JJ McGuigan is a VH1 Save The Music Songwriting Contest Finalist, award-winning singer-songwriter, guitarist, and mental health advocate. A drummer since age 13, McGuigan later picked up the guitar and began writing songs at age 20. He attended Newman University and renowned recording school, Full Sail University. Songwriting has now become JJ’s main focus and passion, with an emphasis on lyrical creation. McGuigan has appeared on countless radio shows and his music has been heard on hundreds of stations around the world. After a brief stint in Austin, Texas, he has returned to his hometown of Wichita. He is currently working on a follow up EP for 2018 release. His latest single, “In All Honesty” is on both the Roots Music Report and New Music Weekly airplay charts. The video won an LA Music Video Award for Best Lyric Video in 2018. JJ is nominated for 2 International Music and Entertainment Association awards. For more information on JJ McGuigan, please visit www.jjmcguiganmusic.com.
1.) What elements and/or characteristics made you say to yourself that you wanted to do music for a living? Who are your influences/heroes/role models?
I’ve always felt this need or desire to reach people at a heart level. I’ve always loved music and when I began to realize I could express myself mainly through lyrics that could reach people, it became a calling to do so. Bands like Live, Creed, Staind, Cold, Disturbed and Breaking Benjamin were acts that did this for me and I want to be able to do for others what they did for me.
2.) If you could compare yourself to an already established artist, who would that be and why? If you don’t like to compare yourself, then music-wise, what separates you from other musicians?
I do like to pride myself on not sounding like anyone in particular, meaning I only sound like them. Sure everyone song has a remnant of another artist but I like it to where each song has it for different artists.
3.) Everyone in life goes through adversity of some sort. Is there anything in your life that has any influence on the kind of songs you write? What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure on your path to becoming a musician?
I would definitely say it has been my mental health issues I’ve had since I was 16. It was a tremendous learning experience that music helped get me through. It’s all worth it if I can give to someone through music a sense of hope and understanding they may not be getting at all, much in the same way music has done for me.
4.) How do you prepare yourself to write certain songs? What is your song-writing and recording process?
The song writing process is mostly spontaneous and I don’t really sit and plan for it. At least it seems I write my best stuff that way for sure. I never lack inspiration or an idea. It’s just a matter of being open to it and ready when it comes.
5.) Unfortunately the music industry is full of talented individuals who just don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed?
Keep writing songs. Truth be told I may never stand out but my hope is that if I focus on making good music the best I can some of those songs can turn into “hits” and gain momentum for other songs.
6.) Would you rather be on a major label or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not? In regards to the music industry itself, do you think that the traditional music industry model as we know it is dead?
I don’t think the model is dead but it is changing out of necessity. I’m not set on either way staying independent or going with a major label, each has their pros and cons. Whatever I feel can get my music out there while I’m still able to create what I want for the most part is the best avenue I think.
7.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the music industry and how musicians are able to market themselves?
I think overall it’s a good thing in that artists can control to an extent their own marketing and get their music out there to more people if they don’t have the resources of a major publisher or label. I think too many artists though focus on the marketing more than the actual music though. That waters down the market unfortunately with artists that just want to make it big and not make good music.
8.) Social media is obviously an extremely important element in today’s world, especially when it comes to business, branding, marketing, etc. With that being said, do you think an artist will be able to survive in today’s music industry if they’re not social media savvy?
No I don’t. They don’t have to have mastered social media but they need to be able to maneuver it to sell themselves and reach out and connect to fans. Not every artist has to be extreme about it, but just enough to stay in contact with fans.
9.) Artists who try to make music for the general public and make more money are usually seen as “sell-outs.” Do you see it that way and if so, what do you plan to do to make sure your music stays true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?
I don’t fault any artist who does that “sell out” thing. It’s tough in a world where money tends to rule to not use your gifts to secure yourself in that regard. I’m not against it in general but I do think it hurts the diversity of good music that can be out there. I think it gets destructive when an artist becomes afraid to make anything that doesn’t have the potential to be chart music. Integrity can be lost then so it’s a fine balance.
10.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
I’ll definitely still be writing songs and pushing them out there, I feel it’s a higher calling regardless of commercial success. Hopefully I will be in a position that my music is more influential to people, and hopefully make a few bucks as well. Only time will tell though.
www.twitter.com/jjmcguiganmusic
CONTACT:
Michael Stover
MTS Management Group