Exposed Vocals interviews Steve Cirri Jr

Exposed Vocals:  So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

Steve Cirri Jr: I grew up in Baltimore for 25 years so far. If there is one thing everyone should remember is that I am a die-hard Baltimore Orioles/Ravens fan!  I decided to become a musician when I was about 15 years old. At that point of my life, I was a troubled teenager. I needed a “fix”, something to get me out that funk I was in. Throughout my middle/high school, I have seen many friends turn to drugs and alcohol. They didn’t accept me due to that, so that is when I dropped the friends and picked up the guitar.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

Steve the Cirri Jr: I used my awesome creativity and decided to add the word “the” between my name. I have tried to think of a stage name that wasn’t my actual name; but it just felt right to keep my name and just add some pizzazz to it! I am a simple guy, what can I say?

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

 Steve the Cirri Jr: It is key to share music as a musician and having your necessary files handy when an opportunity rises such as using Dropbox. I have had online radio stations coming to me out of nowhere and asking me to send me a press kit to them. I don’t know what I would have done without it! As far as illegally sharing music online, I stay away from that! And YES, I give away free music. I actually have 2 albums out on my website that contains free downloadable songs. You can find that at SteveTheCirriJr.Com/Music. I believe listeners deserve free songs as a thank you for giving me a chance. I know other musicians may argue this, but to be clear; I am not doing music full time. I do not depend on my listener’s money because I am working on my career in the business field. But even if I was doing music full time, I’d be giving away free music like candy as much as I can! Your time to listen to my music is all I need in this world!

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

 Steve the Cirri Jr: Spend at least a few hours a day on social media to reach out to potential listeners. Don’t be shy to introduce yourself when you are out and about. Let everyone know what you are all about! Confidence is key and without it, you won’t last long in the music biz. If you are looking for gigs, I suggest reaching out to local bands/artists that are similar to your music who are already doing gigs. Reach out to them about opening for them or being a part of a gig sometime. Make sure you sell yourself good; they want to know how this benefits them!  As far as airplay, I would start small and reach out to college radio stations as well as internet stations. Contact music directors and act professional.

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

Steve the Cirri Jr:  Most of my songs come from life experiences, so inspiration comes to me easily. I am trying to tell my life story to the listeners with hopes that they can relate too them one way or another. My songwriting process is very random but genius in my own way. One day, I will wake up and have this awesome guitar riff and I’ll record it. Then, I won’t even continue it days after, sometimes even months! Throughout a few months, I will take a hour out of my day to work on a chorus than a verse. That is when I work on the lyrics. I use to write a lot of poetry in middle school, so lyrics come to me in a Skippy!  After I have the lyrics, I will start finishing the guitar parts. Then, usually on weekends, I will spend almost the entire day fitting my lyrics to the song and touching up some guitar parts. I literally work on over 10 songs a month! I like to keep myself and I am never in a rush with finishing songs and it shows!

 

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

 Steve the Cirri Jr: My music page is SteveTheCirriJr.Com. My 2 albums that I’ve released can be found on dozens of platforms such as Spotify, ITunes, iHeartRadio, Pandora and much more!

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

Steve the Cirri Jr: I would put half of it in a savings and the other to buy a house near the beach. I am not big on fancy things, so I probably would just keep the same car, wear the same type of clothes and still shop normally. I will also give some back to the family because they deserve it from all the crap I put them through when I was younger. So yeah, 1) House 2) Family 3) Savings

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

Steve the Cirri Jr: My main way is by twitter. I like to spend a few hours every day reaching out to potential listeners and introducing myself to them. I speak to at least 100 new people a day! I know other ways to promote my music, but I think engaging through Twitter is the best way (for me at least).

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

Steve the Cirri Jr: For the rest of 2016, I am planning on making nothing but free music to my listeners! I already released my Summer EP “Sand on My Mind” on June 20^th.  There is will more covers and videos on my website as well as my YouTube (Just search my name!)

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

Steve the Cirri Jr: I would be either dead or in prison. Music has brought me out of dark times and I wouldn’t be who I am if I didn’t pick up that guitar at 15!

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

Steve the Cirri Jr: After doing music for 10 years, I’ve developed a system to make music even around a work and school schedule. When you do something you love, you always make time for it!

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?

Steve the Cirri Jr:   FREE MUSIC. FREE MUSIC. FREE MUSIC. Nuff said J