Thank you for chatting with us! For newer fans, how did your passion for music and career come about? My first true passion in music actually came about when I was around 10 years old and I discovered the "Pirates of The Caribbean" soundtrack. I was just starting band class in school, and I become so enamored with the score that I learned to play all the pieces, and even went on to compose my own orchestral medley for the score. Later on in college, I discovered my passion for pop music whenever I joined an acappella group, and ultimately decided to shift my focus from architecture to music so that I could pursue a career as a pop recording artist and songwriter.
Looking back, what was the first album or “Vinyl” you bought? As far as I can remember, the first record I ever bought was Adele's "21" (2011). I was in high school at the time, and I was invited to play cello for a classmate's cover of the song "Someone Like You". It caught my ear immediately, and after listening to the rest of the album, I went out and bought the CD as fast as I could. Adele has had a huge impact on my musical life ever since.
At the end of the day, what do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people take away from your songs? When I write a song, I always try to capture the essence of the emotion I'm feeling in that moment, so I hope listeners will be able to experience those emotions with me. I often write about my own real-life experiences as well, so if anyone can relate to my lyrics then I hope they'll know they aren't the only one going through those experiences.
Who have been some of your biggest musical influences growing up and do the same artists currently continue to influence you now? Some of by biggest songwriting influences growing up were Max Martin (the god of pop music in my opinion), Ryan Tedder, and Taylor Swift. My biggest vocal influences are Adele, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, and Sam Smith, just to name a few. All of them continue to influence my music today, and I'm always discovering new musicians that influence my music as well.
Aside from singing do you play any instruments? Yes! I love playing piano, trumpet, and cello. I learned to play piano by ear when I was six, and ever since, I've used it to write songs and compose pieces for piano and orchestra. I played trumpet for eight years while I was in middle school and high school, and also picked up cello during that time. You might catch me playing one of these instruments while I'm performing my music live!
Favorite music to listen to while you cook? I enjoy all kinds of music, but I especially love listening to dance pop music while I'm active in the kitchen. Lady Gaga and Zedd are some of my go-to dance pop artists, and they always keep my energy up. Sometimes, on a more chill day, I actually enjoy listening to classical music by composers like Chopin, Debussy, and Mozart. I enjoy getting lost within the soundscapes of their compositions, and to me, they tell a story through their music too.
What is one food that most people seem to like, but you cannot stand to eat? For some reason, I've never been able to get behind ketchup and yellow mustard. Perhaps it was from being mildly traumatized as a kid being forced to eat the condiments on hamburgers and hot dogs, but I've just never cared for either of them. I tried "tomato-flavored" potato chips in Italy once that had a very ketchup-y taste, and I actually did enjoy those! Perhaps one day I'll grow to like them?
Where is your favorite place to eat in your hometown? Being from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, there are a LOT of amazing places to eat in my hometown. My absolutely favorite place is Mike Anderson's seafood restaurant since, as a kid, I've always enjoyed dining next to the fish tanks there. To name a few others, Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro, Jubans Restaurant & Bar, Capital City Grill, and Jasmines On the Bayou are also excellent places to taste authentic Cajun and Creole cuisine. Coffee Call has the best beignets in Louisiana too in my opinion!
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? My mother's yellow rice and chicken recipe, passed down to her from my Cuban/Spanish grandmother, is one of the best meals I've ever had. If I could only eat her yellow rice and chicken for the rest of my life, I'd still be a very happy guy! Her red beans and rice is also to die for!
Finally, if you could be sponsored by one food/drink brand who would it be and why? Given that my biggest food obsession is ice cream, I'd have to say Halo Top Creamery would be my top food brand sponsorship of choice! I like to stay active and fit, but I also love indulging in ice cream every now and again, and Halo Top allows me to satisfy my ice cream cravings while managing my overall caloric intake. For me, it's a win-win!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anthony.quaid/
Anthony Quaid is poised to make a splash in the Nashville pop music scene. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana native has always had music in his blood, beginning as a symphonic and jazz trumpet player and a classical vocalist before transitioning into pop singing and songwriting. He learned to play piano by ear at the age of six, and has since been writing songs inspired by modern hitmakers like Max Martin and Ryan Tedder. His production style seamlessly joins the diverse elements of hip-hop and Latin rhythms, electronic instrumentation, and his signature stacks of lush vocal harmonies. Inspired by powerhouse vocalists such as Ariana Grande and Sam Smith, the baritone singer boasts a smooth, rich tone with virtuosic riffs and a falsetto that isn't to be missed.
At twenty-seven years old, Anthony already has major accomplishments under his belt, including performing at Walt Disney World Resort and the highly sought-after Durango Songwriters Expo in 2022. If that isn't impressive enough, he can also sing in Spanish, German, and Italian. Now based in Music City, he offers Nashville a unique style of pop music with authentic storytelling that will make you want to belt from the hilltops one minute before hitting the dancefloor the next. His first two singles, "Secrets" and "Bankrupt", have already generated buzz among industry insiders, and with his newest single, "Melt", he is ready to give listeners their next anthem addiction.