Getting To Know Loz Netto

Loz born and raised in Coventry, U.K. Started playing guitar at the age of 13, and learnt the ropes by joining many local bands. Loz started his professional career in the 1970’s. A member of Sniff N’ the Tears, he eventually became an MTV favorite as a solo artist. For Loz Netto music is his life. He is a lifelong working musician.

This is an extensive interview with Loz Netto. The questions span his early days to his most recent work. Questions are all over the place, from music to food. If you are a fan of Loz Netto this interview will really satisfy you!

This interview originally took place in November through December in 2005.

Who Is Loz Netto?

Loz Netto is a solo artist that first came on the scene in the early 80’s with the band, Sniff N’ the Tears. I thought for the longest time he came up with the hook for Sniff N’the Tears one hit, Drivers Seat; Loz set me straight. However Drivers Seat remains a song that do this day an undated commercial pop rock winner.

They say don’t meet your heroes; I did meet Loz in 2004 in England and I’m relieved to tell you, he is a great person. His life is music and he sees people for what they are, not what you want or need them to be. In the years that I’ve known Loz I’ve been privy to his secret music stash and I’ve sworn that my copies never turn into free Internet MP3’s. He never had to ask that really but it shows that artist of today really are getting an unfair shake with so much music piracy. Please visit his site to purchase his music, it’s worth it.

Loz happened into a solo career by accident. In fact an accident is what caused it. I’ll clear that up in the interview, but let’s just say that being a solo act was only the start of great things he’d accomplish.

Everyone from the 80’s music scene had been through some trials and Loz was no exception. You’ll find that he too is just as mortal as the rest of us and he’s drawn inspiration in music to show for it.

Last point. Loz’s sound has evolved. He has finely tuned his own sound and he has crafted some amazing instrumental music as well. He’s been through various sounds from blues, pop, 80’s alternative, instrumental to chill out music and more.

Interview: Loz Netto

Lars: I realize Sniff N’ the Tears was not your first band, but it was where you broke  from. That was a big band. They were a one hit wonder with Drivers Seat. Did you come up with that amazing guitar hook?

Loz: No the guitar hook was Mick Dyche, I must learn to lie.

Lars: You toured the U.S. with Sniff N’ the Tears. When was that?

Loz: I think it was 1979

Lars:What was it like?

Loz: Unbelievable, we toured for 3 months. First gig was Indianapolis,  then we played every major City in the U.S starting with colleges supporting Kenny Rogers who was a real pro, then on the second half of the tour we supported the band Kansas playing football stadiums. The whole tour was amazing and a real learning experience.

The Accident That Made Loz Netto A Solo Artist

Lars: Loz. You once told me you became a solo artist accidentally. Care to share with others, the accident?

Loz: I had been rehearsing with Sniff ‘n’ the Tears at Shepperton Film studios on the big sound stage for two weeks preparing for a long European tour. We had just finished recording the second album The Games Up and were about to promote it.

The day before the tour was about to begin we had a day off. So I went out for a ride in the countryside on my motorbike. So It’s the middle of summer and I’m going down a little English country lane, wind in my hair, or at least over my helmet, trees whizzing by. Then I chanced upon a dirt track, so of course had to investigate.

Rode down to the end of this long dusty dirt track, turned right and found myself in a gypsy campsite figured not the place for a picnic so I turned around and headed back down the dirt track. I couldn’t resist it; I had to open up the throttle for a bit of fun. Fantastic the engine roared and I felt G force as I hurled down the track, then I hit a pothole the bike went up into the air and threw me backwards but I held on.

When the bike hit the ground the throttle was wide open and the machine shot forward like a bullet, out of control. I could see the end of the track coming into view fast. At the end of the track and across the other side of the road was a little picture book English cottage. And I was hurtling towards it hanging on for dear life slung so back in the saddle that I couldn’t even grip the brakes.

The double bay front windows of the cottage came nearer and I had a thought that behind those windows sat a little old lady. I had two choices. A: Send the bike through the front windows of the cottage or. B:  Swing the bike left into the road and hope for the best. I opted for choice B. I swung the bike left into the road leaning heavily hoping that if I couldn’t control it I may just be able to make a reasonably soft landing in the bushes opposite. And then a VW beetle hit me from my right side, and everything went black.

