Musicgoat.com » Musician Interview

Musician Interview: Holy Pomplamoose Its Nataly Dawn on Social Blend (Podcast)

Corey Koehler — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:35:02 +0000

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.

Musician Interview: Sunday Lane

S. Felix — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 01:38:44 +0000

“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.

Musician Interview: DiSanto

S. Felix — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 01:21:56 +0000

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.

Musicians Interview: Fools For Rowan

S. Felix — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 18:23:32 +0000

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

Musician Interview: Antonio Paul

S. Felix — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 09:00:27 +0000

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

Musician Interview: Sir Castanon, he’s young but he’s got style

S. Felix — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 09:00:52 +0000

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

Musician Interview: Producer Greg Kramer, doing everything it takes for the artist

S. Felix — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 09:00:39 +0000

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

Musician Interview: TimPermanent, a whole different kind of singer/songwriter

S. Felix — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 09:00:27 +0000

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

Musician Interview: Gary Melvin guitarist extraordinaire

S. Felix — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 08:00:05 +0000

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

Musician Interview: The Spies maintaining the mystery one song at a time

S. Felix — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 17:21:38 +0000

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

Musician Interview: Levi Kreis is “Not Afraid” to be Where He Belongs

S. Felix — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 21:54:07 +0000

Soul, Gospel and charm

Levi belongs where they meet

His songs are a treat

Tony-award winning Levi Kreis

Tell us about your musical background.

It’s southern. It’s gospel. The first album I ever recall listening to was Mahalia Jackson. My granddaddy would spin her records, and Andraé Crouch as well. I was the kid singing at a different church every weekend from the time I was 12 years old. I also grew up on a good dose of country music as well, specifically those who were piano players like Mickey Gilley, Ronnie Milsap, and of course Jerry Lee Lewis.

What is the hardest part about playing Jerry Lee Lewis in The Million Dollar Quartet on Broadway?

The easiest part is the routine of it. The hardest part is the routine of it.

We hear you are getting ready to tour in support of your new album, Where I Belong what part of touring are you most excited about?

Doing my own music again!! My recording career and touring has been on a bit of a hiatus while I’ve been doing The Million Dollar Quartet on Broadway. It’s been a very rewarding experience, but I have discovered from this experience that I need my acting to be acting, and my music reserved for my own personal expression. I’m most happy when I can convey my own personal ideas about love, life, and spirituality through songs I have penned in the privacy of my own bedroom. Songwriting is like journaling for me. It helps me express and heal. I look forward to getting back to that level of personal expression in my music.

Besides coffee and songs in the key of life, what else keeps you going?

Hmm, a little daily meditation, laughing, a lot with the love of my life. I’m also a gym rat, that’s a form of meditation for me as well and having time to myself; I’m such a scorpio that way.

What is your favorite song to perform off the new album and why?

“Not Afraid.” People really take ownership of that song, and it’s really rewarding to see.

What is the best advice anyone has given you regarding your musical career?

“Be nice to everyone, cause you meet the same people going up, as you do on your way back down,” Sophie Tucker, conveyed to me by Brenda Lee.

If down the road a Broadway musical is made about your life, who would you like to win a Tony for portraying you?

Someone like myself who steps on to the Broadway stage with no confidence in his acting skills, no formal training, and no point of reference for the strange new world he’s thrown into, yet he comes out the other end with the kind of recognition that forces him to believe in his ability, position that demands he find his own power, and opportunities that ask him to relinquish the awkward, insecure boy inside, and step into the world as a full grown man. Whoever that kid is, I would want him to play me.

Which Disney character are you most like?

Ha. I wouldn’t mind being Hercules on the outside, if I could stay Goofy on the inside.

Check out Levi Kreis and his latest album Where I Belong here or on Facebook. I highly recommend it.

Musician Interview: Neil Rutman dancing on graves and singing about it

S. Felix — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 22:58:28 +0000

Philosophical
Singer/writer/producer
Neil Rutman inspires

This year you will be releasing your second album Second Life, how is this album different from your last release Clawing My Way to the Middle?

Clawing was a good example of where I was at the time as a songwriter and producer but I knew when I released it that it had its limitations. Second Life shows significant growth in my opinion as a lyricist, vocalist and as a producer.

What are the main influences behind your lyrics?

I tend to write about things in my life that are happening or have happened or things I am aware of in others lives that deeply move me. Sometimes I write about things I don’t really understand and hope to gain some perspective on. I can’t say I am directly influenced by any particular lyricist though I imagine listening to Dylan, Waits and Springsteen must have rubbed off on me to some degree.

We hear you are also a producer; did you produce your own albums? What are the pros and cons of doing it yourself?

I did produce both of my own CDs though I did have a co-producer on several tracks from my first CD. One of the pros is that you can take the time to work things out that you might not financially be able to do with a hired producer (assuming you have your own studio). Another pro is that as your own producer, you dictate the schedule (to some degree) that everyone involved must work under.

One of the main drawbacks of being your own producer is that it can be difficult to say when something is finished. When I produce others this is not the case, mostly because it is a collaboration. To make up for the lack of collaboration on my own projects I enlist the feedback of trusty friends and peers.

Tell us the story behind your new album art?

When I was in Florence, Italy several years ago, I snapped the picture which after much editing became the CD cover. If memory serves me correct this was from the Uffizi. Later when the idea for the CD came clear to me I stumbled upon this photo and knew it would be right. “Second Life” deals a lot with starting a new chapter, new beginnings and saying goodbye, in some ways mourning the past life I had lived. The beautiful dove spreading his wings, determined to move forward said all those things to me.

What song on your new album are you most excited for people to hear?

I have a song called “Dancing On Your Grave” that I think will touch people and possibly start a dialogue. I’m not sure if it is a hit or not but musically I believe it delivers and the lyrical concept is about how people can bash someone or something without knowing the full story. “I was dancing on your grave and that’s when I found out about all the people that you saved…”

If you were leaving on a world tour, who would be on your dream lineup?

Sting, Dave Matthews, Steely Dan, Neville Brothers, Peter Gabriel, Radiohead

If you could have been the producer behind any album, which album would you choose and why?

Tough question because were I the producer rather than the actual producer (Gary Katz) then it may not have become the masterpiece that it is but I will say Steely Dan’s Aja. Working with those writers, musicians and engineers would have been quite an amazing experience!

You currently reside in southern California; many think California is going to break off and fall into the ocean, what is in your survival kit if that happens?

If that happens I’m going to put my wife and son into a dingy with as much musical gear as I can fit (priority goes to my guitar collection), fill up the iPod with every album I’ve ever owned and a few videos for my son, then row to Hawaii where I’ll start my new life producing ukulele music!

Find him on his website or Facebook

Musician Interview: 930 giving the Mickey Mouse Club a reason to come back

S. Felix — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:56:15 +0000

So I’m not sure what the haiku rules are for numbers, so no haiku for this week. This band is called 930 and it’s made up of a couple of kids. Way cool that kids are getting into music that young and writing their own songs.

What is the significance behind the number 930?

Becca: September 30 is a big day in our family, so that’s how we came up with the name.

Matt: Yeah, my and Becca’s birthday is September 30 and our other twin siblings were also born on the same day 9 years later!

In your family, which set of twins do you think has the strong twin bond? Any examples?

Matt: The other twins are only 6, so they haven’t really gotten to a point where they realize that they have that kind of connection, but I’m sure they will pretty soon. Then we’re really in trouble! (laughs)

Becca: Matt and I have definitely been in situations where we can just look at each other and be like “Yeah…right? Yeah” and know exactly what the other is thinking. We spend a lot of time together too so I think that’s part of it. Even though we don’t like ALL the same things like music and hobbies – Matt is more into comedy and acting and stuff than I am – we’re still pretty similar in a lot of ways.

930 is a band that actually write their own songs, who writes the lyrics and who writes the music?

Becca: We both do, although I write more of the lyrics. I also write songs that are not necessarily right for 930 because they’re more acoustic or quiet, but I really like being creative and expressing myself with music.

Matt: But we both come up with ideas for songs and talk about it.

What generally inspires you to write a song?

Becca: It can really be anything, although I think songwriting is a really great way to express an emotion – good or bad.

Matt: Right, like when you’re upset about something, it helps to have a release and a way to tell your side of things. And with a song like “Live It Up,” we were inspired by just that happy, exciting party atmosphere – like, “Yeah, let’s have a great time!”

930 are big supporters of the anti-bullying campaign, what made you get involved with this?

Becca: Matt and I both had to deal with a lot of bullying in middle school. So we wrote the song “Get Out of My Way” as way to say like “You don’t get to tell me if I’m cool or not.” It was important to us to tell other kids that bullying and teasing really hurts.

Matt: Right, and we know how hard it is to stand up for yourself and have self-esteem when you’re being bullied. So we wanted to have a way to say to other kids in the same situation, “It’s OK, be proud of who you are.”

As twins who double as musicians and actors, who are your some of your role models in each category?

Matt: I love comedy and funny stuff, so my acting role models are people like Jim Carrey and Steve Carrell. For music, I really like Jason DeRulo and 3OH3! My dad and I always used to sing Daniel Bedingfield’s “Gotta Get Thru This” together.

Becca: I really look up to people like Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez because they do it all: acting, singing, dancing. And I really like Hayley Williams from Paramore because she has a such a cool style. Taylor Swfit writes amazing songs and always inspires me to be a better songwriter.

Would you rather tour with the Jonas Brothers or Demi Lovato?

Becca: The Jonas Brothers. I saw their concert and the stage sets and everything were so amazing. They had waterfalls inside the arena! It was just a great experience to be there.

Matt: I would pick Demi Lovato. Because I just love her.

Who are your celebrity crushes?

Becca: Definitely Nick Jonas. I think he’s super talented, and I love that he writes his own songs.

Matt: Demi Lovato and Hilary Duff. And Hayley Williams from Paramore, she’s amazing!

Check out their music at www.930music.com

Musician Interview: Corey Koehler on Songwriter Synergy (Audio)

Corey Koehler — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:56:16 +0000

Ok I know what your thinking, “Here he goes again, pimping himself and his music”. Ya, ya, ya I don’t blame you for thinking that because you are at right – at least partially. But hear me out.

Along with sharing my indie music experiences with you, the main reason I wanted to share this interview is to introduce you to a new podcaster/musician friend of mine, Eric and his podcast Songwriter Synergy.

Before conducting the interview I listened to a few episode and I really liked the subject matter. Stuff like songwriting, equipment, live performance reviews, etc.

Anyway, stop by and check out my interview, then subscribe and listen to all of the others Eric has to offer.

Go listen to the interview with Corey Koehler on Songwriter Synergy.

Musician Interview:John Nagle, digging ‘Deeper’ into ‘Mortal Love’ with a guitar

S. Felix — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:02:55 +0000

Who loves John Nagle?
Pop, jazz, and suave voice lovers
But what’s not to like?

Introducing Singer/Songwriter John Nagle

Your new EP comes out this summer, how long has it been in the works?

It’s been on and off the back burner for about 3 years now. Yes, that is a long time for any project but it was a necessary learning experience for any independent artist. It’s a good time to mention that my new album, Distractions, has been in the works since June. My good friend and fellow artist Nahneen Kula is producing on the project. She’s a genie. We expect it to be finished by December.

What song on the EP are you most proud of and why?

I can say that the most enjoyable experience in the recording process was for the song “Deeper.” At that point I had finally started to get a sense of how a song should be brought to life in the studio. It’s hard to think of it in terms of pride. I have no real control over what my musical urges are going to be like over the course of time. So I can only feel grateful when a song magically falls into place.

What made you transition from band to solo artist?

The transition came on more as a necessity than a choice. Keeping a band together was not easy especially in LA. I decided that if I could not get it together on my own I would never get it together.

You cite Fleetwood Mac as one of your greatest influences, who do you think fronts the band the best?

They are all great. Even counting the days of Peter Green. It’s kind of tie between Lindsey and Stevie. Honestly some people are born to front but Fleetwood Mac is all about the chemistry.

What has been your experience with trying to make it as a pop/jazz artist in Los Angeles?

Since LA I’ve spent most of my time learning the recording process and working on my material. “Making it,” to me, means two things out here, having a viable product; and delivering it. I have my product now and I’m ready to start delivering. The pop/jazz title is just a way to give people an idea of me without hearing me.

What was your favorite toy as a child, how old were you when you finally put it down?

I liked guns and swords and lasers. The answer to my prayers was, The Eliminator TS-7, or so I thought. In those days kids everywhere were looking for a way to combine the power of laser with both the power of gun and sword. A lethal combination that would change my life. I finally put it down when I realized no man, or boy, should harness such a force. It was about doing the right thing. Plus, when you’re 26 it makes it hard to keep girls around.

(I dunno ’bout that, I’m a girl and I’d be super impressed…)

If you could trade places with any celebrity for a day, who would it be and why?

Umm… totally invade the private life of any well known person for a day? So many to choose from. So many ways to ruin some one’s life in one day. It wouldn’t really matter who, because I would use them to do something unorthodox or potentially evil. To be fair, I’m not ready for this kind of power as was the case with my Eliminator TS-7.

Check out John Nagle on Facebook

Musician Interview: Jonathan George from JG Entertainment

S. Felix — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:47:54 +0000

Empowering Youth
What Jonathan George does best
He makes future stars

Introducing Jonathan George,
award-winning vocalist, songwriter, producer, and photographer.

As a producer, you work with a lot of young, developing artists, would you consider that your specialty?

I develop all styles and ages but young artists are definitely my specialty. I have always worked with youth and I seem to understand how to pull the best out of them.

You have won a lot of awards, which was the most exciting for you to receive?

Winning the title Grand Champion on Ed McMahon’s Next Big Star back in 2001 was probably one of the most exciting moments of my life. Ed McMahon and his wife Pam became good friends and he even served on my board of directors for my non-profit organization. It opened a lot of doors for me.

What made you make the switch from artist to artist developer/producer?

I have always worked with young talent ever since I graduated with a Bachelor of Vocal Music Education in ’96. After 9/11, there was a shift in the music business so I took everything I learned as an artist and put it into the talent I worked with. I believe in going with the flow of things and this is where my path has led me and I feel blessed. I miss the stage but if it is meant to be…it will happen again!

What is your favorite part about working with young acts?

Young acts have such great attitudes and are willing to experiment with their gifts. They are not jaded nor do they have the weight of the world on their shoulders….so they always bring a breath of fresh air to their sessions. They are so fun to work with…never feels like work!

You also do motivational speaking, what are some of your favorite topics to cover?

I always work to build high self-esteem in youth. A low self-esteem is the basis for most all of our problems in youth and it is something that we have all had to deal with at some point in our life. If you can love yourself then you can love and accept others! Self-love and acceptance is the key to a healthy self-esteem which transcends to all aspects of the community.

If you could work with any artist on a song, who would it be?

Give me an artist with drive, talent, and a great energy and I will be there to work with them. But if there was one person I would love to work with, it would be Garth Brooks. I know he isn’t a young artist but he is my all time favorite!

In 2001, you sang an original song “Losing All My Pride” on the Ed McMahon’s Next Big Star show, what inspired you to write that song?

“Losing All My Pride” was the first song I ever wrote. It was about 3 in the morning and I wrote it in about 13 minutes. I was going thru a break up and the words and music just poured out of me. It was the best therapy I have ever had! lol

To learn more about Jonathan George and JG Entertainment go here

Musician Interview: Bingham Willoughby, channeling his influences with his looks and within his music

S. Felix — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:10:17 +0000

I’m having a good time with these haiku’s so I’m going to keep writing them, plus they’re tweetable.

Bingham Willoughby
perceives more than mere mortals
His songs freeze beauty

Introducing Rock Poet: Bingham Willoughby

Your new album is called Maybe Not Today, Maybe Tomorrow, are you a big procrastinator or is there another significance to the title?

On one level, you could say that there is a slight essence of procrastination, in the title. But my intentions, speak to more of an anticipatory feeling–as if you might say, “maybe not today, maybe tomorrow…but soon.” I wanted the title to evoke an impression, more akin to having overheard a snippet of conversation, versus some grand mission statement. And on a personal note, I think I’ll answer the question of being a procrastinator, a little later on…

You have a new video out for your song “What If You’d Chosen Me” what is the significance behind all of the nature shots?

The concept for the video was to explore the interaction between the idea of traveling and the various surroundings you’ll encounter. The traveler responds to these situations, and yet what he sees remains unchanged. The viewer is the traveler. The various natural and urban backdrops are silent witnesses. The notion of looking through moss covered branches, points to a starting point for reflection. The traveler is then confronted with images of the guitar scuttling across the forest floor, a snare filling with sky, and Spanish moss springing to life to try on a Da Vinci shirt. The images from nature; the swaying flowers and trees all asking, “What If You’d Chosen Me?” Humans are moving and nature is moving; these images reflect the song’s sentiments: “I don’t know if I’ll ever have the strength to plan again. Say what you have to, you can’t stop this from happening.” We’re asking the questions and searching for answers–in moody, mysterious nature.

If someone were to play Bingham Willoughby in a movie, who, dead or alive, would you want that actor to be?

It might sound like a funny choice, but Orson Welles. Not just because, I like his acting, but mostly because I credit him with performing one of the most bizarre musical numbers, ever committed to film (in Citizen Kane). In fact, some day I’d love to do a shot by shot remake of it, for one of my songs. If I was forced to choose a living actor, I’d have to say Philip Seymour Hoffman (currying favor, with the interviewer).

Your music sounds very reminiscent of Lou Reed, is he an influence of yours? Who are your other influences?

I definitely feel indebtedness to Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground, and certainly, some of the ways I approach song writing are heavily influenced, by what I perceive to be some of their methods. In particular, I’ve always been a huge fan of Reed’s ability to manifest, not only evocative images, but also real emotional urgency. Any writer, who wants to try and speak “of the moment,” owes Lou a debt. In terms of playing, I think any person who utilizes, at times, a reductive approach when playing and ranging, also owes a debt to The Velvet underground.

I have a lot of other influences. Just a few, off the top, would be: The Smiths (Johnny Marr), Lloyd Cole and Neil Young. Even Rockabilly greats, like Eddie Cochran are an influence. When it comes to lyrics, I’m drawn to that turn of phrase that resonates. In my own listening it’s something I always look for, and I’ve discovered it in many varied sources, from Cole Porter to The Shins. I’m always looking out for something that entices me.

This album was truly a solo project, from the music, the recording, and the lyrics; what are the best and worst parts of recording an album alone?

The best part about recording alone might in some ways be the worst part as well. If you have an idea, you can implement it, without consultation, somewhat streamlining the process. However, you also can’t benefit from several great ideas being offered at once, and then crystallizing into one grand idea. That is one of the huge benefits of a group process. The solitary approach fit perfectly, for the way I was feeling about this group of songs. Additionally, from a musician’s standpoint and recording standpoint, there are times when you are actively seeking this form of challenge. You’re trying to make the correct decisions that are going to be right for the songs.

You look like a mixture of Philip Seymour Hoffman and Andy Warhol, what is your favorite Hoffman movie and Warhol piece?

I’ve never been compared to those two people, at the same time before, though I do see the resemblance. I’m a huge fan of both of them, to tell you the truth, so I gladly take the compliment.

I’m a fan of Philip Seymour Hoffman. He’s definitely one of the best character actors working today. I think it would have to come down to a tie between Happiness and Capote, but let’s face it, he’s great in everything he’s done (even Along Came Polly.) Todd Solondz’s, Happiness, is classic Seymour Hoffman and Solondz: equal parts compelling and disturbing. I think one of the greatest things about Philip Seymour Hoffman, is that he somehow elicits a humanity from his performances that allows us to see a little piece of ourselves in his portrayals. Songwriting, aspires to the same goals.

As for Warhol, I am a huge fan, even to the point of having made the pilgrimage to the Warhol museum in Pittsburgh, (and yes, t-shirts were purchased). 5 floors of Andy including some of his taxidermy collection. Well worth a look. As for my favorite Warhol works, I have to throw down another tie, between his Flowers series from the early ’60′s, and a sentimental favorite, Elvis 1 and 2.

…as for being a procrastinator. If I was, Maybe Not Today, Maybe Tomorrow, would have ended with the title.

Find him on Facebook or elsewhere…

Musician Interview: True Margrit-making Juggling Progress in San Francisco and beyond

S. Felix — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 22:04:02 +0000

So, I notice that I’ve gotten into a bit of a rut when it comes to introducing bands. Frankly, I’m quite bored with the whole thing, so I thought I’d try writing up a new kind of intro, maybe a haiku? You may be asking “Why the sudden change, eh? I kinda like your intros” to which I might respond, “Thank you, you’re really much too kind, but after reading True Margrit lyrics and blog posts, I’ve decided to step it up and be a better writer. And also haikus are awesome.”

Margrit from True Margrit sees the world through her own bent kaleidescope and effortlessly churns out curious little sentences that look to be right out of a novel. Her imagery and sophisticated insight on Seaworthy and The Juggler’s Progress (the two albums I’ve listened to) show off her writing talent and quirky voice and are a grand departure, when you want to try something new. So True Margrit, this one’s for you:

Forget what you thought
True Margrit’s not seaworthy
They are hear-worthy

You guys are currently on a west coast tour, what has been the best city so far?

We love every show as though each one were our only child. But with that said, this time through Eugene, Oregon really showed the love with a cool write up in the Eugene Weekly, two radio shows, and awesome dancing fans at the gig.

True Margrit was invited to play the International Pop Overthrow Festival in LA, how did you get involved with them?

Who hasn’t heard the legend of IPO, the world’s best independent pop fest, and David Bash its founder?? He has been a staunch supporter of True Margrit and we are super proud to participate. This year we have a cut on the IPO compilation CD, “Syllable” from The Juggler’s Progress.

Your new album, The Juggler’s Progress was released early this year, how did you come up with the title?

Haha, speaking of juggling metaphors…I wanted to mash together the (possibly discordant) themes of evolution, mountain climbing, and somehow incorporate a bunch of Shakespearean themes/references, so the title seemed to cover all those necessities…

Can anyone in True Margrit actually juggle?

Gary juggles potato pancakes, Andrew juggles drumsticks (both chicken and the kind one hits a drum with), and I juggle metaphorical clouds

On August 8th the band will be performing in San Francisco at Bottom of The Hill, we hear you’ll be unveiling a new music video, any funny outtakes we should know about?

Haha. There might be some footage of me climbing on the keyboard which didn’t make it into the video. And …footage of the three giant meals we ate during the 12 hour video shoot.

Why is Gary’s nickname “Cupcake,” what are Margrit’s feelings on the unique spelling of her name, and is Andrew related to Kevin Bacon?

Gary bakes a mean black bottom cupcake. I feel good having a more phonetic streamlined spelling of Margrit (and we like making a cinematic reference to the film True Grit, which, by the way, is being re-made by the Coen brothers!) Andrew is sometimes related to Kevin Bacon—when it serves his evil purposes—but technically, he’s not, no.

You just filmed a video for “Opposite Man” can you explain the story behind the song?

“Opposite Man” is that rare breed of song, a rueful anthem about making bad choices that really worked out for the best after all.

What is next for the band after the tour?

Finishing up new songs for the next recording, booking the next tour and then we’re back on the road in October, mostly in Northern Cal, but maybe a few dates in LA. Stay tuned and rock on!

Find them here or on Facebook

Musician Interview with Hip Hop producer Eugene Shakhov

S. Felix — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 22:19:31 +0000

Producers are artists in their own right, able to mold someone else’s idea into exactly what the artist envisioned. Artists that sometimes need an extra little push, know how important the right producer can be. If the chemistry is there, then the magic surely follows and a great song will likely ensue. Eugene Shakhov is one of these talented producers who is able to do it all, from string arrangements to laying down a perfect vocal track, to polishing a mix, to writing a symphony for an entire orchestra. He’s a musician in his own way. You are very picky with who you work with, can you explain that to us a bit?

Artists are the ones who create the future. Artists are the ones who dream the dreams that becomes a reality so it’s important to me what this future is going to be like. My purpose as an artist/music producer is to change the current culture for the better.

Would you like to live in a society full of drugs and violence? Would you like your children, family and friends to live in it? I don’t think so. So this is why I’m ” selective” with whom I work with.

I’m not an idealist though. Don’t get me wrong. If you need to say “f@$k”, say it, but when the entire message of the song is “getting high on dope” or “shaking your bootie” well… then my kids would be living in the world where you can buy crack in a grocery store and the moral values would be something like “how many girls you can screw in a week.”

I work FOR the artist. I am there as a tool to get their ideas clearer, their music better and, eventually, to make their dreams come true, whether it’s sign a record deal or impress their girlfriend, whatever their dreams might be.

In your bio, you cite Dr. Dre as being the main influence from switching from classical music to hip-hop, what was it that stood out about Dre?

Dre is real. He talks about things for what they are. He’s no fake. Dre brought street culture to the masses and made it commercial, but mostly what makes him so incredible is that he did terrific music productions. Terrific. Stunning. Timeless.

Even after 10 years, I still consider Dre’s 2001 album as one of the best hip hop productions and I can assure you, it will be that way 10-20 years from now and will continue to be that way afterwards. He also had a brilliant eye for new talent and it is mainly because of him that we now have Snoop and Eminem. One of these days, I’m going to produce an album with Dre to create another classic for my grandchildren to listen to for a long time.

As a producer you work with many artists, who has been one of your favorites?

Each and every artist that I personally have worked with. Some are easy to work with. With others it could be troublesome sometimes or pain in the ass, but each and every one of the artists I worked with has inspired me in many ways and I always learn from them, always.

Vocals are a huge deal for you, what techniques do you use to get the best vocals out of a singer and what programs do you work with?

First off, I work with an artist in the studio, trying this and that, asking him to do this and that, coming up with new ideas and finding other ways that their performance could be improved.

The next step of the production would be vocal editing. Sometimes I use over 10 different takes to compile just one line, to make sure it sounds just right! Everything is important, delivery, pitch, pronunciation, clarity, communication, etc. And of course, I work separately on pitch.

The funny thing is, that at the very end the artist usually never knows how it was done. Everything sounds just right to him/her and he/she thinks that this is exactly how he/she performed it! Lol. But that’s the beauty of it.

I mainly work with Logic Pro. But for vocals I use Melodyne. Honestly, without Melodyne it wouldn’t be possible. The German engineers who created this program are simply geniuses. Hats off to them. Well done and thank you guys.

The video “Alien Love” was for a song you did. Tell us your involvement with that project.

This song has a very interesting story. Once upon a time I created a music track for a song. Then I thought, why don’t I do a contest where I would just offer this track to anybody who is interested in basing a song on it. So, I did a post on Craigslist about it, offering free music production and a free music video to the winners.

The response was overwhelming. I received over 180 requests from the artists to whom I sent this track to. 32 of them sent me their demos back and out of these 32, I chose the best 3 songs. One of them was “Alien Love” by The Trade.

I picked this artist because of the way he flows and because of his creativity with words and delivery. I also finished another song for this very same track. It’s called “Cash Out” and I am in progress of creating a music video for that song as well.

To my regret, I still didn’t get to finish the last song that I’ve chosen. The good news is that this artist contacted me recently saying that she played this song for Snoop Dogg’s manager and they said they are interested in it, so I guess I have no choice now but to complete it It’s called “Single, single.” You’d love it if you heard it! Well…when I’ll manage to finally complete it!

In your opinion, how can an artist make a song great?

Be sincere and honest as an artist. Be real and be yourself. Then add interesting and memorable lyrics and interesting and memorable music.

If you can’t sing the song after you just heard it or whistle it, then it’s usually not a great song. But also, what’s very important as well is, did you get anything out of the song? Did you learn something new? Did you experience some emotion? Did it move you? Did it make you go and do something? The list could go on, but I think you get the idea

Besides Dr. Dre, who do you think is one of the greatest producers out there today?

There are many great producers out there—many. I’ve gotten the opportunity to work with some. The one who I didn’t work with is Quincy Jones. Yes, I know, he’s not as active today as he was, say, 20-30 years ago, but nevertheless, his productions still stand out today. Out of the ones that I did work with is Emanuele Ruffinengo who is one of the greatest and most talented guys that I’ve met.

If you happen to need a producer, visit Eugene here or on Facebook.

Musician Interview: Good Morning Milo-giving back and picking up in San Diego

S. Felix — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:20:41 +0000

How to make a diverse band: start with an ex-choir nerd and mix in a piano-playing former missionary, toss in a wannabe metal rocker, add a rhythm guitar songstress (an absolute must) and a marching band drummer boy, then BAM! season the whole thing with a bass player who has an affinity for prescription sunglasses, and voila! You have Good Morning Milo. Bands that lack diversity suck, luckily Good Morning Milo is not one of them. They make the kind of music that slyly evades a perfect genre classification, in other words, they make the best kind of music, music that moves forward.

Who are some of your collective influences and what draws you to them?

Anberlin for their dynamics and killer melodies, they have a way of doing both softer heartfelt songs and edgier stuff that makes them very versatile; Muse, they have such amazing stage presence and musicianship; Paramore for their melodic use of the guitar as well as incredible drum writing; Death Cab For Cutie, Ben Gibbord is an incredible lyricist and also writes some of the most interesting bass lines; and we have to mention The Anniversary for influencing Johnny’s synth style so much.

I hear that you perform acoustic sets to support organizations. Can you tell us what causes you support and how you got into that?

