Conversations with Tommy Odetto

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tommy Odetto.

Hi Tommy, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
My name is Tommy Odetto. I’m Blues Rock Guitarist, Singer, and Songwriter. I grew up passionately obsessed with music. When I was really young my first musical love was early rock and roll; Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and everything 50s and Rock and Roll.

When I got a little older, around 13 years old, I finally received an electric guitar for Christmas. Serendipitously, I started to discover guitarists like Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. I wanted to know everything about them, which is how learned of the music that influenced them, the Blues! This led to another life-changing moment. Artists like Robert Johnson, BB King, and Muddy Waters reached out and touched my soul. The influence that blues had on rock and roll lit a fire inside of me then and it has never wavered.

I have always known that I would be a musician for the rest of my life. A few years later I became inspired by the Beatles, who are still, to this day, my all-time favorite band. Their music has really taught me how to craft a song. As I got older, I really got into the 90s stuff: Foo Fighters, Soundgarden, and Nirvana.

Dave Grohl is one of my biggest heroes. For whatever reason, it was his influence on me that was the proverbial push off the cliff I needed to try to step out on my own and sing my own songs. All of the artists I admire and look up to share the same qualities that I aspire to; sincerity, passion, and emotional authenticity. I always aim to move someone with my music, rather than impress them.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
This is a great question. I would have to say being my own harshest critic.

I know that is something that most artists struggle with. As I get older, I try not to take my work or myself so seriously and try to enjoy the ride. But, I won’t lie, it’s a daily effort!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’d say my forte is Blues-inspired Rock and Roll; with a heartfelt “from the gut” approach. Just like the music I like to listen to. What I am most proud of, musically, is my current release “Soul On Arrival”. I feel like it’s the first record I’ve done that when I listen to it, I really hear myself.” I’ve always proudly worn my influences on my sleeve. And you can definitely hear that on the record. But I can also hear my own identity emerging and I’m really proud of that.

What sets you apart from others?
Honestly, I’ve never liked this question. I have never strived to be different from anyone that ever attempted music. That would be too exhausting. Instead, I have focused on playing, writing, and singing which moves me. Getting “the chills” has always been my musical compass.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I loved to watch old footage of a young Elvis Presley performing Hound Dog on The Ed Sullivan Show. Seeing how he made the girls scream, his music gave me the chills for the first time in my life. I told myself “I’m going to do that one day.”

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.tommyodetto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tommyodetto
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TommyOdettoMusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzlakgbolAi8cE3JKRetW1A
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/tommy-odetto
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/515ZpAqlo8nnkVl1SRvYlS

Image Credits
Sandy Ploy