Interview with indie acoustic rockers The Phoenix Within

We recently brought you acoustic indie rockers The Phoenix Within as our Band of the Day. When you take a listen to them, you can’t help but be drawn to the emotions that their songs bring out. Omar Feliciano on guitar and vocals with Ken O’donohue on Bass and Vocals have done a fantastic job of expressing such honesty and vulnerability in their music. We had the chance to chat with them and are pleased to bring that interview to you:

* * * * * * *

Music Junkie Press: Thank you very much for taking the time to talk with us here at Music Junkie Press. We understand that you guys just played at the Jersey Shore Festival can you tell us how that was for you?

The Jersey Shore Festival in Seaside Heights, NJ was absolutely off the charts. The entire time there I was overwhelmed with a feeling of camaraderie between musicians, local business owners, sponsors & the public. It seemed like every couple of feet whether boardwalk stages, bar venues or the motel lobby there were huddles of people with a beer in one hand & eyes & ears attentive & appreciative of the music being offered.

The sound technicians were not playing any jokes when it came to the quality of audio leaving the speakers. If you were on the amplified boardwalk stage it wasn’t overpowering enough that people wanted to step back instead people would just sit right on the boardwalk having little campouts while musicians came & left. The stages inside of the bars & hotel lobby were on point, strong powerful but clear.

My favorite memory was the partying in the pool way past midnight at the Aztec Motel lobby, when you combine good music, cheap priced beers & enthusiastic people eager to take of their clothes & get wet…well that’s when the party begins.

Music Junkie Press: We love the new song and video for Sharks! The song itself is so beautifully written, lyrics bring out such a raw honest emotion and then the video seems to capture that so well. Can you tell us more about the song?

First of all thank you! Your review of this song is truly flattering & humbling. This song was written while I was attempting to reunite & rekindle a relationship that was on the ropes with a special person. During this time all other supporting parties were not supportive at all. I had friends & family members turning their eyes away in disapproval & enemies out & about trying their best to sabotage, weaken & crumble the relationship beyond repair.

I am truly grateful that I was able to work with music video director & producer Chris Newhard on this project. The filming flowed easily because this man is a genius in his field of work. Off the bat he was able to connect to the lyrics & feel of the song & that in turn I feel helped him in bringing this song into this visual format.

Music Junkie Press: Can you tell us about your upcoming release, Natalie Rose and what can we expect from the new release?

With the Natalie Rose album we plan to release we will be taking listeners through an emotional rollercoaster. We touch on topics such as love, loss, career choices, dating relationships & fate. The new album will feature instrumental intermission piano pieces & melodic string work, a ukulele, special guest singer Megan Kaulfers from Baby Blitz, & an amazing special female guest lead guitarist ‘Jo Sette’ on a track we call “Blame”.

Music Junkie Press: So many artists are busy trying to become what everyone wants to hear or what is the latest find. Your songs capture a true honesty, which is so refreshing and wonderful. Can you tell us about your songwriting process?

I know exactly what you mean & I want to thank you for that. The one thing Ken & I are sure of is that we are not trying to be like any other artist out there. Our goal has always been to continue writing original songs until we can hone our own sense of style one, which in short defines us as artist.

Our songwriting process is broken down into two parts the music portion & the lyrical portion. I would like to say that we take our times with a pencil & tons of paper but I would be lying.

During the music portion of the song Ken & I ride on our vibes, we play with bass or guitar riffs, piano parts he writes or little melody parts I hum & we throw them about, feeling them out if nothing clicks we move on but if it feels right it we follow it through & build it up.

When it comes to lyrical portion of the song ‘Fuhgeddaboudit’. That’s when I really like to unleash & withdraw from the mental bank that contains all my feelings, thoughts, theories, dreams, fantasies & experiences. Off course this all depends on the mood, the song & the reason.

Music Junkie Press: With the songs being filled with such emotion, how has the recording process been, as equally emotional or more cathartic?

The recording process has never ever been stressful & it’s for three reasons. The first the booth is dimly lit so its easy to get in the mood J, the second is because Ken knows what he’s doing while we are there, the third & probably most important is that the Audio Pilot Studio in Boonton, NJ holds a producer that is gifted & skilled and his name is Dave Dones. Every single time I work with this dude I literally learn something new & it pushes me to try to be a better writer, musician & artist.

