By: Jennifer Vintzileos
Q) How would you best describe your sound?
A) I feel like I approach music with the goal of making stuff that’s hard to describe. Every song is a little different and even then it doesn’t always fit into a neat category. That’s by design. That’s humanity. So many artists run into the problem of facing backlash when they diverge from their previously established genre or category, so my goal with my art is to try to embrace that I, and everyone else, contain multitudes. So, my sound is whatever sounds good to me at a moment in time.
Q) Who are your Top 3 musical influences?
A) I won’t even try to refute the arbitrary nature of this list, so here it goes. Leonard Cohen is a huge influence in many ways. Few will ever reach his level of genius and mastery. For these last two, I’ll focus on contemporary artists I admire. Abe Partridge is one of the most amazing artists I’ve ever met and I fervently recommend him to anybody I can. He’s a true all-around artist and I greatly admire his integrity as an artist and a person. Another contemporary artist I admire is Lily Talmers. She’s an unbelievable songwriter and storyteller. I don’t know her personally, but she makes some of the most interesting and nuanced music I’ve heard in the modern music scene.
Q) Growing up in Texas, how much of the local music scene influenced your songwriting style?
A) A lot. One example is my friend Billy Hartman. He was one of the first people I met in music. He’s an amazing songwriter and has taught me so much. Countless amazingly talented people in the Texas music scene have led by example and been extremely kind and helpful to me over the years, and I thoroughly appreciate all of them.
Q) Tell us the story behind “A Funny Song.”
A) I wrote the first draft of “A Funny Song” in pretty much one burst and slowly edited and revised it until it felt right. Originally, I thought it would be too cheesy and didn’t think it would ever end up on an album or anything like that, but after a little while I began to see its potential. I think of it as a response to a lot of the happy-go-lucky songs throughout history because while they make us feel good, they’re not the full story.
Q) Since its release, what has been the reaction to “A Funny Song” from fans and listeners?
A) I’m not entirely sure. I’ve seen mostly positive feedback, but I have to imagine there’s been a range of reactions. I’m just glad that it’s found some people that it speaks to. That’s all you can ask for.
Q) What is your songwriting process? Do you need music before you can craft lyrics?
A) Not at all. Usually, I’ll write the lyrics with a rough melody in mind and then fit that with a guitar part either in real-time or after the fact. I very rarely write the music first because it generally gives you less lyrical freedom, but one exception is “Song Of The Artist.” I really liked the musical complexity I was able to work with, but it definitely made the lyric writing tougher. It ended up working out well in the end, so I’ll probably try that process out again.
Q) With the release of “A Funny Song,” you’re also set to release an album in June called Voices. What are some themes you will be exploring on this new album?
A) One of the common themes is the search for understanding, oftentimes in very broad philosophical contexts, but in more down-to-earth contexts as well.
Q) Which song was your favorite to write and record for Voices and what makes it so significant to you?
A) There are two that I particularly enjoyed in the context of this album. “The Cost” is a song that I wrote in late 2021 or 2022. I’m pretty sure it’s the oldest song on the album and I’ve been holding onto it for a while, waiting for the right project. So, it’s nice to finally utilize it how I envisioned it. “21st Century Savior” was another one that was really satisfying to have on this album. I feel like the instrumentation and arrangement finally let the song reach its full potential.
Q) With the release of a new album, you’re also set to tour this summer! Which cities are you most looking forward to visiting this summer?
A) We’re going to a bunch of towns and major cities that I’ve never been to before. This will be my first time in New York City as well as Chicago, Pittsburgh, Boston and many more. I’ve heard great things about the music scene in Kansas City, so that should be a good time. I expect to be very tired afterward, but I think it will be lots of fun.
Q) Which song is your favorite to perform at live shows?
A) Lately, I’ve been playing a David Rodriguez song called “Ballad of the Snow Leopard and the Tanqueray Cowboy.” It’s a beautiful song by an outstanding songwriter. I’ve played some recent shows with the accompaniment of violin and accordion and that song in particular was one of the most electrifying songs to play. It’s not a super-fast jam song or anything like that, but it’s so potent and memorable.
Q) If you could collaborate with anyone on a new music project, who would you love to work with and why?
A) Someone who I think is doing some really cool and interesting things in the music world is Madison Cunningham. She just did an album with Andrew Bird and he’s another person that I would love to collaborate with. They’re both unique and multifaceted artists and I would love to work with either of them.
Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters of you and your music?
A) I guess I’d like to say thank you to anyone who’s supported me and my music over the years. If you’ve ever bought a CD or come to a show or listened online, I really appreciate it. We’re all in this together. A good artist is nothing without a good audience.
Watch The Video For “A Funny Song”