EMAB Magazine
Jeni Imparato - Vocals
Dan Bikar - Guitar
Michael Salazar - Bass
Andrew -Drums
1. Who are your musical influences?
Jeni: I know most people just name a bunch of stars but my musical influences come from many different people. When I was very little around the age of four I use to watch my parents sing all the time. They used music as a sort of connection they both shared. I would just watch both of them in awe at how they sang the words of each song with so much passion and expression. In fact one of my fondest memories of my father is him picking me up with his car from school with his windows down and his hair flying in the wind and his music blasting. So, little did they both know that singing started with them. Then it carried on as got older and learned about powerhouse singers like HEART, Pat Benatar, Amy Lee, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Gloria Estefan as well as R&B singers like Tamia, Vivian Green, and Tony Braxton. I have always been drawn to lyrics and emotion that was always key for me. Therefore singers that sang each word like it was written on their heart always were the ones that resonated with me. After listening to these amazing women I decided I wanted to be like them so I took lessons and both of my teachers definitely influenced me : in my school choir Tim McGlynn and my private vocal coach Diane Wudtke. Both of them really helped me develop my own voice and style and encouraged me to continue singing. Finally, as I started joining bands and going to concerts I found my love for the performance to be just as much a passion as the lyrics/singing was to me. Amazing performers like 30 Seconds To Mars, Avenged Sevenfold, Slipknot ect… inspired me to do more than just preform my music but rather share the experience with everyone in the crowd. That is my short answer as I could go on with my favorites like HIM and Nightwish and…well there are a lot.
2. How did Phosphene form and when?
Jeni: Phosphene formed after a bunch of us were tired of being in bands that lacked the passion and/or commitment to make our musical dreams a reality. I left my former band with Dan (our lead guitarist) and reached out to Andrew (our drummer) who then left his band. Not too long after us three got together, a mutual friend knew we were looking for a bassist which is when Michael (our bassist) came to audition…and the rest as they say is history.
3. What is the craziest thing or part of body you have ever autographed?
Jeni: There have been several very cool things we have signed like cell phones and one guy brought his bass to a show and had us sign it. Still I would have to say the strangest autograph we had was signing one of our female fan’s breasts. I think even the guys got nervous haha. WE HAVE PICTURES!
4. What is the craziest thing you have ever seen at a show or that a fan has done?
Jeni: The craziest things we have seen would probably be from the fans at Warped Tour last year. The crazy circle pits and moshers and crowd surfers. It was one of the wildest experiences of fans just going all out to have the time of their lives. Pretty incredible to watch.
5. A lot of your lyrics sound deep, and meaningful. Do you have to be in a certain place, in your mind, to be able to write them?
Jeni: Sometimes. I always keep a small pad of paper and a pen with me everywhere I go because sometimes feelings just happen and I want to be able to capture them so I can put them into our songs. Usually though, the music will take me to the place I need to be in for that specific song all by itself. What I mean is, when we write I usually listen to the riff and kind of let it tell me what feelings or personal memories it soundtracks. Then I just pick up a pen and bleed out the words. Once I allow myself to be consumed by the song the lyrics just write themselves. Then later ill pull out my little pad of random thoughts/emotions and see if there is a place for any of them in that song. It is my favorite way to write because then the lyrics are being honest to the music instead of fighting each other to tell different stories.
6. One of the biggest issues I have seen in the world lately was the drastic amounts of suicides in teens due to bullying. Is there anything, if you could say something to a teen who is being bullied, you would say for them to always remember?
Jeni: ABSOLUTELY. In fact, this issue really hits home for me so much so that on our newest album we have a song dedicated to this issue called, “Hold On”. I would tell them that each trial and each thing they face in life is meant to teach them something new about themselves. It is making them stronger and preparing them for later in life when they will be unbreakable. I would tell them to never let anyone else tell them their worth because only YOU can know what you are capable of. Each and every one of us has a unique gift and a beauty that we were meant to share but we need to find it within ourselves and let it grow. You cannot give up on yourself because there are other people in the world you were meant to meet, other people whose lives you were meant to change with your special gifts and if you take your life then it becomes a ripple effect of people who will have nowhere to turn to. Think of all the greatest thinkers and artists most of them were outcasts that were misunderstood, but if they just gave into the pressure then all of the many amazing things we have today and advancements made would have been lost. There will always be haters but then there should always be YOU rising above them. As Winston Churchill said, “You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life." Be strong because you are NOT alone. Just hold on!
