Justin Wack's dream performance wouldn't include the spotlight.
Or any light at all.
PERFORMING ON STAGE
The 21-year-old musician and producer is blind, and has been since birth. That doesn't mean he doesn't take the stage; in fact he enjoys it (which can sometimes freak people out a little).
However, he'd love to be able to do an auditory-only experience and share that with a live audience. He likens it to restaurants that serve food in the dark.
Until then (and when it's allowed again) he's happy to take the stage all the same.
"I know it exactly, I map out the stage beforehand," he says. "Like 'This is how far I can walk before I fall.'"
He does reel it in a little bit, so audience members can relax.
"The vibe of the crowd is something I have to learn to read," he says, explaining he listens carefully to the sound and participation of the crowd.
Like many musicians, he's hoping to play live soon, once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
FINDING SYNESTHESIA
However, in the meantime, listening to music has brought a new experience in recent years.
Wack developed synesthesia just a few years ago as he became more involved in music. And while many people associate synesthesia with the ability to see sounds as colours, it took a different form for Wack.
"When I listen to music, it makes my body feel like I'm moving," he says, calling the experience "trippy" and connecting it to his enjoyment of moving about on stage.
It also affects how Wack writes his original songs.
"A lot of it is based on how the music makes my body feel like it's moving," he explains.
He believes synesthesia is common in the music industry, and when he's done writing a song he likes to seek out others who also experience the perceptual phenomenon.
"One of my favourite things to do is play my music for others with synesthesia," he says.
He and his doctor believe it manifests as motion for him because he has no concept of colour; his visual cortex isn't used for anything visual. It likely appeared during his late teen years because he was playing more music.
"It's incredible to me how the brain adapts," he says.
LIFE IN THE BIG CITIES
Wack is originally from St. Albert and moved out to Vancouver when he was 18 for his education--studying the music industry. It's been his passion, and while he was told pursuing that dream was impractical, the young man is already entering his fourth year in the business.
Living in Vancouver has helped; it's where his "heart is at." While he left family and friends behind he has some friends here and has found the city welcoming.
"Being totally blind, transit here is really good, people are really kind," he says.
Living in the big city helped him make connections as well; just before the pandemic he travelled to L.A. to record a song with Darla Fox; that song was just released last week.
The song almost didn't get written, thanks to an Uber driver in L.A. When Wack was heading to the studio the driver decided to drop him near the studio, not at it.
"My Uber dropped me off two blocks from the studio; it took me 20 minutes to get to the studio," he says.
Fox was packing up; she hadn't heard from Wack. Luckily they still connected and were able to write the single in an hour.
The recording was sent to an engineer Wack works with out of Vancouver. A radio promoter is also helping get the track out to the public.
He's got other work on the way as well; with the pandemic impacting everything he's taken it as an opportunity.
"For me, COVID has been a blessing in disguise because a lot of people that I wouldn't normally be able to work with are available to do online sessions," he explains.
That means pitching songs to big-name artists and working with producers who've worked with big names, like Katy Perry. While he'd like to make it big himself, he's happy to work in the industry.
"I definitely want to be as big as I can, but I'm content with being able to do this," he says.
No matter how big he gets, he hopes his music can have a positive impact on people.
"Music is an escape for people," he says. "We all need a bit of fun and a bit of happiness in our lives all the time."
LOSING HIS BROTHER
Wack understands music providing an escape as well as anyone. His brother, Stephen, was among those who died in the Humboldt Broncos' bus crash.
"It really, really, really hits home. My brother was 21 when he passed away," Wack says.
The experience taught him a few things, like to enjoy life while you can.
"I don't want to be living my life and have regrets; if I didn't do music, I'd have regrets," he says. "I've seen how your life can be over in a snap."
The response from the country had a profound impact on him, as well, and gave him hope in people.
"Humanity, in general, is incredible; humanity by nature is good," he says.
It emphasized to him how to important it is to have a good impact on the world; for him that's through his music.
"I feel like I was put on this earth to make music," he says.
So stoked to have a Spotify placement on this playlist with “Wrong Time”. Big thanks to Kaiz for showing some love. Check it out!https://t.co/SnscWtZio1
— Justin Wack (@JustinWackMusic) March 28, 2021
