New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


Interview with Perry Montauredes


By Ilana Rapp

originally published: 04/05/2020

Perry Montauredes has done it again – and this time he’s educating us about saving our planet. Perry is a Grammy Nominated vocalist / producer, with decades of experience as a professional singer and teacher.

Having been in many bands over the years including the The Rebekka Frame, Perry recently started the Tide of Time Band which will be recording songs about heavy issues such as environment.

Thin Ice is the first in this new collection of songs, co-written by middle schooler Jayden Ming Yap who is one of Perry’s students.

(Pssst… Perry is offering 20% off your first vocal lesson during the Stay at Home directive. Details HERE.)

Putting together a song and video is not easy. Perry talked with NJ Stage about the process.




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



 

What made you want to put out a song and video about climate change?

I personally believe that we are headed down a disastrous path and that we need to drastically change the way we live on our planet. I saw Greta Thunberg, speaking out about climate change. She has inspired so many people to stand up and be heard. School students from around the world are participating in “Fridays for Future”, boycotting school on Fridays to show how they feel about climate change. She is the voice of a global movement. But there are those who oppose her, who hate her for speaking out, and she has received many death threats. Through my music I wanted to ad my voice of support, and that is why I dedicated the song “Thin Ice” to her. Thin Ice is the first song so far on my YouTube channel, which is called “Tide of Time Band”.

 

What inspiration did you draw from when deciding on the topic?

Once I started writing the song I saw inspiration coming at me from everywhere. There were news stories about the fires in California and Australia, flooding in so many parts of the world, rising ocean temperatures that have changed the eco system of the sea. I couldn’t escape it.

 




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



How long did the process take from inception to completion?

It took three months from start to finish. I remember sitting at the piano when the opening melody came to me; the piano figure that you hear in the beginning of the song. It felt ominous, hypnotic, and I liked it immediately. I recorded the first track of piano, and overdubbed my voice, singing, “rains fall tides rise”. I added some orchestral samples and percussion during that 1st week and then played it for my voice student, Jayden Yap. We listened to the music and it was dark, very dark. But we also talked about bringing hope to such a dire subject. With that in mind, during the next few weeks I wrote music and lyrics for the verses and chorus, and tracked my vocals. I asked Jayden to come up with an answer vocal that weaved in and around the spaces of my singing, and he did a wonderful job. From there I had several other students add their voices to the rains fall section. At this point we were almost finished, but I wanted my students from “The Green Planet Band”, Kylee, Tyler and Anna, to sing in the last section. They added just the right climactic energy. The song wound up being recorded on forty-one separate tracks. After it was mixed I sent the song to Paul Wickliffe, a brilliant mastering engineer, and he added his magic touch. 

I was on a huge learning curve when it came to working on the video. I had some video ideas for the song that kept evolving during the process of recording the music, and was trying to find my way around the video-editing program called, Final Cut Pro. Working with video is new for me, but I’m excited to have a new creative outlet.

 

Will you be performing the song live at any related events?

As for performing, I have no immediate plans, but I wouldn’t rule it out if the right opportunity arises. Meanwhile, I’d like to concentrate on doing more writing, recording, and videos.

 

Tell us about the writing process and how you involved your co-writer Jayden Yap.

I think of writing music as if I’m going into a dark cave, unable to see. I feel my way, maybe finding one sound or note to latch onto, and hopefully it will lead me to the next and the next. The structure and the arrangement of the other parts and instruments come later and are more on a conscious level.




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



Jayden came to me for voice lessons, and after a few weeks when we couldn’t decide on a song for him to sing I suggested that we write one together. The first song went so well that we wrote another. So I was happy for his input on Thin Ice, which is our third.

 

Is Thin Ice a part of a project you're working on or a stand-alone?

It’s part of a bigger project. The idea behind it is to put out music that feels positive, hopeful, and kind. There is so much anger in the world. We are adamantly for this side or against another. I just want to keep good energy flowing through the music I do, and at the same time, give my students a chance to sing in a professional setting so they can learn what they are capable of doing in the recording studio.

 

Tell us about your Grammy nomination.

