We asked The J-Walkers 5 questions when they entered the 2011 Rising Stars…

Q1. Where are you from?

Steven Cassells – Singer guitarist – Castledermot County Kildare

Jonas Zaidys – Bass Backing Vocals – Salvador Brazil

Tommy Gray – Drums – Kilkenny

Q2. Musical influences?

Jimmy Hendrix, Steely Dan, John Mayer, BB King, Bob Marley, Tommy Emanuel, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Ben Harper, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jamiroquai, anything with a bit of groove!!

Q3. What’s your song writing process?

Steven Usually writes the base melodies, lyrics and song structures. He then usually records a rough demo of the song at home and sends it to the other members of the band where they come up with their own ideas and specific melodies on their respective instruments and finally at practice all ideas are listened to and the best one kept.

Q4.Most bizarre gig experience?

A gig in a closed down pub in Dublin called “The Quill” with a band called Funzo. A few friends of mine rented the closed down pub and lived there for 3 years for college. It was a horrible place to live but turned out to be the best party spot ever, no neighbours, no smoking ban, no closing time and the gig ended up being absolutely jammed packed to the point that we had to crowd surf all tables and stools out of the pub area to make room for everyone! It was a very bizarre and crazy night but amazing. Music finished about 8 the next morning.

Q5. If you could share the stage with anyone, who would it be and why?

Probably John Mayer because not only is he probably one of the best guitarists around at the moment but he also has arguably the best band touring with him aswell. And they love jamming like us!!

In their own words…

Since their foundation in 2006, The J-Walkers have undergone many transformations to become an exciting and promising new addition to the Irish music scene. Singer Steven Cassells provides the main artistic direction in the setup. As a solo performer, he has been a regular on the Carlow-Kilkenny-Laois music scene for years. Building on his solo performances, Cassells has adapted a diversely gifted band to his unique and inimitable brand of music. Of late, the lads have been taken under the wing of a management company, and have just finished recording a 3 track EP which is available to download from iTunes. For this E.P. some of the best young musicians in the country came to help out on the recordings including Dara Munnis (Paul Brady, The Coronas, Jack L), Alex Methias (Stars of The Commitments, Berkley music college graduate), Tommy Gray (New-park Jazz College Graduate, Alex Methias Perspective),Jonas Zaidys (The Cents) and Omar Mahfoud. The J-Walkers sound combines a wide range of influences including funk, reggae, jazz, traditional Brazilian rhythms and blues to form an interesting fusion where the emphasis is always on rhythm and grooves!!