Music's Week: What inspired you to start making music, and how has your creative process evolved over time?
Ja'son Manwill: What inspired me was a music teacher by the name of Mike McCornack from Creswell Oregon in the 90s. He had a way of teaching that I got. I had to wait a year to lead the choir with warmups, but by then my piano skills had gotten better and also he taught me chords, and scales to warm up with, which I still use today- before I take ANY stage. My creative process has evolved over time in that, before I used to wait and procrastinate and not take enough action with my music. This was because I was told I was not good enough, I couldn't write music or lyrics, and I didn't fully believe in myself to KNOW it was untrue data that I was getting from people who wanted to stop me from making my music and getting it out into the world. Now I take action every single day. Whether that means, posting more on social media, entering contests for promotion and publicity, going to red carpets to market and network, or just going LIVE for all the fans around the world. The fans really do DRIVE me to do more and it's because of them that I get to do what I do. I will never take them for granted. I also have grown as a musician and artist myself. I learn everyday, from producers, songwriters, top liners, and legends and I take that and put that into my music creation and production.
Music's Week: Can you tell us about your single "Despair"? What's the story behind it, and what do you hope listeners take away from it?
Ja'son Manwill: Despair was a TRUE story about a Fiance that I had back in the 90s. The story is She (The girl) had her mom, give back the ring to my mom, and that is how the beginning of the song started. That night I was watching "The Wedding Singer" with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. LOVE THAT MOVIE!! Thanks Adam & Drew. When Robby in the movie sang the "Break up song" to Linda, I was instantly hooked and saw a way for me to communicate my message of pain, sorrow, and despair. I performed it for the first time in 95 or 96 at a LIVE open-mic night in Eugene Oregon. That is the first version of it. Then in 2007 I met someone that took my breath away and the song morphed into a despair feeling in the beginning to finding someone that can take "all your despair away", which is the chorus of the song. I hope listeners take away a feeling of yes you got dumped, or heart broken, but someday you'll meet the one who will take all your despair away. Meaning that there is hope and inspiration around the corner. No matter what we are going through, there is another side, another way, another person, that will take all the pain away. We don't have to feel like there is nothing else. Everyday we can promise 2 live again and again. By the way promise2live.org is a great organization that will help anyone that is feeling like they are in despair and there is no hope to live again. Sometimes as musicians we feel like there is nothing left, and because of that we don't see opportunity just on the other side of the corner. Despair is for all those that are thinking this to know there is more hope than realized, and that you can continue on, no matter the problem, and there is help and it does not include suicide.
Music's Week: How do you approach songwriting? Do you draw from personal experiences, or do you draw inspiration from other sources like literature, film, or art?
Ja'son Manwill: I approach songwriting from everyday life. When I see something, a line that grabs me or my attention, or maybe I am working through something and I see a catchy title, or I am humming a Melodie and I start putting words to it. I definitely use my personal experiences, bad and good, and draw on inspiration from all in the music industry today. Yes I have drawn inspiration from film, art, music, books- you name it, I have created because of it. Really the sky is the limit when it comes to my creativity. If someone says it can't be done, I fire them. Hire a new person, and then ask them " how could it be done"? With that type of mindset I have full possibility and also endless imagination at my disposal.
Music's Week: What's your favorite song to perform live and why? Do you have any memorable experiences or stories from your live shows?
Ja'son Manwill: DESPAIR is my favorite song to perform LIVE, other than that I would say "A Song For You" by Leon Russell. Live shows are great as the audience is there, they are full of energy and they allow you to go there and find a deeper meaning in your songs and life itself. By helping others it gives me great joy and freedom to stretch my limitations especially when I am on stages all over the world. When people sing back my lyrics to DESPAIR it is so touching and moves me in a way that is surreal. Meaning it feels like I am the only one on the ivory and piano and with one voice they are singing back the lyrics to me- as if they WROTE it themselves. I take all those memories as a gift and cherish them as I realize that most people have never felt that from an audience before, and that validates me as a person, musician, and artist so much. It's priceless.
Music's Week: Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound or style?
Ja'son Manwill: My Musical influences have been many, from the legends like Elton John, Guns N Roses, Aerosmith, Queen, Jerry Lee Lewis, BB KING, Elvis and sooooooo many more. I look at what THEY did and how they captured the fans, and I duplicate it. My sound is "Rock Infused With a Twist of Lime"™. In my shows you might think you know what you're going to expect, and then I throw the twist of lime in there, and catch you completely off guard. It's super fun and exciting to be able to have that available to play and work with and I know the audience enjoys it too.
Music's Week: How do you balance your creative vision with the demands of the music industry? Do you have any advice for artists who are just starting out?
