In this interview spotlight, we chat with singer/songwriter Jeff Road about influences, his newest project, how the digital age effects being a musician and much more.
Full Q&A along with links and the video for Drive below.
Where are you from, and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
I am from Montreal, Canada. My music is mainly a blend of folk and country. Depending on the track, there can be some other influences, such as rockabilly and rock influences.
But I basically call it: country folk
What led you down this path of music, and what motivates you to stay the course?
I think it’s the singer-songwriter aspect of it. I also really love the storytelling part of it, and the fact that I can play my songs as easily with or without a band. You know I usedto play indie rock. The music was heavily dependent on the arrangements with the other instruments. I couldn’t sit down with my guitar and play you a song from beginning to end. The songs didn’t come across as easily. They felt naked and incomplete without the other instruments. Now I think my songs can come across just with a guitar.
How is your new release different than previous ones? Did you set out to accomplish anything specific?
I always wanted to make this kind of album. Although I was heavily influenced by rock and rock and roll music growing up, there was this inner JohnnyCash, Springsteen, and Dylan-esque side of me I wanted to express. As I said earlier, when I playedindie rock, I had to struggle really hard to find inspiration for the lyrics. The storytelling form flows out much more easily for me in this genre.
Do you face any challenges as an indie musician in a digital age? On the flip side, how has technology helped you (if it has)?
First of all, the digital era has really dropped down the cost of recording, and more importantly, I can record from home now! Forget paying $60 andup an hour for recording time. I can really take the time and try out many ideas till I find the sound I am looking for. I can also send the files to other musicians I am working with via the internet. It enables me to work with a greater variety of musicians and instruments. On the downside, music usedto be an object you could hold in your hands. A vinyl, a CD, a cassette. You used to hold the sleeve in your hands while listening to music.Now everything is viewed through a screen, and I think it makes it less tangible as an object that people are willing to pay for.Another thing is music is almost too accessible these days. In the past, you chose a time and a place to listen to music. . Nowyou are subjected to music everywhere and all the time. The store, the gas station, the elevator, just by calling somewhere, if you’reput on hold, you have to hear music you may not be in the mood to listen to. It’s like the accessibility of music is too great now. I think it undervalues the medium. In other words, there is so much of it available that it devaluesit. Thus, people don’t see a big value in it and aren’t willing to pay for it anymore. Also, everything can be copied instantly! Music is no longer a product you can sell.
Where can we follow you online and hear more music?
You can find everything I create on my website at: jeffroad.com.Concert dates, photos, reviews, a CD Baby player, and all my videos.
Also on that page you will find links to: iTunes, CD Baby, my Facebook page, and even my personal email.
- Website: jeffroad.com
- https://www.facebook.com/jeffroadmusic/
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHYB8V0FIZeeFek52pqee7Q
Anything else before we sign off?
Even though I said earlier that it’s much less expensive to record than it used to be, it still does cost a considerable amount of money to bring a project to term. Musicians have to eat, shelter, and clothe themselves. We can’t survive only on likes! So if you like a song or an artist, take the time to at least buy one track from that artist. In the long run (especially if everybody starts doing it),it will make a huge difference in their ability to continue to write and record music. Thank you for the opportunity to talk to you!
