Interview with Brian Falduto

​WCBG spoke with Brian Falduto, Wagner and WCBG alum, class of 2014.  Brian releases heart-felt songs that delve into deeper stories with touching meanings.  It was a pleasure to speak with him about his upcoming music video for his song, “God Loves Me Too.”  You may recognize him from the movie School of Rock (which was filmed at Wagner) as Billy, a.k.a. (“Fancy Pants”).  Brian is so much more than the one role, his career as a life-coach and his experience in the industry is truly an inspiration for our Wagner students.
 
As a Wagner alum, we were wondering what your favorite class at Wag was?
Definitely one of my theater performance classes. I would say one of the acting classes—musical theater history taught by Amy.
 
What was your favorite role that you’ve performed at Wagner?
I would have to say the Dance Project; I was part of that all four years at Wagner.  It always challenged my dance skills and was so much fun.
 
Why did you come to Wagner?
Contrary to popular belief it was not because of School of Rock.  I did a lot of college tours and I loved the campus.  The theater program is well-known and reputable.  Wagner had everything I wanted.  The school is a safe environment to explore yourself and figure out who you are.  I was a double major in theater performance and arts administration, which I believe was only done once.
 
What music are you currently listening to?
Primary genre probably country but I listen to a lot of different things.  Like oldies like Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, and also smooth jazz.
 
You’re going on a road trip, what are three songs on your playlist?
“Without Love” from Hairspray
“Life is a Highway” by Rascal Flats
“Starships” by Nicki Minaj
 
What do you do when you’re not writing music or working as a life coach?
When I’m not writing music, I’m life-coaching and when I’m not life-coaching… I’m socializing.  I’m a bit of an introvert.  I love exercising, watching TV and movies.  I’m super passionate about writing music and life-coaching.
 
What’s your writing process like?
I like to set time aside to let the creative juices flow.  I’ll actually be in Nashville at the end of February to write for six weeks.  I go through creative bursts—it’s about making the song come to life.
 
What is one thing you would change about the music industry as it is today?
I would like to see more representation of the LGBTQ in the industry, especially in country music.  Country can be a limiting genre, but it is the new pop.  Pop doesn’t exist anymore; country is there to fill the void.  It’s about simple melodies and lyrics with heart felt stories.  It is all about storytelling.

Describe your sound in three words.
Lyric Driven Melodies.  I like to write from my truth, I start with a lyric and have it guide the vibe of what I want to say, to find the story.
 
What is your favorite lyric that you’ve written?
“You know the moon never actually changes/we just take what we can see, and we call it phases.”
 
Can you tell us a little bit about your new song “God Loves Me Too?”
I’ll be releasing a new music video; it’s supported by GLAD and the Trevor Project.  There will be some big names involved like Scott Rudin, Richard Linklater, and Lance Bass.  It’s about my experience growing up in the church as a gay man.  The song is about people who want to be loved and accepted and to be loved and accepted for who they are.  It’s short film style and it follows younger me.  At the end of the video younger me finds me at the end with my band.  It’s a positive message.
 
What are your plans for 2020?
I’m going to write for a while and put out the music video.  Continue life-coaching.  I’m just following the next best thing.  I’ll be releasing a lot more music as well as making a few PRIDE appearances.
 
You can follow Brian on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter
Check out his music here