From Troy, New York; my family made the trip over from Italy after WWII. My mother gave birth to me when she was 40! (I owe my mamma the soul that I have & songs that are in my heart) and well... here I am! :)
My family background is from a small farming village in a town called Cardinale, Italy. What do you do for fun in such a small town... well... you SING & WORK :) My mom and dad both sang in the fields while they worked and both loved music. Hummm... maybe that's why I now play these folk tunes... I didn't plan it this way... Really!!! I play the heck out of my guitar and love to mix different elements in my music such as Jazz, Blues, Rock, FUNK whatever mood strikes me -- thus Folkafied Soul ;) You are sure to be entertained one way or another :) As far as influences go... I will let you come to your own conclusion :)
I have been playing guitar and performing for over 17 years. Most of my shows have been within the Capital District of New York (Albany, Troy, Saratoga, Schenectady etc.) But I have played such places as the famed Eddie's Attic in Atlanta, Georgia. Was going to do a gig in London, but it got foiled by plane trouble :( And played Solar Fest in Vermont - 2005 where I opened up for Dar Williams. I was selected as one of 10 finalists from across the country to play this gig.
Before going solo, I played in a number of Punk Tinged -- Power-Pop Bands; although my intent was not to play punk ;) You can still hear some of that edge and energy in my solo acoustic material -- if you can't escape what you are why not embrace it! :)
Going solo and doing the singer-songwriter thing really was a natural response to providing myself with the artistic freedom to basically do what I want and develop my own style. Playing the Acoustic Guitar can be a very muscular and at the same time intimate experience with the audience... I like that.
I have played lots of different types of gigs these past years, and none more special or important than the other... I always play 110% straight away!
Most Recent NEWS is music project S I M P L E Theory with my good friend Brittany Robichaud. Brittany is an incredible singer and song-writer making these performances quite memorable to say the least :)
Hey I think I have off Tuesday if you wanna do something, and I think I'm gunna go to live at five Thursday its Joan Osbourne and Sersie(dunno how to spell it) Get back to me :)
Hey! I'm sorry we missed the CD release show. I tried to explain that having a CD released is a lot like giving birth, which -- ultimately -- is more important than a birthday party. But my argument lost to "the look" that I received.
Anyways, I hope the show went great. And I can't wait to get my hands on a CD. (I'm putting aside the cash, so I can buy it when I see you next.)
-James
ps -- congrats on winning that band contest thing!
Hey you! :) I like your energy! :) And I am glad you found me, and very much thank you 4 the sooo nice words about me :) I have family from Italy that I don't know much about, so it means alot to me!
Lost in Troy... made the ride from Amsterdam only to get lost in Troy. I thought it was on forth street... guess I was wrong. I only went down a couple of one way streets in the wrong direction :) I stopped at Stewart's and got some Cracker Jacks and Coors Light and watch the food channel when I got home. Catch you soon.
Wow! Your new sound system is intense! It's loud and clear (which is not always two things that go together with sound systems).
Anyways, I kept forgetting to tell you that you look like a rock star when you're playing solos. You've always sounded like a rock star; but, now you look like one. Which is pretty freakin' cool!
hey Maurizio, guess what? I finally re-strung my guitar! are you proud? haha. hope to see you at Lena's or elsewhere this month... moving May 31st! take care :)
hey, i enjoyed hearing you at cafe lena's last week. i saw your bullentin and really wanted to check you out at red square, but i couldn't make it. hope it went well! keep letting me know of your gigs :)
Here is a question- what kind of loser is up and on myspace at 6 am (see below!). Anyway, i am psyched about the red square show. Are you and Brit on facebook? I have been posting events through there, it is really helpful. Find me! lily alayne
I am so excited about April 24th! I can't believe you guys are playing with Katie Haverly and Lily's sister at Red Square. Yayyyyy! It will be a great night!
Hey man, things are good. We got a new drummer and just started playin out again... I'm anxious to check out your new gig, we should look into doin some shows together real soon. Its been way too long!
Ohh shoot, I am so sorry I will be missing it!! I am in Virginia this weekend at the ocean for a little photo excursion! Shooooot. I will see you soon though, of that I am sure!
Hey! We are alive. Although, we are both getting over the flu... so, it has not been fun the last couple of weeks for either of us. How have you been? It's been a while! I keep checking your blog :) When is that CD coming out????? Peace!
So I heard back from Red Square--So I was thinking we could do a bill with Simple Theory, myself, and another? Possibly katie Haverly or Matt Durfee and Palatypus?
Alright! Let's find a gig! Where in your area do you guys like to play, and have some connections with? Do you know anyone at Red Square? Or Savannah's? Positive words from my sis about these places!