When I woke up a little old lady was leaning over me. She said “Would you like a cup of tee dear?” I remember I replied. “No thank you I think I’ll just go home.”

The ambulance team scraped me off the road and rushed me to hospital. I had concussion and a broken arm. Needles to say I didn’t make the tour with the band. Instead I had a plaster cast on my right arm up to the shoulder and it took six months to recover. The doctors told me I probably wouldn’t be able to play guitar again, or do sports etc. Well as normal they were totally wrong. In my six month recovery period mainly due to boredom I started writing songs again, then a friend of mine loaned me his four track tape recorder and I started recording basic demos. One of those basic demos got me my first publishing deal with ATV music. Then a record deal etc.

Lars: So that was why did you quit Sniff N’ the Tears?

Loz: Yes.

Lars: So being a part of Sniff N’ the Tears gave you inroads to the right contacts.  You can’t be sorry you left them.

Loz: Yea! There were contacts made, and some came in useful at times. It does help to have been a member of a name band, it helps to open up doors but if your product isn’t good enough those doors close very quickly.

Lars: What was Paul Roberts (Front man Sniff N’ the Tears) like?

Loz: Not sure I should answer this question, may just have a lawsuit on my hands.

Lars: Well it appears you got the raw end of a business deal.

Loz: Not the first or the last raw deal I have had over the years. But I have to say it is the nature of the business, the business side of things is nothing to do with music it is all about money. If you don’t have your wits about you, you will be shafted up the bum every time, so you soon learn to wear iron-clad pants.

Lars: What do you think of his paintings?

Loz: Very good.

Lars: Back when Fade Away was your first hit I saw the video and figured, “That’s the man! I gotta be like that!”  Did you have tons of women chasing after you?

Loz: I had a few, some were chasing me because while dating them I was dating other woman also. Four was the most I managed that became very complicated.. Sorry ladies I was young and foolish, I’m all grown up know and a good boy, honest.

Lars: In the song Silent Movie  there is one verse where it is hard to make out during the fade out of the song — Can you tell me —  is it —  Become the action man?

Loz: It is, Here comes the action man.

Lars: What was it like making a music video during a time when music videos where an integral part of marketing your music?

Loz:  Pretty cool, and lot’s of fun. I never liked the make up artistes ideas of make-up, I always ended up looking like some kind of mad fairground mannequin. So I used to do my own makeup, I thought it was bit more subtle. I thought budgets were good for vids in those days, but seeing some of the promo vids today they must cost a fortune.

Lars: Did you have any say so or did you simply hope your director understood the song and could interpret it visually?

Loz: I had total artistic control on my vids. I wanted to push the boundaries visually and sexually but my directors were brits and sexually repressed so it was always a battle and a compromise.

Lars: How many videos did you record and what were they?

Loz: Two vids, Fade Away from my first album for PolyGram and We Touch from my third album for Atlantic records.

Lars: Do you have any?

Loz: I have both. Fade Away is only on video and the quality is not so good, We Touch I have managed to get on DVD and hope to have that on my website soon.

Lars: You gotta send them to me. I can convert them to DVD no problem. You can use those masters to sell copies.

Loz: Cool! But I am trying to track down the company that did the Fade Away vid. To see if they still have a good quality copy. I will keep you informed.

Lars: I never knew We Touch was in the Miami Vice Soundtrack (never watched the show). How did that come about?

Loz:  I have no idea other than I got a call one day from my publishers EMI/Screen Gems saying it had been used in the episode Noon Plane The song was also used throughout the movie remake of And God Created Woman staring Rebecca De Mornay who I met at the Hollywood premiere reception, very desirable lady. Another one of my songs Any Fool was also used in the movie.

Lars: Yeah it took me forever to chase down a copy of Any Fool. Thanks for putting up for sale on your website.  I like that you have both movie and original versions. Which do you prefer?

Loz: I prefer the original version which was only a demo recording but it captured the original idea a bit like a photograph. I think sometimes demo’s are the original art coming out of the artist. When that original idea is thought about to much sometimes the spark is lost and it becomes something else.

