MAD about Fashion with Maxine Archambault

Hey fashionistas!

Do you find shopping at the mall a daunting task? You go through racks of clothing, only to never find the right size because you’re either swimming in it or you literally can’t breathe because it’s so tight. This is me, all the time. Oh and of course when you do find something you like, it’s always the LAST one that the store has in stock and the salesperson breaks the news that they won’t be getting that item in anymore.

I love the idea that customized options are out there now that don’t cost a mere fortune. I know that the fit will be just right for me and I'll get exactly the design look and feel that I want. 

I wanted to share a little Q&A that I did with a multi-award winning, fashion designer and illustrator, Maxine Archambault! She is based out of London, Ontario, so just a few hours away from my city here in Windsor, Ontario. 

1. As a fashion designer and business owner, you certainly wear a lot of hats (hehe fashion pun!) in this career. Can you walk me through an average day.

I wake up at 5:30AM and get ready to go to work at Vaughn Custom Sports. This is where I make all the patterns using my own home system called Gerber. After that, I complete cut sheets and markers for all the orders that come in. After work, I go home and start working on my other job – my business. My planner is a life saver! I will usually work out my weekday appointments on the weekends, so I can make sure I get everything done I need to for the week. 

Every day I do something different from making patterns to cutting out all the samples and sewing them. I often make myself a sewing sequence by walking through the patterns in my head. Once I have a good idea of what I want the finished product to look like, I start sewing a sample, which I try on my mannequins at home.

After I have a finished product, I get a photo shoot done of the products for my shop. Aide from making new products, I also complete orders that come through on my website. Before any of these steps can be done though, I have to come up with the designs. It will usually take a day or two if I’m only designing one product at a time. If I’m working on a collection, that will usually take a couple weeks, as I want to make sure all colours and styles work together and can be mix and matched. 

As a matter of fact, I’m working on a collection right now for Summer 2019 – anyone who knows the design process understands the importance of working a year ahead to ensure everything will be completed and to match the trends for the following year. 

After a full day’s work at Vaughn and a full night of making new products for my shop, I like to go to sleep around 11 pm or at the latest midnight. It takes me some time to wind down as I have a thousand things going through my mind from cool new design ideas to my huge to-do list for the next day! 

2. On your website, you have beautifully crafted kimono’s, swim wear, dresses and more. What is the most challenging aspect of designing a piece of clothing? 

The most challenging part for me is the actual sewing process. The designing part comes naturally, I usually just find a bunch of photos of pieces I like and then I will incorporate a whole slew of them together to create a new design that follows the trends and is also something I would wear myself. 

Most of my inspiration comes from nature and the beach for swimwear. My design journal is full of pages and pages of ideas for completed garments and even some that might eventually be used in one of my pieces. It even has some pages of just pictures of shells, water, fish and mermaids – all of which are used as inspiration for fabric and new swimwear ideas. After the design process, the actual sewing to get that perfect fit is really what takes the longest, as I’m a bit of a perfectionist and want every creation to fit beautifully and coincide with the vision that is in my head.

One of many beautiful designs from Maxine

3. What materials are the easiest and most challenging to work with? 

For me, chiffon and nylon are the most challenging to work with. Polyester chiffon is easier to work with but silk chiffon, it just does not want to cooperate at all and will move in every direction while you’re cutting, sewing and even ironing it. Nylon was in my old lining I used for my swimwear pieces, but it’s just so thin and moves around just as much as chiffon. It also likes to pucker when you’re sewing with elastic, so I try not to work with nylon lining.

Gorgeous flowing cover up and flattering swimsuit.

Now I use a thicker lining that still has a bit of nylon for breathability, but not as hard to work with. It also looks good for high end pieces too. When wearing it, this lining feels so smooth on your skin and actually is more comfortable. All my swimwear is completely lined – this allows for a higher quality product and a longer lasting and comfortable swimsuit. 

4. Eco-fashion seems to be an important factor now with the growing concerns of protecting the environment. How do you ensure your materials are made from sustainable and ethically sourced materials? 

