15 Questions to D-Amato Project

Hi! How are you? Where are you?
I'm actually fantastic, and enjoying life beyond words. I currently am home in Colorado.


What’s on your schedule right now?
I have been screening musician bios for the last 8weeks getting ready to begin rehearsal for live performance dates. I am just anxious to get in front of people.


What’s your view on the music scene at present? Is there a crisis?
I love so many types of music and they all seem to inspire me in different ways. I think there is a ton of unrecognized talent just fighting to be heard. As far as a crisis? Not really a crisis, I just have a hard time with the politics involved in the music industry, which will always be prevalent.


Do you see yourself as part of a certain tradition or as part of a movement?
I am in complete support of the efforts made on behalf of the independent artist and I hope my personal efforts reflect a positive movement for other aspiring artists.


What, would you say, are the factors of your creativity?
My experience is somewhat different than most musicians. I didn't discover composing and playing instruments until just over a year ago and it just suddenly happened. When I sit to play music, I have no idea what I am going to play, it just comes flying out of nowhere. I hope that listeners will find something in my music that simply describes the word "creativity" in their personal experience listening to my work. I think the key factors would be that I tend to make music that paints a story with notes that reflect my life experiences.


How would you describe your method of composing?
That is a difficult question. Since I am not musically educated, and don't read or write, I simply rely on my minds eye. Usually when composing, things just start blending together in hopes of creating something worth listening to. It just comes down to spending countless hours with the piano and other instruments, that would be my method I guess.


How strictly do you separate improvising and composing?
I really don't separate the two. Since I do not actually physically write, I have to rely on improve to guide me through the design of each piece I come up with.


What constitutes a good live performance in your opinion? What’s your approach to performing on stage?
When you perform in front of people you can tell immediately if they are captivated with your work, facial expressions and body language speak volume. So, if your audience walks out with energy and excitement, I thin you have accomplished your goal to extend a great performance. As a artist, we must connect with our audience to ensure a positive experience.


Do you feel an artist has a certain duty towards anyone but himself? Or to put it differently: Should art have a political/social or any other aspect apart from a personal sensation?
I do actually think the artist has an obligation and duty to their listeners. I think it would be a selfish approach if musicians were to not care about what the listeners are feeling and saying about their work. We as artists owe it to the people kind enough to come out to see us perform.


How, would you say, could non-mainstream forms of music reach wider audiences without sacrificing their soul?
Wow, really tough question. I still haven't figured this one out yet!


Many artists dream of a “magnum opus”. Do you have a vision of what yours would sound like?
I do actually. I seem to mentally visualize a melody line that takes a classical form, yet with the energy of a pop rock funk type of display. I guess it would sound a bit like Beethoven sitting in with Dave Matthews. Now that's creativity!


Discography:
Full Circle (Innovative Results) 2007

Homepage:
D-Amato Project