Exclusive Interview with Jace Magee of Orlando Band Lovestruck Robot.
TAMPA: On Thursday night, March 3rd, Orlando band, Lovestruck Robot, competed in the finals of the International Hard Rock Battle of the Bands competition at the Tampa Hard Rock Café. Lovestruck Robot competed against the two other only remaining bands in the competition, Tampa band Mr. Bella, and Sarasota band Seven Years Past. Unfortunately for Lovestruck Robot, they did not win that night. Seven Years Past went on to win the competition and represent Tampa in the international competition.
The day before the competition finals, Lovestruck Robot’s representation, D. Bailey Management of Tampa, graciously granted me an interview with the bands lead singer, Jace Magee.
Lovestruck Robot is fronted by lead singer/songwriter, Jace Magee, with Henry Turner on Guitar & Vocals, John Parks on Drums & Vocals, Gabriel Turner on Bass, and Darrius Jamar on Keyboards.
The band is made up of five very talented young musicians, who originally got together in June of 2008 in Orlando, Florida. Lovestruck Robot has been playing at very notable live music venues around the southeast and continues to impress fans and establish themselves as serious musicians. They have a fan base that is established and continues to grow. Singer/songwriter Jace Magee, originally from Moore, Oklahoma, moved to Orlando in 2002 to pursue his musical dreams. Knowing no one and having no place to live, he read about auditions and opportunities in the newspaper and began networking and auditioning. He joined an R&B singing group in 2002 where he toured the U.S. as the opening act for Hall & Oates. The group dispersed after two years, yet Jace continued to pursue a life in music. He continued to write and record music on his own and collaborate with other musicians to enhance his repertoire. Jace met Gabe and Zsaki (The Turner Brothers), two very talented musicians that grew up in Orlando playing in church Gospel bands. The Turner Brothers have performed and toured with many nationally known Gospel artists. John joined the band on drums in 2009, as did keyboardist, Darrius. Together they have an undeniable musical connection that they call . . . Lovestruck Robot.
The following is my interview with Jace Magee of Lovestruck Robot, conducted on Wednesday, March 2nd.:
Keith Wilkins:
“First of all, I wanna think you for taking time out of your schedule and agreeing to do this interview with me. I know the band has a lot on their mind and are busy with the International Hard Rock Battle of the Bands competition, so I appreciate the opportunity.”
Jace Magee:
“Not a problem at all, Keith. Thank YOU for the opportunity. You are highly respected and we enjoy reading your column.”
Keith Wilkins:
“Thank you Jace, I appreciate that. For starters, give me a little background on the band. When did you guys get together and form the band? Have any of you guys played together in any other projects before Lovestruck Robot? What is all of your individual musical backgrounds and experiences before Lovestruck Robot?”
Jace Magee:
“The band is relatively new, we formed in early 2010. Myself, Zsaki, and Gabe were in an existing project and knew about Darrius and Jon Jon through the Orlando music scene. We would always cross paths and occasionally get to sub for one anothers other projects. When we all five came together for a gig it just clicked like it never had before. We knew we had a special chemestry and decided to form LSR and run with it.”
Keith Wilkins:
“Now, for my readers out there who are not yet familiar with Lovestruck Robot, can you describe to me what your sound & style is like?”
Jace Magee:
“Our sound is mainly pop/rock, but our songs have a lot of r&b and hip hop influence. Most new, upcoming bands are often compared to already successful acts. A good description we heard from a listener was "Maroon 5 meets Lenny Kravitz meets Cee lo Green meets Justin Timberlake."
Keith Wilkins:
“Wow, what a interesting combination [Keith laughs], but that actually brings me to my next question. Who exactly are your influences...as a band as a whole?”
Jace Magee:
“As a whole I think we can completely agree on Michael Jackson being a huge influence. We all have our individual favorites, but collectively Maroon 5, MJ, JT, The Beatles, The Doors, Stevie Wonder, Hall and Oates, Hewey Lewis, EWF, John Mayer, to name a few. There is so much talent in the world it's not hard to find inspiration.”
