the benefit of it’s nature is that it contrasts well with the peacefulness of the music, and it adds that element of audience involvement – which is often hugely important, particularly for artists hoping to draw in a large crowd at live shows.
The backing track is a huge strong point for this track, it really is in a league of it’s own for the most part, creatively gentle and melodic, which as mentioned contrasts greatly with the loud and intense vocal performances. The rap flow has a pretty theatrical nature to it, the leading voice has a fair bit of character in it as well, in terms of tone, inflections, general performance style – the verses are strong, the variation between the voices works well. The track gets more interesting the further into the music you get, that hook section still though could use a little variation in the words or lines used – not too much to distract from the point of the song, but to add something else for fans to memorise and cling to. The third verse has a huge amount of character and is possibly the strongest performance so far, but there’s a lot about the whole track that is effective and appealing, it’s great that it’s a combination of efforts and ideas that have created it.
By Rebecca Cullen
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
JLC: I grew up in Fort Worth Texas and basically a lot of people that I hung around was always rapping and doing the beats on the wall or table and tapping the pencil and it was very interesting to me because it gave me an outlet to express myself, all the stuff I would hold in and couldn’t say in plain words because nobody would listen…
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
JLC: One day I was thinking what should I call myself? I wanted my name to reflect who I am and the brand that I am building. The name I chose resembles who I currently am verses an old name such as “SliccMain” which was a name I had, when I released my album “The Takeover” back in 2005 when I was apart of the “Geeta Block Soljas” group. “SliccMain”, when I was in a group called Geeta Block Soljas: The person I am now have a new mindset and view on life. I am a business man that is building a legacy for my family whom I have to lead by example. I came up with the name JLC. The name JLC derives from my legal name Jermaine Lamont Clarkson. JLC is respectable as well as catchy.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
JLC: I think online music sharing is a great way to network with other like minded people. Online music sharing is beneficial and easy access right from computer at home. As far as do I give my music away for free. The answer is “Yes.” I give free music to get exposure and to just give back to the people. I also give away music, to build my fan base. If people have not been exposed to your music, the chances are slim to none of getting recognized. The way you market your business will tell a lot whether the people will stand behind you are not. Think about it, word of mouth spreads whether it’s negative or positive! It’s called promotion, promo for short…You will spend a lot of money on marketing and everyday business affairs before you see a return on your investment. And that return can come in many different ways other than money.
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?
JLC: Yes always keep a radio version of your music, test your songs out with different crowds to see what reaction you get; you wanna start promoting your strongest song. Network with club promoters and radio dj’s! No excuses!! It is many on social media so just network… For radio you can either pay a firm/promoter that has an established relationship with radio stations to get some exposure in which a 60 or 90 day campaign will do it especially if the song is very strong or you can search for stations that except indie artists and submit your music which is a longer process but it can be done. And once you get radio airplay you wanna put it on your social media sites.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
JLC: Once I hear a beat that moves me then that’s when the creativity comes. I have to hear a melody first whether physically or mentally hear it, then a hook comes, then the verse. If I’m really feeling a beat it could take me 15 – 30 min to write out a whole song whether in my heart/mind and I carry a pen and pad everywhere I go so I can capture all that comes to my mind once I hear a beat.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
JLC: Yes my official website is www.allaroundaag.com! My main platforms are soundcloud, Facebook and twitter. I use them all the same..
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
JLC: I would invest in another business model and give people that want to change and have changed their lifestyles, jobs to provide for their family. Also I would go to the schools, donate and speak to the children, our next generation about staying out of trouble etc.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
JLC: I experiment different ways to see what would work and networking, getting advice from others that’s further along than me. What works best for me once again is Facebook and Twitter and I always have promo CD’s with me so I am handing out CD’s a lot.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
JLC: I have a single that I am working on with collaboration with another artist in New Jersey with a good campaign that we are putting together… I cant tell all right now but it’s going to be Hot! Consistency is the key to keep the attention of people!
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
JLC: I would probably be acting because I get told a lot about my out going personality and playing pranks on people!!!
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
JLC: I don’t get entangled in too many engagements. I choose very wisely and only commit to certain ones or projects not scheduling them too close together so I can handle other responsibilities in between.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
JLC: More variety of music! I have one artist I am working with and have a christian hip hop artist also that’s been in the studio with A.A.G. RECORDS!!! So be on the lookout for that!!
