Often life gets in the way of our dreams. Such was the case with Raymond Castronovo, when his budding music career was about to take off, and he learned his wife was pregnant with their first child. He did the “responsible” thing and put his music on hold for a little while. 30 years later, he has a beautiful family and a successful construction business. Today, the Brooklyn-born artist is back on the music scene and ready to take the world by storm. In 2019, Castronovo brought together a group of talented NY musicians to create the band Streetwise. He has written a full album of 50’s style rock ‘n roll with a modern twist, entitled Crossing Bridges, which is released tomorrow on Castronovo’s own label, DayQuest Records, and which PopWrapped are delighted to premiere. Streetwise recorded Crossing Bridges in Castronovo’s self-built studio in Riverhead, NY. The musicians on the album include Joe Martinez (Chubby Checker, Irene Cara) on bass, Paul Glazer on lead guitar, and Carl Obrig on saxophone.
Castronovo explains how his love and respect for various music legends inspired his band’s name. “Streetwise gets its name from being wise enough to learn from the great artists that came before us. We have been influenced by the very beginnings of American Music in New Orleans, all the way to the present,” he says. “The great Louis Armstrong opened people’s ears to new and endless possibilities in music. Les Paul began to modernize recording and electric guitars. The Rat Pack taught us Class and how to do it right. Aretha and Elvis sang it like it has never been sung before, and then the Beatles and the Stones arrived… We have been touched and influenced by all of them. There are way too many to mention.” He goes on to add: “So, Streetwise is a stew, a combination of everything that has moved us, in all the years that we have been listening to and playing music. We only hope to honor these great artists and decades in American Music History. Maybe in some small way, we get to carry the torch.”
Regarding his songwriting process, Castronovo says real life situations are the main inspiration for his music, which he describes as a genre “stew” or a mix of many genres. “Every song has a different story behind it that anyone can relate to,” he shares. “We strive to reach and touch as many people as we can with our music. Streetwise embraces inclusivity — always trying to bring people together – equality for all. We’re excited to have everyone join us on our Streetwise ride.”
Check out ‘Crossing Bridges’ below and join the Streetwise journey by visiting their website, Facebook and Instagram.
