JC Quinn

Latin Urban Vibes

When did you first get into music? Please explain.

I suppose I first got into music around age eight. My mother would drag my two sisters and me to church every weekend. I would always fall asleep during service but when it came down to praise time I would sing my butt off and I’d shake the tambourine like no other. At the age of ten, I got my first real taste of music when I met my long-time friend Will. Will introduced me to ACDC, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and a few others.

At 13, I found an interest in alternative, pop-punk, and singer-songwriter music and began teaching myself how to read guitar tabs and chords. I wrote my first song in 2010 on an acoustic guitar that I was gifted to me for my fourteenth birthday. Music has been an outlet for my thoughts, my prayers, and my manifestations.

Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

I was first inspired by a family friend who achieved success in the music scene here in Denver. Through this connection, I was able to experience the “backstage life” for the first time. This was cool because I met musicians like the Flobots, Air Dubai, and got to be on the stage for Rise Against at the 2011 Not So Silent Night at the 1st Bank Center.

How has your music evolved since you first started in the music industry?

When I first started I was posting videos of cover songs on YouTube with friends. We only did cover songs for a bit while I was figuring out how to play guitar and how to write songs. Once I had learned to write and compose, I wanted people to collaborate with so I started an alternative, pop-punk band called A Casual Vacancy. After high school, I learned how to operate a loop pedal. I played shows alone and sometimes as a duo with a friend, we went as J-Walker. We covered songs by Michael Jackson, Prince, Bruno Mars, and other popular artists. In 2018 I went solo and began working on my first self-produced, self-recorded album. That album, which was not finished, was Alternative singer-songwriter-themed. That uncompleted project was the stepping stone for the album I’m releasing in 2021, “White Rum & Lemonade”, this album consisting of R&B, alternative rap, and Latin urban records.

If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other, drives you to stay in this tough industry? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion, or pride, and why?

Definitely passion. It’s always exciting making new records and making new connections, but it is even cooler when you see people jamming out to your songs and being touched by your lyrics or the story and meaning behind them. The response from the audience is a driving force that makes me want to keep doing it and keep making people feel and forget for a little while. The freedom as an artist to evolve and try new genres is liberating; I’ve always admired artist that step out of their comfort zone and try new ideas and sounds.

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in an industry overflowing with new faces and ideas?

I think being bilingual has and will continue to drive my music forward. Latin urban music continues to grow in and out of the United States thanks to the likes of Justin Bieber and others who have accepted and used Latin-influenced music in their catalogs. A handful of my songs contain lyrics in English as well as in Spanish. I also think my ability to sing, rap, and produce; I don’t have to outsource if I don’t want to. I can make my own beat and get myself a feature in Spanish if I want. For me, it’s all about independence and individuality. That’s what’s slowing down some artists, in my opinion, they depend on too many people to get their work done.

What has been your biggest challenge as a performing artist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

Man. I sometimes forget my lyrics. I’ve written so many songs throughout the years that sometimes I just space out. It’s something I’ve been working on lately as things start to open back up and events start up again. It’s funny, in an interview with Jay-Z, he confesses he used to forget his lyrics and it reminded me that things at the beginning can be rough but they will get better with time and practice.

A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art.” Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art?

Yeah, I suppose this is true. Every artist goes through a different struggle. Whether it be financial, mental, health, or lack of inspiration. For me, it’s been all of them, not all at once but at separate times. The late nights and early mornings get to you after a while. It’s all worth it though because you get to share with the world your story or a story that inspired you.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

It’s probably disrupted the industry quite a bit. A lot more artists went DIY thanks to how easily information is available. I think I’ve learned just as much as someone who went to school for music from watching videos on how the music business works and such.

If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?

I’d probably change the award shows part of it. The Weeknd stated in the past that award shows are corrupt, and they need to be more transparent on how artists are nominated. I’m not on that level yet, but it would be nice once I get there for the artists to be correctly recognized and given equal opportunities.

I’m sure you have shared the stage with many talented artists. Please share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us. I think the best stories come after the show ends and we all gather for a drink or go out for a bite. You can feel the energy and the pride that each of us carries and it is beautiful to see and feel. We all hype each other up and give notes and it’s magic. It’s all love.

What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why?

I wouldn’t say any particular album made me who I am but they did impact how I made and looked at music. Chaos and the Calm by James Bay is one of my favorite albums. It has so much emotion and I love every lyric of the album. James Bay is definitely in the top 5 writers/composers in my book. Swimming by Mac Miller I’ve always adored. His work on this album is astounding; I loved his singing. I loved My Dear Melancholy by The Weeknd. This album is dark, like all of his work is, but this had a sad post-breakup emotional mood that I couldn’t get away from for a while. Purple Rain by Prince is a classic! Such a great album and legendary artist. El Último Tour del Mundo by Bad Bunny is great because it’s in Spanish and I’ve been working on my Spanish writing. That album is pure fire, every track on that album slaps.

What is the best advice you have received?

I haven’t been advised much but there is a quote that I like from a book by DIY artist RUSS called “It’s All in Your head”. He writes, “you must work in the dark for your light to shine. Take it day by day. This is a race, yes, but not against anyone or anything else except your own doubt.”

It’s fitting for me as sometimes I doubt the quality of my work. You really have to trust the process and push through the doubt and the fear that creeps up telling you it’s not gonna work or that it can’t be done.

How did COVID-19 affect you and your music career?

Covid was the reset that I needed as an artist and as a person in general. I found myself in the studio a lot more; Being alone and isolated made me more creative in many ways. I wrote some of my best songs during that period of confusion, chaos, and self-realization. As far as gigs and shows go, I didn’t have anything booked that year so it didn’t impact me financially.

What’s next for you? New music?

Album baby!! I have an album’s worth of music ready to be distributed and enjoyed. I’m still working on the cover art and all the logistics behind it but I hope to have it out before the year ends. Perhaps a single by the end of August.

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music and follow your career?

Follow me on Instagram at @jcquinn.music You can also find me on Facebook @jcquinn.music and Twitter @elvatoquinn

Stream my music on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, SoundCloud, and Deezer. Subscribe to my YouTube channel to see what I’m up to!