Jay Deuce

Industry Reviews is excited about today’s featured artist Jay Deuce

Check out our interview with Jay below..


IR: Let’s get to know a little bit more about you and how you grew up. So where do you consider hometown and what type of kid were you growing up?

JD: Well I’m Jay Deuce from the small town of Ettrick, VA right next to Petersburg where Trey Songz is from. As a kid I was smart and shy, not too bad, and I always had big dreams. I started off wanting to go to space.

IR: How old were you when you developed an interest in music?

JD: Very young I got my first keyboard at age 5 but my mother and everyone at home always listened to music and I gravitated to how it made them feel.

IR: What was the first album you ever listened to? Can you remember back that far?

JD: I actually remember listening to New Edition’s Heart Break album and “Can you stand the Rain” stuck with me. Johnny Gill amazed me even at that young age.

IR: When and how did you begin your journey in the world of music?

JD: It all began with that first keyboard and just being with my Mom all the time. I would record songs of the radio and then have a whole concert In my room singing along and dancing. Then when Usher came out with “Nice and Slow” I grabbed my notebook and wrote my own version and haven’t looked back.

IR: What influences shaped your musical style?

JD: Charlie Wilson from his Gap Band days, New Edition, Boyz II Men, Usher and Prince. I was a huge fan of the groups. Shawn and Wanya were like idols for me. Still have the utmost respect for them.

IR: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard it before?

JD: I’d say it’s sexy but sensual and at times very powerful. I believe I’m more traditional than most people doing this in this generation.

IR: Do you write a lot by yourself or do you have a partner or a group of people you work with?

JD: I usually always write by myself unless it’s a collaboration. In today’s world, with emailing and studios everywhere I have the advantage of being in the studio and creating energy with the other artist that I work with and we feed off of each other and make some pretty good music. That’s pretty important to me, however my own projects all I need is the music and my headphones and I just write the story that the producer has already told through his instruments of choice.

IR: What is your main goal at this point?

JD: A successful album release on May 26th and to continue to grow and make quality music for the fans. I’m not a man chasing fame or money I just want people to feel good and to be respected.

IR: Have you learned any lessons so far and if so, what are they?

JD: I’ve learned a few lessons but the one I’ll share is to just be yourself. Remember earlier I touched on being shy, well I use to get picked on a little bit for being a singer as I was younger so I stopped publicly and rapped for about three years. I can rap also but that’s not where my heart is, so now I’m grown up and I don’t care what anything one thinks I’m writing and singing music, that’s where my heart is. So to anyone reading this and maybe going through something similar please just be yourself.

IR: Are there any artists you wish to work with in the future?

JD: Being from Virginia I’d love to work with Trey Songz, Chris Brown and Tyra B. Definitely Usher, and The Dream as well.

IR: If you could create your dream tour, who would be a part of it?

JD: It would be old school to new for sure. I’d love to have myself, the Gap Band, New Edition, Boyz II Men, Usher and Prince. Hands down it would be them.

IR: Where can we find your music? Online and offline?

JD: My first single from the album ‘Justice’ ,which drops on May 26, “Runway” is available at all the typical places online. You can also visit my website www.iamjaydeuce.com and join the mailing list and hit the music page which will have music from my YouTube and soundcloud pages. Offline once the album is released look for physical copies in stores and if you’re in Texas catch me live on tour this summer!



IR: We ask all the artists we interview, what’s the best piece of advice someone’s ever given to you?

JD: This is probably not what you were expecting but I’m human and I was having a difficult time and a great friend told me to read the entire book of Job in the bible. Best piece of advice ever. So much was learned and I continue to lean on that each day moving forward. - Industry Reviews

♫ Indie Spotlight: Jay Deuce - Runway (New Music + Interview)


It would be easy to cross over to the pop records like everyone else but that's not who I am - Jay Deuce

Genre: R&B

There’s been a lot of talk this year about the state of R&B. There have been entire articles on it and I even did a post declaring that R&B isn’t dead.



Artists like Jay Deuce are determined to prove that notion wrong and to make sure that the traditional sound stays alive.

Jay Deuce had some break through success early in his career, garnering 82k hits for his singles "Ain't Fuckin Wit Me", "Jay Deuce" and "Say Yes"before taking a brief hiatus from the music scene.

