Though accounting for only 5 percent of the world's population, Americans consume 26 percent of the world's energy. (American Almanac) Last year, the city of 
If you don’t know him…you will. If you do know him…you love him. He and his project are known throughout the southeast as the go-to hype man with a classic R&B soul. Jaystorm and his project have reenergized the originality of where music was and has taken it to its limits and beyond. If you want funk-rock with a boom of hip-hop and a sweet southern-soul all you need is a man with a mic and his project backing. On the verge of releasing his brand new album, I sat down with Jaystorm to discuss his vocal magnitude, the background of his relationship with NMZ Distributing, the iPhone and Axe Instinct; and what’s up next for this explosive frontman of pure-funk rock and R&B from the downtown brew of Knoxville, TN.
First thing’s first, describe the Jaystorm Project’s sound and what people should expect when they come out to see you?
A guitar full of Jimi Hendrix mixed with a healthy dose of pure funk, rock, and hip-hop guaranteed to get any crowd moving with an intense live show. They’re a nonstop rock-and-groove fest with an unlimited amount of energy, guaranteed for every performance.
Tell us about the Jaystorm Project, band members, who you are, and how the project came together?
The Jaystorm Project consists of various musicians with the frontman always being myself.
We very first started out as a four-man outfit. As time went along other players in the band started various different projects which meant that I always wasn’t going to have the same band members each time out so “the project” kind of fits the band perfectly.
In that particular journey, I found out that in bands, you are only as strong as your fellow band members allow you to be. In other words, if they don’t have the same vision as you (i.e. as far as growth and what it takes to make big waves) then your vision and journey is cut very short. Playing in your hometown is “great” but in order to grow, it’s understood that you have to play “outside” of your comfort zone to actually make a difference.
I feel that you have to get “uncomfortable” to grow which means just breaking even or spending money to actually make something happen or to go on the road. I’m getting closer and closer to that vision because it does take some narrowing down.
The current line-up I usually work with is Bob James – Guitarist, Andy Westscott – Guitarist, Justin Thompson – Sax, Frank Shedrick – Drums, and Bass is always wide open! The energy level with these guys is outstanding. Everybody really means business on stage and you can see it and the crowd really appreciates that. This is the first time I felt people were genuinely into us which means a lot to me.
So far, this line up overall has been ready to go wherever to make things happen. This willingness to travel (outside of TN) helps as far as booking shows elsewhere. When a booking agent sees your schedule and he sees all Knoxville TN gigs and maybe some Johnson City dates, your chances of him taking you are slim because it tells him right away that your aren’t ready to travel and you are “comfortable” in your own territory. Slowly but surely, I’m breaking that mold for the first time and it’s very refreshing.
I also do an acoustic set with Bob James and Jason (JT) Thompson which has raised quite a bit of eyebrows by having an unsuspected write up in The Knoxville News Sentinel that was very complimentary of us and one of our best venues Baker-Peters.
Tell us about your albums and the direction you took in the past?
“Phat Like That” w/ PD-6 (1997)
“Shiva Down” w/PD-6 (1999)
“Wanna Be The One” Jaystorm (2002)
“Let’s Do This” Jaystorm (2004)
“TwentyFourSeven” Single (2006)
“That’s The Shhh (feat. Mr. Mack) (2007)
“A Brand New Funk: The EP” (2009)
A lot of the songs on your albums have a very eclectic songwriting style. What’s your process?
I have songwriters and I also write myself. It’s a mix between funk, soul, hip-hop and rock!
You’re in the studio right now recording your new album. Give us the low-down on what’s going on in there. Who’s producing it and where are you recording it?
This album has been recorded in several different places. Whatever it takes to get this thing down is what I’m doing. A majority of this album was produced and engineered at Matt Lincoln’s ‘Underground Studios in Seymour TN. I have been going to Matt for years and just never stopped. I’m in the process of recording a 10-song album with 2 remakes and the rest I’m going for what I know.
Is there a new Jaystorm sound in the works?
I have evolved from straight R&B to the sound I have now which is a more live sound that electronic beats.
You have a new independent distribution company that you’re working with…how did that partnership come about?
