From the Cradle, the debut solo album from author, musician, and producer Justin John Scheck, decorates one’s own space while winking at a variety of musical and production idioms that blend together to produce the most bizarre flowers. JJS demonstrates what can be done with a guitar, keyboard, drum machine, and computer by fusing various genres together, from the Blues Rock vibe of Cryin’ Shame and Come Alone to the Industrial drums and inebriated horns of The Sea Is Red and Anyone to the faint fingerprints of “mystic” trip hop beats and samples on Comin’ Up and Of Us From Us. All 15 tracks were produced, mixed, and mastered by JJS on Logic Pro X while he was under covid lockdown over the past two years. The album’s and merchandise’s entire sales revenue is given to Kansas City, Missouri’s Hope House.
The goal of Hope House is to end the cycle of domestic violence by offering a safe haven and supportive services that inform and empower those who have been affected by it. Hope House will promote social change that upholds a person’s right to live a life free of abuse and protects that right. Violence and abuse have had a profound impact on my life and helped shape it in many ways. I hold this mission in the highest regard. He clarifies. Check out the latest album & the exclusive interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how you got started?
JUSTIN JOHN SCHECK: Well I was born in Cleveland, OH, but came of age in Illinois outside of Chicago and then bounced around the Midwest a little more. Never really left the Midwest. When I was 18 or so my Father picked up a $30 acoustic at a flea market (which I still use) and the rest is history. I learned a couple of chords and immediately started writing songs.
2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
JUSTIN JOHN SCHECK: Self-taught. Self-taught Producer as well as is evident with my first album, From The Cradle. By the time people read this the ReMaster in Dolby Atmos should be finished, hopefully. I have the soul of a clown and lost some pretty solid Masters around the deadline, and it’s admittedly a poor mix. But I took my lumps and some courses and fixed the bugs hopefully. It’s important I mix and Master because the songs change so much once I get to that stage. A lot of the song structure is manipulated after I’ve recorded everything.
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘JUSTIN JOHN SCHECK’?
JUSTIN JOHN SCHECK: Well I must admit I don’t have a favorite band or anything. I’m a weirdo who has always been drawn to certain albums. Especially concept albums like Dark side Of The Moon or In The Aeroplane Over The Sea or OK Computer etc… It’s a lost art really, which is why I’m writing strictly concept albums. A Drunk Monk…. is a story from beginning to end. It’s one long song. It requires patience, yes, but hopefully it’s worth it.
4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
JUSTIN JOHN SCHECK: Hehe! My good friend would call it Creepo. I don’t know to be honest. This album takes place in another Galaxy, but it mirrors earth in many ways. This album sounds a bit like outer space. Everything started with the Drum Machine and Bassline. Almost everything. And all chords are covered by the Keyboard, only single notes on guitar which hopefully creates space. Well, I’m drawn to pieces of music and movements, but I really was attempting to write an Experimental Indie Pop/Rock album.
JUSTIN JOHN SCHECK:
That’s funny to think about now. I think it was Brian McKnight first. I always wanted to be able to hit those high notes, but when I reached for them, my voice would rasp and break. Basically, my sound is me attempting to emulate someone else but being unable to and discovering my own sound along the way naturally. It definitely took time though.
6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative and entertainment?
JUSTIN JOHN SCHECK:
I am an unapologetic Progressive and music is a vehicle for sure. In this album, it’s no mistake I put our Monk on a dying planet, and wrote about climate anxiety, etc…. Too much of Art has gotten too abstract for my taste. I mean I think about some of the people and the height and reach of their soapbox, yet they have nothing to say about the times. We are in strange times, historically profound times. We are the generation that is to decide whether organized human life goes on. Climate catastrophe is here, but it’s not yet too late. I’ll have a lot more to say about it over the next two years as I write three more concept albums, the last of which is a Political protest album entitled A Peasant’s Voice.
7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfilment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
JUSTIN JOHN SCHECK:
Oh definitely. I donate the proceeds I do make to Hope House in KC. They are a Domestic Violence Advocacy Non-Profit. I’ve never really profited from my music. It’s for the people to stream. Money is not what I’m trying to get out of it.
8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
JUSTIN JOHN SCHECK:
First and foremost is the music. Then the lyrics and melody. Then back to the music and the structure, does it need another part, what do I cut? A lot of the song is finalized months after it’s recorded. I mix and Master as I go to better play off of the effects. I’m told it’s a big no-no but I’ve never followed the rules.
9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
JUSTIN JOHN SCHECK: I’m tempted to say being diagnosed with Bipolar, but specifically it was the response to it. It took me years to come to terms with it, but I lost a lot of friends and loved ones. People treat you like you are contagious, and in the beginning, the wrong medicines can make you even stranger and even more hard to be around. I basically became a hermit until my Bro and Sis bought me Logic Pro and a Laptop. Still am to a certain extent, but I’m working on it.
10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
JUSTIN JOHN SCHECK: Hmmm…. I guess as it’s always been, I’m most proud of the art. Be it my Novella or this album, it makes my life worth living to me. It truly does.
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Photo credits: Justin John Scheck