Formula Indie Session Interview with Souky

What is your earliest memory connected to music?

My first “memories” are of my father listening to Frank Sinatra and Big Band music on our “all-in-one” radio/tv/record/player/liquor cabinet”. Everything you needed in one piece of furniture.

My first “personal music” was singing along with the “Mary Poppins” soundtrack – which was my first record. Supercalifragilisticexpealidotious baby.

Last, The reason I wanted to play music in a band was because of Kieth Partridge in the Partridge family. When I was 12, David Cassidy was the bomb. The hair, the guitar, the voice, the girls….. yeah – I wanted to be Keith PArtridge!

How did your passion for creating music begin?
That is a more recent development. I had always just played in cover bands. A few years ago, my neighbor, Ed, wanted to put together a band, so he got me and a few others. The “main girl” was Acacia….and we were doing all of her originals. She was coming in weekly with 2-3 new songs. After a few weeks, I thought to myself…. “self – you know every chord she is using. You know every word….. you should try writing a song”. So, that evening, whil walking over to Ed’s garage for band practice, I wrote “Wishing on a Star”….and it was done by the time I got to the garage!

What’s the story behind your current music project?

Well, I was born and raised in Maryland….and I ALWAYS hated cold weather and winter….and got depressed. And, even though I was raised on Yes, Rush, Kiss, Aerosmith and Zepplin….as I got older I fell in love with the vibe of “Trop-rock music”…. and fantasied and dreamed of living on a tropical Island and playing music. The songs just followed. Then I followed the songs down to the tropics!

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?

I am “mostly country/Trop Rock”….although my hard rock/Southern Rock background comes thru on occasio. I do not write to be in any particular genre….I just take whatever the universe sends me.

What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?

aI used to “almost panic” when I played ….worried that somebody who was MUCH BETTER than me – was out there in the audience – laughing at my lack of talent as a musician. Then, I heard an interview with Jimmy Buffett – where he said: “I’m not a good guitar player…I’m not a good singer….but I am a GREAT entertainer”….and I clicked over. I too am an EXCELLENT entertainer….and as soon as I started thinking of myself as an entertainer – not a musician….all of the fear and doubt went away.

What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?

Just me and my guitar and connection to the universe.

Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?

Oddly, I have recently been going back and listening to aa lot of 90’s alternative music – like The Goo Goo Dolls and Counting Crows.

How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?

Well, I played harder rock “in my youth”….than – like many young musicians – went to college, became a computer programmer, stopped playing music, and lived as a “normal person”. I got married at the age of 34. At 35, my wife got ALS – Lou Gherigs disease….and that changed everything. She died the following year – and I was fairly well off….. so I spent a year, traveling the world…doing a LOT of whitewater kayaking. Then, my (aforementioned) neighbor Ed, gave me a guitatr and said: “let’s start a band”….and I have been playing professionally ever since.

What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?

My goal – is to make the listener FEEL emotion…… any emotion is good….from accidentally speeding up while driving to “Tennessee”….or wiping away a tear while listening to “Wishing on a Star”….or laughing and clapping to “The Stupid Song”

What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?

Your gonna make mistakes…. Smile while you are making them – and laugh at yourself!!!

What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?

RIn reality, I would love to play some shows in Key West. My biggest REAL fantasy – would be to open for Kenny Chesney at the Jiffy Lube arena in Manassas, MD

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

Of course, Jimmy Buffett would be my ideal. But, Kenny Chesney or Mac McAnally would blow me away.

Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)

I am on all of the major streaming sites … Reverbnation is where I keep my music,

Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?

I have no “delusions of grandeur”. It would be nice to travel – while playing….and be able to afford the travel – because of the playing! And, of course, it would be awesome if folks enjoyed my music.

What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?

I guess that would be to find out I am a better songwriter – than I am singer or musician!