Page 17 - ION Indie Magazine NovDec 2018

EC: Is the producer you are working with now someone that you were familiar with?

CM: Yes, I had heard some of his previous recordings, which I really liked. I flew down in February of 2018 to
record with him.

EC: What inspires your writing?

CM: The Deftones are a huge influence, especially the album “Around the Fur.” My friends call me “Chino” --
like Chino Moreno, the lead singer for the Deftones. Also, Third Eye Blind, Matchbox 20, Goo Goo Dolls, and
Bush. I do listen to a lot of country, so I started embracing that as well. Right now, I really haven’t labeled myself
with any specific genre. When people genuinely react to the music you write as a musician enough to put it on
their playlist and listen to it over and over again, that’s what makes it worth it. Because of the way the song
made me feel, I want to be able to produce that for someone else. Music makes you feel like you’re not alone.
It helps you to forget about anything bad that may be going on.

EC: Ultimately, what is your goal?

CM: I am trying to build Chris Moreno Music, booking
shows, and I have someone who helps me with booking. I
wouldn’t shy away from a label either. I see myself
continuing to be a solo artist because I like acoustic, but I
do want a full band. I would love to have a touring band to
travel the country. Ultimately, I want to find my voice as a
songwriter. I come from the school of vague storytelling,
which is more rock, where country is more specific
storytelling; it happened exactly like this. I like to paint a
vague picture to let people identify with it but be able to
interpret it in a way that means something to them. I want
people to be able to make it their own experience. For
example, the song “3 AM” by Matchbox 20 is about his
mom having cancer. You’d never know it until he came out
and said it. My next project, I am hoping to incorporate
more of a rock element. The EP “Into The Night,” there
were a lot of break-up songs on it, but that’s where I was
at when I wrote it.

EC: Though you knew you were being interviewed for
ION Indie Magazine, you didn’t realize you were going to
be the cover until you arrived back in Massachusetts?

CM: Yes! I was so excited to hear that! I’m really honored
Chris Moreno with ION Indie Magazine’s Erika Cannavino for the opportunity and I can’t wait to see it.

EC: I’m excited to hear you play tonight. There is quite the crowd inside already!

CM: Thank you very much! I can’t wait to play tonight.