Currently ringing tills with latest release 'Coinstar Song', eclectic crossover punk-rapper Juiceboxxx has had a busy 2019. Not that he hasn't had time to stop for a Nando's, as he tells us in this exclusive chat. We caught up with Juice to talk the inspirations, making videos, and chicken options.
Hi JB – it's Summer now – where do you go when it's hot in the city?
When it gets hot, I like to double down. That means the Russian and Turkish Bathhouse in the East Village of Manhattan. Sweat it out.
What are you favourite haunts - musical and otherwise?
Chika-Ikkai in Osaka is one of the most special venues I have ever played. Tiny and smokey and really loud. Cactus Club in Milwaukee is my hometown haunt. I have a lot of good memories of rocking at Death By Audio in Brooklyn.
How did you get into music and performing? Who inspired you and how did you actually start out writing, recording and gigging?
I've done this my whole life. Started making beats and a month later I booked my first show opening for a bunch of hardcore punk bands. RIP Seven Days Of Samsara.
Your back catalogue is all pretty edgy and ‘freaked out’ (In a good way) – your new single ‘Coinstar Song’ is arguably more accessible and, dare we say, ‘poppy’ – was this intentional?
I've gone in and out of styles over the years. From acid house to punk to pop to rap to noise, it's all part of an extended musical vocabulary I'm constantly refining. Going forward, I'm interested in communicating with a larger group of people and the music reflects that.
How often do you visit the Coinstar in real life?
Something like bi-monthly.
Did you realise they are pretty much an international thing when you wrote it?
No. That song is just about my life.
Tell us more about the video to ‘Coinstar Song’ – why did you decide to make it in Tik Tok?
It was the director's (Eugene Kotlyarenko) idea and I thought it was genius. I'm always down to interface with new styles and Tik Tok has a positive energy that I can understand.
How did you persuade so many people to take part in it?
A mix of friends and casting outreach. Casting agent Brande BTW pulled a rabbit out of her hat.
When it gets hot, I like to double down. That means the Russian and Turkish Bathhouse in the East Village of Manhattan. Sweat it out.
What are you favourite haunts - musical and otherwise?
Chika-Ikkai in Osaka is one of the most special venues I have ever played. Tiny and smokey and really loud. Cactus Club in Milwaukee is my hometown haunt. I have a lot of good memories of rocking at Death By Audio in Brooklyn.
How did you get into music and performing? Who inspired you and how did you actually start out writing, recording and gigging?
I've done this my whole life. Started making beats and a month later I booked my first show opening for a bunch of hardcore punk bands. RIP Seven Days Of Samsara.
Your back catalogue is all pretty edgy and ‘freaked out’ (In a good way) – your new single ‘Coinstar Song’ is arguably more accessible and, dare we say, ‘poppy’ – was this intentional?
I've gone in and out of styles over the years. From acid house to punk to pop to rap to noise, it's all part of an extended musical vocabulary I'm constantly refining. Going forward, I'm interested in communicating with a larger group of people and the music reflects that.
How often do you visit the Coinstar in real life?
Something like bi-monthly.
Did you realise they are pretty much an international thing when you wrote it?
No. That song is just about my life.
Tell us more about the video to ‘Coinstar Song’ – why did you decide to make it in Tik Tok?
It was the director's (Eugene Kotlyarenko) idea and I thought it was genius. I'm always down to interface with new styles and Tik Tok has a positive energy that I can understand.
How did you persuade so many people to take part in it?
A mix of friends and casting outreach. Casting agent Brande BTW pulled a rabbit out of her hat.
Going back to your previous releases, has your life changed significantly since the ‘Freaked Out American Loser’ album?
Not really. Without sounding cheesy: making, recording and performing music is a lifelong process for me. If I did this for certain reasons, I would've quit a long time ago. I have to do it. Which is why I continue to do it. I'm excited about the nuts and bolts of the game and just doing it, despite all odds.
Have you calmed down or are you still freaked out?
Forever freaked out.
Would you say that generally we are all freaked out these days and that’s why we relate so easily to your music? (crazy world shit / fake news/ climate change)
We are living in a very confusing reality. I'm just an idiot trying to take it one day at a time. I think that is a somewhat universal feeling. Health care would be nice.
We hear that your recent live dates in the UK were pretty wild. How did you find audiences?
The show goes 200 percent every night no matter how many or how few people are out there. I want to change lives, one person at a time. The way my life was changed at shows as a teenager. The neverending rock and roll feedback loop. Trying to wrangle out transcendence despite all odds.
How do you prepare for that kind of intensity of performance?
It is a process. Especially as I grow up and the show gets better. Energy drinks may or may not be involved. Especially THUNDER ZONE ENERGY, the drink I made especially for this purpose.
We hear that you have a passion for Nando’s and that you always visit when you’re in the UK – what’s your usual order?
Half chicken, roasted veg, mashed potatoes and a Fanta with LOTS of ice.
What’s next for Juiceboxxx and the Thunderzone?
More music. New record in 2020. Just taking it one day at a time.
Like this story? Like us on FaceBook and follow us on Twitter for regular updates & more of the same.
Not really. Without sounding cheesy: making, recording and performing music is a lifelong process for me. If I did this for certain reasons, I would've quit a long time ago. I have to do it. Which is why I continue to do it. I'm excited about the nuts and bolts of the game and just doing it, despite all odds.
Have you calmed down or are you still freaked out?
Forever freaked out.
Would you say that generally we are all freaked out these days and that’s why we relate so easily to your music? (crazy world shit / fake news/ climate change)
We are living in a very confusing reality. I'm just an idiot trying to take it one day at a time. I think that is a somewhat universal feeling. Health care would be nice.
We hear that your recent live dates in the UK were pretty wild. How did you find audiences?
The show goes 200 percent every night no matter how many or how few people are out there. I want to change lives, one person at a time. The way my life was changed at shows as a teenager. The neverending rock and roll feedback loop. Trying to wrangle out transcendence despite all odds.
How do you prepare for that kind of intensity of performance?
It is a process. Especially as I grow up and the show gets better. Energy drinks may or may not be involved. Especially THUNDER ZONE ENERGY, the drink I made especially for this purpose.
We hear that you have a passion for Nando’s and that you always visit when you’re in the UK – what’s your usual order?
Half chicken, roasted veg, mashed potatoes and a Fanta with LOTS of ice.
What’s next for Juiceboxxx and the Thunderzone?
More music. New record in 2020. Just taking it one day at a time.
Like this story? Like us on FaceBook and follow us on Twitter for regular updates & more of the same.
