Ready for some inspiration from one of indies most innovative and rising stars? Great, then I have a podcast for you to check out.

Not exactly sure how my friends Greg and Jay from Social Blend were able to swing it, but they have Nataly Dawn from YouTube/ video song superstars Pomplamoose.

She talk about the following:

• How Pomplemoose started and gained popular using YouTube
• Their early struggles
• Using covers to make fans aware of your music
• How they choose covers
• What music inspire them and their work
• Why they are indie
• What it means to be indie
• Upcoming collaborations
• Where she thinks she looks like a hooker
• How they are able to keep their sanity as their popularity increases
• Her new Kickstarter campaign she started to raise money for her latest project
• And more..

Bottom line, whether you are a music fan or musician, there is a ton of great stuff in this interview. Very inspiring!

Anyway, enough outta me. Go listen for yourself by clicking here.

OH and one more thing, please share this podcast with anyone your can. Greg, Jay and Nataly all work very hard and deserve to have their work heard.

“You can be careful and I’ll be the reckless one”

Introducing singer/songwriter, Sunday Lane

Bring Me Sunshine is the name of your new EP, what song are you most proud of and why?

“Heavy Heart, Heavy Hands” because it deals with issues that are so much bigger than me. I went to a Christian high school and one of my closest friend’s mother never let her go on mission trips to other countries because she insisted there was enough injustice in their own town. I wrote this song as a wake up call to myself and others to take action for social justice in our own towns and cities.

What are the Pros and Cons of moving from Tulsa to Los Angeles?

The great thing about LA is meeting so many people who have the same passion that I do. It’s encouraging to know I’m not the only one with this crazy dream of having music as a job. However, I have moved from being a fairly sized fish in a reasonably small sea to a tadpole in the ocean. The local support in Tulsa is fantastic, and I definitely still consider Tulsa “home.” There’s just something enticing about LA though. It’s the city of possibilities. And if my mom would move here and keep my laundry in line, I might be willing to negotiate that whole “home” thing

You recently released a music video for your single “Won’t Go Back Down”, are there any funny, behind the scene moments we should know about?

Absolutely. The first shoot began at 5am. I somehow convinced my little sister to come along, insisting that it would be fun. Well, turns out my idea of fun is sitting in front of a fire on the beach with the wind blowing smoke and ashes into our faces. Oh, and did I mention it was also raining? Yeah. We really got in touch with the elements that day.

What sort of things inspire you to write songs?

Well, if something significant happens in my life (fall in love, get my heartbroken, etc.) I can’t help but write about it. I suppose it’s sort of a coping mechanism. But sometimes it’s hard to trace a song to it’s inspiration. I often wake up with a certain phrases in my head that I just know are supposed to be a song. Sometimes a friend will say something insightful and poetic without even realizing it and I’m just like, “Bam! That’s a lyric!” I’m pretty sure “Reckless One” was written verbatim from a mildly dramatic text I sent back in the day. Ha Ha! Oh, to be young.

Who would your dream collaboration be with?

Well, obviously Celine Dion, but I think she’s busy with the twins :) So my 2nd choice would be Bon Iver. “Ain’t it just like the present to be showing up like this?” He’s such a great lyricist, and I love his voice!

What song gets the biggest crowd response?

People seem to get really, really quiet during “Reckless One.” I keep telling myself that’s a good thing. The tears are good too, right?

In the spirit of the season, I have to ask: what is your New Year’s resolution?

Well, since I don’t smoke I suppose I should start and have something to quit next year (kidding, mom). This year, I’d really like to find a homeless shelter to be actively involved with. I have such a heart for homeless people.

Check Sunday Lane out on her website or Facebook.

Sexy, seductive, and sinner.

These are 3 words that sum up the appeal of New York based artist DiSanto. With an upbeat stage show and great pop songs, DiSanto has already make a mark in the entertainment world. Having performed on Broadway in Footloose and Rent, DiSanto is taking the next step into a solo career and the work is paying off.

Tell us a little bit about the sinner, diSanto.

I’m a person that likes to live life to the fullest, no boundaries, no taboos.  Some people think that because of the music I write and my vision of life, I’m a bad person… at least my grandfather does! Hee Hee…. But I’m a good guy, not a saint, but a good guy.   I was brought up in a Catholic school since I was 4 years old up until 17.  They had many rules and much fear was taught to us.  I guess when you grow in such constraints it makes you appreciate life differently.  That’s what I’m trying to spread with my music… A world with no wrong or right, where you can be who you want to be.

A video for your song “Sinner” was recently released, what was the best part about filming?

I have got to say I had tons of fun recording this video.  It is awkward and hot at the same time when you meet someone for the first time and then 5 minutes later you are recording a sex scene. Even though some might think I’m carnivorous, I’m a gentleman as well, so I made sure there was enough whiskey for everybody to loosen up when shooting those scenes!

Watch the video here:   Sinner

What song is the most exciting for you to play live?

“Ride My Chu-Chu” is my favorite song to sing live.  Not just because I choreographed it and wrote it by myself, but also because it’s so danceable that it gets my blood pumping.  There is something about when it hits the bridge that really gets my adrenaline going.

DiSanto is turning into quite the sex symbol, any advice for those trying to get a date?

I try to avoid dates.  They always lead to something serious and at this time in my life and career I can’t commit to anyone or anything other than my music. Of course, I am a human being and have needs, so my advice is let’s skip the dinner and the movies!

Who influences your style the most?

This is a very tricky question.  I hate when people say that they have their own sound and voice, it’s a lie because we are all influenced by many people.  I’ve always listened to Latin music since I was a kid, so my main influences singing wise would be Marc Anthony, Luis Fonsi and Luis Miguel.  However, in the songwriting aspect I’d say Prince, Queen, Britney Spears, Madonna and Justin Timberlake have all played an important roles when putting my first album together.

At a young age you had the opportunity to be in several musicals such as “Footloose” and “Rent”, what made you make the transition from Broadway to a solo music career?

I’ve always wanted to be a solo artist since I was a kid. Due to my background in dancing and singing, musicals seemed like an obvious job opportunity for me. Thankfully, I got the opportunity to work in great musicals with great actors/singers and really learned a lot from it.  I would do it again anytime

If you were on a chu- chu train from New York to Los Angeles, what 5 celebrities would be in your train car?

That’s a long ride so I better get some people that could entertain me.  I think Betty White, Steve Carell and Tina Fey will keep me laughing half of the way. The other half I think Jessica Biel, Megan Fox and Angelina Jolie would do just fine.

Check out DiSanto here or on Facebook.

Fools for Rowan have been touring the US in support of their new album, Twisted. Tied Up. Tangled. and have been collecting fans like Pokemon cards. With a new music video for their single, “Dead” this Nashville five-some knows what it takes to give the fans what they want and keep it coming.

Fools for Rowan is a unique band name, who is Rowan and how did you come up with the name?

I came up with the name Rowan when I combined my mother’s name, Robyn, with my grandfather’s name, Darwin.  They were both instrumental in me following my dream of becoming a singer.  So when I was putting this band together and we needed a name, I thought why not give credit where credit is due!

You’ve shared the stage with some big name acts such as Sick Puppies and Halestorm, what has been your favorite live experience so far?

That’s a tough one, but performing at Summerfest 2010 with Sick Puppies and Halestorm was definitely a show we will never forget!  The stage was awesome, the crowd was amazing, and overall it was just an incredible experience!  If we had to pick another show that was up there in the ranks of Summerfest, we’d have to say the October 2010 show we played in Milwaukee, WI.  The energy the fans brought to that show was unbeatable!

Which song off the new album Twisted. Tied Up, Tangled. seems to get the crowd excited the most?

“It’s Alright” or “Tangled,” it’s a tie!  We play our songs a little different in concert than they are on the record.  During “It’s Alright” we like to have the crowd help us out and they always rock it!!!  “Tangled” just seems to bring out some crazy energy in our fans!

Having both a female lead singer and lead guitarist is not very common in the rock world, how has this been a challenge or has it made it easier to set you apart?

The fact that having both a female lead singer and a female lead guitarist is such a novelty in rock, and really any genre of music, has been a major blessing to FFR!  It has really helped to further set us apart in a world saturated by so many bands with similar songs and similar looks and builds.  FFR is not your stereotypical rock band and Erin and Rachel are not your stereotypical female accents to the rock and roll boy’s club.  They show up ready to lay down the riffs and send the vocals soaring.

Fools for Rowan is known to have great relationships with their fans, however there must be one or two crazy fans stories, care to share one?

We have so many fantastic fans!  We’ve had fans drive across states for hours just to see us perform!  We try to keep up with our fans as well as we can on Facebook, but we did end up with one fan who got a little too attached to the band via Facebook.  We’re pretty sure he took out a mortgage, built a house, and lived on our Facebook page…  At one point he emailed our label requesting a few autographed items, so we sent them to him!  But then a few days later we got some angry hate mail from the guy because we didn’t send him every single thing he asked for… Talk about touchy!

Recently you shot a music video for your song “Dead,” what was the best part about filming?

Filming for the video for “Dead” was awesome and painful at the same time, haha!  Awesome part… We had an amazing director, and an awesome crew that helped everything run smoothly and turn out perfect!  Plus we pretty much have a blast in everything we do, and making a video is no exception!  Painful part… it was freezing cold in just about every shot!  The church we filmed in didn’t have heat, so it was 35 degrees in there and Erin had to stand in a sleeveless dress for hours!

One of the albums final tracks is called “Living Dangerously,” what are some of the most dangerous things the band has done together?

Ha!  Well one night in particular comes to mind, I think it was in Ohio.  After the show we heard a lot of sirens so we looked outside and it looked like there was a house on fire a few blocks away, so we decided to walk down that way and see what was going on.  We got one block away from the venue and ended up in the sketchiest neighborhood ever!  I mean I don’t scare very easily, I like to think I’m pretty tough, but I knew it was getting serious when Aaron grabbed my shoulder and said ‘just keep walking and don’t say anything’.  As a general rule, I don’t like to live quite so dangerously that there is an actual chance that I might get shanked.

Check them out here or on Facebook

They’re only nineteen
Antonio Paul Treasures
Making bouncy songs

Australian duo Antonio Paul

What’s the origin of the name Antonio Paul? I’ve heard that it’s a combination of your last names, but I’ve read that your last names are Papalia and Edwards. Can you set the record straight?

Yeah, we can see how that would confuse people haha but Antonio Paul is actually our middle names. We used our middle names because Papalia Edwards or Marc & Michael didn’t have the best ring to it. Haha Originally we called ourselves Paul Antonio but we thought it sounded too much like a European DJ so we made a last minute swap.

So what famous girls do you talk about when you should be practicing?

Haha good question! Me, I like the generic mainstream type of girls like Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift. They’re pretty close to my age. Michael prefers the older and mature girls like fellow Australian, Miranda Kerr and sex bomb Megan Fox. Haha We sound so seedy.

What’s the best part about having only two people in a band?

We’re best friends so we have super similar thoughts on music ideas and we are always hanging out so it makes it easier to make decisions and to jam heaps. Having multiple members in a band makes it hard to get them all on the same thought train and getting everyone on time for practiso (practice)

Your music has some hip hop and punk undertones, was that intentional?

Funny you should ask that, I am currently writing this from the back seat of Michael’s car going up to Perth for a punk and hardcore show. Haha But to answer your question, was it intentional? I would say yes, but the local music scene in our area is mainly punk and hardcore, so I guess the punk undertones came out naturally. As for the hip hop, I didn’t mind some beats and rhymes as a kid, but I love the flow and the rhythm of rappers and how they are so coooool

Every musician has a moment, either a mind-blowing show or the first sacred listening to what might be a major influence or something else that makes them decide to do music. What was that moment for you?

Sitting on the couch watching the music channel being like hmmm…I can do that haha, nah we have always been into music and playing instruments from a young age so it wasn’t really a sudden decision to start doing music. But a collective experience would be Michael and I playing at a school talent show with Michael pump’n tunes out on his guitar and me slam’n out some vox. I don’t know if we were any good but it felt cool.

You newest EP is called Treasures. Tell us, what is it that you value the most in life? Besides family and friends of course.

Weekends, money, driving and girls…Haha family and friends who values that? Haha we value being happy and not surrounding ourselves with negative or stressful things, just enjoying life

How long did the EP take to record? What was the process like?

It took about 2 months to get everything organized, polished, recorded and mixed. What was the process like?….hmm you know how you see music videos of artists in the studio having fun, doing it on the first go, being all happy and meaningful…yeah for us it was the opposite, just two guys hating on each other, yelling, arguing and a lot of hurt feelings. We finished recording all the guitar, bass, drum and synth tracks for “City Dreams” and I finished mixing it ready to move on to the next song and then I saved over it. You can imagine we would be pretty grumpy and that was only in the first week haha

Check them out here and listen to their song “City Dreams” it’ll make you happy

GaGa’s future son
Might be like Sir Castanon
He’s a true artist

Sir Castanon

Where do you get your clothes from? Do you make them yourself?

I love shopping at vintage stores, and at Speed in LA and yes, I have made some of my clothes before.

Who influences your style?

I really love theatrical artists like David Bowie and Kiss, but I also love the classics like Frank Sinatra and Etta James.

What events contribute to your lyrics?

I like to write about parties and having fun and yes… sometimes love.

What do you think makes a true artist?

Most people say its fashion, music and good performances, but I think the definition of a true artist is passion. You have to love what you do and embrace your love on stage.

What has been your favorite acting moment?

I loved working on Ghost Whisperer and Click a lot! Jennifer Love Hewitt threw me a birthday party on set She and Adam were SO sweet.

Does your work as an actor influence your music?

Definitely. There is no way I would get inspiration for my music without acting, and there is no way I would get inspiration for acting without my music.

Did you have to be knighted to get the name Sir Castanon?

I haven’t been knighted, but we have a royal crest in my family. I adopted the name because it represents my family and my theatricality.

Check him out on Facebook

If sofas could sing
They’d sing about Greg Kramer’s
Producing talent

Main Booth at SofaSongs Studio

What inspired you to start SofaSongs?

I have always been a songwriter and I wanted my own facility to record and produce my stuff as well as, my friends’ music and other projects. Since I didn’t always have the funds to go out and book recording time whenever I wanted, having my own studio was the best alternative.

Is there any particular story behind the name?

Yes there is. For about 6 years, my studio was located in my living room (the control room was the dining room). I would use my whole house for projects (the kitchen: vocals; the living room: drums/hard wood floors; the bedrooms: amp isolation, etc.) So, when I wanted to name my business, I thought….Couchtunes?…Nah; Living Room Music?…Nah; Sofasongs? That’s the one!

What are you most excited about when you start working with a new artist?

What excites me about working with a new artist, is helping them accomplish the vision they have for their music. Creating music is what I LOVE to do, so ANY WAY I can help them, from production ideas, to vocal arrangement/production, to song arrangement, to engineering ideas, to instrumentation, etc. is great. Any way I can be of service to my clients, in accomplishing their goals.

What would you consider your specialty?

I would consider vocal arrangement/production probably my specialty. Also the production experience I have learned over the years, working with some great producers (James Guthrie, Barry Rudolph, Allan Blazek, Daniel Moore and others). Getting what my clients want down on tape, or on the hard drive (so to speak).

What are your favorite programs and brands to use?

