Singer Songwriter Jamie Alimorad is definitely on his way to scoring another great You Tube hit with his new music video. The Boston based singer won over his Youtube fans with his first music video for Beautiful by reaching over 2 million views! Jamie’s charismatic songwriting and his captivating vocals are ready to do it again with his new video for Crawling Back to Me, the second single off his album, Words Left Unsaid. The song is a fun catchy pop punk track that takes you on a tale of a crazy ex-girlfriend. The video truly captures the fun spirit of the song. Jamie’s vocals carry the perfect punk angst vibe that bring the lyrics to life. The video is sure to be another fan fave!
Jamie is set to perform at The Studio at Webster Hall in New York City tomorrow night and we had the chance to catch up with him. We are pleased to bring you our interview here:
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Music Junkie Press: HI Jamie, Thanks for the taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk with us here at Music Junkie Press. We have a lot of exciting things to share with our audience about what you have been working on. First, we understand that you will be taking the stage at The Studio at Webster Hall this week in New York City. Tell us about the event?
Jamie: It’s great to be here Marisol! I’m really excited for the show at Webster Hall this Thursday! It’s my first time playing at this historic venue and we’ll be playing a whole slew of songs off Cornerstone and Words Left Unsaid, including some I haven’t done in a while.
Music Junkie Press: We have loved the fun video for Crawling Back To Me. The song is awesome and you truly capture that crazy ex-girlfriend vibe in the video. Can you tell us about the song and have you had ex-girlfriends like that or asking if the song is about them? Tell us about the chicken!
Jamie: Haha the chickens have kinda taken on a life of their own with the fans. While we were filming on day one Luis Ayala (co-director), approached me asking how I felt about chickens in the music video. I didn’t know what he was getting at, but I said, “Sure, fine with me,” I wanted to make sure he asked the property owner before doing anything and he got the OK. I didn’t think anything of it, but low and behold the very next day this girl comes to the door and introducers herself as the chicken girl and there they were. There were two in this box. One was really friendly and the other was a total… well she wasn’t so nice.
I had a lot of fun making that video and it was a concept that I came up with that goes hand and hand with the song so well. The inspiration behind the lyrics comes from two ex-girlfriends of mine that I combined into a super ex-girlfriend that stops at nothing to win back her man. Spoiler alert, she doesn’t.
Music Junkie Press: We just heard the great news that you have been nominated for the IMEA Rock Artist of the Year. Congratulations and we will be sharing the link to vote with our audience. Tell us about when you first received the call on the nomination and what this award really means for you?
Jamie: Thank you so much. This is actually the second year in a row that I’ve received a nomination from the IMEA Awards (2013 Rock Male Vocalist of the Year and Rock Entertainer of the Year) and I’m really thrilled to be involved with such classy organization. The nominees came out Tuesday and I was really thrilled to hear that I received a nomination. I know the fans had been very vocal on their Facebook page, which is great! There is a fan voting section to the awards and you can vote at http://www.imeaawards.com/vote/music/. I’m category 52. You can vote once per email address.
Music Junkie Press: We will vote and make sure to share the links with everyone. We have up until the end of August to make this happen!
Jamie: Yes! Thank you! Voting ends August 27th.
Music Junkie Press: Your music really captures feelings and emotions and you have an excellent way of transferring that through your songs, do you have a particular song writing process?
Jamie: Every song is different and they each have their own creative story. Most of the time I come up with melody first and the lyrics follow. As an arranger, I tend to build things all at once and certain notes and lyrics will make go to how an instrument will interact with that.
For the past two years, I’ve been working with legendary singer and songwriter Gino Vannelli and he’s challenged me to go outside my comfort zone and write a little more organically. Just piano/vocal. Start there, don’t think about the band, don’t think about a rhythm section. Just let it ooze out. It’s been a total trip for me and I’m approaching the new songs in this matter and it’s bringing a whole slew of ideas to the table.
Music Junkie Press: What are you currently working on and is there any more videos in the works?
Jamie: Well I’m continuing to write for a new album that I’m really excited about! It’s been a busy schedule, but I’ve been writing on and off now for the past year and the new songs sound great. I can’t wait to get the band in on them.
