Dave Chiappetta and Steadfast Charlie

David Chiappetta never really had any musical ambitions as a young kid and his introduction reluctantly occurred when a friend bought a guitar and actually telling the friend that it was a waste of money. But after hearing his friend play badly long enough, Chiappetta asked for a try and realized he had a natural inclination for music. He took those beginnings and got into a Jam Band in the 1990's. Very much in the scene as the founder of Blind Man's Sun, he moved to LA, got into film scoring and won the ASCAP Composers Award to write for the Henry Mancini Orchestra. He then parlayed his orchestra chops to compose a number of award winning feature film scores and landed a job on American Idol, arranging music for the horn section of the house band. In between, he would always gravitate toward Sean Dixon on drums, Scott Chasolen on Keys and Adam Minkoff on Bass whenever the chance for a project arose. In 2010, he made it official by turning the collaboration into Dave Chiappetta and Steadfast Charlie. Just releasing their second album, his headline implies exactly that, which may sound a bit presumptuous to the average music listener but in bands that do not last, a shortage of leadership is what typically lacks.
Dave Chiappetta(DC): I think it's the number one problem with bands. They don't appreciate the fact that you need someone in charge. Everybody needs to respect the role, and the person in charge needs to respect the other players in their thoughts. But at the end of the day, there has to be one person who has the power to say yes or no.

Times Square(TS): I guess it's safe to assume that your guys are ok with that?

DC: It's a very professional atmosphere. We have a real good relationship, and they understand that it's my project. That's what makes it work.

TS: Have you been on the other end too?

DC: Very much so. You have to have someone decide and move on. I've also been in bands where everybody has an equal say. That never works.

TS: Where does the Steadfast Charlie come from?

DC: Every time in rehearsal we call each other Charlie. I don't know where that started but that's what we do. You know, hey Charlie, why don't you play it that way...

TS: And the Steadfast?

DC: Even in projects like Blind Man's Son, it crumbled from people being out of control - drugs, ego or whatever. So the steadfast comes from no matter what, I'm never going to quit.

TS: Tell me about what you did on American Idol?

DC: I was an arranger. A contestant would pick a song, and I would work with them to flush it for the full Idol band.

TS: Does American Idol signify the end of American culture as we know it?

DC: No, I really don't think so. In fact, it's a really good thing. It's a great family show, and I think it really exposes young kids to the idea of being a musician or having music as a career. It does create a rather false platform, but it still delivers inspiration. Either way, once they do develop into musicians, they will develop into their own voice.

TS: They tell me that out on the road, musicians are pretty popular with the ladies. Any truth to that?

DC: From what I understand, they like successful musicians.

TS: You must know something of this? How complicated can things get?

DC: I don't think I've been exposed to the big time so I don't really have a basis for that but I think it's a lot more glamorized than it really is. Still, you certainly do meet a lady here and there?

TS: Do you have a wife/family?

DC: I have a girlfriend.

TS: Tell me how your orchestral background helps.

DC: It helps me in arranging and an understanding of where instruments should fit to get the fattest sounds or the right textures.

TS: Looking at Youtube videos, I don't see a singer?

DC: It's about half and half. All of us sing and I guess I'm the lead singer.

TS: Is that a hard sell?

DC: No, as far as being successful - what people will like, that never enters my head. This is something I do for fun, and I love this form of music. I think it comes from a true and real place and not from making money or being successful. I think that's what people are turned on about.

TS: So do you have a day job?

DC: I run my own manufacturing company. We make a guitar string cleaner that is my own invention.

TS: What's it called?

DC: Tone Gear.

TS: Tell me about the song writing process?

DC: I write everything. We get together and I show them what I got. From there, I'll get them to play or they will say how about this, and I'll say yes or no.

TS: Compare playing studio versus live.

DC: I can't even compare it. Live is what it's all about. I do enjoy the studio but in a completely different way, and I go for a much different thing in the studio than live. Nonetheless, I genuinely like them both but I prefer live.

TS: Do you get up and say, I have to write today. How does it happen?

DC: Yes. It ebbs and flows, but there's no question about it that writing music is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.

TS: Meaning?

DC: It's easy to have the idea. It's easy to have the inspiration, but to flush it out is an entirely other thing.

TS: Where is your upcoming show?

DC: At BB Kings on May 18th

TS: What do you like about playing there?

DC: It's our first time so we're pretty excited.

TS: Finally, what does music mean to you?

DC: I'd love to say everything but that's actually not true. It's an emotional outlet to express myself, but I also use it to cater to the kind of mood I'm in. So I think it's a really good emotional vehicle to help you get through your day.

TS: Ok, nice talking to you

DC: You too sir. - Times Square

As a winner to the Relix "Jam Off" competition DC&SC will have a track featured on their upcoming compilation CD and were awarded a free advertisement in Relix Magazine. - Relix Magazine