Brooklyn-born singer-songwriter, Bruce Sudano, has written several of the biggest hits you may have heard for superstars Michael and Jermaine Jackson, Dolly Parton and Donna Summer (his late wife). Sudano and his band Brooklyn Dreams co-wrote Summer’s hit single “Bad Girls,” and Dolly sang his “Starting Over Again” to the top spot on the US Country charts, and Michael and Jermaine Jackson’s “Tell Me I’m Not Dreamin’ (Too Good to Be True,” was nominated for a Grammy. Bruce also runs his own indie label, Purple Heart Recording. He recently released his EP Spirals Vol.1…Not A Straight Line To Be Found on his label, and his track “The Mountain” is the second single featured from his latest effort (Hip Video Promo).
“The Mountain” is a refreshing single encouraging listeners to keep looking up, and focusing on the good and the top of the hill, so to speak, and the energy behind it is just as enticing as the lyrics are. “The Mountain” was produced by Steve Addabbo (Bob Dylan, Jeff Buckley, Suzanne Vega), and mastered by Greg Calbi (Talking Heads, David Bowie, The Arcade Fire). The music video for “The Mountain” is simple in its structure, yet shows Bruce as a SCUBA diver, a superhero, and more to engage viewers. It’s a song full of wisdom and light-heartedness, a combination of what we all need to see and hear during these times. In our interview, Bruce spoke about his time in the music industry, which of his hit singles has had the most impact on him, writing his latest single “The Mountain,” and collaborating on the video for it.
You’ve been in the music industry for many years, as a singer, songwriter, and musician. How has your music evolved over the years?
Bruce Sudano: It’s gone from a place of small to big and back down to small again. When I first started I was on a quest to learn. I was soaking up a lot of information. Then slowly, I began to process it all through myself. I just really wanted to learn as much as I could and at the same time quick start my own place in this world of music.
I always loved different styles and genres so there were a lot of influences from all the things that I was hearing and exploring. From jazz to blues, soul music, rock, and pop. Then at the same time, I was very early on influenced by the great movie musicals. The Glenn Miller Story, The Gershwin Bio, and all those Busby Berkeley films. I had a very active imagination as a kid. So when I personally started to create my own songs and music, even who I was and what I dreamed about, was all born in this musical fantasy world. I’ve always really embraced the idea of hybrid in my musical approach. I always liked the idea of combining to create something unique.
You’ve also written some of the most iconic hits for several legendary artists. Which of these songs has had the most impact on you mentally and spiritually?
Bruce: I don’t know if it’s iconic but probably “Starting Over Again” because it’s a very personal song, written about the divorce of my parents. A shakeup like that will have an impact on you on a lot of different levels.
Love your latest single “The Mountain,” and the lyrics are especially poignant during this strange and chaotic time. What’s the story behind it?
Bruce: I was observing a number of people around me who were going through a particularly chaotic frenzied moment and were getting exasperated and overwhelmed by it all. I recognized that I too have had those moments and know basically the concept is; do it one day at a time, don’t look at everything that you got to do in one big pile and just keep walkin’…I guess it’s a good point of view to adopt for the worldwide drama we’re engaged in these days.
“The Mountain” is from your upcoming EP Spirals Vol.1…Not A Straight Line To Be Found. What was the writing and recording process like for it?
Bruce: Spirals Volume 1 is a five-song EP and I wrote the songs last year in Milan. My life there is less complicated and I find that it opens me up because there’s less buzz running around my brain. The record was recorded in New York at Shelter Island Sound on 27th St. I really enjoy working there because it has an old-school recording studio vibe that is very familiar to me, so I kind of feel like I’m at home. The record was produced by Steve Addabbo, who besides being super talented, is really easy to work with. We get along well, have a simpatico and clear line of communication, so it’s been fun. We’re currently putting the finishing touches on Spirals Volume 2, which will be out this summer.
The music video for “The Mountain” is simple yet unique with the animation incorporated. What was the collaboration like working with director Elliot Mason?
Bruce: I met Elliott last year on a UK tour. He was the bass player for Colin Blunstone and I was the opening act. We hit it off, started hanging, he showed me some animation he was working on and I thought for the right song he would do something ingenious. “The Mountain” turned out to be that song. I thought it needed a slight twist to balance out the message. I had no idea he’d turn me into a superhero but now I’ve kind of embraced the idea. (He says with a wink)
Taking you back to your earlier years of music; what drew you to music and performing?
Bruce: I believe it was a calling. In truth, there really was never any other option for me. Except when I was about seven, for six months I wanted to be a veterinarian.
Some fun questions…
Who was your first concert, and who has been your favorite so far?
Bruce: Brooklyn Fox, Murray the K Rock revue…I was 9…for some reason I remember a vocal group called The Impalas. As for a favorite, as a teenager, there was a band on the circuit called The Vagrants. Leslie West was the guitarist. They were great live. Then, in ‘75, there was Springsteen at The Bottom Line in NYC.
What was your first album on cassette, CD and/or vinyl?
Bruce: I really don’t remember …
Which five albums and/or artists would you not want to live without?
Bruce: Dylan, Aretha, Sonny Rollins, Antonio Jobim, The Rolling Stones but really an impossible question.
What are you currently listening to, watching and/or reading?
Bruce: Listening to the new John Moreland record, reading The Soul Code by James Hillman. I just finished watching “Succession.”
Follow and connect with Bruce on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Stream his music on Apple and YouTube.
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