Carmen Sclafani, also known as Wiser Time, is the perfect blend of Americana, blues, and folk! His latest EP, "All Fired Up," will have you cranking the volume up and rocking out wherever you are from start to finish! Let's have a conversation with Carmen and find out more about his music and his brilliant new EP!

Hey Carmen! Congrats on your latest EP, "All Fired Up," which is now available on all streaming platforms! Tell us a bit about your musical journey and how you got the idea to come up with this new EP.

Thanks Thommy! The album came together slowly, at the start of the whole COVID pandemic. Everything in my world kind of shut down at that time, but it gave me not only the time to write, but also the opportunity to reflect on a lot of things. "After I'm Gone," which is very deep and introspective about life and death, was the first track that I wrote. The single, "All Fired Up," came next, and it just came out of the times we're in. It has an anthemic quality to it that I think resonates. It was definitely a challenge to record during the early stages, but having that kind of time allowed me to really fine tune and edit, in particular that single, with all of the guitar layers and synth sounds. This entire record has a flow and intent to it. It's like, our lives are a beautiful, fragile moment, and the cycle of life will continue to roll on. What will we hope and do in our moment?

Who were your biggest musical influences that have guided you to creating the vibe of your music as a whole?

We're always learning and being influenced, and so much or what I listen to now is way beyond my early influences as a younger, unformed self. So, I think that now, I'm able to pull from so many places, especially lyrically. But for me, it all started with classic British blues-based rock n roll as a guitarist... Jimmy Page, Keith Richards and Clapton were the building blocks. Then Hendrix, the Doors and the Allmans, and American roots like the Band or Crosby, Stills and Nash and the Eagles. And then there was Bob Dylan. It took time for me to get it, but once I did, I dove right in. Those classics provided the foundation and path for me to go backwards into the blues and country. I was in my late teens and early 20's when Seattle hit, and I was deeply influenced by that time. Mad Season, Pearl Jam, Temple of the Dog and the brilliance of Chris Cornell. That time was incredible in New York City as well, and the whole "Jam Band" scene that formed around the Wetlands, and "Indie Rock" like the amazing Jeff Buckley. Chris and Jeff were enormous influences on me and I still listen to those records. And obviously just great American bands like Guns n Roses, the Crowes and Aerosmith.

When going about writing a song, what is your process when it comes to the lyrics and melody?

I have to have intent when it comes to writing or song lyrics. I have to know what I want to say before I write, and once I do that, then words usually come quickly. I'll wordsmith and play with how they wrap around a melody or riff. Then sometimes the process is reversed and there will be a riff that inspires the mood of the lyric.

The first track, "Love You So Bad", has an extremely cool vibe to it. I've always been a fan of slide guitar and your slide guitar playing on this track is so damn good! It really compliments the song and the lyrics. A perfect way to begin your album. Why did you decide to start off this album with this track?

Thank you very much! I don't want to sound pretentious, but I just think that it's a killer track, and everything a rock n roll track should be. Greasy, sexy and hits you right in the face. When I formed the riff on an old resonator guitar, I was a little stunned actually. Kind of like, "did I really write this?!" I feel like the track should have been written with Mick and Keith, somewhere in France during Exile. The perfect way to start a rock record in my opinion.

The title track, "All Fired Up", is a fist pumping, rock and roll anthem. What did you write the song about and why does it seems to fit current day occurances?

The song was written specifically for today and the climate that we've created. Everyone is fired up about something, and in many cases absolutely justified. It's happening all over the world in a huge generational pull, and amplified by social media and technology. We're in a revolutionary time because of technology and our technical capabilities to solve any basic problem if we chose to. And it is a choice. We control our own methods, actions or inactions.

Another thing I want to mention is the arrangement of "All Fired Up". It's terrifically arranged from a simple yet catchy guitar riff to the psychedelic vibe of the synths! Do arrangements come to you immediately when writing songs or does that usually come later when you record it?

Thanks! "All Fired Up" was a real challenge and interesting creative process that I normally don't go down with Wiser Time. I'm more meat and potatoes, and don't typically do soundscape-like production. The basic progression and lyrics came very quickly, but it took a lot of time to construct the guitar layers and synths. I started with a few Ebow layers and then shaped the guitar riff around it with a heavy, Edge-like, analog delay. Then I gave the track to Rob Clores who gave me a soundcape of synth sounds that I could carve up and layer in. I don't think that I would have gone down that road so deeply had it not been for COVID, and the time that it gave me to edit, but I'm incredibly pleased with the result.

"Come On" is an empowering song related to coming together and go after what we seek/want. While listening to the lyrics, it seems this song, like "All Fired Up", suits the ever changing times that we face right now. Since this tune comes right after the title track, it feels like a continuation of the topic "All Fired Up". Does the topic of this song relate to the previous one or is a completely different message?

This record definitely has an intent and relation. Not only reflective on those tracks and flow, but also in the artwork. Like I said earlier, we have choices, and it's my responsibility to use the medium for something other than just to entertain.

"Gray and Blue" has a much different feel than the other songs. It's much more chill with an acoustic guitar, lap steel, and a fiddle with a bit of viola that gives the tune an ambiance as if you're around a campfire. What place were you coming from when you were writing the lyrics?

