A conversation between our 12 String Productions producer as she chats with indie artist, GW CazZ
12 String Productions— Nice to have you with us GW. We have had some really good reactions from folks who have listened to your music so far. The melodies seem to stay in the mind and the lyrics seems to touch the listener’s emotions. So we would like to ask a little bit about you personally. After all, most people start out in their teens and twenties and you are starting to share your music later in life. What got you into song writing and why did it take you so long to let us hear your songs?
GW— Well thanks for that, I am very honored that people even listen to the songs I have written, let alone like them. As for why I am doing this later in life, you have heard the expression "better late than never". Like others, I did play music as a teenager. I had a six string guitar that got me through my teenage years and I did write music then. But instead of trying to pursue a music career, I opted to move to New York and do some volunteer work for my faith. After some years there, I moved back home and met my wife while I was playing at her sister’s wedding. She sang a song with me on stage and of course we spent a lot of time practicing together.
12 String Productions— Of course. So you were the wedding singer. I understand that your wife sings on most your songs?
GW— Yes, I guess I was the wedding singer for awhile. And yes my wife sings with me and she is also unquestionably my biggest music fan. She always wants to let people listen to my songs before I think they are ready. She is also the reason that I got hooked on recording. For one of our anniversaries, she bought me 10 session hours at a recording studio and then I got hooked on it.
12 String Productions— Good for her! So, we understand that you have a few years of songs that you have written and are working on?
GW— Yes, we are currently working on about 25 songs in the studio and we have about 5 that I want to get done that we haven’t done anything with yet.
12 String Productions— We look forward to hearing them but you said you are working on 25 songs , why not work on one and release it, then move on the next one?
GW— Well you know they say your memory starts to go when you get older, so we wanted to get them in the can before that happens. But the main reason is I am very picky and want them to be the best that I can do.
12 String Productions— Ok so what is your method of recording your music?
GW— We go into the studio and the first thing we do is play the melody with the guitar, once on the left track and then again on the right. Then, we lay the main vocals down. Next, we have Rich play the bass runs for us and record that on a track. After that, we lay some harmonies down which is either myself or we have someone come in and help us. Then we stop and listen to it for month or so.
12 String Productions--- A month or so?
GW--- Yes, because everything after that is production and it takes me awhile to decide how I want to proceed. Sometimes I start all over. But the idea is that I don’t want to listen to the song a year from now and wish I had done something different.
12 String Productions--- Ok. Then what are the steps from there? Because we hear a lot of different instruments on your songs.
GW--- Yes, I like a lot of ear candy in the music and we work hard to fill the song up. From there, we usually have Steve come in and lay down the drums. Then, we have Claude come in and put either flute or sax on the song. Then, we do the same with congas and piano, etc. Then, I listen to it (a long time) to see if I like it.
12 String Productions--- Ok, you take awhile to listen to them. So is that why you have a lot of songs done or being worked on but not released yet?
GW--- Yes. I have had several musicians tell me to just get the songs out there. But I am not interested in speed or quantity. I am more interested in making it the best that I can make it with the limited talent and time that I have.
12 String Productions--- Sounds like a lot of work and time in the studio.
GW--- Yes, I have another job and that job takes me to the area where the studio is that we have been doing this. I work all that day and then I go in and spend the rest of the evening in the studio. We have estimated that we have about 28 studio hours in every song. And we have been doing this one night a week for the last 2 years.
12 String Productions--- I noticed at your day job that you don’t go by GW. Is that your stage name?
GW--- No not really. I guess on the off chance that people like my music, I don’t really want to be in the position of getting the credit. You know what is said, we don’t have anything, including talent, that was not given to us. So where should the credit really go if not to the one that gave it to us.
12 String Productions--- So I hear by your answer that you have faith in God. I seem to hear a lot of that in the lyrics of your music.
GW--- Yes to both. I try to write songs based on the Bible and my strong belief in God. However, I don’t want it to be in your face religious. I have even had some folks listen to a song and not know it was about a Bible verse or story until I pointed it out. I want the music to make you think and maybe inspire you to do some research on the scripture it was written on.
12 String Productions--- So there is a Bible passage for every song?
GW--- That’s the goal. I realize that not everyone believes in the Bible as we do. But we hope when you listen to this music, it makes you think and it inspires you to do some research or talk to someone about the Bible the next time you get a chance or when someone knocks on your door.
12 String Productions--- So when are we going to get to hear the 30 songs that you have?
GW--- Well as I get them to the point that I think I can’t do any better with them, I will release them. I am hoping to release one every 6 weeks or so.
12 String Productions-- Let’s see, 30 songs, one every 6 weeks. So I guess we will get to hear all of them in the next 3 years?
GW-- Yeah, I will try to speed that up. Stay tuned.
12 String Productions-- If it is ok with you, we would like this to be a continuing conversation about your music and the songs that you release. So as questions come up, would you be available to answer them?
GW-- Sure that would be fine. But I can’t imagine that people would be that interested in my music. After all, I am not James Taylor.
12 String Productions-- Well we do have 3 years and we are sure there will be some questions. For example – this is from your younger brother who has the same last name. He asks why did you put a capital Z on the end of CazZ ?
GW-- Yeah, that sounds like something he would ask… The simple answer is that when I was researching if I could use that name, another artist on Spotify already is going by Cazz. So simply put, I didn’t want to be confusing. You can tell him I just like the capital Z on the end.
12 String Productions-- So if anyone else has any questions they can email us at 12stringmusicproductions@gmail.com and we will include them in future conversations.
GW-- Sounds good. Thank you to everyone that is reading this and their interest in my music.