Life & Work with Justin Roach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Roach.

Hi Justin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
My story started in elementary school, when I discovered how extremely passionate I was about the art of music. For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved listening to, discovering, and learning about music. It wasn’t until I was in middle school that I started exploring making my music, and it wasn’t until high school that I became very serious about the craft of music.

Since 2014, I’ve been on a long but rewarding journey as an artist, trying to figure out my sound and what I want to accomplish through music. I first started as a producer & engineer for the friends I was growing up with, and then later on, for other artists, I met through music. After around 6 years of making music for others, in 2020 I decided to fully focus on my efforts as a solo artist.

At this point in my life, I’m working on my debut album (my 10th solo project in the last 3 years) and I feel as though I’m finally reaching the level I’ve been after since I first started making music. Of course, I have far to go until my journey is over, but I’m at least extremely proud of where I’ve come so far. I still do production & engineering for artists close to me, and I’m also in a band called “Factory Americans” as well.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The journey so far has been rewarding, but there have been many highs & lows along the way. I’ve spent many years experimenting with all kinds of different genres trying to find the blend that best showcases my sound, working with all kinds of different artists, and teaching myself how to produce, engineer, use my voice, and play instruments.

There have been plenty of nights I’ve stayed up late, doubting the path I’m on and the things I’ve created. Still, I’m at least at a point now where I can appreciate the struggle in pursuing a craft, and also understand that with that struggle, I have much more confidence nowadays than I ever have previously and am fully prepared to exercise that to the highest degree.

For me, the biggest challenge has been finding my true “sound” or true “voice” since I first started exploring the idea of making music back in middle school (around 2009). Everything that’s happened to me along the way has resulted from my trying to find that sound. Now, however, I feel as though my debut album + the music I’m writing for the next project show exactly the music I’ve been after this entire time.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Nowadays, I do everything. I’m a solo artist, producer, engineer, guitarist, drummer, keyboardist, bassist, designer, director, photographer, and videographer.

I learned all of these things so I can make my solo music better, but I also love to help my friends & use my skills for other creative purposes outside of myself. The two main projects I have going on right now are working on my debut album & playing in Factory Americans.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and are any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
The biggest thing I’ve learned from the last 3 years is the power of dedication to self. During lockdown in 2020, I spent those months intensely working on music, teaching myself how to sing/use my voice and play the guitar, the bass, and the drums. I was working out & reading every day to reach my full potential.

Up until that point, I don’t think I ever had a single opportunity to completely focus on myself & my music. I also was just starting my journey as a solo artist, so that time was extremely crucial for me to discover my sound as a musician. Ultimately, this time allowed me to truly see the power of belief in oneself, that if one allows themselves to grow without judgment or doubt, then there is no limit to what one can accomplish.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.The-Lazaryth.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jwr.xgd/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thelazaryth9709
• Other: https://linktr.ee/factoryamericans

Image Credits
Julian Gonzales, Jack Bindley, and Zach Craig