Justin Nozuka
Image credit:  Dustin Rabin | Courtesy of Warner Music

Justin Nozuka’s Emotional Roller-Coaster Results in Nothing Less Than Success

by Sandra Markieta – St. Mary’s High School, Calgary AB Jun 11, 2010

You may not have heard his name before, but it’s almost certain you’ve heard his voice.

Justin Nozuka is the New York-born, Canadian-bred artist who lent his vocals to the re-recording of K’naan’s Waving Flag earlier this year to help raise money for Haiti.

“It was really positive, a really good experience,” says Justin of the recording, with a sense of excitement that is obvious even over the phone. He continues, “Everyone was speaking out of love and just being really proud of it.”

Growing up, Justin says he listened to mostly mainstream music and tried to copy the songs he heard on the radio. He first tried his hand at songwriting with his brother when he was 12 years old and he wrote a song that he still remembers to this day. “I think in the beginning it was just a way for me to express emotions,” he explains. “A way for me to cry or let out my anger or let out my expression of happiness.”

Justin Nozuka You I Land Wind Sea

Now, as an adult, emotion remains dominant in Justin’s music. Even when listening to music, Justin’s focus is not on its label or whether it’s mainstream or popular, but he appreciates music that genuinely touches him. “For me, personally, I don’t listen to [a] specific music genre. I just listen to whatever makes me feel. If there is a sound that makes me feel good or it just catches my ear, my attention, that’s all that really matters to me.”

You I Wind Land and Sea is Justin’s sophomore album and it is obvious through this record that – just like the music he enjoys listening to – he is no stranger to writing music that captures emotion. Released just this past April, the album rides a wave of easy-listening acoustic vibes with a steady folk undertone, and a signature sound that comes from its edgy beats.

You I Wind Land and Sea is an interesting name for an album and Justin explains its organic meaning: “The way that I see it, the earth is like the human body in many ways. We are all intertwined like the cells in our body moving through the vessels and such. The world is pretty much the exact same thing, you know.”

If you’re a fan of singer-songwriters like Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz or John Mayer, definitely give this 21-year-old rising star a listen.

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