The cause we have dedicated the most support to and that really must be mentioned is Invisible Children. They are a non-profit organization dedicated to ending the war in northern Uganda and are a voice for the children who are abducted daily and forced to be child soldiers as a result of this war. More than just an organization, they are really a family, which is how we were able to get involved in such a great cause. The mission of our band is to write good, uplifting and inspiring music for good people. We’ve always felt it’s important to give our audience more credit than the music industry typically does. And that’s exactly what Invisible Children does; they call people to action in a way that expects more from them as human beings. It’s an honor to be able to offer them our support.

Your songs have some interesting titles, who thinks them up and where does the inspiration for them come from?

Well Milo thinks them up, of course, he is really all the inspiration we need.

One of your songs is called “Pickup Lines,” do you have any good lines that actually work?

Well, we have plenty of lines, but none of them work.

How is it being a part of the San Diego music scene?

Really the true joy of being a band in San Diego comes from our fans. We have an incredible group of fans who always seem to make it to every show we play. We’re very blessed that way.

Ren, what is it like being in a band full of dudes?

This seems like a loaded question haha. But in all honesty, I love it. These are a great group of guys, and musicians for that matter. I’ve always felt like I fit right in, I’m just one of the guys which is so much fun. They’re like brothers to me in a lot of ways. We poke fun at each other and sometimes I find myself rolling my eyes. But the most important thing is that while we have our moments, in the end we all work extremely well together and have a lot of respect for one another, which is just so crucial to a good writing and performing atmosphere.

Since you’re from San Diego like Anchorman Ron Burgundy, if you were all newscasters, what line would you use as your sign off in place of “Stay Classy San Diego?”

Peter Says “Stay sexy San Diego!”
Ivan says “Uhh I thought you we’re gonna pick me last I can’t think of one.”
Dallen says “Can’t the new drummer answer this question?”
Weston says “Probably an everyday phrase I could trademark and make money off of.”
Ren says “Stay in school San Diego.”
Johnny says “You be good San Diego.”

Check them out here or on Facebook.

Musician Interview with full-time touring musician Betty Navas

S. Felix — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:55:37 +0000

Betty Navas is one of the lucky working musicians who doesn’t need a day job. Playing music is her day job. Betty began with piano and singing in the Miami’s Children’s Chorus and eventually directed her dedication to the guitar. Since then, she has made a career out of performing at casinos, getting to play every night and doing what she loves. See…art can pay. To further follow her passion, Betty has released her own album Superqueen to inspire other people, especially girls, and show them that a career as a musician is possible, without the struggling part.

Superqueen is the name of your album. Why did you choose that name and how does one become a Superqueen?

“Superqueen” is the second song on the CD. The song describes a woman who feels that on every level she is in charge of her own life. She (Superqueen) feels that she can be, do or have anything that she wants. She has a sense of complete freedom and there are no limits to her choices or directions in life. A Superqueen, by my definition would be one who feels and moves in the direction of independence and freedom.

Who are some of your biggest music influences?

I listen to a wide variety of music everything from E.S. Posthumus to Eric Clapton. Being a guitarist, I love listening to guitar-oriented music and that is my biggest influence. I am very influenced by guitar-driven groups and artists like Led Zepplin, Jimi Hendrix and Foo Fighters.

According to your MySpace, you are constantly on the road, what is your favorite city to play?

I don’t have a particular favorite, but if I had to pick one it would be Ontario, Canada. It’s closer to my home in L.A. and the people there are really great.

A lot of your events are in casinos, what has been your biggest win to date?

I don’t gamble in the casinos. My biggest win so far is achieving my goals as far as becoming a professional musician full-time.

You made a music video for the song “Love Is,” what’s the story behind that song?

I wrote that song while I was taking a course on Protools. As part of the course, we had to learn how to add music to video and film clips. I wrote the song and soon after shot the video in short segments around L.A. I came up with the idea to write the song after reading books on metaphysics. The song is about love in a universal sense that states compassion and forgiveness are acts of love too. I wanted to encompass more perspectives about love from an expanded point of view rather than a purely romantic point of view.

Which of your songs is the most personal to you?

If I had to pick the most personal it would be “Stay in My Skin.” That songs describes my personal thoughts and feeling about genuine self-acceptance.

If you could have anyone to start a band with, who would be in it?

If I could have anyone, it would be Dave Grohl, Dave Matthews and Josh Homme to name a few. I really love their singing and playing.

If you could have any special power to use inside of a casino, what would it be and what else would you use it for?

I would use my special powers of focus to win a large jackpot and teach others how they can do the same thing! : )

Check her out on MySpace or on Facebook

Musician Interview with Julian Shah-Tayler, musician extraordinaire, DJ, producer, sought-after songwriter…

S. Felix — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:45:12 +0000

When you were growing up, was there ever that kid in your class that was good at everything? Good at school, good at sports, good with the other kids, and good looking? Well, if that kid grew up to be a musician, he’d probably be like Julian Shah-Tayler who switches from songwriter to producer to performer to DJ with the greatest of ease, talent unwavering.

Already Julian has worked directly with Joaquin Phoenix, JC Chasez, and Violet Flames to name a few. As a sonwriter, he co-wrote the smash hit “Wrap It Up” which has been featured in Whip It, GTA 4, Sopranos, Kyle XY and CSI Miami. He has also remixed a number of artists and DJed in clubs worldwide from the from The Razzmatazz in Barcelona, the Maria in Berlin, Death Disco/Kill All Hippies/Transmission/The Queen is Dead/The Secret Door in London, Happy Endings in New York, and Standard Hotels in Los Angeles. Do you see what I mean? Julian Shah-Tayler is an artist to watch for his versatility,musical integrity and sophisticated artistry.

You have been in a number of bands over the years, how you feel about having a solo project?

It feels great. I have been writing with a solo project in mind before, during and after the time I was in bands. It would be fair to say that in a lot of the bands, the songs were tantamount to solo efforts anyway. Finally because I play all the instruments and produce the songs as well as sing them, I get to do exactly what I want with them now.

What inspired the lyrics to the song “Wetter”?

Ha ha. Strangely I wrote the backing track for JC Chasez (*NSYNC) because I was working with him on some other projects. When I thought of the “naughty” lyric, it just stuck, and I decided to finish the song myself. I read a lot about Prince in my youth, as I was a huge fan. I think that using provocative lyrics does not necessarily denote a lack of subtlety across the board with the rest of the oeuvre. It was only ever intended to be a fun song, and it has certainly proved itself a favourite with my live audiences and radio stations.

You have a full length coming out at the end of the year entitled Coito Ergo Sum, what does that mean and can you expand on it?

Coito ergo sum is a corruption of the Descartes maxim: “cogito ergo sum” which means “I think therefore I am”
Coito, however means “I procreate”…….. The idea is that the use of latin is a little highbrow, but the message is quite cheeky really. I think that meeting of highbrow and lowbrow culture and intent reflects the content of my music nicely. I am quite serious, but irreverent and silly at the same time. Think perhaps of CNN presented by Monty Python…..

How does making music in the UK differ from making music in the United States?

My methods do not differ in the slightest bit between the US and the UK. I think the way it is perceived is the chief difference. Los Angeles is obviously a far cry from London, but my process is the same. Filter life through art and make it sound as interesting as possible….. Repeat.

You have collaborated and/or produced a number of other acts including JC Chasez, Joaquin Phoenix, and Whitey, who was your favorite to work with?

My favourite collaboration is the ongoing one I have with Scott Fairbrother in “adamandevil”, although the experience of working with Joaquin was the most “unusual” as he is a self-confessed non-musician, articulating himself most often in sensate terms. He’s quite brilliant as a producer actually, as he could take the musicians out of their comfort zone into a non-musical paradigm. This creates a very specific mood which helps create an idiosyncratic sound.

What role do you prefer, producer, songwriter, or DJ?

I am most definitely in my element as a singer/songwriter which comprises certain production things as well.

I read somewhere that you write between 50-70 songs a year and put out a new EP every few months, where do you get all this inspiration?

The songs are cathartic. I guess I am writing my diary/autobiography in song form, I guess you could say. Any emotional baggage can be offloaded in musical form.

You were once in a band called Drink Me, so if you were a vampire and could blend any 3 celebrities’ blood into a drink who would they be?

Shannyn Sossamon, Prince, (it would be purple) and Sigourney Weaver (for that added zing).

Find him on Facebook and keep an eye out for his label Impossible Things Records.

Musician Interview with Dogs and Bones-the modern classic rock band

S. Felix — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 19:15:29 +0000

I’m not much of a cook. I’m a bit more of an eater and I really love it when I get to eat something, (that I’ve eaten a hundred times before), and it has a fresh, new and interesting taste. This is what Dogs and Bones does. They are seasoned musical “cooks” and know just how to serve up traditional genres with some added spice to take the music to new places. They take some good old-fashioned classic rock and throw in some blues, rockabilly, motown and psychedelic influence and create something truly timeless…and delicious.

What is the story behind your band’s name?

Phil: Our original bass player, Liberty, said about a friend was “hounding” a girl and he was acting like a dog without a bone. Perfect name for this band.

If you were a dog in real life, what breed would you be and why?

Greig: I’d be a poodle. They don’t shed.

Phil: A boxer, lovable, a mug and aggressive when necessary

Why did you choose to use an Andy Warhol inspired photo on your CD?

Phil: The band stylistically and musically is more akin to ’60s bands than contemporary groups. An icon of the ’60s like Warhol is representative of us, our taste in music and in art.

Greig: Andy Warhol is timeless like us. Many different colors of the same image. We have taken basic blues and colored it to match our vision.

I am told that your drummer, Phil, shares lead vocals, how did you learn to multitask like that?

Phil: Being a drummer since I was a kid, I had to be able to multi-task to even play drums. (You know, pat your head and rub your tummy). Adding vocals is simply a matter of remembering to breathe.

What song that you play live seems to be a crowd pleaser?

Greig: “Leave Me Alone” seems to be a crowd favorite. Although it’s about a woman who was obsessive, people always come up to us and say, “that song is soooo pretty.” Go figure.

Phil: “Rescue Me” always gets the crowd moving.

What is the band currently working on?

Phil: We’re currently in the studio recording some tunes we’ve been playing for a while, as well as writing and arranging some new ones. We’re also planning on getting back in front of a live audience this summer.

Greig: Taking over the world!

Dogs and Bones have a song called “Sometimes It’s Better Not to Know,” can you give use a real life situation where you have thought that?

Phil: Check the third verse of the song. The truth can be a bitch. So was that woman.

If you could have any guest artist play on your next record, who would you choose?

Greig: Wow, Elvis Costello maybe since he’s the whole package. He can sing, dance (no not dance), write, play guitar. Plus maybe he’ll put us on his show. I met him once. Jesse Dylan introduced me to him. Does that count?

Phil: Stevie Winwood, that soaring B-3, those ethereal vocals.

Check them out here or on Facebook.

Musician Interview with Warped Tour band Disalto

S. Felix — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:44:48 +0000

How about a brief vocab lesson to introduce our next band Disalto? Disalto is a band that thinks before they name something. From their band name to their album name, they lend careful thoughtfulness to their music and everything tied to it. For their sophomore album, Disalto avoided clichés and gave their album a title that is not at once understandable but ultimately decipherable—One Beacon in the Strand. For those of you that don’t grasp the meaning, the words below should help you out. If you still don’t get it, the band explains it themselves below. Enjoy!

Beacon (noun) a person or thing that illuminates or inspires
Strand (noun) the land bordering the sea, a lake, or a river; shore; beach

What is the reasoning behind the band name and who choose it?

Our name, Disalto, was sort of stumbled upon randomly when Joe was thumbing through a dictionary one day for some cerebral stimulation. It’s an old Italian word that means “by leaps” so we felt it had some depth and character. We figured that it would be a good way to remind ourselves that our music must continue to evolve and push forward.

Your new album One Beacon in the Strand was just released, how did you choose that title?

We feel that our album title is a sort of microcosm of the Los Angeles music scene. It seems like there is a lot of the same music being released out there, especially in the rat race known as L.A. I guess we thought that it would be best to at least convince ourselves that we were doing something different.

What is the song that you are most excited to show your fans now that the album is out?

To be honest, there is no one song in particular that we are more proud of…..it’s kinda like choosing your favorite child. We’re proud that we were able to change the writing process and improve our songwriting overall. Each song came from a different place with different emotions, but they each serve their own purpose on this album and we hope that it is received well as a whole.

You guys had the privilege of playing the Vans Warped Tour, which many refer to as punk-rock summer camp, what was that experience like for Disalto?

You may refer to it as a punk rock summer camp, but we’ll refer to it as a boot camp. Don’t get us wrong, we were stoked and privileged to be on the same bill with bands such as Thrice, Bad Religion and Underoath, but for a relatively unknown band such as ourselves, it was baptism by fire. As I am sure with all first time bands, the Warped Tour forces you to improvise, roll with the punches, and show the kids a bad ass show at all costs…..and at the end of the day, we can honestly say we did that. We learned a lot about ourselves and if asked to play it again, we would do it in a heartbeat!!….can someone say summer 2011??

Most bands refer to each other as brothers, but Disalto actually has two brothers, Joe and Dave, do you guys tend to gang up on the others?

Nope….we gang up on Dana!! After all, he is the youngest and he takes it like a champ!

How did all of you meet?

Well, Dave and Joe are obviously womb buddies…..Carlos started tagging along after he was kicked out of his house at age 6 for reckless behavior……Dana was found hitchhiking to L.A. from Bakersfield and we found Oren selling Dead Sea Products at a kiosk in a random mall.

If all of you were given a super power each tomorrow, what would they be and would you change your band name to reflect them?

Dave would like to have the power of Telekinesis so he can change people’s minds. Dana would like to be invisible so he could hide from all his frantic admirers. Oren would like to be able to fly so he didn’t have to drive in L.A. traffic anymore (it’s scary to watch). Carlos would like the regenerative powers of Wolverine so he could stage dive at will, even when the venue is empty. And Joe would like to be a shape shifter so he could turn into a Jonas Brother and cause a massive train wreck on stage in front of thousands of annoying teens…..then quit the band. As for our band name, it would stay the same, but we would have some interesting side projects!

What is the best tour prank you have played on each other or another band?

Considering that we’ve been together for at least 6 years, it is impossible to think of just one….and honestly, we don’t plan masterful pranks, but we tirelessly fuck around with each other. However, If we had to choose one, once when we were playing in Flagstaff Arizona, we threw one of Dana’s flip flops in the woods and told him it was poison ivy…he debated with himself for 20 minutes before mustering up the courage to hop on one foot and retrieve his beloved flip flop…..needless to say, the one-legged man was unsuccessful and he fell in the NON Poison Ivy…..knowing this, we still let him run to the hose to wash off the potential infection that would never happen anyway!….we have it all on video!

