Today we’d like to introduce you to Jarred ‘J Maine’ Gazarian.
Jarred ‘J Maine’, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’m professionally known as J Maine, a record producer and visionary from San Francisco, California, now based in Los Angeles, California. I would say I’m best known for coining RnBass, a music genre derived from R&B which has evolved through the decade.
From 2005 to 2006, I interned at 106 KMEL radio in San Francisco during the hyphy movement and went on to becoming intern of the year during that period. While also working at a T-Mobile and living in the Bay Area, J Maine was persuaded by a friend to pursue a professional music career in Los Angeles. Once I was convinced and made the move, I familiarized himself with the LA music scene by working in radio once again but this time at Power 106, where I eventually fired from. As I continued to develop my production sound, I began to utilize social media properties, like Twitter and Instagram, to start & promote my new platform RnBass to fans, artists and everyone.
Fast forward years later, it has become a hub for discovering new talent as well as new music in the R&B world and a staple in the community.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No way, I’ve gotten pretty much had every obstacle you can think of. Ranging from copyright infringement, social media getting taken down, SoundCloud, Instagram, & twitter plus even death threats. Luckily, I’ve been able to overcome and somehow succeed even through those trials and tribulations.
Please tell us about RnBass.
RnBass is a genre name and platform I coined to be the next name for the future of R&B. Kind of like if you had to call R&B something modern today, what would it be called exactly? Only because today’s R&B isn’t the same as it used to be – there are so many more influences in it like Hip-Hop, Alternative, Dance, EDM, etc. Instead of calling it the traditional name I felt Rhythm & Bass (RnBass) summed it up much better. It seemed to be accepted well by people over time. At first most people thought I was crazy for trying to do such a thing by changing a genre name. As time passed through more and more people hopped on board to the idea mostly because it made sense.
For myself personally, I have a great musical ear which has allowed me to steer my platform in the right direction branding wise and sound wise. I would almost call myself a street A&R & executive producer at the core because I’m able to find great records all the time and I can also put them together in the studio as well.
I’m proud to be apart of a diverse community that I’ve helped build and that’s formulated through great music.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
It seems that getting fired from Power 106 in LA was probably the best thing that could ever happen to me. I feel like if that hadn’t happened, I may not have started my brand. I felt after getting fired, I needed to do something that would set me apart from everyone else out there. Little did I know it’s something I’ve been building up to my entire life without even knowing it. I had all the necessary tools to create my brand through every situation I’ve been in throughout the years (communication skills, social media, graphic design, website knowledge, music knowledge). It all fell into place. Sometimes you need to experience a hardship to transition into the next positive phase of life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/itsjmaine
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/jmaine
Image Credit:
Main image credit: Edgar Daniel
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
