miércoles, 28 de julio de 2010

Super Mirage


What's the meaning behind the band's name?
We were originally called "Sputnik Sweetheart" after the Murakami book. And we released an EP under that name (This Drama EP). But another band in Brooklyn started up with the same name a few months later and started playing a lot of the same clubs as us. We got sick of being confused with them, so we decided to change our name. We had a bunch of ideas, but couldn't really come up with anything that stuck. Arvi (bassist) is big into classic bicycles, and on the day we we were having a meeting about the name change and he showed up geeking out about this classic Super Mirage bike he'd seen, which is this French company from the 70's. We all really loved the name, and stuck with it. One of our fans on myspace theorized that it's an extension of the themes of deception in our music and about the illusory nature of life. Which is kind of cool. And I wish I had come up with it first.

How was the band started?
Kyle Jarrow (keyboards and vocals) and I (Nathan Leigh – guitar and vocals) met working on a play that Kyle wrote called Love Kills. We got along really well and found our musical sensibilities meshed, so we decided to start a band. We brough Arvi Sreenivasan in on bass and our original drummer Josh Tussin and recorded an EP together. Josh left the band after a few months, and we brought in Drew St. Aubin to replace him. The line-up has been solid ever since. We have a revolving line-up of horn and string players that join us sometimes too.

What's the message to transmit with your music?
I think a lot of our songs are about the lies we tell ourselves and the lies we tell eachother. The thing that I really enjoy about our music is that on the surface level it's fun danceable pop music, but there's actually a lot of depth and even some darkness to the lyrics.

What's your method at the time of writing a song?
Kyle and I write all the songs. Usually the way it works is that one of us will come up with an idea and send the other a demo of it. Then they sort of pick it apart and fix any problems with it. Then we get together and refine it before bringing it into rehearsal where we arrange it as a group.

Which is your music influences?
We have a lot of wide varied influences. Our music is sort of this combination between classic pop like Michael Jackson and Prince, disco, post-punk, and indie rock. We all come from pretty different musical backgrounds, and I think that gives our songs a lot of variety. And we all have a background in theatre so we try to make sure our songs tell a story, and our shows have a lot of spectacle.

What plans do you guys have for the future?
Our big thing right now is our debut record which comes out July 27th. We're doing a huge CD release show on the 28th at Galapagos Art Space in Brooklyn, with burlesque performers and a horn section.

Which has been the funniest prank you guys have been or took part while on tour or after a show?
I feel kind of lame! We're not a very pranky band. Maybe we should start! I'll get Drew on it.

If you guys were stranded in the middle of nowhere after a show or while on tour. The help is 65 miles away from where you guys are, Who would you guys send to look for help? And if while the rest wait, there's no food and the only way to feed yourself is by eating each other, Who would you eat first?
We'd definitely send Arvi to go look for help. He goes for epic 40 mile bike rides every weekend, so he'd be able to get help fast. He'd at least have the endurance to make it there and back. I think we'd eat Kyle first. Drew used to work as a chef, so I bet he could cobble together a good meal out of Kyle.

Which country you guys would love to play?
Eventually I'd love to tour South America. Especially Brazil.

With which bands you guys would love to share stage?
Definitely either LCD Soundsystem or George Clinton. Or both. That'd be a fun tour.

Are you guys OK, with the direction the band is going actually?
Yeah, we've been working on a lot of new material since finishing this record which is really exciting. The big thing we're starting now is doing this big “event” concerts with guest performers and stuff. We've gotten this great community of artists and performers around us and I'm really excited to continue building that and bringing more people into it.

Check out more from Super Mirage by going to: http://www.myspace.com/supermirage

To Speak of Wolves (Will McCutcheon, bass/vox)


How did the band started?
A lot of us we're all in bands from North Carolina that had broken up. We all knew each other through mutual friends. We all together, practiced and hung out and it went really well.

What’s your message at the time of writing a song?
Whatever is on our hearts really. Whatever the message of a song we are writing is what we feel we need to express to other people, or what we want people to hear.

What’s your method at the time of writing a song?
Usually one of us will have a few riffs written, or a basic idea or outline of a song. Its brought to practice then we all put our input into it until we feel like we have the song the way we want it to sound. Pretty simple.

Which bands do mostly influence your music?
Mastodon, Converge, Deftones, Codeseven...

What plans do you guys have for the future?
Lots and lots of touring, as much as we can fit into the year. Hopefully do some international tours and do some writing for the next record.

What has been the process behind your latest release? And from what you guys can say it differs from your past releases?
The new record is definitely a lot different sounding than our first EP release "Following Voices". The newest record has more singing, more dynamics and is a little creepier sounding all around. A totally different sound all around, you'll have to listen to them both yourself.

What’s the funniest prank you guys can remember been and/or took part while on tour?
We played a game called the "drink slap game", where if you have a straw in your drink once you have the drink outside of the place where you got it from, anybody can slap the drink out of your hand. The only way to keep your drink safe is to not have a straw in it. It's pretty funny to see someone's drink get smashed all over them.

Which country would you guys love to play?
Australia and every other country in the world.

Which are your hobbies?
Playing music, collecting comics other nerdy stuff, and basketball.

Are you guys Ok, with the direction of the band?
Very much so, if we wern't I dont think we would have made it this far together. We always want to keep our focus on the things that are most important and not the other crap that can easily distract you and pull you away from your goal. We're all very happy and are excited to see what happens next for us. We cant wait to do more tours, see more places and meet more people.

Check out more from TSOW by going to: http://www.myspace.com/tospeakofwolves

John Wicks and the Records

John Wicks and the Records



What's the band's name meaning?

MY FORMER LYRICIST AND DRUMMER, WILL BIRCH - IN A 'EUREKA' MOMENT - CAME UP WITH THE NAME "THE RECORDS" WHILST SOAKING IN THE BATHTUB ONE DAY!


How did you guys started with the band?
IN EARLY 1978 - HAVING RISEN FROM THE ASHES OF OUR PREVIOUS BAND, "THE KURSAAL FLYERS" - WHO BROKE UP IN LATE 1977 - WILL BIRCH AND I FORMED A SONGWRITING PARTNERSHIP, AND IMMEDIATELY BEGAN THE TASK OF WRITING A WHOLE BUNCH OF SONGS TOGETHER. BEING ESSENTIALLY THE NUCLEUS OF "THE RECORDS" - WE HAD A VERY CLEAR CONCEPT FOR THE BAND IN MIND, AND IN MY ROLE AS SINGER AND GUITARIST, I COMPOSED THE MELODIES, CHORDS, RIFFS, ETC., WHILST WILL PENNED THE LYRICS. WE THEN AUDITIONED SCORES OF MUSICIANS, EVENTUALLY FORMING THE BAND.


What's the message to transmit with your music??
BACK THEN - LIKE A GREAT MANY OTHER MUSICIANS AT THE TIME - WILL AND I VERY MUCH WANTED TO FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ALL THE GREAT 60s SONGWRITERS, BANDS AND ARTISTS, CONTINUING ON THE TRADITION OF WELL-CRAFTED MELODIC MUSIC. SINCE THE FINAL OF OUR 3 DIFFERENT LINE-UPS DISBANDED CIRCA 1982 - I HAVE ENDEAVOURED TO KEEP THAT SPIRIT ALIVE THROUGH MY SONGWRITING. I'M FLYING SOLO THESE DAYS, SO LYRICALLY SPEAKING, MY NEW SONGS REFLECT MY DEEPER SENSIBILITIES - THE HUMAN CONDITION' ETC., HAVING EVOLVED INTO SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE MEANINGFUL, I FEEL. AND IF THERE'S A MESSAGE I WOULD LIKE TO CONVEY, IT WOULD BE - FOR FOLKS ON MASS - TO LET GO - LOSE THAT SOUND-BITE MENTALITY THAT IS ALL TOO PREVALENT THESE DAYS. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO LISTEN ATTENTIVELY, FOR I HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT MUSIC MAY WELL HOLD THE KEY THAT CAN UNLOCK A GREAT MANY OF THE MYSTERIES OF OUR UNIVERSE. AND WHO KNOWS? MAYBE EVEN PARALLEL UNIVERSES. 'VIBRATNG STRING THEORY ANYONE?!'


