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: First of all, thank you so much for allowing us into your life. It means a lot that you took the time to listen to the music.
I’m from Toronto, but I worked with people from the US, England, Greece….it was a global effort. The recording was also global. It was done in Toronto, New York, LA, and then back to Toronto where the final mix was done.
My career is not in music. I work with people to create products. Designers, Marketing People and Engineers. I have, however, been a musician for most of my life. I started taking piano when I was 5 years old. But officially, it all started when I was 11, and I heard House of the Rising Sun by the Animals. Alan Price’s organ solo changed my life. It’s perfect – to this day. It’s just so cool that I first heard that “Musical Magic Trick” at the age of 11, and I still haven’t figured it out. It still excites me just as much today. : )
The best part about not relying on music for my living is that I’m 100% free. I’m not beholden to anyone. I can go down any sonic road I want.
Q: And what other artists have you found yourself listening to lately?
A: For some reason, a lot of Japanese Electronic Ambient Music. They have no agenda. They’re not trying to be famous. They’re not trying to be cool. They’re not in a rush. It’s just Sonic Art.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences, and why the name ‘The Beautiful Blū’?
A: I was reading through a Playboy Magazine from 1969 while I was…well, you know… They had this feature called something like, “Playboy All Star Band.” They would pick their fav musician for each instrument. What struck me is that they chose musicians from every age, background, genre of music, etc. It was like Frank Sinatra was on lead vocal and Jimi Hendrix was on Guitar. That describes my musical taste and influences. I don’t listen to Everything, but I’ve listened to a lot, and I love any and all types of music that are great.
My primary influences are Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Bowie, Keith Jarrett, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bill Evans, Miles Davis, Art Tatum, Herbie Hancock. BB King. I love Edgar Winter’s Frankenstein. I love David Gilmour’s guitar playing. Jethro Tull’s Thick as a Brick. Early Genesis. Peter Green’s Man of the World is a Masterpiece of Beauty. Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder…Just tell me when to stop. I also enjoy listening to all types of Electronic Music (Skrillex, RadioHead, Hirotaka Shirotsubaki, etc…).
The name, Beautiful Blu. Well, my first born son is nicknamed, Blue, so I thought, why not. My second born son is nicknamed, Lentil, and well…it just didn’t have the same ring. But, I love him just the same. : )
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘One Final Day’. Is there a story behind it?A: One Final Day is part of a larger story. It’s one of the chapters. For the most part, we haven’t seen war in the West on a grand scale since the end of WWII. One Final Day is about how a country’s leaders rally young people to go to war and risk their lives by creating a common enemy and a common cause, and by promoting the idea that, even you, yes, you, can become a hero. “Your Sons Died Today” is supposed to recreate the imagery of that unimaginable knock on the door when the government comes to tell you that your child died in battle.
Q: What is the message of your music?
A: I’m more interested in telling a story and creating sonic images, than presenting a message. If someone finds a message in any of the music, I’d be interested in knowing what it is. It’s not my intention. : )
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: All I’m really trying to do is evoke a feeling. If someone remembers something about the song when it’s over – after the next song out of a billion songs in the universe starts playing, then I’m happy. So, I guess all I’m really trying to do is create something that’s a little memorable.
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: For me, Music is Work. It’s like getting on the treadmill. On some level, I hate it, but when it works, music for me is very fulfilling. That’s my new mantra in life. I’m off the Happiness Bus. Happiness is fleeting. You eat a chocolate sundae. When you finish the sundae, you’re unhappy. That feeling of instant gratification is gone. Fulfillment is long term…or at least, it’s more long term. Fulfillment has the opportunity to build on itself, and so I do the work…and besides, what else am I going to do? : )
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: First, I procrastinate. Sometimes this process of procrastination goes on for months – but then I start to feel like a sloth, so eventually I get down to work.
I like to start with a melody hook, and/or a lyrical hook. For me, that’s the foundation. Once I have that, then I build the house around it. But, for parts of this upcoming album, I just started playing – streams of consciousness. I’ve never recorded music like that. I’d pick a synth – for example, a MemoryMoog or an OBX – and I’d just lay a musical foundation. There was no time limit. No verses. No choruses. I really enjoyed making music like that for a change.
The last thing I’ll say on this topic for anyone that cares is that I work very slowly. I bake from scratch. Not that I won’t start with a preset, but I spend hours on designing sounds. I’ve spent 2 hours on a filter sweep, which is ridiculous now that I think about it. Most of the synths are old analog synths and they’re often half broken when I reach for them, which makes things take even longer.
The album was mixed on an analog console, and we spent at least 3 to 4 days mixing each song. One song took seven. This doesn’t mean any of the songs will sound any better. It just means our process is highly inefficient and needs to be reviewed.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: Failing to make the All Star Hockey Team when I was 11. (Luckily, I discovered House of the Rising Sun at around the same time. All could have been lost).
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: Your nice review! : )