MAS: Congrats to Joseph J, Make A Star's newest Male Solo Artist winner, taking the February 2011 prize for his song 'War Dogs'. Joseph J comes to us from Chico, California with a bluesy, classic rock sound and a world of talent. First off, tell us how it feels to have won. Are you happy, surprised, relieved?
Joseph J: I'm ecstatic, this is really big for my music career!
MAS: Tell us how you got started as a singer and how your recording career began.
Joseph J: I began singing in school and when I landed the lead in a musical called "Let George Do It" in seventh grade I was hooked.
MAS: How did you develop your sound? Are you the primary songwriter, or is it collaborative?
Joseph J: I've developed my sound through everyone I've ever heard. So you can expect a diverse variety in my music. And I write all my own songs.
MAS: What’s the story behind the song you’ve entered in the Make A Star contest?
Joseph J: My song War Dogs is basically hard guitars and a political statement.
MAS: Which musical influences have other people compared you to?
Joseph J: I've had people compare me to Marilyn Manson, Rush and Nickelback among a few.
MAS: What sets you apart from other artists in your genre?
Joseph J: I have a real song diversity which keeps things fresh.
MAS: Who do you get inspiration from or wish to emulate in music and life?
Joseph J: My inspiration comes from my fans, friends and family who have believed in me and my music. Their why I continue to pursue a music career along with the overwhelming desire to write songs and sing.
MAS: What are your musical plans for the year ahead?
Joseph J: I'm planing more live gigs and more recording time.
MAS: Who were your favorite musicians as a child? What was your first album or concert?
Joseph J: My favorite musicians as a child would have to be Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix & Simon & Garfunkel. My first concert was Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show which was awesome!
MAS: What is the best and worst part about being a musician?
Joseph J: The best part about being a musician is the music. Music is such a powerful way to express ones self! And everyone can relate to music. The worst part is not having the resources to record and perform my songs like I'd like to.
MAS: What is the best and worst part about the music industry today?
Joseph J: The best part of the music industry is the fans and artists. The worst part is trying to get your songs in front of the music buying public.
MAS: How does MakeAStar.com compare with other websites for music fans and musicians?
Joseph J: MakeAStar.com is an awesome platform for artists to showcase their work and engage the fans. The exposure and fun is priceless!
MAS: Tell us something completely random.
Joseph J: I'm going to take the world by storm with some enduring original music. The response my demo songs has been above and beyond what I ever expected, with my limited resources, and just a shadow of what's to come.. I'd like to thank everyone for their love and support and I'd like to thank MakeAStar.com for the opportunities they provide the artists and fans.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Make A Star Interview with February 2011 Rap Battle winner SiNiStEr
MAS: Congratulations SiNiStEr! Make A Star's first proper Rap Battle bracket in over a year, and you won it going away. Coming to us from the hip hop heartland of the Bronx, New York. First off, tell us how it feels to have won. Are you happy, surprised, relieved?
SiNiStEr: It feels real good to have won the contest considering it is my 1st month entering and competing. I was pretty much confident entering the competition and I had enough faith in what I submitted that it would lead me to a victory.
MAS: Tell us how you got started as a singer and how your recording career began.
SiNiStEr: I basically got started just listening to music period. Then growing up I thought I should try it, because it was a way for me to vent, release and express the feelings that no one ever knew.
MAS: How did you develop your sound? Are you the primary songwriter, or is it collaborative?
SiNiStEr: I write what ever comes to mind. If at first it is hard for me to create something I would freestyle and then eventually say something worth keeping and that would be my foundation to start a masterpiece.
MAS: What’s the story behind the song you’ve entered in the Make A Star contest?
SiNiStEr: I just felt like Hip-Hop lacks a lot of pure lyricism so I wrote that to prove lyricism still lives on and can be recognized.
MAS: Which musical influences have other people compared you to?
SiNiStEr: Common, Nas, Lupe Fiasco, and all of those spoken word.
MAS: Who do you get inspiration from or wish to emulate in music and life?
SiNiStEr: My inspiration comes from Tupac Amaru Shakur. His word and message in so powerful. I don't wish to emulate anyone, I want to be ME and only ME. Only thing I wish is to be as great as Tupac was, and be as commanding as he once was.
MAS: What are your musical plans for the year ahead?
SiNiStEr: To drop my 1st album and or mixtape.
MAS: Who were your favorite musicians as a child? What was your first album or concert?
SiNiStEr: 1st album was Eminem's Marshall Mathers LP. Favorite artist, Tupac, and Eminem.
MAS: What is the best and worst part about being a musician?
SiNiStEr: There's NEVER a worst part for me. If making music is something that you love then it shall always be good times.