He’s back now with his debut album “Justice” that’s set to be independently released on May 26th on ITunes.

The first single off the album is called “Runway” and sets the scene for sensual lovemaking with him essentially declaring his woman as the model and the bedroom as her runway.

Jay Deuce shared the single with us and also took a minute to answer 5 quick questions for our indie spotlight series.


Runway is available on iTunes

Describe your music for someone who hasn’t heard it before.
Traditional R&B music, that tells stories of love lust and heartbreak like the good days, in a smooth sexy and sensual way. I'm all about feeling and connecting with people on an emotional level.

What inspired you to pursue a music career? What inspired you to pursue a music career?
The way I felt hearing music growing up and seeing how excited and good it made people feel. I wanted to be a part of it.


Greatest career accomplishment to date?
My debut album Justice releases on May 26th. By far it's my greatest achievement yet. It’s been a long time coming.

What has been your biggest challenge?
Changing the perception that R&B is dead. It would be easy to cross over to the pop records like everyone else but that's not who I am.

That's a challenge we R&B artists fight constantly. It's tough because sometimes you have to check yourself and not give into the perceptions and just keep making good music.

Who is your favorite artist?
Prince. Hands down. I didn't even have to think about that one. He's the greatest to me.

What are your music career goals?
To successfully release the album, tour and get a record deal. Breaking through on the Billboard charts will happen within the next three years and that's for me as an artist and a writer.

Stay connected with Jay Deuce


Facebook|@iam_jaydeuce
Website|Soundcloud





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View web version - Rain Dazed Ent

Thanks for taking the time to do this interview Justin-Michael. Tell us a bit about yourself, your name, age, where you’re from and an interesting fact if you like...

Hello thanks for having me as you said I'm Justin-Michael but I'm better known as Jay Deuce the 26 year old R&B singer-songwriter originally from Richmond, VA but I currently reside in Austin, TX. An interesting fact most people don't know, I'm also a military vet, private pilot and motorcycle racer. To name a few.

MUSIC
How long have you been singing?

My whole life really but seriously again for the last 3 years or so.

What first got you interested in becoming a singer?

The way that music made others feel. I was very I observant and my mother always played music growing up, and her and my uncle were choir members at our church. They spoke very highly of the artist of the day and genuinely enjoyed it, so I wanted to have a part in that.

What/who inspires your music?

As far as who there's many but Charlie Wilson, Prince, New Edition and Boyz II Men rank very highly on that list. That's who I heard the most of growing up. As I got older I really respect and looked up to Usher.

Do you see being a singer as a career, or as a hobby?

Singing is always going to be a hobby. I say that because you know the saying "pick a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life" so it is a career but at the end of the day it's a hobby I'm blessed with doing that some people would call work but not me.

What are you trying to do with your music? Do you want to help your community? Are you trying to get rich? What is your goal for your music?

My goal with music has never been fame or to get rich. I'd love to set an example for kids, my own daughter especially, help those that have helped me and just make people feel good as I touched on earlier.

Have you ever performed live? How did it feel?

The first time I was terrified but it was such a rush and it instantly hooked me. There's up and downs but performing live is the best, well one of, the best parts about it.

Do you have any kind of management, publishing or distribution team behind you? If so what are their responsibilities?

Without getting into too much detail I do have a manager, and he does all the booking shows arranging features etc. I actually just began to publish my own music and I'm making steps to partner with someone more established. Same with distribution.

What are some accomplishments that you have achieved, and are most proud of?

Serving our country for 9 years and deploying to both Iraq and Afghanistan. Musically my growth as an artist and being able to release my first album on Memorial Day this year. My daughter and being in her life are my finest moments every day. Those are the things I'm most proud of.

Have you ever made any contact with major artists or other high positioned people in the music industry and do you keep in contact with them?

I've made a few and had the occasional twitter exchange and a couple actually follow me. I actually love twitter for that reason. As an artist and a fan it's the best of both worlds.

What one tip would you give to other aspiring independent artists?

Be genuine, and be authentic. Don't make music that so and so is making because it's popular or hot at the moment. Make it from the heart. Also realize that we are a business and need to conduct ourselves as such. Put as much detail into that side as the music that you make.


What do you see is in the future for the music industry? How do you think it will evolve/change?

