Q: What inspired the creation of “Introvert” and how does it reflect your personal experiences as an introvert?
A: I have always felt a bit of an Introvert and enjoy doing things by myself. Growing up I used to lock myself in my bedroom practicing the drums and guitar for hours and hours instead of going out. Although I do enjoy the company of others and time with friends, it can be energy-draining when you see a lot of people at once. Introverts are also about the pressure that society puts on an individual and the social barrier that we all live under.
Q: “Introvert” explores themes of solitude and internal reflection. How much of this is drawn from your personal experiences?
A: Yes, the entire song is an internal reflection of my personal experiences and how I feel currently. The pressures and demands of society on an individual can be overwhelming. I also think it’s a good idea especially today with technology and social media if you can be comfortable by yourself without getting attention, likes, comments, or justification from other people that what you are doing has their approval. It’s healthy to be Introverted to a certain degree. I’m not saying to not see any friends or family but do we really need so much attention for every little thing we do? Hence the lyrics “Go Away or Get Away”! Find yourself by yourself.
Q: The production of “Introvert” has a very atmospheric and textured sound. Can you talk about your approach to the song’s production and any specific influences?
A: The whole idea with the album Demons was to tell a story and link all the songs together musically and lyrically. I purposefully wanted a stripped-back raw feel, where the vocal melody and story are the main theme of each song, so choosing to go acoustic was the perfect option. I wanted to build the story up gradually with Introvert written to fit in as the album opener setting the scene.
As far as influences go for production I did not have any specific bands in mind. As it’s grunge I have heard people say Nirvana unplugged or Days of the New. I was just concentrating on a lighter approach using split sticks and playing lighter on the drums, using acoustic bass and guitar.
With Production, I did a lot of extra acoustic guitar parts which are quite low in the mix but I think add some extra textures and interacted with the vocal melodies.
Q: In “Introvert,” there’s a balance between quiet introspection and soaring melodies. How do you decide on the musical dynamics when composing a song?
A: To tell a story you have to make sure the listener understands what is going on and what emotion you are trying to express. That is not to say that they will like it but it has to be identifiable. Do the lyrics match the melody and intensity? I like it when the contrast in dynamics matches the emotions I am trying to convey.
Q: What was the most challenging part, and how did you overcome it?
A: The most challenging part of recording Introvert was definitely the acoustic guitars. The acoustic guitars did not cut through how I intended them to at first so I had to figure out some other chord structures which would beef up the mix and also add to the song.
Q: Your music often carries a raw and authentic grunge influence. What draws you to this genre, and how do you keep it fresh in your compositions?
A: I have been listening to Grunge for over 30 years so you could say it’s in my blood and it’s just the way I naturally write material. I try to be as original as I can by adding my own flavor to the genre. The genre allows me to be myself and is the reason I am drawn to it.
Q: How do you hope listeners will respond to “Introvert”? Are there any specific themes or emotions you want them to take away from the song?
A: Yes – How life can be suffocating and sometimes you want everyone and everything to go away. How the monotony of social norms can be worn and how today’s world can styfle creatively, but also how in age and experience you come to deal with it better and not let it bother you the same. I still find the same things as difficult as I did when I was younger I have just learned to deal with the situations better.
Q: As a one-man band, you manage multiple aspects of music production. Can you share some challenges and rewards of working this way?
A: Pros and Cons I suppose. I can create the music I want without any interference but the lack of feedback and people to bounce ideas off can be challenging as you can get caught up in analyzing it. I think all the separate instrumental parts gel really well as it’s all my natural rhythm and writing style. Another challenge would be time and cost. With everything performed and written by myself as well as releasing/promoting etc, it gets done eventually but it’s a slow process.
Q: How has your music evolved since your first release, and where do you see it going in the future?
A: The long answer would be – I started playing drums at 12 which was my main instrument for a few years before I started to learn guitar and eventually onto songwriting. I recorded a lot of songs and actually recorded a grunge album. Although I could write vocal melodies and lyrics I would never class myself as a singer and lacked confidence. I wasn’t experienced in vocal performance and couldn’t get out what I had in my head. Most of my time was spent practicing the drums and guitar not having a lot of time for bass or vocal practice. I have been working on both vocals and bass a lot recently and I hope I am improving. This has helped me craft the songs I have in my head a lot better than the songs I wrote when I was younger.
Always striving to improve with every album and I will continue to write the best songs I can.
Q: Are there any artists or bands that have significantly influenced your musical style? How do they inspire your work?
A: Nirvana and Silverchair are the 2 biggest influences on my musical style for The Grunge Father project. They are just honest bands with no-frills music, telling a story with emotion, energy, authenticity, and what I try to achieve myself.
Another influence away from the grunge genre would be Stevie Ray Vaughn just for his passion and feel.
Q: What can fans expect in terms of live performances or tours supporting your new music, especially with the unique challenges and intimacy of “Introvert”?
A: As far as live performances go nothing is in the works as of yet. That is not to say it won’t happen in the future but I would have to form a band unless I do a one-man acoustic show which could be a possibility but I will keep you posted.
