Blood makes noise

 

NJ based singer-songwriter Damien Musto has been on the road opening for OURS, performing for some of the biggest crowds of his career.  He also just released a new single called "Cry For Help," which was recorded with his friend, OURS frontman, Jimmy Gnecco. We caught up with Musto to chat about it.

Having been in a handful of notable NJ bands throughout your career (Hey Tiger, small a.m.), at what point did you shift focus and start to seriously hone in on your solo work?  Honestly it wasn’t an intentional move, being a musician, I naturally gravitated towards expressing myself through music.   I’m generally pretty introverted so music has always been a way to get it out. 

 

 

Do you remember when you first picked up a guitar and realized it was something you wanted to learn how to use to write music?   I was 13 when I got my first guitar, I was just so excited to play and I naturally started writing fragments of songs, humming ideas trying to figure out how to play them.  To this day I still hum different things and try to learn them.   It’s all part of the process. 

 

What's the very first concert that you ever went to?  I realize this answer may be unexpected but Barry Manilow.  I’ve been a fan since a child and still am to this day, in fact I saw him just a few months ago at The Prudential Center in NJ. 

 

Can you let us in on what your writing process is like these days? Are you a lyrics or melody guy?   Typically, for me melody comes first, lyrics tend to take me a little bit.  I’ve always been the guitar player in a band and I’ve been lucky enough to have worked with some great lyricists but the problem with that is I worked with great lyricists so I didn’t have to write lyrics.   Some of the best lyrics I write tend to come when I’m in the shower or not thinking about it. 

 

What other bands/artists (or specific songs) inspire you musically? I like a lot of different music, anything from Van Halen, Barry Manilow, U2, Depeche Mode have been my staples growing up, you can even throw Chicago in there.   In recent years I really got into the OURS catalog, such a diverse deep collection of songs.   Being on tour with them I get a front row look night after night and their live performance really takes it to an entirely new level.  The human connection between the audience and OURS is really what makes it extra special, plus the band is slamming.   

What's the live performance experience like for you and do you have a philosophy on playing live? Do you think the music live should be identical to the recorded version or should it be its own thing?   Each live performance is like a puzzle, trying to figure out what works for that moment, trying to make each performance feel like an experience for both the listener and myself, really trying to connect with the audience and take them somewhere special.  I don’t think the live performance needs to be identical to the recording, I always change the arrangement on the spot depending on what I’m feeling.   

 

Tell us about the tour you've been on with OURS? How did that come to be? Do you have some good stories to share? Best and worst shows, that kind of thing?  A few years ago I asked my buddy Steve Brown from Trixter if Jimmy Gnecco from OURS (who I didn’t know at the time) would be able to help me with my voice.   I figured it was a big ask but Steve helped set it up which I’m forever grateful for.   Jimmy, who's incredibly kind with a heart of gold, took me on and it wasn’t long before helping me with my voice turned into a real friendship, working on songs, recording and eventually touring.   Touring with OURS is great, I feel completely at home and comfortable with all of them.  It’s become a real family, we all hang out, watch out for one another and work really well together.  Being able to open for the night after night is an extra bonus.  

 

What's next? We hear there's a record in the making. What can you tell us about it?   Yes, I’ve been recording with Jimmy but had to take a break while on tour but when we get back I’ll be back in the studio.   I think the plan is to release one song at a time and then eventually put out the record.  It’s an exciting process, everything is completely honest and organic, and tells a story.  Jimmy really does a great job at pushing me and seeing where a song can go.   I’m really proud of the work we’ve been doing.  I hope people will be able to connect with it, I’m really excited about the direction and work we’ve been doing.