International Pop Overthrow Artist Interview – Peter Buzzelle

PGH is all about helping artists highlight their most recent projects, so let us all know what your latest project is – and tell us about how it came into the world. What has the initial feedback on it been like?

Peter Buzzelle (Vocals, Drums, Guitar) PB: My latest release (2012) is a ten song album entitled: ‘Museum Of’, as in ‘Museum Of Peter Buzzelle’. I thought I was being clever with that title.
But, currently I am finishing up a 5 song EP. It is scheduled for a Spring 2014 release. Concurrently, I have also recently signed a deal with a new indie label out of Brighton UK: Hidden Trail Records. Hidden Trail will be releasing the EP.

The Recording Process: There are so many interesting ways that music projects come into the world these days compared with what artists had to struggle through years ago. Take us on the creative arc of how this project came into being and any wisdom that you learned along the way. Also, what were some of the obstacles or struggles that you encountered when you were working on the project?

PB: Well, I am going to talk about the EP. This record was initially going to be ten songs. But, since I am a solo artist just trying to scrape by and somehow get some attention, I am frequently without a band. Finding quality musicians to spend time focusing on my music is tough. Most musicians of any caliber I know, are in several other projects. I am not in a position to pay musicians much of anything for gigs, studio recording and just plain time spent on my music. So, in the interest of keeping the schedule focused, we narrowed the songs to five. I got the band up a running with massive help from my friend, Chuck Ferreira who played drums on the recordings. He was and is basically my ambassador to the local Boston music scene and helped me assemble the band that is on the recordings. I recorded the record locally at Q-Division in Somerville, MA. Once I got into the project at Q-Division, Rafi Sofer (who engineered the record) introduced me to Craig Small to produce and the creative process took off. Craig is a unique talent with a gift for melody and harmony. He is also a great guitar player.

Are there any particular songs on this project that are special to you or communicate a message that you’d like to share here?

PB: This record is a bit of a concept record. In retrospect I realize this. All five songs are about a relationship between two people and how it has evolved through a period of 10 years with all it’s ups and downs. The song most special to me is ‘A Different Day’ I am very happy with how the song turned out.

As we all know, the music industry has been devastated for many reasons over the past 10 years, what are you thoughts on these changes and are you finding some of the changes helpful to you with getting more people to hear your music?

PB: I think it all still boils down to writing great music. Recently I have had a bit of a “If you build it, they will come” attitude towards the process of ‘finding’ listeners for my music. I think it is my responsibility as artist to write compelling music that someone wants to listen to. That is how I go about listening to music.

Along the lines of this discussion, it would be really interesting to get your thoughts on what you think the future of ‘music enjoyment’ will look like in the coming years? How do you personally enjoy and ‘consume’ music? Any trends you’ve noticed with your own habits compared to, say, 10 years ago?

PB: I have a Spotify account. That is how I listen to and discover new music now. It’s like the worlds jukebox at my finger tips. That was not happening 10 years ago. Regarding music enjoyment in the coming years, I don’t know, robots? There is no money in it for musicians anymore.

We would love to hear what your plans are with your next project – Are you going to a full CD, an EP or just release songs as you finish them. Release them digital only or combine physical with the digital or what?

PB: Our plan with the EP is to release every song as a digital single over the period of 5 months. Then after 5 months all songs will be out and it will officially become an EP. This way we have something new to promote over a period of months and we are not showing all our card at once.

What are you finding that is working well for your music right now that others may find interesting to hear about?

PB: Giving the music time to grow, not forcing the issue. It is rare that I write a song without having to then really put in the time to have it become all it can be, that takes time.

Okay – time for some light humor! Spinal Tap Moment: dig deep. Locate. Relive. Share that special ‘trauma’ with all of us! 

PB: When is my musical life not a Spinal Tap moment? ha! Alright, well I am thinking back to a solo performance I did about 4 years ago. I decided I would do the gig with an electric guitar instead of acoustic, like I was Billy freakin Bragg or something. I get on stage, plug into the amp that was ‘back lined’ for the performers and I get the most insane distorted sound and have no idea how to dial in the amp. I was trying to perform some intimate songs with hell fire distortion coming out of my guitar for 40 min.

Is there a particular musician(s) you’d love to collaborate with – and why?

PB: I have really been digging Pete Yorn lately. He has recorded some great music over the past 10 years or so. Neil Young would be my #1, I would love to go on an epic Crazy Horse jam.

Advance apologies: the so-called ‘classic’ questions. What other artists and bands have influenced your music and any particular reason why? Also, push come to shove: “Your Top 5 Albums Of All Time”? (Pop Geeks really are interested in this, trust us!)

PB: Matthew Sweet, The Poises, Death Cab For Cutie, Band of Horses, The Clash are all influences on my music among a billion others.

Top five records:
REM-Green
Pixies-Surfer Rosa
Elliott Smith-XO
Neil Young & Crazy Horse-Ragged Glory
Built To Spill-Perfect From Now On

Yes, it would be great if most indie musicians could work on music full-time but the reality rarely the case for most of them. I am always asked by music fans, what are the careers or full-time jobs that the musicians of the music they are listening to do…so ‘what’s your main gig?!’

PB: I have been a carpenter since I was a teenager. I now run my own small business doing residential remodeling.

Okay, last question: Where can we hear more of your music and any other releases you have?

www.peterbuzzelle.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/peterbuzzelle1
www.twitter.com/peterbuzzelle
www.youtube.com/PBuzzelle
www.reverbnation.com/peterbuzzelle