A Chat with Pete Price (09.01.23)
For over three decades, veteran singer-songwriter Pete Price has been sharing sensational music with the masses. The past 30 years have seen him perform as lead guitarist in The Fries Band and now he is sharing music as a solo artist. We speak with the talented musician about his debut album Department of the Interior, great achievements, advice for new artists and future plans.
OSR: What drew you to music?
Price: My father was a minister in the Episcopal Church and he wanted me to be close to the faith. I had a good singing voice as a youngster and dad got me involved with the choir. Our music director, a stern Englishman, had me sing solos when there was a need for a “boy soprano”. After the services, many members of the parish would compliment me on my singing, so I guess I developed a little confidence. I joined a band in 6th grade, singing songs like ‘Hang On Sloopy’ and ‘Well Respected Man’. This was before my voice changed and before I picked up a guitar. I realised early on that I didn’t have the personality to just front a band as a singer so I started learning how to play the guitar.
OSR: What does music mean to you?
Price: Music has always meant a lot to me. As a songwriter, it’s a means of self-expression and sometimes has been a means of working through difficult experiences I’ve had in the past. That feeling of creating something brand new is pretty incredible…kind of like spinning gold out of straw. I sit in my kitchen almost every morning to play my guitar before the rest of the house is awake and at least part of that time is spent just noodling around. I’ve written many songs starting that way. I also love the recording process and the synergy that’s created when you’re putting your songs out on the block and letting other talented musicians tear them apart and put them back together in a way I hadn’t thought of.
OSR: What can you tell us about your album Department of the Interior? Did you face any challenges when creating it?
Price: Department of the Interior is kind of a play on words describing my interest in one’s inner life and how those thoughts and feelings make you the person you are, colour your moods moment by moment, provide you with hope or despair, motivation or lethargy…the yin and yang of what causes us to do what we do and feel what we feel. I’m fascinated by that and I’ve always tried to observe my inner self in real time although not always successfully.
The major challenge I faced was just deciding to do the project. I’m fortunate to be part of a community of musicians in Dayton, Ohio, and many of them encouraged me to go for it and also contributed their talents on some of the songs. I didn’t have the confidence going in that I could create a successful outcome but the further along I went, the more determined I became to see it through to the end.
OSR: If you could change one thing about Department of the Interior, what would it be and why?
Price: I suppose I’d have to say that there are a couple of songs where I could have sung them better, but there were so many great performances by the musicians I worked with and such amazing engineering and production by the two studios I recorded in that hopefully I’m the only one who would notice that.
OSR: If you could recommend only one track off Department of the Interior to a new listener (and potential fan), which track would it be?
Price: I only get to pick one? That’s pretty difficult but let’s just pick the first song, ‘Diamonds in the Sky’. It’s sort of the “mission statement” for the whole album and how I felt about making it. You start with a crisis of confidence, then you find yourself on the path, take each step, not looking too far ahead or too far behind, just living in the moment, and then finally the moment comes when you’ve completed your journey.
OSR: Do you have advice for emerging artists?
Price: Trust yourself. Be true to who you are. God didn’t give anyone else the unique combination of talents you have. Your job is to find out what those talents are and develop and showcase them as fully as you can.
OSR: What are the most exciting and most challenging aspects of being a solo artist?
Price: I love being the alchemist that gets to take an idea and then fill the pot with the different ingredients it will take to make a great song. That’s also the challenge. You’re working with very talented people who have their own ideas and it can be challenging to hold the team together in harmony. However, being a solo artist means that you get the last word because it’s ultimately your work.
OSR: What do you believe is your greatest achievement in life?
Price: I can think of many notable achievements such as being a father and husband, owning and operating a small business over a career and beginning a second career as a singer and songwriter, but perhaps the greatest achievements are the smaller ones like having the willpower to quit smoking many years ago. It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do and I have great sympathy for anyone who struggles with addiction.
OSR: Do you have future plans as a musician?
Price: I’m currently writing the songs for my second album, which I’m scheduled to start recording later this winter. I will also continue to play in a few bands around town.
OSR: Do you have a message for our readers?
Price: First, if you’ve read this far, thank you! I hope you’ll check out my music and upcoming shows over at www.petepricemusic.com. Also, my linktree is www.linktr.ee/petepricemusic.com so you can check out my social media and Youtube channel, and please continue to support live local music and independent artists!
Many thanks to Pete Price for speaking with us. For more from Pete Price check out his official website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
