Jeff Child

Adult Contemporary Singer/Songwriter Jeff Child is creating music that comes out sounding enriching, soulful, and heartfelt. What makes this artist’s music stand out the best is the honesty of his lyrics and its harmonious melodic tunes. For fans looking for music that will grab at you from the heart, then Jeff Child is the perfect musician to do just that. Check out this recent spotlight with our Webzine about the music and passion of Jeff Child. Enjoy!

Isaac: We'd love to know about your inspirations growing up. I hear so many influences in your music. How old were you when you first discovered music? Is there any kind of musical history in your family?

Jeff Child: The earliest memory I have of music is when I was 3 or 4. My dad was into playing songs on the piano from old musicals. While that was my first introduction to music I wouldn’t say I was really “turned on” by it. The music that’s really had an impact on me would come later. Pat Metheny, Joni Mitchell, Sting, Chick Corea the Smiths were early influences. I’ve recently been really into artist like Ray Lamontagne, Sufjan Stevens, Elliott Smith, stuff like that.

Isaac: What drew you to pick up an instrument in the first place?

Jeff: I’m not sure to be honest. It’s something that I’ve been doing for so long. Piano is my first instrument. Playing late at night and listening to the resonance it makes when your all by yourself- when you play some chord and hold it out, letting it ring until it’s taken over by some other chord is something I’ve always loved.

Isaac: As you hit your teenage years, did you know that this was what you would be doing for the rest of your life?

Jeff: Yes.

Isaac: Is there a performer in any genre of pop culture that you would like to work with?

Jeff: I’d love to work with Ray Lamontagne. The ultimate fantasy would be to work with Joni Mitchell. I’ve written a couple of songs that I often daydream about her singing. That would be ridiculously cool! I think it would be fun to hang out with Conner Oberst too.

Isaac: Who are some musicians that you really like, present or past?

Jeff: Pat Metheny has always blown me away. I know I’m repeating myself but he’s my favorite. Lyle Mays is also amazing. Jaco Pastorious comes to mind. Dave Eskridge (my high school music teacher) is a great player. Bucket Head is cool.

Isaac: What is your ultimate goal with your music career?

Jeff: To have the big kids think I’m cool!

Isaac: What has been some of the obstacles it has taken to get this far in your career?

Jeff: Like most songwriters aspiring to do this for a living- money, getting your music into the right hands, etc.

Isaac: Would you recommend this "field" to others who are aspiring to be musicians like you?

Jeff: If you’ve taken an honest look at your music and you know you’ve got it- yes.

Isaac: Describe one piece of advice you've have been given to by others in the music industry.

Jeff: Never talk about any artist in a negative way. While you may not like someone’s music you may find yourself talking to the person that has the connections and influence to offer you your first big break only to discover that they were the executive producer of the guy you were just talking bad about. Also, be honest. If someone asks you if you’ve heard of so and so and you haven’t, don’t say that you have.

Isaac: What genre of music do you consider most of your music?

Jeff: I’ve never heard any songwriter answer that question without falling on their face (laughs). You tell me.

Isaac: What has been your favorite piece of work?

Jeff: Wallace Stegner’s Angle of Repose. That is by far the best book I’ve ever read! I can’t narrow my list of favorite pieces of music down to one. I know that’s a lame answer. Sorry.

Isaac: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?

Jeff: I have a lot of my music posted at: www.sonicbids.com/jeffchild. My debut record I produced in 2005 is for sale on CDBaby (
www.cdbaby.com/urbangray).

Isaac: Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?

Jeff: Everybody that has expressed an interest in my music. Oh, and that guy who sold me second row seats to the Spyro Gyra concert in 1991. My girlfriend thought that was cool.

Isaac: Any last words?

Jeff: Thanks for interviewing me. Buy my records. You’ll like them I promise! Tell everybody to buy my records. They will like them too! I hope someone proof reads all this before it’s published. My spelling and grammar suck!

