Who is Vera’s Son – ArtistPR.com

Tell us about yourself and your music

My music is a fusion of both psychedelic and post-punk elements with maybe a hint of 90s Alt. I’m always having people tell me different descriptions of my music so perhaps I have an eclectic range of sounds. What do you think my music sounds like? I try to tell stories in my songs, similar to the ones you would hear in the old folk songs of the ’30s and ’40s. I work midnights at the brewery so my songs reflect heavily on working-class ethics. We are the backbone of our country and far too often are taken advantage of. My music reflects that.

Talk to us more about your latest release

My new release, Madaford Mélange, was the album written in unwelcome isolation caused by failed relationships, evaporating friendships, and turmoil amongst a once-close family. The album was written and recorded when I was 39 going on 40. Songs of isolation and loneliness are typically written by artists in their early 20s. Desolation at midlife hasn’t been transitioned to songs very often. Madaford Mélange is unique because of that.

What inspired you to write this release?

Since I was 18 I have always loved to write and record songs however just recently in the past 5 or so years its become affordable to build a home studio. Although you still have to put in hard work to have great sound quality, the opportunity to have complete control over my music and its production inspired me heavily. Being a person in his late 30s early 40s who has experienced a vast number of failed relationships and has seen good friends start their own families put you in an unwelcome state of loneliness but it’s a different feeling than when I was in my twenties and felt lonely. When I was in my twenties I had plenty of friends who felt the same way so because of that I never was truly lonely.

Friends got married and he tried the same But it didn’t work out so well
Ex-wife cheated and lovers fled Taking all of his pride -Orphan He Is Now

When I got married at the age of 30 I completely stopped doing music. Maybe I thought I needed to “grow up” or maybe I thought I simply didn’t need it but when I hit my late 30s that All changed. I got a divorce, was laid off from my job, and was completely lost. My friends had their own families so had nowhere to turn to but then I heard something on the car radio that I hadn’t heard in a long time. It was a sound that use to help in the toughest times in my life that I had shamefully almost forgotten about. It was ‘These Arms Of Mine” by Otis Redding’s. I immediately went to a local guitar shop and bought and an acoustic (I had prior gotten rid of my gear).

I right away started writing songs but then I found out via YouTube how affordable it was to have your studio. The home recording had come a long way in the 10 years that I was away from music. I thought to myself with the emergence of online dating and social media and the ironic feeling of loneliness they cause that surely there are plenty of men and women in there 30s, 40s 50s feeling the same solitude that I felt. This inspired me to put out Madaford Mélange.

Describe the writing and recording process

From a music standpoint, It starts with a feeling or a mode. that way I know what chords I want to use. As far is lyrics goes it usually starts with the title of a song. I come up with the name of the song and build the song around that (Dash Rash Tattoo and Walking Along with the Burnt Trees). I do sometimes have a certain subject that I want to write about, for example, “Funny In An Offbeat Way” and “Aspects of Mr. Jon Patrick.” Those were both songs where I knew what the lyrics were going to be and how the song was going to feel before I even before I picked up the guitar.

Any plans to release a video?

Any plans to hit the road?

Being a blue-collar guy who works quite often I have no plans to hit the road but if Glastonbury every wants me to play, I think I can find the time, he he he!!!

As an indie artist, how do you brand yourself and your music to stand out from the rest of the artists out there?

I don’t try to brand myself. I’m a blue-collar worker with no kids that have been multiple failed relationships. Perhaps that’s my brand but it’s not something I’m trying to be. It’s just something that is. I simply want to write good songs that tell stories both positive and negative.

Who have you been listening to lately?

Lately, it been Cigarettes after sex, The Worst, Blind Willie Johnson, Pet Shop Boys, Pink Floyd, and The Weavers. I guess that’s sort of eclectic mix of performers but that’s normally how my music tastes are

Who are your biggest influences?

Musically speaking? I was a teenager in the 90’s so Nirvana defiantly was a band that gave me the confidence to not only play guitar but I could also write songs too. It didn’t just stop there though. I was obsessed with wanting to know their influences too. My musical research ultimately leads to Psychedelic furs and The Smiths which musically are my biggest influences. My songs however didn’t have passion in them but that all change when I saw the Monterey pop festival. I watch it only because Jimi Hendrix and The Who were playing but I saw someone that would change my perception of music forever. It was Otis Redding. I have never seen someone so passionate about something in my life and it deeply affected me.

What else is happening next in your world?

Right now I’m working on adding to my home studio. The next phase is to buy a house. I’m also working on a concept EP called “The Archaic Lemolian.” It’s just going to be a classical guitar (Toned drop C), mellotron and vocals.