Jaystorm gathering for summer blast

Jaystorm

Jaystorm

KNOXVILLE — For nearly a decade Jaystorm has built a following as one of Knoxville's top R&B and soul performers. With full backing band of renowned players, The Jaystorm Project, his music lends itself to live shows better than most chart-topping national acts. On the verge of his upcoming full-length album release, Jaystorm will begin the promotion campaign with a music video for his single "Get Wit' Cha."

Like any good showman, Jaystorm is a master of creating anticipation. To whet fans' appetites for the summer unveiling of "A Brand New Funk: The Album," he released a sampling of some of the tracks with the aptly titled "A Brand New Funk: The EP." The album boasts an increased hip-hop influence over The Jaystorm Project's trademark funk backing. Jaystorm credits the honing down of his style to the number of emerging R&B acts in Knoxville, inspiring him to further distinguish himself.

"The R&B scene is trying to emerge here because there are more bands doing it," Jaystorm says. "It makes a huge difference when you aren't the only one knocking it out. Enthusiasts are growing daily because they finally have access and variety to see in this town. Things have changed in Knoxville from when I first started. There are more and more R&B/hip-hop groups emerging and doing big things."

For his upcoming video, Jaystorm spared no expense, enlisting Pack Dog Productions' Michael Samstag, known for his work on special features for "Van Helsing" and three "Harry Potter" DVDs. Despite the producer's previous focus on fantasy, the "Get Wit' Cha" video follows a more typical R&B theme of love in the club.

"I have seen the video and was absolutely wowed by the quality and direction that it went in," says Jaystorm. "The theme is kind of like what you see just about at every nightclub, a dude making passes at a female at the local bar.

"This video is the perfect way to start the whole thing off. I have shot videos before this one and loved it. I shot one called "Twentyfourseven," which really gave me standing in the independent music world and started a fire like you wouldn't believe. It established me as a strong independent. Having this new one as a follow-up shows tremendous growth, which I am very proud of."

While the Jaystorm Project may sit at the forefront of Knoxville's soul and R&B efforts, Jaystorm's frequent performances still feature a large quantity of cover tunes. As his fan base has increased, the ratio of covers to originals has tilted in favor of originals, but Jaystorm acknowledges the fact that covers still draw a crowd, especially when adapted specifically to his own style.

"Never had I thought about doing covers until I saw how many people it can get you in front of," Jaystorm says. "Some folks feel like they are selling themselves short by doing covers, and a piece of me feels that way too, but if this is how I can get to the masses, then I will incorporate accordingly.

"We aren't your typical band that 'covers' songs. My take on it is that if you have to do covers, put yourself in the cover like it was written for you and not try to duplicate the song. That particular route has got me where I'm at today, which is long way from where I first started.

"I admit we do covers because it pays the bills, but don't get it twisted, because we have a live show full of originals that will stand next to anybody 'round these parts and way further."

Jaystorm is scheduled to appear at The Smoky Mountain Brewery in Turkey Creek Friday, April 2, at 9 p.m. The premier for the "Get Wit' Cha" video will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 16, at Sapphire and will be hosted by Pack Dog Productions. For a complete schedule of performances, visit www.jaystorm.net.

n PROTECT YA NECK: Jason and the Punknecks join The Ramblin' Gamblers and Whitey Mack and His Boozehounds for a show at The Longbranch Saloon tonight. The show is slated for 8 p.m. and costs $5.

n THE CHAMPAGNE OF BANDS: High Life and Tatras perform at Pilot Light Sunday night at 10 p.m. Admission is $5.

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