A Word About Firestarter, Music, and Being True To Yourself
A day or so ago, I released via social media that my next original record, Firestarter, is to be released on April 30th. It’s a bit of change in style, but also what you’ve come to know me for. It’s also been an emotional release + change for me.
It’s been an interesting bunch of years between Of Oceans and Firestarter. Within this time, I’ve been grateful to be part of some amazing projects and performances both in the US and abroad. I’ve released singles (both wrestling themes and Mettle Of A Man), moved back north to New Jersey, and have met some amazing people both in and out of music.
However, not unlike many of us, there’s also an internal struggle. Factors like role strain, taking on more than I probably realistically could, trying to be the best husband I could be, stockpiling more music than I can shake a stick at (there’s about 60 completed songs in the vault), and as Snow tha Product would say, “this fucking industry”, I can’t say that every moment of these six years has been glamorous.
Artistically, there’s been one nagging ball + chain over the last six years. While grateful to meet and perform with many of my influences, it puts a pressure on you to continue pushing yourself, where you also measure every note, pick and composition against theirs. Would Andy James listen to this and be as impassioned as I am with What Lies Beneath? Would Daniele Gottardo hear Astraeus and be as moved as when he taps Guitar Sbrego? Even moreso than this, would the John Kiernan of old, the one who wasn’t afraid to take risks with their art and didn’t give a shit what anyone thought of his work, recognize and be proud of what we’ve become?
What do these two previous paragraphs cause? Inconsistent releases, settling, promises broken, and further internal artistic doubt.
Firestarter. I promised myself to never let these above paragraphs define me again. Crippling self doubt no more. I want to be proud of the work I’ve done. I won’t let a broken industry derail the love that brought me here. I would love my influences, friends, family and acquaintances to find passion and solace in my work, that can’t happen unless I continue to put my full self into every piece of music I write.
All of the music I’ve written previously will finally see the light of day (or night), regardless of style. Thank you all for taking this journey with me, I hope you all enjoy what’s to come. Thank you for taking this journey with me so far. Let’s keep it going.