Published: September 13, 2010 6:47 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight September 2010 Edition
Joelii
Music Now Artist/Band Spotlight Weekly Series
Joelii Photo by Jevoy Cruickshank. Styling by Jessie Lee.
Driven, passionate, hardworking, super talented, and never taking no for an answer Joelii is on the right path to fame and success. His music is a sweet mixture of Latin, Pop, and Reggaeton, and he delivers a sensational Latin flavor with his music through his level of professionalism and smoothness that makes him one of the top notch artists of 2010 to look out for. Check out his recent interview with our Webzine as he expounds on his bid for greatness.
Isaac: 2010 has been an amazing year so far for Junior’s Cave. What are you most thankful for 2010 so far?
Joelii: So far, I’m most thankful for the support I’ve received from friends and family in my music project for 2010.
Isaac: Who were your major influences that helped influence you to want to pursue music as a career?
Joelii: My major influences is an uncle whom is also a musician, Grupo 24 Horas (friends for many years) (ps. listening to them on the radio as I answer this question LOL) and my producers Chris 'Taste; Medina as well as Jevoy Cruickshank. All have pushed and help me to bring out the best in me, music wise, creativity etc...
Isaac: Describe the biggest highlight you have achieved so far with your career and why this moment is/was important to you?
Joelii: The biggest highlights I have achieved thus far with my career are getting radio plays and TV appearances. This is so important to me, because it was something I always dreamed of. Just a year ago, felt like it would take so long for that time to come, if it came at all. Less than a year later, there I was on over 20 TV shows, and my music playing in numerous radio stations. It was a dream come true, and this is only the beginning.
Isaac: What has been some of the negative aspects about the music industry you have experienced that you would like to warn others about?
Joelii: KNOW THE BUSINESS SIDE; the music industry has its "rotten apples" who’s only interest is your money and not your actual success. Know who you deal with and if the "help" they offer you is sincere.
Joelii Photo by Jevoy Cruickshank. Styling by Jessie Lee.
Isaac: Brief history about your background plus the style of music you play.
Joelii: I'm Dominican, born and raised in Dominican Republic until the age of 5 when I immigrated to the US. Was always surrounded by the beautiful music of my country and grew up LOVING music and the emotional. Always had that creative side to me that constantly wrote rhymes and poems about any situation I dealt with. At about 13, I decided to start recording these "rhymes" / "poems" and that was the start to it all!
Isaac: How easy is it to gets gigs for you as an artist? What is the live music scene like in your area?
Joelii: When you first start out its always hard... But as long as you put in the hard work, and gain experience, you start getting your credibility and make a name for yourself, as a result, it becomes a lot easier to get gigs. Eventually, you'll be able to sit back and accept the offers, lol. As for live music... nothing can replace it and it will never die out.
Isaac: What do you think of the state of Indie music at the moment? Do you listen to radio much at all? Has the Internet helped music grow or hindered it in your opinion?
Joelii: I think Indie Music has a lot to offer right now, a lot of talent out there that has not been "found" yet. I listen to the radio all the time but frequently find myself having to switch radio stations because of the same music being played over and over. The Internet has helped the music industry grow immensely but its side affect of course has been the piracy of music.
Joelii Photo by Jevoy Cruickshank. Styling by Jessie Lee.
Isaac: If you could just perform and play music for the rest of your life but never become a household name, would you be happy (why or why not)?
Joelii: Well before anything, I would never take no for an answer. I will do whatever it takes to make it where I want to be. BUT, for the sake of this question... lol, if it DOES have to come down to that. I'll be just as happy, by doing what I love to do.
Isaac: If you could create a fantasy band - what would be the line-up and why?
Joelii: This one is easy, give me the Hector Lavoe band! The sound those guys produced was amazing and BIG, and to know that it was only coming from about 7 guys is mind boggling.
Isaac: Do you feel that your family and friends have been supportive of you?
Joelii: More than supportive, they have been there from the beginning and everyday prove to me that they'll be there supporting me for the whole ride.
Isaac: How hard is it to manage family, work, and everything else life sends your way with pursing music?
Joelii: With time is has become increasingly difficult, as things start popping up left and right but so far, all situations that have presented themselves I’ve been able to get through, it’s a matter of knowing your priorities for specific situations.
Isaac: What CDs do you currently have available and where can they be purchased from?
Joelii: No CD, just yet. But am working a single I have out right now called "Que se sienta". The song is being accepted and supported in the Dominican Republic right now, the main market I’ve been pushing it to for the moment.
Isaac: Where can fans access your music, videos, blogs, and anything else about you online?
Joelii: Fans can check out my music @ Joeliimusic.com there you can keep up to date with my video blog which shows everything behind the scenes, and of course www.myspace.com/joeliimusic, Facebook/Twitter: Joelii and many other websites. Google: Joelii .... LOL.
Isaac: Message to your fans?
Joelii: Nothing is impossible, anything you put your mind to, you can accomplish. All it requires is patience.
