Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Ra.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started with the love of all art and music and wanted to incorporate different styles and tones into one epic experience. I sat down and taught myself basic music syntax and how to play the instruments I felt would translate the energy I wanted to present. Those instruments include the following: didgeridoo, djembe, guitar, keyboard, drum kit, congas, and an understanding of digital timbres. After hearing and feeling what I was creating, the first thing that came to my mind was “Galactic Jungle Music”, the title of the genre I created.
Galactic Jungle Music is not just a genre but a lifestyle seeking mental, physical, and spiritual balance within self and nature through the understanding of the past, the possibilities of the future, to live in a humbling and fulfilling present.
In the beginning, I worked with a few musicians to facilitate the compositions and to capture the essence of this creation. From that experience, I learned and grew as a musician and continued this journey on my own. I then bought a Boss RC 300 looping pedal and the rest is history.
During this journey I’ve released my first album “Age of the Spirt”, an official music video for my single “Secrets in a Limb (Stand)”. I’ve released multiple other music videos shot live around St. Louis and have had the opportunity to play some amazing shows and work with some of the best musicians in the city.
I am excited to continue this journey with my next full-length album “Heavy Fog” and share Galactic Jungle Music with the world.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The struggles with being a musician and all-around artist is the cost to create all projects both audible and visual. Also, you run into people and situations that discourage you, just have to keep moving, growing, and learn from past experiences and mistakes.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a live-looping artist that plays multiple instruments and composes while singing. My specialty is creating art for people to grow around and bring us all together as the human race.
I play lots of instruments but I’m known for the Didgeridoo, an instrument from Australia played by the native peoples the Aboriginals.
I feel I have brought attention to the wonders of the didgeridoo to many people in St. Louis and around the world. Playing it accompanied by percussive and melodic instruments really adds to its depth and power to lift the spirit and nurture the soul.
Indirectly creating my own genre through the love of art is no easy task especially popularizing it, I will continue to learn and grow to share this amazing feeling.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
My originality and philosophy of living and being in the moment are very important and are the backbone of myself and my creations. My work ethic is also a great contributor to the many opportunities I have had and will have with continued growth. I always hear music and see in a creative state of mind, even when times are hard and at what seems to be its darkest, I will find light and purpose.
Contact Info:
- Email: booking@justinra.com
- Website: https://justinra.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinramusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justinramusic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/justinramusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVQ1JH2tCy6XqGnsVmdZhDg
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/justin-ra-423606517?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=social_sharing
- Other: https://justinra.bandcamp.com/releases
Image Credits
Bailey Elizabeth Rogers
Kalina Mondzholovska
Brian McClelland
Blip Blap Video