Lars: Wow, well I must say I was exposed to the film version first so that is the one I lean towards. It drives a bit more for me. What have you been doing musically since the 80’s?

Loz: Writing, recording, producing, myself and others, gigging, through the 90’s mainly avoiding my ex wife’s lawyers. The last couple of years lot’s of gigs and recording.

Lars: Before we leave the 80’s questions behind, I see you have a web site www.loznetto.com  now with your music for sale.  And you’ve re-mastered some of the songs on both the Bzar release and your self titled sophomore album, Loz Netto. There’s even a bonus song or two. Were these recent re-masters or was the original releases different in the U.S. and the U.K.?

Loz:  I have re-mastered all the old albums myself at my home studio and also scanned in and digitized the original covers. Not an easy task in either case, the original recordings were taken from vinyl and I had to eliminate loads of crackles & pops. The covers were in a pretty bad state but once in photoshop and many man hours later they scrubbed up pretty well. I’m not sure if the U.S & U.K releases were different to each other I think probably the same.

 

Lars: They are in fact different.  I should send you my U.S. copy. For instance Slow Dancing and Just A Game  have slightly different production qualities. I’m glad to have both versions.

Loz: Interesting to hear about this, I was certainly never informed of re-mixes for the U.S not that it would have been a problem just nice to know what is going on with your own material.

Lars: Last time I spoke to you, you planned on some Chill Out Music. What came of that?  And can you explain to folks what Chill Out Music is?

Loz: Well the Chill Out Music ended up being shelved as I got work in to record an instrumental album for T.V which is out on DeWolfe music. Type in Loz Netto in Google search engine and you should find it you can hear the entire album on the site. To me Chill Out Music is slow to mid tempo very relaxed music, the sort that you can wind down to at the end of the day, or play in the background at a dinner party. Something that is sympathetic to the relaxed mood of the evening.

Lars: Well, I love your Pagoda CD. I’ve more than chilled to it. My wife and have it the bedroom CD player if you know what I mean.

Loz: I am very pleased to hear about this and that my music can be part of an intimate moment or two. I am very honoured.

Lars: What are you recording now?

Loz: Just finished another instrumental album called Nightwalk for T.V the concept being detective music. Sort of gumshoe and raincoat collar up, guy following a pretty blonde as they pass under street lights somewhere downtown on a rainy night.  But now that is complete, I have promised myself I will finish a blues solo album which I’ve been saying I would do for ages, I think the time is right, depending on how much other work I get in.

Lars: Whoa, Loz. This is so up my alley! Spy music! Spies and detectives are lives in artistic motion. Music to this lifestyle is so colorful. Was the Nightwalk work easy to roll out or did you have to get inside the lifestyle to find ways to express it?

Loz:  Glad you like the idea. The Nightwalk album came very easy to me, just rolled out. Possibly because it’s always been inside me. I grew up watching late night Bogart movies. Phil Marlowe and the like. And I always remember the music was so cool and atmospheric, sleazy, sexy, suggestive, dangerous. I will be starting to shop a deal for this album in February this year, so if you have any ideas of companies in the U.S who may be interested in this type of music please let me know.

Loz Netto Shares A Little About His Life

Lars: Care to tell us about your personal life? Are you married, children? Big house in the country?

Loz:  Not married but engaged, have two sons from a previous marriage, Elliot 20 years, Luke 17 years, both good boys. Used to have the big house in the country, now I have a flat in Brighton on the coast walking distance to the sea. We intend to buy a property in Spain next year, fingers crossed.

Lars: The mind moves toward what it sees.

Loz:  Very true, very true. But also I think the mind covets what it thinks it wants and makes various chess like moves towards that end. Then when the mind gets what it wants, it no longer wants it. It wants something else. Perhaps this is what keeps us alive and kicking.

Lars: I recall catching up with you in 2000 when you were about to do some acoustic club dates and I asked you if you’d be doing We Touch. You mentioned that song was hard to wrap your hands around acoustically. Explain why.

Loz: The song We Touch chordally is very basic and any appeal has a lot to do with the production, it was also conceived on keyboards so was never a guitar piece, however after saying that your comment made me have another look at it and I’ve approached it from another angle so may play it in my set after all.

