We Like It So There!

Talia Segal - Best Folk-Pop Album for 'The Thing Itself'

2011-12-27T20:30:00.001-05:00

Talia Segal is an independent singer/songwriter from Washington, DC. She has released two albums to date, and has been on the road since early 2007, playing solo-acoustic shows all over the country in support of her original music. Talia's songs have received nods from several nationally-recognized songwriting contests including the 2010 Telluride Troubador Songwriting Contest (Finalist); and the 2009 John Lennon Songwriting Contest (Finalist), and garnered licensing contracts with MTV, Oxygen Network, Indesit, and E! Television. Talia just completed a cross-country, "Free CD" tour in support of her new album, "The Thing Itself", which is due for release in early 2012. For more information, please visit www.taliasegalmusic.com.

The Plastic Revolution - Indie CD of the Year for 'Postmodern Medicine'

2011-12-27T20:00:00.002-05:00

The music of The Plastic Revolution (TPR) is riddled with substance and is undeniably poignant. Characterized by untraditional song-structure, fantastically catchy hooks, and explosive exploratory lyrics, this music is truly a “revolution” of dynamic proportions.This kind of insight is what the pop-loving, everyday people of the world crave. It is music that is a social necessity in contemporary life: breaking all constraints and categorizations. Ultimately, no subject is taboo and this music is not merely pop/punk/electronica/hardcore or any other characterization. The Plastic Revolution is what we all are, a rough collection of the constant bombardment of stimuli thrown at us at all times; sometimes passionate and sometimes perverse, but always emotive. TPR is currently touring the US 2011-12 and scheduled for a return European Tour later in 2012.

More info at:
http://www.theplasticrevolution.com
http://mannequinvanityrecords.com

The Tangibles - Best Up and Coming Rock Band for 'New Frankenstein'

2011-12-27T19:48:00.002-05:00

The winner of this year’s Best Up and Coming Rock Band are The Tangibles, a forward thinking alt-rock, jazz, funk and electronic foursome that hails from the great state of New Jersey. Similar to their homestate, they make no apologies for being loud and bringing their distinct personality to their music. Comprised of Brianna Ryder (vocals), Mike Sheffer (guitar/drums/synth), Derek Ouimet (bass/guitar) and Doron Sheffer (guitar/keys), the band is fresh off the press with their formation in early 2011.The Tangibles’ eclectic indie inspiration by artists like Joy Division, John Frusciante, Aesop Rock and Rx Bandits create an individual sound that is multifaceted (with the chaotically beautiful guitar riffs of Sheffer/Ouimet and smoothed over by soulful vocal styling of Ryder.) Their love for true creative expression and each other is prominent from all the sounds they cultivate. As a collective they wish to create honest music by experimenting with noise and life. You can find them at their band pages http://www.facebook.com/TheTangibles, http://thetangibles.bandcamp.com/ , http://www.youtube.com/user/TheTangibles or touring throughout the tri-state area. The Tangibles will be reentering the studio in Jan 2012. Their debut EP “Almost” is available for download now on iTunes and Bandcamp.

McAlister Drive - Best Potential Hit Single for 'Hands In Your Pockets'

2011-12-21T16:25:00.004-05:00

McAlister Drive is ROCK for people who like Folk, Soul, and Pop. With a modern sound that inspires Jet and Tom Petty to walk down the aisle during an Arcade Fire song, you might find McAlister Drive to be the newborn lovechild… or participating in the open bar at the reception. With roots from New Orleans, Boston, and Brooklyn, this band is now corrupting the better part of the US and Canada to believe in an infused genre mindset. They have been called “chameleons of the stage” and an “organic chaos,” which might be confusing at first, but will certainly confirm your agreement when you step into any McAlister Drive concert. There are mustaches, grooves, serious personalities, and special guests at every show that will make you question your ability to be popular. Expect a lot out of MD in 2012, as there will be a new full length record release, an extensive US and Canada tour, a live record, and a bunch of spontaneous other releases!

More info at:
www.facebook.com/mcalisterdrive
www.twitter.com/mcalisterdrive
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/missing-figures/id384321562
www.youtube.com/mcalisterdrivevideos

The Beautiful Word - Best Folk Single for 'Emily'

2011-12-21T15:57:00.004-05:00

The Beautiful Word are an experimental folk pop 5 piece who have so far been Glastonbury Emerging Talent Finalists, supported the likes of Ellie Goulding, been introduced by Tom Robinson of BBC 6 Music, performed live on BBC Introducing radio and wowed onlookers at the Great Escape Festival amongst others, all as a DIY unsigned band. The band create music that teams joyous and raucous aggression with sweet and personal vocals: the purity of British folk with a more powerful sound.

More info at:
www.thebeautifulword.co.uk
www.facebook.com/thebeautifulword

The Reads: Best Alternative CD for Stories 'From the Border'

2011-12-19T18:32:00.006-05:00

Wenglish band The Reads have had a stonking year since they launched their debut album 'Stories from the Border' in front of a sell out crowd back in March. A busy summer of gigging along with some fantastic national and international radio airplay has seen their fanbase grow steadily over the last 12 months, gaining them some incredible reviews along the way. Definitely one to watch in 2012!

More info at:
www.thereads.co.uk
Twitter: @the_reads

2011 LadyLake Indie Music Awards

2011-12-17T13:32:00.004-05:00

We are excited to announce the winners of the 2nd Annual LadyLake Indie Music Awards! Thank you to all the artists from around the globe who submitted this year!

(None of our artists were eligible for selection.)

Best Up and Coming Female Song - Robin DeLorenzo for 'Shakey Ground'
Best Up and Coming Rap/HipHop Artist - LHood for 'Above the Clouds'
Best Video - Transmission Party for 'Don't You Worry 'Bout Me'
Best Band that Broke Up - Other Side of Clearview for 'Goodbye'
Best Potential Hit Single - McAlister Drive for 'Hands In Your Pockets'
Best Up and Coming Rock Band - The Tangibles for 'New Frankenstein'
Best Basement Track - James Mathis for 'You're Going With Me'
Best New Duo - Wytchazel for 'Catch the Moon'
Best Folk-Pop Album - Talia Segal for 'The Thing Itself'
Best Alternative Album - The Reads for 'Stories From The Border'
Best Folk Single - The Beautiful Word for 'Emily'
Best Regional Band - The Northern Hooks

Indie CD of the Year - The Plastic Revolution for 'Postmodern Medicine'

Rob Taylor - "Build it Higher"

2011-09-09T19:22:00.003-04:00

Rob Taylor, one of our previously featured artists, has just released a new single called "Build it Higher." This song is a 9/11 tribute, and seeing this weekend marks the 10th anniversary, it is an appropriate time to showcase the song.

Please visit Rob's website to listen to "Build it Higher" and to find out where you can purchase the song.

http://www.robtaylor.com/

The Beautiful Word

2011-08-19T15:39:00.005-04:00

After listening to "Emily," the newest single from The Beautiful Word, I knew I wanted to feature them here! "Emily" is a highly addicting song and one listen is not enough! Be sure to watch the video for "Emily" below and read the highly entertaining interview with the band. I have a feeling that they are really going places!

INTERVIEW with JEN ANDUJAR and THE BEAUTIFUL WORD

Before we really get into the interview, can you give our readers a quick introduction on who The Beautiful Word is and where you all are from?

We have Megan and Emily (vocals) Nelson (guitar) Scotty (bass) and Gruff (drums)

Megan: I’ve always been here, I’m a Brighton local. Emily and Nelson came to study and Emily wanted me to sing harmonies for one of her songs. It was ‘Golden Box’ and I thought it was amazing. I hadn’t really written much and I wanted to, and Emily spurred me on to do that. We had a few different drummers and bassists until we found Gruff, and later Scotty. We couldn’t see it any other way now.

Emily: I’m From North East Scotland, moved to Brighton for college and met Megan and Nelson there. We jammed as a 3 piece and played our first gig in an Oxfam.

Scotty: Spent most my younger years in Seaford East Sussex, Emigrated to New Zealand then came back to study music at college. I met Megan there and she took me to see ‘The Omen.’ 2 years later she phoned me up and said she needed a bassist. I was touched!

How did you come up with the beautiful name, The Beautiful Word?
Megan: We were googling 'Beautiful Words' for hours - we wanted just one really nice sounding word to put out there. We thought about Sister for a while, which seems so lame now. In the end we went with what we'd googled the whole time!

Emily: Yeah Sister, what was that about!? Plus we have come across two similar bands that have “sister” in the name since then.

If you had to describe your sound in 10 words or less, what would it be?

Megan: Harmonic, uplifting.
Emily: Experimental mystery pop folk. ABBA with country attitude? Ha.
Megan: Dunno about country! ‘5 children write grown up music with a child's heart’ - that’s 10 exactly!

You guys just released a new single, "Emily," which must be so exiting for you! How has the initial reaction been so far?

Gruff: It's been great so far. It's the first time we've got someone else to do the recording for us and it's a different sound to what we've had before. People love it! Everyone loves the video too!

Megan: Online, it’s been really nice. We're self releasing and completely DIY - I think this is the first time we've really consciously taken it into our own hands and done it properly, although we've made an EP and an Album before this, not as many people know about them. This time it's like 'Wow, these people we don't know in Malaysia are talking about our single!' That is really nice.

Emily: Woo hoo it’s been great! We do have a few Malaysian fans, yes! The launch party was rammed, there were people singing along.... All good stuff.

Megan: Yeah selling out in our home town was lovely. Now the world, please!

You have a video for the single as well. How long did that process take? Do you have any stories from the experience you would like to share?

Megan: Sooo much running. 12 hours of running!

Emily: Yeah, unfortunately the running is also my strongest memory!

Megan: We got there at 6.30am to get that nice healthy light, but we’re not actually that healthy ourselves. That was tough. Myself and Emily had to wrestle for ages which was hilarious but then tiring. The boys were on form though and were really patient, unlike me. Also Dan Bridge who filmed the whole thing was super positive the whole time which was great.

Gruff: I spent a lot of the day with a tissue in my face. I get quite bad hayfever. Frolicking in the woods didn't help too much.

You just played a bunch of gigs as part of your UK Summer Tour. How was that experience? Do any shows stand out as 'a best show?'

Scotty: Touring was great fun but tiring. It was really good to see/play new places. Met some great people along the way too!

Gruff: I think we all have good and bad shows but the overall experience of being on tour was just awesome. It was great to see so many sights and meet so many people.

Emily: For me the best show was Edinburgh. The tour was full of old surprised friends and lots of new and surprised fans. There were no bad shows. The best bit was the hospitality of the people we stayed with. We all got to know each other pretty well too...

Megan: Yeah we slept for free on peoples’ floors, normally all 5 of us in a line, waking up together, driving somewhere, doing a gig together, going to sleep… no arguments, though!

Speaking of touring, are there any plans for a next tour?

Scotty: I think we were thinking of doing more "weekends away" rather than a large chunk of gigs off, were all busy bodies etc and want to record so that will be better for economizing our time. (I’m a geek)

Emily: We’re planning some citybreaks as Scotty says. It’s important for us to get out there and meet new people!

