NAS 10 Questions with The Racquet

This time, we get to know The Racquet. His track “The Cautious Dead” is featured in the New Artist Spotlight Family of Playlists.

Link To New Artist Spotlight Playlists:

https://www.newartistspotlight.org/playlists

𝟭. Where are you from and what is your hobby?

I’m from Meridian, Mississippi, USA.. a small town in a small county in a small state with actually a pretty cool music scene. This is my hobby, music. Actually, passion is more like it. I have a day job and a family but I need to create music there’s no way around that.

𝟮. How did your get into music?

My stepfather is a musician and I watched him play and write songs since I was very young. When I was a teenager he signed me up for drum lessons.. it was interesting because my instructor was left handed and I was right handed. He set up the instructor drumset and the student drumset facing each other so I could mirror him while I showed me the patterns. After about a year of that my stepfather gave me guitar lessons and that is when I was hooked. Starting writing songs and being in bands and never stopped.

𝟯. Who are your biggest influences?

Definitely Sonic Youth, there’s no band better in my mind. The textures they put down can transport me anywhere! As a guitarist, David Gilmore and Brian May influenced me with how melodic their guitar work was. Is it a solo? Is it a counterpoint to the vocals? Both? As a bassist, Carlos D from his Interpol work. The rhythm, the melody, all of it. Other important influences for me are Radiohead, The Cure, Pixies, The Mars Volta, The Shins, The Strokes, Yes and Pavement.

4. What are your goals in the music industry?

My only goal is to keep releasing music that speaks to me and bring that music to others that it speaks to as well.

5. If you could choose a location to perform at, what would it be?

International Space Station? Can that happen @NASA? Otherwise, here in Atlanta at the Fox Theater would be a pretty cool experience! I love the vibe of any older theaters.

6. What is your all-time favorite song?

Worst question ever! Just kidding, or am I? ‘Grey Machine’ by Pinback. I love the different places that song takes me, it’s hard to pick any ‘best’ Pinback song because they all do that for me!

7. Most embarrassing moment?

Going to stick with musical moments, there’s too many otherwise. I remember the first and only time I tried to do the guitar spin around my body thing. You know the guitar strap is supposed to keep it attached to you and spinning after you push the butt of the guitar over your head. I learned about strap-locks after that but still never doing that dumb move again after cracking my guitar neck that time.. I didn’t look as cool as I thought I would.

8. Proudest accomplishment?

Every new milestone my son hits is my proudest accomplishment. He’s my world! Also marrying the love of my life and every day since then! Musically it was when I learned the awesome drum fill Bonham does in Stairway in the guitar solo. We all know the one. Aaahhh I still bask in that one!

9. What is something about you that might surprise someone who knows you the best?

I like fixing people’s computer problems. I’ll put on the air of “Aww man, it’s gonna be a lot of work to fix up your laptop, you owe me some beers” but really when the viruses and malware are gone and the computer is clean and running fast. Feels good.

𝟭𝟬. What is your dream collaboration?

Kevin Parker (Tame Impala). I don’t think I need to explain this one but he’s just so good and such an inspiration to me. First because he produces his music by himself like I do so immediately I’m sold. Second, unlike lots of others who are one man bands it sounds so cohesive and spontaneous like it’s a full band on the record. That’s what I personally am striving towards. I would like to see what we could accomplish together but honestly I think we’d both be off our game because of how independent we are while recording.

Stream “The Cautious Dead” now

https://open.spotify.com/track/26h7oeqo3qfqJfIZ4kZoZu?si=59b079ac071b449c

and follow his Instagram

https://instagram.com/theracquetmusic/

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