Lars: I’ll fly over to see that. Really. My wife and I need a short holiday together. Any chance I can accompany you (vocally) on something? Heck, I’ll pay for it. Some woman paid $10,000.00 U.S. dollars to be a Rockette for one performance. LOL

Loz:  My fee is usually $15,000.00 for guesting backing vocalists. But I will do you a deal $14,950.00  No you don’t need to thank me it’s the least I can do. Joking aside the gigs this year are coming in, I’m trying to keep them few, and lo-keyed, so I can get on with recording and sessions. Hoping to do radio this year and maybe some festivals. Again I will keep you informed and if you want to come over and sit in on a gig not a problem. You will have to play some guitar as well though. Or alternatively find me some gigs in the U.S we could do a duo thing.

Lars: I’ve seen you’ve worked with Thomas Dolby, what was that experience like?

Loz: Very interesting. The album I did with him he recorded at my studio. He then copied every track from the master 2″ tape separately onto DAT tapes then flew himself and the DAT tapes over to L.A and resumed recording.  A very technically minded and innovative talented guy, he was so easy to work with, no ego or attitude.

Lars: So it’s safe to say you’d work with Dolby again?

Loz:  Like a shot, very talented cool dude.

Lars: What comes first?  The lyrics or music?

Loz: Totally depends on the mood, but would have to say usually the music.

Lars: What inspires you?

Loz: Good music, good musicians, good movies and soundtracks, good food & vino, great locations like Rome, Barcelona. Woman & vino, long walks in forests, art & photography, vino.

Lars: Who owns your music; if a song is played on the radio do you get royalties?

Loz: I own all my songs and music except for more recent instrumental albums which were sold to Carlin Music and DeWolfe music. And yes I get royalties every time one of my songs is played on the radio, including work recently sold to other companies.

Lars: Your first name Loz, does that mean anything?

Loz:  Loz is a nickname from school, we all had nicknames like Bim, Holly, Ali etc. A couple of them were called Arsewipe. In my school if you had a name like Cedric or Charles you were beaten to a pulp. Safer to have a nickname. I think my nick name Loz originally meant twat, although can’t be 100% sure, it probably meant other things also.

Lars: What do you think of today’s music industry?  Are you annoyed as I am that music labels are still playing the Payola’s game?  They were fined recently for paying radio stations to play Celine Dion and other performers that obviously didn’t deserve the airplay they received. Care to comment on all this?

Loz: I can’t comment on the U.S music industry, but the U.K industry is shot to bit’s. The breeding ground for young bands has always been pubs over here, but the pubs have a hard time putting on bands because the local councils of each City have imposed a license fee, which means if you have more than two people play a pub you have to purchase a license which is very expensive. Even if you play music in your pub/club or wherever  you have to purchase a music license. Re-Payola, I have a friend in the industry who is one of the top managers of some very big bands & artists, his company bought a load of shares in one of the big radio stations in London they in turn bought shares in his management company. Every time a single from one of his bands is released he is guaranteed heavy airplay. Draw your own conclusions.

Lars: Is there any hope to fixing this?  Has it hit a political front yet so that it can be fixed?

Loz: No I don’t think there is a fix. The only political front it’s hit so far is that any political figures want a piece of the action. As always it’s called greed. So thank God for the internet. This is the only thing that has broken the corporate stranglehold, and given artists and individuals the opportunity to do it for themselves. I believe it is the way forward.

Lars: My wife thinks you have a sexy Italian look and name. I’m sure she’s not the only woman to think so. Are you Italian?

Loz: Say thanks to your dear wife she has good taste. The Italian link has been mentioned many times, unfortunately as much as I wish I had the Latino connection I have to confess that I do not. The name Netto I have been told by my Father originates from Portugal when the name was DeNetto. A family dispute developed and my great Grandad moved the family to Goa in India to set up a law firm, I always assumed he was already a lawyer, as if he was a butcher he would have found it more difficult. Anyway I digress. Some years later they were immersed in a civil war, (I have been told my Grandad did not start this) so the family moved to Malaysia where they lived for many years until in World War two the Japs invaded Malaysia, my Dad joined the British army became a prisoner of war, and ended up with many other dear old boys building the Burma railroad, eventually the lads were liberated by the British paratroop regiment. His families’ whereabouts were now unknown and he was very ill, so the army transported him to the U.K to convalesce. That was 1945, the old boy stayed in the U.K for the rest of his life only ever meeting one of his family his sister in 1988

Lars: Proud parents?

