Blue Kid on the Rock – 42

By starrymag | September 7, 2022

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) Probably the hardest question I get since I am still experimenting a lot to find my most authentic voice. I like the “retrofuture genre-bending electronica” label for now, which is broad enough to allow me some wiggle-room for future productions without disorienting my audience too much.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) As an 80’s child, I’d say that the whole era subconsciously remains my primary zeitgeist. I often get remarks about David Bowie and Depeche Mode reminiscences I was definitely not aiming for. Yet my conscious ones are endless, as I devour new music on a daily basis. My 90’s were probably dominated by giants like Radiohead, Pearl Jam and Pavement, whereas my 00’s opened with the exhilarating garage rock of The Strokes to then move to the more indie and intimate sounds of Arcade Fire, LCD Soundsystem, Wilco, The National, Broken Social Scene and Vampire Weekend. In the last ten or so years though I opened up to more and more dance, electronic and ethereal soundscapes. This is primarily thanks to IDM labels like Ghostly International and Ninja Tunes in the early 2010’s, yet my influences gradually became more fragmented and eclectic as Spotify’s algorithms have radically changed our whole fruition experience, for better or worse. Vocal-wise, I alternate baritone moments a-la Matt Berninger or Lou Reed, falsettos a-la Thom Yorke or whispers and roaring exclamations from my beloved Kevin Drew.

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Mayday.”

A) “May Day” is a play on words, since I was born in May, and now, somehow ironically (?), crying for help as I leave plenty of familiar things behind – job, country, love – venturing into new unchartered territories without a clear compass, but also with experience and newly-found wisdom. The line “hello, hello, hello, hello I lost my…” is also a not-so-subtle homage to “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” While I am no longer a teenager, some Peter Pan syndrome is still at play if I were to brutally self-analyze.

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) The folks who liked it so far told me they are enjoying the variety of the tune and its crafty FX, the patient buildup and the catchy chorus. It’s probably the most radio-friendly one I produced so far, infused with Deep House and Downtempo influences, too.

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) Well, I do not have a full music video for the tune so far, and only created some canvas for Spotify, but stay tuned. Something is in the works as we speak.

Q) Your song “42” seems to be a tribute to your age. What is it about this time in your life that inspired this new single?

A) Yes, the theme of the whole EP is the transition into a new era of both maturity and continued exploration, also hinted at by the opening track “Telemachus,” Ulysses’ son who sailed the seas in search for his lost father. On an even more symbolic level, this is also a metaphor for reconnecting with long-lost traditions; in that vein, “42” is also the most rock-influenced tune so far. Also, in Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, 42 is the ultimate answer to existence, but we all know he was actually messing with us by randomly picking a number and letting the audience scramble to seek deeper meaning into it. This also reminds me of my creative process, where my arbitrary choices become meaningful post-facto, beyond and despite my original intentions and through the lens and interpretation of the listeners.

Q) What is your song writing process?

A) Well, my production mentors have taught me to first of all pick a reference track to ground myself. I don’t believe in the romantic idea of “nature” and “originality,” but in a more collective, crafty and transformational creative process. It’s actually about subtraction and additions in equal parts. The “ultimate origin” is an elusive and never-graspable idea, better left for theological debates. After I lay down the basic rhythmic bed, I proceed with the melodic layers and only then I can instinctively hum a bunch of mumbo-jumbo vocals, selecting and rearranging only the ones I like. Only at the end I write lyrics by first picking a theme and then matching the “mumbo-jumbo” structure as faithfully as I can.

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) About 99%, if you take away some feedback that I seek from the few close people I trust. I have tried handing over the mixing and mastering parts to other producers in a couple of instances, but never been fully satisfied as I’ve yet to find someone who can either faithfully interpret or boost my vision. Yes, I am a bit of a control freak.

Q) Will there be a full album coming in the near future or are you mostly focused on your debut EP for the time being?

A) I think singles and EPs for now are the most suitable form of expression for an emerging artist like me and also due to the ever-more-fragmented music experience. I am not saying there is no room for albums anymore, but probably best for more established producers who built enough trust with their fanbase to deserve fifty minutes of uninterrupted love and attention. I also want to give my new EP a few more months of push before going back to my DAW.

Q) What can fans expect from a live Blue Kid on the Rock show?

A) For the time being, I am laser focused on ironing my skills as a studio producer (still a long way to go), producing enough material I’d be proud to perform live and expand my fanbase. I am also actively searching for fellow musicians who share my vision as I am not liking the one-man-band idea, despite Jim Morrison’s eerily accurate prediction back in 1969 about the future of music.

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) Well, I can only sigh and share the favorite places I’ve seen my favorite artists perform in. They are all relatively “small “and intimate venues with some incredible history, passionate and respectful crowds like The Fillmore and Masonic in San Francisco or Vicar Street in Dublin. I also saw Bonobo at the Royal Albert Hall in London recently and was blown away. Here’s to being able to play in some of them one day.

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) I’ll probably say my favorite and most entertaining Italian artist of the past few years, Cosmo (Marco Jacopo Bianchi). On an infinitesimally lower scale, I see myself in the improbable trajectory and clash of influences that shapes his bizarro electro-pop, but also admire and aim at the great balance of melancholy and joyfulness he artfully strikes, and his flirting with the underground club culture.

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

A) I found out about Mt. Joy’s Orange Blood about one week ago, and it’s been on repeat ever since. At first, I didn’t make much of it, but the album turned out to be a true folk-rock masterpiece. Apparently simple, it’s got so much depth and nuances and keeps on giving at every play. It’s been the soundtrack of my recent summer holiday in Apulia, Italy and perfect for a dreamy drive by the sea or among millenary olive trees. Check out the subtle and intimate “Bathroom Light” or the more anthemic and uplifting “Lemon Tree” and won’t regret it.

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) As an unsigned emerging musician with an equal passion for digital arts and literature, social media has been an unreplaceable source of immediate sharing, proactive engagement, unexpected growth and constructive feedback. It has allowed me to bypass prohibitive traditional channels and find mutual support in a warm community of like-minded souls. In absence of major blog reviews so far, kind DM’s and comments from die-hard fans have been the major source of pride and a push to continue on my journey.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) As I already shared on IG lately, I want to reiterate my massive thanks to the thousands of souls who streamed my first EP worldwide and particularly to the loyal bunch who hearted it. While there is still a long way to go, I am very proud of the progress so far, knowing that six years ago I was barely able to crawl on Garageband.