Well let's wait and see how this amazon thing turns out. Everyone thinks R&B music is dead but I see a resurgence and the industry as whole will continue to improve as long as the economy holds. It's easier to sell singles at .99 versus whole albums. I think we will see a lot more of that.

INTERNET
Do you feel like the internet is helping you as an independent artist?

Absolutely. But it also hurts kind of the internet has allowed a situation of over-saturation which I don't really mind it makes me work that much harder to stand out.

How do you think social networks such as Facebook and Twitter have affected the music industry?

It has enhanced it in my opinion. I'm able to reach and build relationships without even leaving home and the fans make any artist relevant so that's huge. Fans want to feel like they know you and now it's easier than ever to share and make that happen.


Where can we hear your music online?

My music can be heard on my site at www.iamjaydeuce.com and in the music section you'll find my soundcloud and YouTube page as well.

IN CLOSING
What projects are you working on at the moment?

I just wrapped up my freshman LP "Justice" that will be released on May 26th. To promote that a tour is also in the works for the summer.

Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years time?

Wherever that is I'll still be singing. Gods blessed me beyond belief and I'm just enjoying the now. We often stress about the past or future so much we forget to enjoy the present.

Do you have any shoutouts you want to give?



Yes I'd like to give a shout out to Chivas Kimber, Tejai Moore, Genesis, Scooby, all the producers on the album, and Nicara, Martin, and Mr. Brown. Couldn't do it without them.

And follow me on twitter/Instagram: @iam_jaydeuce
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jaydeuce23

Thanks again Justin for doing this interview.

You're very welcome thank you. - Crazy Pellas

Artist Jay Deuce R&B singer-songwriter from Richmond Virginia living in Austin, TX www.iamjaydeuce.com. Jay Deucue releases single, debut album Justice drops on May 26th. . It’s a very traditional R&B album with stories of love lust and heartbreak it’ll make you want to dance and cry at times.


Buy now on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/runway-single/id847653922?uo=4

Many artists struggle to establish their musical identity, trying on different styles like a piece of clothing, looking to find what fits. Jay Deuce fits firmly in his category. His new single, Runway, is a smooth and sultry debut that ushers in the arrival of a significant new talent, ready to strike out on his own territory.He hails from the small town of Ettrick, Virginia, raised and heavily influenced by his mother Michelle Campbell. He explains “My mom’s favorite song was Purple Rain, I remember hearing it for the first time and being mesmerized by it.” As a child he’d written his first song at age 8. “I started writing songs in my head, and it took my music to another level.” He’s also self-taught on the acoustic guitar. Now recording daily, Jay boasts an impressive skill as a songwriter, crediting his influences, like Prince, Boys 2 Men, Johnny Gill and New Edition, and using them to shape his own style. “I grew up with a lot of 80′s R&B,” Jay explains,” My mom used to play them all. I just gravitated to it and loved how it felt.” He goes on to also say “I remember hearing Johnny Gill on ‘Can You Stand the Rain’, made me feel like Wow! I want to do that. He killed it!, so my goal is to create timeless music.”
INFO

While in Seoul, South Korea, Jay garnered attention thru his MySpace page for his hits “Ain’t Fuckin Wit Me” the self-titled “Jay Deuce” and “Say Yes”. As his name grew on the site, the pieces began to fall into place for Jay. In 15 months of his songs being featured he got 85,000 plays, which at that time was very impressive for an aspiring artist. “Fans can expect genuine, heartfelt and fun music; I’m going back to the basics because music should make you want to either dance, laugh have sex or cry. I want people to feel the music again and not just hear it” “Pure R&B is what I’m after not to make you want to turn the radio off.” The seductive tenor has the prowess and ambition that legends are made of, every pore oozes music and he won’t stop until everybody knows who Jay Deuce is. When asked what was his take on life, love and music, he replied: “The producers provide the canvas and my words and vocals are the paint to the picture.” As for life my take is to follow your dreams, work hard and stay humble, believe in god and everything will fall into place,” Your dreams are a place for refuge in this crazy world. Follow Jay Deuce:Official Website: www.iamjaydeuce.comSoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/jay-deuceTwitter and Instagram: @Iam_jaydeuceFacebook: /jaydeuce23His debut single “Runway” is currently available on iTunes and Amazon music - Music Existence