1. Who are your musical influences and what inspires you to create?
When The Jellybricks formed in January of 1996, we had all recently watched "The Beatles Anthology" documentary on tv, and therefore, an appreciation for The Beatles was our first common bond. In fact, the first song we learned to play together was "Bad to Me," an early Lennon/McCartney song which was never released by The Beatles. Beyond that, we all mutually appreciate long lists of bands, but we have been known to cover Crowded House, R.E.M., The Smithereens, The Cure, Elvis Costello, Tom Petty, Cracker and Neil Young, to name a few artists whom we all enjoy. Our overall "sound," though - is one which has evolved over our seventeen years together - it's the sound of four guys who are old enough to know and love the roots of rock'n'roll, but who grew up through the years of metal, punk, new wave and grunge music: old-school songwriting elements played with aggression, emotion, and tempered with an ever-present sense of humor.
As for creative inspiration, we all have individual favorite influences... and we all write songs, so those songs come from our individual lives, experiences, observations, and as much as anything, a commitment to entertaining our listeners with new music.
2. What is your opinion on the current state of the music industry and what are the pros/cons of being an independent artist?
We had already released two CDs by the time Napster came along, and the elements of the music industry began to change rapidly around us. In the early days, we were courted by several major labels, but no deal ever materialized, so we have been an independent act for every second of our career. It's the only existence we've ever known, and every success, and every loss has belonged to us, on our own terms. I don't think we regret a thing about what has worked for us - kept us together, making new music, playing new places - and that must include the fact that we have never been "signed."
The truth is that to some degree, we stopped paying much attention to the industry many years ago. We got on with writing, playing, performing, and cultivating our relationship with our fans. I suppose that our opinion on the industry doesn't even exist, as of this writing. Luckily for us, we've enjoyed an existence outside of it.
Nowadays, an artist can relate directly to an audience, with the aid of the internet, in ways that were never possible for any version of the old music industry, so while things will never be as they once were, per se - there is still an opportunity for new music to be shared. That's certainly the part that matters most.
3. If you could spend an hour with any musician, living or dead, who would it be, and why?
Everyone who knows me (Larry Kennedy), knows that my personal answer to this question would be Paul McCartney. The Beatles were my first, favorite band from the time I was a child, and to strum a few chords, or ask the questions I'd love to ask about his life and work - would be amazing. As it happens, I know many people who have met him - but we never seem to cross paths...
4. What are your aspirations for 2013 and beyond?
The Jellybricks have been working on new music, to be recorded soon, and very hopefully released in 2013. We are committed to continuing to try to improve our songs, our recordings, and to play more and more places, for more and new listeners. We are a lucky gang, having had so many good musical years together, so every new year is its own gift.
5. How do you feel to have won a LadyLake Indie Award?
We always appreciate it when our work is recognized, and when people like the music we've created. We are proud to receive the LadyLake Indie Award, "CD of the Year" for Suckers. Thank you!
To learn more about The Jellybricks, please visit the following links:
www.thejellybricks.com
www.facebook.com/thejellybricks
www.twitter.com/thejellybricks
www.youtube.com/jellybricks
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