Hey everyone!
I am Joseph from JosephGoesBoom. I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. I am the youngest child of an Italian mother and Ukrainian father. I started my musical life at the age of six. I always wanted to be a drummer but my parents would not tolerate the noise. My mother told me if I were a drummer, I would not be able to write songs. I was conveniently young and dumb enough to believe her story. They made me an offer - if I wanted to attend music classes I would either have to learn the piano or the guitar, so I chose piano. I sometimes wonder if the latter would have been the better choice. When you are a piano player, you are immobilized and somewhat obstructed by your instrument. I began focusing more on learning to play music and thus did not feel like I fit into the academic world. I was more inclined to be independent which caused me some difficulties with classes. I felt like there was nothing offered in school that would be of any benefit to my pursuit of a music career other then English classes.
At the age of 17, I was strongly encouraged by a couple of accomplished studio musicians to pursue my music. We travelled around and played mostly in Northern Ontario and part of Northern Quebec. I was the keyboard player and back up singer, occasionally doing lead vocals. A Fender Rhodes suitcase model piano was my sole instrument while performing. The very first time I went on stage was at a dinner club called the Star Motel in Blind River Ontario, a town located four hours North of Toronto. The very first time I performed to an audience, I thought I was going to die of fright. Initially I was in a daze and too afraid to look at anyone. I was certain I would make a terrible mistake. After the fear passed I gathered up the courage to look over the microphone. The audience was tapping their feet and responding positively to the music. All of this calmed me down considerably. After a few months in this band, the leader decided to call it quits. There I was at 17 years old, about to turn 18, and knowing that I was destined to a career of music and performing. I had essentially had the rug pulled out from under me . So I formed my own band called Portrait. We played in a number of bars in Sudbury, Orillia, Hamilton, Simcoe county and some other Southern Ontario locations during the period of 1982 to 1985.
I am Joseph from JosephGoesBoom. I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. I am the youngest child of an Italian mother and Ukrainian father. I started my musical life at the age of six. I always wanted to be a drummer but my parents would not tolerate the noise. My mother told me if I were a drummer, I would not be able to write songs. I was conveniently young and dumb enough to believe her story. They made me an offer - if I wanted to attend music classes I would either have to learn the piano or the guitar, so I chose piano. I sometimes wonder if the latter would have been the better choice. When you are a piano player, you are immobilized and somewhat obstructed by your instrument. I began focusing more on learning to play music and thus did not feel like I fit into the academic world. I was more inclined to be independent which caused me some difficulties with classes. I felt like there was nothing offered in school that would be of any benefit to my pursuit of a music career other then English classes.
At the age of 17, I was strongly encouraged by a couple of accomplished studio musicians to pursue my music. We travelled around and played mostly in Northern Ontario and part of Northern Quebec. I was the keyboard player and back up singer, occasionally doing lead vocals. A Fender Rhodes suitcase model piano was my sole instrument while performing. The very first time I went on stage was at a dinner club called the Star Motel in Blind River Ontario, a town located four hours North of Toronto. The very first time I performed to an audience, I thought I was going to die of fright. Initially I was in a daze and too afraid to look at anyone. I was certain I would make a terrible mistake. After the fear passed I gathered up the courage to look over the microphone. The audience was tapping their feet and responding positively to the music. All of this calmed me down considerably. After a few months in this band, the leader decided to call it quits. There I was at 17 years old, about to turn 18, and knowing that I was destined to a career of music and performing. I had essentially had the rug pulled out from under me . So I formed my own band called Portrait. We played in a number of bars in Sudbury, Orillia, Hamilton, Simcoe county and some other Southern Ontario locations during the period of 1982 to 1985.
Playing live is a really great sounding board—you can test run new material and get some real time feedback from your audience. It also enables you to work your vocals and to become a lot tighter as a band. Playing live is also a gratifying experience as it enables you to meet people and move them emotionally, whether it brings a tear to their eye or makes them want to get up and dance.
When asked about my writing ability I would have to say that it is non offensive, radio friendly pop. I sometimes surprise myself with what I compose. I can not explain where some of the melodies originate. All I know is that they come from somewhere within. I consider myself to be a singer/songwriter, some sort of a musical messenger I guess. To me, writing songs is somewhat learned but essentially a gift. My musical ability over the years has developed and I have learned more about my voice and where it can take me. I would have to describe my musical style as being melodic radio pop, with a touch of jazz, country and rock.
I grew up listening to a vast variety of different artists. My collection of music was very diverse—Led Zeppelin, Dolly Parton, David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, Gino Vanelli, Joni Mitchell, and Henry Mancini—just to name a few.
The best thing in my life right now is that due to a change in circumstances, I am working on my music on a full time basis. I am now able to do what I have always wanted to do and should have kept doing years ago. I should never have allowed myself to stray off course. Time is a teacher.
The main reason I am pursuing my musical career once again, is that I feel I have something to say. Things that may strike a chord with other people. This is why I am doing all I can to provide the opportunity for my music to be heard. It would be nice to feel that my music has made a difference to someone—a smile, a thought, a tear.
Growing up in Toronto, I spent a lot of my time listening to CHUM FM. It has always been a dream of mine to meet Marilyn Denis as she is the spirit of Toronto. Her voice and her presence has always been an inspiration to me.
Thanks for your support and please feel free to contact me at info@josephgoesboom.com as I always look forward to meeting new friends.
Take care,
When asked about my writing ability I would have to say that it is non offensive, radio friendly pop. I sometimes surprise myself with what I compose. I can not explain where some of the melodies originate. All I know is that they come from somewhere within. I consider myself to be a singer/songwriter, some sort of a musical messenger I guess. To me, writing songs is somewhat learned but essentially a gift. My musical ability over the years has developed and I have learned more about my voice and where it can take me. I would have to describe my musical style as being melodic radio pop, with a touch of jazz, country and rock.
I grew up listening to a vast variety of different artists. My collection of music was very diverse—Led Zeppelin, Dolly Parton, David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, Gino Vanelli, Joni Mitchell, and Henry Mancini—just to name a few.
The best thing in my life right now is that due to a change in circumstances, I am working on my music on a full time basis. I am now able to do what I have always wanted to do and should have kept doing years ago. I should never have allowed myself to stray off course. Time is a teacher.
The main reason I am pursuing my musical career once again, is that I feel I have something to say. Things that may strike a chord with other people. This is why I am doing all I can to provide the opportunity for my music to be heard. It would be nice to feel that my music has made a difference to someone—a smile, a thought, a tear.
Growing up in Toronto, I spent a lot of my time listening to CHUM FM. It has always been a dream of mine to meet Marilyn Denis as she is the spirit of Toronto. Her voice and her presence has always been an inspiration to me.
Thanks for your support and please feel free to contact me at info@josephgoesboom.com as I always look forward to meeting new friends.
Take care,