We had the good fortune of connecting with Justus Hajas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Justus, what is the most important factor behind your success?
In one word PASSION. In the music industry people often get confused with where the line gets drawn between passion and motivation. As creatives what separates us from being a part time weekend warrior and a full time successful artist in the creative space is discipline. The discipline to practice, show up early, and finish that project. Where passion comes in to play is discipline being the contributing factor. I have met a lot of VERY talented peers who often say “Man, this is my dream but I really struggle with motivation”. Which I find to be a very good excuse to not develop discipline. Motivation is what we call a finite resource. But passion… that can power the earth for a million years.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My life has had its fair share of challenges. Growing up poor I literally ate from garbage dumpsters, survived abusive parents, and struggled with many forms of anxiety disorders. Lots of which I am disclosing for the first time today. How ever a the best coping mechanism I have ever gained was music. Just like many things in my life music was an escape, combined from the music influences of early 2010’s video game sound tracks. I gravitated toward rock music. I got my first guitar when I was 13 and could not put it down. Playing in my high schools Chaplin rock band I practiced and learned as much as I could to prepare for the world of music. When I was 16 I started posting guitar videos everyday which quickly grew attention online. I then soon got accepted to Berklee College of Music but had went to Metalworks Institute of a full scholarship for guitar performance. Fast forward to now I am proud to say at 20 years old I am making a full time living as a musician teaching, posting, and writing/releasing my own music.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There is so much to do In Toronto Canada! One place I would have to shout out is the Supermarket Bar and Variety on Augusta Ave. That is where I hosted this years SHR3D Fest. Also! my favourite restaurant is PLANTA which has amazing vegan food…

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to shout out my mentors I have had over the years including Thomas Polychuck, CJ Hockenbury, and my many teachers through my education in music. Thomas Polychuck followed me on social media when I was around 16 and was one of the first largely recognizable people to take notice in me and my abilities whilst I was gaining traction on Tik Tok over the many years. He was the kind of people I knew I wanted to surround myself with.

Website: https://www.justushajasmusic.com/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=heylink.me

Instagram: https://instagram.com/justushajas

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JustusHajas

Other: https://heylink.me/Justushajas/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/0RKxrPutflnuqalSTHO4bk?si=ETs1i36_RYul-hN5aYbMbg

Image Credits
Chanelle Barel-Rutherford

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