Welcome to this exclusive interview with Tony Lio, the rising star in the music industry whose stage name has been making waves – a name that combines intrigue, passion, and a touch of Italian flair. Tony Lio has carved a unique path in the world of music, captivating audiences with his dynamic sound and captivating performances.
Behind the enigmatic stage name lies a fascinating story. Tony Lio reveals that the inspiration for his moniker came to him in 2017 when he stumbled upon the Italian translation for lion, “Lio.” Intrigued by the brevity and impact of the word, he combined it with his given name, Tony, to create a persona that represents his musical artistry and individuality.
As a self-taught musician, Tony Lio’s creative process is a puzzle waiting to be solved. Starting with a melody or a single word, he weaves together his unique blend of high-energy rock and melodic elements from indie rock, creating a sonic experience that invites listeners to both lose themselves in the music or be carried away by its intensity.
Looking ahead, Tony Lio has exciting plans for the coming months. He aims to continue working on new music, taking every opportunity that comes his way, and exploring collaborations with fellow artists. With a message of anticipation and promise, he assures his fans that exciting ventures are on the horizon.
Tony Lio unveils his latest single, “Sweet Romantic.” This captivating track not only marks his newest musical endeavor but also serves as the grand finale of the illustrious Balance Trilogy. The culmination of a musical journey that began with “Cigarettes and Angel Wings” and “Kaleidoscope,” “Sweet Romantic” represents a harmonious fusion of the darkness and light that defined its predecessors.
Tony Lio takes us on a transformative musical experience, seamlessly blending contrasting elements to create a masterpiece that resonates on multiple levels. Delving into the depths of human emotions, this song invites listeners to lose themselves in its ethereal beauty or embark on a profound introspective journey to uncover the true sources of happiness.
As an artist who continually pushes boundaries, Tony Lio considers “Sweet Romantic” not only one of his finest compositions but also a personal favorite.
Join us as we delve into the captivating world of Tony Lio, an artist whose passion, talent, and drive promise to leave an indelible mark on the music industry. Get ready for a musical journey that combines power, introspection, and a touch of the extraordinary.
Watch Sweet Romantic below
Follow Tony Lio on
What is your stage name:
My official stage name is “Tony Lio”. My social media taglines however are “@redtonyliomusic”.
Is there a story behind your stage name?
I always knew I wanted to create a sortof persona when creating music. It wasn’t until 2017 that I decided to solitify that idea and one night after about five minutes of research I found that one of the translations for lion in Italian was “Lio”. I thought that was short and effective, so that’s how “Tony Lio” came to be.
Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration through everything and anything. If it’s either from an event that stuck with me or someone or something in particular, I’ll try to create something out of it.
What was the role of music in the early years of your life?
Music has always been a pillar in my life ever since I was a kid. I remember hearing music being played around the house or my mom just humming songs off the top of her head. Little seeds like that planted the love of music for me.
Are you from a musical or artistic family?
I definitely come from both a musicial and artisitic family. Individuals who also perform music and some who work in the television and movie industry.
Who inspired you to be a part of the music industry?
There are alot of factors that inspired me to create music. One of the biggest ones would have to be my father and his motto of if something makes you happy just keep doing it.
How did you learn to sing/write/to play?
I’m mainly self-taught, but I’ve studied and taken music theory courses through school along with taking jazz guitar lessons which has helped developed my style of guitar playing.
What was the first concert that you ever went to and who did you see perform?
The first concert I ever went to was Paul McCartney in Philadelphia 2010. I was always a fan of the Beatles but seeing him live in concert changed the game for me.
How could you describe your music?
I would describe my music as a hybrid style of high energy rock with melodic elements from indie rock. You can either jump around and bang your head or just relax and get lost in the music.
Describe your creative processMy creative process varies from either starting with a melody line or a certain lyric or word. All I need that is one starting point and I can start solving the puzzle.
What is your main inspiration?
That’s a really tough question and I think it changes depending on the day. In this moment though my main inspirations are the musicians that I’ve known for the past decade as they’ve continued to push me to grow and improve.
What musician do you admire most and why?
The musician I admire the most would have to be Chris Cornell. His style is not only incredibly unique but he also had the ability to dive into so many different genres all the while retaining the traits that made him a great musician to begin with. That has inspiried to keep pushing the limits with my own music.
Did your style evolve since the beginning of your career?
My style has definitely evolved since starting out. When I first started playing I was considered a straight forward punk rock player but for the past decade I’ve learned to incorporate many different styles into both my playing and writing. Today I definitely have a style that’s all my own.
Who do you see as your main competitor?
I don’t think I have a main competitor, but I do have what I consider to be “friendly rivals”; individuals who push me to make the best music that I can.
What are your interests outside of music?
Outside of music, I enjoy other works in the arts such as creating original stories and experimenting in photography and filmmaking.
If it wasn’t a music career, what would you be doing?
If I didn’t pursue a career in music I think I would’ve explored a career in the movie industry. Maybe as a screenwriter or director.
What is the biggest problem you have encountered in the journey of music?
Biggest problem I’ve encountered in the music industry is trying to find the right trustworthy connections in order to move my career forward. It’s so easy to fall in with the wrong crowd and put your faith in people who don’t look out for you.
If you could change one thing in the music industry, what would it be?
The payment system. The artist always gets paid last.
Why did you choose this as the title of this project?
“Sweet Romantic” to me has a double meaning. It has both a dark and light quality in pushing to obtain happiness even though it might not work out in the end. And that is the perfect reason why it’s the finale of the Balance Trilogy.
What are your plans for the coming months?
My current plans are to continue working on new music, play any live gigs that come my way and take any new opportunities that present themselves
Do you have any artistic collaboration plans:
I have a lot of future collaborations lined up that I’m planning to annouce soon and I’ll leave it at that.
What message would you like to give to your fans?
Expect a lot of interesting stuff in the future. I think alot of big things are coming.