by Kenneth Morton

Almost Famous is the one-man project of Nick Zinnanti, a multi-talented musician from Bethpage, NY. Once part of a local pop punk outfit that was beginning to make a considerable name for themselves before ultimately disbanding, Nick has gone solo, self-releasing an impressive collection of tunes entitled Starting Over. Performing all of the instruments and recording in his own studio, Nick has truly taken the DIY route. On the road to what surely will be a successful career, we caught up with Nick to find out more about his ambitious new project.

Tell me about your previous band and what do you find in Almost Famous that wasn’t found in your other band?
I was previously in a band called CODE: ADRENALINE. (Don't mind the caps, we thought it was cool). This was a straight-up pop punk group of four guys based out of Long Island. We were together for somewhere around 5 years until things began to fizzle out. Shows were getting vacant, opportunities were dying down and our morale was at zero. It just didn't feel the same anymore.

What I like most about Almost Famous is the ability to have the right to do whatever you would like with the music and not have to reason with others. Although this can limit your abilities more than working with others, I feel the music is written on much more of a personal level, creating a much tighter bond between the listener and the artist.

Where did you get the idea for the band name Almost Famous?
Haha, well the idea for the name was really rather simple; and no it was not from the movie (I've actually never even seen it). It's more of a sense of feeling that I had felt with my old band, like I have gotten so far, but kind of fell short. So the whole sense of being "Almost Famous" just felt as if it applied well.

Tell me about the title of your new CD. Does this truly feel like Starting Over?
Well the title for the new record Starting Over I feel is a very suitable name for everything that has happened. The title track Starting Over is actually about the whole breaking-up situation of the band. Although it seems like more of a love song, the whole beauty of the band was like it was a relationship in itself. You grow attached with your friends and they become more like brothers, but things get rough sometimes and before ya know it all these things are going wrong. The whole band just came to a point where enough was enough, something had to be done.

How difficult was it to play every single instrument on this album and how long did it take you to record it? Any especially difficult parts to record?
The hardest part for me personally on the record was actually recording drums. Because I was not able to play a full kit due to the space I was in, so rather I played each piece to the kit individually to a metronome. Not the easiest of tasks, but I managed. Altogether an average song I would have to say took around 10 - 12 hours for full completion. That includes constructing the song, recording it and making sure everything flows well. I gained a much larger understanding for music and how it works when doing everything myself. You really learn more and truly start to love it.

Is Underdog Records your own label? If not, how did you go about signing to them?
Underdog Records is a small indie based label out of California. As simple as this may seem, it was merely a sense of being noticed at the right time. They had heard my music and contacted me about the whole situation. Of course I was extremely excited and it was like a dream come true. So it just goes to show, anything can happen; just get your music out there and who knows who will come across it.

Where did you get the ideas for some of the lyrics? Please cite a few songs and what inspired you to write them.
The ideas for lyrics actually came from a wide variety of places. The song Starting Over, as I previously mentioned, was all about my old band breaking up and doing something I've never done before. Other songs such as Open Up and Into the Night, which follow one another on the record, are more "War" based songs. I actually based the writing off of a story I had thought of, as an orphan child who goes to war to find himself. Now why this orphan went to war to find himself, that I don't know, but the concept grew on me a lot and helped with the construction of, what I feel are, two very strong songs. In the mix, there are songs about finding who you truly are and where you belong which is evident in the songs Coming Home and The Moment, which is all about being yourself and an anthem to let you know that you've got what it takes to succeed at anything you put yourself into.

What city are you based out of and what is the music scene like there?
I'm actually from a little city on Long Island called Bethpage. It's not very well known, not much has come out of the music scene here recently. Personally, I feel the entire Long Island music scene has kind of died out and has no more variety as well as nowhere left to play. I remember when I first started playing shows 5 years ago; you could go to a show and see 6 totally different bands and each one being amazing in their own way. Today, every band coming out sounds the same and I just feel like there needs to be something to change the music scene and restore it back to what it once was. It also doesn't help where smaller unheard of bands have to pay money to play shows; I know the venue has to make it's money and what not; but it kind of takes the whole fun out of being in a band. The whole point is to go out, play and have tons of fun. Now today I see bands, as well as when I was in one, struggling to just try and make ends meet so they can be guaranteed a slot. It's too stressful, I know people getting sick from it.

Do you plan on having additional band members in the future or is it easier to work on your own?
Well personally, it is much easier to work on my own when it comes to creating the music, but unfortunately I will never be able to play these songs to their full potential without the help of a band. So I plan on finding some awesome musicians to help get that sound that I am looking for when the music is played. So you can bet I will be having additional band members to help create that same sound that people hear.

Where was the picture on the cover of the CD taken and do you sometimes feel like someone lost or set loose in a big city?
The picture on the front of the CD was actually taken in New York City; which block, I couldn't really tell ya. It's very easy to feel lost in a city with so many people, I mean you can feel on top of the world being all "Wow, I wonder if anyone knows me," then you walk down the block and not a single person knows your name or recognizes you. It's actually a good way to face the reality of how small you really are.

Describe your music to an elderly relative.
My music is a light rock sound with some edge to it so it can be accepted by all ages.

Is Myspace the great Satan of the 21st Century?
Myspace is a great help to all of the bands out there. It's a great way to get the word out about a new and upcoming band. The only thing I don't like about it is nobody goes to websites anymore. I mean personally I don't even know the last time I visited a band’s website without it being their Myspace. Therefore, it's great in a sense of publication, but where have all the websites gone?

Are there any Almost Famous groupies wandering the streets of New York or beyond?
Haha, Almost Famous groupies huh? I can't say that I really know. I mean if there are, woo hoo!, if not, not a big deal here. I just love to write music; not write music to get love.

Any chance of a tour, either with a full band or acoustic?
I plan on getting into the scheme of things at first with the acoustic act, getting the word out that way at first since I haven't gotten a full band together yet. After many months of practice and such, I plan on hitting a hopeful U.S. tour by the summer with these hopeful musicians, playing the best music that we can.

When the disc spins to its conclusion, what do you hope a listener has gotten out of hearing your music?
Seeing how this is one of the most personal records I've ever written, I would like for them to get a sense of comfort out of all of this in the end. Each song conveys a positive message of trying your best, never giving up and doing all you can to be happy. Sometimes you already are and don't even know it. I feel people take things for granted a lot of the time, and this record is a great way to show people to just open their eyes and look what you got around you because sometimes that's all you need to truly understand life and happiness.

Do you have any messages for those in the LA/OC area who might be into checking out your music?
I've been to the west coast a few times and I must say it's pretty awesome down there; not to mention amazing Mexican food. Just like to say thanks for making awesome Mexican food and check out the new record Starting Over!

Almost Famous Links

Almost Famous on Myspace: Their Official Myspace Page!
Almost Famous on Pure Volume: With a downloadable song!
The Highwire Daze Home Page: Return to the Main Page!

Counter