With Gioia Communications, D’Aurora Looks to Spread Wings on New PR Venture

I know there’s been a point previous to this in which I acknowledged how much I enjoy featuring other voices here on OTBEOTB. I suppose in a way, that’s what every post here is as anything I’ve ever written wasn’t possible without an inspiration. Usually musical, but inspirations just the same.

I also really appreciate getting to feature fellow writers inspired by similar musical voices; drawn down the same paths I’ve always felt the need to explore. Erica D’Aurora is one of the greatest friends my small writing niche here has ever had; she’s a fellow creator who recently launched her own PR agency called Gioia Communications. Creators helping creators get their messages heard, what’s not to love about that?

Anyway, Erica was recently kind enough to answer a couple of questions I had about her new endeavor as well as her background! To find out more, you’re gonna wanna head to her website at gioiacommunications.com and scope out her Instagram, which is @gioiacomm. Also, I had the chance to ask Erica a few questions about Gioia, her background, and more. Check it out below!

Now where did your love for music come from?

I feel like music is just an innate part of who I am honestly, like it was something that was just in me from day 1. It runs deep through my veins. But my mom’s side was also very musical, and we had multiple musicians in the family, including myself, so it was always a big part of our holiday gatherings and further cultivated that love for music within me.

Although I played three instruments when I was younger, piano was always my first love and it’s the one I stuck with the most. It captured my heart almost instantaneously thanks in large part to my elementary school music teacher. She would travel to all the classrooms with her music cart, her keyboard on top, and I was enamored by her playing as she taught us the basics of how to read music and led us in singing fun songs.

And what got you into the field of public relations?

I kind of just fell into PR after starting my music blog Musical Notes Global. I had wanted to work in the music industry for as long as I can remember; I just didn’t know how to make that happen or what exactly I wanted to do. Growing up, I had no idea about all the cool ways someone could get into the industry—I always thought the only way to go about it was to work at a big record label in a big city, but I wasn’t sure if that was the path for me. After I graduated from college, with a degree in English Literature, I still felt a bit lost about where I wanted to go in my career, yet I knew in my gut that I had to find my way into music, and that’s when I started the blog.

My dad is from Italy, and I listened to a lot of Italian pop as a kid (and I still do!) But of course, living in the United States, before the advent of streaming platforms, YouTube, and online retailers, it was incredibly difficult to get my hands on more of that music and to discover which new artists were trending over there. If you Googled subjects like “popular Italian songs,” you’d just get lists of the same 10 old songs that were classics but not current, and that wasn’t what I was looking for! By the time I started the blog in 2015, all that had luckily—and drastically—changed, and as I began to discover more and more awesome Italian artists, along with the new Latin artists I was discovering as I started learning Spanish, I wanted to create a platform where I could gather all the hot new music from all over the world, from Italy to Latin America to the United States and beyond, for other people who, like me, were curious about the incredible music that was coming out of other countries.

My blog was a passion project that I also hoped would help me find my way in the world, but it quickly turned into much, much more than I could have even imagined. Very early on, I started meeting people with all sorts of jobs in the industry, from publicists to managers to label owners to artists themselves. Being on the receiving end of so many pitches and press releases, it was PR that fascinated me the most, and it wasn’t long before I realized that it was in that field that I needed to be, because it would allow me to have a job that combined two of my greatest passions: music and writing.

Now does your heritage play a role in your love of music?

As an Italian-American who was raised with the music of Italy as such an important part of my life, it has been incredible to witness the extraordinary rise and popularity of Måneskin. I had been following them a bit before they competed at Sanremo and before they won Eurovision, and it makes me so proud to see them doing what they’re doing now, breaking down all kinds of barriers and just completely taking over the world. Their Grammy nomination this year is absolutely incredible!

And finally, tell me some more about your new endeavor Gioia Communications!

I just launched my own PR agency called Gioia Communications, and it almost feels surreal because it’s a dream I’ve had for a while now. I’ve always been entrepreneurial minded, so this next stage of my life feels like the right thing at the right time.

I carry my Italian roots with me always, even in business, so I wanted the name of my company to reflect that as well. In fact, the word “gioia” means “joy” in Italian. Music has always been one of my greatest and most profound joys, and I know many other people feel the same, so it just made sense to focus my agency on that feeling.