The Incredible Dollface is a band I worked with since the early 90’s. We did a lot of recording together. In 2003, Scotty Deluca, the band’s founder, writer, and lead vocalist, asked me to work on an album entitled, “Please God Protect Me from Your Followers”. It was nominated for “Best Independent Release”.

 

You're a vocal coach based in NJ. Where can people find out more information?

Yes, I teach at my studio in South Bound Brook, NJ. My website is: www.perrymontauredes.com, and I also have a Google page, Perry Montauredes – Voice Lessons. 20% OFF 1st Lesson

With everything going on with the Coronavirus, places are closing and isolations are taking place. We are all trying to do what we can to stay safe, protect each other, and survive. I am a voice and music teacher, and I teach from my home. For the safety of my family and students I will only be teaching via SKYPE and Facebook Messenger video chat. If you are feeling a need to do something to break the boredom, or want to learn something new, or are a member of a choir and just want to keep your voice in shape, I am offering new students a 20% discount on your 1st lesson. I can teach one on one lessons, or you can try it as a family. I teach singing, guitar and piano. Music is a soothing force, and a source of refuge in these troubling times. We are all in this together. Let us continue to be helpful and kind to each other.


Ilana Rapp is a media-savvy Generation Xer with instinctive wit, quick humor and a taste for deep human emotions. As a former (child) actress with Broadway, film and television credits, she is adept at, well, lots of things. She blogged on The Huffington Post and writes entertainment pieces for New Jersey Stage, Casting Networks, Casting Frontier, NYCastings and Mupo Entertainment. She is a huge fan of the television show V. Ask her why her favorite number is 22. Follow Ilana on Twitter @IlanaSpeaks22


FEATURED EVENTS

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Tuesday

Tuesday Night Book Club - The 1619 Project

Tuesday, February 11, 2025 @ 7:30pm
VIRTUAL
category: music

Click here for full event listing

 

Grown

Grown Groovin’ - FREE JAZZ CONCERT

Thursday, February 13, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Hamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC)
360 Hamilton Avenue, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: music

Click here for full event listing

 

Chief

Chief Adjuah (Formerly Christian Scott)

Thursday, February 13, 2025 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theatre)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
category: music

Click here for full event listing

 

Vitamin

Vitamin String Quartet: The Music of Taylor Swift, Bridgerton, and Beyond

Thursday, February 13, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music

Click here for full event listing

 

Katie

Katie Henry

Friday, February 14, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music

Click here for full event listing

 

More events

Event Listings are available for $10 and included with our banner ad packages




 

EVENT PREVIEWS

An

An Interview with Al Schnier from moe.

On Thursday, February 27, 2025, Buffalo, NY based band, moe. will perform at the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ. Then on Friday, February 28 and again on Saturday, March 1, moe. will head to Philadelphia, PA to perform two nights at Brooklyn Bowl. These shows are part of their winter tour celebrating the release of their new album, "Circle of Giants". I was able to speak with Al Schnier from moe. in anticipation of these shows.



Jersey

Jersey Arts Podcast: New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Puts the 'Tunes' in 'Looney Tunes'

35 years ago–well before orchestras performing film scores became popular–George Daugherty and his husband and producing partner David Wong developed Bugs Bunny at the Symphony. The concept was new at the time: a world-class orchestra would play full cartoon scores live alongside the films. It was an instant hit.



Vadim

Vadim Gluzman to perform Brahms' Violin Concerto with New Jersey Symphony

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Symphony announced that Lina González-Granados will conduct alongside Vadim Gluzman as he performs Johannes Brahms' Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77. Performances will take place in New Brunswick, Red Bank, and Newark.



NJPAC

NJPAC presents Patti LuPone: A Life in Notes

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Three-time Tony Award winner Patti LuPone will be performing her latest show, "A Life In Notes," at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Showtime is 3:00pm.



Historical

Historical Colonial Theatre hosts 'Floydian Trip: Brick by Brick' Concert Fundraiser

(PHOENIXVILLE, PA) -- The historic Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, PA is excited to host one of its most important fundraisers of the year in support of a critical restoration project for its iconic 1903 Theatre. On Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 8:00pm, the Colonial will host the Floydian Trip: Brick by Brick to Benefit the 1903 Theatre event, a special concert fundraiser dedicated to raising money for the preservation and restoration of the cherished cultural landmark.