Lyle Divinsky '09: Traveling Man

Were you classically trained in music or more self-taught?

My father is a fantastic singer who, in comparison, makes me sound like William Hung. He was always performing or singing with his friends as I was growing up, so I’ve been around it, but I guess I just needed to find it for myself. I began playing music, as in taking it seriously, around age 17. Once I got to Skidmore, I took a few music theory classes because I thought it would be beneficial, and came to realize that music was the only thing I wanted to do. I became a music major and have been studying it since. Now I’ve taken a few lessons: two semesters of jazz piano, one of jazz improvisation, and one of guitar. I’ve still never taken voice lessons though, besides my dad giving me some lessons on how to breathe correctly. With one’s voice being such a personal and organic thing, the way I learn and grow as a singer is by listening and singing along to my favorite singers, and working on certain runs or high points in my range until I can do it like them.

Who are your biggest influences, musical or otherwise?

I’ve been extremely lucky to have been surrounded by and exposed to so many incredible people. In terms of music, I’d say my biggest influences are my father, Donny Hathaway, Bill Withers, D’Angelo, Jeff Buckley, and Ray Lamontagne. While I may not bring all of their particular styles directly to my music, I know that each has shaped my musical preference, style, phrasing, and outlook.  I’d say the one tie that they all have is their ability to translate emotion, whatever that emotion may be. All of these musicians have an incredible knack for making the listener feel exactly what they’re putting forth. When someone listens to Donny Hathaway’s rendition of Leon Russell’s, “A Song For You,” each word makes you feel like you’re the one pouring your heart out to your lover, even if you don’t have one. That song made me yearn for the day I could love someone like that.

Outside of the musical realm, I feel so lucky to say that my family has been the greatest influence.

Do you prefer playing as a solo artist or as part of a band?

Playing with a band is just fun. When you get the right combination of musicians together, it’s unlike anything else in the world. With the bands I’ve played with, The Model Airplane back home in Portland, Maine and The Choice Kids at Skidmore, I love to get down with the funk/soul. Funk is such feel-good music that everyone around can’t help but close their eyes, smile, and dance ‘til they can’t dance no more.  

Playing solo is amazing for different reasons.  I find that I’m much more laid back, and often-times much more nervous to play solo. I guess it feels more vulnerable when you don’t have a band’s support, and at some point, people to hide behind.  But that’s exactly why I love it.  I find that often, when I play solo, my eyes stay closed the entire show because I just kind of slip away from the audience and go into my own world.  As cliché as it sounds, it becomes incredibly spiritual.  Recently, as I’ve explored the realm of vocal harmony, I’ve fallen in love with an acoustic show with a few backup singers.  I feel like there’s nothing more powerful than three voices in perfect harmony over an acoustic guitar—that might actually be my ideal performance.

Can you talk about each of your two bands? Are there any plans to continue playing after graduation?

The Choice Kids, the band at Skidmore, is a collection of some of my best friends and favorite musicians I know at this school. It’s always been a really casual thing for us. We’ll get together and play one show a semester, which takes away the usual pressure of a band. At the same time, though, it probably means that we’ll never play as that group again.

My band back home, The Model Airplane, will continue to play together this summer.  My bandmates are my best friends in the world. I don’t really know what will happen after the summer, though.  I know that we all have our own goals and ideal paths, but I know we’ll always be family, even if we’re not playing together.

You've been in several musicals during your time at Skidmore. How were those experiences compared to your own personal music career?

I don’t connect the musicals to my music because they’re so drastically different.  At the same time, though, they were all amazing experiences. I met incredible people, had the opportunity to do something I never would have done, and got a taste of the theater life—it isn’t for me, but I can love and appreciate it.

How about being part of the Bandersnatchers? Has a cappella influenced your personal music at all?

I have to say that I had never really heard any collegiate a cappella before coming to Skidmore. Though this might cause some stir, I really don’t like it that much. I find that it has the tendency to be a bit cheesy. But at the same time, my affinity for the human voice is pretty obvious. Even though it might not be my favorite music, I don’t regret my decision to stick it out for my four years.  Each member of the Bandersnatchers has become a dear friend to me. These guys will be friends for life and I’ll always cherish that. Also, being a part of a cappella has done incredible things for my ear, musically. I never trusted my ear for harmony, and now it’s becoming second-nature. Once you hear my new album, you’ll see how much I love harmony now, and how it’s really become a staple of my musical style.

How was the process of creating your first full-length album?

I couldn’t be more excited. The CD is called Traveling Man, and it’s a compilation of 13 original songs. I recorded with Dan Merrill at Studio 19 in Portland, Maine; he and all the musicians on the album really made this an incredible experience and product. I was lucky enough to have musicians from my dad’s band, The ToneKinds: Andy Argondizza, Pete Masterton, and Marty Joyce, as well as Dane Farnsworth, Dan Boyden, and Pete Genova from my band, The Model Airplane. There are guest appearances from incredible musicians like David Wakefield, a respected Maine blues harmonica player, Ryan Zoidis of Soulive and Lettuce, and my father.

It will be available on iTunes, on CD Baby, Digstation, and directly from me.  I’m going to do my best to begin some distribution to get it in stores, probably first in the New England area, and then go from there.  But my web site www.lyledivinsky.com will be up and running soon, so everyone can keep in touch with things from there.

Has attending Skidmore been better or worse than going to a music conservatory for your undergraduate experience?    

Skidmore has made me a more well-rounded person.  I’m so glad that I didn’t go to a conservatory because of the diversity of knowledge and learning experiences provided at Skidmore. I would have loved a bigger music program with more options, but I can live without it in exchange for the people I’ve met and shared my time with.  I have to say, Skidmore has introduced me to some of the most intelligent, ubiquitously talented individuals I may ever meet, and to have the opportunity to spend my time with them is something I wouldn’t trade for the world.

What are your plans once you graduate this May?

I’ll be going back to Portland for the summer.  I’ll be playing a lot, whether solo, with a band playing just my music, or with The Model Airplane, and finding either a restaurant or construction job.  The word of the summer is “hustle.”  It will be the planning and organization stage to the hopeful music career.  After the summer, I’m either moving to New York City or New Orleans, and getting this music thing on the road.  Who knows where I’ll be—I’ve found that as much as you plan the future, it will never turn out exactly how you see it. I’m just going to stay open-minded, organized, and dedicated to my music and my happiness. ~ By Lauren Donovan ’1 0