Megan: Yes, If you can take us in for the weekend and want us to play in your town, we have our own sleeping bags, and cutlery…

What has been the most embarrassing thing to happen while onstage?

Gruff: Luckily, being the drummer, I'm right at the back so no-one ever saw that thing that happened once.

Emily: The amount of times I’ve forgotten the words to something is hilarious. There was a moment on tour when Megan and I forgot the words to something we were meant to be singing in harmony at exactly the same time and we looked at each other and it came out something like “meh meh ma na na meh ma”.

Megan: I dropped my toy piano on my head when trying to move the crate it was on to lengthen my mic cable. I did the gig with concussion…

FUN BAND QUESTIONS:
Who in the band is the...

friendliest? (added in by the band)
Emily: We’re all pretty friendly! But I’d say Megan?
Megan: Damn straight, it’s me!

most outgoing?
Nelson: Jones - he goes to work everyday

best dancer?
Nelson: Gruff, he has more shapes than a 5 sided fistagon
Emily: Sorry guys, but I think we’re all pretty bad dancers!!
Megan: My ‘Loosey Goosie’ is quite good!

pickiest eater?
Nelson: Scott "Calorie count" Jones
Emily: Scotty.
Gruff: SCOTTY
Megan: Jones has to watch the biscuits, yes. Calls them ‘Mcfatties’

most likely to spend too much money in one place?
Nelson: Meg, replacing stuff she’s left in an off license.
Megan: :’(
Gruff: Not me, I'm a Tesco value man.

messiest?
Nelson: probably me - drum village (What Megan used to call my tobacco packet mountain next to the mixing desk) and baccy corner are 2 of my favorite places, although at least twice in recent memory, Emily has been messier than all of us.
Megan: Emily is messier in the behavioral sense.
Emily: Well done Nelson for taking one for the team. It’s definitely you!

What makes you stand out from others in your genre?

Emily: We created mystery pop! We did that on purpose so we could be the best!

Megan: On a serious note, I think the thing about this band that gets me the most excited is how genuine it all feels. We’ve been together 4 years now, we’ve all lived together at one point or another, we only make music we like. We’re not chasing trends and employing stylists – our music and songs have grown into something we are all proud of. You can see with some bands that what they are doing doesn’t fit with who they are – that’s not the case with us.

Nelson: Jones is a Ninja, occasionally he is known to vanish onstage and return with a menagerie of energy drinks... it is the 8th wonder of the world. Other than that, a toy piano, intricate musicianship and harmony, and generally not being a miserable bunch, apart from me, which makes me ironically happy.

Where do you see yourselves in five years?

Emily: That’s a scary question!

Nelson: Creating musical riots where scones will be thrown at police armed with tea and jam.

Megan: Hopefully doing the same thing, making more friends, playing more gigs. I’d love to tour France or Japan.

Where can our readers find out more about The Beautiful Word and buy your music?

Megan: Everything is on Itunes, if you don’t like them you can download form our website, or from amazon mp3, in loads of places really. We’re on Spotify, and you can get physical CDs hand posted from us on the website too www.thebeautifulword.co.uk

Any last thoughts before we wrap this interview up?

Nelson: When the zombie apocalypse comes, are you ready?
Megan: Zombies are sooo late 2010.

We are back!

2011-08-11T17:38:00.001-04:00

After a brief hiatus, we are back up and running, full speed ahead! Be on the lookout for new interviews coming soon!

Naked On Roller Skates

2011-02-03T19:16:00.003-05:00

Interview with JEN ANDUJAR and LEESA COYNE

Before we get into the interview, could you please give a brief introduction on who you are/where you are from?
Sure, this is Leesa from the band Naked on Roller Skates. We are from the Boston area and are about to put out our first EP.

Who are your biggest musical influences?
That’s a tough one. There are so many really. I worked in a record store for years growing up so I ended up getting into a bunch of different stuff. When I was younger it was Nirvana, REM and PJ Harvey. More recently it’s probably more like Van Morrison, Ryan Adams and Cat Power. People say they hear some Hole in there somewhere, which is probably accurate. I also have a giant sweet spot for Hair Bands, Classic Rock and generally soulful music.

How did you come up with the band name Naked on Roller Skates?
I say this post card that looked cool with “Naked on Roller Skates” on it. I guess it was a book by this guy Maxwell Bodenheim. I was just like, it's going to be a female fronted rock band and I am kind of a bombshell, Naked on Roller Skates, it's perfect. The other name I was toying around with was The Lost Cowboys but we just ain’t alt-country enough to have a name like that and honestly get away with it. Plus people who are Naked on Roller Skates just have more fun than people who are Lost Cowboys!!

Explain your song writing process.
I basically start everything thing out as stream of consciousness, playing and singing till I feel like it's working. Then I hammer away on it for a while trying to tweak what I have got. Make a Garage band recording of it. Send it to the band to get their feedback on it. Then they start writing their parts, and then we edit what we have from there. I played solo for a long time so the whole writing with a band thing is new to me. On this record I went into the studio with everything already complete so it has been a new process to write with other folks you are playing with on a regular basis. It pushes you to think outside the box a bit.

If you could tour with anyone, who would it be and why?
Right now. I would love to tour with REM, mainly cause I love Michael Stipe and I think they would be a blast to hang out with. Plus I love their music. Either them or Tom Petty cause he is just classic!

What is the funniest thing that has ever taken place at one of your gigs?
I have once played in a clothing store which is just kind of funny overall and I used to play at this coffee house. During a gig a homeless man started to impromptu dance through out the whole set, so that was kind of awesome! Nothing cool like being puked on, pooped on by some sort of sea bird, having your eyebrows burnt off or biting the head off a bat, but we are working on it!!

Do you have any rituals you do before you perform?
I like to have a few minutes to myself. Sometimes I do a total wardrobe switch, I have been know to do this in a public restroom or the kitchen basement of a venue. The kitchen is much more kind to the wardrobe switch than the public restroom. Don’t get in the way of the ladies and their sink!!! But it helps get me in the mindset that it's time to rock. I also try real hard not to get too wasted pre-set, that's always a good one keep in mind unless you have one of those Grace Slick moments on stage.

Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?
I would love to see myself on tour somewhere. Having completed at least a few other records. AND I would love to see myself quitting my day job and really getting carried away with making music. But I try not to get too wrapped up in the thought of it but it's sure is nice to think about. As a rule of thumb it’s good to keep your expectations down to earth and take things as they come. Overall I think that leads to more of a general happiness about life.

You have a new EP coming out soon. Can you share any details on that? Are there any stories you would like to share about the process?
7 Songs, 3 Years, 5 Different Studios, 7 musicians
Having your first EP done and knowing you did it the way you wanted to, priceless!

What 5 CDs/albums do you feel are the most influential ever made?
Bruce Springsteen - Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. | Radiohead – The Bends
REM – Automatic For The People | Nirvana –Nevermind
PJ Harvey - To Bring You My Love
Honorable Mention:
Def Leppard – Hysteria | Van Morrison – Van Morrison
Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Guns N’ Roses – Appetite for Destruction | Led Zeppelin - Zoso

Who in the band is the:
Biggest flirt? Travis, Kelly and Me (Three way tie)
Messiest? Kelly or Randy (Travis and myself are total neat freaks!)
Most likely to get lost in a new city? Randy
Most shy? Randy
Best dancer? Randy

Where can we learn more about you/buy your music?
All sorts of places:
http://www.facebook.com/norsrock
http://www.last.fm/music/Naked+On+Roller+Skates
http://www.reverbnation.com/nakedonrollerskates
http://www.myspace.com/nakedonrollerskates
http://www.sonicbids.com/nakedonrollerskates
http://www.ourstage.com/profile/nakedonrollerskates
Twitter = @norsrocks
Video = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cnfARQ31uc

Any last thoughts before we wrap this interview up?
This was fun thanks for having us ☺
If you were an animal what you be?
If Naked on Roller Skates were an animal what would we be?
I like to assign animal persona’s to people I meet.
(No this does not mean I am a fury, it’s more like I am a Native American.)

Tony Memmel

2011-01-08T20:41:00.003-05:00

BIOGRAPHY:
Tony Memmel is a songwriter and performer with unique charisma and creativity. He was born missing his left forearm and taught himself to play the guitar, piano and harmonica. It is my contention that if you heard a song of Tony’s on the radio or on one of his CDs (“The Tale of an Underdog” (’08), “Potter Road” (‘09) or his brand new album "Here We Go") and were not aware of his being an amputee, you would never know the difference at all. In fact, many people are often shocked to learn of it and/or don’t even notice at his live shows until he wipes the sweat from his face with the two characteristic arm bands that he wears on his left bicep.

But, Memmel is not one to try to sell you on his handicap alone. His music most definitely stands on its own. It is catchy, without sacrificing sincerity, and his lyrics are personal and real. Memmel has earned a Bachelor’s degree in music and is a classically trained and acclaimed vocalist. He has gained a loyal following and support from fans and musicians alike in the Midwest, the Country, and even the World.

Though you will most often see Memmel playing solo, his band has rapidly worked its way onto the scene. In 2008, drummer and longtime friend Brian Farvour began collaborating with Memmel. Tony soon recruited his wife Lesleigh Memmel to join the cast. She contributes backing vocals and piano/keyboards to the group’s signature sound.

Memmel has toured extensively and is making a name for himself in such places as Milwaukee, Boston, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Minneapolis. During the course of his latest tour he was honored to take first place in a prestigious singer-songwriter competition in Boston. He's sold hundreds of CD's and t-shirts, out of his trusty brown leather suitcase, to a growing national fan-base.

It may sound trite, but in this case trite is just plain accurate, Tony Memmel has a talent and personality that you simply do not see every day. It doesn’t fit to say it’s the beginning, as Memmel has accomplished more in his life with one hand than I have with two. Get on board now, as many already have, and be on the lookout for great things from this bright young artist.

INTERVIEW with JEN ANDUJAR and TONY MEMMEL

Before we get into the interview, could you please give a brief introduction on who you are/where you are from?
Hello, my name is Tony Memmel and I'm a singer-songwriter from Milwaukee, WI.

In one sentence, describe your music to someone who may have never heard you before.
Singing, song-writing, good old fashioned one-armed folk rock!

What makes you stand out compared to other artists in your genre?
There are a lot of tremendously talented artists in my genre. Being a singer-songwriter is challenging. It demands the focus of the listener, and the songs and stories are usually very personal - You put yourself on the line everyday. What makes me different... It took me a LONG TIME to figure out how I could even play the guitar and get in front of people as a solo artist... Years. I've pushed myself doubly hard to develop into a songwriter that I can respect and be proud of. I have a unique story and it's one I'm glad to be able to share.

At the end of the day, I know that I am one of the hardest working artists out there.

Do you have any formal training?
Yes, I have a degree in Music Business and I am a classically trained vocalist. However, I am self-taught on guitar and have never had a formal lesson.

Who are your biggest musical influences?
My biggest influences are: Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Ben Folds, Iron & Wine, Tom Petty, The Swell Season, and more recently The National, and the Arcade Fire.

