SANTAGATA, The Interview
Andrew Santagata has
been a mainstay in the Rhode Island music community for years. His music is
ever evolving and always fresh. I sent a few questions his way via email
regarding his music, his latest album, and a lifetime of pure dedication to his
art form.
1. Your musical career spans over 15 years. What are some of the
highlights for you? Any regrets?
Any regrets, no... But
some highlights have been getting to share the stage with some of my favorite
bands, including, Alice Cooper, Heaven And Hell (Sabbath with Dio),
Queensryche, Buckcherry, Sevendust, Tesla, Dope, Powerman 5000, Kittie, Alice
In Chains, Shinedown, Disturbed, Godsmack, Skid Row, Quiet Riot, Enuff Z Nuff,
White Lion and many many more. Lots of highlights! One of the coolest was getting
to be a part of the Locobazooka Concert Film/Movie, was filmed in Fitchburg MA
back in 2004 in front of over 20,000 ppl and I got to play the main stage,
prime time, was mad crazy, and to be in a movie with Shinedown, Kittie, Monster
Magnet, Saliva, ect, was real cool!! Good times!
2. Your new lineup is doing well, what are the future plans for santagata?
Future plans for
Santagata.. Well, first off, we are hoping to release the new CD "Jet
Black" late this year, early next year, 10 all new original songs from
Santagata! The first single and title track has already been released. After
that, it's just shows, shows, and more live shows to promote the new CD!!
3.If you could put together your own rock festival, which top 5
bands would you bring in? Any local bands?
I don't know about which
bands I'd bring in, but I'd love to play with KISS!!! Big influence!! always
wanted to sing like Paul Stanley and play lead guitar like Ace Frehley!! Kiss
rulz!
4.How do you see the local scene doing here in Rhode Island?
Well.. The scene is what
it is... Hard work and good songs will prevail... I hope!! Things come and go
out of style, I think the best thing to do is just do your own thing and not
worry about what the other bands are doing, be yourself, no need to follow the
leader, ya know...The scene will weed out the weak and the strong will
survive!!! This is my 20th anniversary of releasing my first single "Dead
Man Walkin", who would think 20 yrs later I'd still be around, making CD's
and playing shows, but I am and I'm glad to do so! Any day above ground is a
good day I say, let's rawk!!!
5.So many bands have come and gone over the years. What do you
attribute to your longevity?
I think what has kept me
around all these years is the love of doing it.. Weather I make it or not,
doesn't matter to me, I do it for the love of making music and if I'm alive at
60, you will see me somewhere in some coffee house playing acoustic and singing
my heart out! ..
I think longevity comes from determination.
When everyone around me was throwing in the towel and giving up on the band
thing, I was going to have NO part in that, I said to myself that, no matter
what, I was going to play till I wanted to stop, whenever that is. No
girlfriend, job or any other kind of responsibilities were gonna tear my music
away from me or me away from it, period.
I see friends who are
musicians, telling me that they think it's time to stop or whatever, that they
don't have the time they used to have to make music or play in a band or
whatever... Well, I have 3 kids, a house w/ a mortgage, a girlfriend, job and a
ton of responsibilities and I still find time to play in my band and make new
music year after year, no excuses... and I'm going to keep making music til the
day I die, period.
6. Finally, where can fans pick up or download your music?
also...
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