Jimmy Fasulo is taking the New Jersey music scene by storm...
"You feel in your stomach when you want to do something-that's your soul telling you to do it."
He is young, innovative, and focused. He wants to promote change and inspiration among the local music community and inspire musicians to follow their dreams, just as he has.
Fasulo’s love of the arts all started at a young age of eight, when he really got involved in music. He was introduced to theater, and clung to the idea of going in front of audiences and being someone else. His theater talents then evolved into songwriting and eventually by fifteen, Fasulo was out booking shows for local venues. “I saw it as an opportunity to develop the character I am,” Fasulo said.
When Fasulo saw an opportunity to make a difference in the New Jersey music scene, he took it and ran. He became involved with numerous bands like Ernston and Chasing Down Sunsets. He also became heavily involved in his local performing arts and jazz club and decided that in order to solely focus on music, he needed to drop out of school. “I had a 3.8, I’m a smart dude. But I think it’s my downfall sometimes with my decision making process. I saw me investing time in something I care about more important than investing in college,” he said. After running the idea by his parents, they supported his endeavors and he was off making a difference in the music community.
Fasulo is ecstatic about today’s music scene. Some of his biggest inspirations for his personal projects are Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy, Brendon Urie of Panic! At the Disco, and Fasulo’s biggest inspiration currently, is Chance the Rapper. “We need artists who take on the title of artist,” Fasulo said, “people who are frustrated are now branching out.” Fasulo admires not only Chance the Rapper’s rise to fame, but also his involvement in his community in Chicago and his civic duties.
Fasulo has channeled his inspiration’s beliefs and practices into his local community and wants to give back and make a difference in young musician’s lives. Currently, he is working on a pop-jazz-opera all centered on his recovery from alcohol- right around his one year mark of sobriety. But, he wants to give back to the surrounding community. “I want to be able to make something to give people the opportunities I wish I had when I was figuring out how to be an individual artist,” Fasulo said.
That’s why he is hoping that in the coming years, he can see his plans put into actions. He is brainstorming an idea for a library-coffee lounge that will host various programs for aspiring artists, such as open mic nights, poetry readings, and jazz shows. “Basically a place that will inspire and then nurture afterwards,” he said.
Of course, not everyone is as successful in the music industry as Fasulo has been. “I have this great opportunity to do something great and bring people together” he said, “it’s when playing make believe goes right.” But for all aspiring musicians, Fasulo wholeheartedly believes in the ‘just do it’ attitude. No matter the struggles or obstacles, it will be worth it- he said, “that thing you feel in your stomach when you want to do something- that’s your soul telling you to do it.”
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Reporter from NJnewjersey.com Maddie