Essential 8 Questions with DL Rossi
1. What’s the story behind your album’s title?
- Lonesome Kind is named after a song on the album of the same name. I felt like it summed up the basic feelings I got from the album which is all about the process of being ok with yourself, with feeling lonely, with all the feelings you have and just accepting yourself. I know often growing up tv, movies, religion, and books had a tendency to idolize the idea of being with someone else to complete yourself. I’ve actually found the opposite to be true in my life. I tend to lose myself in relationships and in large groups of people. I tend to believe that old narrative that there is something “broken” in me that needs fixing. But, after a long time spending time by myself I see that we really have all that we need within us to find happiness and contentment.
2. When/where do you do your best writing?
- I typically do my best writing when I can do a few things. First, create a consistent rhythm of writing on a daily basis. A lot of writers refer to writing like a muscle and I think they are dead on. You have to write a little bit every day for a while before you can break into your best work. Second, I also keep a guitar and my phone within arms reach around my apartment so I can put down any ideas that might hit me while reading, watching a movie/tv, or listening to a podcast. You have to be ready/open to receive inspiration when it decides to hit you. Third, I do my best writing without critiquing my work until I have written a full song. What I mean by "full song" is it has a complete structure and/or thought behind it. Once I’ve allowed my inspiration to take me to that point then I’ll put on my critics hat and start dissecting the song and obsessing over the details, but not before then. I have to allow myself to just be creative and not like criticising it and ruin the track of my writing too early.
3. Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else, or a combination?
- My first inspiration is always life experience, but I have been working on taking life experiences of myself and others and turning them into fictional short stories. I think my strongest voice comes from real life inspiration because it's always been my way of processing what’s actually going on inside my head and heart.
4. What’s the best advice to give to a musician just starting out?
- I would say have fun, and let that fun and joy lead you into your writing. If you write out of sorrow then let that sorrow lead you to healing. And when you think you have some good songs head out to a local coffee shop and start refining your performance skills. Performing also helps you understand if your music connects with a larger audience. You can get a better feel for yourself as an artist and as a writer the more you share your work and it can help lead you forward into more growth.
- Lonesome Kind is named after a song on the album of the same name. I felt like it summed up the basic feelings I got from the album which is all about the process of being ok with yourself, with feeling lonely, with all the feelings you have and just accepting yourself. I know often growing up tv, movies, religion, and books had a tendency to idolize the idea of being with someone else to complete yourself. I’ve actually found the opposite to be true in my life. I tend to lose myself in relationships and in large groups of people. I tend to believe that old narrative that there is something “broken” in me that needs fixing. But, after a long time spending time by myself I see that we really have all that we need within us to find happiness and contentment.
2. When/where do you do your best writing?
- I typically do my best writing when I can do a few things. First, create a consistent rhythm of writing on a daily basis. A lot of writers refer to writing like a muscle and I think they are dead on. You have to write a little bit every day for a while before you can break into your best work. Second, I also keep a guitar and my phone within arms reach around my apartment so I can put down any ideas that might hit me while reading, watching a movie/tv, or listening to a podcast. You have to be ready/open to receive inspiration when it decides to hit you. Third, I do my best writing without critiquing my work until I have written a full song. What I mean by "full song" is it has a complete structure and/or thought behind it. Once I’ve allowed my inspiration to take me to that point then I’ll put on my critics hat and start dissecting the song and obsessing over the details, but not before then. I have to allow myself to just be creative and not like criticising it and ruin the track of my writing too early.
3. Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else, or a combination?
- My first inspiration is always life experience, but I have been working on taking life experiences of myself and others and turning them into fictional short stories. I think my strongest voice comes from real life inspiration because it's always been my way of processing what’s actually going on inside my head and heart.
4. What’s the best advice to give to a musician just starting out?
- I would say have fun, and let that fun and joy lead you into your writing. If you write out of sorrow then let that sorrow lead you to healing. And when you think you have some good songs head out to a local coffee shop and start refining your performance skills. Performing also helps you understand if your music connects with a larger audience. You can get a better feel for yourself as an artist and as a writer the more you share your work and it can help lead you forward into more growth.
|
|
|
5. What’s your favourite food on the road?
- If we are talking chain restaurants it has to be Chipotle. I’m a sucker for their burritos as well as the quality of their ingredients. But, if we aren’t talking chains my favourite food is the food I find that is unique and local to that area. I enjoy trying to find the best local spots. It helps you get to know the area and feel more at home.
6. What do you love most about being on the road?
- I love the adventure of waking up in a new town and getting to share your stories with new people. The idea that you can travel and visit people who already do enjoy, or may enjoy your music is very exciting to me!
7. Recent release you cannot stop listening to?
- My buddy Jason Singer in Michigander just released his new EP, everything will be ok eventually, and I absolutely love it. It’s gonna be on repeat for me all spring and summer.
8. Is drinking at gigs a positive or a negative?
I think drinking can help loosen you up, but I have
- If we are talking chain restaurants it has to be Chipotle. I’m a sucker for their burritos as well as the quality of their ingredients. But, if we aren’t talking chains my favourite food is the food I find that is unique and local to that area. I enjoy trying to find the best local spots. It helps you get to know the area and feel more at home.
6. What do you love most about being on the road?
- I love the adventure of waking up in a new town and getting to share your stories with new people. The idea that you can travel and visit people who already do enjoy, or may enjoy your music is very exciting to me!
7. Recent release you cannot stop listening to?
- My buddy Jason Singer in Michigander just released his new EP, everything will be ok eventually, and I absolutely love it. It’s gonna be on repeat for me all spring and summer.
8. Is drinking at gigs a positive or a negative?
I think drinking can help loosen you up, but I have
Michigan based singer/songwriter DL Rossi, is set to release his third album Lonesome Kind a vibey, ‘70s-inspired album laden with Motown guitar riffs and soulful lyrics. Leadoff single, "Whiskey," is a total groove that comes off upbeat musically speaking, while being juxtaposed with less than uplifting lyrics, making the song all the more complex. Talking about the album "There is a recurring theme in this album of independence and mourning the loss of ideals and energy you had during your youth. I wrote this song at one of the peaks of my cynicism about relationships and love. Though it doesn’t reflect how I really feel about relationships, it does reflect how I often feel. And that’s the beauty of songs and writing them." Adding "One of my favourite writers David Ramirez said at a show once “it’s ok to change your mind.” This is a song about allowing myself to feel low, and be honest with myself about my darker feelings and not feel locked in by them." After battling testicle cancer, a devastating divorce, and suffering a nervous breakdown, Rossi has found the perfect mix of earnestness and humour in these 10 flawless tracks.