The SJ Experience
Hey! Thanks for giving "The S & J Experience" a listen. Hope y'all enjoy the "Disambiguation" trip.Band/artist history
Ok, hang in there for the US-Canada-Greece Express: Steve Vassilakopoulos was born in Thessaloniki, moved to and grew up in Toronto and then returned to Thessaloniki as an adult. Jay Schwartz was born and grew up in Miami, moved around the US for a bit and then moved to Thessaloniki. Sharing similar work backgrounds (humanistic based English teachers and teacher trainers), they eventually crossed professional paths and discovered they also both played guitar and shared a passion for music and song writing. They began to collaborate together both professionally and musically and "the S & J Experience" was born.
Teaming up for numerous "long night into morning" jam sessions, they began to blend their eclectic musical influences and guitar skills. In addition, Jay learned to play harmonica to help define their sound.
In 2007, Steve and Jay decided to produce a CD as a demo of their most publicly performed pieces. However, the early recording sessions eventually gave way to a decision to release a CD of original music they had written and would produce themselves, for the most part acoustically performed. The resulting CD titled "Disambiguation" was released in 2008.Have you performed in front of an audience?Yes, around Greece at the moment. We also jam with diffrerent "guest" singers.
Your musical influences
Probably best categorized as "Americana" music. We are a cross blend between rock/folk rock/country, with smatterings of everything else. As for influences, we have to include a lot of songwriters and 60s / 70s artists. Bob Dylan would have to be at the top of the list for shared influences. Steve's influences also includes a lot of early rock and roll; Jay's influnces includes bluegrass and the blues.
Steve's influences might include: Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, The Animals, The Rolling Stones, Hank Williams, Woody Guthrie, Iggy Pop, the Steve Miller Band, Bruce Cockburn, Jim Reeves, Don Williams, Johnny Cash, Lou Reed, Jimi Hendrix, Creedence Clearwater Revival, CSNY, Pink Floyd, Steppenwolf, Buffalo Springfield, The Who, the West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, and Frank Sinatra.
Jay's influences might include: The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Carole King, James Taylor, Laura Nyro, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs, Johnny Cash, The Doors, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, Simon & Garfunkel, the Eagles, The Rolling Stones, The Byrds, CSN, America, Brian Wilson, Jim Croce, Gordon Lightfoot, Wes Montgomery, B.B King, Little Walter, Sonny Terry, Howlin' Wolf, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, The 5th Dimension, Chicago, and the Carpenters.What equipment do you use?
Accoustic guitars (currently Steve plays a modified "Marina" dreadnought, Jay plays an old 80s era Ovation Celebrity). Jay plays Hohner "Marine Band" harmonicas. Shure brand microphones.Anything else?
Looking forward to hearing our songs covered by others :) and our next performance.Admin
Jay
@jschwartz
