Justin Tokimitsu Nozuka was born on September 29, 1988 in New York City/Queens to a Japanese father, Hiromitsu, and American mother, Holly Sedgwick (sister of actress Kyra Sedgwick)making him Kevin Bacon’s nephew by marriage and a cousin of Warhol superstar Edie Sedgwick. His parents divorced at age 6 and at 8 he and his family moved to Toronto, Canada. He is the sixth of seven children.
Nozuka first performed to his family at the age of 10, to which his sister remarked on how his «voice is like Christina Aguilera’s.»Nozuka began writing his own songs at age 12 and the earliest of his songs on Holly, «Supposed to Grow Old» and «I’m in Peace,» were written when he was 15.While attending St. Andrews College, an international boarding school in Aurora, Ontario, Justin learned to play guitar from Mexican classmates. From there, he went to the Etobicoke School of the Arts, where he cultivated his musical and theatrical skills. During his time at the Etobicoke School of the Arts, Nozuka appeared in two musicals including a leading role in Cats playing RumTumTugger. His musical influences stem from artists such as Lauryn Hill and Marvin Gaye. He recently graduated from the Etobicoke School of Arts in Ontario.
With help from a fellow Canadian artist, Damhnait Doyle, whom he met at a song writing workshop, Justin was introduced to Universal Records talent scout, Allan Reid. He recorded three tracks through Universal with Bill Bell as producer, and following this, Universal requested to sign Justin to their label, but he decided he wanted to «record an album on my own, with my own freedom». He has played at the Green room stage at the Irish music festival Oxegen and T in the Park in 2007. Just recently, he has been on tour across Canada with Hayley Sales.
Recently, Nozuka’s song «After Tonight» has been featured in a commercial for «Scott Baio Is 46…and Pregnant» on VH1, and has also been featured on mtvU’s The Freshman. Nozuka recently traveled to Austin, Texas to take part in the SXSW Music Festival as well as being interviewed by many radio stations in the area.
The album has eleven songs to it and includes a hidden track following the final listed song «If I Gave You My Life». Many of Justin’s songs deal with mature themes such as the song «Save Him», which is about a seemingly perfect couple who actually hide a deep and dark secret. Another track, «Down in a Cold Dirty Well», is about his perspective being stuck in a well, watching his life flash before his eyes. Another track is «Criminal» where Justin tells the story of an intoxicated young man who makes the mistake of shattering a glass bottle on the streets «where children play with bare feet» ,and suffers from the overwhelming guilt. Holly is named after his mother who helped and supported his chosen career in music. She also funded the album when he decided not to sign with a major record label and become his own individual artist.
In February 2008, Nozuka was nominated for a Juno award in the category of «New Artist of the Year».
In 2008, Justin Nozuka toured with Marie Digby and Eric Hutchinson.
He will be touring all around the United States with Gabe Dixon Band & Jay Nash from Aug 2008 thru Nov 2008, as well as in parts of Europe.
In 2009, Justin will be touring through France and the United States, co-headlining with Missy Higgins and with special guest, Lenka.