What's your method at the time of writing a song??
IT'S NOT ALWAYS THE CASE, BUT ON THOSE RARE OCCASIONS WHEN TRUE INSPIRATION STRIKES - AS IF OUT OF THE ETHER - THAT'S USUALLY WHEN THE MAGIC HAPPENS, VERY OFTEN RESULTING IN SOME OF MY BEST CREATIONS. I GO INTO WHAT I CAN ONLY DESCRIBE AS A CHANNELLING, TRANCE-LIKE STATE, DURING WHICH A STREAM OF SUBCONSCIOUS THOUGHTS AND IDEAS BEGIN FLOWING FREELY TO THE SURFACE. IT REALLY IS A QUITE MYSTICAL EXPERIENCE! IN BETWEEN THESE FLASHES OF INSPIRATION, I FALL BACK ON MY CONSCIOUS EFFORTS. SPARKS MAY FLY BASED ON SOME CONCEPT OR OTHER - A COOL TITLE, SOMETHING I'VE READ IN A NEWSPAPER OR BOOK PERHAPS, OR MAYBE FROM SOMETHING SOMEONE'S SAID IN CONVERSATION EVEN. I FIND THE MELODY VERY OFTEN MANIFESTS FIRST, THEN THE LYRICS START TO SUGGEST THEMSELVES, SOMETIMES VICE VERSA, OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH. WHICHEVER WAY IT HAPPENS, IT'S A FASCINATING AND MYSTERIOUS PROCESS FOR SURE. THE GENERAL RULE THOUGH, IS: 'THERE ARE NO HARD AND FAST RULES - NO ONE PARTICULAR METHOD. I JUST GO WHERE THE MUSIC TAKES ME.'


Which is your music influences??
MOST ANYTHING FROM THE 60s. ALL THE USUAL SUSPECTS ANYWAY. OF COURSE, IT'S TRUE TO SAY THAT, TO SOME DEGREE, I'M INFLUENCED BY EVERYTHING I EXPERIENCE THAT'S GOING ON AROUND ME, BUT ULTIMATELY I'M INFLUENCED AND INSPIRED BY ANYTHING I CONSIDER TO BE INTERESTING AND/OR EXCEPTIONAL, AT ANY GIVEN TIME.


What plans do you have for the future??
ASIDE FROM SPREADING THE WORD, RECORDING MY NEW CD (THE FOLLOW-UP TO "ROTATE") RE-RECORDING SOME OF THE OLD "RECORDS" SONGS, PLAYING
MORE BAND SHOWS, AND HAVING MY MUSIC REACH A WIDER AUDIENCE, I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO LIVE AS LONG AND HEALTHY A LIFE AS POSSIBLE, SO I CAN CONTINUE TO CREATE NEW WORKS! LIKE I SAID EARLIER, I BELIEVE MUSIC HOLDS 'THE KEY!'


Which has been the funniest prank you guys have been or took part while on tour?
OH BOY! THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY! HA! HA! WELL, A COUPLE OF MEMORABLE ONES DO COME TO MIND. IT WAS NOVEMBER 6TH, 1977 AND THE FINAL DAYS OF "THE KURSAAL FLYERS" - SHORTLY AFTER OUR, THEN, LEAD SINGER, PAUL SHUTTLEWORTH HAD ANNOUNCED THAT HE WOULD BE QUITTING THE BAND. DURING THE LAST SHOW, OF WHAT WOULD BE THE LAST TOUR - IN A QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH TOWN BY THE NAME OF BEDFORD - MYSELF AND THE REST OF THE BAND, HAD DECIDED IT WOULD BE HILARIOUS TO START ONE OF THE SONGS IN A HIGHER KEY! (I'M LAUGHING AT THE MEMORY!) ANYWAY, WE COMMENCED PLAYING THE SONG INTRO., WATCHING PAUL INTENTLY, WHO APPARENTLY HAD NO CLUE THAT ANYTHING WAS AMISS, (AND WHY WOULD HE?!) THEN WE COLLECTIVELY ERUPTED INTO FITS OF HYSTERICAL LAUGHTER, AT THE SIGHT OF HIS PAINED AND PUZZLED EXPRESSION, AS HE STRUGGLED AND STRAINED IN VAIN TO HIT THE NOTES! (IF YOU'RE READING THIS - 'SORRY PAUL!') AS IF THIS WASN'T BAD ENOUGH, IN AND OF ITSELF, AFTER THE SHOW - WITH EVERYONE BEING IN EMOTIVE, HIGH SPIRITS, DUE TO THE PREMATURE ENDING OF THE TOUR - ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE BACK AT THE HOTEL! ANYWAY, PAUL, HAVING HAD MORE THAN ENOUGH OF THE HIGH-JINKS, DECIDED TO CALL IT A NIGHT. HE BADE US ALL FAREWELL, AND HEADED FOR THE ELEVATOR, OR 'THE LIFT' AS THEY CALL IT IN ENGLAND. 'LITTLE DID HE KNOW ...' THAT HE DIDN'T HAVE TOO FAR TO GO TO GET SOME REST THAT NIGHT! THE ELEVATOR DOORS OPENED, AND THERE - RIGHT BEFORE HIS VERY EYES - WAS HIS BED!! 'ROCK CONCERT: $30.00 - STRETCH LIMO: $300.00 - HOTEL: $200.00 - DOUBLE-BED-IN-THE-ELEVATOR - PRICELESS!'


If you guys were stranded in the middle of nowhere after a show or while on tour. The help is 65 miles away from where you guys are, ¿Who would you guys send to look for help? And if while the rest wait, there's no food and the only way to feed yourself is by eating each other, ¿Who would you eat first?
I HAVE TO SAY THAT, WHILST THESE ARE ALL VERY GOOD QUESTIONS, THIS PARTICULAR ONE IS ESPECIALLY CREATIVE - IN A GHOULISH AND SURREAL KIND OF WAY! HAD ME SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING BECOMING A VEGETARIAN! ANYWAY, HYPOTHETICALLY SPEAKING, I GUESS I'D DISPATCH THE TOUR MANAGER TO SEARCH FOR HELP - ASSUMING HE WASN'T BIG AND SUCCULENT LOOKING, THUS MOUTH-WATERINGLY EDIBLE! AS FOR WHO I'D OPT TO EAT FIRST, WELL, THAT'S ANOTHER VERY GOOD QUESTION, THE ANSWER BEING LARGELY DEPENDENT ON WHICH PARTICULAR "RECORDS" LINE-UP WE'RE DEALING WITH HERE. (AS I STATED EARLIER, THERE WERE 3 DIFFERENT LINE-UPS BACK IN THE DAY.) LET'S SAY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE FIRST OF THE THREE: ASSUMING THAT NONE OF THE OTHERS MADE A MEAL OUT OF ME - I WOULD PASS ON EATING WILL BIRCH, AS HE AND I WERE THE SONGWRITERS AND NUCLEUS OF THE BAND. SO, THAT WOULD LEAVE BASSIST, PHIL BROWN AND LEAD GUITARIST, HUW GOWER. SINCE HUW WAS THE LAST MEMBER OF THAT LINE-UP TO JOIN US, I'M GUESSING, I MIGHT JUST TAKE A BITE OUT OF HIM! THAT SAID, IT'S BEEN MY EXPERIENCE OVER THE YEARS, THAT THE ONE AND ONLY GOOD REASON TO HIRE A MANAGER, IS SO YOU CAN EAT HIM IF YOU SHOULD EVER FIND YOURSELF IN SUCH A DIRE SITUATION! SO, SHOULD SUCH AN UNFORESEEN AND UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCE, COME TO (DONNER?) PASS - SAID MANAGER WOULD BE BY FAR AND AWAY MY FIRST CHOICE! I'D GOBBLE HIM UP IN A HEARTBEAT!! THE REAL QUESTIONS HERE ARE: IF HE WASN'T A GOOD MANAGER, HOW WOULD HE TASTE? BAD?!


Which country you guys would love to play?
AUSTRALIA


With which bands you guys would love to share stage??
FOO FIGHTERS, THE BANGLES, TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS, CHEAP TRICK & SPINAL TAP. THOUGH NOT AT THE SAME TIME.


Are you OK, with the direction the band is going actually?
ABSOLUTELY! ALTHOUGH I'M ESSENTIALLY A SOLO ARTIST NOWADAYS, I DO PLAY FULL-BAND SHOWS WITH A NEW LINE-UP OF EXTREMELY TALENTED MUSICIANS. IN ADDITION TO MY BAND ACTIVITIES, I WRITE, RECORD AND ALSO PLAY OUT ACOUSTICALLY. OF COURSE, WITH MY NEW-FOUND 'CANNABALISTIC' TENDENCIES, IT CAN MAKE IT A LITTLE TOUGH TO FIND MUSICIANS BRAVE ENOUGH TO WORK WITH ME!!

Check out more from John by going to: http://www.myspace.com/johnwicksandtherecords

Harpeth Rising

Harpeth Rising


This Nashville quartet play a mix of bluegrass, folk, and Americana, that is adorned with siren song vocals and harmonies, melodic instrumentation, and a seeming desperation slipping through the weeping strings, and forlorn delivery. So if you’re a fan of Allison Krauss, or something simple as a story, told sweetly and honestly through song, then look no further than the ladies, and gentleman of Harpeth Rising.

Cody Blevins

What's the band's name meaning?
The Harpeth is a beautiful river that runs through Nashville. We'd like to make it clear that we named ourselves long before the flood!


How did you guys started with the band?
Jordana and Rebecca originally started the band, playing together in bars on Maui. Ruth and Chris joined when everyone moved to Tennessee (Ruth and Chris for an orchestra job and Jordana and Rebecca to be around the great music of Nashville.) We began playing together and within a month were out on the road touring.


What's the message to transmit with your music??
Each song of course has it's own message - over all this album is an introduction to us, our sound, and our ideas.


What's your method at the time of writing a song??
We all write together, which can be overwhelming sometimes. Usually one person comes to the table with an idea, lyrically or musically, and then everyone just starts working with it until it becomes something. Sometimes that takes a while!


Which is your music influences??
Lyrically we're very influenced by the singer/songwriters of the 60s and 70s - Leonard Cohen, Joan Baez, Dylan. Also Stan Rogers, an incredible Canadian musician. Jordana's dad is also a huge influence. He's an amazing songwriter with an album available on iTunes under Wildman Green. Musically, we've been told our classical roots come through pretty strongly. We tend to shape our instrumentals similarly to the forms found in classical and romantic music.


What plans do you have for the future??
We'd like to tour as much as possible! We'll also be recording a new album as soon as we have the material ready!


If you guys were stranded in the middle of nowhere after a show or while on tour. The help is 65 miles away from where you guys are, ¿Who would you guys send to look for help? And if while the rest wait, there's no food and the only way to feed yourself is by eating each other, ¿Who would you eat first?
We'd probably all go for help together, and as for eating each other - we're VEGETARIANS!!!!


Which country you guys would love to play?
New Zealand


With which bands you guys would love to share stage??
The Sam Bush Band, Darrell Scott, The New York Philharmonic


Are you OK, with the direction the band is going actually?
Thrilled with the steps we've taken this summer - our first overseas tour, as well as our first collaboration with orchestra - the Bath Philarmonia!

Check out more Harpeth Rising by going to: http://www.myspace.com/harpethrising

Amun-Ra Amani

Amnu-Ra Amani


If you’re looking for sex jams that don’t pull any punches or cut corners, look no further then Amun-Ra Amani. With a smooth talk delivery, and spaced out beats, he makes easy conception music, so believe him when he says, “I write love songs now cuz’ I’m grown.”

Cody Blevins


How did your music career started?

I started doing music in 1995. Mainly hip-hop and since then, I have evolved into an r&b character. My new groove is called poetry and soul. It is a blend of hip-hop, pop, r&b and soul.


What's the message to transmit with your music??
The idea was to create music with a conscience, music with feeling. I write about love and relationships. My message is both intimate and tasteful.


What's your method at the time of writing a song??
Usually, I will choose a melody based on how it speaks to my heart. The chorus is composed before any verses are written. To stimulate the writing process it is not uncommon for me to work on three to four songs at one time. But ultimately, the power and depth of the lyrics is determined by the texture of the rhythm.


Which is your music influences??
As far as artists are concerned, there are many. I would have to say that I am greatly influenced by jazz, electronica, r&b, and soul genres.


What plans do you have for the future??
My dream is to build Amun-Ra Amani into a classic American brand, with sister companies in publishing, fashion and cosmetics, respectively.


Which has been the funniest prank you have been or took part while on tour or after a show??
Sorry. Can't recall.


If you guys were stranded in the middle of nowhere after a show or while on tour. The help is 65 miles away from where you guys are, ¿Who would you guys send to look for help? And if while the rest wait, there's no food and the only way to feed yourself is by eating each other, ¿Who would you eat first?
I would look for help, that way, if I were unsuccessful, I'd still have my pride, because I was alone, and would gladly die by myself. We're still talking about music right. Kidding.


Which country you guys would love to play?
I would love to perform in Brazil!


With which bands you guys would love to share stage??
Usher, Kylie Minogue, and Jamiroqui.


Are you OK, with the direction the band is going actually?
Absolutely. And I'd like to thank god, because for various reasons. I am blessed.

Check out more from Amun-Ra by going to: http://www.lastfm.es/music/Amun-Ra+Amani

Asmodelle





You might think the Grand Gaga, with this blonde chanteuse staring back at you, but this is no pop starlet parading around in odd outfits, this is a woman dedicated to song creation. Veering from house and ambient electronic synths ping-ponging back on forth on “The Hunted,” to the glittery vogue sounds of “Trusted Pink Bow,” that sounds as if it is the orchestration to a fashion show in space. So while Asmodelle isn’t creating complex or auditory challening ambient electronica meanderings, she is creating wholly listenable mixes and beats for the club, midnight car rides, or a trip into neon outer space.

Cody Blevins



What's the band's name meaning?
Well the name I go by is ASMODELLE, and it’s an easy one for it’s simply my last name. But having said that, my last name means ‘angel of rain’ or ‘angel of the 4th month’ and that’s apt as I was born in April and absolutely love the rain, so long as I don’t get wet!


How did you guys started with the band?
I am a solo act and when I was working as a model in Japan in the 90s I went to a couple of electronica gigs and really liked the vibe and feel of what was then Japanese pop electronica. I had been classically trained on the piano as a child but had left it behind since leaving school, but this sudden interest for electronica and the sound of 90s synths ignited a passion that has only grown today. While in Japan, pretty much what money I made modelling was put into buying lots of, then state of the art, synths and playing around with them. Then when I returned to Australia, I had the gear shipped back and have been an avid composer ever since!


What's the message to transmit with your music??
I like music to be fun. To me, these days many musicians take too serious an attitude to their work, probably because there is a commercial aspect to it and making a living is a serious matter these days. But to me music should be good fun, and composing and playing music should reflect that. I’d even go a little further and think a composer must be a mischief maker, embroiled in creating entertainment that assumes and takes people outside themselves.

I prefer lower tempo electronics so that’s it’s fun and relaxing, chill-out listening. Anything between: 100 to 130 Beats per minutes, while over that listening can be hard work.

I don’t want to formulise my music into something that over time loses any individuality – I want to keep it fresh and fun. That is why I have called my first commercial release ELECTRONIC MISCHIEF and I am the chief mischief maker!


What's your method at the time of writing a song??
Perhaps because of my classical background, I find it really easy to improvise music. I guess that pretty much what everyone does at some level – but I don’t write the music down, I simply play it in its entirety and only after having performed the whole piece in a complete form the way I like it, will I write down music and technical aspects as to what synth sounds I used and production notes for later use.


Which is your music influences??
Oh gosh that is a big question! So many music influences. Before I became an electronic music composer, I was a collector of music, searching out as many new sounds as I could find, so there are literally thousands of influences but I will try to distil the main one into a short list here: Brian Eno, Aphex Twin, Underworld, Harold Budd, Leftfield, Autechre, Thievery Corporation, Faithless, The Chemical Brothers, Groove Armada, Portishead, Air, Vangelis, Orbital, The Orb, Kraftwerk, Boards of Canada, Depeche Mode, Moby, Jean Michel Jarre, New Order, Daft Punk, Morcheeba, Massive Attack, Tangerine Dream, Coldplay, Klaus Schulze, Zero 7, and also many minimal Beatport Artists, early Euphoria Dance collections and Gatecrasher collections and some later Ministry of Sound collections.


What plans do you have for the future??
Well I released my first commercial album late last years, ELECTRONIC MISCHIEF. And since that time I’ve been working in the studio, with a new album coming out in a couple of week entitled, ELECTRIX, and other material is also ready for a 3rd entitled, TRANSELECTRIX, which is more of a dance album, slightly up tempo. So those two albums are a huge amount of work which is coming to fruition. Additionally, I been working on a different project concurrently, it’s a double dark ambient album, very subtle and very mysterious, entitled: DARK UNIVERSE – it’s a soundscape of what the universe sounds like from an astronomical perspective. The project was inspired by the 2009 the International Year of Astronomy – and should come out later 2010.

There is a film soundtrack that I’ve been asked to do later this year, as I’ve done about 3 now, and so that is pretty exciting – it’s an independent film, entitled: BUSH WALKER.

There is a talk of gigs with a new label, SAVVY MUZIK, here in Australia, but I’m so busy right now, I’m not committing to anything else until ELECTRIX and TRANSELECTRIX hit the stores. There will be physical distribution as well as digital.

Which has been the funniest prank you have been or took part while on tour or after a show??
Well I would have to say it was while performing: fully nude on stage – it really was a big hit, yet I’m not sure if I’d do it anymore!


If you guys were stranded in the middle of nowhere after a show or while on tour. The help is 65 miles away from where you guys are, ¿Who would you guys send to look for help? And if while the rest wait, there's no food and the only way to feed yourself is by eating each other, ¿Who would you eat first?
Well, as I am a one person act, there is only one person I’d send for help – and that’s my sister and assistant Belinda, she will pretty much go anywhere and do anything for me! In terms of who I eat first, being a vegetarian, that pretty much means I would starve to death! Could write a song about it though!


Which country you guys would love to play?
Japan or Germany. Japan as I got my start there and Germany for their love of electronic music.


With which bands you guys would love to share stage??
Brian Eno, Tangerine Dream, New Order, Boards of Canada, Moby, The Chemical Brothers, or Groove Armada.

Are you OK, with the direction the band is going actually?
I’m really excited with the direction things are going – it’s been a great year and the response to my first album has been overwhelming and I look forward to releasing the new albums, and performing at gigs in 2010!

Check out more from Asmodelle by going to: http://www.myspace.com/estelleasmodelle

Prayer/Life


Prayer/Life

With a name like Prayer/Life, you might have some pre-conceived notions about what to expect in the music. Yes, there is religious connotations, and prayer worthy lyrics abounding, but on the flip-side there is life within these songs, meant to invoke inspiration, and maybe even a little faith into your everyday life. It may not be for everyone, but the music is well produced and executed with enough passion to carry the message of the song, so do not discount the beauty, even if the message isn’t necessarily universal.

Cody Blevins

What's the band's name meaning?
How we came up with the name for the group is a story that kind of reflects how we approach this whole music thing…..we could have chosen a name WE liked, but we knew we needed to find the name God had in mind for this project. So we prayed and waited. And waited. We had to advertise and perform our first two concerts without any name because we were still waiting. Then one of us, Myson, our bass player at the time, suggested Prayer/Life. And that night Myson and I both had a dream that Prayer/Life was the name of the group. (Understand, we were the least likely group members to have a spiritual dream, so this seemed like a divine joke and good confirmation.)

We knew that some people close to us didn’t like the name when they first heard it because it sounded too concrete or not mysterious/poetic enough. But others have gravitated to the music just because they liked the name when it popped up on Facebook sidebars, so the name is serving its purpose, to get the attention of those interested in a life based on conversation with God.


How did you guys started with the band?
We thank you, Rafa, so very much for choosing us from the SonicBids pool of great artists and then asking to find out more about our music! We are glad you asked about the formation of the group because that is the first “God-story” in a string of God-stories about this music.

I (Andrea) felt a spiritual call to share my voice with people beyond my local church to reach and this came to me at apparently the same time as faraway stranger, John Stallworth, felt a similar call. I didn’t know how to meet the right musicians for this project God had in mind, but I followed what I thought was silly advice and posted an ad online to find musicians interested in starting a band to play Christian music similar to the style of Chris Rice, Ginny Owens, Nichole Nordemann, Cindy Morgan, or Sara Groves. Well, the FIRST WEEK I posted the ad, I heard back from John Stallworth that he was interested even though he lives about 60 miles away. When we first played together to see how it would go, I couldn’t believe how beautifully he played and that he just had to HEAR a song and then could remember all the intricacies and play it without any written chords or sheet music! And he would make the song sound even better…. Amazing musician, amazing pianist. He really liked my voice as well, called it “special” – so we were good to go. And all along it has been a journey of miracles and also of spiritual lessons too.

The main miracle has been the recording of our album, “In Our Midst”. I had made my own little homemade laptop-recorded demos and put them on Myspace against the advice of music people I know who said, "don’t do that, wait until you have well-recorded music…." But it was on Myspace that a Christian independent music producer, Patrick Siegel, of New Artist Avenue, heard our home-made demos and said he loved the songs and wanted to help us get a professional recording made with his Grammy-winning and multi-Gold and Platinum record production team of Billy Whittington and Blair Masters in Nashville! These guys had worked with ALL the top Christian artists through the years from Amy Grant to Michael W. Smith to Mercy Me to Steven Curtis Chapman to Newsboys, Casting Crowns, etc. etc. What a complete and total answer to prayer. Since I am older, I knew that what we first produced had to be good as I don’t have years to wait to get to a place of a good recording……so this was exactly what we prayed for! But I’m a mom and a clinical psychologist, running a large practice and supervising many students in doctoral training, so I could only could be away for a week. Somehow God pulled together the whole 10-track high-quality album in a gorgeous way in a week…..It was really one of the best weeks of my life, making music and praying about 22/7 (couldn’t fall sleep hardly at all)!! The details came together so perfectly, even my own brother was able to at the last minute fly in from Illinois to add a significant contribution of male harmonies and guitar leads.


