[Issue 58] [Interview] Behind the Tank: MusicJam19

[Vikingsrallentando 3,058]

 

THREE straight issues of "Behind the Tank" interviews that aim high and don't disappoint. The last two episodes of the series had "firsts". Interviewees from Greece and India/Russia. This time, it is the first British person featured. Please welcome a long-time tanker that many recognize, MusicJam19!

 

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Player Profile
Game Name: MusicJam19
Nickname(s): mj19, musicjam19 (I'm too poor to afford to remove the capitals :( )
Real Name: James
Age: 17
Gender: Male
Country: England
Preferred Combo(s): Viking with either Isida, Shaft or a cheeky Smoky

 

Viking: Hey MusicJam19, thanks for going Behind the Tank.

 

MJ19: Hi there, it's an honour to be here.

 

Viking: Before we get jamming (hehe I'm sorry), could you describe yourself to our faithful readers?

 

MJ19: I thought you were cool until you made that pun xD.

But anyway, I am a 17-year-old student from London, England. My favorite subjects are mainly Maths/Physics based, and I aspire to become an engineer.

I am quite a mad football fan. I support AS Roma as well as the Italian national team (I am half Italian) and will be cheering them on in the Euro 2016 tournament. I play five-a-side football each week at my local football centre and I also play chess against other schools in the local region (this year we managed to win the league :D).

During the summer, I love going camping. In fact, I will be trekking and camping across Snowdonia in a few weeks time with my mates.

 

Viking: [bad pun... Check] The opportunity for it simply could not be missed. I can live without being cool, but I can't live without learning more about you. [Awkward cheesy line... Check] So tell us, at what point did you decide to focus on Math/Physics and what led you to that aspiration?

 

MJ19: Well my dad, who is an engineer, had a massive influence on me when I was younger, so I guess you can say that I want to follow in his footsteps [Overused idiom... Check :)]. As well as that, Maths and Physics are the subjects I enjoy and find the most interesting, especially the way that they link and overlap each other. It's not as dull as you might think.

 

Viking: No doubt they go well together, though I haven't gone into the Physics part yet; maybe at college. As a student in this subject, could you give me us some advice for those who are interested in taking on Physics or the desire to become an engineer?

 

MJ19: I guess this piece of advice can be used for any subject and that is to enjoy what you do. If you are only doing it because your parents want you to, or because you might earn a bit more money in the future but have no actual interest in your field of study, then you will not have a good time in school at all, and you might regret it in the future.

 

Viking: Amen to that. Is this advice any different from what your dad would tell you?

 

MJ19: Heh, my dad? He would say "study study study!"

 

Viking: Ahh, short and sweet. So being half Italian and rooting for Italian football teams leads me to believe you are proud of your heritage; are there other parts of your life indicative of that as well?

 

MJ19: Yeah, of course, my dad was very influential and I normally eat Italian food every day and my family and I often go on holiday in Italy, mostly to visit my relatives there. I forgot to mention earlier that my mum is Vietnamese (interesting combo, right?).

 

Viking: Hmm, Italian dad + Vietnamese mom = a MusicJam19. Intriguing. Did they both immigrate to England?

 

MJ19: Yep, many years ago

 

Viking: That's cool. To be uncool, what was your reaction to the Italy vs Germany match in the EURO Tournament?

 

MJ19: It was quite an intense match, but it was the penalty shootout that killed me. So many players messed up their shot, including Zaza (who is now being mocked relentlessly). I was quite gutted but still proud of Italy as it took the World Cup winners sudden death in penalties to beat them.

 

Viking: Indeed, making it to the Quarterfinals is a great accomplishment. Aside from competing for a first place win within a tournament, is there a different sense of accomplishment when playing five-a-side football?

 

MJ19: Of course, I get a great feeling after exercising and having fun with my friends. It's even better if we win, of course.

 

Viking: I don't think anyone would dispute the feeling of a win. Chess is a different ball game. What did it take to win the league this year? Do you have any tips for a novice player like myself?

 

MJ19: Well it's a much more relaxing "sport", at least if you aren't in a competitive match. I do tend to get quite nervous, and I remember my early years when a few of my older opponents would try to intimidate me (although funnily enough, I think I still managed to beat some of them :) ).

I think practice was the key to our success. The guys who were on the team were the ones who would regularly turn up to chess club and play.

Chess is a very delicate game; one bad move and the match can be lost. My advice would be to think logically and carefully. Observe what your opponent is doing too - look out for any traps!

 

Viking: Attendance, deliverance, and observance; advice noted. You mentioned a camping trip to Snowdonia National Park in Whales, which I think you went on in the middle of this interview, how did that go?