7. What is the hardest thing about being a touring musician?
Jeni: Being broke, having no sleep, eating too much garbage food because it is cheaper, and trying to not rip your bandmates heads off hahaha. There is definitely something to the term “Starving Artists”. When you’re a touring DIY band you depend on merchandise sales and shows to get you by since there is no time for a second job when you are always on the road. It is not the most glamorous of lifestyles because you are in the car 80% of the time. Sometimes you drive for days then have time to shower and play your show. So between no sleep, driving all day, dying for a shower, and eating cheap junk food there will be times when everyone is just cranky but they usually don’t last too long. We are all really close friends so the upside is you are basically road tripping everyday with the coolest people you know. We play games, visit cool tourist attractions, and even have dinner with fans. We meet some of the coolest venue owners who cook for us and treat us like visiting cousins. We meet amazing fans who make every hour spent on the road worth it. None of us would trade touring for anything else. It is not an easy life always on the road but there is nothing like playing new venues and meeting new fans across the country.
8. Do any of you have pre show rituals or something that you must always have with you?
Jeni: I do. I am very into all things spiritual, not necessarily in a religious sense but in a soul cleansing sense. I carry around a black stone and a blue stone. The black stone is meant to absorb negative energy and blue stone is representation of the blue chakra which represents the throat. Since I am a singer it is important for me to bring positive energy to that chakra since the throat obviously has a lot to do with the voice. I use the black stone to cleanse my mind of any negativity so that I can be me on stage and leave stress, fear, anger, and worry behind. I usually have a warm bottle of water since cold water is not good for the voice and a cup of tea. Ill usually light a candle when I’m getting ready and play songs that make me feel good and pump me up. I also steam the shower to clear my sinuses and warm my voice. I try to leave all the talking with fans until after the show so I don’t over talk or laugh and stress out my chords. I am also a crazy person for good omens of different cultures. I try to buy these things whenever I see or hear of them. Most recently I bought an evil eye pendent with a blue hand both meant to keep out negative people. I know I probable sound crazy, eh I won’t defend myself maybe I am hahah.
9. Do you have any advice you would give young people who are looking to start a band or to move forward in a career in music?
Jeni: My first word of advice is if you truly want to be in this industry, I mean with all you are, then it is very POSSIBLE for you to do it. The first step is passion, the second is research. We are in a new age “the digital era” and that means you have knowledge at your fingertips, so use that to your advantage and teach yourself about the industry. The more you know the more doors you can open and the further you can go. You need to have thick skin because at any given moment you will meet people trying to stop you since they are jealous of your success but don’t let their words or actions control you. Always be honest, respectful, and true to yourself and let the others say whatever the hell they want to say while you keep doing you! Also with that last point be careful who you trust. This is a cutthroat industry so there are many beautiful things with ugly intentions so don’t get caught up in the shiny objects in front of you and loss sight of what is really going on. What I mean is if someone is nicer than usual or something sounds too good to be true, it is ok to be cautious because chances are it probably is. There is no right way do get in the industry which means you can do it your own way but you need to be tenacious, resilient, persistent, and passionate. Most of all you can never give up no matter how bad things get. We have hit many closed doors, dealt with many haters, been lied to, lost money, faced many unprofessional “professionals” and heard the word NO thousands of times BUT we still played SXSW, Warped Tour, Big festivals in Chicago, Revolver Magazines Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock tour, been on TV, played on the radio, and many other great things in just a couple years. So what is my point? My point is we didn’t let those things break us down instead we let all of those things fuel us to try harder and find other ways to get where we needed to get. We didn’t let the naysayers win we fought back. If you believe in your music and your friends aka band as much as you believe the sky is blue, without a single doubt, then you will be limitless.
10. And lastly, if you have learned anything in life that you feel everyone should take with them and remember, what would it be?
Jeni: My greatest lesson in life is that everything that happens and everyone you meet is for a reason so trust in your path and keep driving forward. When you go through things like break ups, the death of someone you love, losing a job, losing a friend ect… let yourself feel but don’t fall into that never-ending pit of depression. Know in your heart that although you will not know the reason right then, there will be a bigger purpose for that experience that you may or may not see later in your life. What matters is that although you may not be able to connect the dots, you WILL be happier with the outcome as long as you stay positive, stay strong, and stay true to yourself. See the value in everyone you meet because it is not just chance. They might be an important piece in your life even if their time in your life is just a few minutes. There are lessons beginning taught to you every second of the day so teach yourself and become the best and most beautiful version of YOU!