I'm really proud to introduce to
you a talented musician from one of my fave places....the extremely very
very cool Seattle WA..you know the birth place of those greats...Hendrix...Pearl
Jam..Melvins oh what who were those other dudes.... er..NIRVANA
and many other great artists... Yes I know you can all feel that I am smiling
from ear to ear. And yes so I am again proud to introduce you to the ever so
talented Carson Henley.
Behind the super sexy long
hair and winning smile there is a soulful, determined, fun, interesting Music
enthusiast...and I'm about to find a little bit more about him.
So it all started with the
jazz....
I am 26 now and I started playing classical piano at
2 1/2 years old. I was in classical lessons until the age of 18. During my
teenage years, I took jazz lessons for 3 years and played in a jazz band as
well. I started playing pop music right around the age of 14. I didn't start
playing and singing in front of people until I was 17 at a high school talent
show. I wrote my first song when I was 21.
Speaking of 21, I hear your a
fan of a certain artist with that album title?
I am such a massive fan of
Adele. I am a music fanatic and there have been songs and albums that have
gotten me through really rough times in my life. Her newest album,
"21", came out right when I was going through a breakup so I listened
to it non stop (along with millions of brokenhearted women haha). When I
saw her live, the way that she sang and with the passion she displayed, I felt
every word. She doesn't have to move about the stage to command an audience -
she just does. I had to ride home without any music on just so I could process
what I saw. I actually end up doing that with any show that
inspires me or blows me away. I want to bask in the memory and the sounds of
what I just experience and ride home in silence.
So how would you describe
your music?
Umm...someone recently described my music
as "Funkadelic Rock" and I kinda like that. I would place myself in a
mix between Joe Cocker and James Morrison.
Inspiration...
Such a powerful word. I draw
a lot of my inspiration lyrically from relationships. Not just romantic ones,
but friends, family and a lot of times I find inspiration hearing about and
experiencing relationships between other people. I also am inspired by struggle
and how I, or other people, find themselves in those positions and how they
react.
What sort of genres, styles
grab your soul..like with one listen sparks inspiration?
Good ol' motown soul music
and classic rock - especially Stevie Wonder. I think if Stevie Wonder would sit
down with me and teach me something, if even just for a moment, I would
cry!
Agreed..Stevie...what an
inspirational individual...so if you had the chance to perform with any artist
who would it be?
Stevie Wonder. Stevie Wonder.
and.....Stevie Wonder.
Stevie Wonder is is then!
Very good choice.
I mean I am also very
inspired by Donny Hathaway, James Taylor, Michael Jackson, the Beatles, Sly and
the Family Stone, Michael Mcdonald, Jonny Lang, James Morrison, Jamie Cullum.
Also, my sister Tess Henley is an amazing songwriter and I always am blown away
by how talented of a songwriter and musician she is. She always inspires me to
work harder and be better at my craft.
Okay so every artist gets
inspired by a whole bunch of creative outlets, as a musician has there been any
shows that you have really liked and influenced by?
I would say there have been a
few shows that really have influenced me. The first time (as well as the other
times) I saw Jamie Cullum, I left in complete shock. What that guy is
capable of, and the pure creativity he puts into his music, his playing and his
performing is absolutely unreal. I have seen him 4 times and each time I have
the same reaction - "I need to go home and practice!"
YES.. Jamie Cullum. Such a
underrated musician. Very talented. Okay back to you, and your music
making...what have you been up to lately?
Oh man, this last year has been such a whirlwind of
sorts. I had been in a writer's block for 8 straight months last year. I
couldn't finish a song if my life depended on it! That's when I decided I
needed to test myself as an artist to see if I could even do it anymore. So, I
came up with this idea to write and record as many songs as I could in 100
waking hours. I ended up writing 8 full songs and recording 7 of them.
ALBUM!!!!?
Yup, They all make up my new album which will be
released in a few months called, "100 Hours".
Perfect Title.... :D
It's the first time I have ever felt so proud of what
I accomplished. I really am so thrilled with the way everything turned out. But
ever since then, I have been continually writing more songs in hopes of
recording again soon...but this time a full album!
There is a 48 minute documentary (called "The
100 Hour Project" that was made on the entire process. You can see the
trailer before its released here:
There are so many interesting music spots in Seattle
WA aren't there?
Yeah, I would really love to play at the Paramount
Theatre in Seattle. I have just seen so many great musicians/artists play there
and it would be such an surreal experience to perform where I have seen some of
my favorites play - not to mention in front of a home town crowd.
I understand you love to
travel, your already from an amazing state..but where in the world would you
love to make music and perform?
Oh man...that is so hard
because traveling is such a passion of mine! I would love going anywhere, but I
think London would be my first choice.
LONDON TOWN! ARTHUSTLE's
home...I'm not being biased but London is one of the best...
First of all, I think that
London is amazing in general, but the music scene and the artists coming
out of the UK recently are really incredible. I would love to be a part of
that. Not to mention, my music is really well received over there!
That is always a bonus!
Yep London recognize fresh
talent! So in the light of performing have you got any upcoming gigs or shows?
So far I don't have any specific dates yet for the
album release shows...but I am shooting for a late June release show in
Seattle, WA and Portland, OR. I am also really loving the thought of coming
over and touring the UK and Europe. I am hoping that I can pull something
together before the year is over.
What does music mean to you?
I love just making music and
getting to play it. Knowing that people actually listen to it, know the words,
and truly enjoy it, is also an incredible feeling. It is one of the things that
always keeps me pushing forward.
We (London) would love to see more of Carson wouldn't
we? In the mean time, Check out Carson & more of his music here:
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