HANDSWORTH High School student Mac Faoro has become pretty popular over the past three weeks.
The 17-year-old independent musician recently released his first song "Now or Never" on YouTube (www.youtube.com/ watch?v=y4z7DmNwDyI) and iTunes and is preparing to release his debut album this spring.
Within a week "Now or Never" had over 2500 views on YouTube.
"It's easy to listen to and it's very uplifting," Faoro says. "I want to make positive and happy music and if I can make a living doing what I love then that's awesome."
Faoro thinks writing music is serious business and does plenty of rough drafts before the finished product.
"I am very particular with my work," he says "My main challenge was finding where I wanted my writing to be and my style."
Generally he writes to the sound of a beat but added that sometimes he finds beats to fit lyrics he's already written.
"I find that I hear beats and I hear melodies," he says. "Whether I hear it at a hockey game in the background, it's the smallest thing that triggers it."
Over the past four months Faoro has been working with engineer and producer Eric Mosher at The Warehouse Studio.
"Eric has been awesome to work with and we always have a great time in the studio," Faoro says. "He has become a good friend of mine. He is one of the most intelligent people I know and a great producer."
Mosher has worked with many artists and bands including AC/DC, Justin Bieber and Franz Ferdinand and says it's difficult to compare Faoro to other artists.
"It's a tough call because he has given me a lot of different songs," he says. "Nothing really pinpoints what he does. It's great pop music."
He does find Faoro's work ethic similar to that of fellow British Columbian, Bryan Adams.
"There is a really high level of continuity (on the album)," Mosher says. "It's not like he is changing styles from one song to the next. Each song has its original flavour to it but it doesn't veer away from the album."
Growing up Faoro listened to all kinds of different music but says his bigger influences include Green Day, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars and Bryan Adams.
"What I am writing about is where I want my music to take me," Faoro says. "I've never been able to accept the fact of not being able to do what you love. I didn't want to accept the fact that a lot of people give up on their hopes and dreams when they graduate high school."
Like many up and coming artists, Faoro says social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook are critical tools for him to grow as an artist.
"So much of it comes down to social media and image," Faoro says. "It's incredibly important . . . no matter how good something is if no one hears it then it's nothing."
Mosher has been in the business since 1999 and knows how important it is for artists to able to brand themselves effectively.
"It's really important," he says "I've seen a lot of artists that just record an album and sit back and wait for someone to pick them up."
Faoro gave up a roster spot on his high school soccer team so he could dedicate more time to his album and career.
"I truly believe that music is an art," he says. "You live and you learn."
Mosher believes Faoro has the right attitude and mindset.
"He knows that he is up against the unexpected," he says. "There is no secret recipe for this but he is doing all the right things."