If you find yourself in Pasadena, CA on July 6th, Disalto will be playing at The Terrace at 9:45. You can also find them here or on Facebook.

Musician Interview with Raven from female-fronted industrial rock band Raven Parade

S. Felix — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:53:51 +0000

I feel as if Lady Gaga raised the bar for musicians and band’s everywhere. Suddenly, band’s don’t have to just be great musicians, but they also have to be visually appealing and seduce the eyes as well as the ears. Raven Parade understands this very well. Their band’s image is an exaggeration of their sound, their gothic and romantic sound, that is. Look at the picture below and let it draw you in to Raven’s world.

How did you come up with the band name Raven Parade?

I came up with the name Raven Parade because I am a big fan of Edgar Allen Poe and the poem “The Raven.” The Parade comes from, the celebration of all that is no longer here; hence the name Raven Parade. A celebration of all that is light and dark, here and not here.

What is the story behind Raven’s eccentric style?

The Story behind Raven’s style is, it’s just that, the style steams from my life story and is displayed through sound using my emotions to be expressed by an instrument that sounds like the feeling; I start from there end up where ever the truth in the flow takes me. It’s usually a fusion of classics from soulful greats to futuristic turntablism & beats that inspire me.

What is the driving force behind you lyrics? Which song are you most proud of?

The driving for behind my lyrics is just my passion to express myself and my feelings. The song that I most proud of, I haven’t recorded it yet. ;o) (wink).

In your new music video “My Prey”, you play the two main characters. What was that like? How was it working with yourself as a co-star?

In the “My Prey” video the thought of having two of my personalities showing at once is pretty much the reason behind the entire CD. It’s that time in the character’s life where she has to make a choice on which way do you go in life after learning all that she has learned and is still learning? How do you answer that? I guess you just break it all down into a series of events receive it and move on without judgement. (I hope I answered that right) The actual shoot…I hired a double. Praticia Grant from London, England. She was a gem to work with.

Your new album is entitled Looking Glass, does that have anything to do with Alice in Wonderland’s through the Looking Glass?

The album was recorded before I even knew there was going to be a big “Alice in Wonderland” return to the pop culture for front. I was just expressing where I was at the time. I would love to admit there being a cool connection with the universe and myself, but it’s a charming coincidence!

If you were ever to get stuck in “Traffic on Mars,” what alien from a movie would you want to see in the car next to you?

Neytiri from Avatar played by Zoe Saldana, she seems to know her way out of a jam.

What famous musicians would you like to be in Raven Parade?

WoW what famous musicians who I like to be in “Raven Parade?” Hmmm, Danny Carey on Drums, Bootsy Collins on Bass, Stevie Wonder on keys, Slash Hudson on lead guitar! And of course with that line-up, I would have to replace me with a lead vocalist with a mixture of Chaka Khan & Sade! That would be a Dream team Raven Parade.

Find Raven Parade on MySpace and Facebook.

Musician Interview with John Clinebell, a college radio regular, street performer, and dodge ball warrior

S. Felix — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:27:04 +0000

Ever been out somewhere and find an intriguing melody floating around that you follow until you find some street performer? No doubt, there is probably a small crowd gathered with some people nodding their heads and a few others with a subtle smile. Yes, one individual has the power to infiltrate souls and fight boredom, if only for a moment, without even being asked. Way to go. Public art is the best kind of art isn’t it? It not only belongs to the artist, but also to the people. So let’s put a story behind the face of the countless sidewalk performers that shine out there. Here is some of the story behind John Clinebell.

What inspires your lyrics?

So many things inspire me these days. When I wrote the lyrics for “Make It Land,” I was in a committed relationship that I was trying to express my gratitude for, and also seeing a previous failed relationship for what it was. Just kind of exploring the emotions that came out of that breakup and the emotional withdrawal I experienced from being with her. The songs were written over the course of a couple of years, so there were those different themes to the lyrics.

We hear you are quite the dodge ball player, how, if at all, does that influence your music?

On the dodge ball court I get to be a totally different guy. Like a comic book character. It doesn’t really influence my music, but I like to think that what makes me a good dodge ball player (communication, being present, and being a good sport in the end) also help me as a songwriter and performer.

Are there any epic dodge ball stories we should know about?

I’ve experienced both extremes of tragedy and triumph on the dodge ball courts. Recently my team, Winner Winner Chicken Dinner, played on the Staples Center court for the West LA league championship and won. I’ve definitely had some great individual moments out there as a player as well. Like times at open gym where I’m the last person in on my side and I end up taking out the 8 players on the other side to win the game myself. Stuff like that. It’s so much fun!

What is it like being a street performer on the Santa Monica Promenade, knowing that most people are there to shop instead of listening to music like they would at a typical venue?

The first year I went out there, it was kinda rough. I had this expectation that a huge crowd was gonna form around me, that I’d sell thousands of albums, etc. I slowly came to realize that I wasn’t a show-stopping attractive girl, wasn’t singing covers, and wasn’t exactly doing a lot to make my performance a “street show.” Then it dawned on me that I didn’t have anything to prove to anyone out there, that I could just have fun. And the crowd that goes out there… they show their respect for you in more ways than giving you their undivided attention or tips. I get a big kick out of seeing the small signs of appreciation. The smiles, the bobbing heads, the peace signs, the toddlers dancing. The things I enjoy most about street performing are being outside, connecting with people, and being able to test out new songs.

You have a paper crane on your album cover, what is the craziest piece of origami you can make?

There’s a frog I know how to fold that takes about 10 minutes. You have to make the piece of paper more or less like a chessboard with all the fold lines. So many folds!

Currently, you are being played on over 65 college radio stations, have you heard yourself on the radio yet? What station do you want to hear yourself on?

I haven’t heard myself on anything but internet radio from that, but I’m sure it’ll happen when it’s supposed to. I’d love to hear myself on KCRW (in Santa Monica). They are really selective and didn’t add me to rotation. Maybe they’ll dig my next album!

If another musician covered one of your songs, who would you want it to be and which song?

I think Jack Johnson should cover “Sunday Afternoon” because it’s totally his kind of chill, peaceful song. Finger picked rhythm and laid back vocal delivery, all that jazz.

Since you live near the beach, if you knew a tsunami was coming which one of your original songs would you perform and why, “Lay Back and Die” or “Hold On”?

I’m sure I could think of other things to do in those conditions, but if I were to pick between performing those songs, I’d pick “Lay Back and Die” because I think that song is more about acceptance of what is—about realizing that we don’t have to struggle or strive to be satisfied with life. We could just lay back and die because we are so content. That’s definitely the emotional space I’d want to be in if I knew something catastrophic was about to happen.

To listen to John Clinebell visit him on Facebook or at JohnClinebell.com

Musician Interview with All The Abused-who raise awareness about Human Trafficking and all forms of abuse

S. Felix — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 18:28:34 +0000

I just decided that all bands should have a message and a mission. Since there are more bands than ever and the world is drowning in problems, then why not pair each band with a cause and see where that leads us? Side FX from a few interviews back is taking care of Veterans and All The Abused is lending a hand to Human Trafficking and raising awareness one song at a time. Awesome, we got two issues down, so which one of you is taking on another one?

What’s your mission as a band?

Our mission as a band is to raise awareness about Human Trafficking and all forms of abuse occurring in our communities and around the world.

We know you’re not a fan of violence, but you perform with a black eye painted on your face so I must ask, if you could fight anyone who would you fight?

That’s right I’m not a fan of violence. There are usually acceptable alternatives to handle the vast majority of situations. I wear a black eye as a symbol for all the abused people around the world. The only time I believe violence is acceptable is when you are helping or protecting someone who can’t protect themselves.

Who or what inspires you to make music?

What inspired me to make our music and start All The Abused was learning about Human Trafficking. I have always had a love for music but once I learned about human trafficking, I truly felt like I found my mission— to raise awareness about human trafficking and abuse through music.

You have a song called “I’ll Never Be a Rock Star.” Who do you wish never became a rock star?

If I had to pick a person, I would pick the character of Ike Turner since he was involved in abusive relationships.

Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers?

Yes, we play a lot of Top 40 Rock covers, everything from classic rock, southern rock, contemporary, and oldies. Out of our original songs, I would say we play “I Don’t Care,” “Hope Love Peace Help Friends” and ”I’ll Never Be a Rock Star” the most.

Orange County is known for producing some great bands, Social Distortion, No Doubt, etc., why do you think that is? What makes the OC so special?

Definitely, a lot of amazing bands have come out of Orange County. I think it is because there are so many talented musicians out here looking to form great bands and share their music with the world. For me, those gifted musicians are what make Orange County so special because I love hearing great live music as much as possible.

Finally, you have hot air balloon on your site. Which leads to the question, if you were floating back to Kansas from Oz on a hot air balloon, what song from The Wizard of Oz would you sing on your way back?

Well, If All The Abused was floating back to Kansas from Oz on our hot air balloon, then I think we would sing “If I only had a heart” from The Wizard of Oz. My favorite lines from that song are, “Just because I’m presumin’ That I could be kinda human, If I only had a heart. I’d be tender, I’d be gentle, And awful sentimental…” I really feel that song shows that if you have a heart and you are humane, that’s all that matters. Just as we say in our song “I Don’t Care” – DNA is insignificant, it’s just about being humane.

Visit All The Abused on MySpace, Facebook and if you go to their site, you’ll soon find that they’re giving away a free download.

Musician Interview with ‘The Will’ delivering a good time with a shot of Whiskey near you

S. Felix — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 18:03:54 +0000

What does it mean to be finished, yet unpolished? Does that mean that the work is incomplete or lacking? Or perhaps, could it be that the piece of work is actually more complete. More true to life due to it’s gritty rawness. Consider that when listening to The Will who craft high energy rock with all the edge and grit that rock deserves.

Your music has a very authentic punk-rock sound, unlike so many of these new “punk” bands today, who are some of your major influences?

Well, we don’t necessarily consider ourselves a “punk band”, but punk rock did influence our playing in the early years. We’re heavily influenced by many different genres of music over many decades, such as metal, country, jazz, and classic rock. But when it comes to our actual sound, our biggest influences are Foo Fighters, Hot Water Music, Nirvana, Alkaline Trio, Queens of the Stone Age, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and The Who among many others.

It’s clear from your band photos and songs such as “Whiskey” that you like to drink, what is your favorite poison?

We’re all in to drinking craft and microbrewed beer. Pretty much anything from breweries such as Stone, Lost Abbey/Port, New Belgium, etc. We’re also a big fan of whiskey and scotch; with Maker’s Mark, Jack Daniels, MaCallan and McClelland’s being a few of our favorites.

Who in the band has the strongest ‘will’?

All three of us moved from the Midwest to Southern California to follow our dreams, so it’s safe to say that we all have a strong will. No matter where we live, no matter what our “day jobs” are, we’ve always made music. We started in a garage in single-digit temperatures, with hand-me-down gear. Now we’re in a house that has an isolated three room recording studio, but our drive is still the same.

What is the concept behind the name “The Will”? How about the album art?

It’s essentially the will, or the drive, to follow your heart and do what you love to do. High energy was a big theme when we were writing the music, so we felt that is was only fitting to have our artwork reflect that. It also didn’t hurt that our backyard was filled with high-tension wires and it was something that we looked at every day while writing the record.

With three-piece groups, band members are usually like family, tell us about some family feuds?

Well, it all started with Richard Dawson, then Ray Combs came along, but Dawson eventually came back in the mid 90′s. After he left, Louie Anderson took over. Then Richard Karn and John O’Hurley each did four year stints. The current show is hosted by Steve Harvey.

But seriously, we’ve been in bands together since 1999, so we’ve fought about anything and everything you can think of. But the feuds obviously weren’t that serious or else we wouldn’t be still be playing music together.

If you won “The Lottery” what band would you pay to stop playing music?

The song “The Lottery” is kind of the exact opposite of the name “The Will”. It’s about the people that spend their whole lives waiting to win the lottery, before they would consider pursuing their dreams. But if we ever did win the lottery, we’d never telling anyone to stop playing music for any reason.

What song on your new album has the most energy live?

“The Lottery” is always a great way to kick off a show and get the crowd going. “Whiskey” is the most energetic for both us and the crowd. It follows somewhat of a free-form structure when we play it live, determined by the rowdiness of the crowd.

Find The Will on MySpace and The Sixty One

Musician Interview with Hip Hop group Rhyme and Rhythm (RnR) who have opened for Snoop Dogg, LL Cool J, Ice Cube, MYA, T.I., Jurassic 5, Three Six Mafia, Bone Thugs N Harmony, Flobots, Ghostface Killah, and Fishbone

S. Felix — Mon, 24 May 2010 17:36:08 +0000

Usually when I interview a band, chaos ensues. With so many different voices, there end up being so many different answers that interview extends way longer than I want it to. I braced myself when I interviewed Rhyme and Rhythm, a massive hip hop group from Las Vegas with 8 members! Surprisingly, the interview was direct, well organized and pleasant. The band obviously works well together and cooperate effectively, not only for interviews but on stage, making for a great musical experience. So many different voices blending cohesively, each contributing what they need to stay, but willing to let others share the limelight as well. We should all try that sometime, don’t you think?

RnR has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with some big named artists, such as Snopp Dogg, Ice Cube, Bone Thugs n Harmony and many more, who has been the most fun?

T.I. at Thomas and Mack. The vibe was different because it was his last west coast performance before incarceration

In every band there is always the shy guy, the crazy guy, the heartthrob, etc, what role does each person play in RnR?

K-NYCE (keys): The Shy Guy – Baby Face
Bane (emcee): The Crazy Guy
A-1ne (emcee): The Spiritual One
Tadow (drums): The Great Debater
CoCojenkins (bass): The Heartthrob and The Low Key One
Freddy Tiff (emcee): “Underwater Cadillac Pimpin’”
The Illipino (guitar): “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon”
Jerry Wayne (emcee): The Banker/Businessman

What song do you get the most excited to play live?

“Natural Disasters”

Have any of you ever had a personal experience with a real natural disaster?

We all have to say the recession. Also, CoCojenkins was hit by a car right before a show not too long ago.

Why did RnR decide to have 4 emcees sharing vocal duties, instead of just one guy?

We didn’t have the heart to cut anyone! We all got dirt on each other! haha. No, seriously. The emcees started the group. The band came afterward. They all bring something different.

What is the music scene like in Las Vegas?

Better now that we’re in it! It’s growing. More venues are opening up to live music. There’s more talent thanks to Bush for f*cking up the economy.

If you were short on cash and had to become a Las Vegas streetwalker, what would your alias be?