Music Junkie Press: We understand that you will be playing some dates on this year’s Vans Warped Tour, can you tell us more about that?

Unfortunately this information isn’t accurate. Right now that is what we have set our eyes & mindset on & it is our next goal. Currently The Phoenix Within is entered & enlisted in the Ernie Balls Battle of the Bands competition for a spot on Vans Warped Tour Competition & has a 94% buzz rating. Our hopes are high & we are asking friends, family & fans to reach out on a daily basis to the contest page & leave us a comment & share our bands contest page in the hopes that it will bring us to a 100% buzz rating.

Music Junkie Press: So we have to get you guys on that Ernie Ball Stage then! We will vote and share the links to get you there this summer! Will you be planning any upcoming shows on the West Coast?

After the release of Sharks! A few months ago I had a chance to perform at some local bars & on two separate occasions played at park & a beach boardwalk in San Francisco, California & I absolutely loved the response from people & atmosphere out there. I am truly looking forward to the release of the new material so that we can plan a much longer & more detailed trip to the West Coast.

Music Junkie Press: We at Music Junkie Press are strong believers about how music helps, heals, inspires, changes us. Can you share a particular time or story where music most helped you?

Sometimes thinking back on life experiences such as my father walking out as a child, being raised by a single mom, my first fist fight, my first love, my first job, working in the hood, getting a drivers license, first car, first car accident, dropping out of college then returning back to college, finally graduating, & the loss of a friend I cant help but connect it to music.

Thinking back on milestones in my life I can quickly reference what on my own time of reflection I listened to or wrote to help me get through it. It is truly impossible for me to imagine a life in this world without this powerful & magical outlet. Music is within my every fiber it is my sustenance my universe quite frankly it is my every thing.

Music Junkie Press: If we could peak into your Ipod, what artist or song might we be most surprised at finding in there?

Lol I dare you to! If you go into my music stash you’ll find I listen to a little bit of everything. World music like old school & new school reggae, Spanish music like Salsa, Merengue, Bachata. Rap, hip-hop & R&B, EDM, Classic rock, modern rock & indie rock groups like Hot Trash, The Plumcocks & one of my new favorites Gainsboro.

Music Junkie Press: Sometimes, music becomes the escape for all of us & gives us that much needed respite. If you could be trapped in a television show for a week, what would it be & why?

Friends hands down. I’ve always found the characters funny, Rachel, Phoebe & Monica are hot, I love coffee & not mention I absolutely love their introduction theme song.

Music Junkie Press: If you could go back to your 14 year old self, what advice would you give to yourself at 14?

Wooooooshhhhhaaaaa…how epic would that be lol. I would start by telling myself to pick up the guitar, a notebook & a pen right there & then. Give myself advice on starting music lessons aggressively & immediately because it would be worth every second.

Music Junkie Press: Can you tell us what is next in store for The Phoenix Within?

This year The Phoenix Within music will be featured in two independent comedy films & will make an appearance in one of them. The first film Deliver U.S. by producer Mark King & Green Piece by director Shaun Paul Costello more information can be found on their individual pages http://www.willworkforbits.space/#intro-section & https://www.facebook.com/GreenPieceTV/timeline?ref=page_internal. Moving forward we will also be working closely with CryBaby Records an independent company based out of Philadelphia who shares our love for sharing music with the world.

Music Junkie Press: Lastly, is there anything else you would like to share with our audience and your fans?

Keep an eye out for us when we are in your city, town, bar, park, beach we love to give out free CDs, shirts, stickers, & pins. Please follow us via all social networks & come see us perform live whenever possible because we promise a good time filled with lots of fun memories J.

* * * * * * *

Now let’s get them on to that Ernie Ball Stage during Vans Warped Tour. Here is where you can vote for them as they compete for the chance to perform with the Battle of The Bands Warped Tour Contest. Check it out here: http://warped.battleofthebands.com/u/thephoenixwithin. We hope they win!

Make sure to visit her social media sites and stay up to date on their latest news.

~ Marisol

Information & Links: