Sweet Sweet Music talked to Greg Ieronimo about Never Leaving California, tripled vocals, guitars being the lead, Redondo Beach, success and Slayer.

 

That ‘Weezer Wall of Sound’ suits your songs very well, does it?

Selfishly, this production style is my favorite: I love throwing on headphones and feeling completely enveloped by a rock song. My roots are mainly alternative/grunge but I also grew up on heavier stuff like Pantera and Slayer. There’s something about the wall of sound for Power Pop that I really like, because it accentuates the guitars being the lead role in the sound. Plus, I like my vocals better when they are doubled/tripled etc. And for my song style influences in general, you’re basically getting Beatles, Nirvana, and Pantera mixed into one – so wall of sound just feels right.

Never Leaving California. Why not?

You never know where tomorrow will take you, but if I have anything to say about it, I can’t imagine calling anywhere else home. My fiancé and I have lived together here for almost a decade together on the beach in Redondo, and it may sound a little dramatic, but I feel like a fish out of water anywhere else. I grew up in Connecticut, and that is where my closest friends and family are: that will always be “home” too. Another way to answer this question is… have you ever been to LA/Redondo Beach?? ‘Nuff said…

You don’t release records every day. How did Never Leaving California came together?

If I had the resources, I would love to put out records every few months (every day might be a stretch since I hate most songs I finish). NLC was recorded and mixed over two years, Fall-2014 to mid-2016, with another 8 months delay I could not help, regarding licensing. The songs usually come together when I am inspired and bust out a hook/melody, then I’ll sit down and complete the piece. After my 2014 EP, Bipolar Love, I really wanted to hone in on my sound, and put out a record I could be 100% proud of: no corners cut, no regrets, and my only motive was to write and produce a record I could say defines my musical style. That meant going through a lot of different mixes, masters, etc (took a lot of time). But I am proud of the end result. My mom said she really likes it too.

The meaning of ‘success’ has changed over the years. When will the new record be a success?

Good question. I guess I just want it to reach the people that will enjoy it. I always hope a song will get picked up for a TV show or film, but that’s a bonus to me for this album, and would be beyond “success”. I think I’m already happy with releasing it and getting some good feedback thus far. And again, my mom is very proud already, so I have that going for me.

She will decide on a 5 song mix-tape if there is going to be a second date. Which 5 would you put on?

If I have to use MY songs:

1) You Love Me
2) Lucky Day
3) Best Day of Our Life
4) Rewind
5) Act Two

How will 2017 look like?

A: In 2017 my goals are to market Never Leaving California as much as possible to radio and music supervisors, and also WRITE and RECORD as much as I can. I record with a musical dynamo, Kevin Fisher, who has his studio in San Pedro, so I hope to spend time there this year recording new songs. I am also privileged to have a brilliant graphic designer, Chris Nazzaro, to do my album art. I hope to work with him again this year, or early next year, for the next album. I want to put out another record (likely an EP) within 12-18 months. So if you like what you hear on Bipolar Love and Never Leaving California, get ready for more!