What made you decide to become a soloist?
After creating the band Huffman in 2014, and releasing an EP plus an album, I wanted to switch directions and create a project in that I could bring in artists from different bands. Having the freedom to work around many different talent levels, I thought I could grow as an artist learning from some of the best talents the Washington DC and Baltimore MD area had to offer.
Introduce us all to the members and your musical history?
I am the lead singer and lyricist while Tony Correlli is the engineer/producer. Tony worked with me on the Huffman records and we joined forces once again at Deep End Studios to record the new album “Decompose”. I brought in guitarists Matthew Berry (Classified Frequency), Tim Wallace (Goodbye July), Eric McCullough (isilme), Tim Ruggiero and Joe Ruggiero (Fantasm). Drummer Paul Provensano from Huffman and Chris Pearson lent their talents as well.
What’s the best piece of advice you have received?
Always stay grounded and remember your fans are the ones who truly make your music special with how they respond to its message.
Did you buy anything you don’t need in the pandemic? If so, what?
A massage chair. I may not need it, but I will never regret buying it haha. My muscles thank me every day.
Tell us something about you that you think people would be surprised about?
I think most people are shocked by the fact that I love the paranormal. I will sit and watch paranormal shows through the night. I am very rarely scared by any of these shows or movies. Probably comes from watching The Exorcist at 10 years old. That is definitely the scariest movie ever.
Tell us a funny story from the studio?
We love to joke around while recording. Makes making music so much easier! We will mess around with effects on the keyboard. I will say give me a dark sound for an intro to a tune, and usually I’ll reference a movie theme song while Tony is playing. Mostly lighthearted humor. One of my favorite sounds he played sounded like something out of The Nun. You can here it in the tune “Fury” that is the sixth track on the new album. It jolts you right from the start. Sounds like a bunch of monks in a low tone chanting. Absolutely love it.
If you had to describe yourself to an alien, how would you?
First off, I don’t think aliens are ready to contact me. It wouldn’t go well. I would be trying to steer the ship and find the nearest populated galaxy. As for describing myself, I would say they would find my humor to be outlandish, and my smile to be something that needs to be framed on Planet Nanu Four. I would say you picked the one guy on Earth that is ready for a field trip.
Which of the band is the biggest nightmare? (Just a bit of fun)
Tony by far. An absolute genius in the studio and can play many different instruments. Makes me look like an amateur hour musically. Not necessarily a nightmare, more of an evil genius.
You have one phone call and you have been locked up for a crime you didn’t commit? Which member would you call first?
Tim from Goodbye July. He would bring a lawyer, Doritos, and a guitar. I prefer the Doritos the most.
Name a four piece band made up of legends – who would be in it? (drummer, bass, lead singer etc)?
Freddie Mercury, John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Jimi Hendrix. Mercury is the most amazing singer of our time. Could switch to opera from rock in an instant. Hendrix and Bonham were absolute monsters on their instruments. Jones’ grooves on bass were the backbone of Zeppelin.
Right now, what’s pissing you off the most?
That more indie bands aren’t getting the attention they deserve. So much talent out there that will never get the chance to be heard by a wide audience.
I hear you have a new album, what can you tell us about it?
This album took over 2 years to record and I believe the results are going to show how much dedication was involved in its creation. The album has 7 songs, six originals and one cover of the U2 hit Bullet The Blue Sky. The album starts off with three burning tracks, Unleash, the title track Decompose, and Valhalla Call. I’ve always loved albums that rock at the start. You want to get the listeners grooving right off the bat. This album absolutely does that. Following the U2 cover, the fourth track on the album, is the heart grabbing tune “Tightrope” written by Kurtis Goad. Kurtis wrote tunes for the Huffman album and graciously lent his talents to this project. Tightrope deals with suicide and is definitely a song that pleads for those suffering to reach out for the help they need. Album closers “Fury” and “Sinister” take the listener out on a high.
Talk me through the thought process of the album?
Always wanted to incorporate the music from the 90’s into a synth rock-based template. The combination worked perfectly. Working with Tony, and the creative talent he brings to the table, makes writing the lyrics so easy. The theme of the album is based off the knowledge that we all suffer from traumas in our world. Losing loved ones, major life changing events, and unexpected incidents all shape who we are. Decompose speaks to the fact that we need to grieve and erode away that trauma as much as possible.
What was the recording process like?
I would write a bunch of lyrics and bring it into the studio. Tony and I would sit down and create the general melody and rhythm. From there we would write the verses and chorus while developing soundscapes that would build the spine of the song. After getting the main structures down we create any bridge that was needed and call on our fellow artists to develop their own creative sounds for lead guitar and drums. Such an open and engaging process.
Why record an album? A lot of artists are going down the road of regular singles, just interested in your thoughts on committing to an album right now?
I’m old school haha. I know business-wise the best idea is utilizing singles to find your audience. I see this as a throwback to the times I would go to Tower Records in the States and listen to a whole album on the headphones before buying. I miss those times. I think we need to get back to creating a journey through an album. If you listen to Pearl Jam’s “Ten” or Linkin Park’s “Meteora” you feel like you’re on this adventure that you don’t want to end.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the album?
Learning the nuances of recording. When you have to structure your vocal melodies in different ways to make that music pop out even more. The vocalists I admire have the talent to take a song and add their touch to just make you go “Damn! How did they come up with that key?”
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
Absolutely not. I love what we’ve done, and I think you have a tendency to overdo things. I’m excited for the world to hear this and hopefully we have made some music that people will want more of.
What are your plans for the year ahead?
We are already recording the follow-up to “Decompose”. The album will be called “Chaos Serum” and is already 80% complete. First things first though. We look forward to engaging with the fans and hopefully you’ll hear us on your favorite podcasts soon.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
Just want to say I really appreciate the opportunity to talk about this project I’m so proud of. The artists involved in “Decompose” are so talented and I can’t wait for everyone to hear what we believe is a unique sound. Thank you to RGM Magazine and all your readers for this special look into Farewell Fortune. Look forward to hearing from the fans. Rock on everyone!
FACEBOOK // TWITTER // INSTAGRAM