Feature: Dirty American Decodes “Morals Sold”
Photo Credit: Andrew Crumpton
What is the creative process like?
The creative process changes from song to song for me. Some songs, like Morals Sold, start with me attempting to play the guitar and I find a riff I like. I then scour my notebooks and notes app for random lyrics and lines I feel fit. Then I write a full lyric. I find a lot of lyrical inspiration in the news and politics in general, if that isn’t clear enough from the songs. I take out a lot of my anger and rage about the world out in the music I write.
Can you talk about the recording and production process for "Morals Sold?"
Bare minimum is the best way to describe recording. It was all just me in my room attempting to play instruments. I then had a friend play the guitar over my guitar takes. The drums are sadly midi’d. I then sent all the parts to a guy on airgigs named Alex Reverberi. His mix was way better than mine.
Can you describe the emotions or feelings you hope "Morals Sold" evokes in listeners?
I really hope it evokes some emotion. I don’t want to simplify or direct any person to have to feel any specific way. I can tell you it evokes this sort of eye-rolling anger in me. Focusing a lot on the contradictions of “morals” in America’s politicians on all sides. The only thing I hope is that it stands as an eye-opener to those who seem to worship their side’s politicians. They’re just pawns who were sold off to say some shit that they’re paid to pretend to believe.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in music?
I’ve always wanted to do music. Growing up my Dad was, and still is, a bassist in a few bands. Both my parents are big rock fans, so there wasn’t a time in my life when I really wasn’t listening to some subgenre of rock. In high school my mom sort of deterred me from doing anything music-related. I sort of just assumed she didn’t want me to be anything like my Dad, but that clearly didn’t work. I ended up going to school for music at Berklee College of Music. They focus a lot on more pop, blues, and jazz though. I really only got the degree so I could get a job in music. I’m a music teacher now teaching private vocal lessons.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they impacted your own sound?
Right now, my biggest influence is Silverchair, really just about anything Daniel Johns. I love more than the majority of his discography. Some other really notable bands are Minor Threat, Fugazi, Pearl Jam, L7, S.C.A, and Alice in Chains. I feel that the bands that I listen to really helped me find a mix between this political punk lyricism/sound with a post-grunge influence.