 

MJ19: Haha, I'm not Jonah - I went to Wales, not Whales :P
But yeah, this camping trip was part of my Duke of Edinburgh Gold, which is basically an award you get for volunteering, doing a skill and sport (as well as the expedition).
 
Throughout the four days I was camping we had to walk around 60km (that's what, 37 miles?). And it rained. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Not just regular British rain. Welsh standard heavy rain and wind and fog and flying sheep and the lot. (That was a bit of an overstatement - it didn't actually rain on the last day :) )




 
In fact, the views were not too bad on the last day...
 


But yeah, on the whole, it was quite an experience, I had a great time with my friends and I now know that my walking boots (which are somewhere around my school) can withstand as much rain as you can soak it in.

 

Viking: [facepalm] You can tell I am not British (apologies to all Welsh readers!). Mother nature couldn't hold off for the award-winning volunteer?? At least you had a wonderful last day on the trip. I hope you had a wonderful time going Behind the Tank, it is time to sign off. Your closing words for the audience?

 

MJ19: We as a community are made up of entirely different people, with different lives and different backgrounds. We are together because of our passion for Tanki. Don't let the little things drive us apart. We may not entirely agree with what the administrators do or say, or what one another might say, but we all deserve to respect one another.

Thank you very much for having me here, it's been a great pleasure to see you again.

[Completed October 13, 2016]

 

Always a pleasure talking with you, MJ19. Thanks for giving me the time to do so. Best of luck to you with your studies and competitive ventures.

 

Season 3

MagisToR

RustyNail

Season 2

splitterpoint

dogm45

Season 1

conanthedestroyer

MadDog21

 

Keep tuning in each month to learn more about the people Behind the Tank.

Thanks for reading; I hope you enjoyed.

 

[Vikingsrallentando 3,058]

BONUS Interview Questions!

 

Sometimes the normal interview length doesn't cut it. Fresh of the press, here are some new details on MusicJam19 before we bid issue 58 goodbye.

 

Viking: How did you come up with the nickname MusicJam19?

 

MJ19: I'm not too sure actually, it's a very old nickname. Must have been a massive music fan in my early years :)

 

Viking: Not much anymore eh? I can see with being a student, entertainment can take a back seat. For those still interested, could you name name a few of your favorite artists/songs?

 

MJ19: Maybe not so much at the moment, a few years ago I was really into electronic music (artists such as Avicii).
Right now there are a few that I really like. Feeling Electric by Parade of Lights, Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People, even some bands from the 1980s such as Chicago.

 

Viking: I was a little worried when you said electronic music but you brought it back to Chicago, a good group.. You have worked within various helper groups in Tanki, have you not?

 

MJ19: I had a feeling you didn't like electronic music :P
I first started off as part of Bruce's Daily Vlog team (if anyone can remember that I'll give you a medal), which then transitioned into the Daily News and I had a brief stint as a reporter. I also became a commentator and consultant, which were the two jobs I enjoyed the most.

 

Viking: We seemed to have crossed paths in those jobs at the time correct? I also commentated and consulted for a bit. That seems like forever ago, but it was only a few years ago. Do you recall a favorite moment/favorite part of the job?

 

MJ19: I think the moment I remember best was interviewing Semyon. This was around the time micro-upgrades were about to be released, and you can tell from his voice he was very excited about implementing the update and improving our gameplay. He was a great community manager and his efforts will be missed. Thankfully, we have an equally enthusiastic manager now, and I am hopeful for the future.

 

Viking: We have been fortunate to have some great managers work with our community. To cap this off, I'd like to pose a question that taps at your philosophy: How can people believe in something without evidence?

 

MJ19: I think the idiom "always take with a pinch of salt" sums it up. See what vested interests the writer may have and make your own judgement. What I have learned from the US Election is that deep down all of the mainstream media, including the BBC, are biased one side or the other. Read both sides of the argument and don't automatically believe something because a famous guy said it.

Edited November 26, 2016 by Vikingsrallentando

[You.Have.to.die 519]

Very well structured, very energetic.

[MusicJam19 737]

Thanks for doing this interview with me

[Ninja 10,468]

Awesome, I'm in London too, and visiting Snowdonia is something I REALLY want to do being interested in photography.

 

Lol, Whales. :lol:

[TTK_229 1,080]

K thx bye

[Vikingsrallentando 3,058]

K thx bye

Wait, don't go anywhere! New information has been added on the first comment!

[Blackdrakon30 2,943]

Nice. I like the extension part.   :D  Also, bye Issue 58!

Edited December 1, 2016 by Blackdrakon30

[HichigoShiiro 4,378]

hoh, jam, its been a while.  :o