Exclusive Interview With T.J. Cornwall!!!!! The Amazing Artist with a SAd soulful voice hinting a happy spirit

T.J. Cornwall the small town kid with the most sensible voice that would move your hear and burn your soul. You can just feel the heartache and the joy in a single verse. Come join the soul searching journey with this artist voice. Check out his music at www.myspace.com/tjcornwall

Q: Let’s start by telling everyone where you’re from and how long have you been creating music?

-I'm from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and I attend school at Penn State where I am a senior. I've been creating music since I was about 15, but I really just started to think I understand it about three minutes ago.

Q: We love the sadness with a hint of hope in your songs. How’d you describe your music?

-The best way I can describe my music is by saying that it is completely honest and sincere. There are definitely more "sad" songs than others, but the best thing about writing music is that if I have a problem, I can just throw it in a song and lock up those feelings into a certain melody instead of stressing about it in everyday life. It's really a getaway sometimes. But I'm definitely an extremely happy person. Hopefully nobody thinks I'm depressed! Haha.

Q: I realize that most of your songs are written with Piano. How long does it take for you to actually master writing with piano? And why not guitar and other instrument?

-I don't think anybody ever masters an instrument. There are definitely plenty of people better than me at playing the piano, at singing, and at playing the guitar. You can always learn more and progress as a musician. As a songwriter, it's all opinionated. Some people might love my songwriting, some might think that it's atrocious. It's all about writing from your heart, and at the same time appealing to an audience. I think you need to be selfish with songwriting though. If I don't love a song that I write, I don't want to be lying to my listeners as I perform it and tell a story.I actually do play guitar as well. In the song "Three Wishes" and many other unreleased songs, I play the acoustic guitar. I would love to get enough money to buy an electric, but I am a poor college student and a poor musician so that will have to wait for now.

Q: before this you are in a band named Cloverleaf, how is it different from your music now as an solo artist?

-Cloverleaf was the best thing that could ever happen to me. They taught me to be modest, yet confident. Garrett taught me everything I need to know about being a musician on the business side of things. Ted taught me to never wear shorts on stage and makes me want to buy 500 electric guitars. Jon taught me to challenge myself with writing and to never settle for what I have written. We had some amazing times as a band, became best friends, and we really learned something about ourselves while being in a band.Being a solo artist changes so much, but at the same time, it's the same game. There are so many pros and cons to it that I've seen already. I have to change my whole entire live show and figure out a way to engage the audience when it's only me on stage. It's not necessarily a bad thing at all, I just need to get used to it. One of the pros is that I am way more honest with my music. I learned not to care about what people think about me and what I have to say. I'm going to say it anyway and people can listen to it if they want to. Cloverleaf was a rock band that engaged a crowd by our stage energy. I am a singer-songwriter who engages the crowd by my voice, my lyrics, and to be as raw as possible.

Q: Where do you get all your inspiration for your songs?

- Plain and simple - my life experiences. I write about what I feel and hope they sound good in a song. There's no other way I can really explain that differently. When people ask me "What's wrong?" or "What makes you happy?", I'd rather write a song about it than to explain it to them.

Q: anyone in your life that you’d say that lead you to this part of your life as an artist and musician?

-Absolutely. I blame my parents for forcing me to take piano lessons when I was 7 years old. All I wanted to do was to play sports and to play video games with my friends. I actually used to fake sick all the time when I had lessons. I hated them more than anything and quit after 2 years of lessons because I broke my hand while playing football. Now, I thank them more than anything for putting me through those grueling lessons.I also thank anyone that has ever given me a terrible or great life experience. It's nice to take your feelings out on a piano or a guitar.

Q: are there any singer or songwriter out there that you’d love to work with at this moment?

-Absolutely. John Mayer. Hands down. Best songwriter of our generation and one of the best guitar players of our generation.I'd also love to spend a couple days with Alanis Morissette. I feel like I need to apologize to her every time I listen to her songs. I feel like I did something wrong. Sorry, Alanis!Q: Will we be anticipating any tour or show from you soon?-Yes. I'm working on some regional shows on the weekends. It's really hard for me to go anywhere since I'm stuck at school. After I graduate in May, I will be following my dreams and touring consistently. So definitely look out for me.

Q: how is the writing for the new album coming along?

-It's going really well. I am trying to challenge myself constantly when writing a new song. I don't want to write the same song twice and am starting to incorporate a little blues into a current song I've been working on. However, I have no idea when I'll have a chance to record a new album. It all depends on finances, hard work, great songs, and a little luck perhaps.

Q: if there’s anyone that wishes to contact you for a show. Who and where should the go to?

- I do all of my own booking. Contact me through email: cornwall.tj@gmail.com

Q: Musician and artist usually takes odd jobs before they are successful, you ever did that?

- I'm definitely nowhere near successful right now, but I'm getting my college degree from a great university as a safety net. I also worked as a pizza driver for a few years. The tips were great, but I'd much rather be on stage.

Q: What’s it’s like playing live show compare to writing music in the studio?

- A live show is definitely an ego booster or an ego buster. It's the best feeling when people come up and talk to me after the show, take pictures with me, and buy my merchandise. It really means the world to me, and I will never be able to express that enough in words. I might have to do an interpretive dance to get my point across. Being in the studio captures and enhances everything that I write. It's an amazing feeling going into the studio having a product and coming out with a totally different idea. It's like getting a really really really good haircut. Yes? No?

Q: now before we leave, would you like to say anything to your fans out there?

-You all mean the world to me. Just remember that I could never do this without you and your support. Thank you so much for buying my stuff but most importantly taking something from my music and staying connected to me.

Thanks so much to you too, Jonathan!

J:Thank you! The pleasure is all mine.
Jonathan
Evol, http://perfectlifestylemag.blogspot.com/