JON MORENO — Arts & Entertainment Editor
Andrew Pinto is a senior music major and hails from Trumbull, Conn. When a much younger Pinto picked up a guitar and began to learn how to play, he never looked back as he has went on to form a band called “Terra Luna” and to compose music as a solo artist. Pinto is currently working on a solo album and is influenced by artists from all ends of the spectrum from Mike Falzone, a local artist, to Blink-182, the very popular and beloved band.
1. Tell us really quickly where you come from, how you chose Southern and why. Your major, year. Tell us what makes you, you and your band, your band?
A. I am from Trumbull, Conn. I chose Southern as my school because my aunt went to Southern and she recommended the school to me. I am a senior this year and I am a music major. I think what makes me, me is that I’m very passionate about my life and what I do. I’m always giving something my all because if I can’t devote myself to something than why even do it? What makes my band unique is our ability to make one original sound while coming from different musical backgrounds.
2. How did it all start for you? What was the first moment that you realized music is a passion for you, and what made you pursue it to this point?
A. The moment that really made me want to pursue music was when I was given my first guitar. I had always wanted to learn how to play. But the moment I first started playing, I knew that playing music was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
3. Who are some of your favorite artists and how have they influenced you musically or personally.
A. Some of my favorite artists are Matchbox Twenty, Blink-182, and Mike Falzone. I grew up listening to Matchbox Twenty and Blink-182 and I’ve learned several of their songs over the years. Mike Falzone is a local artist that has been around since my teenage years. I’ve played many shows with him since I was 15. His music has inspired me and has really helped me grow as a songwriter.
Q. Where would you like to take the music you do? Are you and your band trying to get a deal somewhere or is this simply for the love?
A. I would love to be able to take my music to the mainstream. I really think a lot of the things I write about are really easy for people to relate to. As for my band, we’ve been out on the local scene for years now. We put out an EP last year and really tried for a while to get signed by a label. At this point, we’re just focusing on playing and having fun with it. If we happened to get signed, then great. If not, at least we’ll still have fun doing what we love to do.
Q. Who has influenced you most in life (not musically) and how so?
A. I don’t think I could even narrow that list of people down. I’ve been influenced by so many people in my life.
Q. What would you like to tell this person (s)?
A. I would just thank each and every one of them for help pointing me in the right direction and for helping make me who I am today.
Q. What is your advice to local artists trying to get their music heard or who feel discouraged sometimes? What do you do to get yourself out of a rut if you are ever in one, musically?
A. I always feel like it’s best to take a step back sometimes when things aren’t working out. It always gives you the ability to calm down and figure out another way to achieve your goal. When I find myself in a rut I usually do exactly what I just said. I take a step back and lay low for a while. Then I take my new experiences and emotions and just write music. Once it’s all done, I take a step forward and get right back out there.
Q. So as a solo artist, how are you different than with your band? What do you hope to accomplish differently as a solo artist?
A. As a solo artist, my music is not that much different. It is definitely much softer and much more personal. As for my accomplishments as a solo artist, I just want to be recognized as solo artist and not just the front man of a band. I feel like I have a lot more to offer as a performer and a songwriter. That’s what I like about the idea of being a solo artist, it’s just me.
Q. What are you plans once you graduate from Southern?
A. Once I graduate from Southern, I would like to be a free-lance composer. I really want to branch out as a composer and write music for advertisement, television, and even film. I’d love to take my passion for songwriting and make it my career. Hopefully with my degree I can make that happen.
Q. What is your fondest memory here and what would you like to tell the Southern body for those who don’t know you?
A. My fondest memory here was probably the day I moved into Brownell my sophomore year. I was moving in with three of my best friends and I knew that I would have an amazing year living there.
