J4 band Interview

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I N T E R V I E W
June 2004
J4 - (The Band)

Here is an online interview of our band J4.

1. RCN: What type of band are you?
J4: modern rock band.

2. RCN: Tell us the brief history of your band.
J4: Greg Lake and Tom Iapicco started the band in st catherines, canada.
we moved to nashville,Recorded our second CD, and did an mtv music video. We moved on to los angeles
Signed with a label, and continued on to record to more albums under LOL Records. We are called J4.

3. RCN: Who are your musical and non-musical influences?
J4: everybody in the band is influenced by all kinds of music. It would take forever to name all of the influences.

4. RCN: What are your dreams and goals?
J4: Obviously, it is to have success in anything you do. Whether it be in business, family, or anything at all. One of my goals is to do exactly what we
as a band are doing now. Going on a tour.

5. RCN: Who writes the songs, what are they about?
J4: We all collabrate on the songs. the songs seem to reflect current life situations. Most of our music reflects how we feel about our life, and about what we've been through.
One thing I can tell you that I'm very proud of is that we never followed any trends. WE always wrote what we wanted to write.

6. RCN: What's your opinion of George Bush?
J4: He's ok.

7. RCN: How do you promote your band and shows?
J4: internet, flyers, word of mouth. Email lists. Magazine ads.

8. RCN: Describe your show, visual and musically
J4: Greg is very charismatic live. He gets the audience into the show.i think we
sound better live there's more energy there. Visually I think we look cool.
:-) hehehe.

9. RCN: What do you think about downloading music online?
J4: its the future of music distrubution. every artist should embrace it. I think a buck for a song is fair.
take some music, but buy some too. I buy the dollar tunes on itunes all the time. You can get our stuff there too by the way.

10. RCN: What's your outlook on the record industry today?
J4: less power is in the hands of major labels, because the internet has leveled the playing field when it comes to releasing and distrubuting music.
These days any band or artist can have their music heard and distributed around the world.
In years to come there will be less need for major label intervention when it comes to distrubution.
Because of the state of things, having good music is the key now because there is less reliance on
hype, and more on quality due to the saturation of music on the net. Shitty music, won't be listened to.

11. RCN: What's your claim to fame?
J4: we have released 4 albums, a top 40 single, mtv music video, Getting on the "Warped Tour" staying together and sticking it out. Me and Greg have been doing this since high school. 2004 vans warped tour

12. RCN: Tell us a story about a day in your life.
J4: hmm.. after a night of getting drunk or a regular night?
I don't know how to answer this because whatever i put will be bullshit.
sorry. :)

13. RCN: What inspires you to do what you do?
J4: All kinds of stuff.Loving to play. Write, record, all that stuff. Most people don't realize it, but when they
say negative things about an artist like "You'll never make it" to a true musician, that is inspiration.
It makes you work harder. To make them look and feel stupid. And we've done that alot lately. And it makes it ohhh so nice

14. RCN: What advice would you give to fellow bands?
J4: Approach record execs with confidence. Not arrogance. Always remember, no one gives a shit about you or your music until you make them give a shit.
There is too much supply and not even an ounce of demand in this biz. And alot of the supply is crap.
so work hard, and be positive, and don't be an asshole. But be confident.

15. RCN: What are some of your pet peeves?
J4: musicians that are assholes. Especially no name bands and musicians that are assholes.

16. RCN: How does music affect you and the world around you?
J4: I have no idea.

17. RCN: What's new in the recording of your music?
J4: I'm not sure what you mean.

18. RCN: What are the biggest obstacles for bands?
J4: Alot of bands have no idea how this business works. I'm not saying I know it all, but
at least i tried to learn more about it. And i know a little bit more now.

19. RCN: What's the best and worst thing about playing clubs?
J4: the sex, its easy sex. (This is Tommy by the way writing this. The person who wrote that part that said "The Sex. It's easy sex" was a groupie
that i was with last night. go figure. I answered everything else in case you are wondering. I got up to go to the bathroom, and she wrote that part. I thought it was funny so i left it there)
As cheesey as this part looks, it's actually true.

20. RCN: Tell us about your next shows and why we should be there.
J4: We go on tour this Sat June 19th, and play some Warped Tour dates.
go to
http://www.lolrecords.com for all the info.

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