JIZO: Wasssssup JV! I am so honored to
have you here on Jizo-Entertainment.com.
How you been man? How is life treating
you lately?
J.V: I 've been great! Just trying to
focus on finishing up my last quarter here
at UCI, still making music for sure though.
JIZO: Can you please tell us about
yourself? Where did you grow up? What do
you currently call home?
J.V: I'm 21 years old, I have two
beautiful and supportive parents, a younger
brother that attends UCLA. I grew up in the
San Fernando Valley and I currently reside
in Newport Beach because I'm finishing up my
last year at UC Irvine
JIZO: What's your ethnic background if I
may ask? Do you have any siblings?
J.V: I am Filipino American 1st
generation, and I do have a younger brother
JIZO: So what made you want to get
involved in the music industry? Why did
you choose to become a singer?
J.V: I picked up my first guitar when I
was 15, and I completely fell in love
with singing. For the first time, I found
something that I was naturally inclined too
and thoroughly enjoyed.So I got through high
school and most of college while pursuing a
music career on the side in hopes that I
could possibly do it for a living.
JIZO: What type of music do you enjoy
listening to the most?
J.V: Acoustic, island, classics, pop,
hip hop....anything really
JIZO: How do you feel about the crop of
Asian American artists that's on the
come up right now? Do you see this as
competition or is it an actual
"movement"?
J.V: I definitely see it as a movement. The
Asian American artists that are coming up
right now are building bridges for future
generations to hopefully follow their
footsteps and possibly even surpass what
they have accomplished themselves. It's good
to see AsianAm's working their way up to
international recognition for arts and
musical talent.
JIZO: I understand you are currently in
school. What degree are you pursuing?
J.V: Yes at UC Irvine, Public Health
Policy Major
JIZO: You have an amazing voice. Do you
constantly hear stereotypical things from
people such as "you are quite talented for an
asian guy?" or "I didn't know asian people could
sing the way you do?"
J.V: Why thank you very much. Yes I do
receive those comments, but to be honest it's
just people realizing that Asian Americans' work
ethic can cross over into an artistic context. I
take it as a compliment and continue to do what
I do
JIZO: I saw your mom during your performance
on the Ellen's show. Does she follow you
everywhere you go? How does she feel about
you wanting to make a professional career as
a musician?
J.V: Haha no she does not follow me
everywhere I go, but she supports what I do 100%
She was skeptical at first but I agreed to
finish my schooling before I go off and pursue a
career in music full time
JIZO: Can you tell about your experience on
the Ellen's show? Did it help boost your
career in any way?
J.V: It was an opportunity of a life time
to be featured on national television, and I was
lucky enough to be invited back for a second
time. It definitely broadened the demographic of
my supporters and showcased what I can do to a
much larger audience, which completely gave me a
jumpstart on my music career.
JIZO: So what's in store for 2011? Do you
think this is the year you will break in the
mainstream media?
J.V: Working in the studio, writing,
recording, traveling, shows, and anything else
that comes my way. I think I'll have to be
patient and wait for a little bit until that
happens, but who knows it might happen sooner
than I think
JIZO: Are you looking to go the independent
route or get signed eventually and go the
major route?
J.V: If I'm lucky i'd like to try both and
see which one I prefer more lol (But as of right
now independent isn't hurting)
JIZO: Outside of the music business, what do
you enjoy doing in your spare time?
J.V: Snowboarding, basketball, volleyball,
camping, eating, working out, beach, video
games, watching marathons of Boy Meets World
JIZO: Has anyone ever suggested you try out
for American Idol.
J.V: I actually did try out when I was 18,
didn't get very far lol
JIZO: Do you have any plans to do a U.S tour
or even a European tour?
J.V: Definitely somewhere in the near
future I certainly want to tour all over the
world
JIZO: Is there anything in particular you
would like to tell your fans or the people
who have just recently discovered your
music?
J.V: Thanks for listening and I hope
I can continue to make music for you for a very
long time
JIZO: Thanks again JV!!!! Crystal, Kevin
and I at JiZO can't wait to meet you in
person! Let's bring you to Dallas my man! :)
J.V: THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!! Hope
to meet you guys soon !!!
