2 minute read
A man with a powerful voice and a story to share
“We reached out to several subjects, but I thought he was the most articulate and compelling guy and that he would be the biggest asset to public relations for the movie,” said Sims. “He was a big part of the promotion process.”
The documentary was screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 2015. Its soundtrack includes an original song, written and recorded by Henzi, which tells about his experience.
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“When I met the film company, I told them that I was a musician and one of the producers was great friends with Gary Lightbody from the band Snow Patrol,” Henzi said. “So I met Gary through her and I had the pleasure of writing the original song with [him].”
Sims, who has certified golden platinum records working with artists such as Dutch singer-songwriter Anouk, also commented on Henzi’s interaction with Lightbody.
“[Henzi] has been able to hold his own with the best of the best and I think he’s an extraordinary songwriter and an extraordinary singer,” said Sims. “He’s a really talented, great kid and I think that he’s going to go far.”
Henzi said that he used music as an outlet to verbalize all the pain and the struggle that he had gone through in his life. He took several music classes at Pierce last semester, including musicianship and harmony taught by Professor John Schneider.
Schneider, who has been teaching music at Pierce for 36 years, joked that Pierce’s music department is a pretty well-kept secret in that not too many students know that the program exists. Those that do don’t always know what they’re getting into.
“One of the issues is that music is such a difficult subject,” Schneider said. “We have a lot of people that say, ‘Yeah, I want to learn music’ but then by the time we get to the third or fourth semester classes really shrink because it’s so hard. The ones who really want to pursue music as their passion are the ones that end up staying, like Evan Henzi.”
Henzi admits that he’s grateful for the opportunity to pursue his passions in a place that doesn’t pressure him to be something he’s not.
“Pierce has given me the opportunity to take my music ambitions at my own pace and to really learn the music theory and skills that are needed to apply to a four-year-college,” Henzi said. “Even though it’s taken me longer than the ‘typical’ students who transfer, I truly believe in Pierce College for giving me a chance to succeed.”
Henzi said that his purpose in bringing up his past is to be a voice for other people like him who have also gone through sexual abuse and to let them know that they can come forward about it.
“I’m sure I’m not the only one, but your past doesn’t define you and the experience doesn’t define you, so don’t be discouraged” Henzi said. “Everybody goes through hardships in life so it’s important, no matter how long it takes, to continue following your passions and not to give up.”
To watch the behind the scenes video for Henzi’s latest single “Alien” [theroundupnews.com]
