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DiGregorio, Heavy Metal Grit Coming Full-Force out of Corporate America
By:
Emily Plazek - Millaze

Welcome to 2019! A year of a lot of big indie moves from within our MVMT, and we start with welcoming DiGregorio as our newest member!

When I met her, I was blown away by her energy. She's incredibly fun to talk to (we talked way too long and I loved every minute of it), hilarious, and passionate about music. Here's the whole story behind this artist, a story that'll make you fall for her like I already have.

1) Give us your introduction and origin story!

DiGregorio represents both a return to origins and embracing the future. Before my grandfather left Italy, his last name was DiGregorio. When he arrived at Ellis Island it became DeCree. Much like an immigrant in a new country, I felt like I was struggling to fit in throughout my entire life. I couldn't seem to find out where I fit musically, personally or anywhere in between. Somewhere around 20 years ago a seed started to take hold. Roughly translated, DiGregorio means "Of the house of Gregory (or Gregor according to some sources)".  I began trying to write the musical story of my life.  It was awful.  

But the seed was in my brain and it wouldn't leave. Over the next 20 years, I evolved personally and musically. Having finally had enough of day jobs, I forced myself to write a song a week for a year. Over the course of that year, the concept became refined. It was no longer just random songs about my life, it had become a metaphor for a lifetime of fighting demons and finally winning.  After battling a severe weight problem for my entire adult life, I'd lost 100 pounds (and still shrinking). After trying to force myself into so many different types of music, I'd finally found my sound.

2) What do you love most about your indie music/creative career?

I love to create worlds within soundscapes. I try to think 3-dimensionally when I create music. The story within the words must fit the tone and temper of the music and the music itself must be deep and lush.  I love to create a sound in which the listener can get lost. I love to experiment with sounds, textures and harmonies. I always try to surprise myself and come up with some aspect of each song I write that is unexpected or unique. Above all, I love seeing the reaction of people listening for the first time. I love connecting with people through the music and love giving them that brief escape from the cold harshness of the real world.


3) What are some of your struggles as an indie musician/creative, and how do you hope the IMBM can help you?

World domination through Heavy Metal! Or,  you know, just being a musician and not needing a day job.  Getting to do a few world tours would be really nice. And when I get too old to do that, probably transitioning into artist management.


4) Any advice for up-and-comers who want to do what you do?

Don't ever lose faith, don't ever lose hope and don't ever give up.

5) What is your indie music/creative career’s Definition of Success, in spirit of the IMBM?

Still world domination through Heavy Metal!
But seriously...
Fun: World tours (as previously mentioned) and working with several of my favorite singers.

Fulfillment: Proving that I was right all along and should NOT have been an engineer, teacher or whatever they told me I should have been.

Financial: Just to be in charge of my own finances, not have to rely on a day job. OK, I really want to take over the world, but I’ll settle for never having a day job again.


6) Anything else you want to share? Crazy stories, fun facts or perspectives, anything goes

About 3-4 years ago, I decided I was done with the soul-sucking corporate grind and began making an exit plan from the job I had. I saved about 3 months’ worth of bill money and then quit a decent paying job with nothing else to go to. I did nothing but work on writing my music for those three months. Obviously, the money ran out and I had to get a new day job, but I took the job knowing that it was just to get me through until the music worked out. I intentionally took a job that paid about half of what I was making previously. OK - I’ve gotten a promotion and raise since then, but I took that promotion with the knowledge that it was just temporary.


Also - swords. Because I’m a fencer. OK - I really suck at fencing. But I still really enjoy it.

Like I said, it's rare to find an indie with an attitude and passion like DiGregorio's, so we're very pretty stoked she's a MIC MVMT member now-- check back for more from her this year!

And of course, follow DiGregorio on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube and visit her website here to listen!

DiGregorio, Heavy Metal Grit Coming Full-Force out of Corporate America
DiGregorio, Heavy Metal Grit Coming Full-Force out of Corporate America

Welcome to 2019! A year of a lot of big indie moves from within our MVMT, and we start with welcoming DiGregorio as our newest member!

When I met her, I was blown away by her energy. She's incredibly fun to talk to (we talked way too long and I loved every minute of it), hilarious, and passionate about music. Here's the whole story behind this artist, a story that'll make you fall for her like I already have.

1) Give us your introduction and origin story!

DiGregorio represents both a return to origins and embracing the future. Before my grandfather left Italy, his last name was DiGregorio. When he arrived at Ellis Island it became DeCree. Much like an immigrant in a new country, I felt like I was struggling to fit in throughout my entire life. I couldn't seem to find out where I fit musically, personally or anywhere in between. Somewhere around 20 years ago a seed started to take hold. Roughly translated, DiGregorio means "Of the house of Gregory (or Gregor according to some sources)".  I began trying to write the musical story of my life.  It was awful.  

But the seed was in my brain and it wouldn't leave. Over the next 20 years, I evolved personally and musically. Having finally had enough of day jobs, I forced myself to write a song a week for a year. Over the course of that year, the concept became refined. It was no longer just random songs about my life, it had become a metaphor for a lifetime of fighting demons and finally winning.  After battling a severe weight problem for my entire adult life, I'd lost 100 pounds (and still shrinking). After trying to force myself into so many different types of music, I'd finally found my sound.

2) What do you love most about your indie music/creative career?

I love to create worlds within soundscapes. I try to think 3-dimensionally when I create music. The story within the words must fit the tone and temper of the music and the music itself must be deep and lush.  I love to create a sound in which the listener can get lost. I love to experiment with sounds, textures and harmonies. I always try to surprise myself and come up with some aspect of each song I write that is unexpected or unique. Above all, I love seeing the reaction of people listening for the first time. I love connecting with people through the music and love giving them that brief escape from the cold harshness of the real world.


3) What are some of your struggles as an indie musician/creative, and how do you hope the IMBM can help you?

World domination through Heavy Metal! Or,  you know, just being a musician and not needing a day job.  Getting to do a few world tours would be really nice. And when I get too old to do that, probably transitioning into artist management.


4) Any advice for up-and-comers who want to do what you do?

Don't ever lose faith, don't ever lose hope and don't ever give up.

5) What is your indie music/creative career’s Definition of Success, in spirit of the IMBM?

Still world domination through Heavy Metal!
But seriously...
Fun: World tours (as previously mentioned) and working with several of my favorite singers.

Fulfillment: Proving that I was right all along and should NOT have been an engineer, teacher or whatever they told me I should have been.

Financial: Just to be in charge of my own finances, not have to rely on a day job. OK, I really want to take over the world, but I’ll settle for never having a day job again.


6) Anything else you want to share? Crazy stories, fun facts or perspectives, anything goes

About 3-4 years ago, I decided I was done with the soul-sucking corporate grind and began making an exit plan from the job I had. I saved about 3 months’ worth of bill money and then quit a decent paying job with nothing else to go to. I did nothing but work on writing my music for those three months. Obviously, the money ran out and I had to get a new day job, but I took the job knowing that it was just to get me through until the music worked out. I intentionally took a job that paid about half of what I was making previously. OK - I’ve gotten a promotion and raise since then, but I took that promotion with the knowledge that it was just temporary.


Also - swords. Because I’m a fencer. OK - I really suck at fencing. But I still really enjoy it.

Like I said, it's rare to find an indie with an attitude and passion like DiGregorio's, so we're very pretty stoked she's a MIC MVMT member now-- check back for more from her this year!

And of course, follow DiGregorio on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube and visit her website here to listen!

Find us @theMICmountain on social media because we, too, are humans on our phones.

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