That track is really special to me. It was recorded live with myself and the amazing Matt Smith on lap steel at his studio in Austin. It's an amazing place, like being in the greatest guitar shop ever, and he was gracious enough to have me out for a few days. We had been up for about 2 days and had found some magic during the witching hour, set up mics and laid it down. That was take two on the album. The track is about a long distance partner and our time apart. The track was written during the "World's Collide" sessions but not recorded. It's another ode to her in reality, and my bohemian life.

"Hanging Around" is a cool storytelling tune. Though I'm sure anyone could relate to the lyrics, it feels like you wrote it from experience. Did the lyrics come from a relationship you had or even still have with someone?

Most of what I write is pulled from my life and the soil under my boots and tires.

"After I'm Gone" is a very haunting track. From the lyrics to the progression that follows it. It also contains an equally haunting piano throughout the tune. How did you get the idea about writing a song about exiting this life and going to the great beyond?

As I wrote earlier, the mood was kind of set because of COVID and being forced to confront life in a very real sense. People I knew had died, my work had almost shut down completely, and I had been separated from someone who had recently moved because of a job, and whom I couldn't travel to see. It forced me to really confront life and whatever legacy I've created. I wanted to write the greatest song of my life because it might be the last. When you really breakdown it's qualities and lyrics, I don't know if I would ever be able to top that song or dig any deeper than where I went to pull that out.

The last song is called "Beautiful Boy". It's a very heartwarming tune in the view of a father singing to his younger son, encouraging him to chase his dreams and that he will always be there for him. Do you have a son that you based the lyrics around?

That track finished the cycle of rebirth on the record, and the flow of life and death,. I have a beautiful nephew who just brought a beautiful boy into the world. That song is for them with love.

Do you have any upcoming shows that you would like to promote?

I just finished a short string of acoustic shows and will be looking to get out again in the Spring/Summer

Upon releasing the "All Fired Up" EP, what's next for you?

As far as Wiser Time goes, I need to process some things right now and let the next wave of inspiration unfold musically. I'm not really sure what to say at the moment, but I've been at the guitars quite a bit. You'll see me promoting the record in the new year.

Is there anything you would like to say to our readers?

Thank you Thommy for taking the time to chat and to your readers for tuning in. Just look inward, now more than ever. Look to your faith and try to walk the walk. There's something deep inside, if you dig.


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Artist Bio:
Carmen Sclafani, professionally known as Wiser Time, is a vocalist, songwriter, guitarist and producer from New Jersey, USA. His work has received recognition for it's soulful vocals and musical style which consists of concept albums that blend rock, Americana, blues and folk influences. Wiser Time's debut album was There And Back Again (2006), followed by All For One (2008), Beggars And Thieves (2010), XII (2012) and Within (2017). Following the release of the EP, "Worlds Collide," in 2020. Wiser Time released a 7-track EP titled, "All Fired Up," on September 13, 2024.

Wiser Time was formed in 2001 by singer/songwriter/guitarist, Carmen Sclafani, in the small town of Millington, New Jersey, USA, just outside of New York City. He had been working in art and design during the days while performing in coffee-houses and clubs of New Jersey and New York during the evenings, becoming a fixture in the local music scene.

Sclafani wrote and recorded material that would eventually become Wiser Time's first full-length album, "There And Back Again," in the fall of 2006 with producer Anthony Krizan (Amphibian, Lenny Kravitz, Spin Doctors). The album was received well and radio stations began playing it while Sclafani continued to perform throughout the New Jersey/New York area, as well as stops across the United States to the California coast.

Wiser Time's second full-length album, "All For One," was recorded and released on February 1, 2008 and was a raw and emotional album that was heavily influenced by the weight of the times. Jerry Ewing of Classic Rock Magazine wrote, "It's fluidly enjoyable stuff…rocking hard," * giving the album 7/10 stars.

Sclafani also spent time exploring some of his earlier folk work, and was inspired to write and record a selection of stripped-down songs including the acoustic ballad, "Looking For Bob Dylan" and the emotional "What You Give – Unplugged."

In 2009, Sclafani began work on Wiser Time's third full-length album with engineer and producer, Tom Camuso (Steve Earle, Medeski, Martin and Wood) in Brooklyn, NY. The sessions would be titled "Beggars And Thieves," and became a three-day recording celebration that chronicled Sclafani's life and some of the events that took place on the road. "Beggars And Thieves" was released on February 12, 2010.

The album received national radio play and reached #46 on the Americana Music Charts. Jim Hynes of Elmore Magazine wrote, "the easy, unpretentious feel of the music exudes a celebratory spirit," ** and Jamie Hailstone of Blues Matters hailed the album as "a masterclass in good old-fashioned back porch rock, guaranteed to bring a smile to any fan of classic rock and roll." ***

In 2012, Sclafani began work on a written word and audio EP titled, "XII" with guitarist and producer Chuck Hammer (Lou Reed, David Bowie) contributing to the instrumental introduction. The piece is fittingly titled after Sclafani's birthday and released on 12.12.12.

After a short hiatus, Sclafani released Wiser Time's next album, "Within," in the Fall of 2017, followed by the folk single, "Sing You A Song" in 2018. Wiser Time then released the EP, "Worlds Collide," in 2020 followed by the album "All Fired Up," in 2024.