Sam Shinazzi

Interviews & Articles

An Interview with C-Minus Project
Oz Music Project

With the long-awaited debut album from Sydney's C-Minus Project finally being released, Sam Schinazzi shares his thoughts with us on the recording process.

The Album was self financed and self produced so it was pretty consuming. We recorded it in three locations but it was mostly done in a tiny studio in the inner west of Sydney. It was done on a part-time but continual process. I invited a bunch of mates to play on it just because I know some seriously talented people and I thought it would be quicker to record with them rather than playing a lot of the instruments myself. Turns out I was wrong but I totally love what they did with my songs. These people include members from Starky, Devoted Few, Peabody, Little Sky... Jason Walker is on there plus some others.

So after all this time, how does it feel to finally have the album come out?

I guess the first thing that comes to mind is relief. It has been a long time coming and I am not someone that likes to record things and then sit on them for a year...which is what happened. I am also really proud of not only the album itself but the way it was done and the people I did it with.

With such emotion behind the songs on "Less Than Perfect Day", the question begs, are these songs somewhat autobiographical? Or do you prefer to write from a fictional standpoint?

They are pretty much autobiographical or as the standard line goes...confessional. If it's not about me then it's about a friend or someone I met or knew or an experience I or someone went through. Having said that I occasionally make things up or am inspired by TV, film or literature. I guess the inbetween away from autobiographical is when I tell a story out of something that has happened. On the album songs like 'Lainie K', 'The Moon and the Stars', 'GP', 'House Near Bridge' and particularly something like '747'.. they all have true elements attached to them but they are told or sung like they are fiction. It gives the writer a chance to step away from the song which I like. Not every song has to be about you or even if it is, you want to disguise that sometimes either out of embrassment, shame or even something as trivial as not making every song being written in the first person. I don't have a preference either way.

I think I definetly tend to write more autobiographically because I am a pretty inward, quiet kinda guy. It's a way for me to communicate something. I also think most of what I listen to has a similarity and maybe that has rubbed off on me. Having said that, to make up a story about something true is fun because you can be (seemingly) a little more descriptive with your words.

It's not unusual for solo singer/songwriters to use a band name over their own name (eg: Badly Drawn Boy, Dashboard Confessional), what made you choose The C-Minus Project for your moniker?

My first band as a singer / guitarist was called C-Minus and I put out an acoustic tape under the name of The C-Minus Project. It was supposed to be a joke; you know the singer going solo or whatever like the Jimi Hendrix Experience or something. And then I actually did go solo a little later and rather than use my own name I stuck with that. I couldn't think of any others. On the new album my actual name is in small print above the 'band' name because I am kinda getting over The C-Minus Project to be honest. I am not sure it suits me...plus the bloke from Korn is called C-Minus and no disrespect to him but I have nothing to do with Korn.

You recently launched your album in Melbourne and Sydney, how do you think your live shows compare to your sound on record?

They are pretty different. Obviously it depends on whether I am solo or with a band as far as the interpretations and dynamics go. I think as far as my vocals are concerned, no matter what recording you might have of mine, I would think in a live situation it would be stronger because everytime I sing my voice seems to be growing as far as what key and notes I am hitting. I also tend to add lyrics from other songs sometimes to my songs for whatever reason or even just change some of the timing or phrasing of a song. I would hate to play the same thing the same way too many times to the point where both I and the audience get bored. I am of the belief (generally speaking) that the recording should be a little different to the live performance and hopefully what I do is proof of that.

You've played with some pretty distinguished musicians over the last few years, what would say has been the highlight of your musical career so far?

I am not sure I can call it a career just yet! Tough question. First thing that springs to mind is not only playing with musical heroes and people I admire but also connecting with them on a musical level. I think if you are someone with a pretty small ego you honestly never think something like that is possible. So I would say playing with Evan Dando would be the highlight. I kinda have this weird addiction to playing with those I admire so you can add Joe Pernice, Josh Rouse, Francis MacDonald, Lucksmiths, Purplene, Knievel and many others to that list. Back when I finished school and was beginning to play guitar and write I had two goals musically...to play with Ratcat and Smudge...which I did. And I'm sure that sounds stupid now but they were the likes that really inspired me. And even now something like hanging out with Tom Morgan after a show or whatever...I don't take these things for granted.

The other biggies are connecting with people and creating some sort of space for myself in this crazy world. The former referring to various things; the immediate reaction from a crowd. Letters and emails from regular people praising the songs and identifying with them...cannot ask for too much more than that. I seem to make the kinda music...that the people who do like it... want to get in touch and tell me. And that is the same thing I do with the music I love so... The latter referring to a heck of a lot of hard work...from learning to write, sing and perform to travelling far places to play...to putting up with disappointments. A lot of work from myself and a few others sometimes goes unoticed which is fine...I am not explaining this well ! What I am trying to say is I am happy in the fact that I have worked hard to be as original as I can be musically whilst also doing my best with the other side of things so that now I am starting to get to a point where I can go someplace and play to an appreciative audience. All without any bookers or managers who seem to want to steer clear of me!

Who would you say are your musical heroes?

Again another one I could spend a lifetime answering. Songwriting heroes I consider the people I listened to most when I started writing and they would be Evan Dando and Bill Janovitz. Two others I have loved since I was literally a kid would be Bruce Springsteen and Robert Smith. Aside from that, I really respect those that can stick around for a long time and be both creative and true to their original thing...and they include Tom Waits, Neil Young and I guess even bands like U2 and to a lesser extent REM. Not acts I listen to everyday but acts I will always have time for.

Bands I was too young to be into also fascinate me...Husker Du and Replacements. I don't know if I'd call them heroes but people like (and I have varied taste) Juliana Hatfield, Elliott Smith, Will Oldham, Joe Pernice, Dinosaur Jr, Sebadoh, Radiohead, Counting Crows, Ride, Teenage Fanclub, Fugazi, Nirvana, Jayhawks, Matthew Sweet,Whiskeytown / Ryan Adams amongst 1000 others have given me immense pleasure on record and in a lot of cases live. At the moment I really admire Pete Yorn. Both his new album and his debut have floored me time after time. I will given anything a go as long as it is remotely original and has a bit of heart.

So what now for The C-Minus Project?

I have a few things I need to do probably all at once if it's possible. I want to promote this album as best as I can and as best as I am allowed. It has been sitting on a shelf and deserves a good chance at life. This means decent shows wherever possible and interviews etc. Hopefully make another videoclip.
I am also determined to get some overseas licensing happening, especially in the States and Japan but also just wherever people are keen. I am looking at being in America to play later in 2003 either way so....I've got to start on that real soon.

I guess above all though, I am going to start a follow up album. I have close to 50 songs I seriously want to do and obviously they cannot all make it but it might just mean a really long album or dare I say it...a double. And I am going to get hassled by people saying "Well, if 12 songs took a year..." but too bad. All I know is I have a whole bunch of tunes I want everyone to hear and I am going to be recording the next one somewhat differently. I doubt I will ever spend so long again on a recording. I hope not anyway!