HAILING FROM THE DESERTS OF ARIZONA ‘ HEY IT’S JAY’ IS AN INDEPENDENT SINGER-SONGWRITER READY TO TAKE OWN HIS MUSICAL JOURNEY AFAR. WE GOT THE CHANCE TO HAVE A CHAT TO DICUSS HIS MUSIC AND MORE. READ THE FULL CHAT BELOW.

What is your name? 
hey it’s jay 

What is your genre of music? 
Pop Punk/Alt Rock/Pop 

Give us a little bio about you. 
I’m an artist hailing from the deserts of Arizona with the goal to build a community around inclusion and understanding, which gives a voice to the broken and misunderstood. In realizing my vision, I moved to Los Angeles and graduated from college for music, honing my skills as a storyteller, songwriter, and vocalist. Formerly a producer and DJ, I discovered the missing puzzle piece to my art: tapping into my roots and long-time love for rock, pop-punk, and storytelling/songwriting.

What made you go into music? 
To be honest in the beginning I didn’t think I could earn the label of “artist” much less learn to create music. I deal with pretty heavy imposter syndrome and didn’t think I would be creative enough to get into the field. I hid my fears behind a mask of working in the industry. I was in the event planning side of things, helping put on events of all different sizes. During a summer festival/event that I helped put on and operate, I was able to chat it up with the artists that we had on the lineup. One of the nights the closing act was an artist named NGHTMRE. Once his set was over, he, his friends and I went back to the green room to talk. I let NGHTMRE know that I love what he does and wish I could move a crowd and deliver music that helps people escape. He simply said, “if you love music that much, you should become an artist.” Little did I know that hearing it from him and getting screwed over from my job shortly after would give me enough confidence to start taking music seriously. Becoming an artist allowed me to take control of my life and grow me every step of the way. 

Who are your influences? 
If we’re talking simply musically, I’m inspired heavily by artists like Machine Gun Kelly, Travis Barker, MOD SUN, YUNGBLUD, blackbear, and many others. 

Are you a signed? 
You’re looking at Mr. Independent …..or whatever Kelly Clarkson said (Haha no, I’m not!)

You released your new single ‘Doing Fine’, tell us more about the single and the meaning behind the song. 
The song is meant to clash elements of the classic doo-wop era with modern pop punk/alt rock. The song came to me as I realized I would, without hesitation tell people I’m doing fine when I knew I really wasn’t. I would just hide behind that phrase so I wouldn’t have to be vulnerable. I would catch the people I care about pulling the same  deflection methods and once given the space to open up, they would. It became obvious to write an anthem about this experience. The song is me calling out myself and anyone else who just chooses the easy route verses being vulnerable. It’s okay to not be okay. I hope this song can help encourage people to open up more and also remind people to pay more attention to their friends, further growing the conversation surrounding mental health.

Describe the track in two words. 
Vibrant angst 

What was the writing and recording process like? 
Writing this song came pretty easy. I knew I wanted there to be a cheekiness to the chorus when I say “just fine”. It’s meant to highlight how ridiculous we all sound by just saying we’re fine all the time. The recording process was a MISSION! I went to my friend’s studio and we tracked the guitars along with programmed drums. Afterwards I went to another studio where my friend laid down the drums for the song! This instrumental would serve as the bed to record my voice over. Unfortunately, when I first wrote the song I was definitely at the beginning of my singing journey. I wrote the topline melody within a key that was way too low for me. I recorded the entire song to a lower key. A few months later as my vocal skillset grew, I realized that the song was way too low. I pitched the song up and then rerecorded the entire vocal lead with my vocal coach. She also gave me the idea of having a guitar solo in the song. I told her my little kid self would scream if he had a song with a guitar solo in it! We found the perfect place to leave room for my homie to shred on the track. I went back to my friend’s studio and we tracked the entire guitar arrangement and then he went to TOWN on the guitar solo. After I had the vocal pieces and live instruments, I went ahead and produced out the rest of the track. To finalize it, I sent the song over to a good friend of mine to do a final mix and master. The rest is….well what you hear on Spotify haha!

Who did you work with on the single? 
· Guitars & Production: Chase Jackson 
· Drums: Patrick O’Kane 
· Vocal Engineering: McKenna Alicia 
· Production, Mix & Master: Orion Rogers

Will we see a music video for ‘Doing Fine’, and if so what can we expect from the creative process like? 
As of right now there won’t be an official music video for Doing Fine. Bank account quietly reminded me I have to be realistic haha. I will have a short clip for the song. My friends are going to film and act in the short video that I’ll be posting on my socials. It’ll involve me wounded walking around a grocery store while people ask if I’m “Doing okay”. I’ll respond with “I’m doing fine”. You’ll also see a shortened version as my Spotify Canvas.

We can expect an EP H.E.L.P., tell us more about what can we expect from it from the meaning and creative process. 
H.E.L.P. stands for Here Everyone Likes Pain. It’s an entire project based around the fact that I struggle with being vulnerable. I’ve always struggled with opening up to people about how I’m feeling and letting them in. Ironically I wrote this ep to start the process of healing. I’m allowing myself to be vulnerable in hopes that anyone who listens might be able to relate and start their own journey. Or if anything let any listener know that someone understands them and that it’s hard. This project completely grew me as a person. I started out as a music producer and DJ when entering the artist realm. I love electronic music and DJing but over time I realized I was hiding behind it to not face my fear of wanting to be a Rockstar. I wanted to be like the artists I listened to growing up. I didn’t think I could be that person. Paying close attention, what I loved about “rockstars” are how raw and vulnerable they are. They seem like they are their true selves in their expression and music. This ep has helped me tap into that! I’m still growing so much but this ep really help paved the way in discovering myself. There are SO many talented people who helped bring this project to life! Expect the ep to sound professional because of the tribe around me!

Describe Each track in two words. 
· Nobody Knows: Anthemic realization 
· Doing Fine: Vibrant angst 
· Sleeping Alone: Cheerful anguish 
· Help: Soulfully exposed 
· Where I Belong: Gritty ballad

Do you have any live shows coming up? 
I do not have any scheduled at the moment but hoping to line up some shows once the full ep is out! 

Let us know where we can get tickets if so. 
Definitely will in the future!!

What else can we expect in early 2023? 
The title track “Help” with have a full professional music video behind it!! We’ve already started the process! I have so many songs I’ve written and am currently recording for after the ep is out. I’m also working on various projects outside of my own such as producing a full length album for another artist, etc. Also designing merch for the upcoming ep is on the way as well!

Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years? 
Truthfully I could write out a whole list since I do every year! To not bore everyone and keep it simple, I hope to be an international touring artist with music that is loved globally. Selfishly, I want to have made it on Billboard’s top 10 and have earned a Grammy. I want to retire my parents and my sister so they can freely choose if they want to work or pursue a passion. I hope to build a community that is based around self expression, inclusion, and acts of kindness. Also, I know in 5 years I will have pursued a few of my other passions as well such as acting, writing a book, and I should have my app to help give back to the world up and running!

What quote or saying do you always stick by? 
“What if I fall?” Oh, but my darling, what if you fly? 
Hakuna Matata

When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget? 
· HYDRO FLASK! (drink water kids!) 
· Having tea & honey 
· Airpods to listen to something motivational 
· Honesty & vulnerability 
· Community (people around you that support you no matter what)

Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you? 

Absolutely! · instagram · twitter · tiktok · facebook · youtube

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