Alan Goldberg Music (A Jazzy Sensation we all can Love)




We had the chance to interview the talented jazz composer Alan Goldberg.  Read below to learn more about his vision, upbringing and More!

Alan, how was it growing up in Waterloo, Iowa, and ending up in Austin, TX? 
Well, Waterloo, Iowa isn’t a major music scene. I started out playing violin in the school orchestra, and I played piano and drums. During high school, I was fortunate to work as a “local roadie” - unloading and loading equipment trucks whenever the ‘big name bands’ came to town on their midwest tours - Rush, Styx, Heart, Aerosmith, REO Speedwagon. Before the Rush concert, I was ‘hanging out’ with the late great drummer Neil Peart and asked him what the secret of good drumming was. He didn’t hesitate when he said “rudiments, man, rudiments”. That was a highlight for me, right there in Waterloo, Iowa. We moved to Austin from Minneapolis during the internet boom in the late 90’s. Now Austin does have a music scene, obviously. I’ve played keyboards in a band here pretty much since we arrived. Austin has grown and changed a lot since we moved here. It’s important to keep the live music vibe vibrant and strong. 2020 was a tough year and Austin needs the live music scene. 


 What inspired you to enter the genre of Jazz? 
Jazz is freedom. My earliest exposure to jazz was through the music of Vince Guaraldi as soundtrack to the “Peanuts” cartoon specials. I wanted to play that. As a teenager, I listened to a lot of progressive rock - Yes, Genesis, Jethro Tull - then gravitated to progressive jazz - Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock - then all jazz, while keeping the progressive vibe alive . I listen to Reggae - anything that makes me feel free when I listen to it and when I play. There is a big musical palette to work with in jazz. I like strong melody and melodic solos. I like walking bass lines and weaving horn lines together with the piano, like I did with the songs in “The Show”.


 Do you think there is room for growth in today's industry? 
I think there is tremendous growth on the creative side as people get better at making their own music. The music business is “simple” 1) Make great music 2) Find the people who will like your music 3) Let them hear your music The challenge to growth, and satisfaction, in the music ‘business’ is in marrying the music to the listener. If you don’t play live shows it becomes a data management problem. The new information about music grows tremendously every day, and so musicians end up working Spotify playlists and focusing on creating metadata. There’s just so much. The role of the music curator keeps growing in importance, to sift through the blizzard of new music and give you a chance to hear music you like, and to be heard. 

 Tell us about your project, "The Show" 
The concept for “The Show EP” came from a forty second piece of music I made as an intro for a film that wasn’t used. The film maker wanted something ‘darker’. I turned that snippet of music into “The Show Redux” and it all blossomed from there. Once I had an intro song, I imagined a small jazz ensemble playing the incidental music of a live stage performance. I needed intermission music for the ‘lights up’ bio break, and another for relaxing before the next act. I also needed a finale for the people who leave the show right away and for those who stay to the very end. I used classic ensemble horns, drums, bass, piano and imagined music to fit the moment, regardless of what the stage performance was. I recorded a demo version of the song and sent it and the sheet music to musicians, who recorded the part and sent it back to me during the pandemic. I played the piano and bass parts. Because of Covid, the whole thing was put together virtually.That four song EP was released in October, 2020. A ‘deluxe’ version with two more songs - “Afterparty”, and “Curtain Call” will be released in 2021. 

 Do you have family members who are into playing instruments? 
 I have four brothers. Three of them are horn players - sax, trumpet, and trombone. They all marched in the Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band.. The sax and trumpet playing brothers still play in local jazz bands, as do their sons. When I made, “The Show”, I imagined them playing the horn parts. Maybe someday that will happen. My mom said that I 'bit the piano' when I was three or four. She always used to point out my teeth marks in the wood of the piano to people. My older brother took piano lessons but pretty much gave it up when I would hop on the piano bench and play by ear what he had been working on hard to play from the sheet music. He got mad at me. My mom did a lot of acting in community theater musical productions of Broadway shows. I was in some musicals as well. Maybe that’s where some of “The Show” comes from. 
 

So tell us the typical day of creation for Alan Goldberg 
I’m fortunate to be able to work on music full time, and it still seems like there’s never enough time for everything. I always have a song that I’m working on, I “press record” and capture new piano ideas. I record and post piano covers of favorite songs on my YouTube channel. I learn a new virtual instrument. I practice songs, chord progressions, scales. I do the social media and PR things. I always find time to exercise and either listen to music or hum ideas into a phone memo if I’m on my bike. I’m focused on getting licensing deals to get my music into film and TV, so that takes a chunk of time. 

 How has Covid-19 affected your career currently? 
I’m a two-time cancer survivor, so I’m pretty careful to stay in my ‘pod’. Our band has stopped playing. I also miss going to Jazzfest in New Orleans and Austin City Limits Festival here, other concerts and just live music overall. On the ‘plus side’, as I mentioned, “The Show” EP was put together entirely virtually. I developed a decent process to do that by necessity. Also, the potential distractions are reduced since I don’t go out much, so I stay focused on music, exercise, and staying healthy. 

Could you tell us some of your accolades; what are you most proud of in your musical career? 
I don’t know if I would call them accolades, but I can think of a few moments. Many years after I released my first album, “Fuel For The Fire”, I got an email from a woman who said my album helped her through her grief after her husband died. She said she listened to that album a lot and found some peace in it. I know how that can be, when one particular set of music gets fused with an intense moment in life. I’m glad it helped her a bit. I play the 30-string lyre, to a degree. It was featured on my album “Chasing Stray Flames”. I put several of the spiritual, meditative musical experiments I did on the lyre up on SoundClick back in the day. I wrote a lyre song to honor the victims of the Istanbul Neve Shalom Synagogue bombing in 2003. The son of one of the victims of the bombing contacted me to say that the song touched him and his family and to thank me. That meant a lot to me. Those times of connection when my music can help to shape a moment emotionally in a positive way are what it’s all about.

 any last remarks
 I’m looking forward to getting past this virus and back to ‘normal’, and to getting some of my new music into TV and film. The key is that it’s all fun and I can’t imagine doing anything else but continuing to make more music every day.

GG Maximum shares insight on her Music and More!

 




GG, give us some details about your hometown of Bedford, TX? what was it like growing up in such a town?

My hometown was very plain. There were a lot of kids my age running around back thenspent a lot of time outdoors, but when I became a teenager, I locked myself in my room learning classical music for competitions that I won and advanced in.That included my high school talent show my senior year singing a song from Victor Victoria. As an only child, I had freedom to think a lot. When I was invited to play with the others, we had a lot of overgrown land to play in. That rapidlybecame a neighboring brick city. All the horse trails and creeks were gone or made into fancy canalsMy hometown is landlocked. I live here again in the same house I grew up in. I do care about my city. Years ago, I ran for city council, losing butbeing appointed as a public city official for about three years.



So tell us about your latest song "Mayans"

I am coming out with new material but wanted to get the ball rolling and distributed, as a solo song, “Mayans”. It has a B52’S feel. I think the follow up songs will be even better. Specific to “Mayans”, I chose to write a song that was about something completely random and that no one in a million would think to write a song to. I am the type that strange, yet benign, ideas pop into my head and I act on them. I was thinking about when COVID-19 hit and as a healthcare worker myself, believed that this was mother nature’s way of cleansing the planet. Now there is vaccination hope but the hot masks that are too tight and face shields you can barely see through have been a transformation that is horrible for us.


What is it like to have Lady Gaga as your influence?

As far a real influence, I give credit to Queen, Led Zeppelin, Rush, The Darkness, Tool, Electric Light Orchestra, and anything heavy that has an orchestrated sound because I am classically trained, I suppose. Lady Ga Ga is not an influence. She is a kindred spirit of my performances of younger days. I was ahead of the times. She caught the wave. I do not follow her or buy her music. Everything I know about her has been brought to my attention by others. When I did finally hear her music, I was impressed that so many people were correct in comparing the two of us. My friends and family joke that I am Lady Ga Gabefore she even existed. The musical chances we both take resemble each other. I am fond of eccentricity, having no boundaries in my own head and the courage as a performer turned studio musician am elated for being called unusual.

 


So what's a typical day of creation for GG Maximum?


I play by ear. Vocally, I am classically trained. A typical day for my creative writing starts with finished song that magically pops into my head unannounced. If I think it is entertaining, within this madness I identify a bass line for a real foundation. I cannot catch all these tunes because my brain makes things up when it wants to. I often loose the data.  Sometimes the chord progressions and scales go haywire, so I filter simplicity by banging out the bass root. Unfortunately, a lot gets lost, but the intervals and rhythms are still there lingering. If need be, I can write at will. It is about half and half on my inspirations. I will sometimes record it humming on my phone and then forgetabout it. I have a large library of potential songs that could be killer if I went back. In fact, I should do that. If at home, when I hear a tune, I grab my bass frantically. Once I hit the bass, I tweak it and compliment it with the chorus and bridge. I practice it and record the bass as a solo so beats will not interfere with what I want it to sound like. Then I scat a vocal line. I have a jazz background and love to scat. I choose, for my vocals, apurposeful change to the entire feel of the song by finding a counterpart with no genre limitations. After thatat the computer, I write the stanzas going into freestyle mode with no melodycreating a rhythm. The lyrics are written mindlessly, not even looking to see if they make sense. When I read it, it makes sense. Once the vocal line is done it turns in to an actual song. I use the original key I thought of and program the best beat in that matching key. So, I program the beat and count out the changes, record bass first, vocals, my heavily stacked harmonies and thethrow in some keys. I have learned not to put anything out for opinion unless it is finished. I have done that because I have no patience.

 


What would be the feeling if you won the Grammy?