I am actually just starting out my swimwear business venture, so that will be something to consider. I do try to stick with one buyer for all my materials, which is a family-owned, local fabric supplier. I also make everything myself so there are no manufacturers or unethical labour practices involved at all. 

5. It is great to see the wide range of sizes that you cater to, from XS to 3XL. How does someone figure out what is the best size to order and are there any exceptions when you would suggest going one size larger or even smaller? 

I always provide a measurement sheet with each listing for buyers. This page will show bust and cup size, as well as waist and hip measurements. In order to figure out your size for bikini tops, one would stand with their back straight, for a more accurate measurement, wrap the tape measure around your fullest part of the bust, under your arms and around the back. The tape should stay parallel with the floor. You would then compare your bust measurement with the Tops chart provided on each listing.

For bottoms and one pieces, one would follow the same directions but with their waist (narrowest part between the bust and hips) and hips (the widest part of one’s pelvic area). If you are between 2 sizes, I always suggest to go with one size up for a better fit. If you are still not sure after measuring and you can’t figure out your size, I’m always available to contact and I will help you out. I can even make you a completely custom size that is made just for you, at the same price of any of the standard sizes.

6. If you could design something for any famous designer(s) who inspired you throughout your career, who would you choose, and what would you like to make them?

No famous designers, but a few celebrities have inspired me. AnnaLynne McCord in particular has been a huge inspiration for me. As a teenager, 90210 The Next Generation, was my favourite show and I watched it religiously. I own all seasons on DVD and truth be told, I could probably rewrite the whole script from start to finish. AnnaLynne’s character named Naomi had such an amazing style and her fashion was what really inspired me to want to pursue fashion in the first place. Specifically, in Season 4, Naomi went on Project Runway and it just fuelled my passion even more to become a fashion designer. In real life, Naomi has such an elegant and unique style that I love. If I was to design a resort wear piece for her, I think I would make a one-piece bathing suit with a long coverup, just like the one I had made for my capsule collection during my college years.

Thanks Maxine for a great interview!

If you’d like to get in touch with a creative entrepreneurial spirit like Maxine, contact her at:

Find her creations at the Etsy Store

Last Week Tonight With John Oliver: Prisoner Re-Entry

Who doesn't love John Oliver? He's intelligent, passionate, witty and what can I say, I am a huge sucker for his adorable British accent. I am always looking forward to Monday morning because that's when I log into my Youtube account and get the latest dose of Last Week Tonight.

This week's segment was on Prisoner Re-Entry.  Obviously, a controversial topic but this was a really eye-opening video that deserves more attention.

Take 18 minutes out of your day, and watch the video:

My thoughts:

Things certainly need to change, especially in the USA. Many people deserve a chance at a better life once they have served their sentence. Don't just lump every offender together, toss them all behind bars and throw away the key.

The interview that Bilal Chatman did with John was brave. Bilal is a member of society, paying taxes, working hard, heck, he's even passionate about growing tomatoes! Trying to get others to see him as more than just an ex-con will be challenging, but hopefully his employer will continue to judge him on his actions today and not solely on his past.

Now, I believe that we should not turn a blind eye to those who are dangerous and/or repeat offenders, but let's not ostracize every single person when there is hope for rehabilitation.

A great piece today that reflects on how we as a society have the ability to think differently, advocate for change and provide others with the tools and support for a brand new life outside cell walls.

Ajay Mathur: Looking Forward In Time

With a mix of Indian and European heritage, Ajay Mathur is a talented singer/songwriter who is truly a master of his craft. His musical abilities (especially the brilliance of his guitar playing) and methodical lyrics  show his passion for the human condition and our place in the world. With a worldwide following, Ajay’s success has been plentiful and he continues to soar on the charts with his newest release “A Matter of Time.”

Melissa Arditti: On your Reverbnation page, it lists “Sounds Like” John Mayer, John Butler Trio, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Matt Nathanson. I personally found some of the music, especially the tracks How High, Making a Fool Out of Me, and Rise and Shine, along with the lyrics to be akin to Tom Petty. Was he ever an influence for you?

