m oder nA RTS
MODERN ARTIST:
by jay kana HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A SONGWRITER FOR?
I’ve been writing songs since I was 16. I started off writing cheesy rock songs with school bands but I’ve been writing more seriously in the last few years. I try to write a little bit everyday and co write/learn with as many people as I can.
AN IMPACTFUL MOMENT IN YOUR MUSICAL CAREER WAS SEEING A VIDEO OF ZAKK WYLDE PLAYING CRAZY TRAIN. WHAT SPECIFICALLY WAS IT ABOUT THAT MOMENT THAT CAPTIVATED YOU?
Ah man, haha! I remember watching a video of Ozzy live at Budokan at 16. Just seeing him in front of the wall
16 MODERN MISSISSAUGA | EARLY SUMMER 2021
of Marshall amps and letting that solo rip! I had no idea anyone could make a guitar sing like that; he just seemed larger that life on that stage. To this day I’ll watch clips from that show and still get goosebumps. Zakk Wylde is still a huge influence on me.
DO YOU WRITE LYRICS OR MUSIC FIRST?
That seems to be an ever changing thing with me as you never know where inspiration is going to hit. I always have a huge list of potential song titles on my phone and it comes in handy especially if I’m going into a co-write. Recently I’ve found myself coming up with melody ideas and matching its vibe to a chord progression. Once i have the framework, I usually try and work on the chorus, find the hook, then work on the verses once I know what the chorus is going to say.
WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO START A SOLO CAREER AFTER YEARS IN A BAND SETTING?
It’s something that’s always been in the back of my mind. I received encouragement from someone who’s been in the industry for 30+ years who said I should consider trying to do the solo artist thing. That’s what I used that as motivation. You have to push yourself out of your comfort zone to grow as a musician.
LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR NEW SINGLE, ONE MORE MINUTE; HOW WAS THE SONG WRITTEN AND WHO/WHAT IS THE INSPIRATION FOR IT?
My producer, Mark Schroor, pitched the song to me a year ago.The first time I heard