KJ:
Can you tell me a bit about yourself - age? where you grew up? what was
your first introduction to music?
JG: I've just turned 31. I grew up on the East Coast of the US in
upstate New York and moved to NJ when I got out of school. I recently
moved to Seattle about two years ago. I've been playing in bars and clubs
since I was sixteen but I never realized that I wanted to music full time
until I saw a Paul McCartney movie called "Give My Regards To Broadstreet"
and I watched him go through a typical day (at least for him at that
time). I knew then that what was I wanted to do in some fashion in
least. When I got out of college, I just went ahead full bore and did
it. I tried going the route as a singer in a number of bands but they
never had the same ambitions or drive or perseverance that I have. So I
decided to go solo and use session players until I could find a band where
everyone had the same ambitions.
KJ:
What sorts of music did you grow up on? can
you give me a list of fave bands, musicians...? Biggest influences?
JG: I always listened to a lot of Eddie Money, Beatles, Rick
Springfield, Peter Gabriel, and Wings, 'cause that's what my parents
liked. In school I got into allot of stuff like Dokken, Journey, Warrant,
Poison, Van Halen, etc. My favorite bands and influences though are Rick
Springfield, Peter Gabriel, and The Outfield.
KJ:
'On The Edge Of The Edge' is actually
you're 3rd [?] CD release!? What can you tell me about the previous 2 CDs,
as far as their style, sound, direction, release info, how well they were
received.. ??
JG: Edge is actually my 2nd release. This time around we took a more
subtle subdued moody pop approach to my persona. We used much less
keyboard driven instrumentation and more acoustic guitar and clean
sounds. Also the stuff is more alternative based. "Through My Eyes" was
much more 80's flavored and keyboard based. Plus it was mostly bass and
completely drum programmed except for some natural snares. Edge is all
live drums. Also, with Edge we kept the backing vocal parts down to a
minimum, whereas Eyes has 4 and 5 part harmonies. I'm also singing in my
lower register more and I think I finally found my signature vocal style
(hints of it are in Edge", by cutting out a lot of the vocal Steve Perry
like stuff.
KJ:
You're music on On The Edge is somewherez
between pop-rock and adult contemporary. Is that a fair statement? If so -
where do you see your music, and what type of audience do you think it'd
appeal to?
JG: Personally I place it in AAA or A/C, maybe Soft Rock. I would say
you're classification is right on. Somehow between Eyes and Edge I kind
of moved out of a direct AOR format which some say has alienated me from
the AOR community. I like to think it puts me on the gentler side of it.
KJ:
Your songs are pretty straight forward and
attractive for their pop melodies and hooks. What influences your writing
in such a way? and how do you generally come up with a song - musically
and lyrically?
JG: For the most part my lyrics are based on my life experiences. I
generally seem to write from a vocal melody in my head and fit the chords
to the melody and then build the riffs around them, at least that's how
it's been with these two albums. I always try to make my life experiences
such that I can write my audience into the songs and they can relate the
songs and words to their own lives.
KJ:
Can you give me a few words on a few stand
out tracks on the disc > I Will Find A Reason [classy ballad], I Need You
Too, Walkin, It's Just A Feeling ... ?
JG: 'Walkin'" is my tongue out rebellion against my frustrations in
life and with the music industry in general. I basically am saying "I'm
outta here" to the things which are causing me stress in my life. "It's
Just a Feeling" is my explanation to the world for why I do what I do when
I get asked the same questions over and over. "A Shoulder To Lean On" is
a thank you to my wife for always standing behind me and helping me
through the last 11 musical and non musical 11 years. My personal
favorite "My Own Way" is an anthem to all those who try to stand in my way
and come before me and my goals and dreams.
KJ:
Do you have any personal favorites on 'On
The Edge...'? [Any stories to go with?]