I filmed a video for “That’s What She Said” in LA and we’re editing that and we also have the basics for a music video for “Dancing With You”. In June we shot a live video for “She Is…” at a private show which we’ll be releasing, as well as a promotional video/sizzle reel.
Music Junkie Press: With your show this week in New York, do you have any plans to come out to the West Coast and perform? Particularly Northern California, hint, hint!! We would be excited for any shows out here.
Jamie: I would love to get to Northern California! I’ve never been there. So many of my favorite bands have come out of San Francisco, it would be a treat to perform in the places they used to play, and still do! We’re working on Fall and Winter dates, stay tuned!
Music Junkie Press: If we could peak into your iPod, what artist or song would we be most surprised at finding in there?
Jamie: Hmmmm well it wouldn’t be surprising to those who have known me for years, but I think a lot of people would be surprised to see the full catalog of the Backstreet Boys and 98 Degrees on there. I grew up listening to 80’s music and all those songs had in common were great melodies. Whether they were fast or slow, there was something sweet to them, and they all had big harmonies. The boy bands of the 90’s carried on that tradition to my ear. I couldn’t get enough of it, and I don’t look at them as “boy bands”. To me they are vocal groups, just like the Temptations were, or the Four Tops. Different time, different terminology, but you can’t listen to a 98 Degrees song and tell me that is not a legit vocal group singing rich harmonies with a great blend. The Beatles had unbelievable three-part harmony. All of those groups, from the boy bands to Van Halen inspired my voicing and use of harmony in my songs.
Music Junkie Press: With the music scene making dramatic changes over the past 15+ years, what would you most like to see change in the music world and how could your fans help in making this happen?
Jamie: That’s a tough one. I just wish people would be more positive about music. There seems to be this trend that people just want to put what other people like down for no reason. If you don’t like what you hear on the radio, do something about it. Don’t listen, or write in saying you want to hear this band. People take notice of that. I’m unsigned and recently got picked up on MIX 94.9 in St. Cloud, MN. Once I posted I was being played there and for the fans to request my song, they did! And guess what? Now I’m being played along side Bruno Mars and Maroon 5! An FM station, an artist with no record company, completely DIY (do it yourself) being played because the people demand it. That’s what you can do. Don’t go on YouTube and make fun of people. Don’t trash what people adore just to trash it. Focus on what you like and help those people get to the top.
Music Junkie Press: If you could go back to your 14 year old self, what advice would you give to yourself?
Jamie: Probably to start earlier. What I mean by that is, that was a time where the digital age was coming in and there was conflict between do we go the download way or stick with CDs. If I was a little more progressive then I think I ‘d be in a different situation right now. Now how do you tell a 14 year old to be progressive in a changing time where nobody knows what’s going on? I just watched too many movies where you play somewhere and get discovered. It doesn’t really work that way anymore.
Music Junkie Press: Lastly, what would you like to share with our audience?
Jamie: I’d just like to say thank you to everyone who’s been with me throughout the years. From folks at home that have watched me through musicals and performances, to those that saw me throughout college in Boston and at Northeastern, and those that have been picking up the music through Cornerstone and Words Left Unsaid, seeing shows along the way, I couldn’t be where I am without you. It’s amazing and the stories I hear from you each day at concerts and in messages really touch me. Songwriting is a selfish act; we write what we feel to make ourselves feel better and hope that in some way we can touch the listener, and to know that my songs are making an impact on you is the most rewarding thing I could ask for.
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Jamie is definitely bringing a fresh new side to the power pop punk style of the 90’s. His powerful vocals and infectious style will have you falling in love with his music in no time. I love his feel good attitude and whatever is ailing you, put on some Jamie and things will all seem a little bit better and life more colorful. We need more people making with a good heart like Jamie and his charismatic personality making us fantastic music to be the soundtrack of our lives. Make sure to get your vote in for Jamie in Category 52 for the IMEA Awards. Vote here: http://www.imeaawards.com/vote/music/. He definitely has our vote for Rock Artist of the Year!
Also, visit his social media sites and stay up to date on his latest news.
~ Marisol
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