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Red Stick Sounds: Q&A with Justin Garner

Local crooner sings about long-lost loves and getting ‘Turnt’ up

Call it the hustler’s spirit. Baton Rouge R&B/pop singer Justin Garner has already earned acclaim from his heroes, thanks to an appearance on MTV’s Copycat where he performed as Usher. He’s already released a phenomenal EP this year, titled 7.

But he wants more.

This week, he released a new full-length album, We Only Have Forever, which was recorded at Zone Music Studios in Darrow, Louisiana, and features an all-star cast of producers. He wrote the songs on long plane rides to and from Los Angeles, where he’s been meeting with labels. It’s the next step in a career that’s taking off right in front of the Capital City’s eyes.

Did you have these songs written before your Copycat appearance?
Justin Garner: All the songs, I immediately wrote and recorded them right after winning. I wanted people to understand who I was as an artist, to get to know who Justin Garner was. Now is the time to strike with all my creativity and energy. I’m going back and forth to Los Angeles, and each time I get on a plane, I get inspired. I wanted to be in the studio, making music. I was thinking about how I could make this one unique. This is the first album where each and every song is based on my own personal experiences.

I hear that in a song like “Varsity Jacket.”
Garner: Yeah, that’s definitely inspired by running into an old high school fling, reigniting the fling, having that chance again to connect and live like you’re in high school again.

Which song was the easiest to record?
Garner: “Voodoo Doll.” It was so much fun to record. It has this Michael Jackson vibe. It’s about having no control over myself when I see this really hot girl. It’s like, “She must have this spell on me to make me act like this.” Usually, I’m very reserved and quiet. She’s just that hot.

While we’re on the subject of fun, can you explain—how does one get “Turnt”?
Garner: (Laughs) Man! I would say “one gets turnt” by basically letting go of all the nervous energy, not being afraid to have fun and be yourself and be amped. You’re 100% live, and you don’t care what anybody says. I’m a very nonchalant person; so, I’m looking at this moment in my life, right now, and I just want to have fun.

Were you not able to have fun with your music before this moment?
Garner: No, it wasn’t that. I was still having good moments, but I was worried a lot about the downside, the negatives. Now, everything is going great. It’s just about living in that moment and having fun.

Which song was most difficult to record?
The hardest one to record was “Already Written.” It’s a ballad about understanding that two people were never meant to be, no matter how hard you try to make something work, no matter how good both people could be—it just wasn’t meant to happen. There’s a line I wrote that goes like, “Even God never meant for us to connect.” It was an easy song to write. It flowed freely. When it came time to record, I was like, “This is kind of too deep.” It was making me think about memories. It was one of the most difficult songs I’ve ever recorded. It’s a lesson that I’ve learned, though. Now I know for the next time I love, I’ll know exactly how it needs to happen.

So you’re a big believer in predestined love?
Garner: Oh yeah. I do feel that when love happens, there’s nothing you can do about it.

Sounds like you have a muse.
Garner: Man, I don’t know if I can talk about that. (Laughs) You might get me in trouble.

Well, on another topic, I’ve been seeing on Instagram and Facebook, there’s been talk of moving. Where are you thinking?
Garner: That’s one of the hardest decisions to make. Basically, all of the different producers I work with, everybody needs me to be in California. I’m highly considering it. By the end of the year, I’ll know.

It’s interesting, because you’ve been getting attention there, in Japan and all over the place. Do you think Baton Rouge is catching on?
Garner: Yeah, Baton Rouge has caught on. There’s a part of me that doesn’t want to leave. There’s a part of me that I knows if I want to continue to excel and reach more people … My heart will always be in Baton Rouge. Unfortunately, I have to travel to make sure the world knows me, then come back home and set Baton Rouge on fire with this music. I’m proud they are getting who I am now.

Hear Justin Garner’s new album below:

In other news:

Spooky, rocking fun
Around this time every year, Alicia Hawkes and James Van Way put a call out to their friends for Halloween-themed songs, called Monster Ballads. This is the fourth year for the compilation. It is one part underground rock ‘n’ roll, one part inside jokes, and all fun. Some of the musicians featured on the collection include Hawkes, Van Way, Kevin Hurstell and Alex V. Cook of The Rakers. They event let me throw a song in there, too. Stream it below and click here for more information.

Live picks
Henry Gray, Harvey Knox & Soul Spectrum Band and many more will perform Saturday as part of the Roctober Music and Arts Festival. The event takes place 11 a.m.-6 p.m. next door to the Buddy Stewart Memorial Music Foundation (1706 N. Acadian Thruway West). For more information, visit stewartmusicfoundation.org.

Captain Green performs at Chelsea’s Café Saturday at 9 p.m. with some funky friends—New Earth Army and Lucky Costello. RSVP and get more information.

Pop singer-songwriter Hunter DeBlanc plays a post-game show at The Varsity Theatre Saturday around 10 p.m. Hear his latest EP, Something to Hold On To, below: