JAY MAKWANA

The incredible debut single " No Sunshine" from the hot new R&B/pop/dance artist Jay Makwana will be released through Matchbox Recordings via Universal music operations on the 26th October 2009.

Biography

Jay Makwana has been a striking performer since the age of four. His musical style is most described as being very versatile, combining "soulful pop" with an RnB flavour. Most of Jay's material comes from personal life experiences using the voice as his main instrument.

Jay's interest in music and performance was first awoken through childhood when watching a Michael Jackson video. As well as being influenced by the surroundings of the 80s Hip Hop and break-dance scene, it's Michael Jackson that became one of Jay's biggest inspirations. This was the influence that brought in his passion for dance. Coming from a creative family, he was instantly put into the spotlight showcasing off his dancing abilities on stage and in front of large crowds at a very young age.

At sixteen, Jay began singing and writing his own music. He picked up on his vocals naturally through the profound passion and love he had for music. Throughout his college years, he spent most of his time in the recording studio, where he gained further skills in music production. In 2005 Jay graduated with a BSc Honours degree in Media Technology at the London College of Music and Media, aged twenty-one. This gave him the opportunity to work at the famous Ealing Studios in London. Jay later went on to establish his own Michael Jackson tribute act - performed across the country. The project involved him working with professional dancers, as well as teaching beginners. It was from this recognition that he pulled in a lot of interest from the local public onto his own music.

Today, Jay Makwana has grown into singing, writing, producing and performing his own music and he is still forever learning. Currently, he is working extremely hard on his debut album and numerous future projects. He was recently crowned 'Top Dog' on Club Asia Radio when the demo version of 'No Sunshine' was played on the air, causing him to soar through to the top, winning with an astounding 85% of the votes. The much highly anticipated first album will be one to watch out for so keep checking back on the official website for more information.

THE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

1. What made you decide to start a career in music, tell us a bit about
your life and musical history to date?

 Well, coming from a creative family and having such an encouraging upbringing towards performing really played a big role. My Dad is a singer and a lot of my uncles are musicians. So from a very young age I was introduced to a wide variety of genres and cultural activities within the music world. I was always one of those kids who was not afraid of being in the spotlight. Starting off as a Dancer, I performed at many talent contests impersonating Michael Jackson, whom I admired greatly. It was opportunities like these which gave me the early exposure I needed. I went on to writing music as well as performing it during my late teens. I loved writing about life experiences and situations that others could relate to. I feel I have now developed those skills to a state where I am ready to paint my picture.

  2. Who or what are your influences ?

My biggest influence is Michael Jackson, simply because of the role he played throughout my life. He has inspired me in so many different ways and listening to his music made me want to work harder and push myself to do the best that I can do. I feel his contribution to the music industry is of pure excellence and something artists of all genres should use as a tool to learn from. Growing up in the 80’s and 90’s also got me listening to people like Prince, Marvin Gaye, Luthor Vandross, Stevie Wonder and Lionel Richie who have all influenced me with their different musical styles in some form both consciously and sub-consciously.
  

 3. What modern artists do you like ? 

  Currently I am loving the Grime and Dance scenes we have going on in the forefront. It’s great to see artists like Kano and Tinchy Stryder coming forward where as five years ago they probably wouldn’t have been able to be as successful commercially. It’s important for music to develop and I really admire artists like Akon, Ne-Yo and Craig David who originally come from more of an R’n’B background but have developed their skills and statuses to go and try different things. They take a genre of music and give it that extra pinch of something to mix it up a little which is a great thing.

  
4. If you could choose to record a song with any other artist/band
alive or dead who would it be and why ?

Ah I would have to say Michael Jackson. How can any Artist not want to work with such a legend? A collaboration with him would be absolutely amazing and very worthwhile. I feel I have so much to learn from him and to have been in a studio with him would have been immense.  I would also love to work with Craig David who ‘s work I have greatly admired.

 5. What inspires you to write your music/lyrics ? 

I can be inspired by almost anything at any time. Most of it is written from personal experiences, but I am someone who can be just be taking a walk or sitting with friends and a melody out of no where can hit me just like that. I would say life itself and the nature that surrounds us is something that greatly inspires me. With lyrics, I like to be connected with deeply because that is what brings out the real emotion in what you sing about. If I go through a particular experience, I want to do my best to express it and print my thoughts to the paper. Sometimes the lyrics and melodies come to me quicker than other times.

 6. Name your all time fave track by another artist ?

My favourite track would have to be ‘Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ by Michael Jackson. It’s such an uplifting and wonderful song from one of the greatest albums ever and it’s always been one of my personal favourites. I have many others, but this is the one that stood out. I love the compositions, harmonies and those amazing rough ‘n’ tough MJ vocals!

 7.  What sort of sound can we expect from your forthcoming CD ?  

Well I have been working with a few different producers for the album. I think it’s important not to make a record that just sounds the same like as everything else, but at the same time, not to go too off the margins and scale of what the current music scene is. There has to be that balance. I have written a number of songs which vary in style. The sound is mainly R’n’B/Pop but it also has some Rock, Hip-Hop and Soul elements to it.  

 8. What are your ambitions for your music. Where do you see yourself in 5 years ?

I love writing, singing and performing music. It’s something that I will always do. So I wouldn’t like to be thought of as an Artist who is only making music because he wants make a quick buck or wants some fame. I am in it for the long run. The main reason I make music is because it’s something I am so passionate about and something I love and enjoy doing. And if I can do that and make people smile at the same time then I am happy. In 5 years time, I would like to be an Artist who others can look to and think, “Hey If he can do it then I can”. I want other aspiring Artists to know don’t have to be signed to the biggest label in order to be successful in what you do. Music is Art. It’s a craft. Therefore it shouldn’t be something that comes and goes. You keep on doing it. You keep on learning. I will forever be learning and trying master the different arts.     

  9. How would you describe your music and what genre do you think it
fits into ? 

I would say my music is quite versatile although it’s strongly based on the genres of British and American R’n’B, Pop and Soul. I have a large catalogue of different songs and I like to throw in wacky elements to mix it up a bit. In saying that, I do like creating something that reflects me and not just something that’s made purely because it’s ‘the in’ thing at this moment in time. I don’t like doing something just because everyone else is doing it and I think that is something you will notice when you hear my songs. I like to have control in the production and be involved with the whole process because that it is what one has to do if they want to achieve what they truly want to put out.
  

 10.  Where is your forthcoming CD being recorded and who is producing ? 

The single ‘No Sunshine’ was written by myself and produced by a guy named Davito. I am also working with Davito on several other tracks on the album, which sound great! I think me and him share a really good connection when it comes to making music. We can come up with the silliest things in the studio and make it into something wonderful. Davito is also working on many other projects as well with well-known and unknown Artists in the game. He is brilliant at what he does and one of the reasons I chose to work with him is because I know he is someone who takes on each production with a new palette and a fresh set of brushes so that the painting is created to the best of his ability. I am also co-producing some of the songs for the album myself and working with a couple of other Independent Producers. More on that will be revealed soon.
  

11.  In the U.K music and food has combined with celebrity rock and pop stars now appearing and cooking on TV food shows. Please can you give us your favourite recipe ?

Hmmm… you know they say the best recipe’s are kept secret… well that’s how it is when it comes to my mum’s cooking. Nothing beats her traditional Indian dishes!