Joseph of Mercury – Without Words

By starrymag | April 12, 2017

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) Dreamy, classic, Time traveling…? I seem to wander through the decades a little when I write.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Santo & Johnny, Quincy Jones, Nile Rogers, Paul Anka, Elvis and David Bowie – of course.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Without Words.”

 

A) The story of the song is that it came from an idea I had for a video and we still may get around to making that video. So, you’ll just have to wait and see.

 

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

 

A) I really wouldn’t try to guess. I can barely tell myself. When it comes to creating this stuff, I just try to spend my time getting as close to what I think feels right, complete and beautiful.

 

Q) How will the video play into the message of the song?

 

A) There are no current plans for a video. I’m never a fan of rushing things. We’re just going to wait for the right collaborator to come around. You always know it when it happens.

 

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

 

A) It’s always different, sometimes music first and other times the words or the melodies. But we are talking about a matter of moments here. Ostensibly, it all just happens at the same time – one informing the other as I go.

 

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

 

A) I’m very involved, days and nights in the studio as it were. I trust everyone I work with so it’s not out of a need for control. I just honestly enjoy all the different aspects of the process and I’m very grateful for the chance to spend my time working side by side with this caliber of producers and musicians.

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Joseph of Mercury performance?

 

A) A true mix of classic and modern instrumentation. I’m not a purest so for me it’s just about what is going to deliver the best experience at the time.

 

Q) Will there be an EP or full album coming in the near future? 

 

A) I have written a lot of songs. [smile] We certainly have an EP. We certainly have an album, but exactly how it will be released or what form it will take is something that will be clarified as we go.

 

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

 

A) It’s sad that so many of my heroes have passed in the last few years and I will never have that chance, but certainly as I said Nile Rogers, Tony Bennett, Quincy Jones and Rick Rubin. The things I imagine I could learn from even a conversation, let alone a collaboration, it would just be a priceless experience. From a more contemporary space, I would love to approach a classic style duet with an Adele, Florence and The Machine or Lana Del Rey.

 

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

 

A) It isn’t always, but it can be the sincerest and direct pathway to everyone. Some use it as a megaphone and others a walk-talkie, but it has that capacity to scale from global to individual interactions in a matter of seconds. That is very exciting.

 

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

 

A) “Thank you” because this really matters to me, though I hope I never really have to say that and that it just comes across through my work.