Ajay Mathur: Yes, Tom Petty is in a class of his own. I admire him as an inspired artist who has always gone his own way. His music and especially his lyrics have a depth and maturity that I love. I take it as a wonderful compliment to think he could be seen as an influence on my music. I would absolutely love to open for Tom Petty when he plays live someday. That would be my musical nirvana.

M.A: The song “Mister” definitely has a feel of Bob Dylan meets the Beatles. Listening to it, there is an essence of a classic mid-western bar love song coming into fruition. When your write a song like this, do you ever envision the type of place or surrounding that the song would work well in?

A.M: I think people associate many different things with songs – memories, sights, smells, and feelings. Part of the beauty of music is that it enables people to create images to associate within their own imaginations. I do have my own pictures that go with songs and they come in with the flow. When I write a song, I don’t try to picture what surrounding it would work well in, at least not consciously anyway. I did get messages from my listeners like ‘waking up to this song every morning makes me feel really good!’ or ‘we did the opening dance at our wedding to your wonderful song.’

M.A: The album title “A Matter of Time” seems like a cathartic one, what was your inspiration behind the name?

A.M: I wanted to pick one song that would represent the true essence of the album and I chose A Matter of Time. That became the title of the album as well. The message is close to my heart. I believe that a lot of the struggles we have – personal, political and economical could be solved with real, genuine dialogue and a belief that compromise is not only possible, but also essential. A Matter of Time also combines my Indian heritage with my European roots.

M.A: Your music has reached across the globe with continued acclaimed success. Do you find that there is any difference between your European and North American fans?

A.M: So far I haven’t really seen a difference as to the popularity of specific songs. I do know that mainland European listeners are more receptive to melody and groove and because English is a second language – except for the U.K. and Ireland – there’s a lesser focus on the lyrical content. My album is getting a lot of exposure in North America too where people go deeper into the lyrics of my songs and enjoy better what the song has to give as a whole. Everyone seems to appreciate and enjoy the excellent guitar playing, which doesn’t fall short on my album.

M.A: Can you describe what a “live” performance would be like for someone who has never been to one of your shows before?

A.M: I love playing live. I really enjoy the intimacy of performing in small concert venues where I can feel the audience breathe. The conversation and interaction that takes place during these performances is magical and very fulfilling for me. I love to experiment and interpret my songs a little different each time I perform and tend to open up the songs for improvisation and new grooves. I loved the way Eric Clapton took ‘Layla’ from the album and completely transformed it for MTV unplugged live version, turning Layla into a new song – fantastic! That’s how I like to play my music live.

My basic live setup is a trio – drums, bass and me on the guitar and I love the elements of ‘jams’ during a live performance and tend to bring in guest musicians. These performances sometimes take my songs in a different direction and give them new and usually very interesting twists. Playing live gives me the freedom to interpret my own songs and they can sound different at each performance. That’s what I love most about playing live.

M.A: It is evident that you use a plethora of instruments, are there any specific ones that you have yet to use and feel passion about to include in future albums?

A.M: I love to experiment with different instruments. When I start writing a song, I have yet to discover what the end result will sound like. In my head, I do hear the song in a specific sound, a mood or a groove and I look for the instruments that would add the right flavour to the song. I have the advantage and the privilege of having been exposed to instruments that other songwriters might not have. I am intrigued by the combinations of instruments that might not normally fit together and I’m not shy to use them. I think that especially the combination of rock guitars with Tablas on my current album is unique and fits perfectly. I’m sure my upcoming songs won’t fall short of rich instrumentation and there are many instruments out there that will find a home in my songs, especially some lesser known but very exciting string instruments.

M.A: What challenges do you find with being a singer/songwriter in today’s competitive music industry?

A.M: I think the music industry has always been competitive and good songs have always managed to attract listeners through proper exposure. The challenge for an independent songwriter/artist today is the exposure. Since there are so many more opportunities and channels to expose your music through, singer/songwriters today have the freedom to make music and market it they way they want. But, unless you have a management and A&R working for you, managing and finding the time to do all that’s required to promote your music and at the same time create new music does become a huge challenge to overcome.

