10 Quick Ones with ROCKY MORNINGSIDE – May 2018

According to a recent press release: “Rocky Morningside announced the release of his video for single “Tricks Up My Sleeve” off of his B-side record in observance of tonight’s full Pink Moon. “I’ve always been a night owl. My most creative ideas have manifested late at night when most people are sleeping. I don’t know factually if the moon has the ability to embolden our biological makeup or behavior but it does something to me and I like it! Full moons enhance my passion and productiveness, so it feels natural to me to unveil my art during that phase of the moon. That said, from here into oblivion you can always expect new music from Rocky Morningside on every full moon! “says Rocky. He adds, “Tricks is a machine driven trek through a incipient mine filled forest shape shifting freebase jump into a partial accelerator. Spray a fresh coat of multidimensional mystery onto your ass pockets and hold on tightly. It’s out there!””  We get Rocky to discuss new music, influences, and more in our 10 Quick Ones…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Yes, both “Sweep Ya Leg” as well as “Tricks Up My Sleeve” are riddled with metaphorical references. The more one listens the more those “hidden nuggets” will surface. We’re dropping another album this month on May 29th that will be a concept album. The entire album lineup is connected. Each song plays off the other and ultimately tells the story of my love life at the time which ended tragically abrupt. The album is titled Love Kills Slowly and encompasses the metamorphosis of that. Each video on the album will connect to the next and the album will be released over the period of 6 months, on every full moon.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I was always drawn to the arts. As early as 4 years old I would sit at my grandmothers piano fingering away at the old out of tune keys trying to compose rhythms. I have a photo of that actually. lol

3. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Five is much easier to answer than one. lol Everyone always asks who the ONE is! I would have to say Type O Negative, The Beatles, Dr Dre for many reasons, Waylon Jennings, and Prince. That doesn’t scratch the surface but those five are among the top five.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be?

At this very moment, Tame Impala.  I’m very open minded however and have lots of ideas for many other artists collaborations.

5. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before?

Reliable! I have three years of material written and ready to release now and more in the vault. That said I would describe it as unlike anything you’ve ever heard. In a lane of its own. Something that can’t get stagnant because not one song sounds like the other. I will never be caged or boxed in as an artist. I take the word artist seriously. I create art and art that is predictable is boring. You can not predict what I’ll do next and I intend on keeping it that way.

6. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

The freedom to express my evolution as a person through artistic creativity. It gives me immortality. It gives me the conduit to battle my own inner turmoils, work them out, then display the outcome or growth to those whom enjoy my musical art. As tough as my music sounds the thing that brings me the most peace is helping people. I feel like I help people that have similar situations relating to their life. When they hear how I handle things or perhaps my point of view on relatable life topics gives them perspective in an otherwise convoluted time of that makes sense. To know they aren’t alone in dealing with whatever that is. To take negativity and to turn it into positive energy. Too often I use negative situations or people’s perception of me and use it as fuel to motivate me to push harder. To drive. To conquer whatever it is I set my mind to. It’s how I got here. I want to share that with people always. Conquer your fears. Move beyond your demons and what holds you back.

7. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Well, I’m a one man band these days but I cook for my entourage.  I usually fill that leadership role in making sure everyone is taken care of. My grill game is pretty strong.

8. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

I can’t imagine a dream job holding a candle to creating music and performing it in front of people. One specific job in comparison would never satisfy me. I would have to have many jobs and I do actually. To provide an answer I’d have to say a doorman. Next to music I love opening doors for people. People that work hard and want it as bad as I do. That’s what makes me happy.

9. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”?

No. I believe Everything happens for a reason and life is what you make it. I’m here because I kicked so much ass to get here that the average mind couldn’t phantom it and that’s okay. Not everyone is built to handle the pressures. It could’ve happened sooner but maybe I didn’t push hard enough then. I had to align certain things up before I went all in on this journey. I had to make sure my family was taken care of and all of those I’m responsible for were safe before I selfishly dove into the often harsh and risky world of music entertainment. My time wasn’t then, it’s now!

10. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Michael Jackson – Thriller or Pink Floyd – Dark Side Of The Moon

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Category: Interviews