Enjoying Hampton Bays with James Puccio
Mustard had the pleasure of speaking with Long Island singer-songwriter James Puccio has a lot of exciting things planned for this year!
Mustard had the pleasure of speaking with Long Island singer-songwriter James Puccio has a lot of exciting things planned for this year! Additionally we talked about Hampton’s Cowfish restaurant, The Mets, their influences, and so much more!
1. Mustard is grateful and appreciative to have you join them at On The Shelf. How are you doing today?
I'm doing good! Thank you for having me on the shelf! I have been very excited to be gettin my foot into the door of going more deep into who I am as a person for people who listen to my music to get to know me more, and I know this is a great place to start.
2. Mustard has observed that you are from Hampton Bays, Long Island. Would you agree that all humans should check out Ponquogue Beach if visiting the area?
Hampton Bays is a very lovely town and has many great hidden gems in it that show more of what the Hamptons is rather than a vacation spot for the rich and famous. There is a heart that beats here and it's filled with people who are hard working and dedicated. Ponquogue Beach is a very nice and a great place to soak up the sun! I do have some secret beach spots that I will be keeping secret so they don't get exposed to the public.
3. A restaurant that comes highly recommended in Hampton Bays is "Cowfish." Have you eaten at this establishment? What is your favorite menu item?
Cowfish is a place I hold dear to me because many close friends of mine have or still work at cowfish and I also play there in the summer, which has been a dream of mine since I have started building my reputation as a singer/songwriter and guitar player. Favorite menu item has got to be the wedge salad with the buffalo shrimp added on. It may be a hefty price, but once you try it you can’t get anything else.
4. They have also observed that you are a fan of the New York Mets. Could you share more about your relationship with this team? Can you recall the first game you saw or attended?
Gotta love the Mets, I have been a Mets fan since I was a child and have been to so many games that I cant remember the first one. But my favorite game was the NLDS game against the dodgers. They came home after the Dodgers tied the series in LA and suffered a major loss with their shortstop Ruben Teaja breaking his leg at second from an illegal slide by Chase Utley. The energy and atmosphere of that game was something that I will always remember and I hope to be able to bring that same energy to a sold out show soon!
5. The New York Mets found your music on Spotify. They invite you to play before a game. Do you accept their offer? How would you prepare for this show?
Oh geez I think I would faint haha. It would be a definite yes. I would rehearse and prepare properly. Also, get all dressed up in my Mets jersey, gotta represent when at the FIELD.
6. As a condiment Mustard is curious about bases. What does each base represent? Can a player be on all bases at the same time?
Well bases are the parts of the field that runners are on when they have successfully passed first base from home after hitting the ball rather over or through the infield or outfield. With that they now have two more bases until they can get back to home plate, there can be a runners on each base which is called “bases loaded” and when the batter at home hits a ball over the wall or fence depending on which field they are playing at, it's a grand slam and all runners return home safely. I used to play baseball and hit a lot of home runs and grand slams in my day.
7. In 2020 you won the Our Fabulous Variety Show. Could you share more about this experience? What type of acts do you perform?
The OFVS was a very fun event that had me perform in a competition with many other singers during the pandemic, since we cant see eachother we did it over zoom. That was a very interesting situation to say the least just because of the fact that it was my first time performing over a computer than in front of people. Which actually helped relieve some nerves that I was feeling before. After I won I really felt like I was able to continue this music career and keep on pushing myself to new heights. The song I did was a song about my mom who passed from breast cancer when I was 16. That song has now been fixed up a little and is going to be in an upcoming album in the fall.
8. Mustard wonders what your relationship with music was growing up?
Music was everywhere when I was growing up, it was big for both my parents who introduced me to so many different forms of music from Frank Sinatra all the way to Green Day I was able to understand the entirety of what music was as a whole. As I got into school I was always in plays and was the guy known for doing the solos with many other kids that had the same music love that I did. Getting into guitar I found an even bigger love that, now I don't need to just listen to the music, I can play and sing it myself! Which opened my eyes to so many new ways to appreciate what music was.
Getting into high school I really started observing my emotions and how I was feeling, so there were increments of me trying to write but it never flowed the way that I wanted it to. With the passing of my mother I found a new emotion in me that helped drive home a lot of what I was feeling and with that I began to write and write until today where writing music is a part of who I am as a person. I want to be able to give that to someone who maybe is going through the same thing that I was going through or just let them know that music isn't just music, its culture and a connection to everyone.
9. Who (or what) influences you?
There have been many artists who have been able to shape who I am from the recents such as Zach Bryan, Tyler Childers, and Noah Kahan who have helped me really polish over what has already been a foundation of what I want to be as an artist. A Lot of what they do have been a major part of what songs I put out today and I will continue being inspired by them. But my biggest influence is Ed Sheeran. When I was 14 I remember I was with my dad in his office, he was getting work done and I was on my phone just looking through youtube when I saw Ed in a video playing his song “Photograph” on BBC 1. Just the way one guy was able to do all that and have this energy about him that made you feel calm and clear. It felt honest but also emotional, which mixed so well with what the song is talking about.