Loz: Yeah! I think they were, although being essentially working class they were a little resentful I think, in as much as I embraced a life that they saw as free, and they were shackled to the post war grind of the work ethic. They expected me to end up working at a factory and married to someone down the road. But God bless them, they did their best for me. They both passed away this year within months of each other, followed by my girlfriends step Dad also dying at 62. This year has not been the best regarding family.

Lars: I’m sorry to hear of your loss.  But you are lucky. They saw you make good.

Loz:  Thanks for the words I appreciate it. 2005 is over and 2006 I intend to be a very good year. I think probably many people feel the same. Shit happens, you deal with it and move on.

Lars: What part of what country are you in?

Loz:  I now live in Brighton on the southern coast of England, I can’t get any further without being in a boat. My flat looks out over the sea, that’s if you crane your neck a little, and I go down to the waterfront every other day and say to myself  ‘When will I be able to get out of this cold little country.’ maybe next year.

Lars: Are you from there?

Loz: No originally from a place called Coventry, a rough and tough City in the middle of England. I escaped when I was 17 years old.

Lars: Where would you rather live; by the mountains or sea? Why?

Loz: My ideal environment would be a log cabin surrounded by forestry, peaceful, no cars, or car alarms, or builders, or lunatics. Why? because I love nothing better than to go on long walks in a huge forest, for two, three hours among the trees and wildlife up to my knees in mud. Good for the soul, rejuvenating. Also good for lyrics.

 Lars: Again, I’m recognizing landscape and lyrics. You know, I’m the same way but I have young kids. Have you made yours promise to buy you that place when they grow up and strike it rich?  I did. (laugh).

Loz:  I think you did the right thing. But I did not, much to my regret. However when he was smaller, my youngest son said that when he became a millionaire he would bye me a Harley. That I will hold him to

Lars: Are you into sports? Do you play?

Loz: Yes! Martial Arts, Taekondo, Hapkido, Aikido. Also like Badminton, and weight training. Last four years concentrating on weapons training, mainly Sword, staff, Nann Chuckas. However it’s spelt or pronounced.

Lars: No more motorcycles eh?

Loz: Well, er, I have been looking again at some bikes. Maybe not a good idea but I can’t resist.

Lars: What would you like to be remembered for?

Loz: My Chilli & Chicken Balti.

Lars:  So you’ll be opening a shop in Spain?

Loz: Yes definitely! Also I have just discovered a fantastic fish chowder.

Lars: I’m an idealist, what are you?

Loz:  You have asked me a very big question, and I’m not sure this is a question that should be asked in an interview, as it encompasses politics and religion. Both topics invoke feelings of deep rooted beliefs and the more extreme of us, i.e  fundamentalists, can take these beliefs to extremes. So in the light of the terrible turmoil that the U.S, the U.K, Europe, & the Middle East find themselves in I respectfully at this point in time decline to answer this question. That was a diplomatic answer wasn’t it?  O.K can’t resist a little bit of an answer.  I am not an idealist, was once but had it knocked out of me. I am now a compromisanalist, (Think I just made up a word.) in as much as I now realize that compromise means that you do not have to give up your values, it means you acknowledge the other person’s point of view. Can’t get your way all the time, cause that’s a bit like when your a little kid and your parents say no, so you throw your bricks out of the pram. Compromise means you get most of what you want but meet people half way and work it through, and move on. Unfortunately that is not what the World is doing at present.

Lars: I gave you a current Swing Out Sister CD once.  Did you ever get into that sound?

Loz: Yes & No, thanks for the CD by the way, I was into the band in the 80’s but did not keep up with what they were doing until your CD. It’s a good album, I liked it not particularly what I’m up to at the mo but I liked it all the same. Also good to see they are still working.

Lars: Are you playing live anywhere now?

Loz: Have been for the last couple of years, at this moment in time taking a well deserved break, So far next gig Feb 2006, at The Ram Folk club, South London. Although in rehearsals for a 8 to 10 piece band with horn section to do festivals next year etc.

