Emerging from San Diego’s ocean cliffs with a genre-bending sound, 3rd Borough is preparing to unleash their new single "Blood Like Yours" on September 25, 2025, ahead of their full-length album The Human Quest. Backed by a Halloween-themed documentary and vampire-inspired visuals, the track positions the band at the intersection of indie pop rock, hip-hop grit, and cinematic storytelling.
In this exclusive Q&A, 3rd Borough opens up about the stories behind the music, lessons learned along the way, and what keeps their passion alive.
MusicsWeek: How did you get started in music?
Justin: I took an interest in music at around 3 years old. I’ve been exposed to it all my life. My older brother started learning guitar when I was born and I naturally gravitated towards it.
Paul: As long as I can remember, I’ve been doing music. It’s always been a passion. something I’ll be doing from birth to death.
MusicsWeek: What inspired you to become a musician?
Justin: It wasn’t a conscious decision. It was something I just grew into. My older brother was a big part of that inspiration but the vibrations of music were magnetic and pulled me in from the beginning.
Paul: Falling in love with other music. One of my favorite songs as a child was La Bamba because of the movie. I begged my family to record me so at seven years old we went to center stage Studios in Tucson, Arizona. Where I recorded my first song, which was a cover song to La Bamba.
MusicsWeek: Can you tell us a bit about your background and upbringing?
Justin: I was born in a small town in Massachusetts and my parents always supported me and my desire to play music.
Paul: I was born in Peoria Illinois and moved to Tucson Arizona at six years old. My mother was a jewelers so I grew up doing bench work
MusicsWeek: What's your favorite memory related to music?
Justin: My favorite memories are always when I finish writing a song and listen back feeling like I got through a successful therapy session.
Paul:Couple years ago performing my track All a dream, Main stage at lightning in a bottle is the first memory that comes to mind.
MusicsWeek: What's your biggest passion outside of music?
Justin: Travel has become a big passion. I love seeing the world. I find it eye opening and very stimulating to say the least.
Paul: Building a steady healthy foundation to raise a family and create a kingdom.
MusicsWeek: How do you stay motivated and inspired?
Justin: I continue learning and seeking new experiences.
Paul: I stay motivated by going to shows as a fan and finding new music that I’ve never heard before. falling in love all over again.
MusicsWeek: What's your favorite song to play live?
Justin:I wrote a song called “Time Makes Me Sing” it’s very satisfying to play and I have a lot of talented friends who join me in harmonies from time to time. That is my favorite song to play because it always brings that close connection back between us when we perform it.
Paul:Currently it is Blood like yours.
MusicsWeek: What's your creative process like when writing songs?
Justin:I like to sift through chord progressions until I begin singing a melody that I really feel deeply. Then I fill in the melody with words. The songs are usually written pretty quickly but mature over time.
Paul:Whatever emotion I’m feeling creates the song and the process of the song sometimes it’s through sadness and depression. Sometimes it’s through happiness and having fun, but it pulls and invokes the pleasure or pain to write the material.
MusicsWeek: Do you have a favorite album or artist that influences your work?
Justin:The White Album by The Beatles has always been a masterpiece in my opinion.
Paul:As far as Artist I would probably pick Bob Marley. He’s been one of my biggest inspirations throughout my entire career.
MusicsWeek: What's the most challenging part of being a musician?
Justin:Being undervalued. A lot of people don’t realize the true role music plays in their lives. It’s almost always there and taken for granted. If it wasn’t there you would notice but when it is there you don’t notice.
Paul:For me, it’s the oversaturation of bs in the industry and how music business has become something new. it’s been challenging to move with the times and figure out where exactly our sound will find its home.
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