Brian Falduto – Stage Two

By starrymag | November 5, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) This album is pretty pop-country, but I’m always reluctant to label my music as that because I hate putting my sound in a box. When I’m songwriting, I’m never really intending to crank out those type of radio standards. I start with a story or a lyric and I see where that goes.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) It’s actually a little strange that I’m delivering what you’d probably call “pop-country” because my influences over the years go far beyond that genre. Sure, I love Rascal Flatts and Carrie Underwood, but I also love everything from Bing Crosby to Brandi Carlile to Britney Spears and Aerosmith, Chris Stapleton, Michelle Branch, Aretha Franklin … I love all types of music as long as I can understand what they’re saying. Did I mention I’m 65?

 

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

 

A) The song is the first single off my album, Stage Two, and it’s got some pretty specific lyrics. I’m definitely not trying to hide anything. It’s about an emotionally damaging and toxic relationship I had with a guy. He kept hurting me, but really I kept allowing myself to be hurt by him. The song is less about him and more about infatuation and the dangerous place it can take us to when we lose touch with who we are and what we’re worth. When I think about the song, my mind goes directly to a moment that I will never forget because I had never felt weaker or more pathetic. I was responsible for how convoluted I allowed that situation with him to get. I kept putting off the day I did what was right. I kept putting off the day I stood up for myself. I kept saving it “all for a Rainy Day.”

 

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

 

A) The vulnerability? I’m not proud of the place I was in when I wrote it. Putting it out there took some debate but in the end, I think people can connect with a story told in truth even if it’s something you’re ashamed of.

 

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

 

A) In the video, we strip the track down to an acoustic rendition that allows for a more emotional take and we offer a few B roll shots from the recording process so that y’all can get a peek behind the curtain. Also, interspersed into the video is a voice over of me reading from Alan Down’s book on gay psychology called The Velvet Rage. What I went through is not unique. In the gay community, there are a lot of convoluted relationships that are a result of a lack of self-worth. I mean, we’re told our entire lives that there’s something wrong with us. When we come out, we spend our first years as a gay man trying to find our worth and a lot of that manifests itself into the promiscuous reputation for which our community is infamous. Downs talks about this a lot in his book. As an I.C.F. certified Life Coach, I work with a lot of LGBT clients who are trying to find their authentic self. I wanted to use my music and this video as an opportunity to direct my fellow members of the community to this piece of literature that has some great advice on building the confidence in oneself needed to bypass harmful relationships like the one I was in.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) No. I write lyrics to a melody in my head and then I sit down and find the chords. I write a lot of my stuff while walking or hiking as those are very freeing activities for my mind. I find that taking a walk is also helpful for coming up with arrangements, cover ideas, harmonies, instrumental elaborations, etc.

 

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

 

A) I was pretty hands on with this project. It was just me and a sound engineer (Joe Webster). We both acted as producer more or less. Given that I’ve never done anything like this and just kinda dove in head first, I’m immensely proud of the result.

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Brian Falduto performance?

 

A) A lot of fun with a few tugs at your heartstrings along the way. And perhaps some life coaching. [laughs] I’m known to go off on a tangent or two.

 

My group is billed as “Brian Falduto & Friends” because I’d be nothing without the talented people who join me on stage. We always throw in a few covers which are carefully chosen. It’s important to me as an artist that the set list always parallels what I’m trying to say with my songs and my stories. I’ve been very fortunate so far to be the recipient of great energy from the audience.

 

Q) What songs off your upcoming Stage Two album are you looking forward to performing live?

 

A) I’m excited for the day “Fault” catches on. It’s a bit wordy so it’s a hard one to introduce to new audiences but it’s definitely has the potential to be a sassy sing-a-long tune. We’ve yet to play “Rainy Day” live so that will be fun for me! Or I’ll cry, who knows.

 

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new album as a whole?

 

A) My favorite feedback on my music is when someone says that my song reached them because they’ve been through similar or the same. That connection is why I’ve kept writing and why I continue to put myself out there like this. If this album has even one person who feels less alone because they find solace in a relatable track on my record, the album is a success in my eyes. I want to provide representation of experiences and feelings that might feel ostracizing otherwise.

 

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

 

A) Matt Alber. He is my direct inspiration as an artist at the moment. He’s so talented and he’s doing such great work for the community in both music and film. I wrote him an email. Will you tweet at him for me?

 

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

 

A) I saw Mean Girls on Broadway this past week, so I’ve been listening to the soundtrack nonstop. It’s a great show! The cast is so talented, the music is fantastic; I left the theatre with pure joy coursing through my body. I’m also loving Kelsea Ballerini’s track, “Miss Me More.”

 

Q) We loved you in the movie School of Rock. Who have you kept in touch with from the film?

 

A) Everyone! We literally have a group text that is still thriving. When I was in LA this past Winter, I reconnected with a few of the kids who live out there. There’s a few of us who are still NYC-dwelling, too. My girl Maryam [Tomika] also just released some new music. She’s billed as “Mayhrenate.” I’m excited to see what we end up doing for the twenty-year reunion in five years.

 

Q) With a lot going on in the world, as a certified life coach and advocate what are a couple simple everyday things people can do to center themselves?

 

A) I mean, that’s the key, right? Centering yourself? We have got to check in with ourselves every day and if we don’t have a way of doing that, I’d say that is an issue. I’d feel hypocritical of my practice to offer suggestions as if they were solutions though. We each need to find what works for us. I love partnering up with my clients to figure out what that relationship with themselves looks like for them, but I never pretend to have the answers because your answers are different than mine. For me, I love writing. When it’s not music, I check in with myself through gratitude journaling or sentence-completion exercises or just plain journaling in general. I love mantras, I love walking, I love yoga. That’s me. Also, never underestimate the power of breath.

 

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

 

A) Social media isn’t nearly always a good thing, but that’s not the question. [laughs] I do think it’s important for me to use to grow my audience. In an attempt to do so authentically, I’ve made the commitment to very mindful regarding if and when I edit my content. I also always respond to whomever reaches out unless they are inappropriate about it. I’ve had some of the most beautiful and genuine interactions following work I’ve put out and I owe that to social media. Just like with everything in life, it’s all about balance. If approached healthily, social media can be a beautiful thing.

 

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

 

A) Thank you. Without support, I’d probably still be #workingonadream, but the support really, really helps me believe in myself.