Similar to my approach with Musical Notes Global, at Gioia Communications, it is my goal to celebrate music and the people who create it, to uplift dynamic and unique voices, because it is those people who have woven the stunning tapestry that has served as a vital part of our culture worldwide. Music is such a powerful force, and it is important that both the medium and the people behind it continue to receive the respect and attention that they deserve.

Because I have such a passion for music from all over the world, of all styles and languages, I hope to support artists of all kinds. There is so much beauty in diversity, and it’s important for me to honor that every day through my work.

Website: gioiacommunications.com

IG: @gioiacomm

February 3, 2023 0

The Mac Miller Mixtapes: Part 1

Amidst the blowing swirl of a moonlit midnight sits perched my musical mind, poised to select another melody from which my next day’s drive to work will expand. I refer to this selection of thoughts as the Mac Miller Mixtapes because Mac was one of my first guidepoints for these “mixtape” journeys. I may walk out a long way from where I start to get through my day, but Mac is among those always there to get me home.

So for tonight and this beginning, lets open things up with this North Star from Pittsburgh. My “tape” incorporates Mac’s solo career as well as his alter egos Delusional Thomas and Larry Lovestein. There’s also a strong presence from Miller’s library of unreleased work, led by hidden song gems like Submarines, Alarm, Bump Demon and Completely Transparent. There’s also the very best from Mac solo records Swimming, Circles, The Divine Feminine, Faces and GOOD:AM. Even his appearance on NPR’s Tiny Desk segment makes a cameo in this mix, which is all about proper ebb and flow.

As a rapper Mac isn’t exactly going to rip into a bunch of slow ballads, but there’s still the right way to change tempo speeds to make a playlist really “pop”. The point of music on my drives is to make time pass steadily, so when that engaging sweet spot gets hit…. the moments just melt away.

So that’s tomorrow’s musical plan, with Tom Waits waiting in the wings as part of my next trip. Specifically Waits’ album Closing Time, which is a beautifully jazzy, poetic piece that began his career in a transcendent manner. And while a rapper like Mac Miller might seem like light years removed from Tom Waits, look no further than Mac’s jazzed, slinky Larry Lovestein project. Put on the song Love Affair, then the tie together makes perfect sense!

Until next time, when we meet out on the road….

November 30, 2022 0

Looking ahead (by looking back) to face the difficulties…

I often sit here looking at the blue screen and flickering cursor, wishing I could craft a masterpiece in words as readily as a painter paints or a carpenter shapes. Something if I had my way that would be… defining yet real, verbose yet relatable (that description worked way better in my head AND had a British accent).

But I’ve never had that sixth sense, that grand scheme of a master plan to “call my shot”. I simply write what I feel when I come here to talk music. Though more often than not nowadays I’m internally awash with fear, which means I’m not writing much at all.

We can be our own worst enemies in the grips of what we struggle to control. Especially when it becomes about handling the fate of our own destinies. I’m among the many battling that beast, and some days prove more difficult than others. I feel it’s wrong to even say I’m tired, but I’m tired right now and struggling to acknowledge being in the slump of a low. Of feeling like nothing and nothing good.

But, maybe nothing is also the best foundation to restart from in order to build something better. My great grandfather Lloyd and his brother were exhibiting chicken farmers in their youth, and they came of humble beginnings. Lloyd found that he liked to talk and give speeches as sort of a hobby during downtime from these activities. One day in his teens, a neighbor spied him standing on a box delivering an impassioned plea to an empty field.

The neighbor told Lloyd’s father (who was greatly amused), suggesting he might eventually make for being in politics. This eventually came to pass, with my great grandfather serving as a mayor during a working career that also included taxi driver, courier, alderman, a milk company inside man and railroad worker.

These were many hard-earned accomplishments for a man who once wrote that his decision to leave school after 10th grade was his greatest mistake. I may have eclipsed him with pieces of paper in learning, but I feel miles from the type of proudly obtained road I care to be on. Not that he wasn’t forced to improvise during times of illness/poor economy, but Lloyd often seemed… content. Yes times could be hard, but he was so grateful to have seen and experienced so much in his years.

