Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Vince DiGioia. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Vince thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I’m much happier as an artist! I’ve been playing music for 16 years and because of that, I’ve had such incredible experiences I never would’ve had otherwise. I’ve met people who have become family because of music. I’ve gotten to perform at venues I never would’ve dreamed of patronizing because of music.

I often do think what it would be like to have a “regular job,” like some of my friends. I’ve worked “regular jobs” and they lead me nowhere and they felt mundane and boring. I worked in various restaurants and fast food establishments when I was younger, and even in real estate for a brief time. While I did learn some valuable skills from those jobs, they felt meaningless. I know that I couldn’t thrive in a position that didn’t allow me to being creative in some way.

Some of my closest friends have “regular jobs” – some making six figures – and a part of me does envy that. But, at the end of the day, I’m grateful for my job. I’m grateful for my craft and my skill set. It may not make me rich, but I’m happy and content and frankly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I’m from New York City – a place where there’s no shortage of artists and creatives. My father – an avid lover of music – wanted me to take guitar lessons when I was 13 years old. Six months later, I was in love with the guitar. I’d play for hours in my room, playing along with the radio – or trying to – and doing everything I could to improve. When I got into high school, I met an entire community of musicians – “band geeks,” “choir nerds,” and everything in between – and I fell into that group immediately. Some of those people are my closest friends today.

I continued through college, starting several garage bands and joining my school’s jazz band, and choir. I had two bands of my own throughout college, where I got to hone my style and songwriting abilities. I played everything rock classic rock to pop rock to pop punk. Being a massive fan of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, my primary style is/was Alternative Rock and Funk. Playing so many different styles really allowed me to fine tune my playing style and experience different types of music and playing.

Being in Texas, it was inevitable that I’d play Country music. Most of my life, I avoided Country music like the plague. I play lead guitar with a Country Rock band called “35 Drive,” based near Houston. I’ve been playing with 35 Drive for the last year, and we were recently signed to “Rock Pulse Records.” Since being in the Texas, over the course of the last year, I’ve gotten the opportunity to play with some big names, such as Roger Creager, Josh Abbott Band, Reckless Kelly, Pat Green, and Radney Foster. These experiences and opportunities never would’ve been a possibility had I not picked up the guitar.

Picking up the guitar introduced me to a world that I never would’ve considered on my own and opened up so many doors for me. When I’m stage, I’m in my element. It’s almost euphoric – and I wanted the audience to feel the same way. I enjoy putting on a show, where the audience can see that we FEEL the music, and it’s important to me that the audience feel the same way.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I graduated college in 2015 with a Bachelor’s in Criminology and a minor in Music. I fully intended on becoming a police officer or an FBI agent, working in law enforcement in some capacity. I never truly considered a career in music being a viable option for me.

Over the few months after I graduated, I had a hard time finding a job. I was either overqualified or under qualified for everything I applied for. So, I chose to enlist in the US Army. This was a huge pivot for me. I considered the military before, but I wasn’t sure that it was for me. I enlisted and decided the military would be my career – something to pay the bills and support the family I was making.

From the moment I enlisted, music became secondary. I didn’t touch a guitar or sing for months at a time. I hated that – but I was making money, I had a home, I was experiencing all these new things and going to places I never would’ve been to otherwise.

Fast forward six years later, I medically retired from the US Army, allowing me to focus solely on music for the first time in my life. Another huge pivot for me – something I never thought would be possible became possible. Now, I’m playing music full time and I have the full support from my family.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The people. The people I meet, play with, and play for make it worth it. I’ve met so many incredibly talented musicians and artists, and I’ve had the honor of playing music with them or sharing the stage with them in some capacity, and I’m so grateful for that. Artists who make me feel like I need to go home and be better and do better and improve as a musician… I’m grateful for those people. They inspire me with their ability and make me want to reach their level and be a better musician.

The people I play for – the audience – is why I play. I perform for those people. The people who love music and want to support local artists. The people who come up to me after a show and talk to me. I love every bit of it.

Contact Info:

• Website: 35drive.com
• Instagram: @vince.digioia
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vincent.digioia
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vince-digioia/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/vince_digioia
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuGRHQV3yt2xIyhXzeK0OuA
• Other: vagabondaudio.info instagram.com/35_drive

Image Credits
Vince DiGioia Jessica DiGioia Hannah Canady