Another challenge to overcome lies in the prevalent mind-set of some highly formatted mainstream media who are still caught up in the out-dated notion that if an artist is not represented by a record company or a management, the artist is not worth looking at. This out-dated notion and format constraints block out the independent artist from these mainstream channels, thereby cutting off a huge potential audience from some excellent new music by independent singer/songwriters.

Thank you Ajay for making this interview happen! I wish you the best in your musical journey ahead.

Fore more info on AJ Mathur and to listen to his music, visit: https://www.reverbnation.com/AjayMathurMusic

HuDost: Breathing Life Into Music

Unusual, captivating and haunting are only a few words to describe the Experimental Indie Rock/ World musicians; HuDost.  With incredible musical and songwriting abilities, as well as a mix of cultural flare, the heart of the band consists of Montreal’s Moksha Sommer and New York’s Jemal Wade Hines. Including an array of talents from other members of the group, each and every day continues to be an exhilarating moment of time that is too precise to let slip away and that is truly heard and felt in HuDost. I had the pleasure to interview lead Moksha to find out more.

Melissa Arditti: Your music draws from several cultural influences and creates a world sound, where have you travelled to?

Moksha Sommer: We have travelled primarily in Europe,Turkey, andIndiaand have had the opportunity to study and learn from incredible musicians in many of the places that we have been to. In many of those places, we have had a marvelous time also performing with both musicians who are ensconced in the traditional music of their locations and very innovative musicians who are pushing the boundaries.

M.A: Can you share what has been your most memorable performance?

M.S:  I dare not say that we have had a ‘most memorable performance.’ I will say that some of the performances we have had that has included the collaboration of other artists has been really wonderful. For example, we have done performances while Alex Grey did live painting and whirling dervishes turned. In terms of what we are known for, we have played the Salvador Dali Museum, Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival, FloydFest, The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, headlining SE NPR’s World Fusion Fest, WMNF’s Tropical Heat Wave Festival, The Levitt Pavilions, WoodSongs at the Kentucky Theater (on PBS), Nashville’s Bluebird Café, Music City Roots, and Tim Robbins’ WTF?! Fest. We have also been delighted to open for Snatam Kaur, California Guitar Trio, Bell Orchestre, and Jefferson Starship and have loved working with Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Neko Case, Jim Lauderdale, and Mercan Dede among others.

M.A: In your latest release, why “Trapeze” for the album name?  For me, trapeze conjures up images of danger and excitement, grace, beauty, skill and trust in a partner’s ability.

M.S:  Right before going into the recording studio to record ‘Trapeze’ I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The recording of the album truly chronicles the time between that diagnosis and the surgery to remove the tumor. It was a time that overlooked a huge potential precipice and was both frightening and alive. The idea of a Trapeze expressed that perfectly.

M.A: What kind of performance can fans expect when going to a HuDost show?

M.S: Some of our performances are as a duo (with Jemal Wade Hines and myself) and some are as a band, where we incorporate musicians of varying sensibilities and backgrounds and often include performance art and dance. As a duo our instrumentation includes vocals, harmonium (Indian Pump-Organ), Shahi Baaja (Electric Indian Auto-Harp), guitars, Bazouki, Dulcinet, percussion, and a slew of sonic ambient effects. Our music blends Pop and Rock with traditional Sufi music, Bulgarian, Croatian, Macedonian and Balkan folk music, Farsi, Turkish, Arabic, and Folk.

M.A: What was it like to collaborate with Grammy wining producer Malcolm Burn? What did he bring to the table that was different from your previous albums?

M.S: Working with him was an interesting process. If anything, he defied all the protocols that normally apply to the sound studio. He had the full band in the same room together simply doing live recordings of the songs that had a ton of bleed between the mics, etc. It made it so that there was a live energy and intimacy that is very hard to obtain when everyone is recording their parts separately in sound booths.
M.A: hat is the meaning of the band name “HuDost?”

M.S: ‘HuDost’ is a Sufi greeting. It is two words. ‘Hu’ is the breath that is shared by all and ‘Dost’ is the true friend. So when paired it literally translates to meaning ‘true friend of the shared breath.’

M.A: Does HuDost have a mantra or mission?

M.S: Just spreading wonder, joy, consciousness, love, and powerful creative expression through music…that is all…small feat, no?


