San Francisco Voice

Dave Lionelli is a Bay Area folk singer whose new CD reflects the diversity which can exist in folk music today. Playing what he calls Acid Folk, Dave incorporates influences from genres as varied as Celtic and pop to create a sound of his own. That sound is explored in different ways on solo work and with his band with live performances differing considerably from his recorded work, a fact which reflects Dave’s interest in exploring all of the aspects of his music that he possibly can. In this SFV interview, Dave shares the history of his musical experiences, his dreams for the future and the links to other great artists playing in the Bay Area. He doesn’t have any shows lined up in the city right now but you can catch him over in the East Bay in the next few months; check out his MySpace for details.

What can you tell us about the basics of your musical history?  My dad is a musical trivia fanatic so growing up I was barraged with “What song is this/what album is this on?” questions from him as we listened to classic rock radio.  Throughout high school, I was very interested in music and theater, and spent the majority of my time on a stage there.  I spent two years at a Connecticut college majoring in acting, until I realized that I spent all of my free time playing music.  I transferred to a second school and graduated three years later with a BA in Music & Sound Recording.  I traveled around the country for awhile, playing bass in a number of bands, and I finally settled in the Bay Area in 2000.  Since then, I played bass with a number of local artists, and in 2003 finally decided to spend some time on my own material.  So here I am.

If you had to sum up your sound, how would you do so?   In my heart, I am a folk singer.  There are a lot of elements of other styles in what I do (country, rock, pop, r&b, funk, celtic), but at the end of the day, as cliché as it may sound, I am a modern-day troubadour.  Every new artist comes up with a moniker for their sound, and I call mine Acid Folk.

What can you tell us about your new CD?  This CD has been a lifetime in the making.  I’ve been recording it since the fall of 2005, and it incorporates everything I love about music.  The songs range from solo acoustic numbers to full band tracks; from straight ahead country tunes to R&B tunes; from tracks featuring me on all the instruments to tracks with my new band, HBA.  I think it’s going to change people’s perceptions of what I do based on my live show, and really blow some minds.  Check out the first single, The Gala Affair at www.myspace.com/davelionelli.

How do your solo projects differ from your band work?  The band is a simplified version of the solo album, which is kind of contrary to what you would think.  I spend so much time recording, overdubbing, and what have you that when we play live, there’s only one me.  I believe that the live experience is and should be a different one than a recorded work.  There are things you can do in a studio that you can’t do live, and I like to take advantage of both aspects.  My solo shows are fun because I have free reign to play whatever I want, and whatever the audience can throw at me.  But, when I play out, the band kicks way more ass than I do by myself.

Do you have a favorite SF venue?  There are a few, but I really enjoy playing at The Independent.  Great room, and they treat you like a rock star.  What’s not to like?

Who are some other musicians in the Bay Area that you like to go out and support? Greg Cross (www.gregcrossmusic.com).  This guy writes really excellent pop songs.  Songs that are super catchy and melodies that stick in your head.  I can’t stop singing his damn songs!  Bhi Bhiman (www.bhiman.com).  I met this guy on a gig, and his songs knocked me out.  I have never laughed so hard or been so blown away by someone’s originality.
Jethro Jeremiah Band (www.jethrojeremiah.com).  Jethro’s been an SF staple for awhile, and he never ceases to amaze me with his beautiful voice, catchy-as-hell songs, and his kick-ass band.  One of the best live shows in San Francisco.

Which spots in the city can you be found in when you’re just out and about?  I like hanging around on Haight St, ‘cause Amoeba Records is the greatest music store in the known universe.  I also love to head down to the Sutro Baths, and up to Sutro Heights Park, which has some of the best views of the ocean in the city.  I like the serenity.

Where do you want to be (musically) a year from now? Playing the Grammy’s.  I like to dream big, because what’s the point of having dreams if they aren’t big?  Nothing is impossible, but I find that things in general take more time than I wish they would.  If there were more than 24 hours in a day, I’d actually get all this stuff done!  Touring the world with the new band and spreading the love is really all I want.  I have always wanted to travel, and music seemed like the most fun way to do so.  I’ve seen a lot of places I never would’ve been otherwise.

If there was anything that you could make sure your fans knew, what would it be? That I love hearing from you!  I love getting feedback, good vibes, and all that.  Everything I do is for my fans as much as it is for myself, if not more.  Tell me what you dig, what you want more of, where you want me to play…  I want to give people a live experience they can remember, and I want to connect with them.  If you can’t connect with an audience, then what’s the point?  If I didn’t have people that dug what I do, I wouldn’t be where I am.

Don’t forget to check out www.davelionelli.com for lots of free music to download.  Also www.myspace.com/davelionelli for new tracks featuring the full band HBA and a preview of the forthcoming CD.  And as always, feel free to email me at dave@davelionelli.com  I love hearing back from fans.

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