Describe your dream tour.
My dream tour was my first tour (2009). Now, touring is a reality and a huge part of who I am as a musician. I LOVE being on the road.

I plan to continue expanding my reach, keep going east, start going west. In the next few years, I'd love to travel to Europe to tour.

A dream tour would be to open for one of my aforementioned influences... Or better yet, have them open for me! ;)

What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened while onstage?
I'm not too easily embarrassed, but a few years back I was playing an outdoor show and when I inhaled to sing, I inhaled an Asian beetle and choked on it. That was pretty nasty and took a while to recover (physically and mentally)!

If you had one hour to spend with any musician (dead or alive), who would it be and what would you do?
I'd probably buy Bruce Springsteen a beer, hang out, and pick his brain a bit. I think that would be really cool.

You are stuck on a deserted island. What are three things you can’t live without?
My wife, my guitar, and an MP3 player with all of my favorite music.

If you could be rich OR be a musician-which would you choose?
I'd be a musician. I think richness can be defined in many different ways. Right now I am a musician with a growing fan-base, a wife who loves me, a supportive family, and friends I enjoy spending time with. I travel, I write, I work from home many days... Sounds pretty good to me.

What is your favorite...
movie? Tough question, I love film... I particularly enjoy Martin Scorsese films - (The Aviator, The Departed, Gangs of New York, No Direction Home etc.).
song? "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen
color? No one has asked me this in a while... Green or blue... They're all pretty nice!
animal? Dogs and/or cats.
vacation spot? I'd love to make it back to Europe again. I also enjoy the American east coast... Or Disney World :)
food? I love Mexican food!

What's one random fact that not many people know about you?
I'm competitive... Especially when it comes to board games or four-square.

Where can we learn more about you/buy your music?
You can learn more at: www.tonymemmel.com, www.myspace.com/tonymemmel, look up my Facebook artist page, www.twitter.com/tonymemmel, or email me at tony@tonymemmel.com.

You can buy my music at www.itunes.com/tonymemmel and at www.tonymemmel.com

Any last thoughts before we wrap this interview up?
Thank you so much for taking time to interview me. I really appreciate it!

Two Cent Sam

2010-12-16T14:53:00.003-05:00

Interview with Jen Andujar and Two Cent Sam

Before we get into the interview, could you please give a brief introduction on who you are/where you are from?
Two Cent Sam is a 5 piece band from Long Island, NY.

Michael Logiudice - Vocals/Guitar
Jeffrey Burke - Guitar
Matthew Shaw - Bass
Dan Hodgkinson - Keyboard/Horns
Pete Bienkowski - Drums

In 10 words or less, describe your music to someone who may have never heard you before.
60's pop meets modern indie rock

How did you come up with your band name?
Matt and Jeff were "cutting down Christmas trees" and came up with the name by accident while Matt was spouting off on a political rant.

Please explain your song writing process.
Mike writes the song ideas and hooks and the other 4 members put their 2 cents in.

What has been your craziest fan encounter?
We have a groupy like Mel from "Flight of the Conchords" who loves our bass player.

Do you have any rituals you do before you perform?
Sometimes we remember to make sure that each of us have a set list.

What 5 CDs/albums do you feel are the most influential ever made?

How High the Moon - Les Paul
Revolver - The Beatles
Led Zeppelin II
Hunky Dory - Davie Bowe
Nevermind - Nirvana

What was the first concert you ever attended?
Smashing Pumpkins 1996 (Mike, Matt & Jeff)

Who in the band is the:
most likely to get lost in a new city? Dan
most likely to spend too much in one place? Jeff
messiest? Mike
best dancer? Matt
shyest? Pete

If you could be any super hero, who would you be and why?
Can we be super villains instead?

Where can we learn more about you/buy your music?
www.twocentsam.com, www.reverbnation.com/twocentsam, www.myspace.com/twocentsam, Itunes

Any last thoughts before we wrap this interview up?
Our new album comes out early next year, make sure to pick it up and it's made in America!

Learn About Our Winners!

2010-12-15T16:11:00.003-05:00

Rob Taylor - Best Indie Pop Male

A big thanks to "We Like it So There" for the award and the opportunity to be
featured! I've been lucky to have been introduced to some great music through
the blog that I might not have found had I not known about it. For those of you
who don't know me, I'm a singer-songwriter from Connecticut who lives for
creating and promoting my original Pop/Rock music. You can check me out at
http://www.robtaylor.com Thanks again -- this was an awesome surprise and a real honor! I look forward to seeing what great new music will be featured this coming new year.
Happy Holidays,
Rob Taylor

Loretta Hagen - Best Indie Folk Solo

Award winning singer songwriter Loretta Hagen, has been writing and performing music that earns rave reviews for her rich vocals and poignant songwriting. With a style that mixes folk, country and rock genres, she has shared the stage with national artists including Roger McGuinn, Steve Forbert, John Gorka, Johnny Winter, Richie Havens, Gretchen Wilson, and many more, as well as headlining her own shows, at venues across the northeast, making a lasting connection with audiences and building a loyal fan base.

"She writes songs that sound like they can come from the Heartland, but they also really come from the heart." John Platt WFUV 90.7 (Roger McGuinn at Mainstage Concert)

“You’ll Get There Faster,” a sweet country rocker, makes use of soaring pedal steel and crunchy power chords along with the lines: "I’m not showing signs of slowing down / If anyone thinks that I’ll be put out to pasture / You’ll get there faster.”

Richard Cuccaro Live In NYC Magazine June Cover

www.LorettaHagen.com

www.reverbnation.com/lorettahagen

Lee Tyler Post - Best Indie Male Singer/Songwriter

Lee Tyler Post is a National Touring Artist whose style is a mix of Acoustic Soul, Roots Rock Americana & Southern Blues. His lyrics convey stories of everyday people. The San Diego Troubadour wrote, “...Post’s sound is as much Springsteen and Van Morrison as it is Otis Redding and Al Green: blue-collar heartland grit mixed with Motor City soul...” Lee calls it “Rock ‘N’ Soul.”

Starting out as a San Diego-based artist in the mid ‘90s, Lee opened for the likes of Missing Persons & Blink 182. Followed were live local TV appearances on The KUSI & KNSD Morning Shows. In 1999 Lee relocated to Nashville, TN where he honed his craft playing alongside such greats as, Grammy nominated writer Tony Lane, at the renouned "Broken Spoke Saloon."

Having been tagged "The Gypsy Troubadour", Post tours the US extensively, performing 150-200 shows a year, driving 25,000-40,000 miles annually. Along the way he has released 6 studio albums, lived and performed in cities like Austin, Nashville, Seattle, Los Angeles, Asheville, San Diego and Santa Fe, as well as performed live on many TV and Radio Programs. His live shows have been described as “passionate, powerful and moving.”

Currently, Lee resides in Santa Fe, NM where he is finishing up his next 2 releases, “Gathering The Stones,” and “Half Painted Windows” at Miracle Somethings Studio.

www.leetylerpost.com
myspace.com/leetylerpost

Paulina Logan (for 'Sorry') - Best Indie Single Female

Paulina Logan is a California-based singer/songwriter who creates and
performs an eclectic mix of folk/pop/rock music. She released her first
full-length record WALLFLOWER independently in 2007 and the IF YOU TRY EP in
2009. She is currently writing and recording her new album, NEED THIS LIKE
BREATHING, which is set for a 2012 release date.

www.paulinalogan.com

Stella Park - Best Indie Pop/Punk Band

Singles. That's what Stella Park aims to write every time the pen hits the paper. Hard- hitting, catchy, rock singles based on love, loss, and other relatable life experiences. The band follows what they call the "Beatles' method" and believes a song must stick in your head for days on end to be up to par.

Stella Park began in March 2009 when frontman/guitarist Jeremy Vandress found himself wanting to start a project centered on big melodies, vocal harmonies, insightful lyrics, melodic guitars, clockwork drums and pounding bass. He started writing very hook- heavy songs. He then met guitarist Mike Rex, who added another layer of guitar to the songs and an additional song- creating ability. The two began collaborating and working on creating new material. Finally, they added bassist Kevin Romanello and drummer Alex Gabor, who add creativity and hard- hitting rhythm to the group.

The band recently recorded 2 songs for Radio/TV with producer Dan Malsch (Four Year Strong, Framing Hanley, Forever the Sickest Kids) Stella Park is currently working on new material and plans to release their debut album this spring.

Stella Park's influences include: Jimmy Eat World, Sugarcult, Yellowcard, Relient K, Fenix TX, Unwritten Law, New Found Glory, Blink 182, Green Day, the Beatles, and Sum 41.

http://www.myspace.com/stellaparkrocks

LadyLake Indie Awards for 2010

2010-12-09T11:43:00.001-05:00

We’d like to thank the many artists from around the globe who sent in music to be considered for these awards.

We truly had a hard time deciding on the finalists!

(None of our artists were eligible for selection.)

So, here are our choices for Outstanding Achievement in Indie Music for 2010!

Best Indie Folk Solo - Loretta Hagen

Best Indie Folk Duo - Mercy Creek

Best Indie Pop Single Female - Kendra Gale for ‘Here We Go’

Best Indie Pop Male - Rob Taylor

Best Indie Pop Single by Band - Naked On Roller Skates for ‘Sugar’

Best Indie Pop/Rock Band - Oh No Not Stereo

Best Indie Pop/Punk Band - Stella Park

Best Indie Rock Single - Leah LeGrace for ‘This Isn’t You’

Best Indie Rock Band - Life Without Warning

Best Indie Single Female – Paulina Logan for ‘Sorry’

Best Indie Single Male - Jed Sheldon for ‘Better Off Alone’

Best Indie Female Singer/Songwriter - Camille Bloom

Best Indie Male Singer/Songwriter - Lee Tyler Post

LadyLake Indie Award of Social Consciousness 2010 - Carrie Armitage

Best All Around Indie CD - Jamie & Steve for ‘English Afterthoughts’

Camille Bloom

2010-11-20T14:50:00.003-05:00

Interview with Jen Andujar and Camille Bloom

Before we get into the interview, could you please give a brief introduction on who you are/where you are from?
My name is Camille Bloom - and I am an International touring musician based in Seattle. Throughout my life, I have lived all around Washington state, including Lake Chelan, Spokane, and now Seattle for the past decade.

In 10 words or less, describe your music to someone who may have never heard you before.
Feisty Acoustic Folk Pop Rock that you will enjoy. :)

Who are your biggest musical influences?
Hmmm . . . First off, my parents. Also, Billy Joel, The Beatles, Ani Difranco, Chris Martin, Muse, Michael Jackson, Dar Williams, Patty Griffin . . . the list goes on.

How old were you when you knew that you wanted to be a musician?
I have always been into music - starting with the recorder at Age 3, playing along with The Beatles "Fool on the Hill" - and then following with saxophone for 9 years, piano, choir for a couple years, hand drums, and of course, guitar. I didn't know that I wanted to be a professional musician until I was in my twenties.

Do you have any formal training?
No formal training at all in fact. I have just studied a lot on my own - and picked up both guitar and vocal techniques from watching. I am finally taking some music theory classes - as I think it is really important to know when you are playing with the big dogs.

If you could tour with any band/artist from any time, who would it be and why?
I think it would have to Coldplay. I feel like they really balance the beauty of the singer / songwriter - and the rock of a full band. My full 6 piece band sounds edgy and rock - but the show is still very much focused on the lyrics & songs.

What is your favorite song of all time?
It would either be "Walking in Memphis" by Marc Cohn, or "The Babysitter's Here" by Dar Williams

You have more than one cd out. Which was the most fun to record? Which was the hardest? Which one are you are most proud of?
The most fun record to record was my 2nd full Length - "Say Goodbye to Pretty". That album was produced by Paul Kimble, a fabulous producer who has worked with RadioHead, David Grey - and he played / produced Grant Lee Buffalo for years. I also love him personally as a friend. He gave a lot to this record, and was a creative genius in helping bring out the voice in each song. The hardest record to record was probably the first album, "Within Me" - because we labored over that one for over a year. It took so long - and it was very hard to let go of, I think because it was my first - and I wanted it to be perfect. The album I am most proud of is my 3rd Full Length - "Ten Thousand Miles" - because we did that entire record in one take in front of a live studio audience. It was probably the most stressful thing I have ever taken on - and I still can't believe we did it. I went into the studio the next week to clean up a couple of small things -but really, I feel proud that you really get a sense of what my band sounds like live. I am really proud of the musicianship of the boys / girls in my band. They are outstanding.

Are there any causes or charities that you support?
I am a big supporter of Cancer Research & Breast Cancer Awareness. I have donated concerts, albums, and money to this cause. I have also raised money for the Crohn's Disease Foundation, and of late, I played a concert for the Clean Technology Trade Alliance” To Help to Create Green Jobs by Working to Identify and Grow Cleantech Businesses. I also love doing shows in support of schools, and after school programs for youth. I direct a Non-Profit Rock N' Roll camp for kids in the summer as well - http://www.rock-school.org

You are taking the night off-what can we expect you to be doing?
I love to read. I am a huge fan of books - and I suppose that is why I have an English teaching degree. I also love to get into my pajamas as early as possible and watch DVD's My job forces me to be incredibly extroverted and surrounded by people nearly every night on a tour. When I have a night off, I love to do the opposite of most folks. They like to get out and socialize. I like to stay home with my family and snuggle my kitty.

Where can we learn more about you/buy your music?
You can pick up my music in a number of places - namely my website: http://www.camillebloom.com - but also on-line through nearly 100 outlets, such as I-tunes, amazon, etc.
I also have a Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/camillebloom - and a Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/camille.bloom - and I tweet every now and then too: http://www.twitter.com/camillebloom

Any last thoughts before we wrap this interview up?
Yes! I would love people to know that I am currently running a Crowd-Funding Campaign to raise money for my next record. I am shooting for $25,000 - in order to pay for production, mastering, duplication and promotion. I have made it possible to get your donations Tax Deductible as well. Every single dollar helps - and I have some amazing packages available for different levels of donation. Feel free to visit http://www.camillebloom.com/donation_packages_2010.html for more info - and to make your donation though Paypal - or via check / money order.

Donna Greene & The Roadhouse Daddies

2010-11-13T18:02:00.003-05:00

Interview with Jen Andujar and Donna Greene

Before we get into the interview, could you please give a brief introduction on who you are/where you are from?
My name is Donna Greene. I've lived in Santa Barbara County, California for most of my life... born near Portland, OR and lived for awhile in San Francisco and Washington, DC, but other than that I've been around here. I was very much into music when I was young. I grew up around it and was in several bands as a teenager. Then I married too young, started a long journey working, going back to school, then having kids. In the process of all that, I got away from performing and making music. I got to the point in my life where I was very depressed and decided I needed to get music into my life again. I ended up in another band before establishing this one and the whole process of being immersed in music really saved my life. It brings an incredible joy and meaning to my life that I don't think I could survive without now. It's my passion and my strength.

In one sentence, describe you're music to someone who may have never heard you before.
This has been written to describe my music... It's a perfect combination of tasty old blues women songs, bluesy classics and originals performed with ultimate cool, a selection of distinctive, horn-laden jazz riffs with a woman who can really tell a story.

Who are your biggest musical influences?
I would say my biggest musical influences have been Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Etta James, Bessie Smith, Eva Cassidy, and Bonnie Raitt. Of course there are many more.

Describe your writing process.
My writing process can stem out of what I may be feeling at a particular moment in time, something that just comes out of the blue, or just trying to consciously come up with what I think people (women in particular) want to hear about. I have books full of writing and not that many have made it to the completed song list. It's a good practice to just keep the valve open and keep writing. The title track of our CD, "A Girl's Gotta Have a Little Pleasure" was in a different set of lyrics when I came up with that line. We ended up taking that one sentence and writing a different song around it. Our song, "Shoe Boy" was written one Sunday afternoon sitting around the living room thinking up what women would like to hear sung about, and that seemed like the perfect theme at that moment. After all, what woman doesn't like shoes and what woman doesn't like to have a sweet young thing kneeling down on his knee in front of her, fitting her with anything she picks out!

What is the funniest thing that has ever taken place at one of your gigs?
I can think of one thing that just happened last month. We were playing at a private home here in this area. The band was lined up next to a pool, and for some reason, the hosts put the bar on our of the pool, so they either had to squeeze through in front of us or get through the bottleneck on the other side. About halfway through the party, one guy, who had already had plenty to drink, decided to walk across the little tiled section that separated the pool from the jacuzzi. Well, he lost his balance before he got across it and went into the jacuzzi but came out with his drink mostly unspilled. It was rather entertaining for us in the band.

If you could give advice to an artist just starting out, what would you tell them?
Advice to an artist just starting out? Definitely don't do it for the money. It doesn't work that way. Do it because it's your passion and you HAVE to do it... for yourself.

What is the best/worst thing about being a musician?
The best thing is the response I get from people, all over the world now. It has been very fulfilling. I love to perform for an audience and watch their reactions to what I'm singing. It's almost as if they're mirroring my expressions much of the time. It's wonderful to see them get lost in the moment and forget about themselves. Women especially. I love to empower them. The worst thing I guess, is that it's so much work to get the word out to the world (about our music). I thought creating the CD was a lot of work until I got that done and starting doing the promo and marketing. That has been huge, but it's been paying off. It can get discouraging though, as it is extremely time consuming and doesn't have much in the way of financial benefit. I think any artist has their ups and downs on this roller coaster called life.

If you had one hour to spend with any musician (dead or alive), who would it be and what would you do?
I think I would have to say Billie Holiday. I would like to hear more about her from her own lips. And about the music.

What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time, I love photography, walking/hiking in the hills or on the beach with my dog, cooking creative dishes that my boyfriend always tells me look like magazine covers, spending time with family and friends, reading, traveling, ceramics, gardening and movies.

What is one instrument you wish you could play?
An instrument I wish I could play BETTER is piano. I took many years of lessons, all classical. I haven't seemed to transfer that over to the kind of music I do. I'd also like to play the guitar better. Other instruments I wouldn't mind knowing how to play... banjo (my grandad's influence), sax, oboe, bass and cello. Weird, I know. :)

What is your favorite song that is currently popular?
Nothing stands out. I don't listen to a lot of 'popular' music. More jazz, blues, 60's, latin, etc.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
I love Italy and France. But also, Bali, New Zealand, and Australia. I would love to follow our CD around and perform in these places and many more!

Where can we learn more about you/buy some music?
My website is www.greeneblues.com. You can buy the CD there, I'll even sign it!! We also have T-shirts.

Any last thoughts before we wrap this interview up?
I want to thank you for this interview and the chance to share my thoughts and music. Cheers!!

LadyLake Rising Star Awards!

2010-11-02T21:41:00.002-04:00

EXCITING NEWS!! Deadline for LadyLake's WLIST blog cuts off this year on November 21st. All submissions will be eligible for the LadyLake Rising Star Awards for 2010. Nominations will be announced December 1st!!! SUBMIT TODAY!!

They Sent Us Here

2010-10-26T17:36:00.008-04:00

Biography: They Sent Us Here formed in early 2010. Based out of Long Island, New York, they have worked passionately to distinguish themselves from all the many musicians that surround them.

In September, 2010, they recorded their first three-song EP at Nada Studios with John Naclerio (My Chemical Romance, Brand New, As Tall As Lions, etc.) Now, they are hitting the ground running, trying to reach out to the masses.

Let it be known: They Sent Us Here will never take the easy way out. In a world where anyone can become a star from the convenience of their computer seat, these five artists strive to create a sound of their own. This intricate sound, while carefully comprised, aims to evoke the chaotic psyche of a turbulent world.

Interview with Jen Andujar and They Sent Us Here

Who is They Sent Us Here?
They Sent Us Here is James Barracca (vocals), Mike White (guitar), Mike Armenti (guitar), Joe Bariatti (drums, and Branden Gallagher (bass).

In ten words or less, describe your music to someone who may have never heard you before.
An eclectic mix of everything we like about music.

How did you come up with your band name?
We wanted something that was thought provoking. There are so many directions you can take with it, and that's what we like about it. If we can inspire people to ask questions and want to learn more, hopefully they'll become inspired to take a closer listen.

How did the band get together? Did you all know each other beforehand?
Well, we were sent here.

Do any of you have any formal musical training?
Joe went to school for music out in California. The rest of us have no formal training. We're comfortable with that because we aren't sure if our creative output would be the same if we had learned the things they teach you in schools.

Please explain your song writing process.
We've managed to write songs by taking many different approaches. Sometimes, we'll jam off of a riff that one of the guys came up with. It may be a brand new riff, or it could be an old idea. There are other times when we jam out and an exciting or interesting idea would come into light.

What is your proudest accomplishment so far as a band?
No doubt, our proudest accomplishment so far as a band has to be having the opportunity to record with John Naclerio at Nada Studios.

Where do you see yourselves in five years?
Hopefully, we'll be living comfortably and on tour, as we continue to write new music, explore new places, and meet new people.

If you had one hour to spend with any musician (dead or alive), who would it be and what would you do?
If we had the option, we'd probably go with a musician who's alive (like Paul McCartney or Bjork), so we can collaborate and jam.

If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why?
Batman. He's all about vigilante justice. Not to mention, he has the sickest whips.

BAND QUESTIONS
Who is the band is...

the most likely to get lost in a new city?
Mike (White) because he can't go anywhere without his GPS.

the biggest flirt?
Joe, if he wasn't tied up. He's definitely the most graphic about his sex life.

the shyest?
Branden? Maybe? None of us are really all that shy...

the most athletic?
James. He's all about running 10-20 miles a day.

the messiest?
Mike (Armenti). Words can't describe...

Where can we learn more about you/buy your music?
Our official website is our Myspace page, www.theysentushere.com. You can't buy our music though, because it's free for download! You can download them at our PureVolume page, www.purevolume.com/theysentushere, or our Reverbnation page, www.reverbnation.com/theysentushere. Also, if you want to add us on Facebook, visit www.facebook.com/theysentushere.

Any last thoughts before we wrap this interview up?
Coexist in peace, love, and harmony. Evolve as one. The Venus Project.

Jointpop

2010-10-18T18:49:00.005-04:00

Interview with Gary Hector and Jen Andujar

Before we get into the interview, could you please give a brief introduction on who Jointpop is/where the band is from?

Jointpop the rock n roll band of Trinidad and Tobago (The Caribbean).
The new Jointpop album is “THE LONGEST KISS GOODNIGHT”.

Gary Hector...singer and guitar player
Damon Homer...guitar
Jerome Girdharrie...bass
Dion Camacho...drums
Phil Hill...keyboards

In one sentence, describe your music to someone who may have never heard you before.
We are just a rock n roll band...story tellers really...troubadours.

Who are your biggest musical influences?
Dylan,The Stones, The Beatles, The Clash, The Pistols and many many more. 60’s British Invasion, 70’s songwriters, 70’s punk rock all mixed with modern indie stuff...plus being from T&T we got all the local undertones.

How did you come up with your band name?
It just “popped” into my head really...lol

Explain your song writing process.
Mostly travel and living and being in a rock n roll band in T&T... Sometimes it's just a phrase or some silly line. Just sit there and let it come along...

What is your proudest moment so far as a band?
Just staying together as a band in this non rock n roll landscape in T&T. Writing songs and making records also.

What is the funniest thing that has ever taken place at one of your gigs?
We played CBGB’s in New York City and there was this guy that looked right out of the NYC 70’s punk rock scene. He just kept shouting “Play on, play on! I’m the fifth Beatle” Then he disappeared...like a NYC ghost.

What is your favorite color m&m?
Isn’t he a white rapper?? He’s very good.

If you could be rich OR be a musician-which would you choose?
Rock n roll with pocket money for ciggs and drinks.

What's one random fact that not many people know about you?
That we are all born and bred in Trinidad and Tobago and we are a rock n roll band.

Where can our readers find out more about Jointpop?
www.myspace.com/jointpop
http://www.facebook.com/pages/jointpop/25241271136

Any last thoughts before we wrap this interview up?
Thanks for the interview and all the best to all at ‘We Like it so There” and Ladylake. Sending sunshine from Trinidad and Tobago.

Rob Taylor

2010-10-01T19:53:00.006-04:00

Interview with Jen Andujar and Rob Taylor

Hi Rob! Thank you so much for agreeing to this interview.

Before we get into the interview, could you please give a brief introduction on who you are/where you are from?

My name is Rob Taylor and I’m a singer/songwriter from Stratford CT. I am not a rock star, but live for writing, recording, and producing original music from my home studio “The Escape Hatch”. I play nearly all the tracks on my albums with the exception of drums, (played by Jon Peckman) and vocal harmonies sung by my wife Laurie Taylor. I am a professional photographer by day, hang with my wife and 2 boys in the evening; then I descend into the studio and work as a songsmith into early a.m hours.

In one sentence, describe your music to someone who may have never heard you before.

Sincere, storytelling, acoustic/electric pop music that is lyrically witty, generally positive, and hopefully inspiring.

Who are your biggest musical influences?

Folk storytellers of the 70’s, heavy metal rockers of the 80’s, flannel wearing poets of the 90’s and the best of today. In other words, there are too many influences to site -- I draw my inspiration from so many sources spanning decades! I also hope I add a lot of myself in there as well. My music is definitely on the personal side.

How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a musician?

I remember being in middle school when the desire to write and perform music really set in. One of my main motivators at the time was to try and impress girls.

Describe your dream tour. Who would you tour with and where would you play?

I am mostly a studio musician right now, but would love to put together a full band with a small string section and tour the country. I would play intimate to mid-size theatres with guys like Jason Mraz, Train, and Joshua Radin.

Do you have any rituals you perform before going on stage?

I polish my guitar and pray that my voice doesn’t crack in an undesirable way.

What is your favorite song(s) to perform live?

I like performing my song, “88 Keys” from my album, “Sun in a Box”. I love to feel the audience connect with that song and the story it tells.

What's one random fact that not many people know about you?

I am also a guitar designer and have a passion for creating and collecting unique instruments. I have several models in production by Luthiers who license my designs.

You are stuck on a deserted island. What are three things you can’t live without?

Assuming that getting stuck on a deserted island would be a bad thing, I probably would not choose my family to come along, so I’ll choose objects that would increase my chance of survival:
1. A Swiss Army Knife – the big one that’s no joke and has a lighter on it
2. A fishing net
3. My acoustic Guitar (and case) to keep my spirits up

What 5 CDs/albums do you feel are the most influential ever made?

I will take this as meaning: which 5 albums have influenced me and my current sound because I hesitate to speak for the rest of the world.
1. Counting Crows, “August and Everything After”
2. Matchbox 20, “Yourself Or Someone Like You”
3. John Mayer, “Room for Squares”
4. Five for Fighting, “America Town”
5. Jason Mraz, “Waiting for My Rocket to Come”

This or That?
That

Country or city?
Suburbs

Winter or Summer?
Spring

McDonalds or Burger King?
Red Robin!

Pepsi or Coke?
Vitamin Water

Watch sports or play sports?
Ignore sports

New York or LA?
New York – though I usually try to avoid large cities in general.

Any last thoughts before we wrap this interview up?

I would just like to thank you for the opportunity to introduce more people to my music!

Here are some links to my sites:
Website: http://www.robtaylor.com/

iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/rob-taylor/id326903704

Facebook Musician Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rob-Taylor/128104770662

J Minus

2010-09-23T18:01:00.003-04:00

INTERVIEW with Jen Andujar and Dylan Fant of J Minus

Hi Dylan! First of all, thank you very much for agreeing to this interview.

Who is J Minus?

J Minus consists of:
Dylan Fant - drums
Trevor Wheetman - lead vox, guitar, piano
Chris Mongillo - lead vox, guitar
Myer Harrell - bass, vox

How did you come up with that name?

The name J minus actually comes from an inside joke actually... Back in 02, Trevor (lead singer) and I were in another band together and he was singing something that went way out of key. So naturally, I made fun of him and started singing something WAY off just to mock him... Then he came back at me with "whatever dude, it wasn't that bad... I wasn't singing in the key of J minus or whatever you were just doing."
It was just something stupid that popped into his head and it stuck with me. In the beginning, I couldn't sing very well when I was showing him my ideas, and it always seemed to end up in that key so that's where I got the name from.

Who are your biggest musical influences?

I don't really have one a "biggest musical influence" anymore. I've pulled inspiration from so many artists and places I've lost track.

How would you describe your song writing process?

I usually work on musical ideas first, and then let the music speak to me. I can visualize people and places from the music itself and eventually words just start coming together, usually from something I recently experienced or heard about from a friend.

If you could spend an hour with any musician, who would it be and what would you do?

I would probably hang out with The Edge. I'm not sure what I would do though... probably just ask a ton of questions about the U2 experience.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened while onstage?

Actually, there really hasn't been anything crazy that I can think of. We've all blown it at different times, but nothing that couldn't be covered up. Haha.

If you could be rich OR be a musician-which would you choose?

Musician

Where do you see yourselves in five years?

That I can't answer.

What is the best thing about being a musician? The worst?

The best for me personally is the fact that I'm rarely ever bored. There's always something new to work on and create.
The worst? It's really hard to make money with it.

If you could be any super hero, who would you be and why?

I'll have to think about that. Superman probably. He's hooked up with the most ability I'm thinking... It's been awhile since I read a comic.

Where can we buy your music?

All digital outlets ie itunes/amazon/cdbaby. You can also purchase cd's directly from us at www.jminus.com.

Do you have any last thoughts before we wrap this interview up?

Yes, thanks for the interview Jen! We really appreciate your support!

Learn more about J Minus at www.jminus.com.

The Wrecking Ball Radio Show

2010-09-18T17:27:00.003-04:00

HOT SHOW ALERT!! The Wrecking Ball Radio Show (hosted by Jayson Tanner) is NOT to be missed.

You may be asking yourself "What is The wrecking Ball Radio Show?" To answer your question, the show is where "Bonnaroo meets Merlefest" - it's a big, eclectic variety of music from bluegrass to blues, jam band to acoustic indie pop, alternative country and Americana, folk rock and more.

Where can you hear The Wrecking Ball Radio Show?
The Wrecking Ball Radio Show heard over several independent radio stations in the USA and UK with more to come!

Learn More on:
MYSPACE: http://myspace.com/wreckingballradio
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/wreckingballradio
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/cosmicamericana
BLOG: http://www.wreckingballradio.blogspot.com/

Maxi Dunn

2010-09-13T18:52:00.003-04:00

Interview with Jen Andujar and Maxi Dunn

Before we get into the interview, could you give our readers a brief intro on who you are?

I am a singer/songwriter from Liverpool, England who has been writing and recording on and off for the past twenty years. I started singing in bands when I was eighteen and gained a lot of popularity on the music scene during the 1990s. After taking a break in 1997 to have my two children, I returned to music in 2007 when I recorded a couple of tribute songs to Jellyfish & The Posies for a small Indie label based in the USA! I released my first EP "Winter Ghost" in December 2007 and my first album "Welcome To Soonville" in October 2008.

How would you describe your music to someone who may have never heard of you before?

My Music is quite dark, intense with a few bursts of Power Pop here and there! I am a moody songwriter who writes from the heart and experience and I like to move the listener, who hopefully can relate to some of the songs and subject matters.

Who are your biggest musical influences?

Way back when I was a young girl I was very much into bands/artists such as Japan, David Sylvian and John Foxx! Biggest influences from a female artist perspective, I would have to say, Kate Bush, Aimee Mann, Sam Brown, Sam Phillips & Sarah Mclachlan! I am also a huge fan of A-ha & Jellyfish! Both Morten Harket and Andy Sturmer have fantastic male singing voices!

At what age did you discover your passion for music?

My Dad played Guitar all the time when we where children! He used to be in a little country band that used to play the pubs in around the area! So we grew up with music in the house all the time! There was always lots of singing to The Beatles tunes. So from a very young age!

What is your dream tour?

I would love to do a tour of the USA with a full live band! It would be totally amazing! Even if it was as a support to someone else, it seems just a dream at the moment!

Your latest cd is called "Welcome to Soonville." How did you come up with that title?

My exbest friend/ex love and myself referred to a place we where meeting as "Soonville", sadly our friendship and relationship ended shortly after this and a lot of heartache and devastation followed. It seemed quite appropriate to call the album that, especially as seven of the songs on "Soonville" where about the situation. Something that was meant to decide a new future, actually ended what was once a good friendship! It is all still very sad really!

Which song of the new album is your favorite to perform live?

I really enjoy performing "Always Be My Friend", it is really fun to sing and perform. Also it is one of the more poppier up beat tracks of the album too.

If you could record a song with any artist, who would it be and why?

I would really love to sing a duet with any of my favourite male artists really, David Sylvian and Morten Harket to name two! I think our voices would sound great together! Also I have loved there music for so long, they feel like part of my family!

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I would hope to find new love, get married, maybe have more children (I already have two to a previous relationship).

