JohnTaglieri On the Making Of “Talk To Me”
What was the creative process like for this particular "Talk To Me?"
Munk Duane and I sat down last summer to start writing a new song and had a few ideas that we banged around. We settled on the start of this song as one we'd focus on. We got it about half way done and then we both got busy. We came back together in December and we finished the song in about 20 minutes. I had come back not wanting to finish this one and try to start another, but Munk felt this one was where we should focus. We did and I'm really glad I listened to him. His gut was telling him that this was a song we should move on and it was definitely on point.
Once it was finished, we sat and started to decide more on the structure and what we wanted musically. As my producer, I left a lot of it up to him to flesh out. We decided to recruit two absolute LEGENDS in Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp, John Fogarty, Michelle Branch, Goo Goo Dolls) & Leland Sklar (James Taylor, Carole King, Phil Collins, Lyle Lovett) to be our rhythm section. I’d worked with Kenny before and he’s my favorite drummer ever. So it’s a treat having them both on the song.
Were there any memorable or standout moments during the recording sessions for "Talk To Me?"
The song was mostly recorded in Munk's studio in Whitman, MA. The drums were recorded in Kenny's uncommon Ground LA studio in Los Angeles, and Leland Cut his parts in a hotel room on the road with Lyle Lovett. So that’s always fun to have it recorded all over the country and then set in and assembled.
What has been one of your favorite memories along the path to making "Talk To Me?"
So, as I said I was sort of passed the song as far as when we came back to it in December. That said, I've always said instruments have stories to tell and it’s our job as musicians to listen. Last summer, my father-in-law found a beautiful Ibanez acoustic in a dumpster!! I had to do a small amount of work on it to make it playable but its a great guitar! I brought it to the session in December and when we decided to try to finish this song, it was the first time I tried to write on that guitar. And the song just fell out of us. LOL. So the dumpster guitar kicked out a gem for us that who knows if another instrument would have. LOL.
What has been one of the most significant moments of your musical journey so far?
In my career, I’ve been lucky to have many. But the one that will ALWAYS stick out as my favorite was the first time I opened for my musical idol, Rik Emmett. He was the guitarist/singer for the band Triumph and has always been my biggest influence. I opened for him at The Bottom Line in NYC in front of a sold-out crowd. At the end of his show, he asked me to come join him on stage to play 'Hold On'...a song of his I grew up learning and loving. So there I was on stage with my idol, playing a song I'd learned when I was 11 years old in front of a sold-out crowd....and nothing will ever top that moment!
Are there any specific artists or musicians you dream of collaborating with?
Honestly, there are SO many. I’ve toured with and played on bills with most of my idols and favorite bands, but there are a ton more I'd love to work with in some aspect. I’d love to write with Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Kevin Cronin from REO Speedwagon, Tommy Shaw from Styx, and then some newer bands that are out now like Wolfe Van Halen. Just so much great music out there and people I'd love to work with.