Reviewed on May 7, 2007
Recently Heaviest had the opportunity to sit down – albeit hurriedly for a chat with a young man named Justin Nozuka. He’s 18 years old, Canadian, and without a doubt one of the most talented people you could ever meet. Charmingly quiet spoken, Justin is a singer songwriter who isn’t going to be in your face anytime soon. He’s subtle, his music is beautiful and he’s criminally under rated. Miss this guy, and you’re missing a treat.
Heaviest: Hi – Please tell us who you are and what do you do?
Justin: Hi my names Justin Nozuka and I’m a singer songwriter. I like to approach songs from my passions, I like to getting into stories and um… yeah so er, my passion is getting into stories and different worlds and minds, emphasizing with different characters and generally writing honestly.
Heaviest: So tell us a little about your CD ‘Holly’…
Justin: Well Holly is the first CD I’ve ever made. It’s produced by Bill Bell. I went to a song writing workshop in Toronto and I met this Canadian artist, she introduced me to a talent scout from Universal Records – called Alan Reed. I went to this guys condo and we laid down three songs. He produced them and we, including Universal really liked them. They wanted to sign me and I said I didn’t want to do it!
Heaviest: For a young artist, turning down the chance of a record deal from Universal is a big, brave move…
Justin: I just thought it wasn’t at the right time to do it. I wanted to record an album on my own, with my own freedom. I wanted to develop more within myself.
Heaviest: But to turn down universal?
Justin: That was a tough decision but I felt within my soul that I’ve got to go the long route. Anyway. With Bill, it was reel laid back and organic.
Heaviest: Are there any particular tracks which stand out?
Justin: For me personally, I think that songs which stand out are the ones which I perform well… Down In A Dirty Well, Save Him… well, those are the two main ones which I really like to play so they mean a hell of a lot.
Heaviest: Do they specifically mean anything personal to you?
Justin: They mean I can get away. When I perform the songs I’m there, you know.
Heaviest: Is music an escape for you personally??
Justin: Without a doubt
Heaviest: If there was one message you could portray through your album, what would it be?
Justin: Um.. I hope that the listener can feel the honesty from it. I want people to hear it and feel the creative impulse flowing through out. I hope someone can listen to the record from the beginning to the end and really experience the individual songs.
Heaviest: So you are 18 years old… you are YOUNG, you are half way across the world doing something you love how does that feel?
Justin: I’ve been wanting to do this since I was 12 years old. It’s just evolved this way. I thought I was ready when I was 12 so I’ve been sooo patient. I thought I was ready when I was 12, I wasn’t! but I felt that way. To be here now, it totally feels ready.
Heaviest: So is this your dreams come true?
Justin: Not yet! I haven’t achieved much of what I want to do. We’re not even past the first layer of ice yet, there’s still a long way to go
Heaviest: Without being cynical, do you believe everything you’ve got planned will pan out for you – Do you worry about peaking early?
Justin: I trust my music and it’s all I can do. I’m not going to shove it down anyones throat but if people want to pick it up and play it then that’s cool, and it’s been going well so far. I try to make good music and put it out there. Who knows what will happen, no-one’s really pushed this yet so fingers crossed for the future.
At this point, Justin was ushered on stage to do what he does best. For more information about Justin, check out his official website at www.justinnozuka.com