#so automatic

I am with U

I am in U

I am ur stone”

“Freaks, yes we are, like a Picasso out of place we stand apart”

So Automatic by JUPITER IN VELVET

From the very first time we put our ears on Jupiter In Velvet, we were immediately attracted by his melodic and energetic style of rock and roll. With great influence of English rock and a great back story, Jupiter in Velvet is a musician to keep in your sights!

American born but living in the UK, Jupiter In Velvet is the quintessential definition of a renaissance man. From self-taught guitar in his teens to multiple advanced degrees to multiple musical projects, Jupiter In Velvet is the newest incarnation of this artist and we are loving every succulent drip of it. Just last year, Jupiter In Velvet released his strongest and edgiest album to date entitled Glitter On The Sun. With great difficulty pinpointing what style to classify this unique artist,  he defined himself as ‘Electro Dance Rock’ with variations of styles in between.

So, with all that, we HAD to nail him down and chat him up, because we are every so proud to give him the title of RockRevolt Indie Band of the Week! Read on about the man behind this amazing musical project!

How did the Jupiter In Velvet project get started?

The Jupiter In Velvet project was essentially the phoenix rising from the ashes of my previous band’s demise.  I had written the song “Jupiter In Velvet” right towards the end of that band, and I really liked the name and song.  So after the band 2MorroW EvR AfteR disintegrated I took the name Jupiter In Velvet as my own and moved to London to create a new beginning.

What do you consider to be the special touch that this project brings to the music today?

‘Special touch’?  Hmmm…I guess from the many reviews and comments that I have gotten on my first three albums, perhaps that special touch would be my intuitive knack for combining elements of newer and older rock into a sound and form that seems to be it’s own genre.  In addition, I think that my songs bring a much more focused attention on lyric writing, highlighting the power that words can bring to a song.

Your first album 'Screaming the Love Behind the Scars' gained you a lot of followers. What else has this work brought to your career?

My first Jupiter In Velvet album Screaming the Love Behind the Scars evolved after my previous band broke up and I then moved to London.  A few of the songs had been written earlier, but most of the material I composed in London.  The album represents a major transition period in my life.  I realized that to get to where I wanted to go I had to access the power within myself, but I couldn’t fully do that unless I was willing to do some soul searching and discern my part in my failures.  The only way to take control is to first take responsibility.

From that first album, how has your music evolved?

Most significantly, I have strived to bring new sounds and unique chord structures to my songs.  My range of song topics has stretched a lot as well.

From the creative process to your lyrics, what inspires the music of Jupiter In Velvet?

I am inspired by my life, the people around me, and the world that affects me everyday.  While my life if seen on paper in its totality is quite unique compared to most, I have the same joys and sorrows, ups and downs, highs and lows, the same triumphs and struggles that everyone else has.  I should also add that I am spiritually very driven and God is an underlying source of inspiration to many of my songs.

To whom is your music dedicated?

The dedication on my album:  God – ‘la raison d’etre’ means ‘the reason to be’.  God is the beginning and end of our journey.  It is the destiny of all.

So Automatic Official Lyric Video 

You have been compared by critics as a young David Bowie and Paul McCartney. What do you think of these comparisons? Does the comparison challenge you to make better and more music?

I am wildly flattered and my ego likes those comparisons a lot.  However, those comparisons are rubbish in my mind once I sober up from their intoxicating effect on my ego.  Someday when I write a ‘Yesterday’ or a ‘Rebel Rebel’ then maybe I’ll at least consider my name being mentioned in the same sentence as Bowie and McCartney.  It definitely adds even more fuel my insatiable drive to write great songs that will touch millions and be remembered for years to come.

Have you made musical collaborations with other artists?

No, though someday that would be fun.  But I do like to work alone.  When I am alone working in my studio I go somewhere where time stops and I am infinitely happy. 

Your latest album 'Glitter On The Sun' shows a stronger rock side. Tell us about what you intended with this work in general.

Well, I sit down to write songs every day right after I get up.  I work at songwriting very diligently and thus I produce a lot of songs.  The ones I chose for the Glitter album were the ones that I felt deeply about at the time.  In general, they were the ones expressing the intense conflict and turmoil that my life experienced in the past year, along with the ones that had the positive energy to lift me out of the darkness I was in.

What is your primary internet broadcasting platform?

Probably Twitter.  It gets out a lot of info the quickest, and to the most people.  I am insane in my promotion.  I tweet like an addict.  Wish I could stop!

What are the future projects of Jupiter In Velvet?