MAS: What is the best and worst part about the music industry today?
SiNiStEr: The best part about the industry today is that music is STILL living. The worst part about the industry is that anyone can get signed today without even having skill. Now a days all you need is a catchy hook, and jingle to get put on. There's a select few who are really talented and that can really be a long time inspiration.
MAS: How does MakeAStar.com compare with other websites for music fans and musicians?
SiNiStEr: There is a wide variety of contests someone can enter and showcase their talent to be seen and get known and to also get rewarded for such time and effort being put in.
MAS: Thank you for this interview. We hope to hear a lot more from you soon, the future looks bright!
SiNiStEr: It feels real good to have won the contest considering it is my 1st month entering and competing. I was pretty much confident entering the competition and I had enough faith in what I submitted that it would lead me to a victory.
MAS: Tell us how you got started as a singer and how your recording career began.
SiNiStEr: I basically got started just listening to music period. Then growing up I thought I should try it, because it was a way for me to vent, release and express the feelings that no one ever knew.
MAS: How did you develop your sound? Are you the primary songwriter, or is it collaborative?
SiNiStEr: I write what ever comes to mind. If at first it is hard for me to create something I would freestyle and then eventually say something worth keeping and that would be my foundation to start a masterpiece.
MAS: What’s the story behind the song you’ve entered in the Make A Star contest?
SiNiStEr: I just felt like Hip-Hop lacks a lot of pure lyricism so I wrote that to prove lyricism still lives on and can be recognized.
MAS: Which musical influences have other people compared you to?
SiNiStEr: Common, Nas, Lupe Fiasco, and all of those spoken word.
MAS: Who do you get inspiration from or wish to emulate in music and life?
SiNiStEr: My inspiration comes from Tupac Amaru Shakur. His word and message in so powerful. I don't wish to emulate anyone, I want to be ME and only ME. Only thing I wish is to be as great as Tupac was, and be as commanding as he once was.
MAS: What are your musical plans for the year ahead?
SiNiStEr: To drop my 1st album and or mixtape.
MAS: Who were your favorite musicians as a child? What was your first album or concert?
SiNiStEr: 1st album was Eminem's Marshall Mathers LP. Favorite artist, Tupac, and Eminem.
MAS: What is the best and worst part about being a musician?
SiNiStEr: There's NEVER a worst part for me. If making music is something that you love then it shall always be good times.
MAS: What is the best and worst part about the music industry today?
SiNiStEr: The best part about the industry today is that music is STILL living. The worst part about the industry is that anyone can get signed today without even having skill. Now a days all you need is a catchy hook, and jingle to get put on. There's a select few who are really talented and that can really be a long time inspiration.
MAS: How does MakeAStar.com compare with other websites for music fans and musicians?
SiNiStEr: There is a wide variety of contests someone can enter and showcase their talent to be seen and get known and to also get rewarded for such time and effort being put in.
MAS: Thank you for this interview. We hope to hear a lot more from you soon, the future looks bright!
Top of the February Make A Star Charts
Congratulations to all of Make A Star's February 2011 $100 winners in the Sing in 30 Seconds, Rap Battle, Music Video, Male Solo, Female Solo, Duo or Band and Instrumental Song competitions!
Click the links below to check out the top performances of the month. The Match money brackets begin this Thursday, March 3rd at noon Hollywood time. Upload your performances and vote for all your favorite artists to help them advance through the brackets and win the March madness brackets and $100 cash prizes in each contest category.
Music Video : Carrie Davis "Going Back To Me"
Instrumental Song : Larry R Campbell "Predestined"
Male Solo Artist : Joseph J "War Dogs"
Duo or Band : Meleniumx and Ari Vox "Bella Corizon"
Female Solo Artist : Carrie Davis "Feels Like Something Good"
Rap Battle : SiNiStEr "Pure Lyricism"
Sing in 30 Seconds : Steve Rupert "Without You" by Harry Nillson
Click the links below to check out the top performances of the month. The Match money brackets begin this Thursday, March 3rd at noon Hollywood time. Upload your performances and vote for all your favorite artists to help them advance through the brackets and win the March madness brackets and $100 cash prizes in each contest category.
Music Video : Carrie Davis "Going Back To Me"
Instrumental Song : Larry R Campbell "Predestined"
Male Solo Artist : Joseph J "War Dogs"
Duo or Band : Meleniumx and Ari Vox "Bella Corizon"
Female Solo Artist : Carrie Davis "Feels Like Something Good"
Rap Battle : SiNiStEr "Pure Lyricism"
Sing in 30 Seconds : Steve Rupert "Without You" by Harry Nillson
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