From the outskirts of New Orleans comes Jai Castor, a rising artist whose journey has taken him from Covington to Baton Rouge to Madisonville and Hammond. Each move has added a layer of growth to his story, but through it all one thing has remained constant: his love for music.
That love started when Jai was just thirteen years old. He picked up his first guitar and within a year found himself performing on stage. Inspired by listening to his grandfather play classic rock and blues, he fell into the world of music with full force. His first influences were bands like Guns N’ Roses and Def Leppard, but over time his tastes expanded into Alter Bridge and Audioslave. Along the way he experimented with pop and other genres, learning what resonated with him and what did not. Eventually his love of listening and his passion for performing became intertwined. He discovered that the music he admired was shaping the way he played. Whether it was the raw emotion of Twenty One Pilots or the intensity of Slipknot, every sound pushed him to grow. The biggest turning point came when he heard Slash’s solo work with Myles Kennedy. Kennedy’s voice felt similar to his own, and for the first time he realized he could sing along and make that sound his own. Discovering Kennedy’s band Alter Bridge sealed the deal. From that moment on, Jai knew he wanted to be that kind of rockstar.
His sound today is rooted in rock but stretches across a wide spectrum. He moves between hard rock, alternative, and pop rock while drawing on elements of hip hop, metal, and blues. His versatility extends beyond genres. Jai plays guitar, bass, drums, piano, vocals, and even harmonica, making him a true multi-instrumentalist. He looks up to artists like Alter Bridge, Alice in Chains, Chris Cornell, and Aerosmith, but he carries their influence into something that feels uniquely his own.
Live music has always been one of Jai’s favorite parts of being an artist. In high school he performed constantly and often recorded music for others, but the stage was where he felt most alive. After taking a short break following graduation, he has returned to making music with renewed energy. His single Apricity (Electricity) is a reflection of that. The title comes from the word for sun in wintertime, a metaphor that carries deep meaning. To Jai, it captures the way we miss things when they are gone, whether it is a person, a place, or even something as small as a shirt that holds memories. The beauty comes when those things return, just like the sun breaking through in winter.
His journey has already brought unforgettable experiences. At sixteen, Jai had the opportunity to perform during the NCAA Final Four in New Orleans, even meeting the legendary Coach K in the process. Those moments pushed him further toward his goals and gave him a taste of what was possible.
Looking ahead, Jai is working on a six-track EP titled Geminus. The name is inspired by his love for Greek mythology and his studies as a college English major. He drew from the story of Castor and Pollux, the twins from mythology who show how greatness can be measured in different ways. Castor, though not the son of a god like his brother, still stood tall and measured up in his own right. For Jai, that story mirrors the way people navigate their own successes and struggles, and he hopes to capture those themes throughout the EP.
Fans will not have to wait long to see him live again. Jai is set to perform at the Varsity Theater in Baton Rouge soon. While the exact date is still being finalized due to scheduling changes, the anticipation is already building. The original plan was for October 23, but either way the show is coming.
With a powerful voice, a deep respect for rock’s roots, and a vision shaped by both mythology and personal growth, Jai Castor is proving that he is ready to carve out his place in music.