JG: Definitely "My Own Way". That one was written over the course of
two years. The Chorus I came up with in 5 seconds and hummed it for two
years without having anything else to go around it. The rest of the tune
took two years including the music. "Walkin" I came up with the whole
song in like 30 seconds but it took 3 straight weeks and 14 different
versions before I got what I wanted. I also like "Do You Know
What It's Like?" which is my personal criticism back at a music industry
who care freely discard CD's (which are people's dreams) away without a
moments consideration of the heart, soul, and hard work which went into
them.
KJ:
What can you tell me about the production
of the new CD? It seems pretty straight forward without a lot of overuse
of instruments or sounds, but basic instrumentation, minus long
instrumentals!? Any use of electronic drums? The guitar breaks [such as
It's Just A Feeling] are brief yet effective.
JG: Yea, I wanted it simple. I wanted people to focus on the
songwriting and vocals and words as opposed to production. Plus I wanted
something that you could play in 20 years and not think it sounded dated.
And I purposely kept out the instrumentals to make it more radio
friendly]. We recorded it on ADAT as opposed to all digital hard disk
recording. Though it was mixed digitally and mastered digitally. The
only
electronic drums were of a couple of tom parts which were copies of the
live drum parts and layered on top. I also only did two tracks for each
backing vocal part as opposed to 3 or 4 for the Eyes. The production of
the album represents the way I like people to see me, no frills just
honestly and completely. Vocally, I decided that I didn't need to have to
prove to everyone "Look I can sing with the same control that Steve Perry
does. Look at all these vocal runs and scales I can do!" to demonstrate I
had a decent voice. I focused more on my range and nuances that are
particular to me.
KJ:
If you were to sell Jason Gonzalez music to
a music - who would you recommend it to or aim at, noting certain artists
perhaps or simply a style?
JG: I would tailor it to two areas, pre teen/middle school and post
college age (25-40). These aren't the top record buying public genres but
they seem to be the ones who have responded the best to my music.
KJ:
How about as far as 'fans of this or that
band' that would like your music as well?
JG: I would say that if you're a fan of Steve Perry/Later Journey, The
Outfield, Bryan Adams, Rick Springfield, Matchbox Twenty, Peter Gabriel,
Survivor, and maybe some Yes, you'd be into some of my stuff. If you're
into very poppy BSB, NSynch, Brittany, or heavier more direct metal like
Danger Danger, Hurricane, Warrant, Poison, UFO, Winger, Van Halen, REO
Speedwagon, Scorpions, Dokken, etc. my stuff might be a little lame for
you.
KJ:
Are you familiar with any Canadian bands?
JG: The only ones I know well are Rush and Bryan Adams, both who I
like very much. Let me know of any Canuck bands at my sub major label
level and I'd love to get in touch with them.
KJ:
On The Edge is dated 2001. What are you
currently up to? Any plans for a next album at present?
JG: I have been writing a lot though I think this album will my first
collaborative band effort as I'm now putting together a full band. Also,
this album will much more upbeat and tempo. A lot more electric guitar
and dynamics as well. And I'm going back to singing in more of my upper
register.
KJ:
[You've seen my site!?] Are you familiar
with Uriah Heep at all?
JG: Actually I but only two discs, "Raging Silence" and "Equator".
KJ:
Do you mean you have ALL but those 2 discs,
or Only those discs?
JG: I bought those two CD's. I've only
just gotten into them or rather discovered them, so it usually takes a
spell to grow on me. Have to let you on that one. I've found that I'm
generally an entire album guy or nothing, so no songs in particular ever
stand out. I know when I like or don't like an album though. I have
plenty of examples of multi disc bands whose albums I did and didn't like.
Interview: © Kevin
J. Julie (Universal Wheels) June '02
Jason
Gonzalez is a Seattle based singer/songwriter. His latest album is titled
"On The Edge Of The Edge", and is a classy fresh sounding assortment of
AOR and light pop/rock tunes, with smooth vocals, simple production, and a
number of upbeat pop tunes and ballads. Not overly shmoozy, yet not heavy
either. Worth checking out if you're looking for good singer/songwriter
stuff that doesn't stray into cheesy pop or metal.
