INTERVIEW: Young Jaycee

Perth has a long and proud history of producing fine Australian music; Tame Impala, Eurogliders, The Drones and many others. However urban music isn’t typically associated with sounds from out west.

Things are about to change.

The established and respected Downsyde is joined by Reams, Marksman Lloyd and the tremendous talent of Young Jaycee. Dropping a slew of singles onto Spotify and Apple Music playlists in 2018, Young Jaycee is making all the right moves with a fresh sound that deserves to find a broad audience.

“We did a show in Melbourne that was the only proper show we did at a venue. We did a private show for a house party in Sydney. The show in Melbourne was crazy. I opened up for BILLY DAVIS. He’s a Melbourne multi-instrumentalist. It was our first time performing outside of Perth. It was really cool to see how people react to my music, not knowing me or having heard of me before. It was reassuring.”

The first tentative steps outside Western Australia for a performance were clearly well received. But how far is Young Jaycee willing to take it? Urban music commands much of the mainstream media’s attention, so the world, especially North America, is certainly open and willing to embrace the sound he creates.

“I want to go global with it. It’s awesome that you say that because that’s what I have in mind when I make my own music because I do the production myself. Everything is my creative design… I do want to go global with this, with music, with my art. It’s good that you hear that as well.”

The guitar isn’t an instrument typically linked to hip hop and urban sounds, yet Young Jaycee is an excellent guitarist, channelling Jimi Hendrix, Jimi Page and choice blues masters. Will he continue to incorporate the six string onto his song writing?

“I’ve been playing guitar for years now, like when I was eight my mum got me a guitar for Christmas. I’ve been in a few bands before I went solo, just playing guitar, not even singing or anything. I’ve always had a love for guitar.

So yeah, if I have an album there will always be one or two songs where it’d be like just a guitar and the drums, just be real raw, stripped back. When I perform live as well, it’s also good to bring up the guitar as another element of the show, so I always try and see what I can do that with.”

What do crowds make of the guitar? Australian audiences are known to offer immediate feedback to a performer, if they don’t like something chances are the artist will know!

“The first time I brought the guitar on the show, the crowd went nuts because it’s like unheard of, you know… (and) rapping too. My style is kinda like Jimmy Hendrix… (it’s a) head turner and people really like it and I think it makes me stand out from all the other guys I play with. It’s kind of got me through (to the) next level with my performance”

Check out Young Jaycee on streaming services and his world class videos on You Tube.