Founded by vocalist Lea Cappelli and guitarist Nazim Chambi, Mojo Juju has become one of the more compelling names in the Las Vegas rock scene, built on a mix of explosive live performances, a rapidly growing online following of more than 10 million video views, and a songwriting chemistry that traces back to the pair playing Amy Winehouse and Jimi Hendrix together in the Las Vegas revue “27: A Musical Adventure.” Lea’s vocals have appeared across more than 150 television placements on Netflix, HBO, and The CW, while Naz brings years of touring experience with Grammy-nominated artist Jody Watley into the band’s live sound. Now, with “Misfit” out and continuing to build on the momentum of the band’s residencies across the Cosmopolitan, Caesars Palace, and Red Rock Resort, along with international performances for military audiences abroad, Mojo Juju is heading into a significant new chapter. We sat down with Lea and Naz to talk about “Misfit,” the chemistry that built this band, and what comes next.
- “Misfit” is such a vocally powerful song, Lea. What was it like finding the right delivery for a song built around people who feel unseen or alienated?
Lea: Thank you! It actually came so naturally because I always felt like that growing up. There were a few moments where I had to hold back tears at the mic. Especially the second verse.. “you think nobody understands but I’ve held hell in both my hands and came back with a different kind of faith // I’m dreaming of a better life for kids like me who die inside but build their armor out of love and grace”
- Naz, how did you want the guitar work to support that vocal performance without competing with it on a track this emotionally direct?
Naz: Every time I write and produce a song, my number one priority is creating the space where Lea’s magic can live. I actually try to make the guitar parts as simple as possible, and that’s often the hardest part. It means putting aside the guitar virtuoso hat and putting on the songwriter and producer hat instead.
The guitar’s job isn’t to steal the spotlight, it’s to make you feel the emotion and the movement of the song. If the guitar can make the lyrics hit harder and elevate Lea’s performance without people even realizing why, then I’ve done my job.
- You two first connected playing Amy Winehouse and Jimi Hendrix in “27: A Musical Adventure.” How much of that experience shaped the chemistry Mojo Juju runs on now?
Lea: We used to stand next to each other every night during the finale singing Robert Johnson’s “Sweet Home Chicago,” and I remember feeling an unexplainable musical chemistry. I’ve worked with a lot of musicians over the years, but I’d never met anyone like Naz.. not only is he an incredible guitarist, but he is also one of the most driven and motivated people I’ve ever known. That show really gave us the chance to learn how each other worked before taking on the bigger challenge of starting a band together.
- “Misfit” leans into themes of isolation and alienation. Do you think those feelings have gotten more common, and did that shape how direct you wanted the song to be?
Lea: Absolutely. One of my favorite albums is OK Computer by Radiohead, which really captured a feeling of isolation and the impending technology boom of the 90’s. I feel that since then things have only gotten more isolated, especially for young people who spend so much of their life online nowadays. I wanted the song to speak to people who felt like me as a kid, but also to those kids who are going through it in the here and now.
- Lea, with vocal work across more than 150 TV placements, how does writing and performing your own material compare to that kind of session and screen work?
Lea: I’ve loved having my voice on TV.. honestly it’s one of the highlights of my career. But voice work can feel a bit restrictive because you’re answering to people and companies who need something specific. With Mojo Juju there are no creative boundaries. We get to write exactly what we want to say, exactly how we say it. And I think that’s where our best music comes from.
- Naz, you spent years touring with Jody Watley before this. What did that experience teach you about building a live show, and how does it show up in Mojo Juju’s sets?
Naz: One of the biggest things I took away from touring with Jody Watley was watching how effortlessly she connected with an audience. She’s a true artist. She isn’t afraid to step away from the setlist, create a moment, interact with the crowd, and just let the music breathe. That’s something you can’t really teach, it’s part of what makes her a star.
With Mojo Juju, I’ve found myself paying so much more attention to what’s happening in the moment. My awareness on stage has probably tripled. I’m watching/reading the audience, feeding off their energy, guiding my bandmates, and adjusting the show in real time. Those are the moments people remember, and that’s what we’re always trying to create.
- You’ve built a huge live footprint, from Vegas residencies to shows for military audiences overseas. How does a song like “Misfit” change once you start playing it for a room?
Lea: It’s been so interesting to see our songs change as they are performed live. We were able to play Misfit live in front of a big audience when we opened for our friends In The End at The House of Blues in Anaheim. This was before the song was released, so it was incredible to see how people in the audience responded to a song they’d never heard before. Those reactions helped confirm which moments were connecting emotionally. Misfit went through many iterations before we chose a final pass. It was really special to see it take shape.
- With 10 million-plus video views and growing international press, how are you thinking about where Mojo Juju goes next after “Misfit”?
Lea & Naz: We’re releasing a new song in the next month or so and we’re so excited to see where everything goes. We’ve only been an original band for a year, and it feels like we’re just getting started. The next step for us is printing physical media (CDs, vinyl, etc). We’re so excited to finally take the music we’ve worked so hard on and hold it in our hands.
- Thank you both for taking the time to talk with us. “Misfit” is a powerful next step for Mojo Juju, capturing exactly what this duo does best: big, hook-driven rock built around a message that clearly means something to them. With the band’s live footprint continuing to grow across Las Vegas and international stages alike, it’s clear this is a chemistry that’s only getting stronger. Stream “Misfit” now, and keep an eye on Mojo Juju’s socials for more music and tour dates on the way.
