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In case you’re wondering if all up-and-coming artists are here to duplicate what’s currently hip in music, guess again.  As far as R&B goes, there’s a lack of originality, especially with male singers. Well, there’s a new crooner on the scene who’s ready to change the game.

 

Hailing from Virginia (by way of Texas), JStavo is prepping his first EP that he contends will be eclectic, refreshing, and something you can feel. He’s calling his sound Pop Soul.  Well, STACKS Magazine recently got the opportunity to find out more about JStavo and this Pop Soul he ‘s bringing to the industry. Several interesting tidbits were learned during our conversation  with JStavo.  Check it out…

 

Tell our readers who you are, how long you’ve been singing, what was the inspiration for you to want to become an artist.

My name is JStavo. I’m from VA by way of Texas, just moved to Atlanta a year and a half ago trying to pursue the whole music thing. My inspiration for music ever since I was two, I always wanted to sing. I would always get caught dancing in my room. My mom would play music to sit me down and shut me up. Anything with music I would be a good person. Other than that, it wouldn’t happen. So basically, from two years old I knew what I wanted to do.

 

Where does the name come from?

My first name is Josh. And then it was sort of a middle name/nickname that my family, my cousins we’re all crazy so they used to call me Gustavo. Because…don’t ask me because I still don’t know. So at that point, when I knew I wanted to pursue music full time, once I got a little older. I just put the first letter of my first name which is Josh “J” plus “Gustavo”. Plus it sounds dope. Not Italian, but it sounds dope.

 

How would you describe your style of music?

I actually put myself in my own genre, Pop Soul. It’s basically, if you take popular music (whether it be Dance music, whether it be R&B, whether it be Alternative) and then you always add soul to it. That’s kind of where I’m at. ‘Cause I can kind of get on any type of track period. I’m very eclectic when it comes to music. I just make sure I add soul to it and Pop Soul.

 

What was your reason for moving to Atlanta?

A lot of producers and songwriters usually come here. When I first moved here, I know for a fact, it’s like anybody you meet their either doing music, acting or modeling, or they have their own company. I just needed a change. I definitely needed change to where I could grow and network better around music. So, Atlanta was the next best step.

 

Who were your influences growing up?

Well, my favorite singer of all time is Donnie Hathaway. Point blank period, it’s Donnie Hathaway all day. From him to Genuwine to Babyface to Gladys Knight. It ranges from old school to the 90’s ‘cause that’s the era I grew up in.

 

Have you worked with anyone yet? Any collaborations?

Well I’ve done…that’s really all I like to do is a bunch of collaborations with independent artists and artists that are up and coming. I truly believe in everybody coming up together. So, instead of going for the big names and this that and the other, you know just try to make sure my name gets out there. I’d rather do a collaboration with somebody that I believe in as an artist and believe in their artistry. Then kind of come up with them and everybody helps everybody.

 

Do you think male singers get enough shine? Do you think there is something lacking?

I really think currently a lot of the new artists that are coming out, and even some of the old artists that are come back out, they are getting stuck in a box. It’s kind of like the whole thing where they see what’s hot right now and their going for it, but it’s consistently not refreshing. It’s not refreshing. Where back in the day you had your Marvin Gaye’s, you had your O’Jays, everybody in the same genre, but you knew who everybody was. Everybody was unique. I think the reason why the make industry, as far as R&B artists or singers period, I really think that we are lacking in creativity and pushing the envelope. I remember Bobby Brown was always pushing the envelope. Like and it wasn’t that long ago when other artists were pushing the envelope. I just think now we’re stuck in just trying to either make money or be a sex symbol because that’s what sells right now. When in reality, you don’t have to do all of that.

 

How do you plan on competing with the others (artists)?

I actually feel that like people are waiting for something new. I think we’re so content with what we have right now. That we’re just like “oh ok, that’s fine.” But I really think people are waiting for new artists. Like Miguel came, and he’s like the new age Prince. Frank Ocean came out. None of them are doing what a lot of artists that are out right now are doing. They’re doing what they want to do, being creative. So I think what’s going to set me apart is my uniqueness and my sound. However, making sure that it’s refreshing and people can actually understand it (or it brings them back somewhere to a feeling). I think at the end of the day, nobody is really looking at the content. They’re really, like, looking for that feeling…and that’s what I’m trying to give them. Bump the content, bump what I’m saying if you can’t understand it, that’s cool. But, if you can feel it, then I’ve done my job.

 

Do you have a 5 year plan?

I used to have 5 year plans and 10 year plans. For some reason, plans never work out. I do, however, set goals for myself as big as getting a Grammy or performing at Madison Square Garden. I make sure I do big goals like that and speak it into existence and I just let God do the rest. Whatever comes in between that, then I’ll take it.

But, I don’t really believe in the 5 year plan because you really don’t know.

 

Who would you like to collaborate with?

I would really like to collaborate with Kanye just because he’s controversial. I don’t even know what we can create. But, just on his PR…just as a business move. Jay-Z. I would love to do a song with Jo Jo. Ciara. I love soft voices. So, Ciara would be one. I would love to do a song with Sting. He is crazy incredible. I think that would be it. As far as collaboration goes, for like my EP that’s coming out, I made it adamant that I was not going to have a lot of collaborations. I feel like that puts you in that “you can’t have a hit song” or “you can’t stand on your own feet.” So I want people to grasp my music. You know how rappers do with mixtapes. If they want to remix it, they can flip it around. Oh and A$AP Rocky also.

 

When can we expect the EP?

Actually, what we’re doing right now, we’re setting it up formally because there’s not an actual release date, because we actually do not have the single out yet (the official single). Right now, we’re just worried about pushing the buzz single to network and get a fan base and let people know I’m out there. So, as soon as we get the single out, then we can figure out exactly what’s the next step for the EP.

 

Any thoughts on the content on your EP?

For one, I’m not crying on any of my tracks. [laughs] As far as the EP, its’ going to be very eclectic. It’s really going to bring all ages back. When I say back, I don’t mean it’s going to be old school. I’m just that feeling you get when you hear a song. I’m going to bring that back. So, you’ll get dance tracks, smooth tracks, everything will be smooth though, I’ll say that.

 

What do you want the readers to know?

I have a website called www.jstavoworld.com. You can get any type of information from there. Twitter, Instagram, etc @ JStavo.

 

I just want the readers to get ready. If they want something refreshing, something new, but something they can feel…JStavo is the route to go.

 

 

If you’d like to hear JStavo’s music or see him perform, he’s scheduled for several upcoming shows.

2nd Annual Rip The Runway – Birmingham, Alabama (April 2013)

Sweet Auburn Festival – Atlanta, Georgia (May 11, 2013)

Underground Atlanta – Atlanta, Georgia (May 12, 2013)

9to5 40th Anniversary (September 2013)