Elio: Justin, Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule today to talk with xAble.com. We are excited to hear about yourself, your love of music, and your hit new album, titled, “Sides”.

Justin: Hey, Elio, how’s it going? I’m excited to be talking to you guys.

Elio: In your album, you mention, “music is something as essential as breathing”. When did you first find your passion for singing?

Justin: Ugh, to be honest, I don’t really remember doing anything else. So, as a kid I was just always listening to records and taking them in and then, and then singing. That’s all I remember doing and I started writing songs as a pretty early age as well, so, uh, for me it’s just, it’s my life, and I kind of think it’s my purpose.

Elio: Tell us about Sides, your new album and how it all came together.

Justin: Well, I’ve been in the business professionally I guess since I was 13 and I’m 25 now, but there was a period where I decided to take a little break from music, and when I decided to get back into it, I thought I would try my hand at recording another record and things really started to evolve after we did that. Essentially Sides was the album I kind of always wanted to make. So, I’m very excited about what’s going on with it now.

Elio: As a composer, not just a singer, you really have an opportunity to pour your heart into songs. Can you tell us a little bit about the process of writing a song from start to finish?

Justin: For me song writing is kind of random, to be honest. I think every song has its own unique story and how it, you know, came to be. I think for me I find inspiration in everything, which is a really cool thing because I never feel like I’m out of things to write about, so songwriting has become part of my lifestyle. I don’t necessarily have, though, a set process that I go through.

Elio: Which song holds the most meaning for you or stands out in your mind as a favorite?

Justin: Well, I’d like to think as a songwriter, they’re all pretty precious to you, but for me there are two songs that sort of stick out. One’s called “Never After”. It took me the longest to write that song, and it was a song that I feel sort of captured a relationship very well and when I played it for the person who I wrote it for, there was a lot of emotion there, so I assumed I had sort of done my job as a writer. And the other one is a song called “Another Way To Cry”. It’s a song that I truly remember writing every word and the zone I was in at the time. And, of course, a song called, “Wish You Well”, as well, I should point that out. It’s been such a blessing to have had the journey that we’ve had with that song. But they’re all pretty special.

Elio: Who are some of your musical inspirations, those that have influenced your music the most?

Justin: There were many artists over time that have, you know, in a small way inspired me, but I’d say overall, I’m really into singer/songwriter guys and gals of the 60s and 70s. I think they were telling great stories and just writing songs where you could feel something. That’s really important to me. So, I’d say guys like Jim Crochet, James Taylor, and Cat Stevens were and continue to be heroes of mine.

Elio: In your opinion, what makes the “Sides” album unique and different from what’s out there now?

Justin: It’s tough for an artist to be objective on their own product. For me, though, the album represents a lot of emotion, stories from my own personal experiences and journey. So, I don’t know what necessarily makes it unique, but certainly whenever I go on stage and I perform the songs, I’m feeling what I’m singing, and I recall, you know, where I was at when I was writing the song, so that’s how I see it, and I sort of leave it up to everybody else to decide how they feel about it and what it exactly means to them.

Elio: Describe what it felt like the first time you sang your music in front of thousands of people. Did you ever think you would have such an opportunity?

Justin: Well, my first exposure to big audiences was probably when I was 13 and I got asked to sing the anthems for the Toronto Raptors. I’d actually won a contest to sing the anthem, and the Toronto Raptors is our local basketball team. So, that was my first exposure to huge audiences. It was surreal, like even at that point, I felt like I was, you know, living dreams. It’s funny because it got rid of any stage fright I might have had for the future. It was good to get something that big out of the way.

Elio: Justin, if you don’t mind, could you share with our xAble.com audience a little about your disability?

Justin: I have a condition called Larsen’s Syndrome, and essentially it’s the dislocation of all the major joints in the body. It’s also caused me to have a condition called Scoliosis, which is a curvature of the spine. Certainly as a child, it presented some major challenges, especially in my, you know, baby and toddler years. There was sort of a period where we weren’t sure if I was going to make it through. You know, certainly over the years I’ve had some, you know, pain challenges and whatnot, but it’s stabilized. I’ve lasted a while and there’s no reason to think that it won’t continue to be like that, so that’s a good thing and with all that’s going on, I seem to have developed or at least tried to develop a very positive perspective on it. You know, at this point we’re trying to see the good in it and use it as a tool to inspire rather than looking at it as an obstacle. You know, this may sound a little strange but to me it’s my blessing rather than my curse so since I adopted that, well, things have turned around.

Elio: These days, it seems like looks, glamour, and sex appeal often supersede musical ability. Describe some of the challenges you have faced as an artist, with a physical disability, in the music industry.

Justin: Ah yes, sex appeal… Well, certainly my challenges have been unique, little things that people probably wouldn’t think of, like accessibility of venues, and you know, a lot of little challenges like that. Certainly for my record label in particular, it’s been all new for them. But at the same time, I have something that, you know, helps me stand out right away. You can’t Photoshop a wheelchair, so it’s always going to be a part of me. It’s great to have that sort of identity and it’s something that sets you apart because a lot of artists are trying to find that thing. So, it’s one thing to have something that sets you apart, but then I feel it’s my job as an artist to keep their attention. So, I think it’s important for me just to keep focusing on the music and to let everybody else around me handle the various little challenges that come with being in my situation. We’re plowing through it and we’re all learning things every day, and it’s been a real organic and cool experience.

Elio: Ultimately, what inspired you to share your disability, or your blessing, with your fans and the world?

Justin: Well, I didn’t have a choice really. Like I said, you can’t Photoshop a wheelchair, so it’s something I’ve never been ashamed of. I certainly have my insecurities like everybody else, but it was really important for me to learn how to embrace my situation. It’s very important to me to help others feel comfortable with it as well, and I don’t necessarily have to tell them to be comfortable with it, I just have to, you know, be who I am. In time, people sort of get their head around it. You know, I think they come to realize we’re all the same at the end of the day. It’s just important for me to embrace my situation, and everybody else can follow suit.

Elio: Do you see yourself as a role model for other aspiring musicians with disabilities?

Justin: I think by default, just by me doing what I’m doing in my situation, you know, people would look at me as a role model, and I kind of knew that going into this. You know, I’m certainly not perfect and I wouldn’t necessarily want everybody to be like me, but at the same time, I’m honored by the responsibility that comes with being “unique”, and I certainly don’t mind being in that role. I’m going to keep working at living up to that. But like I said, I’m in a tremendous position where I can inspire, and that means a lot to me, and I don’t plan on taking that for granted.

Elio: So, Justin, tell us, what’s next?

Justin: That’s a very good question. What is next? Well, I’m planning on doing a lot of, hopefully I think, a lot of touring and playing next year. A new record and just starting the whole process all over again. It’s been a wonderful year, and I’m feeling very fortunate and blessed to be with people that support my journey and support me as a human being. It’s just very exciting. I’m so pumped to see what’s right around the corner. It seems like every day presents something new, and I’m just going to ride it out.

Elio: Justin, thank you for doing this interview with us today. It was really exciting to hear your story and your passion for music. You’re an inspiration to other musicians with disabilities and to all people with disabilities. It’s really cool to talk with you and we’ll look forward to following your progress online, through xAble.com, through your website, and just thank you so much for taking time with us.