Thank you very much Moksha for sharing a little piece of HuDost with all of us. Blessings to all of you on a wonderful journey ahead!

For more information on the band, please visit: Hudost

Robert Nix: A simple walk can change your point of view

Maintaining a grounded sense of self in a world that can overwhelm the majority of us, Canadian-born solo artist Robert Nix creates intense pieces of music that speak to humanity in ways that can feel subtle but pack a powerful bunch. When he takes hold of an instrument and starts to sing, his quirky, yet catchy melodies and song style really grab hold to the listener. With a nostalgic feel of the synth era and a mixture of other genres, Robert has launched his newest album “Walk Down The Street.”    

Below, I had the chance to correspond with Robert Nix to delve a little deeper into what makes him stand out from the rest of the crowd. Enjoy!

Melissa Arditti: The first time I listened to “Walk Down The Street” I immediately thought of Bauhaus/Peter Murphy. Do you find there’s a bit of them in your vocals?

Robert Nix: No one has ever mentioned Bauhaus but I've heard Michael Stipe, Ringo Starr, Jim Morrison, Ian Astbury, and I think that's it.

M.A: In your Number 9 track, "It's an Ode to Karen" I feel like I'm being transported into a symphony of sound. Who is Karen?

R.N: “Karen” is a girl I met close to 10 years ago. I still have regrets about not asking her out. I’m not sure where she is today...

M.A: Watching the video to "Walk down the street" is there an underlying message you want to convey to your audience?

R.N: The song is about 'self-realization' ('as you're walking down the street') I know I often ponder my own existence while walking down the street and then other elements fall into place as you're walking down the street-i.e. “you don't know who'll you'll meet”  and then the idea that maybe in the end we're all just “nowhere men and women” (Beatle song: 'Nowhere Man') which fits into the ending lyric and disintegration scene(“or are you just another person walking down the street” disintegrating into nothingness)

M.A: You have quite the array of talents, playing keyboards, guitars and also singing. What other special gifts do you have?

R.N: In addition to music, I have some athletic gifts. I won a gold medal at age 13 for being in the fastest 400 meter relay team in the city of Toronto. We ran the meet at Maple Leaf Gardens. I'm an avid cyclist and have a racer which I use for transportation/exercise. I classify myself as a “semipro” rider and concentrate on quick short distance rides.

M.A:  Being a Canadian, how do you feel about the Canadian music scene in general?

R.N: With the exception for the band Rush (I am a big fan and have several of their albums!) I don't really follow the Canadian music scene or any other musical scene either. I know that sounds bad but I just seem to be a little too locked into composing my own stuff.

M.A: I read in your bio that you are an environmental advocate. How does your music bring awareness to causes that you care deeply about?

R.N: Yes I am an environmentalist and I'm for animal rights too. I went vegan 8 years ago, which is actually a win/win situation for both categories.

As far as my music bringing awareness-track 10 is entitled “Don't Eat The Animals” which puts forth the idea that people should at least checkout what goes on behind the scenes if they're going to eat meat, that's what I did. I made a conscious decision to dump all meat and fish, and in time, replaced dairy with soy milk/soy cheese.

I also currently have a petition on my Youtube site against the live skinning of animals in China.

M.A. Thanks Robert for the enlightening interview! Best of luck with your music and humanitarian efforts!

You can check out more of Robert’s work at: https://www.robertnixcomposer.com/

Emmy-nominated T.O.N.E.-z gets Justified!

With an incredible 4.2 million viewers in its opening season, Justified had its highest debut on FX. Now in 2012, it has remained the top television drama series on the FX channel, (for Canadians; Super Channel) with several Emmy nominations, especially for well-known rap-artist T.O.N.E.-z, who created the hard-hitting theme song “Long Hard Times To Come” which truly showcased the essence of the show.

After his guest appearance on Justified, I had the pleasure to interview T.O.N.E-z and learn what it’s like to go from being a rapper to an actor!

T.O.N.E-z

Enjoy the interview below.

Melissa Arditti: Justified has become such a popular series on the FX series channel, and now going into its 3rd season, how did you feel when you got the news that you would be on the show?