At this time I wasn't playing guitar or even singing that much any more, but when I saw that video I instantly wanted to get back into it. I remember seeing how happy my mom was when I told her I wanted to get a new guitar. I was very glad I was able to make her happy during that time while she was going through chemo.
10. What is your creative process?
It usually starts with getting the inspo then allowing my thoughts to come out at once through song. I always am recording any sort of creative Idea or even a whole song on voice memo, even have times where I’m just mumbling but still working on the melody and perfecting that then going into the song's lyrics. Some of my favorite songs that I have written have been from just me saying “Ima write a song!” and then doing it. But other times it just hits and I just write the song right there on the spot. With my most recent single “Little Things” it was during the summer, and I felt like writing a very beautiful and powerful love song to really describe the trials and tribulations of what a relationship is. From there I just got my notebook that has all my songs written down and started writing what I felt and Little Things was born.
I did get a little help from some amazing people who have really helped flesh out each song. SUch with Little Things my friend Neil, who has been such an amazing person in my life. Was able to help me realize a lot about the song that completely went over my head. As well as the amazing singer/songwriter Sarah Gross who helped with the entire process of Stay With Me, Midnight Songs, and Starlight has made me find myself in my own music, for that I am forever grateful.
11. 2018 saw the release of your debut single "You & I." Was this single inspired by a human you know?
You & I was a very special song that went through a lot of routes before it hit streaming platforms. At the time, I was just 18 wanting to start recording and really making Music. With the help of my good friend Brady Rymer, a 3 time grammy nominee and amazing songwriter. I was able to structure and record You & I. As for if it was inspired by a human, It was not. The song is supposed to depict the feeling of two people being there for each other, with the imagery of two fireflies. That feeling of being able to comfort when it is needed, to help when help is needed, You & I is supposed to show how much you can care, and to care is a beautiful thing.
12. You followed up this single with "Summer Girl." Mustard is curious if both of these songs are set within the same universe?
Summer Girl was in its own universe really. It was a summer fun jam that was for the moment, A Lot of fun!
13. As a condiment Mustard wonders what the most effective way to shoot for the stars? Is there a limit of how many times you can shoot for the stars?
Shooting for the stars is such a wonderful thing, a simple phrase but a powerful message. Doesn't matter how many times you can shoot for the stars, it is a way to allow yourself to be you and go for what you want most in life. I find that through music but that can be through anything. I think people should do whatever they set their mind to (stuff that's not illegal please) and go chase that dream whatever it may be. The song Shoot For The Stars is to embody that message and feeling. No matter what you do, always chase that dream and keep on shooting for the stars.
14. Mustard has observed that your music often mentions the stars. What do the stars mean to you? How do they inspire you as an artist?
That's so funny that you mention that, because I say the same thing. I don't know why I say stars a lot or what they mean. But I think that maybe there is something grand about the stars that makes me feel like that is something that would remind people about how much they admire someone, like the stars are a direct representation of someone, and how they would care for them.
15. They have also noticed that some humans have purchased and name stars. Do you have a star named after you or someone special?
I do not, but now that you mention it. I think I will one day, but it's gotta be a cluster of them and I would call it “The Grand Lori Ann” named after my mother. I guess this interview will hold me to that.
16. Last September you released "Little Things." What are the little things that inspired or influenced this single?
Little Things is a song for my parents. When I wrote it, at first I thought it was just a perfect love song to have in my arsenal. But the more I workshopped it and had my friend Neil who helped with the writing in the second half. I realized that the song was about my parents and their own struggles of their own relationship. When I realized that, I finally was able to really put all the pieces together and made Little Things. I love that song and I hope that people really enjoy it too.
17. A human invites their friend to see James Puccio perform. How would you describe your live shows?
There's two shows. Rather an acoustic show that is just me with my guitar and harmonica. or the full band for the bigger settings. Weather way you will have me talking about the songs and as well as some amazing musical accompaniment from Grayson Fox, Jack Oats, Vinny Palermo, and Dan Stark. It's hard to recommend which show to really go to so I highly recommend going to both!
18. Do you have any upcoming shows?
I have some shows in the works right now but you can find me at many different places such as Riverhead Cider House in Calverton , Bobbique in Patchogue, and many more!
19. Mustard wonders what James Puccio has planned for 2024?
For this year of 2024 I am planning some amazing projects. I am putting out a new single in march called “Ghost” that has its own fast pace twist to my own style of music. The song was produced, mixed, and Mastered by the amazing Loyah, with another project coming soon. I have a collaboration project with my good friend Dj Kenter that is in the early stages of planning. Finally, I just finished up the first half of my debut album “Country Lane” and finishing the second half in the summer with a potential single drop as well! Country Lane will be coming out in the fall! I can't wait for people to hear what is coming and hope everybody enjoys them!
20. Where can readers listen to your music?
You can find all my music on all streaming platforms! Thank you so much for having my On The Self and I hope to be back real soon!!!!!
