JJ Demon Interview

I had the chance to chat with rapper JJ Demon and ask him A few questions, Here is what he had to say.

At what age did you know you wanted to make music for  A living?
     
JJ Demon: It was never a question. I never had any other plan. I was drawing my album covers when I was like 7. The only time I ever doubted it was AFTER I got signed and started seeing the way the industry really works. I realized it wasn't really built for real artists. It's for puppets that want to take orders and jump through hoops. Which I don't do.

wow. I know you had A group called "Cult Classics" in your teenage years with your late friend Damien how exactly would you say you have matured as an artist since then you mentioned seeing the music industry for what it is how else have you matured artistically?
     
JJ Demon:  His name is actually Dominic, but you gave it a good shot. haha Um, yeah our music was very different from what I make now, but then again every time I release something new I tweak my sound a bit. It's not even intentional, it's just natural. Artists grow. I think an artist that deliberately tries to keep their music the same to appease fans is really hurting himself. Make the music that feels most natural to you at any given time. I could never make another Funeral Disco album. I know that now. I can bring the same energy to my new music, but I can't just make a carbon copy. I have to grow and do what feels true. Classics was like hardcore/horrorcore shit. I'd love to revisit the sound at some point. The Dead Have Highways.

I apologize for the name flop I thought i saw Damien was his name my mistake. I have heard A few cult Classics songs on youtube and it is definately more out there, I personally would love to hear more stuff like that. With "Funeral Disco" you kind of changed the "Scene-rap" "Crunkcore" genre, what kind of inspired you to take that road musically?
    
JJ Demon: Well I don't even know what those words mean. I just wanted to make uptempo dance-type songs with dark undertones, but have the song-writing be poetic and nuanced. Sinister, serious, sarcastic, cinematic. That album was me finding myself at a crossroads. I had just gotten out of jail and I was in a weird spot. I wanted to cleanse myself of the life I was living before and start something fresh. I never even heard the word "crunkcore" until the album was done. And I coined the phrase "scene-hop" myself, but mostly as a joke.

 very cool. Back in the day when you first started writing was there A specific artist that inspired you to pick up that pen for the very first time?
    
JJ Demon: I can't remember that far back. I was writing lyrics and poetry from the moment I learned words. But yeah, once I started to develop an ear as a learned listener, I'd say Wu-Tang was my earliest influence. I guess I was around 11 or 12. But I played guitar and bass back then too. I was very into 90's hardcore and punk. The Misfits and Dead Kennedys. Integrity and Earth Crisis. I used to like to learn Nirvana songs on the ax cuz they were mostly just simple power chords and I could easily sing along while I played. I always knew I wanted to be a vocalist, no matter what. I kinda answered you and kinda didn't, sorry I go on tangents. Aesop Rock. Cannibal Ox. El-P. The old Def Jux line up were big inspiration on me when I was a little kid.

 Since "Funeral Disco" you have released the "Live Backwords" Mixtape, The "Limbo" EP & even the album "Growing Ill" with your group Josie Wails, Each release showing A little more and more change. What would you say fans can expect from this new music?
    
JJ Demon: Um, well I have a single I'm gonna try to release before I leave for tour in May. I'd say it's the closest thing to Funeral Disco, sound-wise, that I've made since FD came out. But it also has more of a live band kinda feel as well. It's def one of the poppiest songs I've ever done. BUT... lol after I get back from tour I'm going to start recording the songs I've written for an ep I'm doing with Captain Midnite, who just finished working with Jonny Craig. He's an incredible producer and I'm stoked to work with him, but it's def not gonna be anything like my next single. It's darker, more intense and personal. Lyrically it's more Josie Wails-esque. Heavy on emotion. But sonically it'll be the most grandiose, cinematic release from me so far. It has a BIG, FULL sound that hits hard and washes over you. I'm trynna take people somewhere with me. Somewhere they may not want to go at first, but they'll be glad I took them once they're there.

 You mentioned working with Captain Midnite who has worked with some incredible artists and you even mentioned Jonny craig, Is there any chance of A JJ Demon, Captain Midnite, Kyle Lucas & Jonny Craig Collab at some point?
    
JJ Demon:  I can't really speak on it. I mean, me and Midnite are def doing about 6 songs, I'd love for Kyle to hop on at least 1, which I'm sure he'd be stoked to do. He and I are always looking for stuff to collab on, we just can't always work it out. And I'd fucking LOVE for Jonny to go in on something. I think all of us are all high caliber artists and our sounds would mesh perfectly. Everybody is busy, but we're all at our best and we're all having a great time doing what we're doing right now.

 very cool I really hope the four of you get on A track together at some point. From where you are right now, Where do you see your career going in the next 10 years?
    
JJ Demon: I'm a nightmare for an industry that is all calculated. Because everything I do is spontaneous. And I can't keep my mouth shut about my beliefs. So it's difficult for managers to control me, which scares the suits. So there's no telling. Anyone that knows rap music, lyricism, song-writing or just music in general will tell you I'm good at this. But it's my reluctance to conform and become what they want me to become that will always hold me back, and I kinda like it that way. Would blowing up be cool? Sure. But it was never the plan or the reason I do this. 10 years? I'll either be in an apartment somewhere, a house somewhere, or sleeping under a bridge. Who the fuck knows? As long as I'm not back in jail, it's a win.

 Really cool. I really appreciate you taking the time to do this interview, Over the span of your career you have aquired quite A loyal fan base is there anything right now you would like to tell them?
    
JJ Demon:  Be good to people. Stay weird. Laugh at everything. Kill your darlings. Learn to love yourself. Learn to love your life. Don't let go. Hail Satan! (lol)

I want to give A big thank you to JJ Demon for taking the time to sit down and talk with me. Everyone should take A moment to check out his music if you have not already. I can honestly say I have been A fan since the start and will continue to be. Stay tuned on his Facebook & Twitter for the latest info on what is to come. He is currently announcing tour dates for the upcoming Smoke Loud Play Loud Tour with Steez Click (Sev & Rise Of Brokencyde), Potent Da Rockstar, Nathan Ryan & Phat J (Formerly Of Brokencyde). He is also in the process of releasing A collection of unreleased & rerecorded music entitled "Radio Nowhere" so stay tuned for that.

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