Isaac: You did fine. - Junior's Cave Online Magazine Editors' Blogshttp://blogs.juniorscave.com

Adult Contemporary Singer/Songwriter Jeff Child is creating music that comes out sounding enriching, soulful, and heartfelt. What makes this artist’s music stand out the best is the honesty of his lyrics and its harmonious melodic tunes. For fans looking for music that will grab at you from the heart, then Jeff Child is the perfect musician to do just that. Check out this recent spotlight with our Webzine about the music and passion of Jeff Child. Enjoy!

Isaac: We'd love to know about your inspirations growing up. I hear so many influences in your music. How old were you when you first discovered music? Is there any kind of musical history in your family?

Jeff Child: The earliest memory I have of music is when I was 3 or 4. My dad was into playing songs on the piano from old musicals. While that was my first introduction to music I wouldn’t say I was really “turned on” by it. The music that’s really had an impact on me would come later. Pat Metheny, Joni Mitchell, Sting, Chick Corea the Smiths were early influences. I’ve recently been really into artist like Ray Lamontagne, Sufjan Stevens, Elliott Smith, stuff like that.

Isaac: What drew you to pick up an instrument in the first place?

Jeff: I’m not sure to be honest. It’s something that I’ve been doing for so long. Piano is my first instrument. Playing late at night and listening to the resonance it makes when your all by yourself- when you play some chord and hold it out, letting it ring until it’s taken over by some other chord is something I’ve always loved.

Isaac: As you hit your teenage years, did you know that this was what you would be doing for the rest of your life?

Jeff: Yes.

Isaac: Is there a performer in any genre of pop culture that you would like to work with?

Jeff: I’d love to work with Ray Lamontagne. The ultimate fantasy would be to work with Joni Mitchell. I’ve written a couple of songs that I often daydream about her singing. That would be ridiculously cool! I think it would be fun to hang out with Conner Oberst too.

Isaac: Who are some musicians that you really like, present or past?

Jeff: Pat Metheny has always blown me away. I know I’m repeating myself but he’s my favorite. Lyle Mays is also amazing. Jaco Pastorious comes to mind. Dave Eskridge (my high school music teacher) is a great player. Bucket Head is cool.

Isaac: What is your ultimate goal with your music career?

Jeff: To have the big kids think I’m cool!

Isaac: What has been some of the obstacles it has taken to get this far in your career?

Jeff: Like most songwriters aspiring to do this for a living- money, getting your music into the right hands, etc.

Isaac: Would you recommend this "field" to others who are aspiring to be musicians like you?

Jeff: If you’ve taken an honest look at your music and you know you’ve got it- yes.

Isaac: Describe one piece of advice you've have been given to by others in the music industry.

Jeff: Never talk about any artist in a negative way. While you may not like someone’s music you may find yourself talking to the person that has the connections and influence to offer you your first big break only to discover that they were the executive producer of the guy you were just talking bad about. Also, be honest. If someone asks you if you’ve heard of so and so and you haven’t, don’t say that you have.

Isaac: What genre of music do you consider most of your music?

Jeff: I’ve never heard any songwriter answer that question without falling on their face (laughs). You tell me.

Isaac: What has been your favorite piece of work?

Jeff: Wallace Stegner’s Angle of Repose. That is by far the best book I’ve ever read! I can’t narrow my list of favorite pieces of music down to one. I know that’s a lame answer. Sorry.

Isaac: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?

Jeff: I have a lot of my music posted at: www.sonicbids.com/jeffchild. My debut record I produced in 2005 is for sale on CDBaby (
www.cdbaby.com/urbangray).

Isaac: Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?

Jeff: Everybody that has expressed an interest in my music. Oh, and that guy who sold me second row seats to the Spyro Gyra concert in 1991. My girlfriend thought that was cool.

Isaac: Any last words?

Jeff: Thanks for interviewing me. Buy my records. You’ll like them I promise! Tell everybody to buy my records. They will like them too! I hope someone proof reads all this before it’s published. My spelling and grammar suck!

Isaac: You did fine. - Junior's Cave Online Magazine Editors' Blogshttp://blogs.juniorscave.com