Q: Hey, can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?
A: Grew up in the Bronx, New York, watching my family perform. My father is the bandleader, my mother as a singer. He had hit records in the 60s – band name Joey Dee And The Starliters.
I was born and bred to be an artist.
Q: And what other artists have you found yourself listening to lately?
A: I love and always refer to Prince, Fishbone, John Mayer, James Brown, and love, old school, funk, and soul.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences?
A: first musical influences would be my parents, of course, and Chicago, and Van Halen, and Styx. This was my older siblings record collection.
Q: You have just released your new album, ‘Dirty Rockers’. Is there a story behind it?
A: This record started out as an EP right before the pandemic and turned into a full length auto biographical statement. Is the chronicle of losing love, and finding it again, all while trying to have as good of a time as possible.
Q: What is the message of your music?
A: We only live once, life is too short to settle. Let’s be happy let’s stay in the moment.
Q: What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
A: Universal themes and thoughts, while backed with a soulful Groove.
Surprising arrangements that are familiar yet diverse within each song
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: I don’t look at it that way at all. I make the music from my own enjoyment and satisfaction. The fact that other people like it is a bonus! I make the art that is in my heart and try not to Chase trends.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: Creative process for me it’s all over the place it could start with a drum beat or a guitar riff. It could start with a lyric or an experience. I demo the songs by myself, and once I build up a catalog of tunes, I play them for the band and see what they respond to.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: Realizing that the journey is the success. It’s hard to cope with that sometimes, but I need to remind myself and deal with that as the truth. Every step of the way is the success. Being able to be a full-time musician is a success.
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: Hearing my voice singing on a movie soundtrack, my music and jingles, and on television is a huge and proud moment for me.
