While speaking with the latest PEV feature, Javaid, we couldn't help but feel the passion and drive from the genre smashing artist; speak with him yourself, and you'll see just how hard it is to disagree with his future projections: nothing but artistic respect and success. Add the fact that he's working with one of PEV's favorites, Rock Ridge Music, and there's no doubt the Tom’s River, New Jersey native is bound for big, big things.
Need more proof? Check out the debut record, “Supersonic Heart Songs". The collection was crafted with Grammy nominee Jimmy Greco, and Javaid says to expect "a real, relatable and all around fun album to rock out and sing to with some slow songs with a lot of emotion to fun party/club tracks to jive to." I mentioned before, that Javaid is a bit of a genre smasher - I'll let him explain further: "What I usually tell people when they ask that question is that my music is pop but with some acoustic undertones. I tell them to try and picture what it would sound like if Justin Timberlake and John Mayer infused." Not a bad combo, eh? Check out Javaid and "Supersonic Heart Songs". There's much more to get into, so keep reading for all the answers to the XXQ's.
XXQs: Javaid
PensEyeView.com (PEV): How would you describe your sound and what do you feel makes you stand out over the others?
Javaid: What I usually tell people when they ask that question is that my music is pop but with some acoustic undertones. I tell them to try and picture what it would sound like if Justin Timberlake and John Mayer infused. Honestly the reason why I feel I stand out (I mean this in the most humble manner) is because I have it all there…the look, the music, the sound, the voice, and the absolute passion that drives the creativity behind my music. Also I have a lot of fun on stage and can rock a sweet show.
PEV: Hailing from Tom’s River, New Jersey, what kind of music where you into growing up? Was anyone your main influence?
Javaid: Hmm…well I really listened to (and still do) a melting pot of music. Everything from hardcore screamo to rap to easy listening. I was never one to discredit any kind of music as long as it spoke to me in some way or another. My favorite band back then was probably Green day if I remember correctly. My main influence today I’d say would have to be a combo of a lot of different bands, but primarily Max Bemis from Say Anything…the guy is a lyrical genius.
PEV: What was it like for you when you first started out in the music business and trying to make a name for yourself? Any “war stories” from those early years?
Javaid: Haha honestly the entire thing is a war story, especially being in this industry today. It’s a constant push and pull for a couple of inches, but it’s the drive and the consistency that gets me there. When I first started out I was very naïve and wanting to jump and sign any piece of paper that was thrown in front of me (which I did on numerous occasions) but through the blood, sweat, and tears, I’ve learned a lot. I was taken advantage a couple times and then I would have a deadbeat “manager” who spent 6 months trying to convince me that he was important and in the industry and in actuality had no pull whatsoever. I signed a marketing contract and sought out investors for a program and it basically went to waste because the people behind it were completely incompetent, but through it all I have become very music business savvy which I feel will certainly benefit me.
PEV: Do you remember the first time you thought to yourself – “I am really onto something!”?
Javaid: I’ve had a couple of “a-ha!” moments throughout the years, but it was back in ninth grade when a couple of my friends were trying out for the school “Jam Session” and I said to my buddy Bill that we should create a song and perform, which at the time was nerve wracking! We put together a sweet pop/hip-hop type song called “Split Personality” and rocked it on stage blowing away a lot of people. Just seeing the positive reaction gave me that “I can do this and do it well” and I’ve been honing my craft ever since.
Hot damn! We've landed another HUGE set of XXQ's - this time with a true international star that you didn't realize you've been following - Ms. Meital Dohan. You may know the Nissan Nativ graduate and Israeli born fem fatale as Yael Hoffman on Showtime's "Weeds" or from the critically acclaimed feature film Monogamy, but she's done so much (so much!) more. Obviously she's an award-winning actress in theater, film and television, but she's also an author of a number of successful plays and the book "Love & Other Bad Habits" as well as the creator of a brand new record, "I'm in Hate with Love".
Before we get to the music however, let me throw a few facts your way on just how accomplished Dohan already is:
- She's earned Israeli Oscar nominations for performances in both "God’s Sandbox" and "Giraffes".
- She played a key role in "Ugliest Esti" (the Israeli Ugly Betty), garnering her an Israeli Emmy for Best Comedy Series.
- She's even won the Israeli Tony for Most Promising New Actress!
Now, onto the music. The first release off of "I'm in Hate with Love" is a single titled "Yummy Boyz", a tune as interesting as the title would suggest. The new record has "different types of songs, different genres. Some of them are more like lounge music and some are more dance music like 'Yummy Boyz'" says Meital. She continues, "So far people are going pretty wild for it so I feel very lucky and fortunate." Check out "Yummy Boyz" on YouTube to get an idea of what a live show would be like (an experience Dohan says you won't soon forget). Track Meital as she continues her film career and releases another single this fall, followed by the album itself. Now, keep going to learn a whole lot more in the XXQ's.
XXQs: Meital Dohan
PensEyeView.com (PEV): Born and raised in Israel, Meital graduated from Nissan Nativ, Israel’s prestigious acting school, and has starred in many theater, television and film productions, what kind of music where you into growing up? Was anyone your main influence?
Meital Dohan (MD): I listened usually to what my dad was listening to in the car. Fleetwood Mac, Rod Stewart, Cat Stevens and Tracy Chapman. But in general I love all types of music.
PEV: You have had tremendous success in acting, earning Israeli Oscar nominations for performances in God’s Sandbox and Giraffes. You played a key role in Ugliest Esti - the Israeli Ugly Betty - which won the Israeli Emmy for Best Comedy Series and even won the Israeli Tony for Most Promising New Actress in 2000 for your work in Best Friends, with Israel’s renowned Cameri Theater. With all of this, how do you balance your very busy life?
MD: That's a good question because it is hard to find balance sometimes when your schedule is hectic and you have a lot of people around you all the time, but I exercise a lot, try eating healthy and I had the pleasure of meeting Bob Roth at a charity event a year ago and he taught me Transcendental Meditation which I've fallen in love with and I'm working on raising awareness for it in Israel and opening a charity for veterans in Israel.
PEV: What was it like for you when you first started out and making the transition to professional musician?
MD: Honestly as funny as it sounds it all happened very naturally. I was in Israel doing a TV show and my healer (and I'm not a hippy) suggested that I go back to America asap and she said that she sensed that I needed to start recording music. The next thing I knew I met Che Pope who worked with talents such as Dr. Dre and Lauryn Hill and I couldn't resist it. So I went with the flow and let's see where it leads me. So far so good.
PEV: Do you remember the first time you thought to yourself – “I am really onto something!”?
MD: There were a few roles and points in my career that I felt I had an "AHA" moment, like Weeds for instance. Or when I played one of the lead roles in Ugliest Esti in Israel. I've also had those moments with the music, because people just really came on board very quickly and seemed to connect with the kind of music I wanted to make. Everyone wants to be part of something fun and empowering and I think that's what my music represents.
PEV: What can fans expect from a live Meital Dohan show?
MD: I can't reveal my secrets! Let's just say it'll be something people won't forget. If my music video is telling of what's to come, there will always be an element of shock, surprise and downright fun. People will be dancing, laughing and smiling all at once and I think that's really the recipe we're looking for.
In this corner…
We have Ken. Need some background on Ken? Too bad. I’m not writing it here – you can read all about the guy in the About Us section. But I will tell you this – Ken is a prick. The Devil’s Advocate. Anything I say… even if he agrees with it… there’s a good chance he’ll point out something that is wrong with my statement, or bring up alternative points of view that I don’t feel like hearing about.