What's the message to transmit with your music??
To understand our message, you just have to look at our fairly straightforward name. But you have to remember the forward slash in the name, because just like in either/or, the forward slash means one or the other, or it can mean almost equivalent. You can think of it like this: Prayer/or/Life, prayer and life are almost equivalent for several reasons. First, because prayer is the first move people make to connect with the divine, so it is the start of our real (heavenly) life. So Prayer gives us life. And life worth living needs to be bathed in prayer. Our group came about and has had its success all based on prayer; everything we do for this band, we do by trusting God—so -even when we have the privilege of getting together across the miles to rehearse or record, we start with a significant time of scripture study and prayer. And apart we do this as well. And we have Facebook and Jango.com fans all over the world sending their blessings on us, its incredible, really.


What's your method at the time of writing a song??
This is cool because originally I thought we were just going to pull a band together to cover our favorite songs. But the story of our writing together starts the first time we actually met in person: John went home and had the music for two songs “given” to him by the Holy Spirit, all at once, just sat down and played/ recorded them He emailed the mp3’s to me and asked me if I wanted to write lyrics to them! I thought the world was being handed to me on a silver platter, because he had emailed me two of the most beautiful melodies I could ever remember hearing. Did I WANT to write lyrics for them??! So in trust, I prayed for God to guide me to the concepts that went with the music……then wrote the lyrics….then emailed my vocals and harmonies back to John to see what he thought of what had become of his instrumentals-turned-into-songs. He loved them, he said “that’s exactly what I was thinking of” The first song he sent me actually became our title track, In Our Midst, and is one of our best-loved songs.

That amazing process of inspiration and trust and common vision has continued with each song we develop together. A couple of the instrumentals have come about when I just listen to John free-form playing the piano and I say “record that: that’s a song!” One song like that we decided to ad lib the vocals and lyrics, or just sing together in the moment according to the Spirit’s lead and it became the beautiful worship song with spoken word, We Magnify. A little over half of the album tracks and a number of new songs for our next project I have written the words and music, as inspiration from the Spirit, written usually during morning devotions. John has liked each one of these as well, so we really see eye to eye.

In concert, its important to us to have every lyric projected on a screen so people can focus on the poetry of the songs (not on us!) and also see the scripture references. People are very enthusiastic about having the songs based in biblical texts because these are the fans who try to have their lives based in biblical texts, always searching for new understanding of those texts. I always encourage people to buy the physical CD at Bandcamp.com or Amazon rather than just the iTunes digital tracks because they get an 8-page art/lyrics/scripture reference booklet with the CD that helps them understand the biblical background for the concepts. And to go further with that, I am writing an In Our Midst Daily Devotional Guide to go with the lyrics of the songs on the debut album. It will have explanations of each section of scripture to study each day along with reflection or journaling exercises to explore the personal application of the concepts.


Which is your music influences??
Both John and I played a lot of classical music in our youth and John plays a lot of worship and gospel music as a music director at his church. Personally, I grew up listening to what we now call singer-songwriters such as James Taylor, Livingston Taylor, Carole King, Karla Bonoff, as well as some more alternative music such as Yes, Jethro Tull. But in my new songwriting venture, I would have to cite most of all the influences of wordcrafters Sara Groves, Ginny Owens, Chris Rice, Cindy Morgan, Nichole Nordemann. And in my singing I have to credit Colbie Caillat, Addison Road, Rachael Lampa, and new rising stars in Lara Landon, Jess Turner, and Omega. And it is Debra Byrd, my vocal coach (vocal coach on American Idol, Canadian Idol, and Idols on Tour), who maybe influenced me the most directly by insisting I stop looking out for my instrumentalists too much and just re-key my songs lower to avoid too much time in the voice“break” or no-man’s-land, and for saying things like “Sing that G in your chest voice, please. THANK you!” – is that “influence“ or something a little stronger?


What plans do you have for the future??
We don’t have a goal beyond obedience, John and I both felt called to this out of what we were already doing. We are actively always praying for God’s will or design to be achieved through our efforts and for God’s help to spread the Word through our music. We would love to have broad impact by playing some festivals and eventually touring internationally to have a special ministry to overseas missionaries.


Which has been the funniest prank you have been or took part while on tour or after a show??
Well, a sort of inadvertent prank happened where we were booked for a festival headline concert by accident. They meant to book Andrea Hamilton and instead booked Andrea Davis (my work name] and they figured this out too late, so we still got to play the concert. In fact, the only way we found out that they hadn’t meant to book us was someone in the audience oversaw the concert organizer texting about this and posted the news as a comment on the other Andrea’s Myspace! Ever heard of God working in “mysterious ways” ??


If you guys were stranded in the middle of nowhere after a show or while on tour. The help is 65 miles away from where you guys are, ¿Who would you guys send to look for help? And if while the rest wait, there's no food and the only way to feed yourself is by eating each other, ¿Who would you eat first?
Well, you guys are creative--that’s not a typical interview question. We’d definitely not send John to look for help because its likely he’d get lost finding his way back…..no, we’d tell John to pray for sure, and pretty soon there’d be manna or quail showing up on the ground for us to eat.


Which country you guys would love to play?
I think we’d love to play any countries where we have a bunch of fans, like Rwanda where a number of fans have been generated by one super-fan, William Adams; we’d also love to play in Haiti to support the New Testament Mission in the village of La Croix and the medical clinic there my sister-in-law helps to staff and my son visited earlier this summer.


With which bands you guys would love to share stage??
As we are just starting out, we are not picky about who to share a stage! We’d love to share a stage with any artist we respect and there are just so many – Sara Groves or Ginny Owens way up there, but if we were to share a stage with Jeremy Camp, Cece Winans, or Casting Crowns, there’d be a lot more people in the audience!


Are you OK, with the direction the band is going actually?
It’s nice of you to ask us this, Rafa, and yes, this is a very exciting time to see our influence spreading, with more fans on Facebook and Jango.com every day and more magazine interviews last month and this month, cowriting with Lara Landon in July, and our chance to play for television’s Time Warner Faith On Demand channel last month. Most exciting is being inspired to write a bunch of new songs lately. Nothing better than writing beautiful music to become pearls in strangers’ lives.

Check out more from Prayer/Life by going to: http://www.myspace.com/prayerlifemusic

State Cows

Cows State

Review
How’s your view from your yacht? Is your neon yellow shirt and zumba pants clean for the club tonight? How about your Delorean? Did you remember to get the door fixed? Don’t worry, State Cows has you covered with jams mining the golden era of Hall and Oats fame. Dancing synth riffs, and pounding orchestral brass stabs getting your booty moving regardless if you were born in the era of corporate excess, huge frizzy hair, and non-stop partying.

By Cody Blevins




What's the band's name meaning?
This is in fact a deliberate mystery that will be revealed when the time is right.


How did you guys started with the band?
We'd been pondering the idea to do a full-fledged retro smooth sunny yacht rock Westcoast/AOR record back in the days of Daniel's solo record "Days in L.A.". We were very much into getting the sound of the late 70's/early 80's L.A. FM-radio music. This idea was reinforced during a short period we were playing in a Steely Dan tribute band and after quitting that band we immediately started writing.


What's the message to transmit with your music??
If people get a warm, sunny and positive feeling when they listen to the music then we've succeeded.


What's your method at the time of writing a song??
We usually start by finding nice chord sequences and melodies. Then we spend two weeks pulling our hair writing lyrics.


Which is your music influences??
Airplay, Marc Jordan, Maxus, Pages, Steely Dan, Chicago, The Tubes and similar. The David Foster/Jay Graydon sound.


What plans do you have for the future??
We hope we can generate big enough interest for touring the US and elsewhere. Meanwhile, we're always writing new material.


Which has been the funniest prank you have been or took part while on tour or after a show??
Well, this one is more of a miscalculation based on bad communication. Anyway, we were supposed to play at a party after a major artist's gig. What we hadn't been told was that the party was in a large ice hockey arena and we were placed right in the middle. We'd only brought a couple of tiny rehearsal monitors and people could hardly hear us. At the time it was sheer terror but looking back now it seems quite comical.