I have a lot of things going on in 2015.  I picked up a music licensing deal towards the end of 2014 and recently had my Glitter album music licensed by 13 TV shows, including The Real World, The Kardashians, Tough Love and a whole bunch of notable others.  They will be great mediums to introduce my music to a wider audience.  I am currently working on a video for my song ‘Don’t U Ever Stop’ from the Glitter album.  I am just about to start recording my fourth album, tentively entitled The World Didn’t Start With U.  It looks to be edgier but with a lot of big contrasts in the music.  Guess we’ll see…  I am also in the process of putting together a new band for a tour starting in the fall.  So I am crazy busy but that is how I like it!

Connect with JUPITER IN VELVET: http://www.jupiterinvelvet.com

  by Krystel Cordero, RockRevolt Magazine Contributor

ARTIST - JUPITER IN VELVET

CD - GLITTER ON THE SUN

The Review: Jupiter in Velvet is a native of London, England. In late 2012 Jupiter In Velvet released his debut album ‘Screaming the Love Behind the Scars’ to strong reviews and a noble amount of internet radio airplay, while quickly picking up a loyal group of fans. In 2013 Jupiter followed his debut CD with an overall edgier effort called ‘Shut Off Your Mind’. The title track generated over 300,000 downloads, (mostly free), that ballooned his twitter following and inspired more strong support from a growing base of internet radio stations, in addition to greatly enhanced attention from among music reviewers. Once again the reviews espoused accolades for Jupiter In Velvet’s excellent songcraft. It is 2014 and Jupiter In Velvet is back with his boldest and strongest album to date entitled ‘Glitter On The Sun’. It is a wide array of styles, colors, emotions and sounds that is all tied together into a cohesive effort through Jupiter’s vivid songwriting, his warm and passionate voice, and his unique life perspectives. The tone for the album is set by the enigmatic, yet extremely compelling opening song ‘So Automatic’. The first single ‘She’s So Sugar’ is a euphoric blast of energy & love of addictive proportions. A tune you will not be able to get out of your head. ‘

Does all of the above sound a bit over the top to you? Well guess what sometimes it just comes with the territory. Lest we not forget this is after all a form of entertainment correct?  At the least a guy like Jupiter In Velvet understands the appeal of a novelty and retro rock sound and how that might factor into the intrigue behind the vibrant rock sound they put forward on this CD. Mind you this is not just a labor of lust and testament to a Sex, Drugs and Rock n’ Roll. It’s also a sweeping voluminous rapid-fire record that hits on many levels – mainly pop. Jupiter In Velvet has taken a page from the script of many mega Euro pop stars from the 60’s and 70’s  and turned it inside out and quite literally breathed a whole new life into this style of music.  Instead of dated sounding songs and an obvious homage paid to the music and musical ideals of the past this is an action packed blast from the past that goes everywhere from Pop, to Rock, to Soul and a little Rocking Blues. This latest 13 track CD delivers an uncharacteristic fusion of hard, melodic guitars and unique songwriting techniques, with a limber rhythm section that keeps the music loose yet powerful… and HIGHLY addictive and hooky. Musical influences may include: Band of Skulls, The Crocked Vultures, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Radio Moscow, Franz Ferdinand and The Kills. I can even hear traces of Tom Waits, Corey Crowder and Cry Cry Cry, David Bowie

Diving into the CD now “So Automatic” and “She’s So Sugar” literally jump off the plate in rough and tumble fashion. With a mean guitar and a smooth as silk voice this artist and band channel explosive energy straight between the eyes and ears. It’s a solid start and offers a hint of what’s ahead. Completely shifting directions a bit powerful “Fighting Lions” my top pick for the EP which has a very marketable sound and message. Other track like “Anywhere But Here” and “Get 2 Where U Want 2 Go” keep things real and offers a glimmer of raw truth and bold honesty. “Don’t U Ever Stop”, Fighting Lions” and “So Automatic” are my favorite tracks on the album by far.

The Bottom Line: Jupiter In Velvet plays out like most Rock bands from the 80’s and 90’s. Yes - there’s a whole lot of rocking-soul going here. But let me go on record by saying this album is definitely one of my favorite pop CD’s I’ve heard in recent memory. From LA. The songs definitely dance from one tempo and style to the next. Unlike most artists of this ilk, Jupiter In Velvet takes the high road to get his message heard. Jupiter In Velvet never once feels like he’s forced upon you either like many stupid pop artists. Instead he sucks you in.  Bottom Line: this is about living life, and pursuing a dream. This is a consistent release from Jupiter In Velvet as his sound will no doubt evolve even more over time. It's still a highly enjoyable listen, and admittedly, growing on me with every spin.

 Vince Napolitano edited by Markus Druery  -  Indieshark Music Critic

Website:  http://www.jupiterinvelvet.com

Check out the video for Jupiter In Velvet's smash song 'SO AUTOMATIC', directed by UK's Simon Riley.  It is a bit of a Sci-Fi love story.

Discover more about Jupiter In Velvet at his website: