JaVill are a five piece rock band from Dublin, Ireland, consisting of Singer Barry Quinlan, Bassist Jonathan Cooke Allen, Guitarist Kevin Johnston, Keyboard player James Quinlan and Drummer Sean Donohoe. They formed as teenagers, brothers Barry and James founded the band with Jonathan and Kevin joining later.
What inspired you to begin a career in music and form the band?
Music saved my life. I was inspired when I was very young to try to make music that could do the same thing for others.
What does your band name mean and why did you choose it?
JaVill is two words put together, Jah and the French word Ville, shortened to Vill.
Your debut single ‘Lifted’ is out now. Please describe the creative process and inspiration behind the release?
Lifted and the meaning come from personal experience battling addiction, I wanted to give a message of hope to people. That comes through in the lyrics. The powerful blend of guitars, drums, bass, and synth provide the landscape to get the message across.
What differs you and your sound from other emerging rock bands in the music industry?
We take our influence from a wide spectrum of genres, this comes out in the diversity we have from song to song. A lot of bands have only one sound.
In your own opinion, what is the most meaningful song you wrote? What makes you say that one?
For me, the greatest meaning is in putting heart and soul into the music, so I don’t have a favourite.
Which rock band would you have loved to play in? Why?
Alice In Chains, because they had great songs.
What personal advice would you give to someone wanting to pursue this career?
I’ve been told to stay true to yourself.
What does the foreseeable future hold for you as a band?
We plan to follow the footsteps of the bands that influenced us and made the music which moved us. As you know, our debut single ‘Lifted’ was released last Friday (25/03), on Dead-Rent and we are currently working on our debut EP set to be released later in the year.
Anything else you would like to add?
JaVill is the life raft that we fashioned in the shed at the back of the house that I grew up in, to give ourselves a purpose and, when feeling like outcasts, somewhere to belong.
‘Lifted’ is available now via Spotify and all major platforms.
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