I am currently using Cubase recording software, and Audient (from England) microphone preamplifiers (plus others). I love my Pearlman TM-1 mics (like a custom built U-47), GT mics and many others, as well as a lot of analog processing equipment, etc. For full list of my stuff, please go to my website: www.sofasongs.com.

We hear you are a musician yourself, what do you play?

I play bass and rhythm guitar. I am also a Lead Vocalist and, I can do complete background harmony sections.

Do you prefer to record a certain genre of music? If so which genre?

I probably prefer to record the types I have had more experience with (Rock, Blues, Rock/Pop, Country, Hard Rock, Pop, Contemporary Christian, Worship and others) but, I am always open to something new!!

Check Out Greg Kramer and SofaSongs here

Break it down for us
Tim Permanent, make us dance
You make great avant-pop

TimPermanent (Yes, it is one word on purpose)

Tim, we hear you are about the release your new EP Marker, what have been the best and worst parts about recording it?

I would say the best and worst parts, both, are that I wrote and recorded the whole thing myself, alone. Being that I had full creative control was very much a plus but I am limited by my own resources. The only exception is that I had the help of Niki Haris who co-wrote “Black & White” with me, which was such a huge gift.

What song means the most to you and why?

The song “Asymmetrical” means the most to me as it came out as a rebuttal almost. I am not sure if it sounds like that but there most certainly was very high emotion at the time I was writing it. I was having a very hard go at things at the time and was struggling. Life was throwing me loads and loads of challenges and I was really doing everything I could to just be ok.

What inspires you to write a song?

I don’t know where the songs come from, really—they just kind of come. Sometimes it feels like I am like a vessel, like the songs happen to me. Then sometimes when I want to write I can’t.

Sometimes there is like an urge, like an itch I need to scratch and I go and press record and an hour later an entire production is done.  The opening song “Extraordinary” happened like that. I guess sometime they come at times of high emotion too but that’s not always the rule either. Hmm….

If you could have had any one artist contribute to your album, who would that be?

I guess it would have to be my very first and only real idol Michael Stipe of REM.

Describe your live show to us. Is there anything you expect to be different with these new songs?

I find it important to really connect on stage with each song’s truth .That being said, my show is very theatrical, not in visual way but I am a performer.  I engage in my songs live. I have already been performing most of these new songs, that’s how I knew to release them. My shows are like the test market for the releases.

Have you ever had anything embarrassing happen to you while performing?

Since I write and produce most of my music electronically I have been known to perform to tracks, like on a CD. And there have been times when the CD has skipped and that can be embarrassing. First, because I’m performing to a friggin’ CD but also I’d be right in the middle of some intense vocal or something and then clip, clip, clip, clip ——- it’s like AH!!!!! WTF!!!  HEY SOUND GUY! would you mind skipping ahead to the next track or maybe I’ll take the opportunity to play an acoustic song. Maybe someday I will have a band.

What have been some of your main musical influences?

REM, New Order, Depeche Mode, Missing Persons, Missy Elliot, Tori Amos, Madonna, Digable Planets, Mary J Blige, MIA, Imogen Heap, Peter Gabriel, Radiohead, Joan Osborne, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, throw in a ton of dance music too- techno, house, jungle, triphop, drum n bass- this list could go on and on and on and on-

In the spirit of the Halloween season, what has been your favorite costume you’ve dressed up as?

Honestly, I make an incredibly convincing girl. The only time I ever dressed in drag was on Halloween and I used to do it every year on Halloween and I loved it! I love it because I would dress like a regular girl not like a crazy drag queen and nobody would even know it was me. I would go and see friends and people that I knew wouldn’t even think twice. They would just think I was some strange girl because I wouldn’t talk. There was something fantastic about it!  I haven’t done it in 5 or 6 years but this question has brought out the memory of how much I enjoyed it so maybe I will do it this year.

Check out TimPermanent here or on Facebook

He’s great on guitar
Leave some talent for others
“Alright” Gary Melvin?