If you guys were stranded in the middle of nowhere after a show or while on tour. The help is 65 miles away from where you guys are, ¿Who would you guys send to look for help? And if while the rest wait, there's no food and the only way to feed yourself is by eating each other, ¿Who would you eat first?
Since we're all cows there's bound to be a lot of meat and milk. I think we'd survive ...


Which country you guys would love to play?
The US is on the top of our list but basically everywhere where people like this kind of music (Japan, Italy etc.)


With which bands you guys would love to share stage??
The original line-up of Airplay would've been cool but that would also require a time warp.


Are you OK, with the direction the band is going actually?
Yes, both artistically and commercially. We've had such tremendous response on this record it's hard to believe. People want sunny music!

Check out more from State Cows by going to: http://www.myspace.com/statecows

Marcus J. Austin


Marcus J. Austin


From the moment you hear the confidence in “All Ready” you know that Marcus J. Austin already believes in himself more than you can ever hope too. A college graduate, self proclaimed gifted, articulate, and good looking person, who in his own eyes is already successful. So how does this translate into songs? Surprisingly good, usually hyperbole of this nature can be a detriment, but it’s the honesty in his words and voice that make his soul music so endearing.

Cody Blevins


How did you started with your music career?
I grew up in a musically gifted family as a young child. Therefore, music has always been an important part of my life. The importance of music can be traced back to piano, drum, and brass instrument lessons in my adolescent and teenage years. In addition to the instruments, I also developed vocally by participating in church choirs and school vocal groups. I never knew that such a strong foundation would add to my musical growth and development now, however, it has paid enormous dividends.

My technical and studio recording experiences began at Rutgers University. It was while attending school I was able to invest in studio time to learn and develop a musical style and experiment with different music genres. Additionally, I also was able to perform and share original material with my fellow academic colleagues.


What's the message to transmit with your music??
The message that transmits through my music is “Art Reflects Life”. In this message, you not only find the feelings of life’s current and past realities, but also the hopes and dreams that reflect what the future could, should, and might hold. Life can be complex and also simple; therefore, the goals of my music are to combine melodic harmonies and powerful lead vocal composition to tell stories of love, happiness, hurt, and pain.


What's your method at the time of writing a song??
As a producer, songwriter, and singer, my process generally starts with creating the track or instrumentation for the song. This process typically begins with listening to past and current music greats including Jimi Hendrix, Al Green, Bobby Womack, The Police, and Prince. In listening to these iconic figures, it allows me to find inspiration and direction into what I would like to hear and sing. The next step would be to create the actual track and music. Once the creative process of production is done, then the songwriting and vocal arrangement details are put together. It is in this stage I tap into personal, social, political, and economic experiences that I’ve seen, read about, or lived through. In using that approach, it allows me to connect my soul and deep feelings with the general public.

Usually, depending on what time of day or what’s currently taking place will assist me in shaping the specifics of what I would like to express. Once the writing and vocal arrangement is completed, then the final step would be the actual recording of the track and vocals together.


Which is your music influences??
I have so many musical influences that it would be tough to name them all. However, some of my favorites include Ms. Kim Burrell, Mr. Jimi Hendrix, Mr. Bobby Womack, The Police, Prince, Mr. Gino Vannelli, The Gap Band, George Clinton and The Parliament, and Mr. Bob Marley.


What plans do you have for the future??
I am currently getting ready to release my debut EP project, “The Love Inn: You’ve Been Waiting” in September. Additionally, I’m continuing to promote my debut mix tape, “The Buzz: Heart-Breaker” which can be downloaded off my website, www.marcusjaustin.com, for free. Lastly, I am preparing to put the final touches together for a concert series where I’ll be traveling and performing at several venues and locations to promote my EP project. Please stay tuned to www.marcusjaustin.com, for performance schedule updates, video footage, articles, and other music related items.


Which has been the funniest prank you have been or took part while on tour or after a show??
This is an interesting question. But if I told you, then that would mean that I would not be able to do it again. I guess you might just have to wait and see. You might be my next victim.


If you guys were stranded in the middle of nowhere after a show or while on tour. The help is 65 miles away from where you guys are, ¿Who would you guys send to look for help? And if while the rest wait, there's no food and the only way to feed yourself is by eating each other, ¿Who would you eat first?
I am a solo artist, so at the end of the day, I would have to be responsible for whatever happens in order to save myself. Someone told me a long time ago, that you don’t need any help sinking your own boat, therefore, be responsible for your own success and failures. It is in those times you learn the most and develop for bigger opportunities in the future. I’m not so excited about the idea of eating myself to survive; therefore, either finding a way or fasting will be the only option in this stranded island equation.


Which country you guys would love to play?
I would love to play in the United Kingdom. It is my understanding that their music market really appreciates and supports house, international, and soul music flavor. Those influences fit right into the demographic and market that much of my music appeals to.


With which bands you guys would love to share stage??
I would love to share the stage with Lenny Kravitz, Nas, Sting, and Prince.


Are you OK, with the direction the band is going actually?
I am feeling great about the direction that I’m headed. In being an innovator of Eleck-tro-Soul, it definitely gives an accurate reflection of who I am as an artist, producer, and songwriter. Additionally, I’m am also looking forward to continuing to develop and grow from where I’m at to something even bigger and better.

Check out more from Marcus J. Austin by going to: http://www.myspace.com/marcusjaustin

Shari Pine

Shari Pine

Pic by Cynthia Boucher

One look at Shari Pine, and you’d probably think, cute, eclectic, New Yorker, playing quiet Norah Jones songs behind a piano, but you’d be wrong, this woman can belt it out with the best of them. Starting out as a pop/R&B singer, she discovered a higher power and injected some gospel into her voice, and began singing the blues. So don’t be alarmed if you see a quirky looking dark haired woman, standing on the stage of famed venue, BB Kings, and belting out the hard worn blues informed by something above. Just enjoy it.

Cody Blevins


Where the band's name came from?
Gee whiz..I don't really know what 'Shari' means but 'Pine' is a type of wood. A slow burn, smells great. Good for the fireplace.


How the band began??
Well... the drummer counted off and we all came in on the one.


What's the message to transmit with your music??
The message is directly related to the bands' playing that night. If they're 'on' then the music they make has the power to move me to feel a number of things (so I guess that would count as many messages.) If the band sounds like crap, the audience will be afraid. That would be an instant message. Consequently, I would call a band meeting. That would be a very long message. To sum it up, whatever we feel at the time is the message of the moment. (Hope that didn't hurt!)


What's your method at the time of writing a song??
I usually hear melody first. But if there's construction outside, or loud tree frogs then I have that rhythm (some call it noise) in my head all night. At the end of the day, whether it's rhythm, melody or lyrics coming first, songs never wind up the way they begin. That's why there's Advil. You can start off with voice and banjo and wind up with a full blown orchestra. Well maybe not banjo.


Which is your music influences??
Well....If a child can see pictures in her mind just from listening (oy, I still get flashes) the sounds would be Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, The Allman Brothers, The Clark Sisters, Tito Puente, Neil Young, Mowtown, Aretha Franklin, Classic Rock, Heavy Metal, elevator music, and the smell of the skunk.


What plans do you have for the future??
To record a straight up, low down dirty, burning and churning blues album and give it to Derek Trucks.


Which has been the funniest prank you have been or took part while on tour or after a show??
Removing all the strings from the guitarist guitar and replacing them with fishing line. Now that was bad lol. Almost as funny as the present given to one band mate at the hotel: A blonde bombshell in a paper bag. Note: blondes seem to be able to fit into paper bags more readily than brunettes.


If you guys were stranded in the middle of nowhere after a show or while on tour. The help is 65 miles away from where you guys are, ¿Who would you guys send to look for help? And if while the rest wait, there's no food and the only way to feed yourself is by eating each other, ¿Who would you eat first?
C'mon guys, 65 miles isn't that far! It can be done in one or two days. But there would be grubs and berries anyway, right? Being vegetarians cannibalism would be out of the question so I would start walking and ....it would be the makings of a new song for sure.


