Justin Michael Williams – Metamorphosis

By starrymag | October 4, 2016

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) This is always the hardest question, but I like to call it “Urban Pop.” It’s a pop/RnB fusion, but with a dose of trap and electronic vibes.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) I’m a 90s RnB baby at heart, but I’ve always loved Justin Timberlake, Maxwell, and of course Michael Jackson.

 

Q) What is your song writing process like? Do you need music before the lyrics arrive?

 

A) I was lucky to go through the entire process of writing my album with two incredible co-writers named Thorald and Isaac Koren (from internationally acclaimed band The Kin). The songs were born organically, always starting with a chords and a basic melody, which gave birth to a “feeling state” and lyrics. The lyrics always came last. All of the songs started with just my voice and a piano.

 

Q) Your album is called Metamorphosis. Where does the title come from?

 

A) The album is about transformation. It’s about the fire, sacrifices and shedding we must do to really step up our game. It’s about letting go of all of the shit that holds us back from being the most powerful and realized version of ourselves. This album was quite literally the mark of my own personal metamorphosis, leaving behind the old me to step into the artist I’ve always wanted to be.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the album that fans have connected to?

 

A) Each song on the album highlights something that stops us from stepping into our power and greatness. While the songs are extremely personal, the themes are universal — sex, drugs, death, loss and pain. The world is crying right now and this album allows us to shed those tears so that we can be born anew.

 

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

 

A) I’m so lucky to have worked with one of the most incredible producers in Los Angeles. Johnny What is a Jedi master with production. He was able to really take the vision and feeling of the song to a new level.

 

Q) Will there be a video for all the songs off Metamorphosis or just certain ones?

 

A) Visuals are an important part of my art. I want people to be able to really FEEL and relate to the songs and visuals add to that. There probably won’t be visuals for EVERY song, but there are definitely lots of visuals to come. The next official video will be for “Broken Mirrors.”

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Justin Michael Williams performance?

 

A) My shows are a full experience. I’m not just standing up there and singing the songs to you — you can get that on the album. My band and I have really taken the songs to the next level for the live shows — they’ve been completely re-imagined. We’re using props, video, lighting and some special surprises to push the boundaries.

 

Q) What songs off the album are you most looking forward to performing live?

 

A) There’s a special acoustic remix that we’ve created for “He & I” that’s really exciting to me right now. I can’t wait for people to see that.

 

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

 

A) I would love to create some magic with up and coming artists Gallant and Daley. I can imagine us doing some pretty cool things with our voices. I would also LOVE for diplo to do a crazy mix of one of my songs.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your album?

 

A) I want people to get in touch with their darkness – to allow themselves to feel the fire. Through darkness, we transform.

 

Q) Is there anything else you want be sure fans know about your music?

 

A) I wrote every single song on the album. This album not only connects to common themes, but if you listen closely it reveals a lot about me that I’ve never really opened up about before publicly. If you want to know who I am as a person — in the most authentic way — listen to the lyrics.

 

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

 

A) Social media has given us a power that’s never been available in human history. Without even leaving our computers, we can connect with people from all over the world. I’ve had new fans write to me from all over the world (Singapore, Europe, Brazil and even India) to tell me that they’ve been moved and inspired by the music. I love to have that personal connection with them online.

 

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

 

A) I want to say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. This has been a dream of mine since I was a little boy and the only way it’s coming true is by the support, love and listens from all of the fans. My promise is to always give you guys my all, create from my heart and give you my most authentic expression — always.