Bane: Luke Thighwalker
The Illipino: Pimpapino
Freddy Tiff: Freddy Make Ya Feel Good
K-NYCE: Steve Urkel
Tadow: Dark Chocolate mixed with Black Velvet
A-1ne: Dolla Bill
CoCojenkins: G-string
Jerry Wayne: Wayne Glade

Musician Interview with extremely adept D.I.Y. band Applepolish

S. Felix — Tue, 18 May 2010 19:14:28 +0000

Don’t you love it when things just work out the way they should? When everything falls into place and every problem that arises solves itself, magic happens. Well in this story about a little band called Applepolish (as in shoe polish not polish hot dog), two brothers decided that they wanted to try their hand at music and learned that they didn’t need to hire a producer or someone to design the album art or someone to create a music video, they could do it all themselves. Let me just say, they’ve done a superb job. They put a lot of the D.I.Y. bands out there to shame.

How did you guys come up with your name?

It was some years ago my brother and I needed a name for our musical group. We couldn’t come up with a name. Then we picked up a dictionary and decided to go with the first word we came across. I came across the word Applepolish. I liked the sound of that word and felt that it went well with the music we were making.

Do you find it difficult to be in a band with a sibling or is it a bonus?

We get along very well and are used to working together. We have worked together consistently and successfully for a while now.

If you were put in a dance-off contest with fellow Colombian, Shakira what song would you dance to in order to show her up?

If it’s a Latin song, then En Barranquilla Me Quedo by Joe Arroyo, another fellow Colombian, because we’re both from the city of Barranquilla and we can have a Salsa dance off.

If it’s one of her songs, I’d dance to Hips Don’t Lie and we can see who moves their hips the best.

If it’s one of our songs, I’d have her dance to Bandwagon and see if she can help us create a special dance for that song.

You guys write, produce, record and engineer your own music as well as videos, is this something you guys went to school for?

We have been self-developing these skills on our own for years. First we started with keyboards, then to bass, and eventually to guitar. The recording process also developed over time with each demo and song that we recorded. Eventually we felt ready to record Spirit Threads and are currently working on a new EP for the fall and a new CD for early 2011.

What are your individual strengths when it comes to making music?

Our best strengths are in the production and artistic qualities of the music and songwriting.

If someone were to make a movie about Applepolish, whom would you want to play both of you?

David Blaine would play Johan Palacio and Marc Antony would play Richard Palacio, hehe.

Good choices!

Find them on MySpace and Facebook-go on, support the D.I.Y. goodness

Musician Interview with Side FX band about why giving back to veterans is important

S. Felix — Mon, 10 May 2010 23:27:34 +0000

Music is wonderful isn’t it? The only thing that makes it better is when it is used for the greater good. Music is even better if it can be used to back a great cause…or to give wings to lift spirits out of the confines of their own self-imposed prisons…it can be used to unite…and it can be used to give back. Side FX is a band that enjoys giving back and puts their own money into providing what they can for veterans. The great thing is, that rather than end up with less, the band ends up with so much more than they put in. And do you know what they do with their newfound blessings? They give some more. Isn’t that inspiring? So why don’t you read the interview below and then go on and start your own cycle of giving.

How did you come up with the name SideFX?

Side FX was a play on words. I actually cannot take the credit. My co-writer, Chris Nikpora, came up with the name. We thought, ‘wonder what music would sound like if you mixed different genre’s together with a rock vibe’ (e.g. jazz, middle eastern riffs, classical, hiphop)—a kind of ‘side effect’ to traditional rock and roll. From there, Chris turned the words Side Effect into Side FX.

The song “Let’s Paint This Town” has some interesting lyrics; can you expand on what inspired you to write this song?

Oh, yes it does. I was curious about this whole ‘cougar’ appeal. I am certainly approached by a lot of young men these days—more so than any other time that I can recall. I interviewed 7 women for this song. So really, it is a compilation of their stories. All 7 had some definite opinions on dating younger men and most of them had direct experience. What became clear was they all liked the idea of dating a younger guy, but not one of them wanted a serious relationship with one. I found that to be fascinating and decided to tell their collective story. People, I think are confusing cougars with man eaters. They really are two different individuals. My song is about a woman who knows what she wants and is in control. And, she is not a man eater, she just chooses to date younger men.

You recently finished the “It’s Your Turn” tour, how did that go?

Well, the tour continues throughout the year, but we are dividing it into different legs. The first, in February, was across the Midwest. The second leg, I just finished in Florida and the Carolinas. Both were interesting, fascinating and a ton of fun. I was curious to see how well my music would be received outside of DC. I was pleasantly surprised to see a very wide demographic acceptance. I think the Floridians were the most positive, but I had incredible feedback on all touring stops.

You’ve done a lot of work with veteran organizations. Can you tell us why this area is important to you and what is it that you’ve done?

I have always felt that we, as a society, do not express our thanks enough. Today, thousands of men and women are coming home missing an arm or leg. These folks would have otherwise died if this were a war that was being fought 30 years ago. We have, through technology, been able to save their lives on a physical level, but I am not sure on an emotional level, we are doing as much as we can.

For me, music is very therapeutic. I cannot begin to understand what they have been through, but by sharing my music, I can share my appreciation for their dedication. This tour, we have happily provided free concerts at the hospitals in Georgia, North Carolina, Missouri, South Carolina, Florida and Washington, DC (which comes out of my pocket) and negotiated with each venue to allow the Vet’s into our concerts for free.

The band loves performing for the Vets….it just feels good. I wish I could afford to do it for all of the medical centers—perhaps when I sell more albums?

What’s your favorite song to play live?

Hard question, but I would say “Amazing Dreams.” This song performs so well live – it’s surprising. It actually delivers chills.

If a CD got stuck in your CD player on tour, what CD would you want it to be?

Besides my own? Well, right now, I am stuck on Howie Day’s new album.

Do you have any upcoming shows that you’re excited about?

We are putting together our first live internet show on May 20^th. I wanted the ability to reach people across the globe. The mechanics are becoming really challenging, but if all goes as planned, this should be a terrific show.

If you could travel to any Magic Land, where would you go and why?

At the heart of it all, I am a beach girl. My best romantic experiences took place near or at the beach. To me, that alone has a bit of Magic into it. Drop me on the white sands of Crete or the pink beach in Bermuda and you’ll have one happy, happy singer!

To find out more about Side FX and find out how you can give back, visit their website or find them on Facebook.

Musician Interview with Country sensation Jess McGuire and Cherokee St.

S. Felix — Tue, 04 May 2010 21:36:35 +0000

You know those nights that feel like they last a week? Where you’re making memory after memory and going for broke, spending like a sailor on leave. Aren’t those the best nights? When the sun comes up and you feel like…yea, sigh that was fun. Jess McGuire wrote a song about one of those nights. He writes a lot of other great songs as well, all with a modern country feel. His newest release is a three song EP entitled Golden State of Mind and I hear there will be a whole album by the end of the year. I can’t wait. Now without further ado…Jess McGuire.

Your new EP Golden State of Mind was just finished, which track was the toughest to record?

I think “Pictures” was the most difficult to record just because it was so subtle in terms of the timing of the different parts. You might not notice, but there are no drums or percussion of any kind on that track. We really had to have a really good feel for it. We experimented with a lot of stuff in the studio, including some percussion instruments I had never seen before. In the end, it turned out best without percussion. It worked out well. I think we ended up with what we were looking for.

What kind of music did you listen to growing up?

I was exposed to a lot of different stuff. My father was a DJ on local classic rock radio station so he was always playing southern rock like Skynrd, Boston, The Eagles and The Allman Brothers. I found my way into a lot of other genres as I grew up. Linkin Park has influenced me, Jay-Z influenced me in a way, Tupac, Metallica has as well. The older I got the more I began to explore older traditional country also. Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings. I’m influenced by some more current artists also. Jason Aldean is the main one. His sound really showed me that I could make music that moved me and it would still be accepted. Gary Allan is a huge musical influence on me also. Bluegrass artists like Allison Krauss and Ricky Skaggs help me a lot as well. I come from a very wide background musically.

If you could collaborate with any other artist who would it be?

I’ll have to answer this question twice, once as a songwriter and once as a singer. As a songwriter, I would absolutely love to collaborate with Jamey Johnson. In my opinion he is the best writer going right now, his catalogue for himself and for other artists is off the charts good. As a singer, I think I could die a happy man if I could sing a duet with Allison Krauss. That voice is unlike any other, now or ever.

You recently recorded a music video for “Friday Night on Fire,” did you guys play any pranks on each other behind the scenes?

We didn’t play any pranks per se, but there was a lot of joking around and ribbing going on between takes. We tease each other a lot in general, so there was a lot of “Dude, you broke the lens, try being less ugly next time!” Stuff like that, that’s all in good fun just to keep everyone loose and keep craniums from expanding, you know?

What is the best Friday night you’ve ever had and did it inspire the song?

It’s tough to choose just one. I suppose the one that leaps to mind is Garth Brooks’ “Ain’t Goin Down till the Sun Comes Up”. That song just has that Friday night feel to it all the way through. You just blast along through the song and enjoy the ride he takes you on. There were other songs though that had a similar effect in influencing that song. Hillbilly Deluxe by Brooks & Dunn, What Was I Thinkin by Dierks Bentley, All My Rowdy Friends by Hank Williams, Jr. All those songs were sort of the road map for creating “Friday Night on Fire.”

How long have you and your band, Cherokee Street been together?

Well, we’ve gone through a lot of flux with Cherokee Street, but my brother Sean has been the one constant and he’s been with me for about a year and a half since he got out here (the West Coast) after his military stint. The current lineup is about six months old right now, but I guess it’s a bit of a sliding scale.

If you had to choose, would you rather be stuck in the room with a seasick crocodile or a cougar?

Depends on which kind of cougar we’re talking about, the wild cat? Or like Morgan Fairchild? Either way, a seasick crocodile doesn’t sound like much fun, pretty gross. I’ll take Morgan!

Visit Jess Mcguire on MySpace and Facebook.

-Sheena

Marketing And Metal Insights From Indie Metal Band Mongrel (Podcast)

Corey Koehler — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:47:18 +0000

My friends over on Social Blend have put together a great interview with Adam Savage from the Punk/Metal group Mongrel.

Not only is the tunage pretty tasty (if you are of the punk/metal ilk) but you can hear first hand what its like to be knee deep in the harder end of the Indie music scene and get an understanding of what its like to have hard core fans so dedicated that they tattoo - yes tattoo - your name and lyrics on their body.

Anyway, I just wanted to give you a heads up. Check out the interview with Mongrel on Social Blend.

Oh and if you are looking for a singing or drumming gig and you play in their style, you definitely want to check it out since they are looking for one of each.

Musician Interview with The Butterfly Effect Soundtrack artist Darius Lux

S. Felix — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 17:57:29 +0000

Ever get a bad case of the Mondays? When you don’t want to brave traffic and endure your job one more day? Instead of going to work, Darius Lux decided that he was tired of waiting tables in Manhattan, so he left and traveled throughout the Pacific, Asia, Europe and South America. He now writes, produces and performs music to help us get though Mondays a little easier–music that is uplifting and inspiring. His latest release is appropriately named Arise and it is a reminder that we need to aspire to reach the excellence beyond ourselves either by recreating our lives or doing what we do better than we ever have. Not a bad way to start the week eh?

What songs on your album do you most like to play live?

There are 3 main songs that I enjoy playing for different reasons. With “XtraOrdinary”, I begin by beat-boxing and then loop that beatbox beat in my pedal while the band slowly build around it thru the song, it’s great to start something so small and end so big and the crowd always gets engaged in the process

I must have played “Human Race” over 150 times live and the guitar riff always gets people moving, that can only be a good thing. This song also works well acoustically, as well as with a full rockin band grooving behind me, and it’s also easy to do a live reggae version when the mood calls for it.

Finally, “Hey You” is a blast because by the final chorus most people are singing along and that’s when I really feel like “mission accomplished”.

What is your biggest inspiration behind your writing?

To offer something that is inspiring and insightful and may help fill a hole in the lives of people, who like me, feel something is missing sometimes. I wasn’t always turned on by everything around me growing up and loved the escape music provided and another way of seeing the world offered by the writers.

You are a producer, songwriter, multi instrumentalist, and a performer, which of these roles do you like the best?

The different roles move in waves. I do really like them all equally if in balance. Songwriting is a specific moment in time where I like to focus my existence on absorbing and reflecting. Then I hit a limit and want to bring them to life and playing the different instruments is a blast and allows me the chance to become a better player. Producing can be for myself or for another artist and often involves more of a ‘science’ in getting the best sound or arrangement. This is also when you can do the ‘editing’ that I wouldn’t do in the early writing stages. If I am producing for another artist it is also nice to take a break from my own thing and be more objective. Plus, you always learn so much working with other people. Performing is a whole other rush, whatever nerves there may be initially, are quickly transformed into bliss—channeling all the different emotions thru my voice onstage feels like the purest form of expression I have ever known.

If you were broke and had to dress up like a character and stand outside Mann’s Chinese Theatre, who would you dress up as and why?

Ha! That’s funny I was walking by there yesterday. Off the top of my head—Ace Ventura . I think any Jim Carrey character gives you a huge license to just be a total whack job in public and get away with it ;-P

What was your favorite album growing up?

Acchhh, do I have to pick only one!! Ok, I need to pick 3.

Blood Sugar Sex Magic by Red Hot Chili Peppers. Wow, blew my mind, total pinnacle of all their talents blending perfectly: creative, fun, deep. I can still listen to that and feel the same rip of energy as the day it came out. This was essential pubescent listening!

Euphoria Morning by Chris Cornell. Although this kinda flopped at the time, I was enraptured by the very musical and soulful musings of Soundgarden’s frontman. This album plays like a friend by your side, you can tell he had been waiting a while to show this other face of his talents. Every song is perfection, there isn’t a single wasted note here and of course, that VOICE!

Songs In The Key Of Life As a child I found an old unmarked cassette copy left in an abandoned cupboard and I started listening to it and never looked back. I didn’t know who it was for years, but Stevie Wonder taught me most of what I needed to know.

Have you ever thought of writing rap songs under the pseudonym D-Lux?

Ha, another great question, I think I’ll spare the world my rapping. Any attempts at ‘freestyling’ usually slide into potty mouth pretty quickly – although Eminiem made a whole career of that….

Find Darius on MySpace, Facebook and Twitter

-Sheena

Musician Interview with Broken Social Scene-inspired indie band Youth Sounds from New Orleans

S. Felix — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 17:00:49 +0000

Oh, the sonic joys of youth! When laughter was crisper and songs weren’t transient, but left deep lasting impressions on our souls. Doesn’t it feel as if some of the best memories in you life were enhanced by a subtle song playing in the background? Or perhaps, the music was the main attraction–driving around in the the car with your high schools friends and singing your favorite chorus to the cars beside you. Those were the days. For my latest interview, I got to speak with Frederico (see pic below) from the band Youth Sounds. By the end of the interview, I was reminiscing, hopefully you’ll recall fond memories as well. Enjoy!

