Music is believed to be the language of the soul and some songs and compositions hold an eternal place in the hearts of the listeners. However, in the midst of the tons of music that gets produced daily, some of the tracks get pushed to the periphery of the human mind. Music covers of such songs, when made, help to bring them to the fore once again and the contemporary setting also enables new listeners to find relevance in those tracks. And in this arena, the pop music artist from Perth O’Neill Fernandes acquires a paramount position. The new music video of the cover of ‘Right Back Where We Started From’, originally written by Pierre Tubbs and J. Vincent Edwards, and first recorded in the middle of 1975 by Maxine Nightingale, gives listeners a remarkable listening experience.
1. Hello, Mr. O’Neill Fernandes, and welcome to Daily Music Roll. We wish you the heartiest congratulations upon the release of your 40th Special Edition Double Album Side A: Shades of The Shads…Vol.3′ and Side B: Let’s Dance…Vol.6’. How are you feeling upon achieving this milestone?
Ans. Reaching my 40th Album is a significant milestone for me, as I never believed that this would be possible. In fact, I did not have any number in my mind, but simply to enjoy creating ‘My Kind of Music’. I feel very proud and yet humbled by the experience.
Music has significantly helped my mental well-being and gave me purpose and direction when I was at my lowest point in my life from sickness and depression. Family, Friends, Fans as well as the ‘Music Promotion Club’ have supported me in achieving this milestone, and for that, I’m ever grateful.
2. It has been quite some time since you began your musical journey. Could you tell us the turning point in your life when you found your calling for creating and producing music?
Ans. When I had cancer, I was really depressed and a very sick man. Overnight, I lost my independence and freedom to function as a normal human being. I was so sick, that it felt like I was a living corpse. Could not hide for being so sick and miserable…but as soon as I decided that I was going to make music and re-learn the guitar, my whole outlook changed. I was able to focus on something that brought me joy rather than the misery of being sick. My whole life changed in an instance, and I never looked back…just focused on learning and making good music.
Here I am today making an impression on the world with my brand of music and celebrating my 40th Album. I’m still restricted in what I can do due to medical issues that restrict my independence and ability to function as a normal person…but the joy of freely giving my music to so many people around the world and bringing happiness to their lives gives me added motivation and inspiration to continue…
3. Who/what has been your greatest cheerleader in this journey?
Ans.My wife Linda who is my ‘rock’ and has supported and encouraged me to keep going. The Family, Friends and Fans who have supported me with feedback and comments have also helped me to continue along this path.
4. When you first created the track for ‘Right Back Where We Started From’ what did you intend your audience to take back from it?
Ans. For the audience it was more about when things are not working out, you need to go back to the basics and re-visit what brought you joy and made you happy in the first place.
5. The song is a part of your album ‘Let’s Dance…Vol.6’, which is a mesmerizing plethora of some of the most beautiful musical pieces. What was the thought behind choosing the songs included in the album?
Ans. Most of my music that I create is due to an emotional connection to the music or song or artist or band or lyrics of the song. I plan my projects in advance and list songs to the project as I come along them in listening to the radio or through inspiration when meditating.
When I start an Album, I have about 30 songs which are then scaled down to the final 21 which I record and produce. As a Mobile DJ, I have knowledge and experience in the type of music that connects with the audience. This is my marker for the songs that I pick for the Album.
6. If you had to pick one musical era, what would it be and why?
Ans. Definetly the 70’s as it was that era that I was a teenager had a great connection and affection for music, bands, and socialising. So, the songs have a very strong emotional connection as well as love for that generation of music.
7. Can you tell the readers about one of the most magical moments you have had in your musical career?
Ans. On Friday the 3rd of February 2023 (3:35 PM), I did my first live face-to-face interview with the ‘Great Southern FM’ Radio Station (Albany – Western Australia). It was a realisation that my music is gathering a lot of ‘ears’ and spreading and the reinforcement by the local and global community that they like what I’m doing musically. To me it was a very proud as well as humbling moment, which I will never forget.
8. The message behind the video ‘Right Back Where We Started From’ seems to be quite clear to the viewers. Is there a particular aspect to it that you wanted viewers to experience from it?
Ans. Love is the most powerful emotion in the universe, but if you view the world today you see very little of that in motion. Greed and Power and a ‘Dog eat Dog’ mentality dominate the world today. The gulf between the ‘haves’ and have-nots’ grows wider every day, even though there are enough resources to provide for this planet ten times over…
The song is a favourite of mine and takes me back to 1975 when I was a teenager and moved to the country town of Albany in Western Australia. It was also my first permanent job, my first time away from home, and my first love. So, for me it brings back some wonderful memories…
‘Happiness Starts with a Choice to be Happy’ that’s the song’s message…
9. Most of your albums show an amalgamation of genres and timelines. Why is that?
Ans. The answer is quite simple…the music industry is broken; it has been for quite some time…So the music that is played on the commercial radio stations is what the record labels want you to hear and its not about showcasing great talent or good music.
The music that I grew up with from the 60’s onward is rarely heard on the radio. How will the younger generation ever know about this music, if they don’t know about it in the first place. That is why my music spans across many generations and genres so that the younger generation get a taste and feel of music from decades gone by.
I know that the younger generation love the kind of music I create, as stats indicate that my biggest audience is from 21 to 45 and the other reason is due to an emotional connection to the music or song or artist or band or lyrics of the song.
10. What would be your advice to youngsters who wish to take up a career in music?
Ans. The Music Industry is a very hard industry to get into…as there are so many artists and millions of songs being produced every day. So that’s what you as an artist is facing to get your music heard.
In my observation there are many very good artists that make great music, but the world will never hear of their talent or their compositions because they don’t have access to a record label or the knowledge to get their music heard.
Social Media is huge and so many platforms, so not only do you have to produce music but also be able to promote it through music videos and engaging your listeners.
Live performances are a must if you are trying to make a living making music…sometimes you wonder if it is all worthwhile. Eighty percent of all my costs go to promoting and marketing…so you are paying people to tune in to your music…this is the modern music industry.
The Streaming platforms pay you a pittance for all your creative efforts…most of the money goes to the big music companies that are literally making billions for someone else’s work, be it in the composition of the lyric’s creation or the playing of the song. If someone else owns the rights, then you have little say in how your effort in creating a cover song is compensated.
So, this is what a ‘Newbie’ is facing in the music industry at present…in saying that…if you love music and have a passion and talent for it, then you must have a go…If you don’t try you will never know. I started recording and producing music in my 50’s, so it’s my passion and perseverance that has got me to where I am now in my musical journey. So, if I can do it as a self-taught artist, so can you… ‘Nothing ventured Nothing Gained’…
11. Is there a particular pet peeve that you have about the music industry? If yes, what is it?
Ans. Greed and dominance of the Music industry by the recording labels and the determination of what music is promoted and heard and what is not. Outdated Copyright laws that do not match or progress the distribution of music based on the artist’s talent and equally, the fair compensation for the artist’s work.
12. Can you share with us some insight on the projects you are currently working on?
Ans. The 40th Special Edition Double Album has really stretched my abilities to reach this milestone and I’m at that point where I need a break. So, I’m finishing a few music videos for the current album and then I will be taking a short break and when I feel fully charged again, I will resume my musical journey…
O’Neill Fernandes’s ‘Right Back Where We Started From’ is now on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlTZLwswqtA
Follow him on Facebook, SoundCloud, and YouTube.
