Exclusive Interview with Jamie Alimorad (Singer, Songwriter, Producer) (Jamie Alimorad) Myglobalmind WebzineYour Online Magazine for Hard Rock and Heavy Metal

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Interviewed by Gabor Kleinbloesem (Senior Staff Writer) Myglobalmind Webzine

It has been quite some time since we last had a singer/songwriter in the Classic American AOR/Melodic Poprock field, but with the American musician JAMIE ALIMORAD we are entering this style at a sensational high level. Jamie released 2 albums so far and his songs are an excellent modern approach of the classic sound of artists like RICK MATHEWS, RICK SPRINGFIELD, RICHARD MARX and BRYAN ADAMS. Time to get to know this enthusiastic singer/songwriter…

Myglobalmind: First of all, please introduce yourself and tell us a bit more about your background?

Jamie: My name is Jamie Alimorad and I’m a singer, songwriter and producer. I began playing piano when I was seven years old and began singing at age five. I graduated from Northeastern University with a bachelors of science in music technology and have released two albums, Cornerstone and Words Left Unsaid, which have yielded six #1 singles internationally on various charts.

Myglobalmind: Your music is what people would call good-time summer pop rock, how do you describe it?

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Jamie: Wow that’s actually a really good way to describe it! It’s definitely fun music and meant for a good time. Driving down the road with the windows rolled down, that’s what I think of. In today’s music industry, there are so many terms flying around for what you can call music. I’d like to say that my music is just good and whatever you want to call it genre-wise is a matter of preference and opinion.

Myglobalmind: I do think it is pure 80s AOR inspired, very American sounding, which acts influenced you?

Jamie: Oh definitely, the 80’s are a huge influence for me. The first rock song I ever heard was “Talk To Ya Later” by the Tubes and it electrified me. What was that sound?! The guitars, the vocals, they just hit left and right and I couldn’t get enough. In middle school I started to really get into the Beatles and that was mind-blowing. Whatever the waves of Beatlemania that hit in the 60’s it hit me just as hard. In high school I got tickets to see Rick Springfield in concert and I walked away his biggest fan. His show blew my mind! This was not a one-trick pony and he could play and sing great! His band was tight! Those three would be my biggest influences, but there are so many others that have helped mold my sound. Over the summer I got the chance to work with Gino Vannelli in his studio and that experience opened my mind to so many other things musically and artistically. I’m always growing, expanding and looking forward.

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Myglobalmind: Wow! GINO VANNELLI, how was that, because he is a legend after all?

Jamie: He IS the ultimate musician! Wow! I mean, I’ve been a big fan of his work since I was in middle school. I dissected his music from top to bottom and it’s astonishing. I met Gino on several occasions before we worked together and I loved speaking to him. Once we started to work together I started to realize how deep he is. It’s hard to describe, but he is the ultimate music genius. He can do just about everything at will and I got a peak into his work ethic and he is so inspiring. This is a musician! He eats, sleeps and breathes it. I can’t wait to work with him again!

Myglobalmind: Any chance you are going to be a support act for him on his next tour in Europe?

Jamie: Haha I would love to! You’d have to get on his brother Ross for that one. He manages him now and they’re doing great stuff. My style and Gino’s are definitely different, but it would be awesome to have a student/teacher thing going for shows. I would love that!

Myglobalmind: Your mentor was FEE WAYBILL (THE TUBES), who is another legend, how was working with him?

Jamie: Fee was awesome! I met him when I was twelve and he served as a big mentor throughout school. He helped guide me in how to find my voice as a writer and he practically wrote the book on being the frontman. He gave me a lot of great advice and guidance.

Myglobalmind: You’re from BOSTON, how’s the scene over there nowadays?

Jamie: Well I’m actually from New York, but I went to school in Boston and that’s where I got my professional start, so it’s another home for me. I haven’t played in Boston in two years and that’s really disappointing to me. There are always things in the works with the booking guys. I miss Boston and I look forward to getting back there soon!

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As far as the scene goes, I’m not really sure what it’s like up there anymore. I have a lot of friends up there and they go out and they say it’s still like it was when we were in college. Playing in the schools is my favorite gig. There’s something about those shows! The energy is amazing and the college venues are really modern up there. New sound systems, lighting and it leads to a great show.

Myglobalmind: So far you released an EP in 2010 and a full-length record in 2012, can you share some of your thoughts on your material so far?

Jamie: Well I really like it haha. Each album does something a little different. Cornerstone is my foundation. It’s four songs that really make up who I am as a singer and a songwriter; melody-driven and guitar-oriented. Those are the songs that really got me going on the Boston college scene. Words Left Unsaid takes it further. Music serves as a yearbook to me. You see images from when you first heard that song in the car, or at a party, or in school, or wherever you first heard it. Words Left Unsaid took a year to record because of touring and it’s a yearbook of that time. I toured throughout the United States for the first time whereas before I was just touring in the Northeast. It was a unique time, a lot of firsts.

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Myglobalmind: What’s in the pipeline for 2013?

Jamie: 2013 is great! I’ve received numerous nominations for Words Left Unsaid including the Artists In Music Awards, Hollywood Music In Media Awards, LA Music Awards and Indie Music Channel Awards. I’ve been out in LA and working on some music video work and beginning the process for the next album.

Myglobalmind: I am very confident about your music and feel there is a market for such catchy melodic poprock, but do you think yourself a major break might happen soon or do you think the recent success of someone like DAUGHTRY did took some of the melodic rock market away for you?

Jamie: The music industry is constantly evolving. In fact it’s changed since we started our conversation a few minutes ago. I used to think that the record companies and the talent buyers would be coming to me, but I know I have to make my own breaks and go for it.

There’s actually some really good stuff out there in the rock world. I don’t think, the example you gave of Daughtry, has done anything to hurt the market. I think having a band like that is that they are a band in they’re in the mainstream. Bands in the mainstream have been shrinking and I think it’s great to see them coming back.

Myglobalmind: You are one of the very few out there who is currently unsigned and making such high quality AOR/Poprock music, have you been approached by record labels yet or do you wish to stay independent?

Jamie: I have been approached by several different labels and music groups. I look at the process of getting into business like dating; you have to test the waters, get to know each other and see where it goes. To this point I haven’t found anyone I want to get serious with in business so I have stayed independent.

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