(Photo Credit - Max Trinz)
We had an opportunity to chat with Toronto-based singer/songwriter Jacqueline Tucci for an Artist Spotlight interview! Tucci has a unique sound that bends the genres of alt, rock, with a tinge of grunge into something awesome. Check out her music and be sure to read our interview!
1. How did you come to pursue music and how long have you been at it?
"I’ve been interested in music since I was very young, for as long as I can remember. But I first decided I wanted to write songs after a Green Day concert when I was about 10. I thought the band was really cool and I decided I wanted to do that, too. I started playing guitar and formed my first band around that time, but for a long time I kind of kept my music to myself and the people in my life. It’s only been more recently that I’ve been releasing music to a bit of a wider audience."
2. Could you walk us through your process of writing music?
"I usually like to write lyrics first because that comes most natural to me. So I’ll get an idea for lyrics, work out a melody, and then sit with my guitar and hash out the rest of the song from there. I also really like to try different arrangements of a song before settling on a final version. I love doing that part in the studio to really let a song take shape organically."
3. What artists have inspired you in your career?
"So many! I really take inspiration from so many artists in every genre. I don’t really sit down to write a song and think about how I want it to sound based on my influences, but I just listen to tons of music all the time and I think that naturally comes out in my music. I hear different influences in each of my songs and I also think that sometimes I can hear certain artists I love in individual parts of songs. Like in my song Fear for example, the drumming was inspired by Sean Kinney’s drumming on Alice in Chains’ Jar of Flies EP and Brendan Canty’s drumming in Fugazi, but I don’t hear those influences as much or at all in the rest of the song."
4. Do you have any favorite music gear (guitars, amps, effects pedals, keyboards, etc.) that you love to use? If so, what’s the story on them?
"Honestly not really! I used a bunch of different guitars to record my songs - pretty much whatever was available at the studio, plus my own Nashville Telecaster. I do love my Tele but I’m not a one-guitar woman. I love playing with different sounds so I’m open to trying any instrument, pedal, and whatever else."
5. Can you describe the vibe at your live shows? Also, what do you enjoy most about a venue when you do a show?
"I started releasing songs in March, basically right around the time that COVID-19 restrictions started and shows began to be cancelled. So what was supposed to be my first show was cancelled, and obviously, I still haven’t been able to play these songs live with my band. It’s a bummer because I know the show is going to be a blast and we have it ready to go. The songs have a lot of energy and the show will be even bigger. I can’t wait to play and connect with people through a live show."
6. What is one thing that you want the public to know about your music?
"I’m not sure there’s anything I really want people to know. I always want people to connect to my music in their own way. I love to hear from people about their reactions to the songs and how the music makes them feel, whatever it may be. That is such a rewarding thing for me.
7. What’s next for you?
"I’ve been writing a lot and I really hope I can get back into the studio in the new year to record new music. And my fingers are crossed for the return of live music in 2021. I’d love to play my songs live and see live music again, too."