We went ahead and had a nice talk with Jeff Adams, an extremely talented musician that has been in the industry for quite a while! Here are some of the amazing story lines behind the musicians past!
Q1: when did you first start creating music?
I started writing music at 16 years old. I wasn’t interested in playing other people’s music so I started writing and started 11:21 at the time with Michael Beinhorn (Herbie Hancock, Sound Garden, Red Hot Chili Peppers), Fred Mahr who produced Lou Reed’s New York album, and James Hellman (Guitar tech for Steve Stevens and Vernon Reed, stage manager for Carly Simon and Sheryl Crowe). Further on Scott Weinberger (drums) (Producer of On The Case with Paula Zahn) got Brand X back together and provides percussion for Brand X currently. At that time we shared space with Jason Flom (President of Atlantic Records, Virgin Records).
Q2: Who are your favorite music artists of all time?
It’s a mixed bag. Jimmy Page, Steve Howe, David Gilmore, Steve Hackett, Robert Fripp, James Taylor for piano I learned listening to Elton John and Billy Joel. Peter Gabriel is a big influence!
Q3: What are your thoughts about auto tune?
I had to use it on “Everything” as my midi controller was 17 years old and the piano was slightly out of tune. So I had to tweak some of the instrumentation. I use it sporadically on my vocals as I don’t portend to be a singer. I speak melodically.
Q4: If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Madison Square Garden. I’ve gigged so much they are all the same except for the big ones.
Q5: How much do you feel you have changed musically with your sound from when you first started until now?
I couldn’t do then what I do now. I did the ‘I’m a rockstar’ thing in my twenties.
My ear has developed to a point that I am not interested in another producer at this time. No one can hear my stuff the way I do. The first thing everyone does is saturate a track with reverb and treat the low end like an R&B/rap track. I use very little reverb as l have a lot going on instrumentally and you need the sound drier if you want to hear all the instruments. I’m pleased with what and how I am producing.
For instance I let each musician add what they hear to my tracks. I wait for everything else to be done before I add the guitars. Therefore I weave my guitars around what everyone else is doing. It strengthens the song and the song always dictates what you do. A lot of guitarists lay their stuff down and it’s like hey look over here and see what I do. It’s always about the song.
Q6: What are your thoughts about the music industry now? How much has music changed?
Everyone that can push a button is a musician. Creator! Its bullshit.
Technology is cool but it comes down to chops. Experience. Knowledge.
Understanding that music is what feelings sound like. The race to get streams, and if you go with the wrong outfit you risk losing your page. I didn’t sign up to be putting out content every week or two. That’s bullshit. I don’t work or create like that. Not a fan of where the industry is at currently.
Q7: If you could change anything about your music, what would it be? What would I change?
Mmm well I write usually about the human condition.
There is always a single guy walking in all my videos as it represents just me, a guy and these are my thoughts. I deviated with ‘Everything’ as when I was writing it the first line that came to me was ‘you’re my everything’ and I was like Oh fuck… this is a love song. I don’t write love songs. I guess I do now.
What would I change…? I’d like to write a few more rockers. I am working on one now called ‘Kick’ which is more along the Bob Seger line of rock n roll with screaming saxaphone.
Q8: What are your top three favorite music genres?
Rock, progressive rock and alt/Indie.
Even though everyone thinks country because they hear the pedal steel. I am not country.
Q9: Why do you choose those genres?
I don’t choose. I write what I write as it comes to me. I actually feel like I have created a new genre. I don’t easily fit into a category. So, I just push on through doing what I do. I really get no support or comments from anyone in my world so l stopped giving a shit what anyone might have to say or critique.
Look, I am not everyone’s cup of tea and that’s cool. I am unapologetic. Dig it or don’t. I stay in my lane and I’m good at what I do. Some like my compositions, some don’t. It’s all relative I suppose.
Last Question: Where do you see yourself 2 or 3 years from now with your music career?
Having my music considered for sync with TV/Film. It makes no sense in this environment to pull a band together as the house, if lucky, will only pay $200-$300 and it would cost me about $700 to pay the band so it is not fiscally viable. If a situation arises, a gig that would prove to be fruitful, I would pull a band together for that special occasion.
I’ve done the rockstar thing. Now it is purely about the music and the songs and hoping some folks will like what they hear.
