ARTIST HIGHLIGHT: JOE FRESCO
ARTIST HIGHLIGHT: JOE FRESCO
I lived all throughout San José, from 7th and Reed to Roundtable to Hostetter. The majority of my life was spent on the Eastside, Story, Alum Rock, Jackson, Mckee, Neiman– I lived on ‘em all as my stomping grounds coming up. All my closest friends lived on the Eastside, I went to Piedmont Hills in the EUSD and all my friends were further down White Road at Mount Pleasant or Independence.
Star Records on Mckee was one of my biggest musical influences in ESSJ. All my OGs know. I used to stay at Star Records faithfully checking out the new albums, getting posters. And then there’s Sam Goody in Eastridge. I used to just go and listen to the new albums in the listening stations. We always wanted to have something new and fresh coming out the rides when we would pull up to a function. That was always inspirational to just make something dope for my friends to bump.
“We always wanted to have something new and fresh coming out the rides when we would pull up to a function.”
Putting yourself out there can be challenging for many, especially artists. The night that helped push myself was when my friend Tobe wanted to perform at the Moose Lodge Talent Show back in 1994. We just grabbed the microphones and rapped some lyrics we wrote to a beat and we actually got 2nd place that night. That's when I said, maybe I can do this.
Reflecting back to my time growing up in ESSJ, my love for music, and the drive that pushed me forward, always remember the reason you started. Always be protective of your mind, body, and soul. When you start to shine bright, you will attract things. Know how to separate those who come to add to your light from those who come to take your shine. You have to remember why you started the journey. You have to sift through the criticism and separate that from the hate. Constructive criticism can help you grow. You need people with the perfect balance of positive and constructive criticism.
“Know how to separate those who come to add to your light from those who come to take your shine.”