In this interview spotlight I chat with Willy Kuo about the latest music, technology, adapting during a worldwide lock down and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and how do You describe your style of music?
I’m based in New York.
My music style is quite versatile, R&B; Soul; Jazz; Folk; Country; Pop; Blues, even Gypsy, sometimes you may find I fusion them in my songs, but yeah, I think I like the R&B/Soul the most, as somehow my true feelings can be written easier through it!!
How did you get here? As in, what inspired or motivated you to take on this journey through music and the music biz?
Ever since I started writing my originals, and going to some music competitions, and performing gigs, I found I’m in love with the feeling that I can share my music with the audiences, and seeing them resonate or enjoy is the most joyous thing ever.
Always having the strong desire to create good music, and I’d like the world to hear it, sometimes when I’m alone in my room practicing, I’d just imagine I’m performing a huge concert.
Perseverance, courage, confidence, they are the 3 essential elements to keep me going, but basically, a guitar, a pen, a paper, and a chair are very important to the process too.
I’d say my biggest inspirations are John Mayer; Aretha Franklin; Ed Sheeran, who are representing their own unique style of songwriting and performing, which I adore so much, the dynamics and the grooves and the emotions in their songs just epic, let alone the skills, so yes, they are the role models for my music career.
How does your latest project compare/contrast with your previous release(s)? Were you setting out to accomplish anything specific, follow a specific theme, or explore different styles of creation?
It’s more profound and skillful, and I think it’s also can relate more to people who have/had been through the same circumstance.
Yes, I was devoted to conveying how the falling rain can make people think/feel, since every person has different stories; different backgrounds, but when you just let the rain fall on you, you can feel several types of emotions going on, sinful, angry, relaxing, at that moment, you don’t have to hide anymore, let the rain carry your emotions, be true, be real, be free under the falling rain.
Name the biggest challenge you faced as a creative during these unprecedented? How did you adapt? How have you kept the creative fires burning during all this?
The biggest challenge I think it’s the time, as I’m also working full-time as a global assistant marketing manager, which reduces largely the time I can actually spend with my guitar and on the songwriting.
I always spare at least one and a half hour every day for my music, no matter how tired or worn out I am, because music is a great harbor to me.
Seeing good reviews of my songs, and seeing my role models are still creating works, knowing there’re still people out there enjoying good new music, all these encourage me to keep writing, also my inner voice keeps telling me that I can’t stop, because I really believe I have something great going on, it’d be a shame if I don’t express it all out to more people!
What was the last song you listened to?
Gravity by John Mayer.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? 8-tracks? Cassettes? CDs? MP3s? Streaming platforms?
Vinyl and Streaming platforms.
Listening to vinyl is a style, it’s a classic living enjoyment; listening to streaming platform is an inevitable future, more accessible and playful.
Where is the best place to connect with you and follow your journey?
That’d be my Personal Website and YouTube Channel and Instagram Account.
* https://www.willykuomusic.com/
I really appreciate Your time. Anything else before we sign off?
Thanks for being interesting in my music, which I appreciate so much, and thanks for helping me let more people know about my music, this is really nice.
Let’s see how can influence the world by great music works together!!!
Yours Sincerely
Willy Kuo
