A Dirty Dozen with J NOIRE – June 2026

According to a recent press release: “Nashville-based modern rock artist J NOIRE has officially signed to Vaux Records, one of the first acts to join the newly formed label created by former Rise Records founder and owner Craig Ericson. Blending elements of modern rock, pop, metal, and industrial influences, J NOIRE crafts a sound that is both emotionally resonant and sonically commanding. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Nine Inch Nails, A Perfect Circle, and Bad Omens, the project also appeals to fans of Bring Me The Horizon and Breaking Benjamin, while maintaining a distinct identity rooted in authenticity and intensity. J NOIRE’s journey has shaped the project’s creative direction. Raised on rock music and beginning guitar at the age of five, he spent years developing his craft before relocating to Nashville, where he performed professionally as a guitarist on Broadway. Now joined by bassist Stevens Stokes and drummer Danny Laverde, J NOIRE’s vision has come to fruition, ready to introduce his dynamic sound to a wider audience.” We get J Noire to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

“Radiate” is simply a song about hope, and I feel like a lot of people need it now more than ever. No doubt these days it’s becoming increasingly more difficult to pay for basic needs like food and gas, not to mention ridiculous rent costs. It just felt natural and organic to write about needing something to keep us all inspired, motivated, positive, and hopeful. I think the most overlooked thing about the song is the drums, without a doubt it’s one of the most difficult songs for everyone in the band because the groove is SO locked in, not to mention the amount of parts to remember. It helps having one of the best metal drummers in Nashville, Danny Laverde, to keep me and “Dirty” Steve Stokes (bass) on track.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

Even at a REALLY young age I loved horror movies and rock music. KISS and Frankenstein were my childhood heroes. I always knew I was going to be involved with the arts, but it wasn’t really until I met my step dad, Hugh McDonald, when I learned about what it takes to be a true musician, not just the stereotypical “the kid wants to be a rockstar / astronaut / cowboy / fireman etc.” I started performing professionally when I was 13 years old, playing a lot of old rock and blues covers in Park City amphitheaters, pizza shops, bars, and farmers markets. I didn’t have the voice for metal at the time, so I focused on guitar studying players like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Randy Rhoads, Eddie Van Halen, Zakk Wylde, and Prince. Moving to Nashville when I was 19 was practically college and the beginning of my evolution into who I am today.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

I can totally credit Rammstein for making me want to go the more industrial route. I love any kind of industrial music that’s heavy on that mechanical guitar sound. Their self titled record kept me alive during the pandemic because I was so freaked out by the unknown and the future of live music. But the song “Radio”… I would jog my apartment complex manically listening to that song over and over again. Its message, rhythm, and the chorus line “my ears have become my eyes” felt like it was written directly towards me, and I’ve never felt a song do that before. Seeing their live show in Chicago at Soldier Field was the closest thing to a religious experience I have ever had in my life. I also have to credit Bad Omens, Type O Negative, Fear Factory, Static X, Sleep Token, and Nine Inch Nails.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Trent Reznor, and his name explains why.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I’m a man of many activities, Nashville keeps me busy. When I want to be a recluse and chill at my apartment, I love turning on one of my amps and jamming, or flipping through presets on my Quad Cortex. Otherwise my husband and I are usually in my moms pool up the road from my apartment. It’s a wonderful little oasis for us to soak, get a burn on, and be outside.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I would describe it as rhythmic, heavy, dark, but hooky. I’m all about a big chorus and moments to make an audience jump, mosh, or sing. I like using heaviness more as an exclamation in the song instead of being on 10 all the time, as much as I love maxed out metal music. I’ve asked the fans what they hear in the music, and the biggest comparisons I’ve heard are Bad Omens, Breaking Benjamin, and Nine Inch Nails. I think the cringe comments will come later when the full EP is out, and angry sweaty boomers will come out of the woodwork with their hills to die on. So far all of the comments and comparisons have been positive.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Oh my god this will be the easiest question. Dirty Steve is definitely the bar tender, I’m the first to grab a guitar and start noodling, and Danny is the food guy. I can always trust him to find us somewhere solid to eat.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

It was pretty intimidating meeting Paul McCartney, but my biggest celebrity starstruck moment was meeting Doug Bradley, aka “Pinhead.” I admire Clive Barker and anything Hellraiser, and meeting Doug was otherworldly. Even my husband was freaking out. We kept our cool, I think, but when we walked away from his signing table my husbands apple watch went off warning him of his heart rate.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

Honestly, it’s the people. The friends I’ve made thanks to music are uncountable. So many stories, laughs, struggles, good times and bad, it’s all about the connection with others. If I wasn’t a musician I would probably pursue something in special effects makeup, prop building for haunted houses, mask making, really anything related to horror. I like the idea of pursuing criminal psychology, but I’m a pretty sensitive person and don’t think I could handle that much real darkness and heavy confrontation.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

“What are your favorite guitars and amps?” I love anything that says Rectifier or 5150. I recently sold a portion of my gear and horror collection to snag a Ground Zero modded Rev G Dual Rectifier that’s probably the best sounding cold nasty metal amp I’ve ever heard in my life. I’ve also got an EVH 5150 Stealth because I love Van Halen (duh, what metal guitarist doesn’t) and it’s practically ole reliable. Since we tune so low (Drop F#) we have to use baritone scale 7 strings, and the latest LTD 7 strings have been kicking ass. When we play live or need to track demos on the fly I’ll use a Quad Cortex with captures of both of my amps. Yes, I am a total gear whore, and I will gladly talk about gear / tones to anyone at any time.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I don’t think so. Otherwise I wouldn’t be where I’m at today and I’m exactly where I want to be. Everyone has regrets, but I’ve learned the most from my regrets which makes me appreciate the current moment instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Probably Downward Spiral. Seems like it would’ve been like witnessing the creation of fire. And all the spooky lore and rumors around the recording would’ve been something else to experience. If I wasn’t just a fly on the wall and I had to musically contribute, I’d still choose the same record because I would’ve loved to have an old school metal amp rig set up in the room with Trent, and see what kind of riffs he could’ve pulled out of me.

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Category: Interviews