Kaizen is a pretty rad/interesting name how did you come up with it?
The story behind the name is pretty funny actually, I was hanging out one of my friends and he had netflix on in the background for ambience while we were hanging out. It was a documentary on asian culture and the word kaizen came up. Kaizen translates to changing yourself for the better and once I heard that it stuck with me. I’m constantly trying to better myself so I thought it was a great name to represent who I am as an artist.
How long have you been making music, how did you get into it?
I started dabbling into the arts when I was 6. I played piano, started writing when I was about 11 or 12, picked up the drums and guitar when I was 13 and just kept getting deeper and deeper into the wormhole.
You live in Miami, are you originally from there?
Born and raised.
Whats one of the best perks to being a musician?
Free stuff.
What’s your favorite spot in your city to go hangout, eat, drink, party?
This new bar called “sidebar” just opened up, it’s pretty dope, I’ve been staying home a lot more though. The Miami lifestyle will drain you.
Are you working on any projects right now, and if so what are they?
I am releasing 2 EP’s, they’ll both for sure be out before May. I’m also working on two other projects one due to come out in April and the other in May, plus another beat tape sometime before summer! Also developing and producing for a couple rappers here too.
If you guys had a spirit animal what would it be?
Kanye West
We haven’t broken up we’re just reworking our sound and cutting some things out of the picture. I really love both but they have their pros and cons. What I love about being solo is I dont have to worry about having to be on time or if someone didn’t like a guitar part, logo, etc. It’s whatever I want and no one can say shit about it how I should do it. But I also love playing my heart out with a group of friends with the same vision as me, and getting different opinions and sounds from others. The key to being in a successful band is good communication and a unified vision, sure you might not see eye to eye at times but it’s just like any other relationship. You have to build, grow and love your partner(s) for who they are and work it out.
Growing up was there anything that pushed you towards music more than anything else? We all grow up wanting to be a bunch of different things and slowly find ourselves as we grow and figure out what were good at and most importantly makes us happy, how did that happen for you?
For sure, I did a bunch of recitals in elementary and middle school and remember getting a lot of love. Parents would come up to me and tell i’d make it. My Uncle G was also a huge inspiration to me, he’d teach me cool guitar licks and always told me to keep making music. I remember one time specifically I played this Green Day song for this Christmas recital (I was really pop punk back then) and the whole crowd was singing along. The feeling was just amazing, to have people sing and connect to a 13 year old playing some chords and melody, I knew I had to keep going.
What are your favorite pieces of equipment and what’s your current setup as far as equipment goes?
I’m a pretty simple dude. My homie has a Moog Sub 37 synthesizer and it’s absolutely lush, definitely one of my favorite toys. I love Fender Strats and Fender Amps. As for my current set up, I have an APC 40, a midi keyboard, a pair of Yamaha YS8 monitors, a Fender strat and a Vox AC30 Tube amp.
What’s your favorite book right now / music-album(s) you are listening to?
The Alchemist and The Four Agreements. I listen to my music all the damn time. Im a weird music listener, I’ll listen to several artist for a couple days then stop. I honestly don’t have any favorite artist or albums right now.
What’s your most embracing moment during a gig or performing, or during your music career? What’s the best moment of your music career so far?
Most embracing moment would have to be seeing people connect to you in a live atmosphere. I love seeing people let go and letting music take control. Best moment would have to be opening up for Joan Jett with my band in 2012, there had to be at least five to eight thousand people there.
What does 2015 hold for you, what are you hoping to accomplish this year?
Loads of new music, shows and doing things im not supposed to. I really want to work and learn from artist better then me, kiss Katy Perry and get trending on the front page of Hype Machine by the end of the year.
Do you have any advice for aspiring artists ?
It’s not one in a million talent that will get you where you want to be, it’s the one in a million hustle that will. Hard work always beats talent. Work hard, stay humble and don’t let anyone bring you down. You have to believe in yourself more then anyone, if you don’t think you’re dope then stop and change your belief system, otherwise you’re not going to make it. I’m a firm believer in manifestation and positive imagery. You have to live, breathe and believe you can do this. Once you accept not everyone is going to like you and your art, you open the door to becoming one of the greatest.
