One heavy dose of nostalgic goodness, please!
For those who haven’t frequented the bustling neighborhoods of East Vancouver, it’s not an exaggeration to say that the widespread permeation of music helps bring these streets to life.
Amidst these echoes of guitars and thumping bass lines, the talented Billy O would emerge, jamming out in living rooms and garages and eager to etch his mark on the annals of musical history. Having embarked on a rich and fulfilling musical journey, O has come full circle in one of the most heartwarming and fitting ways possible.
Paying homage to the iconic tunes of the UK and American chart hits and his early attempts to cover them, Billy O’s deeply personal approach to music has positively endeared him to fans. Forgoing what’s hot at the moment for creations he believes will stand the test of time,
Billy O is the rare artist who is, above all else, true to themselves. With his recent creations garnering critical acclaim, Billy O’s pure artistic spirit has shone bright, even to his peers.
By all accounts, a captivating account of Billy O’s lengthy yet epic sonic journey, the fittingly titled “From the Hit Parade” is a music journey in itself. Billy O’s signature heartfelt lyrical style is on full display once again, and as one would expect, this only adds to the release.
In many ways, “From the Hit Parade” is a celebration; beyond the catchy melodies and infectious hooks lies a heartfelt tribute to friends and bandmates. Above all else, it’s clear that the cherished memories and enduring bonds that inspired “From The Hit Parade” have resulted in something truly magical.
With his latest release, Billy O delivers a poignant and deeply personal anthem that will resonate with listeners across generations.
Welcome to Buzz, Billy O! We loved “From the Hit Parade” and knew we had to ask: What was your favorite part of bringing your vision for this release to life? Like all songs, it is exciting to take a melody in your head, a few strums on a guitar, an earworm, or whatever it takes ,to get it rolling. Next, getting it down as a demo to the best of my ability and then pass it over to p.d.wohl to take it up a few notches, sparkle, and shine while still retaining its original essence. Do you have any favorite music-related memories you’d like to share? I suppose it would be my first experience in a major studio, this one being the legendary Mushroom Studios in Vancouver with legend British producer John Schroeder. John produced many great British artists, including Status Quo’s “Pictures of Matchstick Men,” wrote a number one song for Helen Shapiro with “Walking Back To Happiness," and his own Sounds Orchestral who had a million seller with "Cast Your Fate To The Wind.”
I heard him being interviewed on the radio one day, and he spoke about how he just moved to Vancouver and was looking for songs to record. We sent him a couple we recorded on 4 track cassette, and he was interested enough to do a project. What a fabulous introduction going from a 4 track demo to working with a gem producer, He showed me so much just observing him work alongside a great studio engineer Lindsay Kidd who worked for Decca in Britain and many twisted the knobs for great artists in Vancouver. Do you have any advice for any aspiring musicians who might want to follow in your footsteps?
Careful wear you tread but follow your dreams and visions. Believe in yourself, and don’t ever stop thinking you can’t. I am still excited to go into my fourth decade of music-making, and I still have stars in my eyes.
What does music mean to you, and what goals do you want to achieve through your music?
Music and art are my passions, and creating is my happy place. I feel blessed that my muses can be completed to the best of my ability. Having my stuff now recorded allows it to be forever available for new ears and eyes to discover. That is wonderful!
What’s next for Billy O, and is there anything you’d like to say to your fans?
Excited to unleash “From The Hit Parade” via our radio promotion CJC in Scotland Catherine has done well getting my past projects radio play and is excited about this one. Have a second single lined up for release later while back with p.d. wohl crafting our next. See you soon, and thank you for the interview.