What inspired the name Youth Sounds?

I was thinking about band names and what would go well with our sound and Youth Sounds just seemed to fit with what we were doing. Our music is really driven by a sense of nostalgia. I feel that as we get older our memories are intermingled with a handful of pop songs and albums that really meant something significant to us during the time the memory was being created. I want Youth Sounds to have that affect on people. So, hopefully in a couple of years when people think back on what they were listening to, maybe one of our songs will be tied to one of their memories.

Is it harder or easier to be in a band with your sibling?

I would have to say that it’s a lot easier being in a band with my sibling. We’ve been working together for so long that we’ve reached an understanding with one another. We respect each other’s form of artistic expression and trust each other’s ideas and opinions completely. I trust that any decision she makes will be made for the betterment of the band and that the end result would be a positive one and not at all detrimental. I believe that she shares this point of view as well, and the confidence we have in one another really affects all our musical endeavors.

As brother and sister, what is the worst argument you’ve gotten into?

I can’t really recall any intense arguments we’ve had in recent years. We’re actually really close so we don’t get into it when we disagree about something, but believe me, as kids we had some genuinely ridiculous arguments to say the least. There’s one minor spat that comes to mind that ends with Erika’s foot in a wall, lol. I will spare the long details on how she got her foot in the wall but let’s just say that the result of that argument was the both of us getting into some major trouble, hahaha.

Who are your influences and do they differ between the two of you?

They definitely vary between the both of us. We’re a very musical family and we’ve been surrounded by music all our lives, so our appreciation for different genres started very early. Our grandparents and parents have been a huge influence, introducing us to so many artists with varying styles and sounds. So we’re very open in our selection of music and I believe that has really helped us find our bands sound. Erika is really into soulful artist with unique voices and will freely admit that she’s a sucker for some good ol’ R&B. My music selection changes daily whether I’m listening to all of David Bowie’s albums or Broken Social Scene, Ryan Adams, or Billy Holliday. It all depends on what I’m in the mood for.

You’ve just finished recording your new EP The Bit Parts what song are you most excited to show other people?

Honestly, we’re very excited about all the songs on this EP. We’re ready to get them out there and into people’s hands so that they can hopefully enjoy the music we’re making. This EP has been a long time coming and we want to share it with whomever is willing to listen. And if not, we’re just gonna have to hit the streets with our instruments and harass passersby with our obnoxious singing, hahaha.

Was it always a party growing up in the capital of Mardi Gras?

Yeah it’s definitely always a party down here in the big easy. No joke, this is the city that will turn anything into a party no matter what it is. It could be something arbitrary, like ending your shift at work, or important, like your kid graduating from kindergarten. You’ll have all these kids together on a space walk and all the adults getting plastered, partying it up. For all the locals, Mardi Gras has become something you learn to survive. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a really beautiful and a unique experience but it is in no way convenient for the locals. Basically, the whole city shuts down, so you can imagine how difficult it can be getting from one point to the other. But growing up in a city with so much culture and life is absolutely a plus, no doubt about it.

One of the tracks on The Bit Parts is called “As Strangers Would,” which leads me to the question have you ever taken candy from a stranger?

No, I can’t say that I’ve ever taken candy from a stranger. I wonder if anyone does that any more?

From what I understand, the members of Youth Sounds have been in the music game for a long time. This is just their latest project. So go on, become a friend on MySpace why don’t ya.

Musician Interview With The Luxury (Who Opened Up For Coldplay In Boston)

S. Felix — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 19:00:49 +0000

It’s not everyday that a band gets invited to open for Coldplay. What a once in lifetime opportunity! The Luxury got that chance and has also hit the CMJ top 200 with their first record, This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things. Last April, the band was also crowned winners of the 31st annual Rock and Roll Rumble. The band’s followup, In The Wake Of What Won’t Change has cemented their reputation for having the ability to create indie-English rock ‘n roll with a modern-mod vibe. I give you Justin, Daanen and Jason from The Luxury…

How did you guys all meet?

Jason: We’re from all over, so this is one of those complex stories, not one of your “childhood friend” deals. Foster and I played in a band called The Halogens, and when that wasn’t fun anymore I formed The Luxury with him and three other great musicians who decided they didn’t want to tour, forcing us to look for new players. We found Daanen through the band he was in at the time, Justin through an internet message board, and Borek… now that I think of it we found Borek through Craigslist, of all places.

Justin: I had kind of been keeping my ear to the ground for a year or so, and waiting for one of the bands I respected to be suddenly without a bass player. The second I saw an ad out for the Luxury, I pounced on it.

Daanen: I played guitar for the Ultra Sonic Rock Orchestra here in Boston four years ago. Our singer’s girlfriend was one of the performers in the show and told me that her boyfriend was auditioning guitarist for his newly forming band. She got me a demo, I learned the tunes and the rest is history baby!!

What is the best part of the Boston music scene?

Justin: Definitely the sense of community that’s all over the scene lately. Whenever I go out in town, I know I’m going to see a million of my friends. And so many of them are in bands that I was already a huge fan of, before I ever knew them personally. Dudes who were like huge celebrities to me, and now they want to buy me a beer.

You were recently invited to open for Coldplay, how did that occur?

Jason: Well, Coldplay decided to showcase a bunch of bands from markets they were playing in on their North American tour, so they contacted radio stations in each area looking for submissions. I think about 500 videos were submitted in Boston, and WFNX whittled it down to 15. That must have been fun. The public voted on the 15 entries, which included our friends in the amazing bands Township, Aloud and The Motion Sick, and the top three were sent to Coldplay to pick their favorite. They chose little old us, and the show was awesome.

Justin: I’ll just add the fact that everybody in the Coldplay camp were ridiculously cool to us. Chris Martin himself even popped in to make sure we had everything we needed.

In your video for “Malcontent” King Puppethead sings the vocals, was he a difficult person to work with?

Jason: You know, I try not to be rude or dismissive in interviews, but that guy’s an unbelievable pain in the ass. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen a sock puppet demand a trailer and a personal assistant. Originally I was hoping for a Boglin, but when the auditions were all done he was the only one that could lip-sync in time while playing the piano. We didn’t talk for about a year after that video shoot, and he occasionally posted rude blog comments about me which I tried to ignore. Lately he’s mellowed out a bit, especially after starring in his own video, “Happy In My Misery”, which you can find on YouTube. I can’t begrudge him his talent, no matter how abusive he can be on-set.

Daanen: Very demanding with his wants and needs at some points. He got payed in the end whatever…. I’m not calling him to go out for a beer anytime soon though, that’s for sure.

Justin: I wouldn’t know. He stayed in his trailer the whole time, and wouldn’t associate with any of us. Between you & me, I think he’s maybe got a blow problem.

The Luxury is a great band name, how did you come up with it?

Jason: Oddly enough I offered it to my friend Moose when he was forming a new project. We were on the phone together trying to come up with something for him and I picked up a Marillion CD from ’94 that included the song “Alone Again in the Lap of Luxury”, and suggested The Luxury to him. He loved it, but so did I; eventually, I kind of asked for it back. He’s about the nicest guy ever, so he had no problem with that. I have no idea what else we’d call ourselves, though. Sonically it makes perfect sense, the music being as big and full as we can make it… and if you look at how we actually live it’s both ironic, on a societal level, and completely true on a global level. The concept of luxury changes a lot depending on your perspective.

Visit The Luxury on MySpace or Facebook.

-Sheena

Musician Interview with a songstress with a lot of heart, Kristy Hanson

S. Felix — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 17:38:22 +0000

Back by an all-star cast, including Aaron Sterling (studio drummer for Sara Bareilles, Kelly Clarkson and Brandi Carlile), Ryan Freeland (engineer Aimee Mann, LeAnn Rimes and Natasha Bedingfield), producer Timothy Young and her husband Mike Chiaburu, Kristy Hanson is releasing her newest album Into The Quiet at the end of this month. Her release was funded largely by her fans and marked a transition in Kristy’s artistry from singer/songwriter to collaborator. She also put her input into the production, making the album truly her own. So without further ado, I give to you the very charming Kristy Hanson…

What has been the best part of making the new album?

I think the best or at least most exciting part of making an album, for me, is the recording itself. Getting Mike, Tim, and drummer Aaron Sterling in the studio with Ryan Freeland, our engineer, was fantastic. We had such a great energy and camaraderie, and I just LOVE recording. I love studios, generally Gavin Lurssen‘s studio (our mastering engineer) is awesome, too. I could, I would spend all day, every day, in a studio, particularly with those guys!

But it was also wonderful to collaborate with Tim Young and Mike on those early demos over at Tim’s house, too. The collaborative process was sort of new to me, and I learned and grew so much as a result of it. So it’s kind of tie between that early collaboration and the recording itself!

How does this one differ from your last release Already Gone?

The fact that I co-wrote some songs with Mike and Tim and invested more time in the production makes it feel different for me, and maybe more sophisticated. Sound-wise, Into the Quiet is a little bit heavier than Already Gone, in that there are layers of electric guitars and more of a rock sound on a lot of songs. There’s also definitely more pop and country flavor in there. I’m also extra-proud of my vocals on this album, because I really poured my whole heart into them. I hope people respond to that!

You did something very interesting to raise money for this recording, can you explain that?

Inspired by a number of artists who have turned to their fans for support, including the hilarious and wonderful Jill Sobule, I decided to launch a fundraising campaign before the recording of Into the Quiet. My fans donated $5,000, which was vitally important to the making of this album. I actually gave all donors the chance to vote on my album’s title, and I’ll be having a special listening party for my donors to thank them. I hope that my donors feel as proud of the album as I do, and that they feel good to have played a role!

You’ve played shows all over the US, what is your most memorable tour moment?

Oh boy…probably my most memorable BAD moment on tour was when we got stuck in a snowstorm in Wyoming (in the middle of APRIL) and had to stop in Laramie rather than continuing on I-80. It added an extra day of travel, but we made it just in time for the first gig in Chicago.

But it’s so hard to pick, Cleveland was memorable because I was born there and had dear friends in the audience (which was also a great audience), and I also really loved Rockwood Music Hall in NYC. I love touring generally…even (or perhaps especially) the mishaps because they become part of the stories you can tell later.

If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?

Hmm, I’d say Joni Mitchell, although Lord knows I might be too intimidated to actually collaborate! I would love to work with Grant-Lee Phillips, an amazing songwriter and singer based in LA. And Aimee Mann. And I also find myself singing Michael Penn’s harmonies a lot…I would settle for merely being his back-up singer for sure. I dreamed about collaborating with drummer Jay Bellerose, and then it happened, so you never know!

What song on Into the Quiet is the most personal? And why?

My songs always come from a very personal place, although most of them on this album are not directly autobiographical. I think that the song “Into the Quiet” itself feels most personal to me. Which seems a little odd, because the lyrics are probably also the most abstract. But a lot of it has to do with what I’ve been through over the last several years, and what Mike and I have been through together and how at the end of the day all I want is to be in a peaceful place, and sharing that peaceful place with him. So I guess, yes, that’s pretty personal.

Keep a lookout for Kristy’s newest release Into The Quiet. The official release date is March 31st and if you’re in Los Angeles, swing by Molly Malones for the album release show. Also, be sure to check her out on MySpace and Facebook.

-Sheena

Musician Interview with intellectual maverick Derek Jordan

S. Felix — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:43:34 +0000

I really enjoy it when an artist creates their own buzz in the blogosphere. Derek Jordan did just that with his last release Identity and is getting ready to release his newest psychological rock beast entitled Humanist. By taking one look at him, you’d never guess what intellectual and existential discussions were taking place beneath the surface. Luckily, Humanist is that one porthole into the soul that is Derek Jordan.

What was the moment when you decided you wanted to make a career out of music?

I decided I wanted to make a career out of music pretty much the second I stumbled across an old guitar in my grandparents’ attic. I was fascinated by it. I fell in love with it. Sure it started as a boyhood dream, but that dream never left. Music has always been on my mind 24/7 ever since. I love it and your career should be what you love. There’s nothing more to it.

You are currently finishing up your second EP Humanist how have you grown since you last release Identity?

Identity was very raw and had a lot of space. In Humanist I’m putting together songs that are more orchestrated and with less cut-and-paste structures. I love to solo on guitar, but Humanist only has one solo. I’m branching out from predictable song structures. It’s very important for artists to grow with every recording. Art is expression through a medium and must not be contained or become stagnant.

Some have referred to you as “the king of individuality.” Do you agree with this and why?

I’m on a mission to promote individualism, to wake people up from society running their lives. It’s so important to grasp life and squeeze everything out of it. Much of society has lost its individualism and has now become just one big protocol. You shouldn’t live how you’re told but decide for yourself. The catch is, many have forgotten or never learned how to decide for themselves.

Who are some of your influences, both musical and non-musical? Where do your ideals come from?

I have lots of influences. Most of my musical influences come from non-musical sources. I’m inspired by stories in history, personal tales, social psychology, desperation and triumph. These non-musical influences consist of Winston Churchill, Napoleon, Geronimo, Achilles, and Einstein.

I’m very influenced by some athletes too, like Sidney Crosby, who became such a talented hockey player at such a young age. It wasn’t due to his talent. It was because of the mentality, attitude, and work ethic that developed so early in his life. He leads by example and is actually my biggest inspiration in the world.

As for music! Led Zeppelin, Chris Cornell, Stone Temple Pilots, Eddie Vedder, MUSE! I also like film score composers like Hans Zimmer. I grew up on a lot of classic rock but I think we are SO fortunate that there is so much good music coming out right now, more than ever. In the early 2000’s, people were starting to wonder if new music had lost its creative and artistic edge. That’s not the case now! I love discovering new music.

Can you explain the concept behind the red handprint?

The red handprint originates from my individualistic mindset. No two handprints are the same. So no matter how society has shaped you, your handprint remains unique. I wear my handprint on my chest because it is my identity. Everyone should strive to leave their mark in history.

You talk about social psychology, how has that shaped you as an artist?

Most of my songs are about social psychology. I’m fascinated with how society thinks and moves as a whole and the psychology behind it. It goes back to individualism and identity. We are raised on these agreements of how to live because it is what we are taught from our parents and society. They didn’t decide on these agreements, they were taught from those before them. So in reality, no one decides on their own philosophy unless they are aware of social psychology. Instead, mostly everyone just does what they are told. And that is flat out wrong. There is a book called, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. If you haven’t read it yet, it will open your mind and change your life.

What are you looking forward to most in 2010?

