Artist Spotlight is a segment that we started to introduce our listeners to some deserving up and coming artists/ bands. They have made an impact on us for all of the right reasons. We think they kick ass and we hope you do too! Today, we’d like to shine the spotlight on VILLINS!
Jesyka ♱ Jesus are VILLINS: the most dangerous band from New York City. Featuring the powerhouse rock vocals of lead singer Jesyka and the blazing guitar heroics and pop production prowess of Kareem ‘Jesus’ Devlin, Villins are a fearless musical duo that are in a league of their own.
The first time Jesyka saw Kareem, he was playing lead guitar on Lady Gaga’s The Monster Ball World Tour HBO special. After beating out hundreds of other hopefuls, Kareem (along with Ricky Tillo) toured the world with Lady Gaga. It was during rehearsals for The Monster Ball Tour that Gaga gave Kareem his stage nickname “Jesus” as an homage to his passionate playing and powerful stage presence. A born and raised rocker at heart who also loves all things theatrical and glam, Jesyka wondered what working on a musical project would be like with someone like Devlin…
From 2011 to 2016, Jesyka was the front person for her New York City-based hard rock band, Syka. The duo first collaborated when Jesus produced and co-wrote Jesyka’s previous band’s EP ‘Stay Wild’. During the development of Syka’s Stay Wild EP, the two found they had magical creative chemistry and began developing the concept and sound that unbeknownst to them would soon become Villins. Villins officially formed in late 2016 and began honing their unique gothic disco hard rock sound and live show blending arena pop production, tight choreography, and custom laser effects. Now, Villins are using their combined powers to take over the world one show at a time.
Every super hero and villain has an origin and a band is not different. Well, minus the radioactive spiders and secret government experiment. What’s the origin of Villins?
We became Villins when we stopped trying to fit in to the world around us, stopped caring what people thought or said about us, and gave in to The Power. The Power of the chemistry between us was too strong to resist, so we took a chance on each other… and Villins was born.
What’s in a name? Sometimes a band’s name has a story behind & sometimes it’s something that sounded cool. What about Villins?
We are Villins because we do exactly what we want to do and not what we’re supposed to do 😉 We make our own rules.
You’re booking a tour that you’re on & you can bring along any 4 bands. Who would you choose?
Queen, Judas Priest, The Clash, Justice
Strangest thing that you’ve ever been asked to autograph?
Jesyka: Mine isn’t as crazy as Jesus’ haha
Jesus: I signed an autograph once for someone who wanted to get it tattooed on their neck… I felt a little funny about them getting my whole name tattooed so I told them I’d only sign my nickname “Jesus”. They wound up getting the tattoo and it turned out really cool 🙂
What was your favorite cartoon as a kid?
Jesyka: Pokémon or Powerpuff Girls!
Jesus: Scooby Doo.
Connect With Villins Online:
Spotify: sptfy.com/Villins
