Exposed Vocals just caught an exclusive interview with Tom Charchuk
Tom Charchuk has lived in and around Alberta Canada most of his life and is an accomplished singer/songwriter both has performed successfully as a rock artist and country artist. He is influenced by some of the greatest past and modern day singer/songwriters. His sounds are a blend of high energy interpretations with a touch of yester-year and a breath of modern day sounds. No matter what genres he performs, he wows the audiences with his song interpretations.
His early exposure to music was performing live in clubs in other venues in a Top Forty band.
Also he has attended music conferences such as New Music West in Vancouver and Canadian Music Week in Toronto to learn more about the music business.
Winning awards for his songwriting, vocal performances, he has also received acclaim in local newspapers for his musical accomplishments.
“Why Are You A Storm” selected for American Bandstand broadcast. “Read your Letter” was 4 months on the top twenty on musicworldradio.com.
“Read Your Letter” was covered and released by the ‘Jones Boy Band- The Legend Survives’ which reached #1 spot on the top 50 APD Country/Alt.Albums on November 20, 2013 on airplaydirect.com
Currently on rotation on 365 Radio Network. Tom is currently writing new material, soon performing live in around Alberta and has just completed another video release – “Read Your Letter” hosted on you tube.
He is also attends songwriting workshops hosted by NASI, always striving to improve his writing craft.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
I grew up in Canada spending my life most of it in Western Canada in a small rural town in Leduc, Alberta. I became an artist because I enjoyed music, meeting new people and I found it was a great way to have fun.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
This was the name I was born with. My inspiration for it was I was a solo artist representing myself by my music.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
If a person wants to hear my music he can stream it on my soundcloud channel for free. If they want to own it as a MP3 they can purchase it on cdbaby.Sometimes I meet a person at where I perform and if he strikes me as a person who is really into my music I will give him one of EP’s. Also on radio shows I have sent them my EP’s to give away as free promo on their stations.
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?
By being yourself, polite and being very appreciative of the time a DJ or person at a music station takes in listening and playing your music. I think by sending a DJ a thank you once in a while for hosting your music won’t hurt either.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Sure, I just follow the song through till the end, roll my eyes and just keep on going.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
No, I don’t tour. I mostly do local venues.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Usually by a events that happen to me or people around me. I start with a hook or title of song, produce lyrics and move on with the melody.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Yes I do. The first one listed is my website:
http://twitter.com/tomcharchuk
For complete listings of my links look under my google page in google search:
Tom Charchuk music
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
That is an unique question. Well it would vary: Psycho Chicken by the Fools, Lime in the Coconut by the Guess Who; The Monty Python theme song; Hooked on a Feeling? There is a unique intro that I like to that one. LOL
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
If I were given half a million dollars and a year off. I would give 10,000 dollars to a charitable cause and spend the rest of it going and attending songwriter seminars in order to write and produce in the studios the best songs I could do. The rest of the money would be for promotion and touring.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
No studio upgrades at the moment. I find there are so many local studios around that have all the great talent I would need to harness for now. I am working with a local musician that owns his own home studio that does all my recording and promotion and comes equipped with all the latest studio upgrades.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
The best way I find to promote your music is to build relationships of who is in the industry. If you are polite with people they are usually very willing to help you.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
I think I would perform with Crosby, Stills and Nash, because of their awesome songwriting ability. Also an artist such as Stevie Ray Vaughan (SRV). I’ve seen this guy perform live and he was just incredible on guitar, a real master to witness.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
I plan to perform in a few small venues that include open stages. I am presently working with a publishing group that is actively promoting my material for possible Demo Submissions and Licencing opportunities.I am taking a Song Writing Workshop from noted songwriter Steven Seskin in early September. Working on new material and look forward to releasing another Ep in spring of 2017. Planning on attending Canada Music Week conference also in late spring of 2017 to further learn the music business .
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
I would probably be a music teacher working with students in a public school.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
I remember going to a second hand store to buy used LP’s and being influenced by artists such as Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix. Those artists and the music they made had more of a positive and hopeful vibe with a lot of depth to their sound.. I thought to myself I’d like to compose music like that to influence people in such a way..
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
I have a job that balances my music life. I don’t look to having a day job as a distraction from my music but rather as a embellishment of it. Without a day job you would miss out opportunities to write about the people you meet and the day to day struggles that we all have to contend with.If you want to write music that would appeal to the common man, the best scenario is to be one- to understand it.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
Performing in small local venues and releasing another Ep in the spring of 2017.
