Life & Work with Sonny Boy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonny Boy. 

Hi Sonny, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always had a love for music and an interest in creating it. Ever since grade school I really enjoyed singing and being a ham on stage, and when I picked up a guitar when I was 14, I knew I wanted to be a songwriter. After several years of writing terrible songs, I decided it was time for other people to hear my terrible songs in public, and I started performing. Luckily, through many years of practice and several bands, the music I write has gotten less and less terrible. Sonny Boy is sort of a culmination of years of developing my sound and wanting to make very personal music reflecting my own life experiences. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being an independent musician often presents struggles that can test your dedication to making music. When you put your whole heart and soul into making a song or a record and no one cares to listen or they tell you it’s no good, it can really make you question why you do it. I’ve learned that perseverance and being true to your creative vision are the most important aspects of being an artist. In recent years it’s become disheartening to see how music is considered ‘disposable’ and musicians are required to sell themselves and their brand at every moment. The humanity of music has been stripped away in favor of the false veneer of social media marketing. My discontentment with this fact has a lot to do with my decision to wear the costume. I enjoyed the idea of embracing this ‘self-branding’ approach to a satirical extent and in-essence, becoming a mascot of myself. By hiding my identity, I hope that the listeners will be forced to make a connection through my music. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m your standard Singer-Songwriter and Multi-Instrumentalist; Although I’m probably most proud of my work as a lyricist. It sometimes feels as if lyrics are almost an afterthought in a lot of modern music, but to me, they’re a huge part of what makes a great song, and it’s probably what I spend the most time on perfecting. I don’t really sing in the style of most modern pop musicians, and I like to think my music has its own unique character due to my love of melody. To me, a good melody feels as if you already know it, because it just makes sense to our brains. I enjoy tapping into that cultural memory while maintaining modern sensibilities and my own influences when it comes to creating songs. 

Who else deserves credit in your story?
Absolutely. There are basically too many mentors and supporters along the way for me to count. My family have always been huge supporters of my creative endeavors. My two sisters and my mother, all talented singers, and artists in their own right, always nurtured an atmosphere of creativity at home. My name, Sonny Boy is actually a tribute to my mother who is a hero of mine. As a single mom, she still somehow managed to provide for us and allow us to participate in our creative extra-curricular activities. She used to call me ‘Sonny Boy’ when I was a kid when she wasn’t angry. If she called me my real name, I was most likely doing something wrong. My brother-in-law, who handles most of my graphic design, photo, and video work, is an invaluable teammate; and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my good friend, collaborator, and producer, Daniel Blake from The Schoolhouse Recording Studio. 

Contact Info:

• Email: sonnyboymusic13@gmail.com
• Website: https://thesonnyboy.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonnyboymusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SonnyBoyMusic13/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTwrS9x40xfRymk_h6mTBgN4YpVOSJDan
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-168879395/sets/the-homecoming
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/album/7joWtt687vRlTvE9hd8ahI

Image Credits
Jereme Guidas