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Okay, dear readers... around here we like to say that The Sound Faction is "by fans, for fans". Well shockingly, we don't just say that for the alliteration, it's true! The bands and artists that we interview, or talk about are musicians that we love and believe in! They are bands that have affected us personally, whose music speaks to us, or that we love so much that we want to share them with all of you, so you can like them too! Never has this been more true for me than right now. For the past three years, I have been so incredibly blessed to be able to talk to amazing bands that I adore, and chat with them about their music, but when The Sound Faction started, three years ago, I had already missed the boat on talking to someone who I have held in the highest regard for years and years, and a band who has time and time again pulled me out from dark places. I'm talking about the band Bedlight for Blue Eyes. When The Sound Faction started, the band had already (sadly) played their last show.

While the entire band was phenomenal, who I REALLY wanted to talk to and what was so striking about their band for me, was vocalist Daniel Rinaldi. His voice was haunting and so incredibly passionate, that it was downright inspiring. I have said before, and I will stick to my guns until my last breath: Daniel Rinaldi's voice is in my top three favorite voices of all time. Guys, trust me when I tell you that that is not something I would say lightly, but it is entirely true.

The other day, I happened to be listening to Bedlight For Blue Eyes on my iPod, and wondering what had become of Daniel Rinaldi, and if he was still making music somewhere. Imagine my elation when a quick Google search turned up his Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages showcasing his solo work! I'm not ashamed to admit that I let out a happy shout that alarmed my roommate!

To say that I am excited to bring you this interview would be a gross understatement. I have been writing this interview in my head for three years, and it was never something that I thought would ever come to light. I am so grateful to Daniel for allowing me this opportunity that I thought I would never get to have. So without further ado, let's get to what you really want to read: the interview!

First and foremost, we like to start off all of our interviews with introductions, could you tell our readers who you are, and what you do?

My name is Daniel Rinaldi, and I sing songs.

According to the Facebook announcement that you posted on May 1: beginning in June you'll be writing for your first EP, which is fantastic! But of course, the question that we all want to know is how is your new material going to differ from what you've done in the past with Bedlight For Blue Eyes?

I think the biggest difference is that this is just me as honest and as real as I'll ever be. I have grown a lot since joining Bedlight when I was 18, I have a lot that I feel I need and want to prove/say. The music will really showcase what I've always strived for since Bedlight and that is to reach and connect with each person. I want people this time to feel a sense of urgency, in the thought of this is the right music for me right now and why would I need anything else. I hope to really give fans and anyone who listens a chance to find what they want in the music and sink their teeth in.

You do something quite awesome on your Facebook fan page, which is "Theme Cover Week", can you explain to our readers just what that is?

Well being that this is something new for me and I am only in the process of writing, I felt I needed to give fans something. That something was themed cover weeks. Every other week I am posting cover videos, but with a little twist. That twist is doing these videos as real as I can get them, and that is a capella. The weeks before the video is put up, fans can suggest songs for me to sing, and feel just as involved as I am in the process. I've had a great response with this so far, so I hope it keeps up!

Music is something that has the power to affect so many things, your music has absolutely been a key part of myself pulling through dark times, and I've spoken to many other people who have had similar experiences with your music. What is a piece of music that has spoken to or powerfully impacted you?

First off, I want to thank you for connecting to the music I have made, and I'm truly happy that it was something you could hold onto in a dark time. For me there is a song done by Hall and Oates called "Do It For Love" that really speaks to me. Although at first listen it seems like the everyday love song, but for me it speaks to something different. The chorus reads "I wont do it for money, I wont do it for pride, I wont do it to please somebody else if it don't feel right, but I'll do it for you, and at least I'll try, I don't need any other reason, than I feel it deep inside, I'll do it for love." It means for me that no matter what you do, do it for the passion and love of the music. At the end of the day, if all you have is the shirt on your back and still have a smile on your face, then you did it for the love.

You have a lot of fans who have stuck right by you for years and years and waited it out and who are some of the most enthusiastic fans I've come across in a long while. What is your relationship with your fans like, and how does it feel to know that so many people have been by your side for so long?

One thing I have set out to do since the day I started in this business is to make my fans feel like friends and family. I will always talk to every single person that wants to talk to me and be there just like I know they would be there for me. I feel truly grateful for the support I am being shown, and sometimes need to pinch myself to see if it's even real. I stepped away for a while and to come back and feel like I never left is a feeling I can't explain. I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart, and always will be there for all of you.

What is it that inspires you as a musician, and what fuels your passion for what you do?

The one thing that always gets me is when a fan will tell me "You changed my life", or "Because of your songs I have gotten through this". I never thought any words that I would ever write down could do that, and that a main reason I still continue to do what I do.

What do you feel you offer the music industry, and the fans listening to your music, that is unique to you?

I feel I offer something new and something real to the industry. When I sing, I leave everything I have with the person listening, whether it's live or recorded. I also think I give you exactly what I hope you expect, that what you hear and grow to love is what you'll get 110% of the time.

Who are a few other musicians who inspire you?

DARYL HALL!!, Sam Cooke, Steven Tyler, Billy Paul, Steve Perry, Zac Brown, Billy Joel, Neil Davis,and Jay Tagg. I could go on probably forever, but those are at the top for me.

As a musician who has been doing this for a time now, and now, starting over solo again, what advice would you give to fledgling bands who are just starting to try and find their place in the industry?

My biggest piece of advice would be to never give up. When a door get's shut in your face kick it down and keep going. There will be time's it doesn't seem like there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but in this business you have to keep fighting till you surpass any goal you'll make.

Music means something to everyone, so what does making music that means something to the people that hear your music... what does that mean to you?

It means absolutely everything to me. It will always be something that I strive for, to have my music mean something to somebody. For it to reach people in ways that help, heal, make you smile, or just give you that shoulder and friend you might need.

For the past three years at The Sound Faction, we have ended every interview with five random questions to end the interview on a lighter note, is that all right with you?

Of course!

If you could live in any movie, what would it be and why?

Newsies! I remember the first time I saw that movie, I watched it a million times and learned every line and song. Street kids selling newspapers to get by and causing trouble without a care in the world just seems fun!

If you could interview yourself, what would you ask yourself?

If you could change one thing you've done or do something differently good or bad what would it be?

If you could have any non-standard superpower, what would it be?

I think shape shifting would be real cool as far as non-standard superpowers go.

Which is worse; Cheeto fingers, or Juice mustaches?

Cheeto fingers for sure, no one want's orange fingers or orange streaks down a nice white shirt.

And finally: we like to wrap it all up by giving you a "Shameless Self Promo" spot, so anything you'd like to add in or promote, this would be the place to do it!

please visit Facebook.com/DanielRinaldiMusic. Take a look around and like the page! There is so much to come and I want you all to be a part of it! Follow me on twitter as well @drinaldimusic. Thank you all for sticking with me, I was away for a while, but now I'm back and not going anywhere.

Once again, I can not thank Daniel Rinaldi enough for taking time out to talk with us (and making a long-time dream of mine come true!). To learn more about his music, check out news and updates, and keep tabs on him, head over to Facebook.com/DanielRinaldiMusic, Daniel's Twitter Account: @drinaldimusic, or check out his videos on Youtube.com/drinaldi87

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