Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with aaron joseph russo
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
Either singing along to Andrea Bocelli songs at about 3 years old, or my parents ABBA Gold CD.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
I always just loved singing along to songs and listening to music, my older brothers started playing instruments in primary school and I just followed along
What’s the story behind your current music project?
“CRUD” is my 6th album, it is a step in a more moody, upfront and rough around the edges direction for me musically. As far as the story, there is no real story, each album I try to just say what’s on my mind at the time and it usually is a snapshot of a period of my life.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
I’m not great with words, so I’d probably just play something for them and then try not to read their face for any signs of enjoyment/disgust.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
Learning to get lost in the process of making an idea usually gives the best results. When you can just really zone out and not think, just be completely in a different world with a song and not judge or criticise, just try things and say what’s on your mind and in your body.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
My guitar, a MIDI synth and my laptop is all i need.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
I’ve been really listening to a bunch of xiexie. Theyre a great japanese band and they have such a great sound and overall feel to what theyre doing. I have to also shout out two great bands from Melbourne, Steppers are an incredible band and also a big shoutout to Public Leisure. (Check them out).
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
Thats a tough question. I think just being an artist at all, you want or hope at least to be truthful and honest in what you make, so of course anything you’ve been through or are currently going through will come out. But i think the main vision is that im always just trying to excite myself and comfort myself. It sounds strange but i make music that i want to hear at the time, and i live in it and live with it for a while, and when im ready to let go of it thats when i put it out into the world and its not mine anymore. It belongs to whoever wants to listen to it.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
Comfort and warmth.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
If you can deeply connect with even one person with a song, you’re a success. Also, this ones a bit cornball, but you are a servant as a musician (or any kind of artist). People will always say they wished they learned an instrument or that they could write songs or sing or dance or paint or write or draw or juggle or something. So if you can do it, you owe it to everyone to be doing it and to not stop doing it, even if you don’t ‘make it’.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
I don’t really play live these days, but it’d be crazy to perform a show in a place you’ve never been to, to people who are genuinely there just to see you. Crazy. Or coachella.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Frank Ocean, just let me play guitar.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
https://www.youtube.com/@aaronjosephrusso4891
https://www.instagram.com/aaronjosephrusso/
https://aaronjosephrusso.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5TYkSC09ELxgz8OEgLRzOU
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
Theres some more music I hope to put out later in the year, I’m hoping i can collaborate with a couple of people to try some new things. But mainly to just keep making music, I never really like to not be working on something. So i just keep trying to grow and have fun doing it.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
I don’t need them to discover anything about me, i just hope they enjoy the music or get some comfort or distraction from it. I don’t feel a longing for people to know me or understand me i guess, my hope is that i can make things that people gain comfort, excitement, joy or company from, that’s the only goal.
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