Joemayk is a guitarist, singer-songwriter and music producer of Venezuelan origin, he began his musical career as soloist under the name of Aaron Avanish in 1999 with his simple “Dame”, in 2006 he decided to move to Madrid where he published his first work “A pasos desiertos” which gets an excellent acceptance in 2009, in 2013 he published two new singles “Como los gigantes” and “Contigo pa’ siempre” in 2016 he decides to change the direction of his career composing in English his ep “Love” composed of 7 songs, in 2018 he decides to change his artistic name in the search of his true style and his new name adopting his first name joined to his second name Joemayk and publishes his latest work “Drive Somewhere” which he expresses is a moment of change through which he goes.
Website: www.joemayk.com
Instragram: @joemayk
Facebook: joemaykofficial
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?
It just happens, you get up in the morning and you go to bed at night full of songs in your head and thinking the shape could have each one! Heroes or influences? I don’t know, I love the deep and happy look of Stephen Hawking, even if it was the most intelligent and sick person on the planet. I love to see how the people fight and I would like to be like them. I’m a fan of those who endure in time, like Little Richard, Eric Clapton, etc.
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 feel very small next to those that I like or influence… but I think, maybe, Jason Mraz, Tom Odell, James Bay, John Mayer (not playing guitar LOL) Stereophonics, Gavin Degraw, Jack Jhonson, etc.
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 usually write at all times, in every part of my life, but when a musician writes more is when something touches the inner feeling. Sometimes for better or for worse, the hardest thing is to be a musician if I stop making music and become a odious guy. I’ve left my country in search of opportunities and I’ve changed my language composition… but the worst thing for a musician, I think, is to do great things and find a huge wall in front of you to show your work to people. It is really difficult.
4.) How do you prepare yourself to write certain songs? What is your song-writing and recording process?
It depends on what you feel when you write, maybe a letter comes from you, maybe a chord, maybe both, and after I sit in my study and start doing great things, but I do not have a procedure for that.
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?
Unfortunately a musician is never sure of that, it’s the first thing a musician has to know. I’m a composer, guitarist, producer, show man, I do designs and promotions. I started making my own website. I learned everything I could learn to do. Project is real… if I die tomorrow I will be sure that I tried… that’s enough.
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?
Maybe I prefer to be independent… I do not want to be anyone’s slave… I do not want anyone to kill my voice, I do not rush for anything, and I really believe that traditional industry is dead a long time ago… better for us because we have more tools to reach the people… I think it will improve little by little.
7.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the music industry and how musicians are able to market themselves? 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?
Without social networks? Without that, you can win the lottery or be heard… haha, what I say is almost the same, they are indispensable to be heard.
8.) 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”?
Man, everyone who sing in Spanish is doing Regueton… or Latin electro or I do not know. I changed my language to compose and I continue studying English to improve it every day, because I know very well what kind of music I want to do … maybe someday I can change idea and try other styles, colors, but I love making a good song and I will always be doing that.
9.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
In a boat drinking margaritas surrounded by secret victory models and throwing money overboard, hahaha LOL, I see myself writing and playing, maybe in bars or maybe in stadiums… I do not know, I just want to keep creating and learning, I only know that I will let myself be carried away by what I feel and that is what I will show you always!