Jay-J Album Giveaway

We're lucky out here in San Francisco, as we have had many great artists get their start here in the bay and then go on to levels of greatness and iconic status. A prime example includes the Grammy nominated House producer, Jay-J. He started his music production career here, which led to running the famed Moulton Studios with fellow nominee Chris Lum, producing releases on acclaimed labels Distance, Afterhours, Defected, Loveslap, Large, Naked, Ultra and countless other albums, remixes and production credits.

He left the West Coast 7 years ago for the bright lights of NYC, where he built his Shifted Music label to an essential platform for many top artists and his own productions, and added scores of additional material to his already lengthy discography. But lucky us, he's moved back to his original home of SF, and added another milestone in his career, an impressive 10,000 fans racked up on his Facebook page.

To commemorate the milestone, Jay has decided to give out his two acclaimed albums"Love Alive" & "Electronic Discussions" for free. Just add the tracks to your cart and enter 'jay-j10k' in the promo field at checkout.

Stompy - 10,000 fans! Congratulations! What do you think has been the key to building an online presence?

Jay-J - Consistency with content seems to be what keeps people engaged. The last few years saw the advent of this new Facebook generation and the the "status update" and or tweet and so it has become the norm to present little tidbits of info. Doing so, regularly and adding some personal aspect keeps people engaged. My manager was instrumental in building the social media framework in the early days of Myspace, Facebook, and Twitter. He basically got it all started for me and way later on is when I engaged via those media outlets.

Stompy - n terms of gaining notoriety in today's social world, how important do you feel that maintaining an online network is to making it in the industry?

Jay-J - Interaction with supporters and or fans is very necessary in business today. Most of us see it within the circles of the music industry but I think its just as relevant an issue in any organization and marketing scheme.

Stompy - You recently moved back to the Bay Area from New York. How has that been for you?

Jay-J - The Bay Area is where I grew up and where I started my music production and DJ career. There are so many people here who I have known through the years of participating in the Bay Area's club culture. This makes it extremely fun to run into old friends as well as meeting new friends who share the love of this special brand of house music. I loved my time in New York and but even through those great 7 years I spent a good amount of time in the Bay Area with my Family and friends. Even so, it has been great to be back. I especially appreciate with the warm welcome I've received from the local house music community. All that, with no Humidity - makes for a perfect summer!

Stompy - What do you feel you learned the most of by living in NYC?

Jay-J - Not to be cheeky but Pro Tools Software. I started using it when I moved to NY and in between enjoying all the great food NY has to offer I spent the majority of my time making music. I did not spend a lot of time out and about partying in NY so working on music with Pro Tools software was my normal day to day.


I did learn a lot about what amazing food and clothes/shopping (ie: limited edition Nikes) there are in NY. I've been a lot of places and had some great meals but its hard to beat eating in NY. There is also a sense of fashion in NY that is unlike most any place I've been. I've seen it every time I was heading back to NY from wherever and while strolling the airport finding my gate and and looking around there is a great sense of style about those passengers also heading to NY. Similar to a flight to San Francisco and the fashion sense but it does seem on another level in NY.

Stompy - What do you miss most about NYC now that you're back, and did you feel you took anything for granted in the Bay Area once you left?

Jay-J - Just like when I left San Francisco it was my favorite places to eat that I missed and that is the case now with NY. Recently I have been asked for some dinning recommendations by a couple of people who were heading to NY and so I've been able to live vicariously through them.


Additionally, New York isn't going anywhere so as much as I might miss a few people, a few stores and a few places to eat I certainly will be back and I look forward to those trips with probably much more a vigor and excitement than before I lived there. Similar to last 7 years preceding every trip back out to the west coast and the excitement to see old friends and enjoy some of my favorite things the City has to offer.


I have had the opportunity to live in 2 of the BEST CITIES in the world while visiting all the others. It's not a bad deal at all.

Stompy - Regarding the two albums you're giving away, how was the production approach different with each one?

Jay-J - Very interesting that you asked this because the two processes were entirely different both in the actual process itself and also in the sound itself and the direction of the music. Love Alive is more based around songs with some really great singers and also some pretty awesome guest musicians and collaborators. The production process took place in some great studios, literally spanning the globe.


Electronic Discussions is the exact opposite. There are no real songs and no guest musicians except for a small part or two and it was all done in my home studio with some mixing in the main studio I used while in NY. For this album I wanted to make something that was a bit more electronic vs the organic sound of Love Alive. Maybe something a little younger sounding verses the more sophisticated sound of Love Alive.


But being as they both were ultimately created by me there are similar moments in each. Chill moments, introspective moments, energetic moments are all there on both albums. It's just that one has singers and songs but the other one doesn't.

Stompy - Describe the perfect setting, time, method and place where each album should be listened to.

Jay-J - Love Alive - Probably more of a sunday afternoon / evening with friends or on the beach. Although a few songs are rather sensual so maybe little later in the evening and maybe not as large a guest list.


Electronic Discussions - More of a Saturday night 7-10pm getting ready / pre party. The album has a little dirtier and a slightly more aggressive side, suitable for gearing up for a night out.


Although the interesting thing is that a few songs from each album could fit in either listening setting. It would be cool to put all the songs from both albums into 2 playlists encompassing those two different listening scenarios.

Stompy - What's on the list of goals for the last half of 2012?

Jay-J - Stay on track with release on my Shifted Music label. I have 6 completed releases in the pipeline now and 3 projects close to completion. I spent a lot of time late 2011 working with a singer and songwriter in LA, Chris Jaiden, producing his album. We still have a lot of work to go on that. His album will take most of my energy for the next few months for sure. I'll be spending some time in Australia both touring and producing and I will be working on more music in LA a bit also.