T.O.N.E-z: OMG!!! I felt like I was smacked in the head by Tyson, (in his early years) Derek Jeter & 18 angry in-mates!! Seriously, I flipped out! I was and actually still am extremely happy!


M.A: You were quoted as saying that “the whole cast and crew are the best people to work with and the coolest people period!” Did you feel that moment of being “star-struck” working with any of the cast members?

T: Oh I was completely star-struck! Here I was standing next to Mykelti Williamson! I told him “I love your work!” and he replied back with “your music is amazing!” Everyone was so kool. Timothy Olyphant is a fan of my music and told me that I am amazing. The whole cast showed me so much love.


M.A: Justified is quite an intense show, not just in its storylines but also with the characters.  How did you prepare emotionally for the role of “Barnes?”

T: Simple: I just looked, listened and learned! 


M.A: For a talented artist like yourself, memorizing lyrics must come as second nature to you. However, with acting, did you find there was a difference in how you were able to remember your lines?

T: It’s just as easy, if not easier.


M.A: Some artists get stereotyped into certain roles when they make the crossover to acting. What role would you like to embrace someday that you know would completely knock your fans on their feet?

T: If I could play a role like “V” from the movie V for Vendetta, I know that i’d wow the world! You know, that role was so intense. It embodied pain, sorrow, anger, vengeance, tears, laughter and compassion.


M.A: What went through your mind when you found out that the theme song “Long Hard Times to Come” was being nominated for an Emmy?

T: I thought to myself “damn it took me 20 minutes to do the lyrics in my head and less than 7 to lay them down and look what just happened… AN EMMY NOMINATION!


M.A: It’s addictive getting bitten by the acting bug! Is this is the last fans have seen of T.O.N.E-z on tv or should we expect more appearances?

T: Oh hell (to the) nah! I am already pursuing new projects as I typed this, so the world will see more appearances of me in tv and some feature films are in the works.


M.A: I’m sure you’re itching to get back into the studio after having such a wonderful experience on Justified. With the sky being the limit on opportunities that seem to be coming your way, what’s next musically for you?

T: My new album “High Voltage” is out now and available on Itunes. It contains a new song called “Trapped” that was inspired by Season 3 of Justified. (fyi: you might just hear it on the show!) :)

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/high-voltage-t.o.n.e-z/id484814929

Thanks to T.O.N.E.-z  for taking time out of his insanely busy schedule to make this interview possible!

DJ Jounce is ready to bounce!!

DJ Jounce

My reviews are becoming rather varied especially when I find something exciting to write about. This time I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to have an up-close and personal (well on a virtual scale since he’s living in L.A. and I’m all the way in Windsor!) glimpse into the challenging yet exciting career of Dj Jounce, who is anything but just a disc-jockey. He is also a talented artist, musician, songwriter and producer!

Creating a fusion of sounds that are addictive to the eardrums and energizing to the spirit, DJ Jounce ditches the path of ordinary to produce music that could only be described as extraordinary. Embracing his own groove and sharing his passion of what he was destined to do, DJ Jounce’s style is a comforting realization that music is truly the one element in life that brings us all together.


Below you can also read my interview with Dj Jounce:

Melissa Arditti: Thanks for taking time out of your insanely busy schedule to sit down and do this interview for me, I sincerely appreciate it!

Dj Jounce:
Hi Melissa! No problem. It’s my pleasure. Thanks for having me.

M.A: From your recent live-air phone interview on ArtistFirst World Radio, which I listened to, you said you were born and raised on the East Coast. Let me ask, how has small town life kept you grounded for the drastic change and excitement of LA living?

Dj Jounce:
LA definitely has a lot more going on than where I grew up … haha. Some things were …. and still are tempting … and potentially dangerous, but I guess having grown up without those things helped me know that I can still live without them. More importantly, I’m fortunate for my friends who do a good job of keeping me in check.

M.A: So I’m sure many people have inquired but I am really curious to know how you came up with the name DJ Jounce?

