In this interview spotlight, I speak with Jak Lizard about his latest project, motivations, challenges and more.

Full Q&A along with links and music below.

Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)

I’m from Long Island, NY. I try and create positive and soulful music. I call it spiritual theatrics sometimes. Like I’m performing and doing my best as an entertainer, but it’s all heartfelt and coming from real life. I want people to dance, and be happy, but also be relatable. So to the best of my ability I try and make positive emotional music. 

What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?

I have been singing as long as I can remember, music I think was an inevitability. Any time someone reaches out to me to say how my music made them feel good, in any way, any connection, thats what fuels me for sure.

How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?

Well this is my debut EP, so I wanted to give my audience a larger survey sample of what I hope are good vibes. 

Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?

Well, social media and the technology we all have at our fingertips certainly expedites the process of getting people around the world to hear you, so that’s cool. It’s also a challenge cause everybody and their second cousin twice removed is doing exactly what you’re doing. It makes you seem exceedingly not special sometimes. But you just need to keep the faith in your message and what makes you happy, and at its’ best, what helps other people be happy as well. 

What was the last song you listened to?

“My Own Thing” by Chance the Rapper featuring Joey Purp. 

Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s? 

I have a soft spot for CDs cause thats what I came up on. My red Sony Walkman and my Beatles CDs. But everything listen to is MP3s. Shout out Wav Files. 

How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?

I think I prefer Spotify. I like the way they lay it out/break it down for artist. Now if only those streams paid better!

Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?

I’d say Instagram, Spotify all found under Jak Lizard. Definitely also on my new website, www.jaklizard.com! Thanks guys 🙂