Today we’d like to introduce you to Dennis Christiano.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Dennis. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
So, I started playing guitar in 1995. I felt I had a knack for “the groove.” It turns out that I must because I get to play with some amazing musicians and the music seems to write itself! I had been playing in bands the whole while and always had the dream to play my original music and quest for thousands of people nightly. I always had too much worry tho about who would see the vision the same, who would really give it everything, who would stick around. After all my fears came true again and again, I was left jaded. I then took a solo trip across the country to find the man I was “without” a band or playing music.
The answer came shortly thereafter in about eight months. The answer was clear, I wasn’t here to follow the money or someone else’s version of what the groove was. I knew what my truth was on the groove. I knew how to bring my vision to life. Not to say others’ weren’t correct with their own paths. I just found my answer in such the endeavor. I moved back to Cape Cod, MA from Los Angeles CA and just started playing acoustic shows. I was still ok with having no band as I was not going to pushover anyone and I had much acceptance. I was not expecting anything. I was writing on my own (though I write better with others who see the vision) and doing fine. I was then approached by an old friend who asked me to start an original project with both our visions in mind. Now, this guy sees the same vision to his approach to writing is a bit different. Our styles work very well together and we know this already. We had worked together in the past and have much respect and love for eachother as friends and artists. This guy is Cory Schechtman. He is a mastermind behind the keyboards, saxophone, writing, orchestrating and understanding what makes the world in music turn. I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity. I truly believe it came my way because I did not do just that… I did not ask…I did not expect.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
A smooth road it has been until it wasn’t. The biggest thing was and remains to be that you MUST believe in your whole existence as the entity it is…. the project and team. If there is someone you have doubts about, honesty, communication on the doubts and giving chances is the only way to work these things out. We have had many challenges along the way. We are blessed w the ability to work through things via thorough communication so we recognize this a being a blessing. We have a great group of guys who understand nothing comes easy. Daily challenges present themselves. We expect this for sure. We don’t expect much but we definitely expect a challenge and for things to not go our way.
Please tell us about The New Motif.
We are a band who strives to deliver an experience to connect people together in a positive way through musical energy. We believe in “The Reciprocal Boogie” to be our motivating factor and the very fiber of our being that must be present for us to really be all in. TRB is something that has happened throughout true psychedelic jam music for many years, pioneered by the likes of The Grateful Dead via Jerry Garcia. No one seemed to ever pen the phrase tho until now and we like to use it alot as a widespread mass understands it already even tho it has just been put to a phrase by us in The New Motif. The Reciprocal Boogie can be a way of life. It is something where the band on stage puts out their musical offering, the people on the dancefloor then respond w their return of dance or reaction of the energy of all sorts. If it is a positive one, the band feels it and returns the favor. This exchange of energy is an ever-building snowball that can get so big that it just explodes into the cosmos. It reaches such heights at times that people just can’t wait till the next time it happens. Leading people to find a way to actually “be a part” of the Reciprocal Boogie. Some go on tour, some find a way to work w the band, some just are dedicated fans in their own way. This I can tell you tho, in The Reciprocal Boogie (the way we see it truly) everyone IS EQUAL. There is no audience. There is no crowd. The so-called audience IS the band because, without their energy and belief, this thing would never work. The other aspect is, TRB only works coming from a loving, positive place. There is no negativity that helps TRB move around. So as when you show up for a job, you leave your negatives at the door and come to get down and contribute to what the moment has in store. The magic will sell itself. Though TRB is never for sale.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from childhood was anytime hanging w my Italian Grandmother (Nonni) and eating her food. She was the best!!!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://thenewmotif.com
- Phone: 5085249003
- Email: http://info@thenewmotif.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_new_motif/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/thenewmotif/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thenewmotif
- Yelp: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiJrTZm_35wbteEJP1vxdJA
- Other: https://liveforlivemusic.com/features/curveball-knuckleball-2018/
Image Credit:
Kathleen Olivia, 215music, Christine Hochkeppel
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