Meet Parker Greenwood

We had the good fortune of connecting with Parker Greenwood and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Parker, why did you pursue a creative career?
It is no secret that my generation faces an unprecedented mental health crisis correlated with increased social media dependency. In this age of social interconnectedness, new perspectives can spread like wildfire from screen to screen, and many of them are confining rather than freeing. With just a glance at our little black boxes, we can quickly fall into someone else’s narrative about what we need in order to be happy, discounting what we have for what we could have. I see my role as an artist to be a voice that lifts others out of these tight confines, reminding those around me of life’s inherent spaciousness that we give away so freely. Inspiring music has a capacity to halt our mundane thought patterns and focus our attention on the here and now. It is in these moments that we realize we are not defined by our desires and fears, that we have everything we need in the present moment. If I can play even the smallest part in this process of awakening, then I will be happy with my time on this earth.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a self-produced singer-songwriter, with a style influenced by a number of different genres, from indie pop, to rock, to R&B. But more importantly than any one of my musical roles, I am a storyteller at heart: a weaver of pockets. When I first began on my musical path as a composer of solo piano pieces, my goal was to create new worlds in the mind of the listener. Unexplored terrain in the form of audio. I feel that, as beautifully diverse as life can be, we sometimes trap ourselves into mundane patterns that make us forget that we’re even living. I’ve seen in my own life how an unexpected scene can remind me of the inherent awe baked into this life. A shooting star. A rainbow after heavy rainfall. A stray cat that decides you’re his new best friend. These moments make us look around and wonder. This is why my musical style reflects so many different genres. I believe that this wide range of musical influences invites the listener to take each moment at face value without going on autopilot. Because above all else, it is my hope that my listeners will open up to the novel scene contained in each of my songs, that they will abandon any preconceived notions for the here and now. If this philosophy piques your curiosity, then feel free to check out my new single “Eurydice” available now on all platforms! I wonder what world will come alive when you listen…

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Being from Tennessee, I pretty frequently have friends who want to come experience Miami for themselves, so you already know I’ve got that itinerary ready! For breakfast, Bagel Emporium takes the top prize without a doubt. I eat there all the time, and their nova lox sandwich is unmatched. If I want to take my friends somewhere a little more upscale, I’ll bring them to Pura Vida for fresh ingredients and a banana iced coffee that will have them dreaming about it the rest of the week. Then we’re off to go sightseeing. We’ll of course explore some of Miami’s most iconic areas such as Bayside Marketplace, Brickell City Center, and Wynwood Walls. Once we’ve worked up an appetite, we’ll grab lunch at Versailles for some incredible Cuban food, or I might take them to Smile Empanadas if we’re feeling less hungry. For dinner, I’d show them the best pho I’ve ever had at Pho 79, or if we’re really feeling adventurous, I’ll take my friends to Da Tang Zhen Wei for a hot pot experience they’re sure to remember. If we’re in more of a hurry, we’ll swing by Firangi Food with Masala, an outstanding Indian food truck that knows my order by memory at this point. After dinner, there is of course a large list of night clubs to explore on Miami beach and the surrounding area, but I’ll leave that up to the discretion of those interested in that sort of thing. The collection of places I have listed here hardly even scratches the surface of what Miami has to offer, but I can guarantee that each of them will keep you coming back for more!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Above all else, I have to thank God for any success that I’ve seen as an artist. It all belongs to Him, and every time I’m knocked down, He’s given me the strength to get right back up again. Of course my parents deserve a huge shoutout for always showing up for me and for supporting my dreams. My father has played a particularly important role in my musical development––he is a performing country artist himself, and although country is not my passion, the astounding level of his musicianship has always been the shining star that I set my sights on. His feedback over the years has been invaluable, and I know that the music I create would be nothing if not for his shoulders on which I stand. I thank the rest of my family and friends who have always had my back through thick and thin. Lastly, I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today without the investments of the various mentors who believed in me along the way. Mr. Ferrari, Mrs. Snider, Ms. Wallace, Dr. Spach, Dr. Blessinger. Thank you all for giving me the confidence to pursue my dreams. As much as I like to think of myself as an original, I know that I truly am an extension of those who have poured out their time into me.

Instagram: @parkergreenwood

Soundcloud: Parker Greenwood

Youtube: Parker Greenwood

Image Credits
Jacob Randall Holmes