ABOUT DOM domrocks.com

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How did you get into performing and writing music?
Playing instruments was a hobby for me since I was little. I dabbled off-and-on in piano and guitar. I also sang ... poorly.

The big change happened when I was about 14 years old. My friend, Erik, learned how to play guitar at about the same time my Uncle Lou sent me his old guitar that he didn't have time to play anymore. I tried my best to jam with Erik.

Uncle Lou never asked for the guitar back, so I kept it. I got into songwriting as a way to learn to play better (it was easier to write a simple song than to find popular songs within my ability level). Plus, I wasn't too impressed with the music of "my generation" -- grunge, rap, the firstfruits of moody rock bands -- so writing songs was preferable to listening to all that other stuff.

Songwriting would become my hobby for about 10 years. It was a wonderful mental exercise, as well as a motivator for my playing ability. I would write songs to challenge my skill level, and successfully improving my skill became an opportunity to write better songs.

In March of 2002, I took my hobby to open mics and began getting booked for shows soon after. Now, music is more than a hobby for me, but it remains a wonderful mental exercise and a source of enjoyment.

And as someone who is self-taught in instrument playing and songwriting, I'm still learning about both!

- Full name: Domenic Cerbone Scarcella
- Born: Yes
- Eyes: Two
- Hair: Under the bucket hat (trust me)
- Height: 5-11
- Weight: Impatiently
- Job before music: Newspaper editor

Where have you lived?
I'm originally from suburban New York. I lived in three towns, all in Westchester County, before heading off to college in Scranton, Pa. I moved my residence to Scranton after college, but quickly found myself in Bridgeport, Conn., and finally in South Jersey. Technically, I resided in four states in a span of two years. I haven't had any reason to leave South Jersey; hence, I stay.

Doesn't that hurt your voice?
No. On the contrary, the raspiness in my singing voice is rather comfortable. It comes from throwing air into my voice -- a combination of singing and loud whispering -- not from having a sore throat or straining. The air I add to my voice gives me better control of my volume and sustained notes as I get into the upper reaches of my pitch range.
I need all the help I can get!

How did you come up with hard folk?
A lady who was booking me for a show asked me to describe my music. I hemmed and hawed and somehow arrived at something to the effect of, "It's basically hard folk, you know, like hard rock, but for folk." She thought it was an interesting term to use, so I decided to expound on the description and continue using it whenever people ask (or even if they don't ask).

What's with the bucket hat?
I'm a "hat guy" and have been for almost all my life. Rain, snow, too much sun glare ... wear a hat.

Well, it was a dark and stormy night (really) the first time I went to play at an open mic. I wore my Norfolk Tides bucket hat that my friend, Ben, gave me. Arriving at the run-down dive bar for the open mic, I decided that if I removed my hat and left it anywhere, I probably wouldn't get it back. So, I left it on my head, even when it was my turn to play.

I went back to the same place over the next few weeks. Walking up the street, somebody recognized me from behind. Actually, he didn't recognize me as much as he recognized "that hat."

Well, that settled it: The bucket hat was now part of the show! If it makes it easier for people to remember me, then it's a good thing ... and again, I need all the help I can get. Besides, I really do like the hat.