Jamey Geston is a singer/song writer from Santa Barbara who really knows how to draw in a crowd. She is also part of an indie band called, Wha Wha’s. Her music has a lot of passion and energy and she plays a wide variety of instruments, ranging from the electric guitar to the ukulele. She plays multiple genres including, indie, folk, rock, alternative, and she even dabbles in sixties sounds. She loves to perform a mix of covers and original material.Jamey is a finalist for Zoey’s “ONES TO WATCH” contest. She will be performing on Saturday 11/24/12 at Zoey’s Cafe from 7-11pm, so if you’re in the Ventura area, come by Zoey’s Cafe and support Jamey!

 

Girls Rock: How old were you when you first started playing music?

JG: I’ve been singing most of my life and  I started playing guitar at eight.

 

GR: Which instruments do you play?

JG: Guitar, Bass, Piano, Ukulele & learning Mandolin.

 

GR: Is your family musical?

JG: My dad plays guitar & bass.

 

GR: Do you remember the first music you really connected with?

JG: Ever since I was a baby I’ve always been intrigued by music, I was humming at 9 months. However, the first time I really remember connecting with music was at  Colorado Springs Music Conservatory when I was three. I started learning violin, piano, vocal lesson, performed in operas and outreach programs for seniors citizens and community events.  I went there until I was six and feel this has helped me to be so comfortable on stage and performing in front of crowds.

 

GR: Where would you most like to perform? 

JG: Anywhere in England! The Cavern Club would be cool. But closer to home it would be fun to play Santa Barbara Bowl.

 

GR: Who would you most like to open for? 

JG: ED SHEERAN ALL THE WAY!   Or, Ingrid Michelson, Regina Spector,  Colby Caillat, or even Of Monsters of Men. (:

 

GR: People are always comparing musicians to other musician’s, is there someone who people are always comparing you to?

JG: I get a lot of Joni Mitchell, but have also been compared to the music style of Regina Spektor, Laura Nyro and maybe a little Rickie Lee Jones.

 

GR: If you could dabble in another genre of music, what would it be? 

JG: Country or Blue Grass.

 

GR: Do you enjoy writing music and/or lyrics? 

JG: Yes, definitely both!

 

GR:  What hidden talents do you have? 

JG: Drawing and Photography! I love going outside and taking pictures of things that I see or even draw things outside.

 

GR: Besides music, what else do you enjoy? 

JG: Basically, all the same things as my “hidden talents!” Photography, Drawing, I love to do Henna on myself. I’ve even been getting into video editing… however, I am just a beginner on that!

 

GR: What do you do to clear your head before a show?

JG: I never get nervous before shows. The only time I’ve ever been nervous was before I went on stage at The Roxy Theater in Los Angeles with the band I’m in. What I did was just took everything slow so I wouldn’t freak out, but the second I hit the stage I was at ease.

 

GR: What songs are on repeat on your ipod right now? 

JG: Ughh. These questions are always so hard! I have like 10 songs that I repeat. Lately I’ve been listening to a LOT of The Kooks, Of Monsters and Men, Ed Sheeran & Lana Del Rey.

 

GR: Where do you find inspiration? 

JG: On YouTube or TV, I see a lot of singer/songwriters type like me, well maybe a bit older, but I see all that they’ve accomplished in their life and it makes me see what can happen if I work hard on my music.

 

GR: What musical influences did you grow up with? 

JG: I found a lot of music on my own from youtube , but a band that really got me into music was Paramore, but I liked a lot of Taylor Swift and the Beatles, of course!

 

GR: What has been the biggest challenge for you as a musician?   

JG: I struggle with being in a band and having a solo thing going on because it’s so hard to juggle both. My music style is different from what the band’s interest is and sometimes it’s hard to separate my commitment to the band and my true passion within my heart.

 

GR: How do you feel about an ever growing expectation people have that music should be free? 

JG: I get how people think it should be free but I know how hard a musician works to get their music out there. With all the money and time put in to make music for people, they should get the credit and the reward they deserve.

 

GR: What would you say to a young girl just starting out as a musician? 

JG: I’d tell them to take every chance they can get because in the end, it will all pay off. You don’t get anywhere if you don’t try.

 

GR: What can we expect from you in the future? 

JG: Writing and recording, I am working with a producer/musician out of LA and spending time in his studio with my original stuff and hope to go into production soon. Also, I just recently recorded with the band I’m in called The Wha Wha’s, which turned out amazing. We hope to record more songs and release an EP.

 

GR: Is there any upcoming show where we can see you perform? 

JG: I’m a finalist in the Zoey’s “Ones to Watch” emerging singer/songwriter competition on November 24 @ Zoey’s Cafe  Ventura, CA

Then I  have two acoustic shows in December:

December 12  @  Cafe Cordiale  Los Angeles, CA

December 16 @ Sandbox Coffeehouse  Ventura CA

 

GR: Where can we listen to your music and get in touch with you?

JG: You can always visit me on my any of these links:

www.JameyGestonMusic.com

www.facebook.com/JameyGestonMusic

www.youtube.com/user/JameyGestonMusic

http://www.reverbnation.com/jameygeston

http://soundcloud.com/jamey-geston-music

https://twitter.com/JameysMusic