Formula Indie Sessions Interview with John Mervini
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
I remember combing through my parents record collection in the den, being enthralled by the images of The Beatles’ ‘Rubber Soul’’ and Zeppelin’s ‘Physical Graffitti’. I can’t live down using an old plastic toy microphone to sing ‘Dude Looks Like a Lady’ by Aerosmith.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
Besides learning to play on my dad’s guitar, and immediately having my mom taken me to drum lessons, I loved the storytelling of musical theater. That really drove me to appreciate songwriting on a different, more specific and intense way to craft a song.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
There are a lot of themes there. Loss, addiction, hope out of those two. I wrote a lot of songs grappling with the darker moments of what life can bring. But never want to shy away from looking forward to better times ahead.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
As a genre, Americana, Singer/songwriter. There are definitely nods to people that have consistently influenced me. Led Zeppelin, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Waits, Willy Nelson. But there’ve been some more recent artists that have been an inspiration. Ray Lamontagne, Shovels and Rope, Chris Stapleton, Tyler Childers, Nathaniel Rateliff, Sturgill Simpson, Shakey Graves, and plenty more.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
There was a vibrant and exciting community in Astoria, Queens, especially around the time of the pandemic. Artists like Joe Rayome, Patrick Stevens, Jesse Torres, and too many others to mention. They all challenged me to create in an immediate way.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process? At the end of the day, a good guitar.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
Hudson Freeman. ‘If You Know Me’ is a total ear worm.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
My life experiences are a direct influence on my music, whether lyrically or musically. Sometimes they’ll inspire music literally, or help me craft a story that is a parallel.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work? Life gets harder as we grow older. I hope anyone listening gets some solace in the fact that we’re not alone in that journey.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
No one can stop you from making your art.
1.
It’s so much more fun when you can collaborate and make your art
2.
with other people.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at? Too many to mention. Top 3: Telluride blues and brews, Hollywood bowl, the Greek
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Bonnie Raitt. She’s been instrumental in so many’s musical inspiration. The way, in just her voice can move, is beyond inspiring.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music?(Website,Spotify, IG, links)
JohnMervini.com
Spotify: John Mervini
IG/TT: @thejohnmervini
FB @johnmerviniofficial
YouTube.com/@thejohnmervini
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
I’d love to work with, write for, open for artists that have inspired me, tour with them, and learn.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way? Beyond earnestness, I hope that people can relate.
Link
YouTube.com/@thejohnmervini
Instagram.com/thejohnmervini
