Please tell our readers who you are and what you do?
I am Jasper, Shook, and I create music.
How would you describe your style and genre?
My music is the culmination of everything that had an impact on me as a person till today. Starting from my youth watching Anime to listening to my father playing Gershwin & Debussy on the piano in the house where I grew up. I wen’t through all kinds of styles and experimented a lot during my teens, but eventually the music took shape on a more personal level. That is when I started to release music on my name ‘Shook’.
Who are your biggest influences and idols … and why? Do you have any idols? Are you a super fan of anyone? (Dead or alive, musician or non-musician)
I guess when you are young, you start to dance to and listen to Michael Jackson & Prince. Eventually you are on a musical journey which never stops really. For my first album I think I really looked back at those kinds of artists, but when you grow older you are beginning to search deeper within yourself. I am always trying to reach inwards, to find my voice in music. Influences doesn’t have to be musicians at all, I am also a big fan of anime. I really like watching Ghibli movies & love directers such as Satoshi Kon & Miyazaki. I just like the whole vision they have and view of life. I think they always have such strong characters and focus on the simpler things in life. I try to bring this to my new music as well. You don’t have to really look far to see how good things already are for you.
What´s new right now? What should our readers know about that is coming up from you?
Currently I am struggling with my health. A year ago I had the most serious form of pancreatitis. The first 6 months I had to learn how to walk again, and I had to go to Intensive Care for two times. At the moment I am still not 100% healthy, so taking my time and heal is my priority at the moment. Between hospital visits & surgery I still try to find time to work on music. It’s a way for me to cope with things I think. At the moment I have a folder filled with new music which I want to release. I think it’s already enough for album #4. When I made a post about my health on my Facebook page, I was so overwhelmed by the comments and messages from my followers. It really brought tears to my eyes. My fanbase really showed me so much love and support and I am so thankful for that. I think showing this other side of life, instead of all the success and glory and what not, on social media is important. Life is not always easy. Staying positive really helps and encourage me to move things forward and I couldn’t do this without my loved ones, but also thanks to my fan base. I haven’t released new material out for a while, but I am planning to release one of the first singles from album #4 soon.
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What was the biggest mistake you made when you started making music and what would be the number one tip you could give to a newcomer musician?
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How do you get gigs? Can you share any tips?
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What has been your biggest challenge right now? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
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How do you promote yourself? Do you have any specific promotion tips for other musicians?
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We meet again in one year. What has changed?
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http://www.facebook.com/shookshookshook