Great to have you on Xttrawave. Please, introduce yourself?
Hi there! My name is J.T. Hiskey and I am a musician from Salt Lake City, Utah. My real name is John Taylor Hiskey but I have always gone by J.T. I love music and I also love keeping things rad.
What got you into music and made you realize that it was your chosen path?
I started playing music at a very young age probably around 7 years old with the guitar, but I didn’t start rapping until I was 16. It all started in high school when I was in a food nutrition class with some of my really good friends at the time. We all started freestyling in the back of the room, and that is when I realized this is what I want to be doing. I love all music, and I used to be in a band but there was always something special about rhyming words and getting to be creative with it. After putting songs out on Twitter at the time, I started doing assemblies at my own high school Highland High, and then doing other events at other schools here in Utah, and then kept going from there. My following kept growing as I kept pushing forward. I got to do so many amazing things with it during this time such as football half time events, to you name it, helping other students out who were running for SBO. After high school, I obviously kept doing it and putting out songs, and I eventually got to start touring. It has all been so amazing for me.
Tell us about your new music? And what’s the story behind it?
Wow…. I don’t even know where to begin! So my newest project is called Making Hisktory and it is a mixtape. It all began during this current quarantine that is happening right now, and me and my best friend Garrett who is also known as GT Ritz, decided to make a ton of new music while we have the most time on our hands. Don’t get me wrong, we were still doing music every day before this pandemic happened, but I am talking about making music for at least 8 hours straight a night. At first, the project didn’t really have a name as we recorded so much for it (me on the vocals and GT Ritz mixing and mastering) but a while back on Twitter, I asked all my fans to give me names one night for a future project and there was this one kid who responded with Making Hisktory and that name always stuck with me in the back of my mind. I decided it was the perfect name for this project because of the current time we are living in right now, and how the project was made during it. I have also always talked about running for president one day, so the name made sense for it as well.
What makes your music unique? And how would you describe it?
This is honestly a great question! For me it has always been about being myself and standing out differently than the rest. I am all about being positive and positivity in general, and my music goes with that. The vibes you put out are the vibes that come back to you, so always stay positive. As far as describing my music, I would call it Vocals/Hip-Hop at this point. I try to always do something really different for each project which keeps all my fans wondering what I am going to do next, which I love the most. Finding new ways and new ideas with my music is what I always strive for and proceed to do and that’s what helps me stay unique. I wish more did the same.
Do you play any instruments? And why do you love it?
Yes! Many actually. I play the guitar and I prefer playing my acoustic guitar the most. I do a lot of acoustic songs at my shows, and also on my Instagram lives. Doing these special acoustic sets have really been a blast for me during this quarantine. I also play the ukulele, which is an instrument I want to play more of at my shows and on my projects. I love it because playing the guitar can be very therapeutic for me, but is also always an amazing feeling getting to play those kinds of songs at my shows and feeling everyone’s energy when they sing along and request certain songs that can only be played on my acoustic guitar.
Who are your biggest musical influences? And any particular artist/band you would like to collaborate with in the future?
Wow, this question is always very hard for me to answer as I listen to so much different music. For me right now some of my biggest musical influences would be artists such as Kosha Dillz and Lil Aaron. They both inspire me so much, because of how hardworking they are and how they never stop. Other artists I look up to and listen to are Mac Miller, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, Green Day, Senses Fail, Tone Loc, Big L, Counting Crows and so many more. One artist I would LOVE to collab with one day is Zara Larsson, because I love her so so much!!
Which is the best moment in your musical career that you’re most proud of?
Honestly, to be able to inspire others and have people look up to me is what I have always been proud of the most. I have done so many amazing things such as award shows, Jimmy Fallon, tours, etc but to be able to inspire others is what has always meant the most to me and always will.
How do you balance your music with other obligations – family, friends or work?
Well to be honest, if I am not doing music I am doing photography or I am on the radio doing a radio show, so luckily they all come together in a way if that makes any sense. To be able to shoot photography for bands/artists when I am not performing or recoding music, is super rad.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
Always be yourself, follow your dreams, and keep things rad always. Being yourself is important and you should create the crafts that you want to make. Stay true to your own creativity and you will go a long way.
If you had one message to give to your fans, what would it be?
Well, this message isn’t just for my fans, but it is for everyone in general. Everyone has their own path. I think a lot of people think there is only one way to do things and one way to make it somewhere, but that isn’t true. Everyone has there own path on how they make it in life, and you should never compare yours to someone else’s. Diddy once told me that in LA, and that message has always stuck with me till this day. That message is very important.
What’s next for you? Any upcoming projects or tours?
A lot! All my tour dates have been postponed at the moment due to the pandemic, but all the updated dates will be announced ASAP. As far as music goes, one of my goals for 2020 was to put out at least 10 projects. So many amazing things to come and I can’t thank everyone who is here for me and supports me. I love every single one of you. You all mean so much to me and I will see you again soon!
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