dEANe- Musician with Asperger’s (Insights to His Story)

Edition Ten-Week Ten:

Written by: Mercedes Barreto

What are the reactions you get from people when they hear you are mildly autistic, considering your musical aptitude?

I get the usual reaction, ‘I would’ve never guessed.’ To which I answer, ‘be around me long enough, and you’ll see it.'”

When did you realize you had Asperger’s and wanted to be a musician? Do you believe these go hand-in-hand?

“I was finally diagnosed before 40 after years of ‘figuring myself out.’ Before then, music was my ‘Savant-ism,’ as I listened to all genres. Soon, it wasn’t a matter of just listening to music… but creating it. Being the ‘Late Bloomer’ that I am, I started writing lyrics at 14, playing guitar at 19, singing in front of people at 27, and releasing my first album at 47.”

What separates you from other musicians? What is your main inspiration?

“At my age [50+], I neither want to market myself as a superstar to the youth market nor sing covers like peers my age. I’m still constantly writing about the things around me, but in a way that it’s like having a 1- on-1 conversation with the listener. I believe you speak to one; you talk to everyone. My main inspiration is Sam Cooke, THE greatest singer and a fantastic songwriter who keeps it straight and simple, saying so much in a three-minute song. Later came The Jacksons/Michael Jackson, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Beatles, Dylan, Stones, Donny Hathaway, and R.E.M., The most current artist that has inspired me is The Fantastic Negrito, a fellow 50+ Bay Area artist who has been making groundbreaking, Grammy Winning albums.”

Have you gotten an unexpected response from listeners for your music? What defines your musical style?

“I’ve gained quite a few fans drawn from my music of different age ranges (“18-81”). Anything you’ve listened to will hardwire into your music style, and being the “Uncertified Musicologist” I am, I have over 100 years of music to draw from.”

Has someone or something in your life helped you connect your autism with musical interpretation and meaning?

Not personally, but such music heroes like Michael Jackson and Brian Wilson may have been in the spectrum.”

Where can we find your story and music? Why should we?

“Short answer… In the end, the music can only speak for itself.
Why? Even with someone playing with two rocks in time and even with not the greatest vocally, singing from their soul, you can never ignore it.”