The JJ SHURBET Interview
Get to know the 17 year old Musician from Appleton, Wisconsin.
What inspired you to start making music?
Growing up music had always been in my life, and while 10 years ago when I picked up a guitar and started strumming it, I never would have thought somebody like me could have ever made music his job. I wrote songs as I progressively learned chords, and it was originally just a way to pass the time. When I moved to Wisconsin, I met a lot of people who made music, some who were talented but were using their talents in a very cliche way, some who weren't talented in performing their music, but the words they wrote could make chills go up and down your spine with each syllable of every word. These people helped inspire me to write my music. I went through some rough mental moments throughout the short time that I had been living in Wisconsin, and my way of coping was through writing music. I started posting covers and originals of songs I liked, songs that talked about dealing with a troubling mental headspace, because it helped me know that I wasn't alone while having these thoughts of self depreciation, that it wasn't abnormal. Soon I started building a fanbase with youtube, and I got out of that dark headspace, but I made it my goal to let people know that they are never alone, no matter how hopeless they feel.
What artists do you listen to? Who inspires you?
I listen to a lot of Lil Peep, Lil Tracy, and Teen Suicide. I wouldn't say those are my most favorite artists, but i definitely am inspired most by those individuals, and listen to them the most out of all the artists I listen to.
What is an average day like for you? How do you balance school with music?
Balancing my music with school isn't easy, and luckily with youtube as my job, I don't have to work an actual job, but school really brings me down. It leaves me with little inspiration and almost completely depletes my motivation to make music. But I manage, and once I graduate this year, I'm only going to be working on music.
Which of your songs do you connect with the most? Why?
Affection is the most personal song I have written, and I feel like the rawness of the song is what I have tried to achieve in writing music my whole life, and it makes me proud every time I listen to it.
Who do you want to collaborate with in the future?
I hope to someday sing with Joji, and to write a song with Sam Ray, because those two artists have helped shape my music in ways that I have have grown to love greatly.
Is there an anxiety that comes along with being a musician? Such as having to perform and interact with others?
There isn't much anxiety, because music is a way I can cope with my anxiety, but occasionally I do get anxious.
What are some good or bad things that come along with being a young musician?
Some good things are the fact that I have a way to make revenue without having a boring job, and I am getting to do what I love, but some bad things are the really weird overly-obsessive people who listen to my music and send me very strange messages. That's the only real downside to it though.
What advice do you have for those looking to become a musician?
Put out music. It doesn't matter how talented you think you are, how bad you think your voice is, or where you upload your music to. Nothing matters. Music is about emotion, and making a connection with your listeners. Sometimes not even with your listeners, sometimes it's just about reconnecting with yourself. There are too many people who give up when making music because they don't believe they are talented enough, when that shouldn't be a reason at all for you to quit.
Do you have new music coming out in 2019?
I have several projects I plan on writing and releasing in 2019 so be on the lookout.
What are your goals for the future? Do you plan on turning music into your career?
I plan on continuing making music not only my career, but a normal hobby as well. I want to keep the happiness I receive when making music, so that it doesn't feel like a job that I could easily get bored of ya know?
Favorite Youtube cover that you've made? Why?
That's a really hard one, but I think I would say "Become the Warm jets" by Current Joys, that song just makes me happy beyond what I normally am.
How has lil peep impacted your style in music? Song by him that means the most to you?
Lil peep is the main reason I have a fanbase, thanks to his song Star Shopping, which is currently my most popular youtube video. Before I had posted the 2 Lil Peep covers, I had been on/off listening to Peep for about 2 years, and he always inspired me. He would talk about events in his music that I had dealt with before, and it helped me realize that literally anybody could make music, as long as they had a purpose. Lil Peep would be the one person I would have loved to meet over every artist that I've ever listened to, and it hurts so bad that he is gone, and I jus hope that wherever he is, he knows that he left his mark on this planet, and it was a great one.
All photos provided by Jeremiah Shurbet
Interview date : December 28, 2018
Listen to his music here
Watch his youtube videos here
