A Dirty Dozen with JED BECKER from JOY BUZZER – March 2023

According to a recent press release: “Rocketing out of New York City on a combination of catchy hooks and jet fuel, JOY BUZZER is one of the premier power pop acts in the city today. Inspired by bands such as Fountains of Wayne, XTC, Squeeze, Todd Rundgren and Badfinger, JOY BUZZER delivers big-time melodies and choruses. Formed in 2021 by members of The Lord Calverts and the Doppel Gang, the band is led by songwriter/guitarist Jed Becker (also known for his work as composer and music director for the Nick Jr. series’ “Dora the Explorer” and “Go, Diego, Go!” among many others) with Kevin Lydon on lead vocals and Mark Brotter on drums.” We get Jed to discuss new music, influences, and more.

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 you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

“Judy Judy Judy”, is a power pop gem that has great vibes and a huge chorus. Despite its title, it’s no homage to Cary Grant; it’s a simple story of a fellow who goes out to the club to meet up with the young lady of the title. Therein lies the tale. The song also may include an homage to a certain British Invasion band, though no guitars were harmed in the creation of the song.

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

l started playing the piano by ear at a very young age, and I’ve yet to stop. I suppose finding that I wasn’t much good at anything else at all led to a lifetime of rehearsal rooms and songwriting.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

As boring an answer as it is, discovering The Beatles and unpacking how they made songs work was probably my first inspiration. Further inspiration came from songwriters such as Difford and Tilbrook, Collingwood and Schlesinger, the Johns Flansburgh and Linnell, Devo, Jeff Lynne, Peter Gabriel and Paul Westerberg.

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

As Adam Schlesinger is sadly no longer with us, I would have to say Andy Partridge, because if you’re going to collaborate with someone, why not a songwriting genius?

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour? What do you like to do to unwind?

Netflix and chill.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

Joy Buzzer is a power pop band, and my definition of that term is pop music with huge hooks, kick ass drums and loud guitars. There are some who might find this genre to be kitschy or nostalgic; there’s the rub. Maybe I’m the crazy one, but I think power pop is a vibrant contemporary style for those who can still dig creative songwriting, sing along choruses… with kick ass drums and loud guitars.

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

The question is, who’s ordering the next round?

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

Hmmm, well I did run into Paul McCartney at Barney’s in Manhattan, and I dig kinda freak out. A little.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

Any musician will tell you that the best part is being on stage in front of a good crowd. That’s what it’s all about, as cliche as that sounds. Dream job? I think Anthony Bourdain had a pretty good gig. RIP.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

Is there anywhere you haven’t played that you’d like to play? Yes, Joy Buzzer hasn’t played in London, and that would be pretty darn awesome. And, the question I’m tired of answering – what’s a joy buzzer? Some people seem to think it’s a dirty joke!

11. 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,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I spent over a decade focusing on composing for television, and that was great! But I did miss performing live and I’m glad I got back to it when I did.

12. 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?

What an impossible question! It would have been great to be in the room when the Beatles recorded “All You Need is Love” for that international tv show. It probably would have been not so fun to attend the Exile on Main Street sessions in France, but it would have been cool to witness that. Or the Pet Sounds sessions? I guess I’d settle on the Dukes of Stratosphear sessions – they were supposedly a great time.

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Category: Interviews