JAI: An Exclusive Look at the Rising Artist
The deep bass of Alice Deejay's, 'Better off Alone" blasts as he adjusts his shredded black cropped jeans throwing a shredded blue over-sized jean jacket over a black flaming hot Harley-Davidson motorcycle tee. His nose crinkles with his pink-pearled septum piercing wiggling in place. He grins from ear-to-ear as his jet-black hair lightly over his deep brown eyes.
JAI's 'NOTYOURA' back of the neck tattoo.
Photo taken by Dawn Raven.
"Welcome to my crib." he says as his long arms covered with numerous tattoos in black and red welcome me into his lair.
"Quasi-goth" JAI Avalos is an 18-year-old one-man band of Huntington Beach, Calif. who's ready to revolutionize the new age pop scene.
“It’s just me and an iPhone.”
Avalos describes his versatile style with pop at it's core, adding lots of electronic, alternative, trap and bubblegum pop into the mix of it.
"I discovered PC music through Soundcloud," said Avalos. "They have a Y2K aesthetic that I identify with."
Avalos' published his first single, 'Stay Awake' in 2016 which catalyzed his creation of more music to bring a fresh taste to pop music.
“You’re not selling your talent, you’re selling your taste.”
Avalos has been making music since he was 13 years old. He currently has six songs published on Soundcloud with more in the process of being released on several music platforms like, Apple Music, Spotify, and more.
His inspirations are Britney Spears, Madonna, and other big iconic pop stars. He tries to recreate most of his style from 80s rock bands and their melody compositions.
Jai nurturing his pet guinea pig, Gucci.
Photo taken by Dawn Raven
“I wanna be like Kanye. He does everything,” said Avalos. “He inspires me even though he’s problematic.”
Avalos also uses visual references to influence his music and his artwork.
Avalos says his writing process consists of sessions where he plays around with drums and adds other elements using FL Studio to see what sticks.
JAI jamming out while recording.
Photo taken by Dawn Raven.
“It’s really trial and error.” said Avalos.
Living life one beat at a time. Avalos spends his free-time creating tracks, drawing and spending time with animals.
“My best performance was at a house party in Long Beach a few years ago,” said Avalos. “It was the first time I did a set with multiple songs.”
If you're wondering how many tattoos does this 18 year old have? 14. His first tattoo was inked on his left forearm; the capital-spaced script says 'HAPPY DAYS' overwriting his memory of his past battle with self-harm.
Avalos' hopes to create more opportunities to network and collaborate with other artists. His tenacious aspiration in music is fueled by his drive to perform live more often.
"Ideally, I would like to play at a club or a festival," said Avalos. "Not Coachella, because the owner hates gays."
Avalos' favorite song he has produced and recently written is 'Mercedes', that is yet to be released.
"I'm working with a designer," said Avalos. "He did Cupcakke's (an emerging American rapper, singer and songwriter from Chicago, Illinois) single artwork. I'm hoping to put out 'Mercedes' and an EP."
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