I predict that the members of Big Yard will soon be gaining huge yards with their infectious blend of rock, pop, smooth jazz, big band, R&B sound and well crafted songs.
The members of Big Yard have been paving their way in music for quite some time and have certainly paid their dues! At the heart of this outfit is musician, songwriter, producer and entrepreneur, Darryl Scotti (former guitarist for Spiral Starecase, who had a #1 hit record in 1969 with ‘More Today Than Yesterday’) who has over five decades in the music industry. This lineup also features top notch musicians and producers: Alex Chacon, Aaron Howard, and Larry Antonino, alongside with Pablo Cruise. Together, they form the powerhouse band under the banner of Big Yard Nation, the record label Scotti founded in 2022.
Big Yard melds a diverse blend of influences, ranging from rock, country and pop to jazz and R&B with contagious melodies with contemporary production. This is clearly evident within the first 30 seconds of their song ‘Proof’, the first track off their newly released EP ‘54th St.’ You know you’re listening to something that is not only strong in the songwriting and production departments, but is truly unique — totally fitting for big stages and big audiences. Their sound has the ability to capture audiences who are beyond just one type of audience and really has the ability to appeal to lovers of all sorts of genres which is really reflective of today’s musicial market.
Their lead single ‘Give it Away’, which has more of a ballad feel, is a prime example of Big Yard’s wide range of songwriting abilities. It’s as if Big Yard took a nod to the best ballad and anthemic moments of classic rock – think Gun’s and Roses biggest moments – and blended it with inspiration from classic songwriting akin to artists like The Eagles, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel then mixed it with a touch of modern contemporary country pop-rock. With its heartfelt lyrics and a clear message that “you can’t keep love until you give love away,” the song is a testament to Darryl Scotti’s gifted lyrical writing and vocal abilities; which are full of emotion, distinct and will be sure to capture your heart and attention.
Big Yard could easily appeal to audience of modern country rock folks, like Brantly Gilbert or alternative country acts, such as Orville Peck. Wherever Big Yard goes, they’ll be sure to push the boundaries of contemporary music with their distinctive blend of genres.
Check out our other features with Big Yard HERE.
Q&A
Tell me about the process of writing and recording ’54th Street’. Was it a pretty quick process of writing, tracking and recording, then mixing and finishing the release or did it happen all at the same time?
So much to love on with the Jammerzine crew, much appreciated.
Thanks, yea this was a fun project. If not for the, ‘some things just meant to be’ category in life, this EP would never have happened.
A year and a half, starting in November 2021. It’s been exhilarating and arduous but fun. The process of writing, tracking, producing, mixing, the countless critical listens and then more mixing>>listening>>repeat again. It’s kind of like watching your favorite homemade beverage ferment and enjoy>>repeat.
There’s a twist, the better story. All this happened by fate…. You gotta love fate! Amor Fati, right?
I was retired from making music, living in the Arizona foothills outside North Scottsdale minding my own business with my wife and new friends.
Making a record or even writing one song at least a couple dozen for a new project just wasn’t on the radar, friends. But… things changed settling into Cave Creek, a rustic vibrant community full of live music venues, talent, a sweet vibe and a guitar shop. Wow, great place to visit, even better place to live. Right?
It wasn’t long by chance we met Alex Chacon and Aaron Howard, a couple local hot shot musicians and record producers. Their talent inspired a creative drive I just didn’t see coming, out of nowhere a six song EP that happened to build a digital record label brand, launch a growing YouTube Channel @BigYardNation and drive social platforms.
It’s been epic to see what’s gone down since releasing ‘Proof’, Big Yard’s first single released in February 2024 through 5 more singles with the EP drop in September.
Thanks to Jammerzine and Liberty Music PR for all their support.
Where does the name ’54th Street’ come from and are all the EP songs connected to the name?
It’s the street we’ve lived on since leaving California in 2020. All the tracking for the EP started up in my home studio on 54th St.
We ended up moving the tracks to a Phoenix studio Alex was comfortable with called Pyramix for all the live drums, vocals and horns. Eventually we bounced the tracks around in our DAW’s for final mixes and mastering.
How did you, Alex Chacon and Aaron Howard join up? And how did you and Larry Antonino, bassist for Pablo Cruise all meet and start working together?
Big Question. Let’s start first with Larry Antonino. I originally met Larry when I was in my late twenties. He was a seventeen year old award winning jazz bassist playing in a bad ass jazz fusion band with his high school mates.
I saw them play one night, and was blown away by this young band of jazz phenoms from Santa Cruz, California. I had just gotten off the road with Spiral Starecase. I signed them to a Management deal, put them on the road, recorded some records and the band ran its course with some success. After disbanding Larry moved to LA and his career blew up as a musician, record producer and recording artist now touring with the legendary Pablo Cruise since 2010.
I mentioned earlier how ‘54th St. came together. Meeting Alex Chacon and Aaron Howard is when it all came together.
At the beginning of 2024, the record is mastered and ready to release in February I get a call from Larry. He was on the road and coming to Phoenix for a New Years Eve gig. Anyway Larry had listened to and liked the 54th St. project.
Yvonne and I went to see his NYE show. Larry ended up staying with us for three more days. I got him to the 54th St. studio with Aaron, magic happened as I suspected and we started tracking a new batch of songs entitled ‘Poets and Heroes’ for a follow up release starting later this year.
What or who was the inspiration for you for picking the path of doing music as a career?
Easy one. As a young boy I grew up listening to Classical music and singing Choir along with sneaking away for frequent doses of Rock & Roll, Rhythm & Blues and as much AM Radio at home as I was allowed.
When I was eight years old on one Sunday family night watching The Ed Sullivan Show I was introduced to The Beatles and life took on its purpose for me. Early blues, British Invasion and American Pop were my early influences. They were my early life poets, storytellers and heroes.
So you put all of this in the mix along with my younger brother Chris, a talented child musician along with my Mom, her solid beliefs in God and work ethics that inspired me and defined my life journey.
If you could tour with any band or artist dead or alive who would it be?
My go to is Sting, but keeping it real I’d also have to add ColdPay, Steely Dan, Ed Sheren, Paul McCartney, Billy Joel… wow so may come to mind.
Here’s a couple you may or may not know well… Shawn Mullins and Ray LaMontague…. even Harry Stills, Teddy Swims or Jelly Roll would be cool.
How did BigYard Nation come about and have you put out other releases through the label aside from BigYard?
I’ve always used ‘Big Yard’ as the name of my bands since 2005, recording, releasing or touring. The slogan ‘God Owns we just play in it’ has always stuck with me and I hope reflects in my writing.
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/bigyardlive
https://www.instagram.com/bigyardnation/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4FKPTZotGinVRRRehiYQhe
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEdYYK8lX89cqbzNfVJQ1pw
