Interview with J.8.S

Where are you from?
Orange County, California
Members and their instruments?
(Solo Artist)

John Albert – Vocalist, Guitar, Bass, Piano, Drums
What does your band name mean?
Got the idea of my artist name by my uncle. He calls me Jeights (Jay-Eights) with one syllable and has a heavy filipino accent which I always find funny. The rest of my family calls me JT for (John Tristan).
What genre do you consider yourself? Why?
Alternative because it’s pretty broad, the type of genre I make is depending on my mood so I like being eclectic.
How long have you been together?
As of October 2018 I’ve been making music for about a year now.
What brought you together?
What inspired me to make music was the SoundCloud scene, artists like XXXTentacion and Lil Peep were blowing up and I felt like I could relate to them, just by being around the same age as them and loving music and the culture it brings.
What drew you to music?
Ever since I was a child I always remember being around music, whether it be going to concerts with friends or even growing up in car rides with my parents music playing.
What are some of your most influential bands? Why?
The Beatles because it was one the first bands I liked from my parents music, I loved it because it gave me a sense of how the world was like before I was born and was the first band to get me addicted to music.
What was your first song together?
My first track is called Bribed, it’s a dark trap beat running just under 2 minutes.
What is your song writing process?
I work on projects and songs everyday until a project speaks to me or is complete enough for vocals and after I add my vocals it’s finished.
Do you play any covers?
If anybody requested a cover for a song I like I would, none currently.
Is there a secret meaning in any of your music?
I always tend to sing about how anything is possible and that anyone could manifest whatever they want in life.
What is your favorite part of working in music?
Making a song or jamming with fellow artist, playing basically.
What is your least favorite part of working in music?
Working with unmotivated artists.
Have you ever dealt with performance anxiety? If so how?
I get stage fright just sharing my music sometimes, but reminding myself that music is my calling kills my anxiety.
How old were you when you started playing your instrument?
I picked the guitar at the age of 7 not really getting addicted to till until I was 18.
How do you describe your music to people?
Alternative with some Rock and Hip Hop elements.
What image do you hope your music conveys?
I would like to inspire people to enjoy their lives and live to their fullest potential.
What is your greatest achievement to date?
Having people enjoy my music, earning recognition.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a band?
Marketing and networking, finding out who might be able to help and if they are willing.
Are you happy with the current success of your band?
I am very happy where I am but not content, I believe it’s always good to strive for bigger and better things.
What is the ultimate direction for your band?
I’m looking to become a household name, ultimately becoming an icon and inspiring people all over the world to live their dreams.
What steps have you taken to get there?
Till the I die I work on myself everyday, trying to be the version of myself I can be. I try to learn new skills to benefit others and I work on my craft everyday making music to share with the world.
What steps do you still have to do?
I need to keep creating music it’s therapeutic for me, book shows to preform and learn new ways to market myself, I’ve haven’t preformed live anywhere yet but once I do it’ll be a feeling I can never get anywhere else and I’m so excited for it.
How do you feel about the internet and the music business?
I believe it’s a very beautiful thing, people can listen to music from anywhere in the world in any part of the world. Giving independent artist a way to grab an audience not necessarily needing a label to distribute them.
What is your favorite concert you’ve attended?
Seeing the Rolling Stones live a few years ago, it was very inspirational seeing such a big name being able to play years after their prime.
What do you do besides music?
I’m also a photographer, looking to get into drawing and cinema. I’ve been an extra in a war movie.
What is something you would like to tell your younger self?
If you set your mind on something by law of attraction it will come into your life, our minds are magnets.
What is your favorite song? (not by your band)
Falling Down – Lil Peep ft. XXXTentacion
What do you wish you spent more time doing 5 years ago?
Wish I started making music and networking with people earlier.
What advice do you have others wanting to start their own bands?
Every single person on earth has songs and music inside them, it’s just up to them to find it and share it with the world.
Any last words?
I am just so grateful for your time and thank you for checking me out.