If I won a Grammy,  I think it is about getting the right exposure one bite a timeI would network and never be a one hit wonder. I am here to stay. I would move on to write for other artists behind the scenes.

 


How has Covid-19 affected your music career currently?


COVID-19 has put so many musicians out of work and with the pro’s, a backup plan just is not there. Do not forget the DJ’s too. For me, I am a recluse with my own means of recording and then, I have a tight nucleus of people on final recordings, mixing, mastering and video. We socially distance and wear masks unless shooting or singing where I am far away or in a sound booth anyway.

 


If its anything else you can do in life, what would it be?


Other must do’s in my life include working out and healthcare. I gave up on trying to make it as a live band when I was offered a legit gig. I made a lot of money as a professional party/wedding singer in a top Texas band, but I needed to get out of that lifestyle. As far as other work I engage in, I am a grateful respiratory therapist. It is a meaningful occupation and I cherish meaningWith my original music, I do not generate revenue. It is not because it is not worthy. It is because I am a needle in a haystack. Getting money from sales is hopeful with interviews and publicity such as this. Even if I could support myself with music, I would want to continue to practice healthcare and hit the gym because time away from music is really what makes music.

 

ANY LAST REMARKS

Thank you if you made it through all of this!


https://www.instagram.com/ggmaximum/


Lifestyle and Art of PJ PRODUCTIONZ

 


WE HAD BLESSING TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE HIP HOP PRODUCER  PJ PRODUCTIONZ!

Read our interview with him below!


How was your upbringing in Tracy, Ca?

   overall I had some good and bad childhood life growing up. I have 3 brothers 2 sisters grown and got they own place I don’t have to share lol.I’ve been bullied & sexually harassed online when I was in elementary, kindergarten & high school. when I was in middle school, and high school music was my outlet so that helped my social life a little bit I was also apart of the Tracy honor band as well as San Joaquin county honor band as a percussionist.My parents wanted me to go to the boys & girls club during the summer to help me socialize more with people and make some new friends to hangout with cuz I’m a lil introverted. When I turned 18 I was diagnosed with autism at a high level and also have a intellectual disability because of the seizures I was having when I was younger. Towards the end of 2018 in November me & my parents have been homeless for a year and a half, our first night we slept in Cars that night, then we found a hotel the next day to stay in for a little bit cuz I was working at the 99 cents store still in Tracy to help my family so I couldn’t make any music for a bit and as well as going to San Joaquin delta college at the time. Then February 2020 we’ve been blessed with an apartment to help get back on our feet. Back in 2016 sophomore year in high school I had a tragic accident at PE playing wallball the ball came to me I missed the catch I took off running to the wall to touch so I won’t get out I took off too fast & I tripped on a uneven concrete went head first into the wall & I was unconscious for a few minutes. When I woke up my left wrist was hurting really bad & i went to the hospital to get it check it out it was broken into 2 places & had to get stitches in my right eyebrow. I was inspired to make music at 8 years old when I auditioned to play drums in the church that I grew up in. Some of my favorite producers are Swizz Beatz, Lil  jon, DJ Khaled, Dr.Dre ,Timbaland & Scott storch Some of the things that did  accomplished in life is getting good grades in school & graduating high school with a diploma and earning honor rolls. My parents would always treat me every Friday for all my hard work I’ve done like they’ll take me to McDonald’s to get something to eat then they’ll take me to the arcade in the mall or we’ll shop & that shows them that they’re proud of what I’m doing 

What is like to have blended hip hop and gospel genres together?  

So tell us about the "Let it Rock" single and what is the inspiration of this track? 
Spiritual warfare, hate against the enemy 


Give us some detail about the creative process of PJ

So I’m using PJ because that’s my nickname and when I was a Kid my Parents called me Jr because me and my dad have the same name his name is Purcell Sr so my mom calls him Purcell Sr And my parents would call me Jr. when I got to about 18 I told my mom to call me PJ now cuz I felt like Jr was childish lol and I was like I should use that to tag my beats and that’s how I came up with it. 


 Who are some of your favorite artist and why?


   I don’t have a specific artist, I listen to a lot of mainstream hip hop,& Rnb as well as Christian Rap 

How has Covid-19 affected your music career lately?
Since COVID-19 hit I never thought I would have to face something like this in my life but I’m great full that I’m still here as well as my family even though I lost some family members in the past but not due to COVID it was other health issues going on and people are dying from it but I can’t control it Since it started I’ve just been making & selling beats, going to college, getting my life together and staying out of trouble 


If you could do anything else in live what would it be?

If I could do anything else in life It would be traveling. I love to travel, see & going to do different things.



Any last remarks?

last remark would be is to follow your dreams get that education cuz nobody can take that away from you. Also have confidence, have faith in god, and believe in yourself and be yourself don’t be like no one else cuz you won’t go far in life let the haters hate. 


CHECK OUT HIS LATEST PROJECTS BELOW


https://unitedmasters.com/pj-productionz