I can only hope to say the same when it comes my time to find the end of the line. I have not yet had the fortunate wings of such a grace.

Regardless, I’m here forever learning with a blast off. Whether music or otherwise.

September 19, 2022 0

Lacy crafts pop gem on playful “Gemini Rights” LP, an AOTY favorite

When 2022 began, if you’d mentioned Steve Lacy’s name to me in conversation I wouldn’t have had a clue who you meant. He was one of those guys on the list of artists I’ve heard long before I ever put a name to his work. Fast forward to the last sliver of the year though, and I’d now consider Lacy’s recent LP Gemini Rights odds on favorite for Album of the Year.

This one grows on you just that quickly. Let’s talk about it.

Even in a season that included new Kendrick Lamar, Wilco, Spoon, Adele and stellar entries from the likes of Brandi Carlile and Fantastic Negrito, like the cream of the crop it’s been Lacy who consistently comes out on top. The producer/guitarist for The Internet has hit all the right chords on sophomore release Gemini Rights. The LP is a tightly hook-laden punch that eloquently weaves in textures on its tracks resembling a living hybrid of sounds both old and new.

For instance Cody Freestyle has a synth vibe at home in the 2010s, while Amber sounds like Tapestry era Carole King holding down the piano for a swooning Prince singalong circa Dirty Mind era. Sunshine continues the retro grooves with an endearing burst of harmonies, while Bad Habit dwells somewhere within the 80’s sneer of Billy Idol and the lovelorn lust of today.

And I don’t exaggerate when it comes to the hooks here. It’s as though Lacy tapped into my ear like a safe cracker. Songs I heard a few times turned into more simply because they almost immediately resonated and stayed glued to my head. Sunshine, Buttons, Bad Habit, Helmet, Static, Give You the World… the miles on this LP merge with plenty of home run hits along the way.

September 5, 2022 0

“Funkin’ Blame Game” single captures Andrew Thomases asking the important questions

Here at OTBEOTB there have been some tremendous guest blogs I’ve had the pleasure of putting out recently. Material placed upon these digital pages is required to speak; to have a message that’s as relevant to the reader as it is my own two eyes. And Andrew Thomases may have just made one of the most urgently poignant features I’ve had yet.

The singer-songwriter delves into the delicate guts of his recent single “Funkin Blame Game”, a muscly blues tune further enhanced by the presence of fellow rocker Anne Bennett on backing vocals. The duo together only adds to the punch of the lyrical message, which is what what may excite me most about giving a platform to Thomases words here.

We currently live during a time in history in which US human rights are vanishing at an alarming rate; actions initiated by discrimination and fear against those in society who are different. Subsequently, it strikes a chord to me to hear Thomases ask the question, why do people blame others for their actions instead of taking personal responsibility? To me it feels like a societal wound; you aren’t what we consider normal so we’ll harass you for that and deny our heinous actions are wrong.

But I’ll let Thomases take it from here and explain the rest. Enjoy this important bite of food for thought!

What is going on in society today? It seems to me that people tend to blame other people for their problems and refuse to take responsibility for their own actions. Whether it is small individual actions or large-scale political or cultural sentiment, people are looking for scapegoats. This trend has bothered me so much that I recently wrote a song about it called “Funkin’ Blame Game.”

As the lyrics explain, I tend to believe that the blame game derives from a deeper narcissistic trait that is rearing its head. We see it more and more in our leaders, and that opens up the door to emulation of that trait by everyday people. The narcissists believe that they are always right, that they cannot make mistakes, and, thus, any problem must be caused by others. If others blame them for something, they play the victim and complain that the blame is unfair.

*Thanks to Andrew Thomases for the image*

This blame game is damaging our moral fabric. It is teaching our kids that it is wrong to admit to a mistake. That, if something goes wrong, they should point a finger at someone else. Some people no longer have the courage to take responsibility for their actions, especially the decisions that turn out wrong. This seems most prevalent in the people who should be leading our country. Without their leadership, spinelessness turns to anger, and anger is now turning to hate and splitting society into factions. These people are not serving as proper role models for our younger generation, and I fear that the blame game will continue.

“Funkin’ Blame Game” is a direct attack on this type of behavior. Under the funky bass line, the catchy guitar riffs, and the ear-worm vocal melodies, the song chastises all of us for falling into the trap of providing excuses rather than admissions. How constant deflection of flaws is just not credible. And, it also explains how the blame game is killing our society. However, the song ends on a positive note. It asks all of us whether we are prepared to stop playing the blame game. Don’t you want to cease playing the blame game?

Watch the lyric music video for “Funkin’ Blame Game” down below, and check out more of Andrew over at his website AndrewThomases.com. Big thanks to Andrew for contributing to this one!

June 29, 2022 0

Rockers Brightshine keep us hopeful with the summer of single “New Days”

I don’t know about you dear readers, but as summer hits I find my mind waxing nostalgic for songs that illuminate the open road feeling of these approaching brighter months. Sometimes those points of light can be harder to find in 2022, so when an all-important hook passes by… you’ve gotta grab at it like Marty McFly truck-surfing via skateboard to Huey Lewis in the Back To The Future intro.

Luckily, California rockers Brightshine accommodate by living up to their name through a dazzlingly bright new single called “New Days”. Accompanied by a sweetly optimistic music video, the track hits like a bouncy mid-level rocker with an afterburn that takes off in a jet plane during the guitar solo. Slashing through with psychedelic strokes like The War on Drugs meets Dire Straits’ Mark Knopfler and Warren Haynes, Brightshine’s lead man/guitarist Pete Sawyer’s fretwork takes “New Days” to another stratosphere in its quest and pursuit for… hope, to describe it in a word.

At least that’s the implication here as the song rides the high of getting out of the dry, withered winter and spring and moving towards the bloom of bright flowers reaching out with soft fingers for a new tomorrow. Whether those small initial green buds remember the trauma of the conditions that were before is unknown; what IS is that they always bloom again.

There’s more than a few lessons we can absorb from that philosophy, so take a seat, listen and start learning (with the the band’s music video below of course!).

Thanks to Brightshine for the opportunity to review “New Days” out fresh today! The track will also appear on the group’s upcoming sophomore album “The Wire”, due out July 23rd.

June 17, 2022 0

Ruby Greenberg shows us why vulnerable “Roses” bloom so sweet in behind the scenes “peek”

I love any chance to use this blog to feature other voices besides this one you always see before you. My relationship with my own writing has had a tendency to ebb and flow in the last few years anyway, as is natural when it comes to that will o’ the wisp creativity. So in those moments, rather than fight burnout I’d rather pass the mic to someone with an inspired message.

Enter Ruby Greenberg. The Colorado-born indie-folk singer-songwriter has been impressing in 2022 with her new single “Roses”. We need more voices like hers defining the genre as it makes its way forth into the future, especially because we ALWAYS need new female musical voices to help show the way.

There aren’t enough.

Fortunate for me (and you the reader), Ruby was kind enough to provide a peek behind the curtain into what makes this new song “tick”. For that I’m deeply appreciative, as not all artists are willing to provide a vulnerable window into their creative process. It’s much easier to simply board that window up; just keep the mask tight. Instead, Greenberg shows us how to listen by explaining when she had difficulties doing just that, and how it led to “Roses”.

Enjoy.

“How to Share Space with the Ones You Love”

Many of us try to approach life treating others as we would want to be treated. We might even have been taught this value at a young age, told that it was something to strive for. It’s a reminder to treat others with kindness and respect and to be mindful of how we’d want them to listen to, support, or nurture us. But some time ago, I realized that sharing space with those I love could be done in an even better way: by treating them how they would want to be treated instead.

As I wrote one of my latest songs, “Roses,”I was thinking about a particular relationship in my life. I tried thinking about what it would look like if I showed up for that person in the way that they needed me to, instead of responding in the way that was most instinctive to me.

Sometimes I get excited when I talk to someone I feel close to. I might try to finish their sentences and chime in with my own thoughts. I might start thinking of what I want to say next. When they pause to find their words, I might jump in with what I think they’re going to say. I realized this isn’t always what people need. That energy, though it comes from an earnest place, doesn’t foster an environment of psychological safety when someone is sharing something vulnerable. I’ve come to think that the best way to connect is to be mindful of creating a space that’s about listening instead of responding.

Someone might share news with us, describe a decision they made, or even act in a way that is different from how we do. How we handle this matters. When someone shares themselves with the world, the response they receive can impact whether they continue to show up as their true selves again and again, or if they feel shamed and start to hide away. When a loved one shares themselves and is rushed, dismissed, criticized, or ignored, it can cause them to shut down. Then that honest side of them might not shine through again. Creating safety for someone to share their truth in a relationship or interaction can mean that we get to truly know them instead of knowing a version of themselves that they created to make us feel comfortable.

These meandering thoughts are what were stirring in my mind when I wrote “Roses”I tried to think of an image of bringing comfort and support to someone as I got to really know them. When someone invites you to a home that they’ve built for themselves, you don’t run inside and start painting the walls the color of your own house. You bring them a gift to brighten up their kitchen. And so it became the refrain for this song: “I won’t disturb the space that you’ve created. I will bring Roses for your table.”

Thanks so much Ruby! Listen to “Roses” below:

June 17, 2022 0

Andrew Thomases provides burnout relief for needed times

Burnout is a term that’s only grown in relevancy since the COVID-19 pandemic entered humanity’s worldview. I picture burnout as the Opera’s mysterious Phantom; covertly sly in the parlors of mental exhaustion as it quietly adds to the brain burden. You don’t see it coming, or at least I never did.

In my mind I thought burnout required massive amounts of exhaustion brought on by a dogged fight with piles of important work. But as I’ve learned now, those feelings can manifest through a variety of triggers both large and small. I deal with such issues to this day, which is why I appreciate those who’ve felt the burnout and can offer advice on potentially easing it.

Enter musician and previous OTBEOTB feature Andrew Thomases. He and the lovely people at Muddy Paw PR have put together a great feature on the subject of salving burnout that I’m so pleased to share with you below! -C

Bay Area-based conscious rocker Andrew Thomases is not only a talented singer-songwriter, but an experienced attorney as well. He has always had a passion for music, but he put that passion on hold to develop a career and raise a family. In the midst of the pandemic, his love was reignited, and he reveals his journey back to music in his new single “Exploring.”

Thomases takes on themes of empowerment and curiosity in the song. Through it, he encourages listeners to be adventurous again and try something they’ve always wanted to do. It is a powerful reminder to make the most out of life, something that he often advocates for. Read his story below on how the process of making music helped him escape burnout and reinvigorated him throughout the pandemic.

As you may know, I am a 54-year-old attorney by day, and I have been practicing law for 27 years. So, I have had my run-ins with burnout. Whether it’s the tedium of work or the hardships of life, sometimes you just feel like you are stuck in a rut.

How do I overcome this? I challenge myself to get out of my comfort zone by learning new things, meeting new people, and traveling to new places. I love exploring all aspects of life, so I want to make sure the sense of adventure is always present. Planning a trip gives me something to look forward to. Meeting new people gives me new perspectives on life. And, learning new things keeps the mind active.

For me, the last one is the most important. I have loved music since I was really young, and I started playing bass guitar when I was about 10 years old. I played in cover bands throughout high school, college, and law school, and once in a while, I would try my hand at writing a few bars of music for a new song. However, I never really sat down to write a whole song or even learn how to do so. Then, mid-life hit, and that coincided with the pandemic, which gave me more free time outside of work. So, I dusted off my bass, bought a new guitar, and taught myself how to play chords and melodies. I watched tons of videos on music theory and playing guitar. I realized how invigorating it was to learn new things. I began looking forward to finishing up work for a day so I could turn to making music. I even found some lyrics I had written decades ago and began building a song around those.

I also taught myself music recording and production on my home iMac. Lots of tutorial videos online, and lots of trial and error. Again, it was a challenge, but I enjoyed the process of gaining new knowledge.

At first, I recorded a very personal song about my dad’s passing during the pandemic and sent it around to family and close friends. I was reluctant to send the song to folks, because I was really putting myself out there – both because of the personal nature of the song and because it was the first time I played and sang one of my original songs for anyone else. I was pleasantly surprised that I received positive feedback and encouragement to create more music. Again, if I hadn’t put myself out there and explored something outside my comfort zone, I might have never continued in my music writing endeavor.

But, I dove in with a passion. I had some guitar licks in my head, some song ideas that were kicking around, and some chord progressions that sounded cool. I looked forward to working on them each evening and on the weekends. It was great to have something exciting to turn to each day. My music-making got me off the proverbial couch. Much less TV watching, and much less surfing the internet. I was creating, learning, stretching, and experimenting. It was great.

The positive reception has certainly been rewarding. It has also revealed to me that a new interest or hobby has tremendous benefits. It has been great for my psyche and other parts of my life. I no longer feel stuck in a rut. If I contemplate something new that may be outside of my usual routine, I now relish doing it rather than worrying if it would be uncomfortable or frustrating. Sometimes the best things in life are the ones that take a bit of exploring and challenging oneself. Enjoy the adventure!

Thanks again to Andrew as well as Erica from Muddy Paw for the feature!

May 12, 2022 0

OK Cool brings the heat to the engaging “Songs From The Spare Room”

As many of you out there likely know, damn it’s easy to get stuck in a rut with your music collection. What I mean by this is while I have shelves and shelves of beautiful artistic material, some weeks I’m happily marooned in the Rap and Funk sections with no proper means of escape. Seems easy to leave, but the hook is in trying to make something else sound as good as what needs to be in my head right that very second.

Thankfully, Chicago-area outfit OK Cool have jumped behind my mental velvet rope to shake up the routine with the recent release of their two-song single Songs From The Spare Room. The duo of Bridget Stiebris and Haley Blomquist chew the scenery on tracks “Self Sow” and “Time and a Half”, capturing emotion in a bottle that’s equal parts anxiety as triumph. Buoyed by waves of guitars reminiscent of Sleater Kinney, Yo La Tango or Television, the pair embody the true spirit of shiny, math-y garage rock in a couple songs that take less than moments to hear in their entirety. The notion is downright punk in its execution and sticks the landing with ease.

Lyrically, Stiebris and Blomquist are in a similar place to many of us still processing the lifestyle changes and psychological fallout of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. But unlike some musicians who choose to let their words bear the brutal brunt of the soul, OK Cool shows the heart on its sleeve more through these 6 string melodies. “Self-Sow” is an effervescent bird in flight amidst crescendoing thrash, while “Time and a Half” rocks in like a Smiths song played at double speed.

It may seem like cliche, but the short track times work to leave me wanting more in the best possible way. I think the most fun aspect of Songs From The Spare Room is just that, the feeling you’ve heard it before bleeding through the garage wall. And there is such a spirit to that, especially in all the kids who’ve ever started bands that way. It’s raw yet refined, rough around the edges, and has all the untapped potential of a diamond yet to be discovered.

It’s wonderful. Or rather, pretty OK Cool.

February 10, 2022 0

Andrew Thomases brings color, shading to the sprawl of “Suburban Void”

As a kid growing up in the embers of a slow-dying small town, I was far from typical. I wasn’t into mindless goofing off with friends and I didn’t go out and get into the kind of trouble that’d inspire Bruce Springsteen to write Greetings From Asbury Park. I might have read about those exploits, but I tended to flee from what helped young people cope with their existential “Thunder Road”.

Thankfully, Andrew Thomases is back here on OTBEOTB to fill in the blanks for me with his new single “Suburban Void”. The track is a power-chording thumper; it feels like an omage to every thrashing band at a teen movie house party with adjoining lyrics to match and set the scene.

Thomases growls his way through this leaned landscape of kids doing the random, mundane, and sometimes downright foolish as a way to escape the nature of their means. And, like all of us when we’re young, those methods eventually include many bad/embarrassing choices. That’s echoed in Thomases words, in which he looks back on these moments and finds them to be pathetic.

But I think that’s to be expected with the 20/20 vision of hindsight. If only we knew then what we know now, as they say. Growing pains are a real thing no matter your status or stature; sometimes we’ve got to get embarrassing to get better.

Just brace yourself, there will be embarrassing hairstyles along the way.

Check out the lyric video for “Suburban Void” below:

January 27, 2022 0