Lars: Do you think you will ever play live in the U.S.?

Loz: Like to think so but need someone to want me over there, how sad is that. Guess I need an agent.

Lars: Just Make sure Delaware is on the itinerary. If you can’t do Delaware then Philly.

Loz:  I will do my best.

Lars: I’ve seen over the years you have worked with loads of artist. You are doing a lot of production work. Tell me about it.

Loz:  No! Oh go on then. Actually at the mo not doing any production work for other artist’s just concentrating on myself, very selfish. But I have found the lack of good talent in the U.K just isn’t worth the effort. And also if you spend that time and NRG the brits want everything for nothing. After saying all that Luigi Salvoni the drummer & Producer of the first Sniff album has produced his sons first album which I play on and sounds pretty damn good, they have interest from an indy-label. Lui has asked me to co-write two tracks so that should be fun.

Lars: So some of the Sniff gang are still in your good graces?

Loz:  Oh yea! Mick the other guitar player from Sniff ‘n’ the Tears I am still in contact with from time to time. Lui the drummer is a good friend although we have had our fall outs and ins over the years.

Lars: How do artist decide to work with you as a producer?

Loz: Usually they phone me up and I say how much you paying, then they put the phone down. (Make note to self, must work on phone patter.)

Lars: That’s funny. I don’t even want to know if that’s true.

Loz:  O.K not true. I do not get much production work these days as I keep myself to myself pretty much and just work on my own things. I can’t be bothered with all the business bullshit. However I do get session work occasionally, one band in particular is the band Eyetalk from Phoenix, U.S.A  www.eyetalk.droznet.com  They made contact through my website and asked me if I would play guitar on one of their albums. They sent me the album, I liked what I heard so they then sent me the backing track on CD.  I then recorded my guitar parts in my studio onto CD mailed them back and they put the parts into the final mix. I am this year 2006 about to start work on the third album for them. They have more than three albums recorded it’s just the third album I will be doing for them.

Lars: What advice do you have for young artists that are obviously going somewhere but are not deeply exposed to the business?

Loz: My advice always is keep gigging and build up a fan base, doesn’t matter if your in a record deal or not, you will always have a fan base and be able to sell records and make money from gigs. Also get into self merchandise, T.Shirts, caps, posters etc.

Lars: Don’t forget websites! LOL

Loz:  Absolutely! Thanks for the reminder. Yes get a website up and running and work it

Lars: After meeting you I learned music is it for you.  It’s in your blood.  But if you were not a musician, what would satisfy you?

Loz: Porn star, Porn film Director, Oil canvas artist, Photographer, Forester, driving a lawnmower that sort of thing.

Lars:  I agree, Pornstar would be great.  My parents are still alive though (I’d be too ashamed now), and I have kids, I could never shame them, but you’re in good shape, never too late to make dreams come true! LOL

Loz: Not to sure I’m in shape after Christmas but I’m working at it. Give it some thought for later in the year. Yea! I should be so lucky.

Lars: You’re on a desert island… You can only have 5 albums (CD’s whatever) to listen to, what 5 do you pick?

Loz:  5 of my albums then if somebody else turned up I may be able to sell them.

Lars:  Ok, You’re on a desert island.  You can’t have any of your own albums (laugh)…  What five do you pick? PS: I’d have one of yours in my list (gotta have variety).  And I won’t tell you which of yours I’d have.  SO what would your five be?

Loz: O.K  I always find this difficult as I have diverse tastes and find it hard to find good albums. Albums that work all the way through are so hard to come by these days, usually only the occasional good track.  However I have a hand full I would not like to do without.

They are :

1. Nora Jones: Feels Like Home
2. Little Feat: Dixie Chicken
3. Massive Attack: Protection
4. Bonnie Rait: Silver Lining
5. 1 Giant Leap: www.1giantleap.tv

The last album being an adventurous project by a couple of guys who set out to be the first to record an album entirely on a Mac laptop. They set off around the world recording Ethnic gatherings/songs etc. Came back to London and set the recordings to dance grooves. The end result is wonderful They also videoed the trip which was aired on TV. Their exploits may still be on the internet at the above address but not sure, worth checking out.

Lars: Don’t you think the cream on scones is just a giant slab of sweet butter?