It’s mid March right now and Humanist is weeks from being released. The CD release party will be at the Joint at 10pm on April 15th. I’m looking forward to doing more touring. I went to Germany as part of the Tryxo Indie Invasion Tour last June. I’d love to go back again soon. Yet, the thing I’m looking forward to MOST of all, is becoming a full-time musician. I believe this transition will occur this year because that’s what I’m working towards and that’s what I’m determined to do.

I encourage you to listen to his music on MySpace and become a fan on Facebook. Oh, and Derek was kind enough to answer these questions and more in a video on YouTube. Go check it out.

–Sheena

Musician Interview with rapper extraordinaire Josh Lewan a.k.a. Whiplash

S. Felix — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:49:00 +0000

I’m starting to see that musicians in other countries truly see the United States as a land of opportunity and feel that the US is more accepting of their art. I suppose there are a lot of goats in the US that are willing to give any kind a music a listen and that’s a wonderful thing. This time around, Josh Lewan a.k.a. Whiplash explains why rap remains in the Australian underground, desribes what it is like working with Lil Wayne and reveals which character from the movie Grease he is most like. Listen to his three part release, Losing Control.

How did you get the nickname Whiplash?

One of my best friends called me Whiplash because I was a bit of a deviant and I had a devil-like laugh. I really took the name to the extreme and really became Whiplash in my own way years later. My life experiences and mentality brought more meaning to the name later on. It describes my personality and train wreck type of lifestyle I lived around the world.

What is it like being a rap artist from Australia?

It has been tough for me for years because Hip-Hop has only recently made its way into the mainstream and become legitimate in the culture. For years it was hard to break in as a rapper.

Since rappers are discriminated against by a predominantly pop music culture, labels and older generations didn’t understand it, so I could not get music deals with Australian companies or publicists, booking agents etc. I had to get all my music opportunities overseas. Every record company in Australia rejected my demo.

My album was banned in Australia 2009 for its explicit content. Australia is very conservative yet it has such a hard-core underbelly. Every country needs strong individual artists to make a genre powerful over a long period of time or it will be over saturated and lose its appeal.

Tell us about your albums?

The first album is the beginning of it all. The second album goes up a level to the first, yet the second album features fewer samples and other artists. I try to mix everything up so I don’t get bored or bore the listener. I naturally change or progress on each album. The third album features more artists on it compared to the first album.

Overall all the lyrics are from the same story that is my life so every song connects in the end. All the lyrics are from the same books of lyrics I wrote from 2004 to 2009.

What song is the most fun for you to perform?

I enjoy doing one of my songs that has a good balance of singing and rapping so I can attract the people that like my singing voice and attract people that like my rapping. I enjoy doing my best songs that have power or good lyrics, the ones where people clap or cheer during the middle of song not just when it is over.

You recently did a track with Lil Wayne; can you tell us how this came about?

I recorded an album called Rapanease and the label I am signed to ‘Dasvibes Jamaica’ released it worldwide. One of the tracks on the album called “Ghetto Surfer” was sent to Lil Wayne and their crew was feeling it so Lil Wayne recorded over that music.

You sample a song from the movie Grease in one of your tracks, which member of the T Birds are you most like?

I would say I am most like Danny (John Travolta) because he pursues a girl and has a romance on the beach. That sounds familiar. He meets Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) and I would be keen on a girl like that too, also because I sing pretty well along side John on that hook.

Who are your biggest influences?

Eminem is my biggest influence. To hear someone that good makes you want to do what they do as well or better and to take an interest in their lyrics, their music and their story.

It is great to have artists like him there to push us, motivate us and make us go up to the next level for our own music. A living legend like Eminem is my biggest influence; someone like that you can feed off for ten years growing up.

Singers like Justin Timberlake influence me. Rappers and producers like Dr Dre, 50 Cent, 2pac, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, D12 and more influenced me also.

If you could tour with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be?

I would tour with Eminem, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Justin Timberlake, Lil Wayne, 2pac, Xzibit, D12, Notorious B.I.G and more.

If it were your last day on earth, what CD would you listen to?

I would listen to a mix CD of all of my favorite artists hit songs. I would sing and rap along to it until I die. Love Hip-Hop, love music.

Now go on and become his friend on MySpace or Facebook.

–Sheena

Musician’s Interview with The Lord’s Lover Juliet Annerino

S. Felix — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:49:44 +0000

I’m always interested in speaking with musicians that consider themselves artists. I’ve found that these artists are bolder and don’t restrict themselves to one genre. They usually have a repertoire that is colored with different intriguing inspirations. This is the case with Juliet Annerino. Juliet has gone everywhere in pursuit of her art and has toured throughout Europe and beyond. Juliet has also ventured into risque territory with some of her work, especially with her muti-media cabaret show “The Lord’s Lover.” But who doesn’t love a little controversy with their art? I know I do, so I give you Juliet Annerino…

Your music is very unique, who are your biggest influences?

I’m influenced by so many great composers and performers. From the classic jazz composers like Cole Porter and George Gershwin, to jazz singers like Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald, to more contemporary pop/composers like Sting, Annie Lennox, Bjork, and Portishead. I can appreciate the trendy, the quirky, all the fluff de jour.

You have toured all over the world. What has been your favorite place so far and why?

Ah! I can’t play favorites like that. Every place I’ve performed has been special and precious in its own way. People do seem warmer personality-wise in warmer climates. And I’ve never had a problem with anyone being snobbish. The French were so sweet and very friendly. The most friendly people might be the Egyptians. Lebanese people are amazing given their history of wars and destruction. They’re so brave and proud and they sure know how to enjoy life!

Did you grow up studying music?

Well, I never really grew up–but that’s a story for another time. I took some piano lessons in grade school, but I was undisciplined and just wanted to make up my own melodies. Then I took some free guitar lessons in the 7th grade and really started to use the guitar to write songs. Later, another musician friend of mine suggested that I get away from the guitar when I was writing songs because the guitar was more of a crutch than a tool for me.

I wasn’t a very good guitarist, and the limited vocabulary I had in guitar chords was keeping my melody in a pretty tight frame. I did find that if I wrote a melody without the aid of the guitar first, I’d write much more creative songs. I was freed. This is how I write now, without the use of any instruments first. Then I go to the piano and write charts for my musicians.

What charities or organizations do you affiliate yourself with?

I’m a member of We Are Change LA, The Hollywood Freedom Activists and Code Pink: Women for Peace. I’m a big fan of Anti-war.com and the Iraq Veterans Against the War, too. A percentage of the proceeds from all my records sales as well as my shows always go to wonderful charity called, Mercy Corps or to Code Pink.

Your album has a lot of instrumentation, which ones do you play?

I sang all the vocals except that very deep “Dance!” on “Dance Between the Raindrops” which was my engineer, John X. I programmed all the virtual drums and played all the virtual (as in synth) bass, keys and strings, and I played the acoustic guitar on “Drowning” and “Just for Fun.” And of course, I played the dog toy on “Cigarette.”

Who is you favorite person that you have worked with so far?

The dog toy. Oh, you said “person” I love them all, of course! Well I have to say I really loved working with the late, great Jamie Tisdale, who played guitar on “Save Yourself.” He really understood what I was going for with that cut and he put all of his creative energy and his passion into that performance, as he did with everything he did. His talents will be missed, always.

What is the best prank you ever played?

That would have to be the prank I played on my little brother when we were kids. My sister and I were a few years older than him and he was always trying to get us in trouble, so we decided to try something…

I pretended to call him a “swear word” that we’d agreed on previously that was just a made up word. I told her I’d call him a “little blanchard” and then my sister would act really shocked that I’d used a bad word. When it happened, he went to tell my Dad. Of course, he was confused and then amused. My little brother was so embarrassed. We thought it was hilarious at the time.

Listen to her music on MySpace and Facebook

–Sheena Felix

Musician Interview with the Norwegian Fergie-Marlen a.k.a Malicious

S. Felix — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:16:20 +0000

Since yesterday was March 4th, lets talk about an artist that is marching forth into uncharted territory, Marlen a.k.a. Malicious. Marlen is a Norwegian female rapper making waves and burning down houses and asking the music industry if they can handle her loud mouth. She just had a show with Yo Yo and released her album Can You Handle This!? that introduces her alter ego Malicious.

You’re new album is called Can U Handle This? do you feel that you are difficult to handle?

Sometimes, yes! hahaha!!! Sometimes, what I say can shock people, or make them feel a lil bit uncomfortable, cause the truth can sometimes be a lil uncomfortable I like to point out the big pink elephant that’s standing right there in the room, that some like to ignore just because it’s comfortable to ignore it. I like to bring up the taboo

But the title Can U Handle This?!!! on the album is more of a can u handle this in the music industry?! Someone like me, the underdog, with all odds against her. Not only do I have a big mouth, but I’m a female rapper, I’m white AND I’m an alien!!! So can u handle that record industry? Executives, investors, movers ‘n shakers… cause I don’t think u can! hahaha!!! If u can–then prove it! Otherwise I’ll move ‘n shake it up myself hahaha! Those I do think can handle it is the people in the audience

Explain to us the difference between Marlen and Malicious?

Marlen is me, the nice girl. Malicious is me, the bitch!!! hahaha!!! No, from joke to real, Malicious is the truth. The harsh truth.Truth can be mean or malicious because it’s sometimes too hard to handle. ’N it lurks underneath the surface of the facade we put up.

Not a lot of people like to face their real truths. So they escape… into drugs, alcohol, sex, work, addictions… u name it! Or just cut off on their emotions ‘n feelings cause their too hard to deal with. Malicious steps in when I wanna remind myself or people not to see things in just one way, but many. Remember that there are many sides to one case, that the so-called reality u see might not be the real reality.

How has being an artist in Norway different from being an artist in the US?

In Norway u have this unwritten law that u shouldn’t think u’r good for anything or better than anybody or think u’r special or nothing, etc. It’s called the jantelaaven in good old Norwegian. And I think that’s a bunch of BS! In America u don’t even have a word for that law!!! ‘N that’s good! That’s probably why it don’t exist here! Thank God!!!

Of course we all are special in our own way! Of course u should think u can become great!!! WTF?!?! Who ever came up with that law is a conservative bastard that had A LOT of fear crystallized in his head!

Here in America I’ve been treated so much better!!! There is bigger acceptance here. But I love my country dearly, don’t get me wrong. It has a lot of good sides too. All places do.

Who do you most look up to in the music industry?

Hm… there’s a lot of talented people I really like. A lot of music that has helped me through the hard times ‘n cheered me up in the good times… The one thing that may be one of the reasons why I moved to LA in the first place was west coast gangster rap!!! hahaha! Dr. Dre, NWA, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube! I love Dr. Dre ‘n how he produces songs. Love everything he touches!

I also love Timbaland. His beats r off the hook. I listened a lot to TLC, Missy Elliot, Bob Marley, M.J. Blige and SWA growing up. Nowadays, I listen to almost everything out there. Gotta love Drake

I also love Beyonce!!! How much more successful can u be girl?! Awesome! Let’s see u go there! What a voice! Also,Pink! Twista! Ludacris! T.I! Even some Lady GaGa-nest!

Pink btw, has my album now YeaY! I ran into her ‘n gave it to her. She was such a sweetheart!!! Beautiful girl So nice! ‘N she seemed really interested in my album too, what if she is drivin’ around bangin’ my tunes in her car right now!!! hahaha!!! How sick would that be?!

On the back of your album is a photo of you burning down a house, have you ever been arrested for arson in the past?

A good criminal never gets caught, don’t u know that?! hahaha! No, just kiddin’! No, thank hell, not been arrested for arson before

Give her music a listen at www.MySpace.com/MarlenElvin
-Sheena Felix

LA Music Award Nominee and Music Connections 100 hottest unsigned artist Paul Nagi

S. Felix — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:49:01 +0000

How I love Dark New Wave. Lately, or more precisely, in the last 20 some years I haven’t heard of anyone to bring the sound back with vigor and passion and make it sound brand new and resonate like it did back in the 80′s. That is, until I heard Paul Nagi. I can’t get enough of his style and quite gorgeous voice.

What has been the most monumental point in your career so far?

Playing live and having people whom I’ve never met, know my music; Selling out the Viper Room; Recording at Motown Studios where greats like Ray Charles recorded; Flying to New York and playing a show at Sin-E; Seeing 1000 of my first EP in my hands; Recording and licensing a pixies song; Playing live on college radio, there have been so many.

Who are you influences?

I really like 80′s new wave and Joy Division. U2′s early stuff really stuck with me because of the emotion. Jeff Buckley (althought I’ve only started to listen to him recently), the Killers, David Bowie, Weezer, Radiohead, the Pixies. At one point, I also listened to Billy Joel, Kenny Rogers, some opera, Guns and Roses, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi.

I grew up listening to mainstream radio so most commercial music of the 80′s and 90′s has seeped into my music. In the end, what I’ve learned from this random melange of music is: I like big and emotional choruses that could be sung by hundreds of screaming fans with a twist of the unusual musical change in there.

At what point in your life did you decide to make music a career?

When I got tired of hearing the same stuff on the radio, about five years ago. I had just moved to LA and I was regularly going to open mics. People started to really respond to my music and suggested that I record it. So I did, and after a year, I got a band together and recorded my first EP Auto Repair at the old Motown Records Hollywood Studio. We were playing and I realized I could really do this as a profession.

What song do you most like to play live?

“Matter of Time” because it makes me want to dance.

You have already accomplished a lot this year including being nominated for an LA music award as well as being featured on Music Connection’s top 100 hottest unsigned artists list. What do you think is in store for the future?

Well, I’m sure the hard work is only just beginning. Hopefully I’ll be able to get an opening spot for some established bands. I’ve learned to never plan too far ahead but in the short term, I just finished my music video for “Erase This From Our Blood” (which you can see on my MySpace page at www.MySpace.com/PaulNagi79) and I am putting the finishing touches on my new single “Quite Gorgeous.” It’s a sort of a Franz Ferdinand meets the Strokes and the Doors. It’s a dancy and fun song.

Describe your most memorable show moment?

Playing to a packed at the Viper Room and almost no one turned to the bar to buy a drink during one of my slow songs “Always On My Mind.” They were all just staring at me almost mesmerized.

How do you feel about the changing state of the music industry?

You gotta roll with it. Everything changes, you just need to be flexible. If artists are smart, they realize that they hold the power, if they are willing to sweat and bleed. With that said, record labels are still very important. It’s like a tree with heavy branches. If the weight from the limbs gets too far away from the trunk, then the limbs fall off.I think that’s what happened to the record labels. Labels have lost a lot of their dominance and have spread too far from their original purpose. The strongest part still remains, but it will be some time before the labels get back to their previous form, if they ever do.

Your EP is called Auto Repair how many cars broke down on you before you decided to name your EP that?

It is short for autonomous repair. It refers to the idea that the body heals itself from all the damage that you do to it, psychological and physical, and your heart is at the center of that process. I wanted to call my band that, but most of the guys i play with told me that everyone would ask the question that you just asked. That stuff never bothered me. I think people who listen to my music are smarter and look for a deeper meaning.

