Why You Should Fux With JTrux (Interview)

From one poorly done interview to the next we have slowly progressed. I want to thank all the readers who have enjoyed both the interviews and the musicians. This is the first interview that someone actually messaged me first asking to be interviewed. I automatically agreed not only because I was flattered by the gesture but because I highly enjoy his music. JTrux is most known for creating wonderful experimental music and hip hop instrumentals. He is also known for producing many tracks from the recent project Wicked by Adam Es. Just imagine chewing 5 gum while 5 gum chews you and that is exactly how to explain this musician's work.
Fun fact: If you look in the dictionary for the word chill you will see that the music of JTrux is one of the definitions.

How did the name “JTrux” come about?

J: Well my name is Jordan Truxton, so thats where the name JTrux comes from.

Where are you currently located?

J: I'm originally from Michigan, but I just relocated to Arizona a month ago. I'm really glad to be away from the cold weather, plus Cali is just a state away!

How old are you?

J: 22, turning 23 on November 27th, which fun fact is also Bruce Lee and Jimi Hendrix's birthday.

What program do you use for creating your music?

J: I started out using audacity, which is a really simple program. My music is sample based, so it's great for lining samples up and messing with them. I can't believe I used that program to make like 95 percent of my music with. I just recently switched over to Live 8, which I'm still getting used to.

How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it?

J: This is always such a hard question to answer. I started out just making music that I wanted to listen to, and just recently started sharing it with the world. Would describe it as music to lose yourself to. To roll up a blunt, throw on a hoodie, put on your favorite pair of headphones, and walking around your hood just vibing out to my chill tunes. My next solo project is going to be called midnight smoke music, which I think is an appropriate way to describe my music.

What attracted you to music and producing?

J: Music has always been the driving force in my life. I've spent a lot of time trying to remember when I first started making music, but can never pinpoint the moment I started. Music will always be my passion.

Top producers dead or alive?

J: Shlohmo, Ryan hemsworth, yung gud, yung Sherman, dj shadow, dilla, clams casino, flylo, Tim hecker, Brian eno, kanye. Soooo many more, but that gives you a taste.

Pete Rock or DJ Premier?

J: Premier all day.

What is the most distinctive sound to you?

J: DJ KHALID!!!!!!!!!!!! lol but for real, I'd have to honestly say my own. I've never heard another artist who sounds like me.

Which sounds bring back specific memories?

J: Not really sounds, but certain artists bring me back to times. Anytime I listen to Bright Eyes or the first Taking Back Sunday record, it brings me back to those dark junior high days. You can give me an artist that I've listened to and probably bring up  when I was listening to them or a specific memory I have.

Although your music is mainly instrumental what messages or feelings do you try to evoke out of the listener?

J: Emotions of passion, longing, experimentation. i just want people to feel something deep when they hear my tunes.

Does anyone in your family do music besides you?

J: Nope, I'm the only one. I do hope to teach my son how to make music when he gets older.

Which genres do you listen to the most?

J: Honestly….when I'm in my car, and my wife can confirm this, I blast the most grimey ignorant trap shit lol. I’m a huge fan of rick ross, old waka, 2 chainz, stuff like that. Which I find weird because I don't incorporate any of their beat sounds into my music. I really hate trying to define genres, like what do you call Ryan Hemsworths music? idk man. I just like good music :)

Are you a fan of sampling?

J: I'm a HUGE fan of sampling. all of my music is made from samples, but i like to flip samples so much that you can’t even recognize them. DJ Shadow is my biggest influence in sampling. Once i heard Entroducing for the first time, it changed my life.

Who would you like to produce for?

J: Yung Lean, Danny Brown, I'd love to hear 2 Chainz over one of my beats lol. Action Bronson for sure.

Do you mainly produce hip hop beats? If so do you wish to produce for more genres?  

J: The first project i made was a mixtape on my mom’s dinosaur of a desktop back in like 2006ish, but after that I started making these really deep ambient tracks...i made one thats 28 minutes long. i’ve only listened to it all the way through twice. The main reason i wasn’t making beats is because i couldn’t find the right drum samples and Audacity is horrible with stuff like that, but once i started using Live, it was a lot easier to incorporate drum samples.

How has the internet benefited you?

J: Twitter in general is a great tool for upcoming artists. It’s such an easy way to network and talk to people you don’t have the ability to in normal life. i spend way too much time on twitter.

Do people frequently ask you to give them free instrumentals?

J: Lol nobody hits me up for stuff,  I'm always the one trying to link up with people. I'm kinda glad I don't, because I wouldn't know how to make someone a beat that would fit them. I just make the music I make and people happen to fuck with it.

As a producer do you sometimes feel under appreciated?

J: Not really. I haven't really worked with a lot of artists, and the ones i have, have been extremely friendly and work driven.

How many projects do you currently have out?  

J: I have 5 albums/eps on my bandcamp, I need to put my first album on there, and that beat tape i talked about. Plus The Wicked which i worked on with Adam Es, thats 8 JTrux projects!

What is your state of mind for when you are creating a new music project?

J: I just lose myself man. I like to create when my wife and son have gone to sleep. I make my best music at midnight lol. I just find a good sample, warp the shit out of it, then keep adding layers and layers.

Are you currently signed under a label or associated with some sort of collective?

J: Im working on stuff with ISSUE from Teaholics Records, and I’m also an artist on Voicemail Records.

In the future what producers do you hope people compare you with?

J: Myself. I remember once my dad said that If I change my style i could be the next Dr. Dre or something. I don't want that. i want to be JTrux through and through. I want people to hear my music and instantly know that it’s that JTrux heat.

Which extinct animal do you happen to miss the most?

J: Dinosaurs bruh. rap game land before time.

Now to end this interview what do you wish to say to the people who are interested in knowing on a more personal level?

J: My son and wife mean the most to me. I’ve struggled trying to balance working on new music and spending time with my son, but i would never make another song ever if it meant not being there for him.

I’m really appreciative that you actually messaged me to do this interview for you. I enjoyed your responses just as much as I enjoy your music. Good luck traveling the road to success!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JTruxMusic
bandcamp: http://jtrux.bandcamp.com
Forever Waiting EP: http://jtrux.bandcamp.com/album/forever-waiting-ep
Creations...Recreation: http://jtrux.bandcamp.com/album/creations-recreation