Page 30 - SPIRE Digital Version SEP-DEC 2024 9th Issue

Hello Storm Large! Everyone at the Spire Considering your culinary background, if you
Center loves you and we’re thrilled that you’re were to create a meal that reflects the essence
back with us in Plymouth, MA! Your career has of your music and performances, what would it
taken you from local stages in Southborough to be and why? How would the flavors and
international acclaim. Reflecting on your presentation capture your artistic style?
journey, what was a pivotal moment early on Blistered vegetables with black rice and a
that made you feel this path was truly meant miso/butter roasted salmon. It has nothing to do
for you? with my music but DOESN’T IT SOUND
Around 7 years old… Once I figured out I would AWESOME??!!
never get to be a werewolf, I became aware that
people would pay attention to me when I sang. Your beginning audition for Season 16 of
And they would be delighted , as opposed to me America’s Got Talent was a phenomenal
getting into trouble, which was way more rendition of “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” that
common. was achingly heartfelt and got a standing
ovation from the judges. What can you share
At the time, my hair was about your experience on the show? Would you
recommend it to a peer and what would you tell
purple, I was wearing a them?
All I am legally allowed to say is that AGT and I
rubber, HR Geiger style were in 100% agreement. I should be returned
to the wild where I belong. And, no, I would not
bikini, and had drawn a recommend it to a peer.

goatee on my face with

a black sharpy.

You initially moved to Portland to pursue a What’s the funniest or most unexpected thing guitar for sometimes). I was singing a few songs
career as a chef. What led you back to music, that’s happened to you during a live with Eric’s band and George asked me to sing with
and how did that unexpected turn at Dante’s performance? him too. At the time, my hair was purple, I was
impact your career trajectory? Oh jeez. Legal or…? Well…Because it’s you, I’ll wearing a rubber, HR Geiger style bikini, and had
drawn a goatee on my face with a black sharpy. I
The chef school was super expensive, so while I just tell you about the time when half my band looked incredibly hot and totally confusing. I kinda
was looking at financial assistance, I started had covid. So it was just me, Matt (bass) and look like Dave Navarro when I’m in glam drag.
bartending at Dantes. My friend Frank, who Scotty (guitar) and we were here, at the Spire. It Anyway, I couldn’t get the ink-beard off so my face
owns Dante’s, was a huge fan, and was always was December, super close to Christmas. I mostly looked filthy…but we were singing “Free
trying to get me to sing at the club…and I kept introduced a song by telling the story about Your Mind” and I was just wailing in the back with
telling him that I was done…F the music biz, I’m Jesus when he was in Gethsemane, the night my half naked filthy faced self and my eyes
going to teach folks on food stamps how to make All Spire photos taken by Denise Maccaferri before he was arrested, his dark night of the squinched shut…just getting totally lost in the
big, healthy meals for their family, or start a new soul…etc. And the song is one that every soul in music. Next thing I know, my voice gets crazy loud
in the mix, louder than everyone else on stage, I
kind of meals on wheels. After 9/11, I felt being With your diverse career—from punk rock and that church knew by heart, a song that, in my
an artist was vapid and vain…and I wanted to be being a finalist on Rock Star Supernova to opinion, REALLY captured the essence of that open my eyes and see George with his face
contorted in utter joy, inches from my face, holding
more of service. I started singing at Dante’s, collaborations with Michael Feinstein, and fateful night. I sat at the drums and sang and his mic in front of my mouth. “SING
finally, when Frank was in a pinch and really performing at Carnegie Hall, as well as your played THE SHIT outta “Dream On” by MUTHAFUKKA! SIIIING THAT SHIIIIT!!!” He’s
needed an act for a suddenly empty spot in the work as a writer/performer of a one-woman Aerosmith. It was epic. Mostly because I CAN screaming at me. I sang. I fucking SANG. Sang til I
week. At some point during those first months of play—have you ever had a particular role or NOT PLAY DRUMS. It was a Christmas miracle. tasted blood in my mouth. Later, voiceless and
performing again, plus all the non profit work I project you’ve always wanted to explore but No doubt about it. sweaty backstage he hugged me deep and chuckled
started doing, raising money, awareness and haven’t yet? And what’s next on your agenda? to everyone, “That’s my BOY! That’s my BOY
helping people…WITH my voice…I finally started My music director/pianist James and I have You’ve worked with some amazing artists and Storm!”
to see art and music AS acts of service. Yes, we had many standout moments in your career. Is
get paid some of the time, but even in for-profit written several musicals, and I have just loved there a particular performance or project that Organizing benefits for those in need is something
that process. Now…I HATE most musicals, for
scenarios, what is received by the consumer is real, but we have written some hilarious shit, still gives you goosebumps when you think that you do without much notoriety. What cause or
joy and connection…they get turned on and in hopefully one day we can get it together and about it? issue are you most passionate about outside of
turn, go out in the world and spread it around make them happen. I’m also working on another When I was in my twenties, starting out in SF, music?
themselves. Like herpes…but more like HAPPIES book and studying psychology. my friend Eric McFadden was opening for Anyone who doesn’t get a fair shake or whoever
or HOPEes?
George Clinton and P Funk (whom he plays gets bullied. Underdogs and the overlooked.
T H E S P I R E C E N T E R M A G A Z I N E | 2 8 T H E S P I R E C E N T E R M A G A Z I N E | 2 9