Keith Wilkins:
“I want to congratulate you and the rest of the band on your progress so far in the Hard Rock Battle of the Bands competition. I wish you continued success in the competition. With that said, can you describe to me your thoughts and experiances in the competition so far?”
Jace Magee:
“It's been nothing but a pleasant experience. We've gotten to play live, meet a lot of cool people, make new friends, and gain new fans. For a new band coming out of the gate, you couldn't ask for a better experience. Everyone has treated us like rock stars, it's been a blast, and we've gained a lot of exposure.”
Keith Wilkins:
“That’s great, I’m glad to hear that! Now, for my readers out there who have not been to one of your shows yet, describe to me what they could expect at a Lovestruck Robot performance.”
Jace Magee:
“ENERGY! We leave it all out on the stage, man. When we're connecting with our audience and our audience is connecting with us it's indescrible. There's not a better feeling in the world when you know you completely connected with fans, and they give as much to you as you did to them. It's and awesome feeling..nothing like it.”
Keith Wilkins:
“Tell me, what is the bands ultimate goal? Where do you want to take the band from here?”
Jace Magee:
“The boundaries are limitless at this point. We are putting the final touches on our first studio album called "I Wanna be In a Band." It will be out this spring, so we are very anxious to see how people react to it. It is going to be amazing to hit the road and play these songs on the record live. If major labels come along, obviously that would be amazing, however not totally necessary. Right now our goal is to stay focused and make as much noise as we can on our own, hope people respond to the record well, have fun, and put on amazing shows.”
Keith Wilkins:
“Lovestruck Robot is from Orlando. Do you predominantly only play shows in Orlando, or have you hit the road yet to play any where else? Also, outside of being in-town for the Hard Rock Battle of the Bands competition, are there any plans for Lovestruck Robot to play any other gigs in the Tampa Bay area anytime soon?”
Jace Magee:
[Jace laughs] “That's the ironic thing. We hardly EVER do shows in Orlando. Somehow our schedule always puts us somewhere other than Orlando. Orlando is great and I'm sure we'll be doing some shows there soon, but for the last couple months we"ve been on the road grinding away.”
“Yes, we actually have a big show at The Ritz Theater in Ybor City on Saturday April 2nd at 10:30pm."
Keith Wilkins:
“When not playing in the band, what do you guys like to do on your off time? Any personal hobbies or interests you would care to share with my readers?”
Jace Magee:
“I am the biggest music nerd ever, but I love to surf! Catching up and hangin with friends is always my favorite thing to do when I'm back home. I'm also working on getting my pilots license, so I've been busy with flight simulators and stuff. The guys are always arguing about sports, playing pool, or hangin with friends too.”
Keith Wilkins:
“I would just like to thank you once again for your time, Jace. I not only wish you continued success in the Hard Rock Battle of the Bands competition, but with your soon-to-be released album as well. I hope to see you guys back here in the Tampa Bay Area real soon once again!”
Jace Magee:
“Thanks my man! You too, hope to see you soon. Thanks for taking the time.”
Once again I would like to publicly thank both Jace Magee of lovestruck Robot and Heather Forgét of D. Bailey Management, Inc. For granting me this interview. I wish Lovestruck Robot much luck and continued success with all their future endeavors.
Tampa Bay fans won't have to wait too long to see Lovestruck Robot perform again. The band will be performing next at The Ritz Theater in Ybor City on Saturday, April 2nd. The show will start at 10:30pm.
For more information on Lovestruck Robot, please contact their media representation:
Heather Forgét
D. Bailey Management, Inc.,
5100 Hutchison Road, Suite 111
Tampa, FL 33625
Ph: 813-960-4660, Cell: 727-278-3340, Email: heather@dbaileymanagement.com
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Want to learn more about Examiner.com Columnist Keith Wilkins? Read part 1 & part 2 of an interview with Keith Wilkins that was published in the San Antonio Single Parenting Examiner Column on October 4th & October 6th, 2010.
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