I landed a deal with NMZ distributing out of Atlanta, GA, which was great for me because of radio promotion and national and regional distribution. As soon as this album is done is when the hard work begins! NMZ felt I had a sound that no one else is really doing at this time and felt the needed to act on this right away and I agreed and there you have it. That happened in November of 2009. Some nice things have already happened to me since joining with that outfit.
For all of the iPhone users…tell us about your BRAND NEW iphone app…how did that come about and where can we download the app?
That is one of the nice things that happened to me while being with those guys in Atlanta. I never in the world thought I would ever have my own official Iphone App. It’s kinda intimidating but I like it.
Jaystorm is a household name in the southeast. You’ve become a staple in the minds of every club owner around town and beyond. How have you built such a dominant name for yourself as an artist?
Because I put marketing first and I look at this business as a “business” and not solely as an artist. Let me say that 95% of this thing is marketing and the other 5% is what you have worked for. Everybody talented wants to sing or rap but are they willing to do what it takes to make a living out of it? or sacrifice things for it?
It is one hell of a road and in my mind. I’ve quit or wanted to quit 1000 times but when I get some rest and sleep on it I think differently the next day. That non-sense is just a sign of poor sleep for me.
Just for the record…I caught one of your recent acoustic shows at Sapphire in Downtown Knoxville. It was amazing. Your voice is truly inspirational. What’s behind the raw energy and clarity of your live shows?
Thank you very much sir for the compliment! I put a lot of feeling into what I do. Sometimes, I’m not feeling up to par when I get up there but after about the third song I somehow relax due to a couple of shots of my H2O then its all good. They say if you love what you are doing to make a living, you will never have to work another day in your life. I’ve been without a W-2 for quite sometime and I’m loving every minute of it and I have never been so happy in my life!
At your show, I noticed that you had an Axe Instinct logo that branded the forefront of the stage. What’s the story behind that?
Due to me signing with NMZ, I landed corporate sponsorship from “Axe Instinct” the men’s body spray, which worked out great. I have never had anything like this happen to me and I have a feeling a heck of a lot more is yet to come. I have never had sponsorship before (besides sponsoring myself) and it made me step up to the plate to be the artist I know I can be.
Are your live shows filled with mostly cover songs?
Being in this area, you have to do cover songs to appeal to the public, the public comes to the establishment, they spend money, which the establishment loves and therefore you get rebooked. You play enough times as I have at these places, people become interested in you personally and want to know if you have any originals and that’s when you let the dogs out. There is still an eclectic mix of the two but when you do covers, do them how you would have done them as if that song was written for you instead of the original artist. Trust me, they will want more if you put “you” into it. I have opened up for several major label artists such as Petey Pablo, Mystical, Keith Sweat, The Nappy Roots and the list goes on. I couldn’t have done any of those shows if I didn’t have original material. I always say you have to have your product on you and with you. It will establish you as an independent that can do cover songs instead of a cover song band. There’s a huge difference!
How has Sevier County and its musical history inspired you?
I respect Dolly Parton and all she has done musically. I have seen some great, great talent come right out of Sevierville. I’m talking Hip-Hop, Country, Americana, and Rock! I had a show at the The Roaming Gnome and was blown away from the energy that place had. Sevier. County has got some heat definitely.
When can the people of Sevier County expect to see more of the Jaystorm Project?
Let’s put it like this, I will play damn near anywhere so whenever they want a little high-energy funk, soul, and rock….please get at me at www.jaystorm.net
Outside of music, what is Jaystorm all about?
Exercise & Taxes! I’m your best friend tax season. Go to www.jvpbookkeeping.com
When you’re on tour…how do you pass the time between shows?
I try to figure out how to solve the Rubik’s Cube! One fine day, this my friend will happen! J
What’s next for for the Jaystorm Project?
I have a new video in the works!
In my last ditch effort to describe Jaystorm, any parting words of enlightenment?
Ladies & gentlemen: Without any risk, there’s no reward…Holler!
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT JAYSTORM AND THE JAYSTORM PROJECT OR TO BUY HIS ALBUMS GO TO:
Facebook: The Jaystorm Project
If you haven’t had a chance to see him live, I highly recommend it.