I would also like to be able to do my music full time and quit the day job! Wouldn't that just be marvelous :-)

Other then music, what are your other hobbies/interests?

I have two children aged eleven & nine, so they kind of keep me very busy when I am not working! When I get the chance I like to read and bake, I have this thing about baking at the moment! I love to cook too and make everything from scratch!

FAVORITES:
What is your favorite...
color? Green
song? This is a difficult one but I will say "New Mistake - Jellyfish"
food? Indian
article of clothing? I have a few special tops that I don't like to part with
tv show? The Mighty Boosh
candy? Jellybeans & Cadburys Chocolate

Any last thoughts before we wrap this interview up?

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk about myself and my music! If you would like to purchase a copy of my debut album "Welcome To Soonville", you can purchase a physical copy at my website, www.maxidunn.info from dabooboorecords, CD Baby or Jam Recordings! You can also download at Amazon & Itunes!

My second album "The Neglected Gambit" is expected to be released around February 2011

Frank Palangi

2010-09-04T14:49:00.004-04:00

Frank Palangi is an upstate, NY solo artist whose music ranges from acoustic rock to heavier flavors. He performs, creates and writes all of his own music.

Interview with Jen Andujar and Frank Palangi

Hello Frank. Thanks for agreeing to this interview.
Who are your biggest musical influences?

Metallica
Creed
Daughtry
Godsmack
Three Days Grace
Day of Fire
Def Leppard
Johnny Cash

Explain your song writing process.

As a writer, I focus on creating songs people will want to be mainstream and modern. Nostalgia, I believe, is also an important facet of songwriting. Music should be entertainment. The more you listen, the more you want. It's all about revisiting songs and remembering when you heard them in a certain time of your life almost like a photo album.

Describe your dream tour.

Ummm... Dream Tour? Would be to do a national tour across the country with bands like Daughtry, Creed, Metallica, and Three Days Grace.

You perform covers as well as originals at your shows. Which cover is your favorite to perform? Which original?

I like Ring of Fire from Johnny Cash. I also like 867-5309 from Tommy Tutone. Original would be "It's All Right"

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you on stage?

Well, at a high school talent show I was playing my 2nd song on electric guitar and I break a string. So I quickly switch guitars and then I plug in and start to play again. I go to sing through the mic and it's turned off... One sec later the sound guy comes over and says "come on, come on" grabs my amp and I go "What?" and he says "Get your s*** off the stage." He then dragged my amp off stage, and I had no mic so I couldn't say anything. So I waved to the audience and faded with the curtain. At the time I was in like 9th grade and my Dad had a fit about what the sound guy did. He said he was sorry about a year later... lol

What was your proudest moment so far?

A proud moment for me was at a small resort gig where there was a ski crew staying there. It was a packed house and full of people. I was amazed that when I was playing I got tipped $90 and sold a bunch of CD's. Then they wanted me to come down stairs to dance (which I worked for that DJ crew anyway, they didn't know it..lol) People were coming up to me and asking me what's in store the future... American Idol.. record deal? It was cool to see that from a group of tourists.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years I see a record deal, touring on the road, and working with other artists on songs.

If you could be anything other than a musician-what would you be?

I would be an actor/film maker. That is my 2nd passion in life.

What's one random fact that not many people know about you?

Random fact: I don't have a cell phone... lol

Who is your celebrity crush?

I like Jen Love Hewitt... lol

What is your favorite song(s) of all time?

I like Ride into the Sun- Def Leppard, Enter Sandman- Metallica, Dr. Feelgood-Motley

Any last thoughts before we wrap this interview up?

I'm going back down to Nashville, TN this month to finish my EP record and work with my producer Rogers Masson and rock band "Day of Fire" once again. It's going to rock! I'm Waiting is also out as a single for download!

To learn more about Frank and his music please visit http://www.myspace.com/frankpalangirocks or reverbnation.com/frankpalangi.

Josh Hurt

2010-08-30T18:37:00.003-04:00

Now featuring JOSH HURT!! If you like catchy music, then Josh is the guy for you. Make sure to stop by his Myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/joshhurtmusic) because you do NOT want to miss out.

Here is the making of the video for Josh's newest single, "Midnight Racer". The official video will be released on Sept. 7.

Interview with Jen Andujar and Josh Hurt.

Before we start, can you quickly introduce yourself to our readers?

Hello, everyone! My name is Josh Hurt, Urban Pop artist hailing from Dallas, TX.

Who are your biggest musical influences?

Michael Jackson and Beyonce have not only influenced my music, but also my performances.

How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a musician?

Singing in the church choir around the age of 4, and not wanting to hand the mic to the next "soloist" made me realize I wanted to be a major performer when I grew up.

If you had one hour to spend with any musician (dead or alive), who would it be and what would you do?

It would of course be with my favorite, Beyonce. I would love to just get some musical advice from her, and just tips to be a better artist.

What 5 CDs/albums do you feel are the most influential ever made?

Michael Jackson- Thriller
Beyonce- Dangerously in Love
Lauryn Hill- The Miseducation
Prince- Purple Rain
Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers- Greatest Hits

You recently made a video for your single "Midnight Racer". Can you talk a bit about the shoot? How long did it last? What were some highlights?

The shoot was all shot at night on two separate days. It was a lot of fun, and the energy was very high. Everyone was very positive and focused about being the video an event!

Other than music, what are your interests/hobbies?

I love to eat and workout. Swimming is also a very fun past time, but I don't get out in the sun as much as I used to.

What's the most played song on your iPod?
I do tons of cardio during my workout, so I must listen to Beyonce's "Crazy in Love" to keep my energy high!

If you could be rich OR be a musician-which would you choose?

A musician, because I rather be wealthy than rich.

What is your favorite color m&m?

Yellow, especially for the m&ms with the nuts. But, they all taste the same!

What's one random fact that not many people know about you?

I am a very goofy person, but do not always literally "laugh out loud" at what I think is funny.

You are stuck on a deserted island. What are three things you can’t live without?

My Bible, my Blackberry, and my bottled water. I love water more than anything!

Any last thoughts before we wrap this interview up?

I really enjoyed this interview, and I hope to have another one with you all very soon! To the fans who want more updates, follow me at: http://www.twitter.com/JoshHurtMusic!

Donna Fullman

2010-08-28T17:52:00.003-04:00

Donna Fullman

happiness + victory

Review by Cindy D’Adamo

From the ethereal artwork and exotic cover photography, this EP, ‘happiness + victory’ transcends the everyday and leads the listener down a mystical labyrinth of song. Bells, chimes, and an aura of enchantment open the disc, with an Eastern backbeat reminiscent of Loreena McKennitt . Donna could easily be singing this first track, ‘Who’, in the forest shown on the CD cover. The second tune, a song dying to hit radio- ‘Stone’ switches gears into a bit of British pop influence worthy of Lulu’s ‘The Boat That I Row’. ‘Changing Man’ follows, follows with a hint of Latin rhythm and spectacular guitar work. The next song is ‘Home’ which tells of a philosophical quest with a beautiful lyrical arrangement. The EP closes with ‘Hello Shanghai’, a very Asian inspired piece. In all, ‘happiness + victory’ gets four stars from me-absolutely one of the best EPs I have ever come across.

When asking Donna for a definition of her music, (for to me, it defies classification); ‘lyrical folk’, she said, so that I shall classify her as, but quite frankly, Donna’s current recording ‘happiness + victory’ is a delicious mixture of various musical influences which leaves the listener longing for more.

If you are a fan of Lulu, Dusty Springfield, Stevie Nicks, Loreena McKennitt, or Duffy, I know you will adore this EP by Brighton’s next star-Donna Fullman.

For more information on Donna, please visit:

www.donnafullman.com

www.myspace.com/donnafullman

www.wearelyricallyspeaking.com

Available on itunes and Amazon

Photo used is courtesy of Gill Orsman©

Chuck Kelsey

2010-08-24T21:11:00.003-04:00

Chuck Kelsey is a singer/songwriter and live acoustic entertainer that is based in upstate New York. He is currently recording his new demo and will be creating his new album in the coming months. You can check out Chuck and his music on myspace.com/chucksoloact6.

Interview with Elena Tapia and Chuck Kelsey.

Ok sir, here are your questions...

1. Can you tell us about yourself for those who don't know you?

About me. I have been in the entertainment industry for 30 years. Have been in numerous bands and doing a solo acoustic act. Also a studio session musician. I have played all over the east coast of the U.S. From Virginia to New Hampshire. A few years back I was nominated by the Northeast Country Music Association for entertainer of the year, and also for song of the year. Mainly now my shows are in NY, and Vermont! I am very fortunate to make a good living playing shows!!! I do a mix of music at my gigs from originals, classic rock, alternative, trop rock, and main stream. I truly love what I do, and think I am very lucky!!!

2. What is your long term career goal?

I think my long term goal is just to keep doing my shows, writing new songs, and trying to give people a good vibe! I would be most happy with that!

3. You are stuck on a deserted island. What are three things you can't not live without?

Fishing pole, guitar, and lots of pens and paper!!!

4. If you could give a new artist advice, what would you tell them?

Be you, and keep it that way! Just do what you do. If it's meant to be it will. Also beware of a lot of people who make promises!!! Last but not least, knock doors down until they say yes, or tell you to go away. Some will, some won't, so what next!

5. Are there any organizations that you help support?

I am a member of the LGA [Lake George Association) and the ASPCA. I raise funds and awareness for both. Not to mention all the benefits, and fundraisers for many organizations and people in need!!!

6. If you could tour with another artist (dead or alive) who would it
be and why?

If I could, I think of 3 people-James Taylor, Neil Young, and Philly's own Robert Hazard. All are great story tellers.

7. What is your favorite song of all time?

Too many to count!!

8. Pepsi, Coke or Dr. Pepper?

I don't drink soda!

9. What do you do when you're not playing music?

When I am not playing music, I try and spend quality time with family and hang with friends. Of course, my passion is fishing and as I write this, I am starting the process of becoming an outdoor fishing guide! I love the outdoors and traveling to remote places! Everything else melts away!!!

10. Any last thoughts before we wrap this interview up?

Just be true to yourself and always continue to learn. Our greatest resource is ourselves!!

Breaking The Mold

2010-08-22T13:35:00.005-04:00

The Breaking the Mold crew with Cartel.

What is Breaking the Mold?

Breaking the Mold is a creation of when music lovers get curious. Not out to ask the same boring questions, the show is supposed to not only be informative but be entertaining as well to suit the college crowd audience. Based out of Marywood University in Scranton, PA the show's producers just want to have fun yet be professional at the same time. Boasting studio visits from heavyweights such as Motion City Soundtrack (Columbia Records), NeverShoutNever (Warner Bros. Records), Duff from Food Network's "Ace of Cakes" and Cartel (Wind Up Records) along with on-site interviews with Rise Against, UnderOATH, Thrice, The Gaslight Anthem, and a slew of others, the show welcomes artists big and small. The name "Breaking the Mold" is indicative of the mission set out by the staff: no boundaries.

