The
Grammy-Nominated New Age Artist Discusses His Life
Q:
What does Al Conti want to be known for?
A:
Crafting good music and having contributed to the New Age genre in a
positive and influential way.
I
also want to be known as a serious artist. Recognition and success
are measured in many ways – for me it is choosing to be an artist
and all that this means. It isn’t an easy journey much of the time,
but it is the path I have chosen. Artists have something inside that
must be expressed; it has to be let out. I like to think I had a
choice in my life to do what I wanted – but in many ways I feel
that the choice was made for me.
Q:
Agreed and well said. What do you want people to take away from your
music?
A:
Each listener needs something different from the experience, so it
is hard to say. But overall, I would want the listener to feel they
have been on a journey when they finish listening to an album of
mine, a journey they wish to take again and again.
I
want my music to evoke images and memories – to bring people to a
higher level of consciousness – to escape the everyday may it be a
job, the groceries, doing their bills – like a cup of tea on a
rainy day can be so soothing – yes, that is it.
Q:
Nice! What is your guilty pleasure music wise?
A:
Lately I’ve been enjoying a step back in time and listening to a
lot of disco music.
As
I have often said, my tastes in music are about as broad as is
possible – I also enjoy 1920s music for its lively optimistic beat.
A little like disco I guess! My music taste can vary greatly
throughout the day. I can go from listening to Juice Newton to R.E.O.
Speedwagon to Chopin to Nina Hagen within a 24 hour period.
Q:
Wow- being so diverse is such a great way for artists to broaden
what influences and affects them. I should probably be broadening my
music list even more. What is your guilty pleasure
TV wise?
A:
I do not watch much television, in fact I only have cable connected
in the set in the kitchen – to watch the news while I cook and that
is about it. I generally watch DVD’s or stream movies. My guilty
pleasure is watching something that can transport me to another place
and time. I love historical fiction a lot – especially period
pieces. As far as TV itself, I may watch some TV on DVD. Recently,
I have been watching DALLAS (the 2012). Can you believe Linda Gray
has not aged a day?!
Q:
Ha! True and I'm sure she appreciates the compliment! Describe your
perfect day?
A:
Waking up slowly and quietly, as opposed to being jarred awake by
street construction, which happened a few times in the last few
weeks!
The
minute I stir, I hear my dog Digby’s tail start to wag and thump
against the floor – she knows breakfast is coming.
This
may sound odd, but I love a day when it rains and I don’t have to
go anywhere. I can watch the rain fall, drink some tea and read or
work on my music. It is pretty simple really – I love to do what I
do and my perfect day would be just that. Ok, I could be doing it in
Paris too or another beautiful place in the world!
Q:
Not odd at all, I love the rain. For me it has these inherent
romantic qualities that are great for creating. Best thing a fan ever
did or said to you?
A:
I’ve mentioned this a few times in interviews, but it was a true
life moment for me when I received an email from a therapist who was
working with veterans of the Iraq war. She told me that she was using
my music in her therapy to help soldiers with post-traumatic stress.
That email was a gift I will never forget.
Q:
Best thing you ever did or said to a fan?
A:
Find that which makes you different and let that define you.
Q:
What is the most empowering thing anyone has ever told you?
A:
Having a learning disability does not mean you are stupid. It just
means most people function like a PC and you function like a MAC.
All end up with the same results, you just process differently.
Q:
Great analogy! Favorite song (not yours) that you play to put
yourself in a great mood?
A:
I have many. My iPOD currently has over 21,000 songs! My mood
changes through the day and, depending on mood, a song may pop up in
my head and I have to listen to it so it will leave me alone.
Q:
Favorite song of yours and why?
A:
‘Daughter of the City’ from the album Scheherazade. I love how
the song came together and, artistically, it is some of my best work.
I was able to convey everything I intended to for the album’s
opening in that song.
Q:
Thank you so much for your time, and for the last bit, your favorite
quote?
A:
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is
essential is invisible to the eye.” Antoine
de Saint-Exupéry – The Little Prince
