Dallas musician Joseph Veazie forges his own career path with humor, determination
For any struggling musician, finding one’s signature sound is key to moving on and developing as an artist. But Joseph Veazie somehow manages to move along his music career with ease while still trying to find his own voice. In short, he’s lucky … though talent probably has a lot to do with it. With regular paying gigs as a solo musician and part of a working party band, Veazie really does make it look easy. We talked to the local out musician about his hopes for an album, his influences and watching big men twerk.
— Rich Lopez
For more information, visit IDTBand.com.
Dallas Voice: OK, you get one shot at telling us the struggles of an arty musician. Go! Joseph Veazie: I’m “finding my sound” aiming for an indie-rock, singer/songwriter sound with elements of soul and pop. I’ve written some pop, country, even metal, so who knows what my first album is going to sound like?
So, there is an album in the works? I had a general outline for it a couple years ago, but can’t stop tweaking things. Leonardo da Vinci said “Art is never finished, only abandoned,” and that’s how I feel about most of my songs when I think I’m done. I was going to record in September, but I went through a lot of changes personally and musically, so I stepped back. I have one song that I wrote back in 2009 and finally recorded in 2012. Maybe I’ll release it for free to get it out there, but I may end up changing it. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to my music, which is a blessing and a curse.
What influences you? Musically, my influences are all over the place. Smaller acts like Circa Survive, City & Colour and As Cities Burn are up there, but my favorite now is Coldplay. I’m a huge fan of movies, so lyrically there may be nods at certain films. I recently got out of a serious relationship, so I’m sure there’ll be one or two sappy, emo songs I’ll be working on sooner than later. Maybe I’ll channel my inner Adele.
Hugs! If we grabbed your iPod, what would come up? My day-to-day playlists can have anything from Frank Ocean to Nobuo Uematsu to Lady Gaga to Queen. I wouldn’t be surprised if I’ve played them in that order before.
How’s band life for a solo artist? I joined a professional cover band called IDT Band (formerly Identity Theft) in August and absolutely loving everything so far. They are some of the best and most professional musicians and amazing individuals. They’ve helped me grow in every aspect of my life and push me to be a better person and musician. I can’t thank them enough for letting me be part of the band. We play weddings and corporate events and locally at Sherlock’s, British Beverage Company, Cool River Cafe and other venues. We’re also starting a trio called The Brofessionals. It’s going to be different for the cover band scene. I’m stoked about it, so be on the lookout for that soon.
Are you doing the solo thing still, though? Because of the writing and IDT, I won’t be doing any solo shows for a while. I would like to have an album out, and I want to take my time with everything to surprise people with my new live show.
You love the bears and the bears love you. Give us some tea. Ha! My favorite was at a friend’s birthday party. You can’t have a party with bears and not have a pool, so I planned on being background music, but people came to listen. I was doing an Adele medley, and two of our drunk friends got in front of me and started twerking like nobody’s business. And not regular twerking, but floor-twerks, wall-twerks, wheelbarrow twerks … to an Adele song. I didn’t even know dudes could twerk like that. There’s a video of it somewhere.
Hold on for a minute. We’re searching for it. OK.
Wow. Those boys do have some moves. So, how are you setting up 2014? I will be starting a YouTube series of cover songs. I’m looking forward to getting my own album out this year. It’s been a long time coming, but I think this is the year for me. Oh and I really want to go to the gym and put some meat on my bones. I can eat all day every day and still somehow end up losing weight sometimes…
OK, stop right there. We’re done.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition January 17, 2014.