Ja'son Manwill: MUSIC is my life, the people in it KNOW that, and work with me to make sure I am doing what I love and spending time with those that support me as well. For artists just starting out, if you know you got something, and you are determined to do it, then do it and don't let your foot off the pedal. If I can do it, YOU can as well. You need help contact me on my website, and I will do everything I can to support you in your musical journey to the TOP.
Music's Week: Can you walk us through your recording process? What kind of equipment do you use, and what's your favorite part of the process?
Ja'son Manwill: It starts with an idea or melody, then from there I start creating the framework for it to live and breathe, after that I have a good idea of what I want, then I go to my DAW of choice, Logic Pro X or LUNA, and find the sounds I am hearing. For piano's I use Bosendorfer Imperial Grand 290s as I LOVE the sound it creates. When it comes to plugins for the Digital Audio Workstations, I use them all. Guitars I prefer EMG, as well for the BASS. I am open to testing out and trying more guitars and sounds as well. Apollo is my Audio Interface of choice, as it allows me to do many amazing things and sound super good in the studio. For mics I use Slate Digital ML-1. One digital piano that I played but have not yet found and I really want to add to my studio, is a Pro Mega 3 from General Music. Back in the 90s this was state-of-the-art sound and it enveloped you when you heard it come out of the speakers. Still looking for that sound from a digital piano with 88 weighted keys. My favorite part of the process in recording is that no matter ho many times you don't like something, you can also re-record it and make it new and fresh again. The endless possibilities with that, brings mu music to a whole different level. Some of my BEST recordings were mistakes that were going to get thrown out, but we re-worked them and turned them into masterpieces. That is so cool.
Music's Week: What's the most challenging part of being a musician, and how do you overcome those challenges?
Ja'son Manwill: The most challenging part of being a musician for me is that there is a false idea out there that musicians have to be broke. That is definitely not true, and further it implies to all other artists and musicians that you just have to get by and be happy with just enough. I on the other hand, am a Musician that knows what I am worth. I know my songs are powerful, and my lyrics have received a GRAMMY Nomination. So I have the mindset that I am going to get paid as a result of that. I am getting paid as a Musician and Artist, and I am NOT a starving artist who is just getting by and does not have enough. Instead, I am in Abundance in everything that I do, and opportunities come my way that most don't even see or bother to acknowledge. You overcome those challenges by knowing your value, what you bring to the table, to the session in the recording studio. You overcome by getting information and data that will change whatever you have heard, into something that works for you and your career. If Elvis can do it, so can YOU. You are already a STAR, so just act like you are and see what comes your way.
Music's Week: How do you stay inspired and motivated to keep creating new music? Do you have any rituals or practices that help spark your creativity?
Ja'son Manwill: I don't have to have my way or the highway. I know what I am looking for, yet I don't have to BE RIGHT. I can just BE. Sometimes being WRONG makes the magic happen in a whole different way.
When it comes to ritual or practice, I don't need them.. I have so much creativity in ME, that I am always creating something, whether it be lyrics, or music, or drums, or bass, or cello lines, or singing top lines. That helps me to find NEW things, and create other projects and ideas that spark a new beginning, middle, or end.
Music's Week: What's next for your music career? Any upcoming projects or tours that you're excited about, and how can our readers stay up-to-date with your latest developments
Ja'son Manwill: Short answer is I am getting ready to take over the world in 2025. I am going to be invited to play South by Southwest, Coachella, Summerfest and Lollapalooza Berlin. I am also going to WIN 7 GRAMMYs in 2026 , Best Rock Song, Best Rock Single, Best Rock Album, Best Rock Song of the Year. In 2027 I am going to be invited to play the Super Bowl ½ Time Show Perform with Metallica and Elton John. In 2027 I also want to work with Max Martin and put out a #1 hit.
A pair of songs is coming out in October: “It Bites Like a Serpent,” “which is like a Doors-slash-Ozzy Osbourne type of song,” and “The Fright and the Fear,” “a Metallica inspired riff with melodic things that you’ve never heard.”
Before then I have a three-track EP I will release as soon as I come off tour in Nov and I get it back into production. “Finding Love Again” is an AC/DC-Guns and Rose type of thing.” “Prisoner” is like Guns and Roses with Days Of The New and a “’90s type of feel.”
“And ‘Rise Above It All’ is the true story of a person that was addicted to drugs for 40 years, got off them, started helping other people get off them, and he wanted me to tell his story.” It has some Led Zeppelin vibes and it also has “this Elton John, Billy Joel type of flair.”
You can find out more details and subscribe to be a part of my Up Late Last Night Nation® Crew, on my website. Here is where I will keep you informed BEFORE anyone else. You get exclusive access to ME and also new songs you will hear FIRST, even before the media. Lastly, you can find me on social media as well. Just go to https://www.jasonmanwill.com That is my Official Website and where you can get the latest news and so much more.
.png)
COMMENTS
Leave a comment