Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: As a young child, I was more into singing than any instruments but when I was around 14, I started messing around with my uncle’s guitar trying to learn Wonderwall, as most done back then. My dad bought me a Spanish classical guitar at 15 along with some chord books and off I went from there. I’ve always had quite an eclectic taste in music, largely due to influences from both parents’ tastes – heavy rock, country, pop to name a few genres.
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “Fantom Rabbit”?
A: Since this is a brand new project, far removed from anything I’ve done under my real name or with bands, it has been a challenge basically starting from scratch under an alias. So far I’ve produced 5 songs pretty much on the fly, and the plan was to wait until I had an album worth before releasing anything, however I felt that Rome would maybe get a decent reaction with its “charty” feel so I’ve been busy using old contacts on blogs and radio shows to try and push this new direction without giving away too much of the old me.
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: Write several acts down and give me a pin to stick somewhere. Recently, Biffy Clyro have been my go to listen, but they haven’t influenced this project at all and to be honest, it’s not a genre of music I take much of in. I think it’s possibly why I’m enjoying the process so much, not worrying that I’ve head something that could directly affect the sound I’m generating. People have said “that sounds like something” and I’m cool with that because familiarity at least catches their attention.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “Rome.”?
A: “Rome” was literally a track I started to hone my producing skills on. I’d hit a stage with other songs where I felt I wasn’t getting the best of how they could sound, so I started laying some tracks down with the view of “this song doesn’t matter” but I want it to sound as good as anything else. Once the instrumental part was done, it was very to easy to write the lyrics as I felt it was a representation of my journey learning recording, producing and mixing – “building my Rome” so to speak. Funny how things work out.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: Cocaine
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “Rome”?
A: As mentioned early, many challenges with the recording/producing side. But, I put the hours in with the books, online courses and hopefully it comes across in the song better than it would have had I not put any effort in. Sometimes one’s ego is the hardest thing to beat. I thought I knew what I was doing until I knew better what I was doing, if that makes sense.
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: Simple, listen to it and have a good time, that’s all I want for people. Down the line, I have plans to launch a “live” show, complete with costume, sexy fun lights, maybe even dancers because that would take away from the fact that I’m not one of those (although you never know). Just taking it as it comes and enjoying the ride without too much pressure at the moment.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: I would probably say Avicii, and only because of how much respect he had in the industry. Would be class to pick his brains with this type of music.
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: Don’t worry about “making it” or not. It’s a lot more fun when you’re not weighing yourself down with things that may or may not happen.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: Exactly as I answered the last question. I used to get frustrated too much at not getting anywhere or was trying to write song to fit in with whatever the current fad was and if I could say anything it would be “just do you!”
