QRD – How old were you when you first realized you wanted to be a professional musician?

Justin – My parents bought me my first guitar when I was 14 – they paid for one year guitar lessons – that’s all I did – I loved it but loved girls more – it was a weird catch 22 for me.  If I could go back I would have tried harder for sure.

QRD – What are a few highlights of your musical career?

Justin – The highlights of my musical career would be the last two albums I released – my “Love & Be Judged” CDR & my “Fables” cassette.

QRD – At what age did you decide you wanted to become a father?

Justin – I always wanted to be a father – my father was such a huge influence on my life that I wanted to have an opportunity to follow his foot steps – to teach my offspring as he had taught me.

QRD – What are some positive & negative impacts your family has had on your career?

Justin – Negatively is easy – time.  I never have time to focus on this stuff anymore – even sitting down to complete an interview has been difficult because of the amount of time my son occupies.  I love this dearly – I cannot begin to explain how much fun it is to have the opportunity to spend all day playing with him.  I have included my son in some recordings – I think that is the positive influence – to have the opportunity to create with him.

QRD – What are some positive & negative impacts your career has had on your family?

Justin – Time again.  I have pretty much given up most everything musically except the record label I run & an occasional piece of music – but I am so much slower at working on an album – I will go months without playing my guitar.  Positively again – when I do record stuff I include my son often.

QRD – Have your children effected the music you make &/or listen to?

Justin – I used to listen to a lot of variety of music & was into new things all the time.  Lately I have been listening to a lot of Damien Rice & other sounds that I feel would be more easy for my son to handle.  I don’t want to expose him to hard music at this age.  I try to focus on softer styles.  In the car we usually listen to classical music (not classic rock, but orchestra type classical).

QRD – Have you had problems with the lack of steady money from a musical career providing the security you feel necessary in your household?

Justin – I have a full-time job – my girlfriend has a full-time job.  We barely make a dime on music each month.

QRD – Given the limitations having a family has on being a touring musician, would you have toured more earlier in life if you’d known?

Justin – I have only played a few shows in my life – I am more of a recording musician – but I realize now that the dream to do any lengthy tour is out of the picture now.  I have come to terms with that & do not regret anything to this point.

QRD – Do you think being a father or a musician has a greater impact on your community?

Justin – Being a father – its every father’s dream come true.

QRD – Would you rather see your children eventually become a musician or parent?

Justin – I suppose a cool parent would say a musician.  I would love my son to be an artist, but also have a family if that is what he wants.  I don’t want to push him to be or do something that he is not passionate about.

QRD – Both family & music seem like things that will take up as much of your time as you’re willing to put in.  How do you end up dividing your time?

Justin – My son used to take naps – at first it was twice a day – then it was once a day – during these naps I would do a lot of recording & experimenting & practicing.  My son now hardly ever takes naps & stays up later than he used to – this cuts directly into the time I have allotted myself for music production.  As a result – I barely work in music anymore.

QRD – What do your kids think of your music?

Justin – I have an iPhone app that I make beats with – my son loves playing drums while I play the app.  He is 2 ½ & doesn’t appreciate anything else I create.

QRD – Do you think you could ever do a musical project with your child?

Justin – As stated above I have already included him in my recordings – clearly at 2 ½ it isn’t anything well developed.  I have a dream of going on tour with my son – will that happen?  Probably not…

QRD – Any words of advice to young people?

Justin – Love & be judged.