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

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

As a Manhattan native, Trevor Potts of NYC-based pop/indie rock band, Red Directors, certainly knows how to succeed in such a fast-paced, demanding society. The notion of “fighting for your piece of the pie” is an ongoing saying Trevor expresses in regards to his stomping grounds, which is clearly demonstrated in the upbeat, catchy, and clever music coming out of Potts and his band members. In an industry where bands race to top the charts of independent and college listeners, it is certain that Red Directors will be one of the few that achieve the task at hand.

What are your musical influences? Any bands to reference in relation to your music?

Personally, as the singer and songwriter of the band, I can only speak for myself as far as the musicians that have influenced me with my lyrics, melodies, etc. If I could pick, I’d choose Neil Young, Kurt Cobain, John Lennon (solo years), and Thom Yorke as many of my core influences.

Do you believe New York and the city itself has influenced your music? Why?

Yes, New York City has definitely influenced my music, especially with the writing process. NYC makes you fight back, and is a city surrounded by people fighting for their piece of the pie. There is definitely a motivated, aggressive part about New Yorkers where they want to just go out, have fun….but are still fighting for their slice of the pie with every move they make. You must earn your living, and everything that’s involved. So yes, the demanding aspect and fast-paced nature of the city has surely influenced our music.

Dead or Alive: What musician would you dream to play with?

Tough question…but I’d have to say Neil Young. The guy has literally seen everything – and he’s made a record in all genres. So it’d be great to jam with him in different areas of music. I’d love to pick his brain. But, if I wanted to step out of the edge a bit – I would love to follow Thom Yorke around for a day.

What’s the one thing you think everyone should do before they die?

Simple: climb Machu Picchu

If you could listen to 1 album for the rest of your life – what would it be?

Honestly, the new XX record. It’s incredible.

Favorite hot spots in NYC?

The thing about NYC is that it is an ever-changing battle there. As soon as someone finds out about something, it’s no longer a hot spot! Then….the crowd is off to the next place. However, I do love the East Village and Lower East Side of the city. The Thai places, nitty gritty rock and roll bars, and the fancy rooftop hotels are great. They incorporate such an attitude about them, with a new fusion, and a “balls to the wall” attitude.

The inevitable question: why Red Directors? How did you get the name?

I’m fascinated with Russian history, and when the Soviet Union fell, the guys that held the Soviet muscle had to go through a group of men called the Red Directors. Hence, the name.

If you could have any actor star in your next music video, who would it be?

Charlize Theron. She’s not your normal Hollywood star. She’s gone through such an incredible life, is a serial monogamist, and is incredibly sexy.

Any guilty music pleasures? Do you have the Bieber fever?

(Laughs) No. Fortunately, I do not have the Bieber fever. Guilty pleasures though… I actually have a name for mine. I have a radio station that is constantly in my head, called “shit rock radio.” The songs range from Air Supply, to Aaron Neville, to any other cheesy artist you can think of. I can’t get the station out of my head!

Best concert you’ve ever been to?

During summer 2001, I saw the Radiohead “Kid A/Amnesiac Tour” overlooking the twin towers, and the Statue of Liberty. Most amazing show I’ve seen.

Find Red Directors at www.myspace.com/reddirectors or www.reddirectors.com

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.

Here’s a few artists that you most likely won’t see on stage getting an award or even performing at the Grammy’s BUT certainly could be.

See if you agree by pressing play now.

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Here are the songs heard on this podcast and the links to each artists website;
Hype – “Push Me” (Available at CDBaby and iTunes)
Kelly Richey Band – “I Want You” (get it free on eMusic)
John Taglieri – “Booty Call” (get his older stuff free on eMusic)
Pauline Pisano – “Don’t Forget” (get it free on eMusic)
G Tom Mac – “Wish You Well” (get their older stuff free on eMusic)
Daydream On Autopilot – “Better Off Alone” (get it free on eMusic)
Daydream on Autopilot – “Call Me” (Blondie Cover)

Websites Mentioned on this podcast;
Mike Cameo’s Indie Top 10
Social Blend
Mixx.com

Most of these and a ton of other great artists can be found on the Pod Safe Music Network.

Image Source:Criminal Justice

Today’s the day. We are finally gonna do it. You and I are going to tell the boss to take a freakin hike. We are gonna play hooky. Yep, we are going to the beach or the bar or wherever and we are gonna have couple….and just chill! Hold that thought, press play and check out my latest offering…

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Have you ever heard of Jack LaLanne? You know the juice guy, the guy that takes every freakin kind of fruit or vegetable and throws it in a blender to make some super healthy, nutrient rich liquid concoction?

Well todays episode is the music equivalent to one of his creations, but, instead of fruits and vegetables, I used classic rock, crunk, downtempo, rap, indie pop, and a few others styles to make you one earlicious dose of music goodness.

Press play now and indulge (for best results, use headphones).

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NEW! Have a comment, request or review of your own that you would like played on the show? Call (206)202-7672 now and leave a message.
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Did you ever think you would hear Nine Inch Nails, Buckcherry, Bob Mould and Ice T on the same radio show podcast? Me neither but the pieces fit.

See how the pieces all fit together by pressing play now.

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NEW! Have a comment, request or review of your own that you would like played on the show? Call (206)202-7672 now and leave a message.

Here are the songs heard on this podcast and links to each artists website;
Last November – “Sunday After Noon”(get it free on eMusic)
Nine Inch Nails – Discipline (Download Free at NIN.com)
The Crash Moderns – “Where’d All the Scene Girls Go”(get it free on eMusic)
Buckcherry – “Sorry”
Bob Mould – “The Silence Between Us”
Hot Rod Circuit - “Gin and Juice”
Black Ice (featuring Ice T and Black Silver) – “So Fly”
Three Miles Out – “Knock Me Down”

Stop by my iTunes page now, tell me what you think by posting a comment and then subscribe.

Most of these and a ton of other great artists can be found on the Pod Safe Music Network.

Strap on those earbuds, turn up the volume and let these great artists take you to a higher place.

Press play now.

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NEW! Have a comment, request or review of your own that you would like played on the show? Call (206)202-7672 now and leave a message.

Here are the songs heard on this podcast and links to each artists website;
Brother Love – “Turn It Up”
JTX - “Party Like A Rockstar”
Munk – “Dirty Work”
Duran Duran – “Falling Down”
Running Still – “Ordinary” and “My House”
P. Hux - “My Friend Hates Me” (get P. Hux’s older stuff for free on eMusic)

Other links mentioned in the show:
Accident Hash
Adam Curry’s Daily Source Code

Most of these and a ton of other great artists can be found on the Pod Safe Music Network.

It is almost impossible to keep up with all of the review requests I get. Most of the time I just take a quick listen to see if there is anything I can use in my podcast. If it is really good, I will write something if I REALLY think it is worth it. But today I want to give you the chance to participate.

Starting with this post I to give you the opportunity to read and hear the music review requests I get from artists. I’ll call it the “You Music Review.”

Here’s how me can do it, Rather than me spending hours upon hours writing about why I like it and why you should, why don’t I let you play the roll of reviewer. I will post a portion of the review request on the blog, you can check it out and then – love it or hate it – put your comments below.

To make it interesting I will be posting requests from different genres. For those of you interested in doing a more full scale review I have a bunch of CD’s at home that I could send you to review.

Today I start with Read the rest of this entry