BSCkids had the opportunity to talk with AJ Lehman, a young and talented singer who has worked with Nick Jonas, his mentor! He spoke with us about his tour, his new music, and his work with the charity DoSomething.org.
This incredibly talented young singer has been performing since he could walk and hold a microphone at the same time. Passionate about impacting every single person he meets—AJ believes that music is the best way he can communicate inspirational messages. At 16 years old, AJ has had the honor to perform at many charity events, including performing at Met Life Stadium for Big Brothers Big Sisters of NY. AJ has recently joined forces with DoSomething.org, the largest organization for young people and social change, and will embark on a school tour to raise awareness for No Bull, a unique text message experience that gives young people a variety of ways to intervene with bullying in specific situations.
Listen to AJ’s debut song “Unbelievable”
BSCkids: AJ Lehrman
How long have your known music was your passion?
Since the day that I was born, every single person in my family has been singing, dancing, and performing all around my house. Music has forever been a huge part of my life, performing in school and at camp as well, and I’ve always loved the idea of creating sounds for people to hear. I guess that’s why I’m very talkative…
Did your family always support your dreams to be a singer and performer?
My family has supported all of my dreams as a singer and performer more than I could ever even imagine.
What is your process for writing a new song?
I have like 628172538 song ideas in my notes on my phone, and whenever I walk into a session I try to feel the vibe for the room and then I go onto my phone and see which idea best fits the mood. I develop that concept more based on how the room feels, then I start laying down some instruments. I come up with a bunch of different melodies and record them all on my voice memos on my phone, and then I go back and chose which one’s the coolest. Then I work on the lyrics, trying to be as creative and unique as possible.
What singer or performer has inspired you the most and what did you find so emboldening?
Ed Sheeran has inspired me so much to really write about what’s true to me, and to really express the emotions that I am feeling. What is so emboldening is that he stays true to whom he is, and he doesn’t try to change based on what other people say.
You just finished with part of your tour in Southern California, what was the most memorable experience with that?
I got to meet a lot of really cool people, and got to hear a lot of hilarious jokes from some of the kids.
Do you still get stage fright during your tours? What do you do to psych yourself up before getting up on the stage?
Before each show, I try to get really pumped up by blasting music throughout the entire room. I start jumping up and down, and I sing along to whatever song is being played–usually a song by Drake. For some weird reason, I get more nervous the smaller the venue is, but if it’s a big stadium I’m not as nervous.
You are very active in charities and recently joined forces with DoSomething.org. Tell us why this is such an important charity?
This is such an important charity because they advocate for improvement amongst different types of people of all societies. They truly care about people working their hardest and believing in themselves, and that really means a lot to me.
Tell us about your school tour for No Bull.
DoSomething.org and I started and anti-bullying campaign using #NoBull, along with a phone number people could reach out to for advice and help, in order to make people feel that there really is nothing better than loving who you are and being comfortable with yourself.
If you had to choose any other career what would it be and why?
I would love to be an athlete. Probably either tennis or basketball. I’d definitely need to practice a lot, but I really love the competition and I’ve been a huge sports fan my entire life.
What are your favorite things to do in your free time?
I love to spend time with my family, hang out, and play sports.
Do you have any advice for your fans or other young singers who want to make it in music?
To stay true to yourself because there is truly no one that has ever been you before, so you should really be the first you! The most successful stars were so unique and distinct solely by being who they were and loving who they were.