Joey Calderaio and his talented band continue their rise in the reggae rock scene
Fresh off a rocking Reggae Rise Up Florida, Joey Calderaio and his talented band continue their rise in the reggae rock scene! Ahead of their Reggae Rise Up set, Daily Reggae had the chance to catch up with the South Florida band!
Joey, what goes through your mind when you see fans singing along to your lyrics? Are there any band rituals or things you do to help get pumped before going on stage?
Whenever I see people singing along to my lyrics it brings a huge smile to my face. It’s crazy to think how what was once an inspiration or idea becomes recorded into a song and then is shared with others.
Music is amazing because we take different meanings from songs and apply them into our lives the way we see fit. Art is up to the interpreter and it is a wonderful experience we share as humans.
Typically for these bigger shows I like to huddle up with the band and say a few inspiring words before hitting the stage. It’s a good way to get us pumped and to remember that it’s a privilege to share our music.
I’m just so overwhelmed with gratitude that I have the opportunity to do what I love and with my best friends. Maybe it sounds cheesy or whatever, but I truly am blessed.
Sam, you’ve joined the band most recently. Are you excited to perform at Reggae Rise Up for the first time? How do you channel your stage presence and energy?
Yes!! Festivals are so fun and a great chance to make some new friends and fans; I'm excited to see a lot of the other artists on the lineup as well.
I don't think there's anything really intentional about my stage presence; I kinda just let the spirit take me, you know? Let my conscious brain switch off for a bit and just have fun playing music with my buddies. I'm being slightly more careful these days to avoid injuries though!
Harley, what song are you most looking forward to performing at Reggae Rise Up? Does your energy and performance differ from playing at a local show versus a festival like Reggae Rise Up?
Wave of Life because I get to start it different every time and I always look forward to that little opportunity to improvise and create something in the moment. And yeah I think the energy at a festival is uniquely high all around, from all the musicians involved and the audiences as well, and that tends to influence the performance.
Easton, are you excited to perform your solo during Foolish Games? What goes through your mind while performing on a stage of that size?
I’ll definitely be looking forward to playing the Foolish Games solo at Reggae Rise up this year! It’s one of those spots where my focus has to be a little extra. I’m super pumped to be back on a big stage and look forward to having all the room to jump around. I mostly focus on the tunes and just having a good time with my band mates.
Alex, your style of playing seems to be rooted in many different genres. How do you use your musical abilities to combine your influences with reggae? Additionally, how does it feel to share your love for music to a crowd that size?
I grew up listening to many different genres including jazz, funk, soul, classical, and even metal. These many influences mixed with reggae makes a pretty diverse sound as you could imagine.
Sharing my love for music with a large crowd is exhilarating—it's a powerful connection and the energy from the audience fuels my performance. I can’t wait for Reggae Rise Up and I’m counting down the days!
