​Interview with:
JUSTINA CARUBIA [JUSTINACMUSIC]MUSIC

WH: What do you do? What is your musical specialty?
Justina: I am a singer/songwriter/musician. I write songs for my solo career on the acoustic guitar, and I also write songs and sing with my rock band Stelladeora. I am trying to get into writing songs to pitch to other artists on labels. I also play a bit of Ukulele.

WH: Do you work alone or in a group? If in a group, who are the others you work with?
Justina: I have been a solo artist , penning my own songs since 2001. More recently, since 2009 I have been working with my band Stelladeora, in creating high energy, in your face rock songs. (Stelladeora is Justina Carubia on vocals, Avinash Patel on guitar, Neil Brown on bass, & Mike Lyon on drums).

WH: Is there a web address where one can listen, see, or read some of your work?
Justina: 
MY Band Stelladeora:
OFFICIAL
www.Stelladeora.comYoutube
www.Youtube.com/StelladeoraFacebook
www.Facebook.com/Stelladeora

My Solo Work:
My Portfolio of my work up to date:
http://justinasworld.tumblr.com/
My Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Rockstar122083
Official:
www.JustinasWorld.com
Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Justina/25087075702


WH: Please list any awards, competitions, or other acknowledgments you would like to mention.
Justina: 4 Time Asbury Music Award Nominee
First Place Winner – Fully Loaded Vocal Contest in NYC, 2008
2 Time Grand Prize Winner, Stereofame Artist of the Month Contest, 2009 & 2010 (Stereofame.com)

WH: Please list discography in which you have participated.
Justina: 
A Dosage From Delusional
Stelladeora
2012 Album
Download Free OR Donate HERE:
http://stelladeora.bandcamp.com/album/a-dosage-from-delusi (…) Last One Standing
Justina (Solo)
2007 EP
Download Free Here:
http://justina.bandcamp.com/album/last-one-standing-2007-e (…) Believe
Justina (Solo)
2007 Benefit Single for Lainie’s Angels
Download Free Here:
http://justina.bandcamp.com/track/believe-single

Break of Day
Justina (Solo)
2005 EP
Download Free Here:
http://justina.bandcamp.com/album/break-of-day

Justina (Solo)
2003 Demo
Download Free Here:
Download Free Here:
http://justina.bandcamp.com/album/justina-2003-demo (…)

WH: How did you begin making music? Who introduced you?
Justina: I have been singing my whole life, but it wasn’t until I asked my father for a guitar for my 18th birthday , that I started to take it seriously. He got me my first guitar and taught me my first few chords. My guitar was pretty much attached to my hip from that point on. I locked myself in my room for the next few months, and emerged with my first song, “When It’s Time”.

WH: What was your musical education?
Justina: I am a self taught musician.

WH: When did you realise that making music could be a way of life for you?
Justina: I still struggle with being able to make my music a way of life. I teach music enrichment to children as my day job, but I am still trying to find my niche as an artist in the industry.

WH: What is your creative process?
Justina: I write when I am inspired. Sometimes I’ll have a chord progression first, sometimes I will have a melody first. Sometimes the lyrics come first. It is different every time, that is the beauty of songwriting!

WH: When do you have your most lucid moments, in the morning or night?
Justina: Sometimes I will wake up with a melody in my head. Sometimes I have melodies pop in my head while I am in the shower. Sometimes I cannot go to bed at night until I get a song out of me, or at least get enough of an idea down on paper or recording, so I can get some sleep and finish it when I wake up in the morning. Songwriting is what feeds my insomnia. I have spent many a sleepless night working out parts to a new song.

WH: Have you ever awoken with a melody created from your dreams?
Justina: This occurance is very rare, but yes I have formed melodies in my dreams. It is important to sing into a recorder or write it down shortly after waking up, or it will be gone.

WH: How do you know when a song is finished or needs no more changes?
Justina: A song is never really finished. There are always ways to constantly rework parts, and make changes. As artists, I don’t think any of us are 100% happy with what we put out there. But there has to come a point, where you have to walk away from a song, or you will never get any music out there!

WH: How did you discover your creative territory? How would you describe it?
Justina: I guess I discovered my creative territory when I wrote my first song. I write by myself, in my room most of the time. It’s where I can really relax and be truly be true to myself and my own thoughts without feeling judged. When I collaborate with other musicians/producers, there is often a barrier I put up when trying to co-create. I have done it quite a few times, and it always takes some adjusting to when jumping back into a scenario like that.

