Music Interview: ÜUCE delves on his creative tastes, musical influences & debut album ‘Go From Here’
Great to have you on Xttrawave. Please, introduce yourself.
I’m ÜUCE, which is just a pseudonym I’m using for this project. My real name is Scott and my wife, Michele, and I have been involved in various musical projects together since we met. We’ve spent the last few years in Rockland County, New York where we had our cover-band called LAURIC, an original singer-songwriter project call Of Oceans, and now this one, ÜUCE.
My nickname from my father when I was growing up was Juice, and when we were thinking of what I’d call this project, Michele suggested using it phonetically and just dropping the J. My brother later suggested the addition of the umlaut. Thus, ÜUCE was born.
What got you into music and made you realize that it was your chosen path?
My first interaction with an instrument was in my childhood home. We had a cheap upright piano from my grandmother that I’d fiddle with. A bit later I remember watching a bootlegged version of Paul McCartney’s Unplugged concert on VHS, and pointing to the guitar and say, “I want one!” I mainly played guitar my whole life, but during Covid, got a little bored with it, so I strayed back to the keys.
I’m not sure that music really is my chosen path, it’s certainly the thing I like doing most. I think once I learned that I enjoyed making my own music is when it really got fulfilling. Being untrained, I was always comparing and sort of dealt with imposter syndrome a bit, but a friend told me “just make the music you want to hear,” and then it all really started getting enjoyable.
Tell us about your new music? And what’s the story behind it?
The debut album for ÜUCE called “Go From Here” is being released worldwide on all the streaming services on 4/16/2021. I’m really excited for it.
Like I said, life in Covid really got to me. I’m an extrovert by nature, so a sustained time in isolation really gave me some time to reflect. I realized that I wasn’t being as entertained or inspired by the guitar like I used to be, so I found myself stumbling over to the piano more often.
In addition to that, I recently had neo-classical music introduced into my life and thought there was something really special there.
Actually, this project “Go From Here” started with me taking some of my older singer/songwriter, guitar tunes and trying to re-work them as solo piano pieces. I then started playing with string arrangements, etc.
The album itself is certainly meant to be digested in one complete sitting. The flow of it, or I suppose the picture in my mind when I listen back to it, is sort of about one’s rebirth, or re-entry into a world that’s maybe not so familiar anymore.
This music, as well as the current world we’re in, certainly feels unfamiliar sometimes.
What makes your music unique? How would you describe it?
These songs seem unique, at least to me, because they’re so varied. Some are instrumental (which is something I never thought I’d say), some use synthesizers, oddly timed drum beats, things like that.
I think neo-classical is probably how it would get labeled if it was in a record store. However, I’ll say that I don’t think genre’s really fit in modern-music anymore. So many people are trying new things.
I wonder if it might make more sense to describe the mood of the music, or like, the activity that you think might best blend with this music. So in that sense, this music seems more like concentration music, flow music, or something. My social media bio at the moment is, “music for your mid-term paper,” which I think it quite fitting.
Who are your biggest musical influences? And any particular artist/band you would like to collaborate with in the future?
I’ve always loved Damien Rice. Ben Folds is constantly impressive and seems like he’s timely and always relevant. As it relates to this project, I think Ólafur Arnalds’ music played a big role in inspiring me to try something different.
Additionally, I’m really fond of people who have a great handle on sound design, like OTT or Simon Posford of Shpongle. Either of those would be a really fun collaboration.
Which project that you’ve worked on would you say is your favorite?
I think for any artist, their current project is their favorite. It’s the most relevant and shows their audience the most current version of themselves, their most relevant truth. So, I’d say this one, “Go From Here.”
How do you balance your music with other obligations – like family?
I’m really fortunate to have a wife who is musical, not to mention a son that likes to dance along! She’s incredibly gracious with how I spend my off-work time.
Often times I’ll get home from work, hang out with her and my son for a bit, then once he’s in bed, we’ll grab a drink and head over into our little musical world together. It’s a great bonding experience.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
The advice I was given, “make the music you want to hear.”
If you had one message to give to your fans, what would it be?
Whether it’s one, 100, or 1,000… I love opening the little Spotify For Artists app and seeing people listen in real-time. Please keep listening! And feel free to share it with whoever you think might connect with it.
What’s next for you? Any upcoming projects?
First is the big release day. The album comes out on Friday 4/16/2021. I’m trying to figure out how to really share it with friends and family, I’m thinking of doing some sort of live-stream, but it’ll be tricky because of the different layers. Doesn’t mean it won’t happen, it’ll just be a little more stripped-down maybe.
I’m really happy with how the ÜUCE project turned out. There will definitely be more coming.
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