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: Hey. I’m a human earthling. California native, and I started playing guitar and singing at the age of 11. I joined my first band a year later and never stopped.
Music is not a career or a job for me; it’s therapy. Music has gotten me through the tough times and the good times, songwriting as an outlet has given me purpose and kept me sane.
I’m past the whole ‘music being part of my identity’ thing; these days music more like a roommate that convinces me to stay up late drinking beer when I have work the next day.
Q: Did you have any formal training, or are you self-taught?
A: Well, my first drummer’s uncle was a touring member of the Traveling Wilburys (‘Supergroup’ of Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Tom Petty), and we used to record in his studio as teens. That taught me early to love the craft and made a big impression. I also received a degree from Cal State Northridge for Music Industry Studies and played in the guitar ensemble there. Most of my education came from playing at Hollywood clubs and backyard parties in the San Fernando Valley.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences?
A: Soundgarden, Queens Of The Stone Age, Jimi Hendrix, Al Green, Tenacious D, The Offsping, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles & Dave Grohl.
That’s rock, but I love folk, blues, reggae, hip-hop and jazz and classical too.
My Dad used to drive us around while we sat in traffic and listen to old cassettes of George Thorogood and the Destroyers, or The Blue Brothers soundtrack. I still listen back to those quite often.
Q: You have just released your new album ‘Underdog Pt. 2’. Is there a story behind it?
A: Underdog Part. 1 was about the innocence of childhood and hope, whereas Part. 2 is about accepting and overcoming the cynicism of adulthood.
There are 17 guest artists from all types that helped contribute to it, including actor/songwriter John Hawkes, Liz Allen, Nikki Lorenzo and the guys from my old band MESIA.
I think the story of the album is much told through their work, as much as my vision.
Q: What is the message of your music?
A: Underdog and many of my other projects are for the little guy, those without all the backing, the support and the glamour. Underdog is for the people with dreams that don’t give up, despite adversity, and many of my past projects reflect the same message, that there is an unstoppable wave of creativity living in me and in everyone. The vibes may change from track to track, can be tragic, or even comical, but the perception is persistent, at least, to me.
Music is a coping mechanism, and I cope super hard.
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: Admittedly there is sort a ‘bi-polar’ writing style in my inspiration, meaning that the genre can change dramatically from movement to movement.
I fully embrace the role of musical chameleon, but the ongoing theme is that the songs are always catchy. They get stuck in your head, and to me, the best songs often do that.
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: Is the grass always greener, sure. Is this side of the fence sexy as hell too?You bet.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: Most times, I take my dog for a walk and try not to think about my day job. Then I hum something into my phone, completely forget about it, and some months later I end up recording a demo.
Then another length of time goes by until I convince myself that it’s ok enough to include on a release, then I see if I can bring in the right folks to record it, and make a video.
Other times I write the whole thing and make a demo in like 2 hours. Those are hard to come by but are the best ever.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: Well, I’ve been doing this music thing for while and honestly cutting through the noise to be noticed is tough. It’s just gets harder and harder.
But when the late, great Janis Joplin complained about not getting laid, she’d say “Try, try, try just a little bit harder.”
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: Well I’m very excited that the newest upcoming single will be featured on NEWM, which is a cryptocurrency project on Cardano starting on April 14th (shout out to my ADA homies).
I’m also stoked that I finally have a solo album that I completely produced with 5 music videos and most of my musician friends were a part of.
Additionally, I also acted and produced the music for an award-winning comedy film called ‘Lovepump: A Guido Rockumentary”, which should be hitting streaming services over the next year.
So that’s also pretty awesome.
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