WH: What part of your job is your least favourite?
Justina: My least favorite part of being a musician is rejection. Also building a fan base is the hardest thing I have ever encountered. It is super frustrating, and still have yet to conquer it completely.

WH: How often do you practice?
Justina: I play guitar every single day since I teach music. I have not played my solo material much as of lately, but I practice with my band Stelladeora about 1 to 2x a week.

WH: How do you feel right before going out on stage?
Justina: If I’m gigging regularly, I won’t get as nervous before going onstage. If I’m playing a show for the first time in awhile, I get nervous before I go onstage. If we’re debuting new songs to fans, and it is the first time playing it to the crowd, that can be very nerve racking. Also I get more nervous in front of intimate crowds, than I do in front of large crowds. I think it’s the awkward silence *crickets chirping*.

WH: Which musicians or groups have been inspiring to your career?
Justina: When I first started out as a solo acoustic artist, I listened to a lot of Jewel, Michelle Branch, Sheryl Crow, Joni Mitchell, The Beatles. I was more into solo artists and classic rock.Vocally I really love singing to Pat Benatar, Patty Smyth, & Christina Aguilera.As I grew into my vocal style, I started loving more huge, epic sounding bands. I love Incubus, Paramore, Envy on the Coast, VersaEmerge, The Used, Coheed & Cambria, Evanescence. They really inspired me to start my band project Stelladeora.

I love powerful vocally driven material. My latest music is the most challenging stuff I have sung up to date.

WH: List three songs that are key to your life.
Justina: “Imagine” – John Lennon
Who DOESN’T love this song? It brings me to tears everytime.
“Heavenly Day” – Patty Griffin
The essence of this song is just so carefree, and it always makes me sit back, and enjoy life and appreciate everything I have.“When It’s Time” – Original song by me.
It was the first song I ever wrote to get me started on my musical journey,
so I always feel a sense of gratitude to that song.

WH: What should be done to stop piracy?
Justina: That depends on how you define piracy. I think sites where the users are encouraged to make their own movies to share with friends, are getting a little out of hand with putting restrictions on the music you use. If you are not using music for commercial use, then I don’t see why a 2 year old should get sued for putting up a video of them lip syncing to a song.It’s the greedy labels and corporations.. cuz personally, I’d love it for people to use my songs in their videos! Feel free!:-)

WH: What type of music do you detest?
Justina: I’m not really into music that doesn’t have a melody, or a vocalist with good tone/pitch. The vocalist to me is what makes or breaks a band/artist. Also the song should have a good hook. I’m also not really into hipster music , aka bands I’ve “probably never heard of”, heh.

WH: What time did you get up this morning?
Justina: I think like 10:30 hahaha , what do you want from me, I’m a musician!

WH: How do you sell yourself? What has been your experience with record companies and representatives?
Justina: I have pitched to some major labels quite a few times. It has always pretty much ended the same way. They love my voice, but I don’t have the songs, or the fanbase. Unfortunately no one takes risks on an artist anymore, it’s all about the numbers. But honestly, if you can form your own fanbase, then who needs a label at that point? It’s a catch 22 really…

WH: What other things have you done to make a living?
Justina: I have worked data entry & receptionists jobs, I’ve painted jewelry for QVC, I’ve been a photographer’s assistant for school portraits, have worked children’s tea parties and birthday events, and more recently I teach a music enrichment program for children in preschools and day care centers.

WH: Have you ever played on the street or in the subway? How much did you collect each day?
Justina: I have busked a few times, but not enough to call it a living.

WH: Who would you play with, without a doubt?
Justina: I would play with any of the bands I listed in my above influences.

WH: What advice would you give to someone starting out in the business?
Justina: I would tell someone just starting out , to be realistic. It’s easy to come into this business with stars in your eyes, but just be prepared for a lot of rejection and hardships. Success doesn’t happen overnight. Work hard, play out, promote yourself, constantly update your social media profiles. Talk to your fans!It’s important to be in contact with the people who support what you do, even if they are complete strangers. Your friends and family will always be your fans by default, but when people you don’t even know are showing interest, you want to keep them interested. They’re the ones who will be buying your albums, and going to the shows. And last but not least, DON’T EVER STOP! If something isn’t working for you , change directions, but don’t ever stop.

