Meet Trowbridge-born UK Open Mic performer Don Pizzle:

Hi Don Pizzle, thanks for joining us! Let’s get into it:

Do you play solo only, or also in a group?

Solo

How old are you?

33

Where were you born?

Trowbridge

Where did you grow up?

Swindon

How did that place influence your music? (if at all!)

It didn’t, I grew up on Marvin guy, Stevie wonder, and a lot of soul.

Where are you based now, and why?

Still there.

What got you into making music in the first place?

Always been drawn, but I stopped for 14 years because I listened to opinions that never mattered.

But I’m on it and making up for it.

What instrument/s do you play?

Singing
Rapping
Rapping

Who would be in your top 10 musical influences, and why?

•Paolo nutini – because he’s so haunting and unique.
•Marvin Gaye – because he’s Marvin Gaye.
•Arctic monkeys – the way they right has a lot of symbolism and deep rooted sarcasm
•Beyoncé – because she’s amazing.
•Stevie wonder – he’s a higher octave which is a nicer challenge for me, and his music is amazing.
•Outcast – because they’re so sick.
•50 cent – the massacre was the first album I ever bought.
•Chris Cornell – he was so phenomenal
•Billie Eilish – surprised that I added Billie because she’s a lot younger but she’s so immensely talented she’s another level to everyone else so she’s definitely in here.
•Christina Aguilera- the way she vocalises and just throws her voice around and it always hits, it made me practise more and more until I could do it, she’s so amazing
•Bonus – JPCooper – Her album, She helped me so much in a time when I was in a super dark place and I’ll never forget, she’s so amazing and her vocals are incredible and her song-writing is fantastic x.

Do you write your own songs?

Yes

How many years have you been writing songs for?

16

What process, or processes, do you often find yourself using when you write songs?

It’s very strange and I don’t know why it works this way, but I drive with the instrumental on and I start to hum the beat and then the hums start to get replaced with words then I have my song or at least 80% of it, not really an intellectual process, more of a channelling I feel.

How long have you been playing open mic nights?

1

Why did you get into playing them in the first place?

People kept telling me to do it because they said I was really good. I’m not bold enough to say it

What advice would you give new performers who are just starting out playing their first open mics?

Hum some harmony in key and in rhythm first, then slowly build it up as you warm up, it always helps me when I’m up there.

What’s the hardest thing, for you, about playing open mics?

Nothing, I love it at first it was the stage fright but that’s gone now.

What’s the most bizarre, or fun, open mic, or gig, you’ve ever played, and why?

I’ve only been doing it for about 6 weeks but I’m already over my fright and I’m ready for a much bigger audience.

If it’s not already, are you hoping to make music your full-time career?

Yes

What do you currently find the hardest and biggest obstacles to moving your music career forward?

No problems only solutions.

What’s the one truth about you that people often find surprising?

That I sing.

What’s the most exciting project you’re working on at the moment?

My song moonlight and 3 other songs and I’m going to record it tomorrow as of this writing which is 28/06.

Do you have your own music video, channel or playlist you’d like to share?

@astralvocalist

Do you have music on streaming? What’s you main streaming channel to send people to?

https://youtube.com/@astralseekervocalist?si=_eCtUs_PN6QJUEUx

Where is the main place should people go to find out more about you?

https://youtube.com/@astralseekervocalist?si=_eCtUs_PN6QJUEUx

What other sites/profiles should people go to to find out more about you?

www.instagram.com/astralseekervocalist?igsh=MXRobXhsNWY4ODR1cA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.instagram.com/astralseekervocalist?igsh=MXRobXhsNWY4ODR1cA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
youtube.com/@astralseekervocalist?si=_eCtUs_PN6QJUEUx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">youtube.com/@astralseekervocalist?si=_eCtUs_PN6QJUEUx

youtube.com/@astralseekervocalist?si=_eCtUs_PN6QJUEUx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">youtube.com/@astralseekervocalist?si=_eCtUs_PN6QJUEUx

We’re done! Anything else you want to share before we go?

Thank you for the opportunity 😘