Watch more interviews and videos here: www.youtube.com/user/breakingthemoldtvm

Interiors

2010-08-17T19:11:00.005-04:00

I heard about this band quite a while ago when they still were going by the name The Outro. Their name may have changed since then but their music is as good as ever! I can't say enough about those harmonies! Be sure to give them a listen at their Myspace listed below.

Website: http://www.myspace.com/interiorsmusic

Band Biography:

Interiors are a four-piece indie rock band based out of Los Angeles, CA. Their heartfelt, nostalgic breed of music has drawn comparison to the likes of Band of Horses, Fanfarlo, and Earlimart. With the release of their 2010 EP, these comparisons are clearly warranted; especially on the emotional opening track “Tall Fences”.

Formed in Connecticut during the winter of 2008; Interiors began as a three-piece comprised of brother-sister duo Brian and Madeleine Russick alongside longtime friend, Steven Jimenez. The band’s sound was quickly shaped by the blossoming relationship between Jimenez and Madeleine Russick, whose undeniable chemistry shines through during each vocal harmony.

In 2009, the band relocated to LA in an effort to further their career. They have continued to grow as a unit and even recruited bassist Chris Sapone to round out the lineup. Writing and performing have become a priority for the group as they move towards their ultimate goal; connecting with as many true music fans as possible.

INTERVIEW with Jen Andujar and Interiors

Before we get into the interview, could you please give a brief introduction on who you are/where you are from?

Brian Russick, Madeleine Russick, Steve Jimenez, Chris Sapone. Brian, Madeleine, and Steve were all born and grew up in Bridgeport, CT. Chris was born in Orlando, FL. Brian and Steve were in a pop punk band together before Interiors for 5 years. Madeleine has been singing most of her life and Chris has been in bands since he was in high school.

Who are your biggest musical influences?

Anything from 90s grunge, to hip hop, to 60s rock.

You guys went through a name change (From The Outro to Interiors). Can you explain why you changed names and how you came up with the new one?

We never liked the original name...we couldn't think of anything better at the time so we just named the band the Outro. We knew we wanted to change the name and one day our bassist walked in to our house and saw the Woody Allen movie "Interiors" on the coffee table. We settled on that...

Describe your dream tour.

A world tour with nice tour buses and catered food every night!

How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a musician?

All 4 of us had a passion for music at a young age. Madeleine was singing at the age of 4.

Explain your song writing process.

Sometimes our songs come from jamming on different random ideas and other times they are very structured from the start. It seems to be always different...

What is your favorite color m&m?

Steve - green
Madeleine - blue
Brian - Christmas m&ms
Chris - all of them

Best/Worst thing about being a musician?

The best is playing to a crowd of people who absolutely love what you do and appreciate all your efforts. The worst part about it is the fact that the music industry is at what most would consider its lowest point...it is extremely difficult to make a living just playing music and not working a 9-5 job.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?

Recording our newest 3 song EP in Portland, OR. We are very happy with how it came out.

Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?

Continuing to write and play music and hopefully be signed to a respectable label that supports our tours and lifestyle.

Band questions-Who is the...

Biggest flirt? Chris
Messiest? Steve
Most likely to get lost in a new city? Brian
Most shy? Brian
Most likely to spend too much money in one place? Chris

What is your favorite fast food restaurant?

Steve - Astro Burger
Madeleine - Astro Burger
Chris - Anything Mexican!
Brian - Taco Bell

You are stuck on a deserted island. What are three things you can’t live without?

Steve - video games, guitar, Marty's Pizza Orange Hat
Madeleine - coffee, red wine, Mr. Guz (her cat)
Chris - (not available to comment, but we're sure it would be awesome and weird)
Brian - bongos, dvd collection, guitar

Any last thoughts before we wrap this interview up?

We hope that anyone reading this interview enjoys our music and comes out to a show in the future.

Oh No Not Stereo

2010-08-12T18:08:00.003-04:00

Based out of CA, Oh No Not Stereo is one of those bands that will keep you running back for more! Don't believe me? Take one listen and you will be hooked!
Website = http://ohnonotstereo.com/site/

Interview with Jen Andujar and Oh No Not Stereo:

Questions answered by

MYKUL LEE (Drums)
SKYLER NIELSEN (Vocals/Guitar)
JUSSI KARVINEN (Guitar)

1. Brief intro: Who you are, where you are from, etc.

MYKUL LEE: We're Oh No Not Stereo from Los Angeles!

SKYLER NIELSEN: Our band started in 2003, as a duo. We've been evolving ever since, from a duo to a trio, and now as a touring quartet.

JUSSI KARVINEN: I'm originally from Finland, and joined ONNS in 2008!

2. In one sentence, describe you're music to someone who may have never heard you before.

MYKUL LEE: High-energy, edgy, hard rock with pop moments.

SKYLER NIELSEN: Fun, refreshing, melodic rock and roll!

JUSSI KARVINEN: Sexy and dangerous, with a splash of sting.

3. Who are your biggest musical influences?

MYKUL LEE: Iron Maiden

JUSSI KARVINEN: Pantera

SKYLER NIELSEN: The Beatles

4. Describe your dream tour:

MYKUL LEE: Interplanetary tour. Sharing a spaceship with The Beatles.

SKYLER NIELSEN: I'd love to tour the world with Green Day and Foo Fighters. Alison Lohman would sell merch, Obama would be our Tour Manager, and Tracy Morgan would drive our bus.

JUSSI KARVINEN: Pantera!

5. Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?

MYKUL LEE: On tour with Paul McCartney in space.

SKYLER NIELSEN: I would think that within the next 5 years, we will release atleast 3 more records, on top of a whole lot of singles etc... and we'll surely have exponential touring miles under our belt!

JUSSI KARVINEN: On Tour! Duh!

6. What's the most played song on your iPod?

MYKUL LEE: A song called "Take Take Take" from a band that we just produced called The Royal Heist.

SKYLER NIELSEN: "The Way I Feel Inside" by The Zombies

JUSSI KARVINEN: "Lying Through Your Teeth" by Head Automatica

7. Explain your song writing process.

MYKUL LEE: I'm not ashamed to admit that i like starting from the inside and working my way out. gives me an idea of what im working towards without having to write my way there to find it. typically i will start with the chorus and work backwards. everything after the first chorus, in a basic skeletal sense, is just a repeat of everything up to the first chorus.. of course with the exception of bridges and solos. I don't like templated songs, but i take what i can from them. i know that a song, from its inception, travels a LONG way before it ends up on your ipod.. so we're constantly reworking our demo songs until we hit the studio.

SKYLER NIELSEN: No two songs that I write are ever written the same way. I don't use formulas or anything, my biggest challenge seems to be capturing content throughout the day... inspiration seems to come when you least expect it. If I can jam out with the guys and have a whole lot of ideas on the table to jam out, it's a lot easier to get a flow going. Even on the other hand, there's something really fresh about writing off the cuff with the band, just putting ideas together out of thin air.

8. What's one random fact that not many people know about you?

MYKUL LEE: I'm from Oklahoma and I see dead people.

SKYLER NIELSEN: I am an Eagle Scout, and can't hear out of my right ear.

JUSSI KARVINEN: I can play the drums and bass!

9. Best/Worst thing about being a musician?

MYKUL LEE: Best thing: Getting to see the world. Worst thing: Leaving California.

SKYLER NIELSEN: Best thing: Artistic expression is so awesome! Seems like it's the only career in the world where you're always in a stinky bathroom, but it's worth the perks!

JUSSI KARVINEN: Seeing different cities every day on tour. Worst thing: Hot-baggin' on the side of the freeway!

10. Proudest moment so far?

MYKUL LEE: Touring the UK with The All-American Rejects was one of the funner things we've ever done.

SKYLER NIELSEN: We're proud to say we've played South By Southwest in Austin for SIX years in a row now, and every time it gets crazier and crazier. The Bayside and Hit The Lights tour in England was a great life experience!

JUSSI KARVINEN: Shepards Bush Empire in London! My parents came to see us from Finland!

11. Craziest fan encounter?

MYKUL LEE: Some girl jumped the barricades at Wembly last week and tried to pee on our singer.. turns out it was Lohan. Man, she sure knows how to party.

SKYLER NIELSEN: Some girl thought I was Russell Brand at LAX and started crying... other than that I'm gonna have to give the trophy to the crazy fan who we had to do an exorcism on in our hotel bathroom floor in Albuquerque.

JUSSI KARVINEN: Signing a girl's chest in Scotland. Wasn't bad, other than the fact that she still had braces she was so young.

12. You are stuck on a deserted island. What are three things you can't live without?

MYKUL LEE: Whiskey, a guitar, Bill 'n Ted's Excellent Adventure on VHS.

SKYLER NIELSEN: Hopefully they have coconuts! I'll take three of those.

JUSSI KARVINEN: Swiss-army knife, Guitar, Myk's bottle of Whiskey.

13. Any last thoughts before we wrap this interview up?

MYKUL LEE: Check out the sweet youtube video of Justin Bieber getting rocked with a water bottle recently.. hilarious! No, seriously. Just type in "Justin Bieber gets hit with bottle in the face"... it'll make your day.

SKYLER NIELSEN: DOWNLOAD OUR LATEST RECORD FOR FREE HERE:

www.ohnonotstereo.com/epk/media password: onns003

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!!!

JUSSI KARVINEN: Thanks for doing this interview with us! Come see us play live!

James Mathis

2010-08-08T11:52:00.003-04:00

Interview with Cindy D’Adamo and James Mathis

I interviewed James Mathis, a singer/songwriter from Waxhaw, NC currently living in Greensboro. He classifies himself as: Indie/Folk/Alternative, and is working on his first EP.

Cindy- At what age did you begin playing guitar? When did you write your first song?

James- I started playing guitar around 13. But I had been playing piano since I was about 4 or 5 years old. I had started playing violin around age 8, so by the time I started playing guitar I already had a basic feel for chords and melody. I think the very first time I wrote a song, I was seven. I think I based the melody line off of some Disney movie I had just seen. It annoyed the crap out of my little brother.

Cindy- Are you influenced more by current artists, more 'classic' artists, or what inspires your music?

James- I think I am influenced by the old school of songwriters/performers more than anyone. No one can quite get to me like Joan Baez or Dylan. I think that a lot of the newer artists have a lot of good things to emulate as well. But I don’t think anyone holds a candle to the depth and soul that people like Garfunkel, Costello, and Dylan exude.

Cindy- Which artist, dead or alive, would you most want to do a duet with and why?

James- That’s a tough one. I think that it would have to be Tom Petty. I can identify with him a lot (minus the wealth and fame). He grew up in a pretty boring town in the south. He didn’t really fit in with a lot of his peers because he was true to who he was and who he wanted to be. Besides all that…his songs are pretty much amazing.

Cindy- If you could be rich OR be a musician-which would you choose?

James- Is it possible to be both?! Well, I think being a musician would be best for me because music lets me experience life on a deeper, more emotional level. Money would be nice. But you only live once right?

Cindy- Have you ever sang in a chorus or musical production/play? Which one(s)?

James- I have appeared in quite a few musicals. My favorites were probably “Peter Pan” and “Oliver”. “Annie” was also a lot of fun. I think there is a lot to be said for musical theater. Everyone kind of dismisses it as not “rock n’roll” enough…but I think it really helped me develop a stage presence and a voice. I think more people should try it.

Cindy- What is the funniest thing that has ever taken place at one of your gigs?

James- I don’t know of a single funniest moment at a gig. You know…everyone plays those shows where someone yells out “FREE BIRD!!” as a request. There was that one time when someone started singing along in the audience and they were so off key that it threw me off. I think that was more embarrassing than anything else though.

Cindy- What is your favorite song of all time?

James- Right now, my favorite song of all time is probably “First Days of Spring” by Noah and the Whale. It talks about the bitterness and hurt that comes with a failed relationship. But it also has redemption, because from every dead thing, something new and vibrant will emerge. It is part of life.

Cindy- What would you do for a Klondike Bar?

James- I think the question should be: “What would I NOT do for a Klondike bar?”

Cindy- What 5 CD/albums do you feel are the most influential ever made?

James-
1. Love and theft
2. Funeral
3. Damn the Torpedoes
4. In Utero
5. We Both Was Young (a personal influencer)

Cindy-If you could be anything other than a musician-what would you be?

James- If I could be anything other than a musician, I think I would be a doctor. I always want to help people have better lives. If I couldn’t do that through my music, I would want to be a doctor and go to third world countries. I traveled to Nicaragua as part of medical team (I am certified Nurse’s Assistant) a year ago and it really changed my view of the world.

For more information on James Mathis, please view his MySpace located here:

http://www.myspace.com/jamesmathismusic

Matt Jasper

2010-08-06T19:09:00.004-04:00

Matt Jasper is a New York based singer songwriter. With clever lyrics and catchy hooks, he is sure to catch listeners attention. To learn more about Matt, read the following interview or check out his website at http://www.mattjasper.com/.

INTERVIEW with Jen Andujar and Matt Jasper

Hi Matt!

Before we get into the interview, could you please give a brief introduction on who you are?

Hi Jen!

Thanks for the interview. Sure thing! I'm a pop rock singer-songwriter living in New York City, working in the music business during the day, and making music at night. I started recording demos on my four track in high school, and have since made five albums, the latest being this year's album Bored Games.

1. Who are your biggest musical influences?

Some influences include Ben Folds, for his lyrical wit, Elliott Smith for his song craftsmanship, Andrew Bird for his innovative live performances and nuanced songwriting, as well as producers such as Phil Spector and George Martin for creating new recording techniques that influenced this generation of musicians. Vocally, I’m probably unconsciously influenced as a child of 80s music, since I’ve been compared to singers such as David Byrne of the Talking Heads in the past. However, I’ve admired Scott Weiland’s ability to turn his voice into a chameleon’s, which is why on Bored Games, there are vocals that might have three or four different sounding singers. More immediate influences tend to be interactions with the people I know, as I tend to incorporate details I come across into my songwriting.

2. How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a musician?

I was probably sixteen when I knew I had a talent for music. It was the first year I played in my high school talent show, and I was playing an original song solo, playing an electric guitar through the school’s amp. The music teacher had a DJ on before me, and he blew out the speakers, so when I plugged into the same amp, it began crackling and popping loudly. Still, I played through, and then next day, all types of kids, including a number of young ladies who I hadn’t ever spoken to before, came up to me and complemented my singing voice. I figured if I could make it through that gig, I could make it through the rest.

3. Describe your dream tour.

Right now, I’ve only been able to have regional Northeastern tours on long weekends, and local shows during the week, so I’d say my dream tour would be to be able to have a tour that would allow me to go from the East Coast to the West Coast and back and provide enough to pay the rent when I got home. What would make it a dream tour would be if every show had a sold out crowd. It’s both a blessing and a curse to have a day job within the music industry, since you end up learning all about what you need to do to make it, but you still have to go to the same office building from Monday through Friday instead of to a different city every day. It’s a compromise self funding your own publishing company and record label without major investment backers, because it means that you have to generate revenue in other ways from traditional touring and album sales, which ends up leading to a day job. I’m fortunate enough to land a job at a royalty company, so I know now what I need to do in order to get to the next level and try to become profitable when it comes to, say, touring.

4. Bored Games is not your first record. How would you compare this new album with your others?

What’s great about Bored Games is how quickly and easily it came together. Bored Games came about from Jake (Skolnick, producer of Bored Games) asking me if I wanted to record a couple of songs at NYU before he finished up working there in August of 2009. By the time we got into the studio, it was the beginning of July, so we laid down drum tracks in two days with Eric (Lense of the band The Instant Classic and Fio), and followed it up with bass tracks in a day and a half, guitars for the next two and a half days, and vocals in two more days. Then we mixed and mastered over the next two days. It averaged out to two nights a week for five weeks from start to finish and we had the entire album. I really tried to keep it simple, compared to As A Matter of Fact (2007), which was recorded in bits and pieces over the span of roughly 2 years. As A Matter of Fact is more orchestral, but also felt labored to me, since it’s partly a breakup record where the band broke up halfway through. The Distance Between (2004) was recorded in a similar fashion, in that it was recorded real quick over the span of a winter break. Both The Distance Between and Bored Games are stripped down full band albums, just drums, bass, guitars and vocals. As A Matter of Fact was more orchestral, with strings, bells, and trombone in addition to the traditional band setup. I also have two full length “home demo” albums, Jasper Makes Music (2001), and Thinking Back (2003) which were acoustic based recorded on my four track, was when I was still honing the art of recording and songwriting.

5. If you had one hour to spend with any musician (dead or alive), who would it be and what would you do?

I’d say it would be Elliott Smith, and I’d talk music for the first couple of minutes, and discuss life for the rest of the time. I read book of interviews of some of his closest friends a while back, where his friends said he was one of the best one night conversationalists that they knew. If you only had an hour, you’d want someone who’d you both could pour your hearts out to, understand what it would be like to have a life on the road, and to jump from obscurity to popularity nearly overnight (with the Good Will Hunting Soundtrack Grammy nomination). As far as well known singer-songwriters who I have had the opportunity to spend an hour with, Duncan Sheik, Ben Kweller and Butch Walker all took the time to talk with me, and I’ve learned a lot about being a humble artist and a warm person at the same time

6. What's the most played song on your iPod?

The most played song is Aerosmith’s Walk On Water, since it’s the first song that comes up when I forget to set a song on my iPod alarm clock. Non-iPod alarm clock tracks (Aerosmith, Air, Aimee Mann, and Albert Hammond Jr excluded) Nada Surf’s See These Bones, The Shins’ Australia (and Pam Berry) and Spoon’s Don’t You Evah are in the top. Still, I’ve slept through Aerosmith 39 times compared to Nada Surf’s 24 times. I don’t know what that says about me, that I’m either too diverse to have a wake up theme song by choice, or that I usually just forget. I need to create a side project called 100000 Aaaaaardvaaarks and make it the best music to wake up to ever. Take that, spreadsheet music organizational systems!

7. Explain your song writing process.

Usually, I’ll take myself to an isolate place, be it an empty room, the shower, or the country. Then if words or melodies start coming to me, I’ll try to repeat the melody/lyrics until it sticks with me. If I’m able to get to a pad of paper within the next couple of minutes after letting the “song ingredients” I try to capture what I originally came up with as quick as I can. Then I’ll grab an instrument, usually guitar, and sketch out some chords for the song. After that, it’s a matter of practicing it enough times to remember the words so I can play it solo at an open mike or a gig, and if wee get past that point, it has a good enough chance of being recorded if it’s memorable enough, and within the right timeframe for making it to an album.

8. What is your favorite color m&m?

Blue. I demand a brandy glass full of only blue M&Ms in my tour rider. They’re the newest color, so they must be the freshest!

9. What's one random fact that not many people know about you?

My first instrument is the trombone. I played it in elementary school through high school even though it wasn’t my first choice. I wanted to play the drums, but my mom said no, so I asked about my second choice, which was the saxophone. It was right when the Simpsons were reigning through elementary school, so everyone wanted to be Bleeding Gums Murphy (or Lisa Simpson). So since there were too many sax players, the teacher gave me the trombone, since I had long arms. When I brought home my trombone, my mom said, Orangutans have long arms but you don’t see them playing the trombone. I stuck with it, and I’ve been playing instruments ever since.

10. Do you have any rituals you do before you perform?

I don’t think I have any specific rituals, other than putting together a set list and making sure I’m in tune right before going on. I usually try to get a decent sound check, and get a bottle of water, as well as mingle in the crowd a bit before the set. As a solo act, I’m usually working the merch table, meeting new people, or working with the venue’s staff (soundman, doorman, etc) prior to my set. Also, I sip from my brandy glass of blue M&Ms.

11. Any last thoughts before we wrap this interview up?

If you like my sense of humor, witty banter or embarrassing stories from my childhood, feel free to support my musical pursuits by purchasing a copy of Bored Games through www.mattjasper.com, iTunes, Amazon, or any other digital retailer. You can also find me on Myspace (/jasper) or Facebook (mattjaspermusic). Also Jen, I like this interview, so there!

Dan Chauvin- Small Town Life

2010-08-01T12:40:00.004-04:00

Dan Chauvin- Small Town Life
Review by Cindy D’Adamo

Sepia into a brown study on the cover of ‘Small Town Life’ by singer/songwriter Dan Chauvin definitely alludes to what lies in store for the listener of his newest CD. ‘Coyote’ opens the disc, gliding into a percussion-laden tapestry with a lacing of violin-very Friday night under the stars with a glass of wine. The second track, ‘Small Town Life’, had me waiting for an exploration of the essence of this CD; it does not disappoint with its lyrical definition of the roots of a small town man, interestingly sprinkled with children’s voices. ‘Absolutely Nowhere’ follows, a stand out track for me-gorgeous- almost solemn harmony with Lori Diamond and support of Fred Abatelli here. The next selection is my other favorite on the CD- ‘Golden Red Horizon’ which sounds much like a duet with Natalie Maines, but is in fact Susan Levine lending a country air to this track. Steel opens ‘Step Into The Light’ which could easily be mistaken for a Harry Chapin tune, and is followed by ‘Save Me’ a wonderful mélange of vocals (and can also be viewed on YouTube on live video). ‘Never Go Back’, the seventh track, was written by Don Hooper (incidentally the only song on the CD Dan did not write) and ‘Said and Done’ are very evocative of The Stone Canyon Band and Souther, Hillman, Furay. The CD closes with ‘Duck Hunter’ in a way not uncommon to many CDs-something a bit different and out of the box at the end-in this case, bird calls and percussion add an earthiness to round out a very strong all- over production from Don Hooper.

For more information on Dan Chauvin: http://www.myspace.com/danchauvin

Hi everyone!

2010-07-21T21:52:00.000-04:00

I want to take a minute to thank you for checking out my new blog, We Like It So There! The 'we' refers to myself (Jen Andujar), and my partners in crime, Cindy D'Adamo and Elena Tapia. Together we will find the best talent in indie music and share our findings with you. As you can see, there is not much posted yet but we have huge plans for this blog and hope you will stick around for the journey.

Add us on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/WeLikeItSoThere