by Edie Weinstein
The Brooklyn-born, Haitian by culture young rocker stands on stage, mesmerizing audiences across the Philadelphia region with his mad guitar skills and soaring vocals. If you close your eyes, you would swear you were hearing musical legend Jimi Hendrix.
“I get that a lot. Jimi’s guitar solos were never the same. I don’t go by the book on stage. I’m in the moment and don’t stick to the script. He is a big influence on my guitar. I made it past 27. (Jimi Hendrix died at that age). Rest in Peace, Jimi. There are a lot of demons. I’m too mature to fall into what people would have fallen into in their early 20’s. Too mature to fall into the rock star mode. People help me stay grounded. These things get to your head; you need that support. Don’t leave Earth, stay on Earth.”
Sover’s instrumental exploration began at age five when he picked up his first guitar, sharing, “I strummed. I knew what I was doing at 13. He continued to “play it as a reminder and sharpen my skills. I still play to see if I’ve got it.”
The musical Muse found him at home. “In Brooklyn, my dad always played Compas/Kompa; which is traditional Haitian music. His father taught him the French song “La Maladie d’Amour”.
He “gravitated to English speaking musicians. Bob Marley was the first I heard. Sover discovered the power of music when he attended a concert with the Jamaican superstar. There he noted, He “united two leaders who hadn’t gotten along. I wanted to bring people together with music. Everyone faces the same struggle with security and confidence.”
Musical Evolution
This Glenside based artist took to the stage by doing open mics in Philadelphia in 2009-2010. He marks his progress over time; four years ago he performed at Puck in Doylestown.
“It was so amateur then. Now I am more structured and professional and playing everything for a reason.”
This multi-talented destined for stardom performer is also a songwriter. He occasionally covers others, including a powerful version of Ain’t No Sunshine by Bill Withers. The balance of the songs he performs are his own. “As a new artist, I’m an original man all the way.”
Sover describes his signature sound and the genres he enjoys playing, “Blues and rock and a splash of reggae and distortion guitar. I get a rock vibe out of it. My musical influences are Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Stevie Ray Vaughan, the rapper Jay Z and (believe it or not) Dwight Yokum.”
Soaring Sound
His new CD is called Songs of a Renegade. He chose the title because, “I wanted to call it Soar…like I’m soaring.”
He adds, “I believe a renegade is somebody who is faced with obstacles and still overcomes them… in a positive way.”
The songs he selected hold particular meaning for him. “Every song was about what we all go through. My Moment– me recognizing it’s about taking the next step. It sets everything off. Superman– came to mind when I think of being invincible. I’m going to go through this thing. Nothing will hold me back. Quicksand– about the demons we spoke about. I wrote it about grapes….an addiction. I’ve been addicted to grapes for years. Say Yeah-one of the songs that says ‘I love you’ in a corny way. I’m not going anywhere. You have to feel something about someone to write a song like that.”
Music has been a healing force for him. “Every pain in my life, I have always had a guitar to hold onto. When my mom passed away in 2010, my guitar was always there. I remember how fast I healed. One time I was thinking I had to let this (music) go and someone said if I let this go, I wouldn’t have anything.”
This loving son has a piece of cloth that belonged to his mother; part of her nightgown tied to the guitar neck, so that he feels her presence with him when he performs.
Sover and his band won the 2015 Hard Rock Rising competition at Philadelphia’s Hard Rock Cafe. Seeming amazed and amused, he adds, “We took it. They threw us in there, not expecting us to win.”
His career dreams?
“It’s hard to answer. I have a couple goals. People singing my music with me. It would have to be ongoing. If I was the biggest rock star, I wouldn’t still be hungry and keep my fire going and writing more music. I’m not on top of the mountain and I will keep climbing. “
He wants his music to touch listeners. “I want them to have some type of hope. With this album, it is more of enlightenment when they feel they are stuck. I do see the light, in all ways; spiritual or moral. They have to remember they are renegades. Being a teacher, firefighter, doctor, parent…all of that is going against the grain.”
Greg Sover’s album release performance at World Café Live in Philadelphia will be taking place on Friday October 14th, 2016 at 7pm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCEAi_UNljg
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