Loz: Methinks the verdict is out on this one.

 Lars: (major laugh, thinking back on a visit with Loz where Loz took Lars out for scones)

Loz: Verdict still out. Is this a U.S TV sitcom or something? If so we don’t get it in the U.K

Lars: Yeah, it’s an American thing. Back to music, I notice some of your songs are told as stories, Simple Jack, Scenario, Fade Away… others are more mainstream love songs with simply elegance in words. You don’t pigeonhole yourself into one theme. You paint vivid pictures and situations with words.  Your lyrics are not trite or overdone. Did you study writing in school? How do you approach the discipline of writing lyrics?

Loz:  Thanks for the kind words. No I did not study writing in school, my early mentors lyrically were, Dylan, Steely Dan, Hall & Oats from the 70’s, also Randy Newman. Dylan the fact that he has the ability to say so much in so few words, Steely Dan, imagery, Hall & Oats just great pop lyrics, Randy Newman just brill and often tongue in cheek. The way I approach my own lyrics these days is to write short stories which will be published on my website very soon, I find writing stories in general keeps me honed when it comes to writing song lyrics.

Lars: On your newer work I hear nylon strings on Next Best Thing, Truth and Never Let You Down. What made you use nylon strings on your current work?  You’d never think they would sound so rich and heartfelt but they do.

Loz:  I little while back I did a an instrumental album that was purely acoustic, first ever for me and I enjoyed it so much I thought what about recording with a nylon guitar so I tried it, the sound was incredible and it worked in a rock/blues concept. The odd thing is the nylon guitar sound was instant not a case of endlessly setting up a sound as can be the case with electric, I use a Yamaha APX 5NA, nylon guitar with an onboard preamp, I just plug it in, add a bit of comp and reverb and it’s a done deal, very nice.

Lars:  You know I told a fellow musician friend of mine Baxter Robertson about your nylon string work and until he heard it he was not for em. I have to follow up to comment you really came off with a damn classy sound with the nylon strings. Amazing choice artistically and it was a home run big time.  It’s moves like this that tell me you should be in high demand as a producer.

Loz: Thanks again! High demand as a producer nice thought but over in England it’s all pigeon holes. If you put the wrong instruments together the dear old boys over here get confused and don’t know what to do.

Lars: Are there any artist you’d like to work with?

Loz:  Oh yea! Bonnie Rait, Ry Cooder, Little Feat, but mainly Bonnie what a great player and voice and for her age a good looking woman. Nora Jones would be good also. Or any good bluesy/Jazzy new or old artist’s.

Lars:  Well this interview was great fun. There are bound be folks searching for you on the Internet that will have read this article. Do you have anything you want to share with them in closing?

Loz:  Yes! Please do not download music without paying the artist. As they tend to end up busking on the street. Try to buy from the artists website as Amazon or the Record labels or any organization like the above pays the artist a pittance. But more importantly. From this day on refuse to purchase any music from any other source other than my website. Tell yourself you will do this in bed before you go to sleep, in fact leave yourself  little notes in the kitchen to wake up to at breakfast. Honestly in the end you will thank me for saving you from something or other.

Lars: Thanks so much for doing the Interview Loz.

For those of you reading this article, I want to tell you. I met Loz personally a few years ago and although he is a serious working musician and it shows in his attitude because he has to eat and make a living from it, he is also a really decent person. Loz is a man you’d want to be best friends with. If your car broke down, you know you could call him up and he’d be right there for you.

I’ve got to know him and can tell you that he has many more years of music in him.  He does more than remain relevant in the music world he evolves at a level only a true artist could. So if you are thinking about chasing Loz down, be careful.  He’s someone that I realized early on wants his personal life respected. So I’m telling you now that he is approachable but you gotta know there are limits. Hopefully you understand what I’m saying.

Loz’s most recent effort is a Blues album Replay that I’ve had a chance to preview before anyone this spring of 2007. If you are a modern day blue’s enthusiast I think you’d Replay refreshing and clearly it has that Loz Netto thumbprint on it. Pick it up at his website: http://www.loznetto.com.

 

The post Getting To Know Loz Netto appeared first on DangerMan Media by Lars Hindsley.