![]() Nashville by way of California singer-songwriter Rob Carona's unique style and persona captivate while remaining accessible and relatable, delivering lyrics that resonate. His 2015 EP Drive garnered recognition from America Songwriters Magazine, among other outlets, and on March 30th, he released his latest single, the uplifting anthem "Down By The River." Here, Carona answers his Essential 8 and talks the story behind the song, his favorite venue, Keith Urban, and more. Is there a story behind your current single, "Down By The River" I went through some pretty crazy times this past year with a new move all the way from California to Nashville. With a new baby on the way, a job offer that fell through, and leaving our friends and family behind, I had hopes that somehow, some way, the adventure was going to produce some measure of success in my music career. It was one of the most challenging times of my entire life and I felt even more pressure because my last album was all encouraging people to pursue their dreams no matter what. I felt like I had to prove something. "Down To The River" came out of a realization that I had to do some "letting go" of my failures and fears. I have a strong faith in God so I used the theme of baptism and a soulful gritty sound to make it hit home. There isn't a person alive who isn't holding on to something the shouldn't be...something that is holding them back. This is my anthem to allow people to surrender and see whats on the other side. What do you write about? For me everything is an option. I pull from my own experiences, or maybe a character I create in my head, but a lot of times I let the music take the lead. Whatever I start playing on the guitar or piano usually has an emotion attached to it, so I just go with it and let the music tell me what the song is about. If you were a fly on the wall you would probably think I'm crazy because I just mumble any word that comes to mind as a I play... no rhyme or reason... but when I land on something that fits, I run with it. What advice would you give to a musician starting out? You better have a deep reason why you are choosing this path, because its not easy. If it's just all about fame and fortune, you should walk away. It's gotta be about something more... something that others will benefit from when you are on or off that stage. What is the best advice you have ever received from a musician?
I recall a former producer of mine told me this, "It's ok to fail... in fact I encourage it." It has been so freeing to know I could have the worst gig of my life and still be alive and well the next day. I've learned that failure is creativity's greatest gift if you don't let it rule you. Do you have a favorite venue? Man, I've played everything from a disgusting dive bar to a 40,000 seat amphitheatre, and everything in between. I'd have to say that my favorite venue is, of all places, a coffee shop in my hometown of San Diego. It was where I first started playing again after walking away from music for a bit. There was no sound system, we brought our PA. I had to get there early to rearrange the tables and we weren't even allowed to play that loud. It just is home for me, and the crowd was always familiar faces that never hesitated to join in the songs. The place barely fit 25 people but my first time playing there we crammed over 120 people in there. The owner was a bit overwhelmed but we became good friends and he has supported me ever since. I miss it. Who would you love to collaborate with and why? Even though I've moved away from the pop country sound, Keith Urban has always been a huge influence on my music. He opened the doors to make country cool and crossover. I could die a happy man if I had the chance to write or cut a song with him. Are there any songs you are tired of playing? There is a song called "Waiting On Wonderful" that I wrote like 7 years ago. If you know me, then you know the song. It's a typical upbeat pop/country tune that I always started my show with. It was great for a while, but as I started to grow as a writer, the lyrics didn't make as much sense as I thought they did so it didn't have much meaning for me anymore. I don't have a lot of upbeat tunes in my sets, so I needed it though. What's been your biggest success so far? I think my biggest success is that I haven't given up. Call it stubborn or stupid, I know that music is what I was born to do. I'm not 21 anymore haha. I have a wonderful wife and three beautiful daughters that I provide for while also pursuing my dreams to show them that they can too. If nothing else I feel like I have succeeded in inspiring others to dream. Website/Facebook/Twitter/Purchase
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
February 2019
|