Interview: Torie Jock One

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What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

Hi! I’m Torie Jock and I am excited to be here chatting today! It’s honestly hard to say what got me into music specifically. I just remember always singing and dancing around my house immediately when I learned to talk and walk! I remember watching a dance recital at one year old and knowing I had to be up there. I think music came along for the ride when I started performing as a dancer. I just always knew I loved it and wanted to do as much as I could with it.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

I’m pretty bad at having fun … LOL … I rarely do anything “just for fun.” Performing and the arts as a whole are what is the most fun for me and make me the happiest. But I do love watching movies with my drummer after band practices and kicking it with him. Any experience in life for me drives my creativity because I like to write and create based on what I know and have experienced.

How long has your band been around?

We’ve been around for a while, just not together LOL … We’ve only been playing together for about six or seven months. Before that though, we all played in different bands or on our own for years.

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

I am based out of Western Massachusetts. There are some pretty awesome bands out here, and growing up watching so many talented artists definitely taught me a lot for my own music.

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you.

Well, Torie Jock is my name - So that’s what it means to me … LOL

Tell me about the best and worst shows you have played.

The best show I played would probably be the United We Stand Festival that happened back in October. It was a tiny crowd, but I met some incredible bands and people there. One of them was Leaving Eden, whose guitar player, Eric Gynan, now manages me. Eric and I co-wrote my unreleased album, Damaged Goods, that will soon be available worldwide! I was also recently signed by Dark Star Records/Sony/Universal Worldwide Distribution! A single, Outta Control, off of the unreleased album is available now worldwide!

The worst show I ever played was probably when I was about seventeen. I was talked into doing a show last minute that I was not at all ready to do … I was going through some super personal issues, and I was not at all prepared and really didn’t want to do it. After being begged, I foolishly agreed to do it anyway, and I totally blew!

Tell me about your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you haven't already?

I do not have a favorite venue to play at … The list goes on for the venues that I would love to play at though!

If you could play any show with any lineup who would be on the ticket?

OMG! This is going to be hard to narrow down … Some are deceased that I wish we could bring back. Joan Jett, Alanis Morissette, Cher, Amy Winehouse, Fleetwood Mac, Motley Crue, Ozzy Osbourne, Poison, Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Blondie, Pat Benetar, Prince, PJ Harvey, and Wynonna Judd. So many more, but I didn’t want to take up the entire page! Oh, and of course, Leaving Eden!

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band?

Be committed if this is what you really want to do. Don’t be difficult because then no one wants to play with you. There is a fine line between being driven and driving people away.

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

Watch who you trust!

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

Very hard to choose just one. I think right now I would say my song, Heal (The Truth), off of my unreleased album, Damaged Goods, means the most to me. It is about something very personal that happened to me, and I hope that others who have been through something similar can recognize the meaning and have it help them to start to heal.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

I love playing classic rock covers! I love when the audience sings and claps along to songs like, I Love Rock ‘n Roll. I don’t typically hear requests.

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

Life inspires me to write. I always write what I know. I write my truth. I don’t write with my band, but our process for rehearsing is to laugh and joke around while at the same time working.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

All kinds of messages! I try to take things I have experienced and put it out there for those who may have been through something similar … Or so people who have done me dirty can hear it and maybe reflect on their behavior!

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

I haven’t really had any disagreements with the current band I am with. I have had many disagreements with past bands I’ve been in … As far as dealing with them, I am no longer with those bands for a reason … LOL! In all seriousness, you deal with it just like you deal with it in life. It’s all in your approach. Disagreements are totally fine and they are part of life. It’s how you disagree/respond that matters. Don’t be nasty!

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that's coming up?

I plan to continue making music, writing, acting, and playing out! I would love to spotlight the upcoming release of my brand new album, Damaged Goods! A single, Outta Control, off of that album was released on 07/09/21 and is available worldwide! I have some gigs coming up, one happening very soon on August 7th in Salem, New Hampshire! I also start filming at the end of this month for a feature film I’ve been cast in! Stay tuned!