 
Published: October 30, 2008 9:12 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA
(Juniorscave.com)
New Music Exclusive Spotlight
Gary Melvin
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Gary Melvin
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Gary Melvin has the type of voice that when you are listening to it you will instantly fall in love with his music. His catchy lyrics and marvelous tune are simply the perfect combination. Junior's Cave and JC Internet Radio recently caught up with this talented entertainer in this exclusive interview/spotlight.
Isaac: Elaborate on who you are and your upbringing.
Gary: I am the youngest of 3 kids, born and raised by both parents in California. I grew up in a fairly small town and discovered a passion for music when I was 13. I took guitar lessons and played in the high school jazz band. I went to the University of North Texas and received a bachelor's degree in Jazz Studies, and then went to the University of Southern California and received a master's degree in Studio/Jazz Guitar. I've always been into all kinds of music, and have been working as a professional musician ever since I moved to L.A. in 2002. I've worked with lots of different groups playing various styles of music, and I've traveled all over the U.S. as well as to Guam, Korea and Japan. I feel that this solo album (my first) is the next step in the natural progression of my journey in music and in life.
Isaac: Was there any one musician that spoke to your heart so profoundly, you were inspired to do your own thing?
Gary: I can't say that there was only one, but I've had a few musical mentors in school who instilled in me the importance of finding and maintaining your own voice. Learning from those people was probably the most valuable part of going to college for music.
Isaac: Which singer/group would you say you would most like to do a duet with?
Gary: I haven't thought about it much, but off the top of my head I'd say Joss Stone. I'm a huge fan of hers. She has an amazing voice and I think we would complement each other well.
Isaac: What singer/songwriter do you most connect with?
Gary: Well, there are so many that I connect with, but if I had to pick one I'd choose the first one I ever heard: James Taylor. He's an incredible songwriter as well as an amazing singer and guitarist. What's more, he's still writing and performing to this day!
Isaac: Out of your entire song collection that you've written thus far, which song(s) would you say is/are the most personal/meaningful to you?
Gary: The most personal song I've written is probably "Line It Up." It's completely autobiographical and it expresses a feeling that I've had for a while, and I am pretty sure I'll continue having for a while. I also think there are lots of people who have had similar feelings and experiences, so while the song is deeply personal to me, I think it connects with others as well.
Isaac: Which singers/groups do you enjoy/like from some of today's music genres?
Gary: I really dig The Raconteurs, Matt Wertz, Corinne Bailey Rae, Joss Stone, The Foo Fighters, Chris Cornell, The Fray, Amy Winehouse, a new band called Carney, Sigur Ros… I could go on for a while :-)
Isaac: What charities are you involved with or support?
Gary: I'm not currently involved with any charities, but I must say that is something I am looking forward to doing. One of the benefits of gaining recognition for you music is the ability to communicate about ideas and causes, and actually be heard!
Isaac: Have you (or would you ever consider) writing a song about any of today's particular world issues/problems? If so, what world issue would speak to you the most to write about?
Gary: I wouldn't say that I've written about a specific world issue, but I've written about a general approach to solving many issues, including large world problems. I'm a firm believer in the Power of Now, and I slip that concept into my music here and there.
Isaac: Why should people listen to your music?
Gary: People should listen to my music for the possibility to experience something new, and for the potential to be inspired. Music has the power to move us, and it's hard to explain how or why. It's even harder to predict what music/band/artist will move you. I love what music does to me, and I look to reach people with my music so I can share the experience. Take a listen and maybe you'll connect with me!
Isaac: Your music is relaxing and chill. What inspired you to toss out these awesome lyrics and cords?
Gary: It's hard to say where it comes from. I'd have to say it must come from the sum of all my life experiences, because I tend to write in the moment. I never really have any preconceived notions about what I will write about. I either discover a melodic idea, a lyrical idea, or some assemblance of a chord progression that develops on its own. Most of the time I feel like an observer rather than the writer.
Isaac: How far into the creation of a song do you share any of it with anyone? Who would you play it for? Would it be a chorus, a verse and chorus, or a complete song?
Gary: I've played bits and pieces of song ideas for close friends before, but typically I finish the song before anyone else hears it.
Isaac: How much do you let others "mess around with" one of your new songs?
Gary: Usually not at all. I almost always write by myself, and once a song is written I like to leave it alone. It becomes a snapshot of what was happening at the point in time when I wrote it, and I like to leave it that way. But who knows, I might change my mind and start tweaking old songs farther down the line :-)
Isaac: Do you have to be a tortured soul to be a singer-songwriter?
Gary: Not at all. I wouldn't consider myself a tortured soul. All it takes is the desire to express yourself musically by writing and performing your own songs. I don't feel like there is any prerequisite to writing songs. They don't have to be about pain and suffering, or love and loss. Following those kinds of generalized genre specifications will end up cornering you in and holding you back. Write about whatever you want, and if people want to listen, great! If not, no biggy. The reason I am a singer-songwriter is because there is a unexplainable passion driving me to do it, but I'm a pretty happy guy, so I guess I don't really follow the mold (if there is one).
Isaac: Are your songs strictly autobiographical or are they embroidered autobiography?
Gary: I'd say a little of both. Some songs are autobiographical, some are written by imagining myself in someone else's shoes, some are about stories and situations I've heard or read… I don't restrict what comes out lyrically, and some of the time I don't even know what I'm writing about until the song is done.
Isaac: How long does it take you to process your emotions and turn them into songs?
Gary: It varies, but it's usually pretty quick. Often times I'll have a melodic or chordal idea, and when I'm inspired by that idea to sit down and develop it, within a few hours the song is usually done. Maybe it's more accurate to say my emotions are processing all the time, and when they have finished doing what they want to do, I sit down and write the song I didn't know I had already written. Yeah, it's a little out-there, but that's the best way I can describe how it feels.
Isaac: The best piece of advice you actually followed?
Gary: My parents raised me to always think about other possibilities, options and points of view. Being open-minded is applicable to every life situation, musical or otherwise, and I've found it to be an incredible help in understanding why we are all here.
Isaac: Give Shutouts to your family and friends.
Gary: Big thanks to my family for all their love and support, to my good friends Robin Everhart and Michael Miley for being the sickest drum and bass pairing and helping me out with my record, and to anyone and everyone who wishes to lend me their ears and grants me the opportunity to play for them.
Isaac: Last but certainly not least, what are you working on, now?
Gary: I'm working on finding people who would like to hear my music, people who want to get excited about my music and tell their friends, and enjoying the journey that music has created for me!
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