Thunderstorm Artis – Surprise

By starrymag | June 1, 2023

By: Sammi Turano

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) I would describe my sound like a crossover between singer-songwriter and Soul/R&B. Like James Taylor and John Legend had a baby.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) I grew up listening to a multitude of different genres of music. My dad had a rule: we couldn’t say we didn’t like a genre of music unless we could play it or we could understand it. I grew up listening to artists like Nat King Cole, Andy Williams, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, The Beatles, James Taylor and John Denver. These artists have undoubtedly helped to shape my sound. There is also a few contemporary artists like Lewis Capaldi, Jacob Banks and John Legend that have really spoken to how my musical taste and sound is progressing – a little bit old school and a little bit new school.

 

Q) You grew up with two parents in the music business? How did that influence your sound and your musical performances?

 

A) When I was born, my parents had just exited the music industry. I grew up hearing about the good, the bad and the ugly of the entire music industry. You can find videos of me at eight years old on YouTube playing in our family band. We used to play music every day. My parents’ musical knowledge made me fall in love with the artists of their generation and those who came before.

You have to know where you come from to know where you’re going. It was so incredible to grow up listening to artists of that generation. When other kids around my age were listening to more current music, I was listening to music that was still on cassette and vinyl.

 

Q) America first got to know you on “The Voice” where you were the second runner up from your season. What advice did you receive on the show that you took to heart? And who was it from?

 

A) I’m very thankful for “The Voice” and all that it did for me. The whole team, from top to bottom, are family to me. It was amazing to be part of that family for a season. My vocal coach Trelawny Rose not only helped me to shape my sound but showed me how to take care of myself throughout the whole process. The biggest blessing of it all was that she helped me truly understand that everything I needed musically was already inside of me. I was able to go out there and be myself, be humble and put one foot in front of the other. That is what got me through that show. I’ve been on stages thousands of times, and nerves can get the best of you. Just take a breath and know that you’ve been there before.

 

Q) Your song “Surprise” is about finding true love, particularly about meeting your wife Faith? What were some challenges in writing about something so personal?

 

A) There were a lot of challenges. If you know my story you know that I first started writing music while dealing with loss. I lost my father when I was thirteen. Music, especially then, was therapeutic for me. I found myself constantly writing from a place of despair. I had not written many uplifting songs, and even the songs that did sound happy were more about these deeper, darker thoughts. In writing “Surprise,” I wanted the song to embody how I felt when I met my wife.

Now we’ve been married for three years. Yesterday was our anniversary! She’s brought nothing but joy into my life. Learning to make peace with everything in my past, growing up, having a kid; everything led me to writing the song. The song is just as much about her as it is about my son. There were a lot of challenges, but the blessings are so much more rewarding.

 

Q) How did she react when she first heard the song?

 

A) She cried. She loved it.

 

Q) In what ways do you think your fans can relate to the song?

 

A) We all grew up with the goal of finding your one true love. It’s hard for our generation to find love out there in the world. I hope this inspires my fan base – and even the people who don’t rock with my music yet – to believe in the possibility of finding someone who completes your life. I hope that it inspires people to understand that love is real, and love is still true.

 

Q) Are you planning on adding a music video to coincide with the song?

 

A) I absolutely plan to release a music video for “Surprise.” One of the reasons my family and I moved to Nashville is to connect with more creatives, and people who can help me to realize my vision for my music. I’m so excited to work on some music videos; not just for “Surprise,” but even for some of my catalog that’s already been released.

 

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

 

A) We’re working on some new music!

 

Q) Your previous song “Stronger” was recently featured on “Grey’s Anatomy.” What was it like having your song featured so prominent prominently on such an iconic show?

 

A) It was amazing and unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It’s such an iconic show. Watching them stretch out the song to a full five minutes in the show was breathtaking. My family all gathered around the TV to watch it. I’ve been able to watch my numbers grow from it. I owe a lot to the guys over there at “Grey’s Anatomy.”

 

Q) Who are some other artists you want to collaborate with in the future?

 

A) It would be amazing to work with NEEDTOBREATHE, Tori Kelly, Jonathan McReynolds and, of course, John Legend. It’d be sick to do something with Morgan Wallen now that I’m out here in Nashville – let’s do some country! I am always down to make music.

 

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters of you and the wonderful music that you make?

 

A) Thank you so much for following my journey. You’ve seen the ups and the downs. I’m looking forward to seeing you at the shows, and to hear what you think about the new music I’m working on!