alone JUNE 5TH
Old Behind the Scenes Video of GONE - FT. JUSTIN NOZUKA, RZA, KOBRA KHAN & JAMES BLACK (by fridaetv)
Hmmm, not too sure … I checked and you are right - it’s not there anymore =\
Has anyone heard anything about the contest George was holding ?
A very interesting look at Justin/RZA’s music video for “GONE” (Director’s commentary) (by David F. Mewa)
Going to start updating this blog again, since we’re FINALLY getting some news about Justin, and Christian is releasing his ep this summer :)
By the way, I ran into Christian and Philip in the city the other day, they’re the sweetest guys!
Hope all of you are well :)
- Chloë
Be sure to check out this page as well for Nozuka Related News !
An Evening with Justin Nozuka
“Well, the only thing that I’m really concerned with at this point and I’m working on is the album. Beyond that I don’t have any other uh…expectations or foresight,” Justin explains about his goal for the year. It is April 20th and we are at Hotel Café in Hollywood, CA; it is in a discrete location where the entrance is in an alleyway. Justin is preparing for his set which starts in 20 minutes in a fairly small room surrounded by instruments, his band mates and I. As he is tuning his guitar, you could hear the echoes of the artist before him on stage along with the snaps from my camera. Many artists would not be able to concentrate but in Justin’s case he is at ease; smiling as he is singing snippets of “Oh Momma” and having small conversations with his band.
As the time dwindles, the band mates leave the room to set up for the performance, giving me a few minutes to ask Justin about current plans for his music:
Ashley: So, how long are you here for?
Justin: About two weeks…I leave the 28th.
Ashley: Okay, and what made you decide to perform tonight?
Justin: I was going to be here for the time being, so I thought I should do one show.
Ashley: Are you going to have any other performances in the future?
Justin: um…yeah, I think maybe sporadic events here and there, but for the most part I am just going to be working on my record.
Ashley: What is your goal for the record?
Justin: I just want to complete my album and feel good about it; been producing it myself. My friends have helped out and so, yeah my main focus is on that.
Ashley: So what made you decide to produce this record yourself?
Justin: Actually, Tommy my good friend actually inspired me to do it on my own. And uh he’s been helping out a lot. And I have friends that are helping me out a lot. And it’s not like I have to do everything on my own and stuff. I, I enjoy doing it and I have a vision for what it will be like. The album.
Ashley: Do you think it will be a different tone from both Holly & You, I, Wind, Land and Sea?
Justin: Definitely Yeah.
Ashley: Are you able to tell us some details about the album?
Justin: mmm….it’s just more soothing, mellowed it’s really, I suppose calm is the word. And uh I don’t know, it’s you know different.
After this conversation, it was time for Justin to hit the stage. As I was leaving I noticed Justin closed his eyes as if he was clearing his mind from any nerves. He hit’s the stage in a midsize room crowded with admirer’s hooting and clapping excitedly as he begins to play “Golden train”. About thirty minutes later, the room is silent as his band mates and he sing “Amazing Grace,” ending the performance on a soothing note.
Being the kind man he is he heads over to a corner in the dark room to take photos and sign autographs for eager fans. After fifteen minutes we headed back in to the small room filled with instruments and even more people. We are in a corner and finishing the conversation by discussing comments he made in our previous interview:
Ashley: So, from our previous interview you explained that you play in a band together with your brothers. Is that still true?
Justin: Well, we play together and collaborate sometimes.
Ashley: Since, the last time we talked have you found a song where you can show your electric guitar skills. Like is there a song created specifically for the electric guitar?
Justin: Yes
Ashley: Will we be hearing anything about that anytime soon?
Justin: Perhaps yeah, I mean the song is finished.
Ashley: So, will you get on tour and show off your skills?
Justin: uh…No (laughs). It’s not like I learned anything else, it’s just um getting into production and stuff. And the electric guitar is a great instrument.
Ashley: Do you want to work more on perfecting the skill or production side only?
Justin: Everything. I think like the sensitivity to be able to, play the instrument well. Do you know what I mean?
Ashley: Yeah
Justin: And, also yeah, I suppose its dedication as well.
Ashley: You were playing a few songs and I noticed you played, “Oh Mama.” What made you decide to bring the song back? Since, you haven’t played it for a while.
Justin: I think, its lots of ways that can pursue a sound. And, I am pursuing it through a way that is, I guess something that is a little more, peace. At least I been more enthusiastic about sounds that are soothing and songs that are soothing. Calm and such. So, that’s kind of what I’ve been pursuing.
As the interview comes to an end, I decided to ask Justin about his thoughts on new artists and some of his performances so far:
Ashley: Are there any new interesting artist that you are into now?
Justin: Yeah Yeah. So…I’ve really been listening to a lot of classical music and so uh, Sigour Ross, as well and, I really enjoy like those, genres. I have been listening to Sviatoslav Richter a lot (famous soviet pianist) lately.
Ashley: That is like the best genre of music.
Justin: It’s an amazing genre.
Ashley: Is there umm…any artist you would want to work with right now?
Justin: ummm…
Ashley: Like on the next album?
Justin: At this point…I’m just gonna do my thing and uh, there’s a few musicians I really admire. But for the most part, I’m just working on my album.
Ashley: So, who are some of those artists you admire?
Justin: Well, there’s a drummer for instance that plays for a band called: The Luyas. He’s a fantastic drummer, I think, I guess.
Ashley: Okay. So you said you have done a few shows here at a couple of Universities earlier. Can you tell me a bit about them? Like the show at USC on April 2nd.
Justin: It’s just a festival for the most part. And uh there was a cultural festival and they were celebrating. Umm…that’s pretty much the gist of it.
Ashley: I noticed that it was a Japanese or Asian descent type festival.
Justin: It had some connection with that yeah. Uh, there were putting on an event to I guess, in a way to bring a community of people who have been doing business in Japan and also in America’s. I suppose like, Japanese people and their experience in America.
Ashley: So to wrap this up and clarify with my readers, at the moment you are just going with the flow of things.
Justin: Yeah, I’m working on the music and you know that’s all. Uh, that’s all I am really caring about at this moment.
As we ended Justin thanked me and went into the crowded area of the room, where friends congratulated and complimented him on a successful night.
There you go ladies and gentleman Justin said it here a few times, he is working on his album! Although it is unknown when we will hear new music, it is great to know that he is back at work creating another successful album. So, stay on the lookout for new things from Justin, you never know what he will do at the spur of a moment.
Anyone living in the Toronto Area should totally check this out !
Ain’t No Sunshine - Cover (x)
(Source: fuckyeahnozuka, via bittersweet-emotion)
