A Conversation with Rocco DeLuca – HuffPost 3.23.12

Mike Ragogna: Rocco, how autobiographical is your song “Lucky” from your new album Drugs ‘n’ Hymns?

Rocco DeLuca: “Lucky” is down to the details, autobiographical. I believe a person lives long enough to realize that reality is more comical, absurd, tragic, and mystical than anything I could conjure with pure imagination.

MR: What was you childhood like, and when did you get into music?

RD: I was kidnapped by my grandmother so I could have half a chance. I was left to my own devices most of the time and I learned to listen. The music that moved me was not a slave to fashion or fad, it had social, sexual and healing powers.

MR: Who influenced and inspired you musically?

RD: I was inspired by the voice of Nina Simone, the guitar playing of Mississippi John Hurt, the words of Hesse, Camus, Twain…

MR: The album’s production took a simple approach like on “Drugs ‘n’ Hymns,” and experimental, such as on tracks like “Sibylla.” Was it your intention to break new ground and/or to just get the moods of the songs across?

RD: I was in a very little room that I rent here in Silverlake with no budget, so I was limited from the start–a four track ½-inch machine and a few mics I’ve collected over the course of traveling throughout the years. When I perform for people, I sometimes will lead into a song with an interlude, so I did that with “Drugs ‘n Hymns” by using these Japanese tape machines. Other than that, I just wanted to stay out of the way of the center, the story.

MR: Did you take your production cues from any favorite recordings and what are they?

RD: Production cues were learned by listening to the Sibylle Baier record until the needle wore out, and hanging out with Daniel Lanois who is a great teacher of how to get out of the way.

MR: There are a couple of clues in the songs titles and the overall vibe of the album, but in your words, why did you name the album Drugs ‘n’ Hymns?

RD: I named the record Drugs ‘N Hymns because it represented the total– everyone’s invited to the table–and its autobiographical, as I bore witness to a drug transaction during service when i was young. The contradiction of particular moments in my life teaches a great deal if I’m listening.

MR: Which songs are the most revealing about you on this album and why?

RD: The most revealing songs about me are “Lucky” and “Windows.” They represent how I think things through, in the middle of fear, finding something to hold on to–a person, and ideal, a detail–anything that gives me some kind of hope.

MR: To me, “Windows” is the most optimistic song on the project. What’s the story behind that one?

RD: “Windows” was born in Austin. I was hanging out with my friends at Justine’s and fell back in love with everything, playing “The Hooker” at three am, swimming in water holes, and looking up at that confrontational Texas sky, looking through the eyes of a friend who shows you around and makes a place special.

MR: What advice do you have for new artists?

RD: For new artists… Please do not get a manager, agent, record deal, press person, producer, promoter, or anything else until you know who you are, and what you would like to contribute. Until then, just woodshed until you know.