Memoirs From Lost Love
Interview with Gary “Lefty†Vieiro By Lillian – Music JournalistI am a freelance music journalist for L.A. and N.Y. I met Gary at a live performance in L.A., California. I was intrigued with his unique music and eclectic lyrics. His guitar playing was intense, with atypical chord tones blending beautifully with his unusual voice. Gary was a refreshing change.
Most performers especially in L.A. want publicity no matter what. Suprisingly, Gary did not seem interested in speaking with me . We arranged to meet at Starbucks. Here is a portion of our chat. I hope you find it interesting. I think Gary is an insightful local artist. I feel he will be known by many.
Not just because he looks like Richard Gere.
Q You’ve always been a “lefty†Don’t see many.
A Yes and Yes
Q â€Lefty†to some, means opposite of usual. And your music is opposite of usual
A If usual is todays commercial music, I think it is "All icing no cake". I like cake (chocolate). I personally write and play what comes out at the time. What is unusual today may be usual tomorrow.
Q There is usually a ‘twist’ to your songs. Would you explain that?
A It's been described as “dark positiveâ€
Q Do you always perform with such intensity?
A I like to keep the songs fresh and play them differently on different nights. I get bored easily. Nothing more boring than hearing a song you’ve never heard before and know where it is going before it happens.
Q Are you bored now ?
A No, not yet but close I will let you know (smiles)
Q I like “Survivor†because all of us can relate to that term.
A Yes, everyday we survive on many levels living day to day. Surviving within ourselves is perhaps the hardest.
Q â€Heros†is exactly that. We all have our personal and national heros. Who are yours? Who is your inspiration.?
A Positive caring people who endure and maintain a sense of playfulness, humor and honesty. Life takes strength to live with happiness and keep a smile on your face.
Q. Do you perform only acoustic?
A. No, this is what I am doing now and it feels right.
Q. Which represents your music better acoustic or electric ?
A The music is what it is, a moment in time.
Q. What do you like to do other than music ?
A Next question
Q You seem to have a persona of mystery, do people tell you that?
A (smiling) Moving on
Q You know I have to ask, do people tell you that you look like Richard Gere?
A Yes, a brilliant actor and humanitarian. I may have to bill him though for all this free advertising he gets, not that he needs it.
Q What do you think of todays music?
A Most of the commercial stuff I hear is pasteurized, homogenized put on store shelves with a short shelf life. Technology is a double edged sword.The music box of today is made of money,unfortunately. The best songs are ones that most people will never hear.
Q Do you think it will change?
A Yes, when there is money to be made somewhere else.
Q Sounds like a pretty cynical view?
A No, realistic, hope I’m wrong though.
Q Do you think your music is commercial?
A   It’s for the listeners to decide if they like it, they’ll play it.
Q You have an unusual voice and way of singing. Do you see yourself as more of a singer songwriter or guitar player?
A   Are there any other choices? This is a multiple choice question huh? Can I choose D none of the above
Q No, A, B or C
A   Hmmmm Well a little of each I guess. For what I do it is usually a package of all three. A painting with many colors and moods.
Q Hmmm ok I guess. We don’t want to make this a usual music interview. What would you do to make this interview unusual?
A   (Starts singing - It’s Not Unusual ie Tom Jones ) It’s not unusual for this interview to end …. Do do do do do do…... It’s not unusual, I’ll see you sometime again Do do do do do do..
Q That was unusual, I like Tom Jones version better though
A   So do I, you know I was only kidding. This is fun. I am enjoying this conversation.
Q All the songs I have heard are very different. But, they still have a common thread which I can’t put my finger on, How do you see it?
A   Good question. Not sure, the songs are a snapshot of passing emotions and feelings of life, love and the world around us. I always try to be honest and truthful in the songs and maintain artistic integrity. So I guess honesty is the answer.
Q Did you know I heard “Back Streets†in another club. I didn’t know you wrote it at the time
A   Someone told me that once not about Back Streets some other song I don’t remember which one.
Q That is quite a compliment but you seem indifferent to it. Am I correct?
A   No, I‘m glad they liked the song enough to play it. I would like to have heard it. I always like to see how other artists interpret songs and put their own style to it.
Q I heard many songs you played live that were not on CD are these new?
A   Yes,I really like the new ones and playing them like “You are the Tune Tonightâ€, “Sweet Janeâ€, “Face to Faceâ€, “Love Ain’t Enough†“A World Gone Crazy†etc.
Q I really liked the new one if it is new “Heaven on Earth�
A   Thanks, yes it is new, I like that one too. It has a nice ambience and flow.
Q Let’s quote some of the lyric phrases that caught my attention and I must admit I found myself quoting in day to day living.
“.. I don’t want to hear the lines that waste my time..â€
from Victim of the System
“..I say to you what makes you feel brand new..â€
from I Can’t Stop Loving You
“.. Sweet Jane .. Queen of Pain..â€
from Sweet Jane
“ ..Open up to choices.. I trust my first reaction..â€
from Survivor
“.. Sacred symbols shapes your identity..â€
from Face to Face
“..She took me down like falling rain..â€
from Sweet Jane
“..what do you do when love ain’t enough..â€
from Love Ain’t Enough
A   Yes I sometimes do that and think well I guess it fits. Day to day living does lend itself to catch phrases in all situations.(smiling) I have a few I use when I'm stuck in traffic.
Q Well what’s next for you ?
A (smiles) Dinner, I’m hungry. I much appreciate the interesting chat. You do a fantastic job n the music scene.
Thank You
Well, this was basically the end of the conversation.
I hope you that you found this as interesting as I did.
Gary is a dynamic musician and individual.
I hope to hear more from him.
Please look for this and other music reviews in upcoming local music magazines.
Lillians Music World Comments or questions about this interview
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Q & A From MySpace
Many people have asked me how I come up with my lyrics and music? And, what is my vocal technique?
A Few Thoughts on the Music I Write
The music and lyrics I write is the truth from my heart about people, places and experiences. Life, Love and the World in which we live, whether it be good, bad or indifferent."It Is What It Is"
You may choose to listen with your own thoughts and emotions or not listen at all. My singing is what it is - spontaneous, an emotional snapshot of a moment in time. I may sing or play a song different at different times, but the essence is always there somewhere. The music is honest and real.