Guitarist Gary Melvin, he’s got a Bachelors a Masters and a whole lotta talent

What do you think the qualities of a great guitarist are?

I think the qualities of a great guitarist are also the qualities that would describe any great musician, on any instrument.  Specifically, I believe three of the most important qualities are time, tone and technique.

Time feel (aka groove or pocket) connects with that primal affinity for rhythm and pulse that nearly all humans (and even some animals) share.  Tone is each player’s auditory expression or representation of how they hear music— you might even call this the expression of a player’s soul.  Technique is the basic ability to maneuver and manipulate the instrument to achieve the music you desire, as well as a form of respect for the instrument and the discipline and practice required to gain facility. They are a big part of all genres and styles of music, and are foundational skills that all other elements of a player’s ability are built upon.

Can you do any cool tricks on guitar like play behind your head?

I can’t say that I’ve ever tried that, but generally speaking I don’t really go for tricks or gimmicks on the guitar.  I guess they have their place, but it’s not something I’m interested in being able to do.  I prefer to focus on music and songwriting. I’ll leave the tricks for someone else to handle.

What was your favorite part about touring with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons?

Without a doubt the best part about touring with Frankie was getting to perform for a different crowd every night.  In addition to simply being intensely fun and enjoyable, I also learned a lot about the dynamic of being on the road a lot, and the focus that’s required in order to be consistent and on top of my game while dealing with new venues, sound situations, energy levels from the crowd, technical anomalies, etc.  There really is nothing that can take the place of solid amounts of touring experience. It’s a whole lot different than playing guitar alone in your bedroom.

Why did you choose to title your first album Spare Time? Did you see your original music as more of a hobby at that time?

Music, whether original or otherwise, has never been a hobby for me. I’ve known for a long time that my purpose in life is to make music and share it with those who may be inspired by listening to it.  I chose the title Spare Time for my first record because I was writing and recording it during breaks from being on the road with Frankie Valli.  I have made several other records as part of other bands I was involved with, but this was my first solo album, and with the way in which it came about and was created, the title seemed to fit.

You chose to name your second album Trust, because the theme of trust runs throughout it. Why is that an important topic for you to write about?

I believe trust is one of those incredibly important human connections that are often taken for granted.  It’s present in every aspect of a relationship, whether it’s a simple friendship or a 50 year marriage.  Even further, we have to trust those we don’t know, like the other drivers on the road who we hope follow the same rules we do, or the men and women who teach our children or mend our broken bones.

Trust is everywhere, and if it gets broken or violated, it’s one of the most difficult things to mend.  It goes hand in hand with love, and yet it isn’t addressed as often or as in depth as trust is.  Trust also happened to be something I was thinking about quite a lot after the end of a relationship, and it became somewhat of a study of mine as I wrote the songs that are on the album.

What do you thing is the biggest benefit to learning guitar in school vs. self-teaching?

I believe the biggest benefit can be the community of students that you are a part of at a music school.  If you find a good program that is filled with talented students, you can potentially learn just as much from playing with them (if not more) than from the classes you take.

Music school is (hopefully) much more than sitting in desks and reading books.  I benefited heavily from all the numerous playing and performing opportunities at the schools I attended, as well as the experienced teachers and mentors I studied under.  You definitely have to be motivated enough to seek out all the potential benefits in any music school situation. You don’t improve your playing simply by attending.  If you get involved with the musician community at your school, it’s like having 100 teachers as opposed to 10.  It’s almost like being part of musical tribe – everyone has something to offer or learn from, regardless of whether or not they play the same instrument as you.

You have a song called “Behave.”  What was one of the worst things you did as a child?

The song “Behave” is more about not rushing into love, but to answer your question…I wasn’t much of a problem child, although maybe my parents would have a different story for you.  The “bad” things I did usually involved getting myself hurt or into situations where I’d need to be rescued or at least removed.  I remember being a little kid and wandering into a pen with a ram in it that, well… rammed me.  I also remember that hurting quite a bit.  I definitely learned my lesson after that one.

