Band Feature: Just? Y??
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Just? Y??? - Gus Collier, Luca St. Thomas, Viola Sigmon, Leo Steele, & Jackson Heide
Meet Just? Y??, one of our Opening bands here at Music House. Opening bands are comprised of our younger students (These guys are 10 & 11), but don't let their age fool you. They make great music and speak with intelligence, wit, and candor. Check out this cool interview we conducted with them recently.
"Just? Y??" is an interesting name. What's the story behind it?
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Jackson Heide: We were doing weird things in the 5 minutes break and people were looking at us from lobby asking, "just why??" |
What is the best part of being in a band?
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Jackson: It just feels good playing music with other people and everybody. Luca St. Thomas: Getting to play with other people and having fun. It's the best. Viola Sigmon: You can make friends and have a lot of fun and have a cool project for the future. Leo Steele: I like playing songs with other people & playing shows and eventually getting paid for it. Gus Collier: I like playing music in a band, I like playing shows, and I like making friends. |
What are some of your band goals?
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Jackson: Playing a show with this band and getting better as musicians and getting closer as friends. Luca: Eventually become a focus band and start writing original material. Viola: To be the youngest student to be able to compete and win a battle of the bands. And be able to set up in less then 5 minutes and get ready to play without wasting too much time. Leo: Expanding the setlist and playing more shows. Gus: Practice more at home for this band and pay more attention to details. |
What is your most memorable band experience?
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Jackson: The first practice with these guys and my first show. Luca: When we first met and the first band performance. Viola: When I had the first progression week and my dad came to check me out. Leo: The time that we came up with this great band name. Gus: My first show with this band, the first time we learned a song as band, and when we were dancing during the 5 minutes break in the song "Bye Bye Bye" by NSYNC. |
If you got to open for any band or artist, current or defunct, who would it be?
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Jackson: AC/DC. Lucas: Green Day or Metallica. Viola: "Weird Al" Yankovic. Leo: Royal Blood & Black Keys. Gus: Beastie Boys. |
What advice would you give to students that are just getting started?
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Jackson: Setup a time to practice during the week. Give yourself breaks to process what you are learning. Be confident. And come to Music House with a positive attitude. Luca: Never give up, but take a break if you are getting frustrated while practicing. Viola: Never doubt your abilities. And never compare yourself to anybody else because your style is unique. Leo: Practice. never give up, and follow your dreams. Gus: Try hard if you are getting something wrong and focus on your instrument. |
What do you guys do that's special – that you think sets you apart from all the Music House bands?
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Jackson: Gus and Leo can rotate between piano and drums. We also have a strong connection compared to other bands. Luca: Most of our players can play multiple instruments, we have great friendships, and we have the best singer ever. Viola: We are openly weird and we can play more complex songs. Leo: We have lots of positivity, a good setlist, and a great singer. Gus: We are really multi-talented people and we are all different and unique. |
How has playing with other people benefited you?
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Jackson: My tempo improved because playing with a drummer helped me to understand the tempo better. Also I practice more at home because I don't want to let my band mates down. Luca: I'm more immersed in the music. It also just makes me a better musician because being in the band helps you to get back on track if you get lost. Viola: It feels less lonely and more connected with other people. It also allows me to be more musically free. Leo: Playing with your friends makes you a better musician because you don't feel any pressure. Gus: If I make any mistakes nobody judges me. I feel I'm getting better as a musician week by week. |