Dj Jounce: Oh yeah, great question. A lot of people think it’s just some silly name to rhyme with “bounce”, but it’s actually a real word. Call me a nerd, but I actually got “Jounce” from a physics term. Basically, it refers to the rate of change of a jerk over time. That jerk would be me [grin].

M.A: You’re obviously a musician at heart, being trained at such an early age to learn guitar, piano and other instruments. How do you feel that your musical style evolved since the start of your career, especially with the constant changes in technology?

Dj Jounce: I’ve tried to embrace the changes, and to take advantage of them whenever it’s been helpful. For example, instead of playing a regular piano, the keys on a keyboard can now play something totally different through the computer. So while I started off with traditional acoustic instruments, I’m now in the deep end with electronic music. The old boundaries have been erased, so everyone can write something new. And I’m trying to write new stuff all the time.

M.A: Since you are not only a DJ but also focus a lot of creative energy on actual songwriting, I heard that you sing in the shower for inspiration. How else do you create meaningful lyrics?

Dj Jounce: Haha … I sing anywhere and anytime! Music’s just always on my mind. I’ve belted it out at the top of my lungs in my car only to find people in the next car staring at me cause my window was down. Anything in life can inspire lyrics for me. And it can come at anytime. It's good to have phones these days where we can just type lyrics in or record a little melody before you lose it. I’ve got pages of random ideas and thoughts. Most of them just need to be organized into lyrics for a song.

M.A: In 2010, Homeless Volume 1 was never formally released, but what an incredible cd! I must say that I am truly in awe with the track “A Memory Of.” It invoked so many emotions in me and so what was your inspiration behind making this song?

Dj Jounce: Thanks, it really is a personal track for me. It was inspired by the death of someone close to me. But I don’t want the track to be a downer. It’s really more about celebrating the good memories with that person or anyone the listener can relate to. The ending piano lines are like a conversation back-and-forth because I can still hear the voice.

M.A: The photos I saw were smokin’ for the promo that you did last year for CK’s Brand X Clothing Line. Have you ever thought about collaborating with other fashion stylists and perhaps using your music for runway shows?

Dj Jounce: Oh, wow … thanks! Actually, it’s funny you should ask because I recently DJ’d and MC’d a major fashion show here in LA. I had several singers that I was collaborating with come in and perform songs we wrote together. It turned out really well. And yes, I hope to work with some fashion stylists, especially because I’m going to be performing a lot more over the coming months to promote my upcoming CD.

M.A: ColdPlay a top artist in the music industry has to brush his teeth before a concert and the purple one – Prince, he needs his popcorn fix before going on stage. Artists have some quirky pre-concert rituals. Do you have anything special or even unusual that you like to do before you’re ready to perform in front of a crowd?

Dj Jounce: Hmmm, I wish I had something really cool and funny to tell. Honestly, I don’t have any set rituals but I do find myself getting pretty quiet and calm. I don’t want to say I meditate, but I do get very relaxed yet focused because I do want to put on a great performance and sometimes I just need to clear out everything on my mind and think about the show. That’s the calm before the storm cause when I get on stage, I’ll start jumping around before the curtain goes up.

M.A: We’ve had Tiesto and David Guetta, two of your heroes, play here in our club-hopping town of Windsor, Ontario, where I’m living. I would hope that somehow we could get you to do a show or two here someday. I’d love to see a DJ Jounce show live. I’ve heard that it is quite a memorable and surreal experience.

Dj Jounce:Yes, I’d love to do a show in your area! And I’m adding even more to my stage show. I’m working out a lot of new lighting and video screen effects that’ll be in sync with the music, so it’ll be a visual extravaganza as well as an auditory one. As you know, I have the CD coming out and we will announce some upcoming show dates soon. So stay tuned and I will definitely let you know when I get up to Ontario!

M.A: Well it was a pleasure to interview you, and best of luck in all your creative pursuits! Once last thing, I imagine you’re totally computer-savvy, and hooked up to all the social networking sites. So where can we find you on the net?

Dj Jounce: Sure! My web site is http://www.djjounce.com/ and most of the common web sites for me are just “dot com slash DJ Jounce”

 YouTube.com/DjJounce

By the way, Room Trip Music is my production company & label.
Thanks again for having me, Melissa.