Which country you guys would love to play?
The United States of America. Pero nos interesa todas partes


With which bands you guys would love to share stage??
Stevie Ray Vaughan, Allman Brothers, Black Crowes, Small Faces, Neville Brothers


Are you OK, with the direction the band is going actually?
We are but the GPS lady prefers we follow her. The nerve.

Check out more from Shari by going to: http://www.myspace.com/sharipine

Morrison

Morrison


These days Celtic music is getting as rare as a four leaf clover, with few artists still mining the legendary and traditional nature of the music. Sure, The Dropkick Murphy’s, and The Pogues, had strong elements of the Celtic tradition, but Hugh Morrison is going for a more rustic experience. Accordion riffs, double time acoustic guitars and bass, and the charging drums ready for a smoky pub sing-along to spring up at any moment. Hopefully, the Irish eyes will smile on Mr. Morrison, and this style of music will continue for a long time to come.

Cody Blevins


Where the band's name came from?

Morrison is firstly my family (clan) name, secondly I tried to keep it simple & easy to remember & I think I've done so? Not like "New Fast Automatic Daffodils" or "Carter The Unstoppable Sex machine".


How the band began??
I used to play in a band called Murder the Stout (MTS) & was going to use that name due to it's popularity, a lot of our songs are versions of MTS songs as I did most of the arranging with MTS. With Morrison though I think the opportunity is there to get away from being branded just another Irish beer drinking band, our arrangements feature more driving bass runs & electric guitar work with more Rock/Punk influences, still with a tinge of Celtic. Other MTS members play in Morrison but 2 or 3 have dropped out completely.


What's the message to transmit with your music??
Feel good music is what we try to play, music that will leave you feeling happy & also wanting to move.
Scottish Celtic Punk Rock will do just that!


What's your method at the time of writing a song??
Melodies always come first, then riffs to break up the melodies, lyrics are last, I find them easier to write once the tune is there.


Which is your music influences??
The Pogues, Street Dogs, Clash, The Waterboys, Roaring Jack


What plans do you have for the future??
Keep playing & writing music as much as possible.


Which has been the funniest prank you have been or took part while on tour or after a show??
Personally I drunk lots & lots of German beer before appearing live on German TV, had a fiddle player remind me of the melody at the side of the stage but kept forgetting. Not so much a prank as scary, I walked on, spotlight hit me, froze, composed myself for a few seconds & tore into the song. (I was sixteen!!)


If you guys were stranded in the middle of nowhere after a show or while on tour. The help is 65 miles away from where you guys are, ¿Who would you guys send to look for help? And if while the rest wait, there's no food and the only way to feed yourself is by eating each other, ¿Who would you eat first?
We'd send Kendall, he could adopt whatever accent needed to get a response, plus he's a bit younger than the rest so he wouldn't have a choice!

Johnny, he's vegetarian so he wouldn't touch any of us, we'd need to start with him I think!


Which country you guys would love to play?
Australia, Brazil, Scotland, Ireland (not in any order)


With which bands you guys would love to share stage??
The Pogues for sure.

Are you OK, with the direction the band is going actually?
Very much so, there are always fine tweaks taking place, but the core is grand!

Check out more from Morrison by going to: http://www.myspace.com/hughmorrison

Big High

Big High

This bearded and decidedly grungy looking band, pound out thundering songs, like they were auditioning for Sub-Pop in the days of Mudhoney, and early Nirvana. Spooky atmospheric guitars, and tribal drums, shoulder a sometimes Chris Cornell sounding vocal delivery on “Cold Dark Garden” while you can almost smell the resin aroma off the stoner rock gem “LSH.” You can tell these guys aren’t going to waste their buzz on munchies and melting into the couch, they’d rather inject lightning into a bottle and pour it all over a crowd of writhing bodies and glazed over eyes.

Cody Blevins
Vents Magazine



Where the band's name came from?
There was originally a list of over 200 names for the band in my journal at the time we were searching, we googled the top 40 or so names and they were all taken. It's kind of insane just coming up with a name these days. Big High was the only name we could find that wasn't taken - but I think its safe to say
we get our 'Biggest High' from playing music.


How the band started??
Originally the band started as a Duo with singer Mesa and myself (guitarist Ari Joshua). We were gigging as a Duo around town and quickly realized that we had something really special, some magic, something that was gonna need a bigger sound, it's pretty cliche' but true. Michael Profitt, an incredible local photographer recommended bassist Sandy and as a result he joined the Duo for a show and it worked out well and stuck. The band had been through 2 drummers before Barrett joined. We played with Barrett on a whim at a jazz gig I had with him at a local venue called the Seamonster Lounge. It was just magic. The rest is history. The first show with the current line up was a Halloween gig just last year and it was a huge success. Having someone like Barrett in the band has been an amazing opportunity - he really has a vision for us and has shown us what being in a band is all about. We are all very excited about moving forward.


What's the message to transmit with your music??
Every song is different. Every day is different. We all 4 of us work our butts off and have been doing so our whole lives for the music, you could say we are 'lifers'. We love what we do. As with most good art - whatever the message is for us I think ultimately it is for the listener to decide and to choose the context for themselves. Buy the CD and if you can't, come to a show or check out our various web pages and previous projects. One of the great things about Big High is that the music and all the member's music sort of speaks for itself. Music can do that. It's a force of nature.


What's your method at the time of writing a song??
Every song is different, and every album may very well be different as well... Some songs were finished and being performed Mesa and Ari in a duo format before the band was fully put together. With some songs mainly the newer material different people come up with riffs that inspire songs, maybe it starts with a drum beat and a guitar riff and the arrangements are worked out as a band. On the new album the band plans to write the bulk of the material together in other words each member writes his own parts. It's always exciting to watch a new song unfold with the band. I haven't heard anything I don't like yet. It's all gravy - well, it's hard work - and it's gravy.


Which is your music influences??
Big High's musical influences are all over the place. We are a 4 person unit - and it's safe to say everyone has different influences.

I can't speak for the band too much, you would have to ask them, but as for myself, I grew up on a strict diet of Hendrix, Blues, and Jazz. I studied jazz at the New School in New York for 5 years and have been super influenced by the wonderful people I have been blessed to grow up with and play with over the years. Guys like Kevin Sawka (pendulum), Robert Glasper, EJ and Marcus Strickland, Aaron Dugan, even Michael Shrieve and Stone Gossard. It's really something to play with people you admire and who can also give you a swift kick in the ass - it's both humbling and constructive. I also love the 90's Seattle stuff - Love it. I love free jazz and experimental stuff, love electronic music. Love it all, but it has to have Soul.

Our bass player Sandy, he is actually a masterful Euk player. Barrett (drums) has been really into this 'Tribal' sort of sound - you can sort of hear it in some of the Screaming Trees stuff he has done and even in some Mad Season stuff. It's really exciting to see him - sort of a master of his own style. Mesa, well he is just the greatest and a great guy. You should interview him sometime, I would read it.


What plans do you have for the future??
Long term; Tour, Travel, Make Albums, Play Great Venues, Play Festivals, Work on being the best band we can. In the Short Term; We are looking forward to working on songs for the new album, and embarking on a West Coast Tour in late August - LA, SF etc... We also have a few days scheduled in Josh Homme's (Screaming Trees, Queens of the Stoneage, Them Crooked Vultures) studio in Joshua Tree booked for early September. Though it is tricky in this day in age, it would be an ultimate dream to not have to worry about money and to be able to quit our day jobs and be artists, be a band - Big High.


Which has been the funniest prank you have been or took part while on tour or after a show??
Ha Ha Ha - no comment.


