Julian & Jason Prins, are the first fraternal twins to perform together in the local western music industry.
Not only do they have the passion for music which has had them singing, dancing and beat boxing, they started writing and composing their own songs when they were only ten. These amazing guys also took to playing the guitar in their teenage years. Being influenced by the Backstreet Boys, Westlife, and James Blunt, they were inspired by Akon which got them to explore the R&B and Hip-Hop scene. At the tender age of only nine the twins were featured with the band Damage to perform at Waters Edge to sing the song ‘Angel’ by Robbie Williams.
Their first original song was one of the crazy songs titled Dogs in the House which was so funny and was a frequent request by family members.
Their second song Only You and Me a song that was never printed in black and white is all up there in their minds, just memorized. For whatever the reason it maybe, they say they prefer it that way. However, it takes many years of work to develop talent to a professional level.
Talent, such as a wonderful voice to sing or the ability to play instruments, come naturally.
The twins however, have now composed thirty original songs which includes many Gospel songs as well.
Young Voice spoke to Julian & Jason Prins or the ‘JJ Twins’ as they are more popularly known, about what it would take to make it in the world of professional music and about their upcoming concert which they are excited about.
I began our conversation by asking the twins to introduce themselves in their own words.
Julian: “We come from a family of four boys. We have an older brother called Devon and a younger brother named Dennis who also have great voices and are just crazy about cars. This inspiration comes from our Dad. Although our passion is for music, Art is another love for us. This I must say is from our creative and artistic mum. We are old boys of St Joseph’s College Colombo 10, and we later shifted to an International school. Open Education Institute.”
Jason: “Our dad, well known as Rino Prins is also a vehicle lover, and adores music and dancing, and our mum Estella, a very creative person, also has a great passion for music and dancing and they are the most supportive parents one can have. Our parents come from a background of great musicians in the country from the past and present. We hope the legend will always continue with musicians growing within the family circle”
You are planning to have your concert, tell us something about it?
Julian: “We are proud to present our very own concert ‘CLOSE-UP’ on April 25, 2018 at the Methodist Church Auditorium from 6.30 pm to 9.00pm. We will be showcasing our original songs, along with latest covers to suit the teens, young adults and even the older and young at heart folks.”
Jason: “Pop & Oldies will be flowing throughout the night. We are so excited about this concert, and are looking forward to meeting our great fans. To us always the first time is the greatest.”
What does ‘CLOSE-UP’ mean?
Both:’UP-CLOSE’ and personal is basically us interacting with our fans in a closer manner.
What are your dreams and plans for the future?
Jason: “Well, what better dream could we have other than dreaming of becoming international singers, touring and spreading our music worldwide and reaching out for a Grammy award? Also touching hearts through our music, and teaching the world that there is a wonderful purpose to life.
We don’t believe in luck we believe in miracles.”
When and how did you first become interested in music?
Both: It’s amazing but true! We really don’t know, it all just happened. We reckon it was an inbuilt talent from God and moreover, our mum says that we would never sleep during the day or night unless music was played to us, so we suppose this had a major effect on us. We are happy about it!
What are your musical influences?
Julian: The Backstreet Boys, Westlife, James Blunt, and Akon
Does anyone in your family play music?
Julian:Yes, our late grandfather Gerald Schokman played the steel Guitar and sang, and the legendary pianist Peter Prins is our great grand uncle.
Do you perform in public? Describe those occasions?
Julian:Yes, we do perform at various venues and gigs.
We’ve also played alongside with artistes like Mignonne Fernando, Suraj, the band Flame and many more.
Jason:The concert ‘Heritage of Song’ held at the Museus College Auditroium featured the greatest English musicians of Sri Lanka was an inspiring night for the two of us to be on stage singing.
Who is your greatest inspiration?
Both:“GOD, then it’s is our Mum.”
Jason: “She is smart, she is our strength.”
Julian: “She is our guide she is our inspiration.”
Have you released an album of your own? When?
Jason:“Yes, we released our first ever Christmas Album Titled ‘Christmas Lights’ in December 2014, along with two of our originals, featuring our two brothers Devon and Dennis in the album. Then in March 2015, we launched our original Gospel single ‘Greater Than All’ featuring Prince Leone.
What are your other interests besides music?
Julian: We both have the same interests. Painting, gaming on our PS and engaging in charity work whenever possible. Drama being another passion of ours we joined the Work Shop Players of Jerome L. De Silva and our first stage drama was Oliver Twist which was a success and then the most recent stage drama was Les Miserable’s.
Do you follow a particular style in singing?
Jason:We create our own style.
Do you have a style in your dress code?
Jason: We don’t have a style, we set trends.
Have you been in competitions? Any awards?
Julian: We won our first Gold & Silver Medals in the Duet Category and were declared All Island Winners at The Festival for Performing Arts, organized by The Sri Lankan Festival for Performing Arts in 2013 and 2014, and in 2015 we were awarded first place in the Group Singing Category at FIA – Friends in Action.
What are your achievements so far?
Jason: We successfully composed and recorded two singles Takes my heart away & You’re my lover in 2012.
Then the greatest opportunity to get selected at the audition to perform at the concert ‘The Star-Studded Rainbow’ held at Lotus Pond, organized by the Gospel Rapper ‘Prince Leone’ for which we were placed first in singing our originals.
We are also the youngest artists to be Featured in the 1st ever book titled ‘Heritage of Song’ written and compiled by Ishan Bahar. The book is about the greatest English Legendary musicians in Sri Lanka. This is such an honour to us.
Coming from a background of musicians, is that where you think you’ve inherited your musical talents?
Julian: “Well, our talents are gifts from God our Father, and we humbly received these gifts, and we like to put it to good use in the right way.”
How do you balance your music with other obligations?
Julian:We set a plan with our work, we strongly believe in time management and prioritize our work accordingly.
Anything else that you would like to tell our readers?
Jason:We like to add to this interview, that we have been blessed by God, for the kind of people he has placed in our life, and for the great many opportunities coming our way. Most of all for the people who believe in us. Nothing of this can take place if we do not have God our Father in our life. This we are proud to share with the rest of the world.
“Life is a roller coaster but God is our strength in everything “.