Chris Calzone Reveals How Prince Shaped His Sound (Modern Funk & Minneapolis Influence)

Chris Calzone reveals how discovering Prince’s deeper catalog transformed his approach to bass, groove, and songwriting.
A look at how the Minneapolis sound is influencing a new generation of funk artists.
Multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer Chris Calzone joins Joe Kelley to break down the musical DNA behind his sound—blending funk, punk, ska, and synth-driven influences.
Inspired by artists like Prince, André Cymone, Larry Graham, and Sly Stone, Calzone shares how digging beyond the hits reshaped his playing and creative direction.
In this episode:
• Discovering Prince’s deeper catalog and its impact
• The legacy of the Minneapolis sound today
• The making of Let’s Rock
• Blending punk, ska, and funk influences
• Groove, bass, and songwriting philosophy
• Building an audience as an independent artist

This conversation explores how Prince’s influence continues to evolve through modern musicians.
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Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley features in-depth interviews with legendary artists, Prince collaborators, and emerging musicians—sharing the real stories behind the music.