Coincidentally, Paul is also playing a show tonight February 25th at the Whisky a Go-Go for the LA Music Awards Showcase. If you’re in LA, check it out.

–Sheena Felix

Interview with the male Lady GaGa-Thomas King

S. Felix — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:06:59 +0000

You know, what started out as a few simple interviews is now an exploration of what it means to be an artist. When people think of a musician, most people think of the stereotypical rock star type covered in tattoos or something along those lines. What I’ve discovered it that artists are very diverse and each one has their own obstacles to overcome, their own unique audience, and a different experience as a musician.

My most recent interview is with Thomas King who developed a whole universe to organize and better communicate his values. I’m in love with his latest single “One Nite Stand” very GaGa-esque. Listen to it at www.thomaskingmusic.com and look out for his new album coming out soon.

How is being a musician in the United States different from being a musician in Austria?

The main difference is the amount of opportunities. I always say “For every single opportunity in Austria, you get a thousand in the States.” Austria is a country with a great classical music background, and all the world-famous classical musicians come to Austria.

In contemporary music, you reach a plateau pretty quickly and there is no where to go, especially if you are doing original music. Another difference is that Americans are a lot more excitable and supportive when it comes to music and new ideas.

Your Kingtom ideology is very unique, can you tell us what it is?

The Kingtom is my universe in space—my kingdom of high-energy pop music. It consists of six planets brought together by and gravitating toward logical center, LOVE. I call this center the ‘Great Uniting Star’. I invite my audience to enter my universe and through my music, experience the power of freedom, excitement, beauty, passion, joy, peace and love.

Which element of the Kingtom is the most important to you?

The Great Uniting Star because it is an expression for what I stand for as an artist. I believe that music has the great potential to unite people and bring out love, excitement and happiness in them. This is why I chose the yin yang at the center of my logo that is partially rotated to form a heart. This powerful body then sparks a fire, which reflects the passion I have for music, generating a majestic light and energy needed to keep my universe in rhythm and the audience dancing.

Who are your musical influences?

My two role models that I adore musically are Michael Jackson and Prince. Both are phenomenal entertainers and performers, who in my perception, have always focused on the artistry and music rather than on making money.

Do you have a musical family?

I must have inherited my creative side from my mum because my dad is a businessman. I have played music and have been on stage pretty much all my life. At the age of four, I got my first drum set and started playing drums. At the age of nine, I had become a child actor for theatre, and in high school, I joined a ballroom band as a singer and toured all over Austria.

You are a very high energy entertainer, have you studied dance or theatre?

I have never studied dance or theatre, but as I mentioned above, being a child actor made me failiar with the at age at a young age. I haven’t abandoned the stage since and probably never will. I guess my high-energy nature comes from my passion for what I am doing. On top of that, I love to dance. so you will rarely see me stand still when you watch me perform.

Tell me what your newest release is going to be about.

I tried to incorporate different elements of my personality into the songs. “The King Lives On” is about spreading my message to the world. In “One Nite Stand” I show that I am not afraid to show my feminine side. “Do You Believe” portrays my theatrical side in which I am seducing a girl to join my Kingtom. “In the Dark” is an intimate ballad about feelings that have been left in the dark for a long time, and finally “Make It Loud” is a straight up feel good rock tune.

If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Madison Square Garden in New York City. That place is magical. And the big soccer stadium in Vienna, Austria, because it is always great to come home.

Your stage performance is very theatrical, what do you plan on doing on stage for this new album?

The stage show will be a spectacle. A blend between a traditional show and a musical, with dancers, animation, and explosions. When the beat fires up, I’m in the zone and hopefully my audience will join me on this ride.

Check out his music at www.MySpace.com/ThomasKingOnline or www.ThomasKingMusic.com

-Sheena Felix

Musician Interview with Six Feet Under and Catwoman Actress and Singer/Songwriter extraordinaire Maggie Baird

S. Felix — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:50:09 +0000

Suffice it to say that I was wrong. I used to think that people should stick to what they do. Actors should stick to acting and singers should stick to singing. Well every once in a while a truly creative individual comes along that is blessed with the ability to channel their creative energy into everything that they do. Maggie Baird is one of these people. Her touching interview is inspiring and befits a person with such a charming demeanor.

You are both an actress and a musician, which role do you like playing best?

I really love acting and have been lucky enough to work on some great roles, but music has been on my mind more lately. I really need a creative life and the hard part about being an actor is you can’t just “act” whenever you feel like it, other people have to cast you. With music, if you are compelled to write a song in the middle of the night or play guitar or sing…you can just do it. You may not have control over who eventually hears it or cares about it, but the part you do for yourself is almost always available to you.

What song on We Sail is most personal to you?

I would have to say “The Sun Came Up Today” because it is a sentiment that I have faced fairly often in my life. My mother died when I was in my mid-twenties and my father died 9 years ago. Over the years, many of my friends have died too. When a close friend’s father died a couple of years ago, I was so sad about it and concerned for him and his family. I was deeply in the space of knowing what it is like when someone you love dies—you can’t believe that the whole world is just going on as if nothing has happened when your life is completely changed. I wrote “The Sun Came Up Today” for my friend, but it came from my personal experiences.

How did you get involved with writing music for Groundlings Comedy and Improv Company?

The Groundlings is a company that you find yourself in after rising through the many levels of the school. In The Groundlings everyone writes their material and performs in pieces other people write. Each show usually needs some musical pieces too, for variety and entertainment value, so I often wrote something for those occasions. I wrote mock musicals about various scandals and newsworthy events etc. I once did a musical playing Martha Stewart in embroidered Denim shirt and fishnets for example. That was long enough ago, the director of the show at that time actually said that she didn’t think enough people knew who Martha Stewart was.

I wrote a lot of songs into my character bits when they were appropriate and I did a lot of improvisation. It was really fun and was kind of a breakthrough for me in terms of singing for an audience. When the audience labels you as an “opera singer” or a “country singer” and you have to not only instantly sing like one, but make up the song at the same time, that is truly a good time.

What has been your favorite role that you’ve played as an actress?

As far as television is concerned, I had a pretty fantastic part on Six Feet Under which was especially fun because I was one of the opening death sequences. On stage, I’ve played some really nice parts. I loved playing Brooke in Noises Off which was a really funny role and I did a play called And a Nightingale Sang playing the main character Helen, which I really loved.

What are your biggest song inspirations?

Ever since I was a teenager, my way of coping with my feelings was to write songs about them. I wrote a song to sing to my husband at our wedding; I wrote lullabies when my babies cried; I wrote a song when I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror and didn’t know who the hell it was. It is how I cope with things, good and bad. Everyday kind of things that everyone experiences are primarily what I write about. Of course, sometimes I just write a song because I get a funny idea in my head.

Who is your greatest musical influence?

I have thought a lot about this and if I had to pick only one, I would have to say Joni Mitchell. When I was young I wore her albums out playing them and I think every songwriter today is indebted to her.

Since your album is called We Sail, where would you sail to and who would you go with?

I use sailing as a metaphor of course, and given that, I guess I am happiest voyaging through life with my beautiful family. I love to travel, but the people I want by my side the most are right here in my home. I guess I live in a houseboat after all.

You can listen to her music at www.MaggieBaird.com or www.myspace.com/MaggieBairdMusic.

Cheers,

Sheena

Musician Interview with Edison Sunrise

S. Felix — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:31:46 +0000

Recently, I got to chat up Edison Sunrise about their newest EP Lifer. I got to ask them about their songwriting process and how they came up with the name Edison Sunrise. There is a lot of great new talent coming out of Canada and this is proof. Check out their music at www.EdisonSunrise.com

What is the origin of the band name Edison Sunrise?

I came up with the name “Edison Sunrise” after hanging out in a friend’s basement. His father had an old Thomas Edison record player, that played some of the first ever recorded music. I was very impressed by the antique record player because it doesn’t need electricity to play. You simply wind it up and it plays the music on the record. Someone mentioned that The Edisons would be a good band name. I had never been interested in being a “The” band so I used my wits and put together Edison Sunrise.

Who are some of your greatest musical influences?

Some of my favorite artists are Blind Melon, Bob Dylan and Oasis. They all have their unique style and sound and they all genius songwriters. I rely heavily on my songwriting to get me ahead and open up doors.

You are about to release a new EP, what song are you most excited to play live?

The third song on my EP called “Life Forms” is always fun to play whether in practice or in a show. The song is short, catchy and packed full of energy. It is the perfect song to play if you want to leave the audience wanting more.

What is the Edison Sunrise songwriting process like?

It tends to not take that long at all for me to write a full song. I tend to drop a song if I am struggling to write it. I have always felt my best work flow through me with ease when I am “in the zone.” I have stuck with this formula and I have managed to write over 40 originals thus far.

What are the main themes or topics that influence your songs?

Society and equality is a big one for me. I am a free spirit and I try to encourage people to think outside of the box and not judge people.

I like to sing about the dangers and shadiness in the world. The world isn’t all butterflies and beautiful flowers you know! There is evil at work.

I write about friends and memories. I can’t forget about all the good times and friends I have made along the way. Everyone needs a song to remind them of the people in their life.

How has your music evolved since you first started playing?

Being able to write lots of songs in a short amount of time has given me an edge. I have written everything from country roots to heavy rock and hip hop. I am constantly changing. One of the most compliments I get it that all my songs are different from one another and I have a unique sound.

What’s the best part about being a musician in Canada?

I currently live in a beautiful mountain town, Banff AB.It is vast and inspiring and people their really dig their music.

What are you looking forward to in 2010?

Having an EP for sale worldwide through digital download and having a much more experienced mindset. I have been learning and working hard at getting better at my craft. I feel that in 2010 I will finally start getting the recognition I have been working toward.

Musician Interview: Ribkat and Josy B. Chat About Working With Dr Dre And More

S. Felix — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:03:49 +0000

Recently, I had a chance to talk to the up-and-coming Hip-Hop duo RIBKAT AND JOSY B. They’ve already had a placement in the Oscar-nominated film the The Wrestler, a 2008 Hollywood Music Award nomination and an Effigy Award for best Hip Hop song in 2009 under their belts. They recently released their latest album Theory of Addicts and it looks like 2010 is going to be a good year for Tak and Josy B.

The chemistry between the two of you is undeniable, how did you meet and what made you start performing together?

I wrote a song called “Redrum” and I really wanted a female to sing the chorus I had written, and then, what do you know? With the snap of a finger, I was introduced to a cute, vivacious Puerto Rican girl with amazing vocals that went by the name of Josy B. Shortly after the recording, I realized our chemistry was so magnetic and decided to release the song as our first single, which did great overseas, and we continued to work together from that point on

What is the first song you ever wrote together?

It was a song called ‘Reveriez” which happened to be our first single from our new album Theory of Addicts. You can get a free download of our album at www.RIBKATANDJOSYB.COM. I strongly encourage all you folks out there to come join us and get yourself a free copy!

Tak, you’ve been in the game a long time with groups like Styles of Beyond and Fort Minor, how is RIBKAT AND JOSY B. different?

For starters, I’ve never done an entire project with a female. Another is I got a chance to reinvent myself and showcase my music production and songwriting ability in a way the fans have never heard or would ever expect. Our sound is more electro-pop tip with a fusion of 80′s music and early 90′s Hip Hop in it’s prime. I never considered myself to be a rapper for the most part, but more of a songwriter who was always intrigued by the art of storytelling, with the soul of a musician.

Josy B., you’ve had the opportunity to work with the legendary Dr. Dre, tell us about the experience.

It was an awesome opportunity and a great learning experience. At the time, Dre was doing the soundtrack for a movie called El Diablo and we worked together to write some lyrics in Spanish for a track that was used for one of the scenes. The song turned out great! He was a really fun and down-to-earth guy and it was an honor to have worked with the Dr.

Josy B., you seem to love fashion, does your style influence your music and stage persona?

Fashion is my love!!! I’m addicted to accessories and colorful bags. What I wear is who I am which has a lot of influence not only with the music that I do but on stage as well. I don’t try to think too hard about what I’m going to wear when I perform. I’m very versatile with my visions and mood and sometimes I throw something together spontaneously, so you never know what I may be wearing when I come out!

Your new album Theory of Addicts was just released, what tracks are you most excited to perform live?

To be honest, we get excited to perform all of our songs because we love our album! We don’t use profanity in any way and we strongly believe in unifying a nation of people young and elderly through a positive medium of enjoyable music with an innovative energy behind it.

If you could collaborate with any other artist/s who would it be?

A man-made android combining the DNA of Culture Club, Talking Heads, Human League, Huey and the News, Tears for Fears, Public Enemy, Tribe Called Quest, LL Cool J., Leaders of the New School, with a splash of Michael Jackson.

What’s the game plan for 2010?

To infect the world with a plague called “Good Honest Music”

–Sheena Felix

Music Review: Introducing Amy Heffernan

S. Felix — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:08:34 +0000

Guest post: “Lets give a warm welcome to Sheena Felix. Sheena is librarian that is infatuated with rowdy music. She enjoys sticking it to the man, refuses to listen to commercial radio and loves all things Indie. Sheena is always on the lookout for music that is unusual and a bit weird.”

Allow me introduce you to an album that has been in my regular rotation the last few months by the name of Being Awesome. Being Awesome is the first full-length release from Amy Heffernan.

What I love about Amy Heffernan is that she makes pop music that I can admit to liking without feeling ashamed or embarrassed. The whole album is addicting guitar-driven pop and great for singing along to without making you feel as if it was made for a teenager.

From the first banjo lick on “Being Awesome” you can tell the album is going to be fun. The song has some true to life lyrics like “take my keys, cuz later you’ll be driving my drunk ass home” and “if I looked any hotter, I’d be hooking up with your boyfriend.” No doubt, if you enjoy drunken debauchery you can relate to what Amy is talking about. The other great album on the album is “Can’t Wait.” It is an ode to summer and the perfect song to play when you’re driving to the beach.

But Being Awesome is not just about the awesome times, it also has its fair share of love songs and break-up songs. What I like most about said songs is that Amy never plays the lovesick victim. Listen to “The Word” and you’ll know what I’m talking about. You can tell the song came from a person that is far from a first crush and capable of feeling real pain.

What also makes its way onto the album is a cover of Lady GaGa’s “Just Dance” only the song is guitar-driven instead. If Lady GaGa isn’t your style, but the catchy melody has gotten into your head, play this version and satisfy your craving. I think you’ll like it better.

Being Awesome is a standout album because it is one that the rest of us can relate to. Amy serves up real emotions from a mature perspective with a rich musical backdrop. Plus, she doesn’t take herself too seriously, what more do you want?

Check out Amy Heffernan on MySpace!