Dean Emerson’s newest creation is a catchy song that will not only make you move, but also make you think.
It juxtaposes electronic instrumentals with a beat you can’t help but bang your head to, along with lyrics questioning the meaning of life and how to find happiness.
Emerson is a sophomore jazz performance major who just released his newest single, “Epicureans,” on Oct. 5 under the stage name Todo Mas.
Emerson will be releasing his EP in early December, as well as debuting his live band. Joey Antico, a 20-year-old jazz performance and music education major and Noah Booz, a 22-year-old jazz performance major, will be performing with Emerson.
Todo Mas was established in April 2014.
Even though Todo Mas is a recent project, Emerson’s affinity for music is nothing new. His interest in music began at the age of nine when his brother began playing guitar.
“I like to create; I’ve always liked to create,” Emerson said. “Music just happens to be the medium I create the most. In simple terms, music to me is a form of meditation.”
The name Todo Mas was derived from Emerson’s middle name, Thomas.The literal translation from Spanish is “all more.”
“I took a liking to Dean’s music because of the uniqueness and creative ideas that he brings into his [sound],” Antico, who will be playing the drums and running the backing tracks, said. “When I listen to Todo Mas, it makes me feel good.”
Lyrics such as, “So if tomorrow never comes, do I live for today or the epicurean I’ve become?” offer a unique take on life backed by a blend of electronic trip-hop and alternative rock with down beat influences.
“Lyricism for me really helps convey a message that I want to communicate while at the same time remaining abstract and kind of like veiling my message,” Emerson said.
“I like Dean’s music because it introduces more complex levels of musical understanding to a widely accessible electronic genre of music,” Booz said.
Emerson and his live band plan on playing gigs beginning in early December after their EP release.
“I [have] no doubt the music we [will] be creating live [will] be super enjoyable as a musician and as a general lover of music,” Antico said.
Emerson spent this past summer in Nashville working at 3rd & Lindsley, a live music bar, where he met his audio engineer Michael Frasinelli, 21, of Pittsburgh.
“He’s extremely dedicated to his music. He’s dedicated to the point where he was living on my studio floor and we went through a pound of coffee in about 12 hours,” Frasinelli said.
Emerson’s passion for his music is evident in his dedication to the production of high quality music.
“I am also a very passionate composer and I can definitely see what I experience in him as well,” Booz said.
Emerson admits to dedicating 40 hours a week to music, with Todo Mas taking up 30 of those hours.
“I’m inspired by things I observe,” Emerson said. “I think that there are things that kind of need to be said that no one’s really saying because either they’re too afraid to or they don’t want people to think poorly of them.”
Emerson’s experience driven attitude has defined where he wants his music to take him. Ultimately, he hopes his music career will lead to collaborations and producing.
Look out for Emerson’s EP Goodnight and May Joy Be With You and check out his soundcloud.
Featured Photo Credit: Dean Emerson, sophomore jazz performance major, in his bedroom studio working on his latest piece for Todo Mas. (Cassie Osvatics/Writer’s Bloc Reporter)
Katie Ebel is a sophomore journalism major and can be reached at katieebel@gmail.com.
