JR JR – Swish

By starrymag | October 3, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

 

Q) How would you say your sound has evolved over the past decade?

 

A) I don’t think that sounds evolve as much as perspective changes. When we were first recording together, we wanted to make stuff that felt more electronic and over time as an artist you always veer towards whatever is opposite.  But it all sounds like us somehow, hopefully.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?  

 

A) Motown and The Beatles were huge for us. The Beach Boys, Biggie, The Sea And Cake, Whitney Houston, Jimmy Eat World, Leonard Cohen, Paul Simon, James Blake, Damon Albarn, David Byrne, Elliott Smith

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your last single “The Gambler.”

 

A) I went to Vegas to accompany my girlfriend as she performed at a comedy festival there. All I can recall are oxygen tanks, IV hangover drips, $20 ATM fees, Guy Fieri restaurants and the panic attack I had as I realized Vegas is my least favorite place.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) “The Gambler” was written from the perspective of the people in the Vegas hotel. I have a lot of compassion for and can relate to them all. I think most people probably can.

 

Q) What is it about Vegas that makes it the perfect or worst place to party?

 

A) A friend from New Orleans once told me, “Vegas is for rookies.”

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) It varies. The last few years it’s been more music first, but sometimes it all hits at once.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) The collaborative process between Daniel [Zott] and me is truly 50/50.  We try to think big picture first about songs and then our roles become more obvious.

 

Q) Your upcoming EP Swish is a celebration of basketball. Tell us about the inspiration to create it.

 

A) We had been kicking it around for a while, and the restart felt so meaningful. It’s wild to not have ANY live sports entertainment and it makes you appreciate the NBA. WE LOVE THIS GAME!

 

Q) We love the basketball swag that comes along with the vinyl package. Where did that idea come from?

 

A) Daniel has the mind for apparel. In that respect our partnership is not 50/50. Our incredible managers have ideas to supplement the void that my brain is thankfully.

But, honestly, a collab with Champion is every athletic wear fan’s dream.

Q) You originally had big tour plans for 2020. Tell us about some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) Spaces have a lot to do with it, as well as a lot of factors outside anyone’s control. But sometimes I believe the alchemy that comes from any random group of people in a space produces an energy and the good nights are special due to that.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) Post Malone for real.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) The Sea And Cake because it’s a whole ethos. The music is a mood and the voice is the tonic.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) Because that’s where people are currently. If we could go back to a world where I passed out fliers for my band outside bigger shows I would delete my profiles instantly.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) I would like to say that I am honored to have been a part of their lives in any way. I wrote some Instagram messages to some of my favorite artists recently to let them know that they meant a lot to me. I felt like I wanted to tell them before they passed away instead of the postmortem social media pageantry. I’m a fan first and foremost as well.

 

 

 

All Questions Answered By Josh Epstein