Exposed Vocals just sat down to an interview with Fleet Walker
Hailing from New Jersey and raised at the Jersey Shore, singer / songwriter Jonathan Vecci is ‘Fleetwalker’. A multi-instrumentalist and talented composer, Fleetwalker’s acoustic based sound rests comfortably between Jeff Buckley and Bright Eyes, with lyrics that document a profound spiritual journey. Following on from the critical acclaim of his debut LP ‘Morning Void’ in 2011 (through Brooklyn based 825 Records) and the 2016 Youtube-only single ‘ASAP’, Fleetwalker’s musical evolution continues with the release of his forthcoming album titled ‘Perseverance’. Citing influences ranging from The Beatles to the Bible, Fleetwalker describes how his faith provided the inspiration for his latest work; “My lyrics focus on heaven and spirituality and struggle to make sense of sin and struggle in a broken world. My real hope is that people will leave my songs being satisfied by melody and musicality enough to embark on their own journey … wherever that may lead them.”.
‘Perseverance’ will be available through all major online streaming and download services from 13th October, 2017.
“Versatile, honest, and well-made…” 8/10 (Sarah Whited, Music Connection)
PERSEVERANCE – TRACKLISTING:
Kamikaze
Elasticity Comb
She Bites
Walk On
Best of Friends
Flowers
Mad
Love Song
Connect with Fleetwalker on social media at:
www.facebook.com/fleetwalker
For interview opportunities, press images and all other enquiries please contact: [email protected]
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
I grew up, for the most part, in southern and central New Jersey, close to the beach. My parents moved us (my family) around quite a bit before we settled at the shore. I remember we lived in Pennsylvania for a couple of years and I wasn’t having it. I begged my parents
to move to the Jersey shore. That’s where I am now. I really like it around here. Art was just something that came naturally to me. I was the art kid in school. I loved drawing pictures and giving them to friends. I would draw anything they requested. I was
really into big/wild cats when I was younger so I loved drawing lions, and tigers. I don’t remember a definitive moment where I said, “I am now an artist”.. it just kind of crept up on me, but I’m not complaining. I love it. I remember being obsessed with
buts when I was really little. My parents had a book laying around the house and it had all of this old style architecture and cathedral art, and in all of the designs were all of these naked humans with their bare buts exposed. Maybe it started there. I’ve
been told I have a nice but, so it all works out.
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?
Work hard and don’t give up.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Yes. I figured a long time ago that mistakes are ok, and they’re going to happen, you know there’s no such thing as a perfect gig, right? It’d be nice to get to the point where those mistakes don’t ruin the entire performance. I’ve had that happen a lot.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
I don’t really want to tour right now. It’s just not something that appeals to me. I don’t think the music that I’ve been putting out even works for live shows. That’s not to say that I won’t in the future though. After this record I’m going back into the studio with Pat
Noon, who produced “Perservence”. We have an idea to make dancy rock tunes for the next few albums. That’s where my heart is right now. I won’t do anything artistically unless it fits what I’m doing, and so that’s where things are right now.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
No. I would like to have a lot of gear someday and be able to make nice home demo’s when I feel like it. I don’t ever want to give myself over completely to myself though. There’s integrity that comes from working with others and the music comes out better. I’d rather
work with someone that knows better than me, so I’m not planning on having my own studio or something. I’m pretty happy just calling people up if they want to work with me and going into their studio. It keeps thing equal and keeps the music on par.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
I don’t like to overdo. I’ve always felt that if it’s meant to be it will be, and the people that are really searching for new music, will find it if they want to. Which I’m sure is the way a lot of established artists think. Over promotion is not my goal. If things ever
get out of my control, I’m going to buy a bunch of ice cream and become a sloppy ice cream devouring mess because that’s how I’ve been dealing with depression lately.. hahahaha (lol) lmao?
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Good question. I would love to work with the guitarists in Radiohead. They are so influential to me and my playing. Their approach to making music is unbelievably stellar and I’d consider it a challenge to actually be in the same room, working on music with them. I have
no idea what it’s like when someone like Thom Yorke has someone like the members of his band come to him with new ideas, it but it must be life affirming. They’re a dream band. Also It’d be cool to work with Flea. He’s untouchable on the bass.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
I have plans to release an EP that is reminiscent of when I used to make home demos for fun. The songs I have for it are great and I want there to be a lot of noise and sound going on. I’m working on that right now with an old buddy of mine and so I hope it gets out there
soon. It’s probably going to be pretty under the radar which I don’t mind. It’s going to be pretty raw sounding I think so it’d be best for the underground market.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Probably still driving my parents mad. I was a noisy kid. It all worked out.