This conclusion to the 2007 Last One Standing Documentary (Directed by Vincent Carubia) , documents everything that I have been through in the past 4 years with my music career. It’s a nice stroll down memory lane, taking a look at everything I have accomplished.  Thank you to everyone who has supported me through the years, it really means a lot to me, and I can’t wait to make more music in the years to come:-)

Love you all,
Justina
​xoxo

Visit my new band Stelladeora:
www.Stelladeora.com

I know I posted something awhile ago about a student film from LaVerne College in California, using my music in their film called “Mind Running”

Well I have finally been able to find it , and here it is!

They ended up using “Write Me a Song” in the intro, & “Believe” at the end.  Also don’t mind the typo in the end credits “Believe Radio”.  They must’ve followed that exact name , as it was the file name I used so I would recognize that I was sending them the mastered track. (I have about a bagillion versions of all my songs in my itunes, scratch tracks, pre production tracks, finished tracks, then finally the master, so sometimes I temporarily change the file names so I can easily recognize what is the master aka radio ready edit. I must've forgotten to change it back hahah!) So please overlook this little error LoL ..

And now, without further adieu, I present you “Mind Running”, courtesy of LaVerne College.

Hello Lovelies!
​
I want to tell you something that I am so honored to be a part! I am going to be a part of my very first Book Soundtrack!! I was recently approached by author Alex Austin (a Los Angeles-based novelist and playwright), to use my song “Write Me a Song” , as part of his book soundtrack.

His book, titled “The Red Album of Asbury Park Remixed” is about 22-year-old musician Sam Nesbitt, who escaped a corrupt and dead-end life in “The Perfume Factory,” and struggles to rid himself of his personal demons, past and present, as he pursues a rock ‘n’ roll dream against the backdrop of Asbury Park, NJ. “The Red Album of Asbury Park Remixed” is the sequel to Austin’s critically acclaimed novel “The Perfume Factory”, a coming-of-age story set on the Jersey Shore.

This book can be purchased on Amazon.com for $11.95!

I am SO excited to announce that THIS FRIDAY NIGHT , August 6, 2010, 10pm to Midnight , Alex will be interviewed on-air in the studio of WRSU-FM, to WRSU 88.7 FM , Rutgers University, by Geoffrey Pape. The show is called Overnight Sensations , and is also available at www.nj.com/wrsu .
​
They will be talking about the novel, “The Red Album of Asbury Park Remixed”, and the upcoming podcast. The show will feature songs from the podcast, including “Write Me a Song”. (He’s using it with Chapter 2) I hope you all listen in!!
-Justina

Hey Fans,
I’m getting a little bored with the slowness of the whole music scene for me, so I wanted to do something a little different, that would maybe spark more interest in what I do.. not only for myself, but for the people who enjoy music: listening to it , making it , spreading it.  So here it is…

 The Justina and Avi show!! Dun Dun DUUUUUUUUUUUN!

Avi and I have teamed up our musical powers , to form THE ULTIMATE songwriting team.  Paul and John, that was “Yesterday” …. Justina and Avi are TODAY , we are going to put the rocket sauce on full blast! Watch us jam on new songs, jam on cover songs (and probably really screw them up), maybe write some new stuff, LIVE , so you can watch the creative process with your very own eyes ! It will be a shit show, and it’s going down! Hope to see you in our chat room and watching us LIVE ! -JUSTINAXOXO

Premiering this Thursday , May 20th 8 – 10 PM EST
SPREAD THE WORD, TURD!
ALL YOU NEED IS A COMPUTER AND A SENSE OF HUMOR!! : A COMPUMOR…

Hey all … Here is a little a review/interview I found on Stereofame.com, of my second Artist of the Month win from January 2010.  Yea it’s a few months old news, but I did the interview back in January, and they never notified me when they posted it, so I kinda forgot about it.  But I was doing some updates with my press kit, and I searched for the review, and found it… so here it is! Enjoy… Thank you to Dennis, and Stereofame.com for the awesome interREview ,lol. Here it goes:
​
Stereofame.com January 2010 Artist of the Month – Justina: Part Cyndi Lauper, part Michelle Branch, New Jersey-born singer/songwriter Justina is all talent. Listening to Justina’s powerful vocals, one can hardly believe that a voice with such command and self-assuredness comes from a 26 year-old girl who stands all of 4’11”.