Find Gary on his website, Facebook, or Tumblr

The Spies have some nerve
To air the revolt on TV
We all want to see

The Spies are: Mark Matkevich, Leo Francis, Adrian Barrio, and Dylan Giagni
Names do not correspond with picture above, The Spies wish to remain a mystery

Explain to us the title of your album, Televolution?

LF:   The idea for the title came as a response to an old spoken word piece by Gil Scott Heron called ‘The Revolution Will Not Be Televised’. Now, when it was written, the sentiment was that it was directed to the underground. The individual thinkers were not the people who sat in front of the evening news, they wanted to know what was really going on. They wanted to affect real change. But with the advent of the internet and independent media, they could then use these technologies as an effective tool. In our culture today, everything is televised and covered by media. Every little move we make is tweeted and blogged about and posted on Facebook immediately. I began thinking that today, the title may have been ‘The Revolution Will Be Televised’. Then I just pushed the words together to make it catchy.

Leo and Mark, you both moved to LA from Philadelphia, what was reasoning behind that decision?

LF:   Warmer weather and hot girls in bikinis. Seriously. Also, I heard that there are many a music  and acting scene here.

MM: I actually moved from Philly to NYC, where I lived for 3 years, then to LA.  I was flying to LA to audition a lot, my lease was up in New York, so I moved.  So, I guess the answer is acting…and homelessness .

What song seems to get the best crowd response live?

MM:   I would say 2 songs.  “You Got Some Nerve,” which gets the dance groove going, and “National Pastime.”  Craig Finn of The Hold Steady once said that their “songs are sing along songs” so is “National Pastime.”

AB:  “Shatterproof” or “You Got Some Nerve”

Mark, you recently got out of acting, what was your favorite acting experience?

MM:  Haha.  You make it sound like I escaped from Rikers Island.  I’d have to say my first TV gig I guess, which was on Law and Order: SVU.  It was a scene with Chris Meloni.  It was their first season, and he was fresh off of shooting Oz for HBO.  I guess he was still holding on to that character’s prison mentality, because he kicked my ass in an interrogation scene.  I was like wait, I’ve taken a stage combat class, and you’re not supposed to really hit people!  It was great. Three cheers for method acting.

In the 90s boy bands, there was always the sexy one, the baby, the goofy one, and the smart/sensitive one in a band, what role are the members of The Spies?

MM:   I would say Dylan is the Tin Man, Adrian is BA Baracus, Leo is Luke Skywalker, and I am of course, Bill Murray.

LF: Mark is the sexy one, Adrian is the goofy one, Dylan is the baby, and I guess that leaves me as the smart sensitive one….though I am not sure anyone else would use that to describe me…except my mother. I’m more like the edgy one….like that one Backstreet Boy that was allowed to grow a beard and get his ears pierced, or maybe it’s more like we are all the goofy one.

Have you ever been mistaken for Russian spies?

LF:  Not since we changed our names from Sergei, Boris, Stalin and Lenin, and stopped calling everyone ‘Ruskie’.

DG:  Only once, but by the Russians. Apparently I look a lot like one of their operatives. They were actually very gentle about the whole mix up.

What was the craziest thing you ever saw that you weren’t supposed to see?

MM:  The Philadelphia Phillies winning the 2008 World Series.  Awesome.

AB:   A prehistoric flying turkey in Philadelphia, on tour.

DG:  Don’t tell him I said this, but I saw Leo changing out of his super hero costume.

What 3 personalized tools would you each have on your Swiss army knife?

DG:   A drum key, a salt shaker filled with Lawry’s salt, and a Japanese kataha saw.

LF:   Guitar tuner, guitar pick, and my Netflix account.

MM:   Adrian Barrio, Leo Francis, and Dylan Giagni.  But only if I could be a tool on theirs.  Ok, now this interview is getting weird.

Find out more about The Spies on Facebook or here