Backstage Pass with

Backstage Pass with... Joe Beleznay

“That guy rocks! What’s his name, Buh – les – knee?”—

An interview with budding songster Joe Beleznay

By: Nicole Roberge

Joe Beleznay has been gracing the Connecticut music scene with his prolific and graceful music for years, and is one of the best undiscovered acts in New England. He got his start his senior year in high school, putting a band together with a group of friends, and in 2002 began playing solo shows in support of his EP Gotta Start Somewhere. He teamed up with friend and percussionist Tim Procaccini for the recently released Running to Be Gone—a stunning collection of songs showcasing Beleznay’s wealth of talent. It is a portrayal of his sincerity and dedication to music, each song an amalgamation of illustrious music encapsulated with Beleznay’s poignant lyricism. It is not often that one comes across an artist with such believability in his music, someone who sings with an integrity that propels his music to others, to which it should be gratefully accepted. An artist on the rise, Joe Beleznay is most certainly someone to watch, as there can only be great things to come from an artist of such exemplary measure.

Joe Beleznay was kind enough to take some time out of his busy schedule to fill us in on his musical background, his favorite artists, and of course, his hopes to have music featured on the WB:

Tuned In: What was the main reason you first got involved in music?

Joe Beleznay: I want to say something cheesy, like “music saved my life…” or “music raised me when it found me as a child in the woods”.. But, to be honest, music was something that was always a constant in my life. It was a soundtrack to my childhood and teenage years. It’s amazing how many memories can be encapsulated in a song, or a melody. My surroundings were constantly changing as I grew up, and listening to music was a bit of an escape for me. I guess I was no different than any other kid, dreaming of becoming a rock star someday, minus the tight leather pants.

TI: Do you remember the first time you ever played in front of an audience?

JB: Let’s see, that’s a toughie. The first time I ever truly performed in front of an audience would have to be probably age 10 at a school function. I think it was like a talent show for my elementary school. I remember playing the piano and wearing a black clip-on tie. I can’t say my taste in ties has changed that much. My piano days have since ended, but you never know, maybe I can be a Ben Folds Beleznay in the future.

TI: What was your goal with “Running To Be Gone?”

JB: Our goal was to have a product that the public could take away with them. We had played maybe 20-30 shows and knowing all along we needed a cd that could keep the show going, in a sense. No matter how great a live show is, a cd is what keeps you living on in the car or at the dorm. We were really satisfied with the cd and it’s a solid release of where we are musically. Of course, I’m anxious to move onto another album already, but that’s the nature of the beast.

TI: What song are you most proud of, and why?

JB: I’m proud of all my songs, I’m really thankful I wrote them. There are days when I’ll love or hate one of them, more or less than the others. I think the best songs I’ve written are my simplest, in terms of lyrics and music. I found that the harder you try to make something amazing, the less natural it becomes. Some songs seem to write themselves, without much reworking. I’m very proud of “Strings”, because it was really the first real song I ever wrote on my own. There was a point at which I used it as a short Christmas jingle for the holidays, but I came up with its final version while we were recording the ep. There’s something extremely relatable about the song that can transcend many different situations. I think the best songs can be defined a thousand different ways by a thousand different people.

TI: If your music were a soundtrack to a movie, what movie would it be?

JB: I really like this question. It would have to be a movie like a “Garden State” or “Beautiful Girls”. One of those movies that hits you like a day after you see it, and you have to watch it again. It’s always about growing up, finding love, being confused about our place in life. I guess we can all relate to that type of movie at one point or another. I do hope one day to have some of my songs featured on a hip WB show or major motion picture soundtrack. I would be thrilled to sit in a theatre and hear one of my songs in a movie. I can see it now, Billy Madison 2, featuring the smash hit, “Giant Child” by Joe Beleznay.

TI: What is the most important thing to you when creating music?

JB: The most important thing for me is to not try that hard and to keep it honest. I said earlier that sometimes the simplest songs can be the best ones. If I sat down and told myself “you’re going to write the greatest song ever tonight”, it probably won’t happen… unless I was James Taylor or Mr. Rogers. Songwriting is best when you don’t expect it, almost like an accident. I write down fragments of songs whenever they come to me and then I go back and Frankenstein them together. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. There are days when everything I write sounds the same, or just isn’t working… so I come back to it when the creative juices are flowing. I wish they sold creative juices at CVS, I could buy it 24-7.

TI: What is your favorite thing about performing live?

JB: One of the coolest things is pulling up to the venue and just seeing people that are there for you…and then we put on our roadie hats and lug all our equipment out. Meeting these people that have come out to see us and support us is great and quite humbling. It’s ironic because I’m not one that really likes attention, but playing is all about the spotlight. There’s definitely a comfort being in the crowd, but the stage has an allure that you can’t find anywhere. There are few feelings that can top the end of a great performance. I love walking offstage, if there is a stage, and knowing that we played well. It’s like your hair coming out perfect on picture day…can’t beat it.

TI: What is your most memorable moment from performing?

JB: So far, the most memorable moment for me has to be when I joined John Mayer onstage at Harboryard Arena. Although every performance that Tim and I have is memorable in its own way. The magnitude of the Harboryard show was enormous. It was like being a part of something huge, to be totally corny, something “magical”. I got to really see how everything works and I was up there with some amazing people, and great friends. I was just glad I didn’t trip and fall over Dela, or knock John offstage. Although that was my most memorable performance thus far, I won’t let it be the high point of my musical career. It was such an addictive experience, right after it was over I needed another fix. I was like famous for a day after that—it gave me a taste of pseudo-celebrity status.

TI: If you could share the stage with anyone, at any place, who and where would it be?

JB: It would be with Robin Williams at the 48^th annual Grammy Awards, presenting me with the “Best New Artist” award.

TI: In your book, who are the top 5 songwriters in the history of music?

JB: Whoa, that’s an extremely tough question. The answers can change based on mood alone. These are artists that I wish I could write like. They may not be the most revered songwriters in the world, but to me, they’re solid gold.

In no particular order:

Eddie Vedder

Adam Duritz

Bono

Sting

John Mayer

Honorable mentions: Michael Jackson (does he write his own songs?), Axl Rose, Matthew Good, Joe Beleznay, Tim Procaccini, the guy that wrote “happy birthday,” and Ashlee Simpson

TI: Who has been the most inspiring to you to stay involved in music?

JB: I’ve met so many amazing people through music. In my everyday life I feel extremely embraced by so many different people. If I had a nickel for every time someone told me “you’re gonna be huge” or “don’t worry, you’ll make it”, I would need a lot of those nickel rolls that you have to get at the bank. I’ve just been lucky enough to be surrounded by positive people that won’t let me fail. I know they want to see me succeed just as much as I want to. At the end of day, it’s a human thing. We just want to be the one to call it in the air and say, “I told you so”.

TI: What are your hopes for 2005?

JB: I hope 2005 will be the year that the tide turned. The year that Beleznay caught a break. I want the catch phrase of 05 to be “that guy rocks! What’s his name, Buh – les – knee?” If we could just get an EP to Paris Hilton, we’re all set… Ultimately, I would like to just keep playing shows, get a band together, release a full-length album on an indie or major label, and just keep pushing forward. The only thing you truly know is that you never know.

Tim's grandfather's a fan, you should be too!