Which country you guys would love to play?
We would love to hit Europe in general. England, France, Spain, Italy! South America, Asia, Africa! Anywhere they want us.


With which bands you guys would love to share stage??
Wow, well we have friends in REM, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice n Chains, Them Screaming Vultures, Gnarls Barkley, RHCP and more... I think those would be a good place to start and a dream come true. Barrett has had a nice taste of the big stage - I mean he opened for Nirvana on numerous occasions with the Trees (live at Redding), his history is really something special. As big as we would like to dream Big High would like to earn our place and will respect and honor any band we share the stage with. For me the stage is my home.


Are you OK, with the direction the band is going actually?
Yes, the band is writing songs, recording albums, and touring. What more can you ask for? A paycheck? Well we may have to wait a bit longer for that... Maybe wait for a few more people to pick us up in the press... lol...

Check out more from Big High by going to: http://www.myspace.com/bighighmusic

Dirty Little Rabbit (By John Colson)




Dirty Little Rabbits - Dirty Little Rabbits : Out now on ‘The End Records’.


Back in February of this year, I went along to the Academy in Birmingham to shoot / review Lacuna Coils midland’s stop on their winter tour. Whilst I was a little disappointed by their performance (just not my kind of thing I suppose), I was truly blown away by one of the two support bands on the night - the ‘Dirty Little Rabbits’ (read my review of the gig here…. http://www.midlandsrocks.co.uk/reviews/live-rock-reviews/lacuna-coil-birmingham)

After the show, I was lucky enough to meet band members Stella Katsoudas & Shawn Crahan and their friendliness and enthusiasm for the band really shone through. Stella was then kind enough to answer a few questions about the band, their time in the UK and the their future plans.

In the months since our chat, the band have recorded and released their debut album (released early July). This is probably the perfect time then to share my chat and review of the album…..
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JC - Your show in Birmingham, UK with Lacuna Coil blew me away.... How did you enjoy your first trip to the UK to perform with the Dirty Little Rabbits ? Any interesting tales from the road to tell ?
SK - We had an absolute blast!!! We were doing a photo shoot and we noticed G.E. Smith (* lead guitarist in Hall & Oates - JC) was on the street. Jeff kept looking at him and finally ran after him to tell him what a hero he is. He was cool as hell, and Jeff was glowing for the rest of the day.

JC - Your music is very different and seemingly caught a few people by surprise at the Birmingham show. For me, rather than describing your work as simply ‘alt rock music’, I would refer to it as almost ‘alternative performance art’. How would you describe your music ?
SK - Our music is pop. its got a unique sound, but let's face it. its pop.


JC - Your show was as much a visual performance as it was an aural experience.... I felt like I was watching a balletic circus freak show (very much in a good way !). How much importance do you put on the visual element of your performances and wider work ?
SK - The visual element is a reflection of what our rehearsals are like. for instance, Shawn taught me how to use a phase foot pedal on my vocals. now I'll incorporate it in the live performance. I think, our live show is the best version of ourselves enjoying what we do.


JC - Is the writing process a collaborative effort, or do one or two of you take the responsibility for writing each song ?
SK - The writing is a fully collaborative effort. in fact, right now, we are in Shawn's basement, writing and recording. its like an assembly line, lyrics all over the walls, recording gear everywhere, writing and recording multiple songs simultaneously. each band member embraces their individual roles in the music, and it changes from song to song.


JC - Stella, your vocal style is sensational.... Kate Bush must have been a big influence on you. Who else would you credit as an influence in your development as a vocalist ?
SK - Thank you! yes, I am heavily influenced by Kate Bush and even more so, by the Cocteau twins.


JC - You’re on the Warped Tour throughout the summer in the States, alongside some other pretty cool bands like the Dropkick Murphy’s.... how much are you looking forward to the tour ? and who on the Warped tour should we be listening out for over in the UK ?
SK - WARPED TOUR IS OUR DREAM COME TRUE!!!! WE ARE ALREADY IN FULL REHEARSAL MODE FOR IT, EVEN THOUGH IT DOESNT START UNTIL JULY. All bands on warped are cool. its a prestigious thing to say, 'I played warped'.


JC - You’ve released two EP’s so far (Breeding ’07 and Simon ’09). I understand that an album is in the pipeline. How’s that going and when will we get to hear it ?
SK - The album is recorded, mixed, mastered, delivered and Shawn is almost finished with the artwork. may 11, we hope (* The album was released in July…. See my review below - JC)


JC - Any plans to tour the UK in support of an album ?
SK - Hell yeah! we'll be back for the festivals in a few months!


JC - Finally, one last lame question ..... if you could put together a ‘dream’ bill..... who would be on it alongside O.K.‘s. ? For me, I’d love to see you guys play alongside Mellissa Auf Der Maur and Alice in Chains...
SK - Janes Addiction for Shawn, NIN for me.

Check out more from Dirty Little Rabbit by going to: http://www.myspace.com/dirtylittlerabbits

martes, 27 de julio de 2010

Mayday Parade (By Rae Ann Varona)


Photo Credit: Adam Elmakias


Brooks Betts - Mayday Parade
27 June 2010
Rae Ann Varona

RV: So how’s Warped Tour going so far?
Brooks: So far it’s going well. It’s only been two days so I’m not sure where it’ll end up but right now I’m enjoying it. It’s been a nice California weather so I can’t complain, especially being on the bus.

RV: Are you guys looking forward to anything in particular throughout the tour?
Brooks: Yeah, the barbecues!

RV: Oh yeah, the barbecues!
Brooks: Haha, yeah!

RV: Okay, so tell me the brief history of how you guys started?
Brooks: Yeah! Um, there were two bands out of Tallahassee, Florida. Uh, we decided to join up together and we made Mayday Parade! We started, made our own EP, self released it, went on Warped Tour, sold a lot of copies, got a buzz on myspace and the rest is history!

RV: You guys were on the Take Action Tour along with We The Kings and Call The Cops among others who are also touring on Warped. How was it?
Brooks: That was really good, and you know we’ve toured with a lot of bands that are on this tour, on previous tours and even tours coming up that we have. We know we’re going to be out with some of these bands so it’s really cool to come back and do these tours again with these people whether it was Warped Tour or another tour. A lot of acquaintances and a lot of friends.

RV: Last year, you guys released Anywhere But Here. Do you feel that you guys are getting a good response from your fans?
Brooks: Yeah! I think it’s really good! We play Anywhere But Here as one of the tracks we do on Warped. Um, and it’s actually really cool to see the kids singing along to those songs and Kids in Love as well. You know, it’s almost equal with some of the other stuff, even though this album hasn’t been out for even a year yet, it still is... You know what I mean? It’s still like building, moving numbers, and you know, it’s something that could rival with our last full length which is really cool to see. You always wonder when you come into a release if its going to fall off and I think it worked out well.

RV: How would you compare Atlantic to Fearless Records?
Brooks: I would say there both good at two different worlds and actually we work together. Fearless is still a part of this record. They’re great at building. Fearless is awesome at building the ground. They know the streets, they know the kids, they know our fan base and Atlantic picks up from where that leaves off. They got the muscle to help build you into the future,to help push it further than Fearless can. So the two working together really bridges that gap nicely. Like Atlantic has the radio and the big promotion. It’s cool to have both.

RV: What are Mayday Parade’s goals for 2010?
Brooks: Well, hopefully just tour and tour. We’re probably going to get ready to start writing some more music. Which we’ve actually already done you know? ‘Cause why not haha! We’re musicians. We just play and write music so we’ll see where that ends up, where the touring ends up. We’ll be done with this tour and we’ll do a Glamour Kills/Fearless tour in the fall. That will be awesome! I believe we’re headlining it. It’s all big cities. We got some more international stuff we’re looking at. We’ll probably do another England run so yeah!

Check out more from Mayday Parade by going to: http://www.myspace.com/maydayparade