With irresistible hooks and refreshingly personal lyrics, Justina is asserting herself as a rising star in the female singer/songwriter landscape. Her ability to bounce from gentle love ballads to Beatles-esque pop tunes with heart and honesty has earned her the honor of being chosen as Stereofame.com’s first repeat Artist of the Month winner.

“It’s like being on a virtual micro-label,” Justina said of Stereofame. “You can upload your music to a mass audience and there’s nothing to lose, it’s an awesome thing to be a part of.”

Since receiving a guitar on her 18th birthday, Justina has immersed herself in the craft of songwriting, a pursuit that she says comes with its highs and lows.

“Sometimes good ideas will just hit me and sometimes I have to force them out,” she said. “It’s different every time but that’s what is so great about songwriting, it can be so frustrating…but ultimately it’s very rewarding to be able to put your emotions into something positive.”

Despite her soulful sound, Justina is an unabashed “chick rock” devotee. In addition to counting artists like Pat Benatar and Stevie Nicks among her influences, Justina credits the aforementioned Branch with giving her the motivation to take herself seriously as an artist.

“(Branch) is the whole reason I picked up the guitar when I did,” Justina said. “She had just come out when I was 18 and she was really the only young girl out there that played her own instrument and I was really inspired by that.”

Most importantly, Justina clings to the belief that her integrity as an artist defines her sound.

“I hate the whole lip-synching thing,” she said. “It’s so fake, I just like real music and real artists who put creativity into every aspect of it.”

One thing is for certain, Justina is the determined to share the creativity inside of her with the rest of the world.

“I wake up in the morning, get ready, get in the shower and I’ll have a hook in my head that just needs to get out.”

As Stereofame’s January 2010 Artist of the Month, Justina will get valuable exposure to an international audience in addition to a $1,000 prize. Stereofame is a one-of-a-kind community where artists are judged objectively by the listening audience. Artists gather more points as they rise in rank and refer their fans from other sites. Plus, artists can sell their music here, too, so they’re getting serious points while making money, something iTunes doesn’t offer!

Listeners are also rewarded for their input, as they can earn points for listening to a song and giving it a “thumbs up or down,” and writing thoughtful reviews. They can help talented artists get the attention they deserve by signing artists to their virtual record label and then promoting their signed artists to their friends. Of course, fans get tons of points for buying music and bringing people to the site, too. All these points can be cashed in for various prizes such as iPods, musical equipment, gift cards and more.

Think you’ve got what in takes to be Stereofame’s next Artist of the Month? Then go to Stereofame.com and upload three songs to www.Stereofame.com/contest/aom. And if you’re a fan, log on to Stereofame.com today to help some of tomorrow’s biggest and brightest stars get heard and earn some sweet prizes at the same time!
​
posted by Dennis, Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 7:10 AM
VISIT STEREOFAME.COM FOR THE INTERVIEW

Here I am at Easy Studios in NYC, taking some new promo shots with Boston based photographer George Vaysgant, for my new website to launch in 2010.
​
Thank you to everyone who helped out at the shoot! New Photos to come soon! But for now check out this behind the scenes footage of the shoot.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2010

JUSTINA “LAST ONE STANDING”With one foot in a powder-pink bedroom, the other in a grown-up world, Jersey Grrl wrestles with vulnerability wrapped in twentysomething hormones and leads a spry band through her back pages. While we binge, Justina purges — or maybe we purge and she binges (on Anna Nalick’s splendor). Naked-in-front-of-the-crowd lyrics collide with tunecraft that would make McCartney blush.

When the diminutive autodidact slips into something uncomfortable — a concealed track of elegiac independence, where she emotes against lonely swirls of piano — Justina not only demands attention, she commands it.
​
Posted by Damien at 3:18 PM

Hey Guys,
I am so excited to announce that I am now #1 on the Indie Music Charts over at http://indiecharts.com …. Thanks all for your support !
​-Justina

HEY GUYS! I am in a contest and I NEED YOUR VOTE!!!! Check out the promotional contest video featuring my rendition of their song “Be the Wonder” along with an animation which I created, myself!

YOU CAN VOTE FOR MY SONG BY CLICKING HERE !

You can thumbs down all other contestants 🙂
Make sure you give ME THUMBS UP!!
​
I appreciate everyone who helps out and votes
-Justina
xoxo