Aaron Kusterer - Interview

- Hi and welcome to this interview. Tell us about your latest release.
Thanks for having me! My latest EP is called “A Little Louder” and it’s a collection of tunes that encompass a few things for me. For starters, I like writing about the human existence and more specifically, emotions that many of us feel but don’t always want to acknowledge or talk about. Aside from that, I really like making records that sound exciting. So that was also a big component on this EP. Go big or go home!

 
- How would you describe your sound?
To be honest, this EP definitely has some AOR leanings (Adult-oriented rock) but probably overall a blend of early 90s commercial pop/rock production while pulling in the modern elements where feasible.

 
- What do you write about?
As I mentioned earlier, I like to write about the human existence and address emotions that we may keep buried very deep inside.

 
- What do you listen to when you are home?
That depends on my mood. Lol But I’m all over the place music-wise. Sting to Def Leppard to Celine Dion. A fair number of podcasts as well.

 
- Your favourite live performance so far?
Hmm, that’s tough to choose! Probably an even split between playing with Jennifer Batten back in 2010 and playing with Eddie Money in 2018.

 
- Tell us a funny story that happened in studio or on stage.
Maybe it’s not knee-slapping funny but when I was recording a tune on the EP called “Only Be Me,” we were cutting drums and bass at a studio in Burbank, CA (Zak St. John on drums and Victor Broden on bass). The guys had just torn through a killer take of the tune and right as the finished up the take (while still recording), I couldn’t help myself and laughed out loud in the studio and said, “not too shabby!!” This ended up being in the final recording and you can hear it on track at the very end.

 
- Your favourite albums?
Too many to list here . . .but Nickelback’s Dark Horse, Sting’s Ten Summoner’s Tales, Def Leppard’s Hysteria, Damn Yankee’s self-titled, Shania Twain’s Up, and Bryan Adam’s Waking Up the Neighbors.

 
- A musician you would like to meet for a beer?

Jack Blades (Damn Yankees/Night Ranger). Might be coffee though as I’m not sure if Jack drinks anymore!

 
- What would you ask for backstage, if you were the most important band on earth?
Hmm . . . that’s a tough one. Lol I’m not one to typically ask for much. That said, a portable gym would be pretty cool!

 
- What are your plans for the near future?
At the moment, I have several singles I’m getting ready to release and I’m hoping to take these songs to the stage within the next year. Be sure to follow me on my social media (Instagram and Facebook) to stay updated on releases!

Linktree (all links including streaming): https://linktr.ee/aaronkusterer

Website: https://aaronkusterer.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronkusterer/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaronkusterer1