DAVE Rave has been back in the studio again and has released Sweet American Music with his new band The Governors.
He got in touch with RealSoundsOK to tell us how it all came about.
He said: "I've spent the past few years drifting in and out of the United States on tour. It was in Minnesota where I met my new band.
"I had stopped through Minnesota a few times before we finally decided to make a record at Sparta Sound. It's starting to become a tradition - start recording in the brutal cold of January and finish the record in the summer. Record number three starts in a week!"
Sweet American Music is the second album Dave has recorded with The Governors.
He added: "This is a new chapter for me. After years being immersed in the first wave of Canadian punk with Teenage Head and The Shakers and then working as a session musician for Daniel Lanois, Andrew Loog Oldham, Alex Chilton and others; I have this amazing outlet with The Governors. To not only explore my past, but collaborate on exciting possibilities."
Have a listen to the album below and for more visit facebook.com/daveravemusic
Showing posts with label Minnesota. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Minnesota. Show all posts
Thursday, 5 February 2015
Sunday, 21 December 2014
Jane A Bakken Q&A
Your name:
Jane A. Bakken. A stands for 'Adele' a
name I used to hate ...that is until 'Adele' started singing!
Where are you from?
Born in Duluth, Minnesota....midwestern United States.
However, travelled at ripe age of three months to Seattle WA
area, northwest US and have lived in this area ever since. Currently live with my family in country,
about 45 minutes east of Seattle.
Name of band:
Solo vocalist on my fourth album.
Who else is in your band?
Teamed up with
Grammy-award winning music producer/musician Eric Tingstad.
Individual musicians on albums hired on project basis...some of the finest in this area.
Individual musicians on albums hired on project basis...some of the finest in this area.
How would you describe yourself and your music?
An eclectic singer with a wide range vocally
as well as with languages, cultures and musical genres. Sing music in 10 languages (not fluent in any except English...practicing all).
Always passionate about people from many cultures languages, backgrounds. This album includes covers
in six different languages, including English, and crosses over several musical
genres. It's a lil sweet, a lil sensual, a lil sassy with covers of jazz, Broadway (2), pop, big band,
and even a few classical numbers.
The glue that holds this album tight is the familiarity of every song: All English songs are well-loved globally and the songs in each language are well-loved favorites in that specific language/culture.
The glue that holds this album tight is the familiarity of every song: All English songs are well-loved globally and the songs in each language are well-loved favorites in that specific language/culture.
Who are your main influences musically?
Great question...especially as it relates to this album!
I was wondering the other day, where did this fascination with different
cultures and their music originate? I think one of the main influences is that I was raised in a church
community that brought in musicians from around the world including every musical genre. My folks would also invite
people from many cultures into our home for dinner, gatherings, etc. When I was five, they brought in two sailors
from a South Korean ship moored in the port in Seattle for a Sunday dinner. With one of the sailors, that began a
lifelong friendship that continues to this day.
I recall hiding my transistor radio under my pillow listening to the Beatles...of course, loved them!!
My piano classical training started at age 6, and brought many musical genres into my life. Started playing for church choirs, groups, singers at age 12.
My own music training started at age six. Mrs. Wills, my first grade teacher, evidently saw/heard a love for music in me and sent me home with a cardboard keyboard and a primer's music book...a bright red one! Well, my folks were not able to buy a piano, so I recall pounding on that cardboard keyboard on dining room table for more than a year, and then the next day, I would play it on Mrs. Wills' piano in classroom. That was my music roots. And ever since I remember, I wanted to sing.
I recall hiding my transistor radio under my pillow listening to the Beatles...of course, loved them!!
My piano classical training started at age 6, and brought many musical genres into my life. Started playing for church choirs, groups, singers at age 12.
My own music training started at age six. Mrs. Wills, my first grade teacher, evidently saw/heard a love for music in me and sent me home with a cardboard keyboard and a primer's music book...a bright red one! Well, my folks were not able to buy a piano, so I recall pounding on that cardboard keyboard on dining room table for more than a year, and then the next day, I would play it on Mrs. Wills' piano in classroom. That was my music roots. And ever since I remember, I wanted to sing.
What do you hope to achieve in music?
Music has always been about connection for me - connecting to body, mind and spirit within myself and with others in relationship. This album of covers crosses over language, culture and
musical genres. It is my humble response to all those songs, cultures and artists calling to the music rumbling inside me, a
handful of whom I honor in this album.
My goals are the same now as they were when I first started performing. And that is simple: Work at finetuning my craft daily, and show up in service to the music, authentically, whole-heartedly. My hope is that all my music in all it's love and passion brings great joy to the hearts of all listeners, and that it carry in every note that Love has the power to connect us. This album, more than any other, embodies all the many colours of my soul!
It's been six years since my last album. You know, they say that singing, well for that fact, all art, is a 'reporting of the soul'. And I, like many artisans, need those times where I focus more on the inner journey, times of reflection so that what I bring up to the surface in the singing is 'something worthy of reporting'.
Life and preparation for this album took me places inside and musically that were new, and you can hear that in the energy of each song.
I want to move out again in global concert tours with this new album ...when the time is right.
I want to do solo concerts for the next 50 plus years that embody the feelings of this album - a concert that weaves together various languages, cultures, musical genres with excellence.
My goals are the same now as they were when I first started performing. And that is simple: Work at finetuning my craft daily, and show up in service to the music, authentically, whole-heartedly. My hope is that all my music in all it's love and passion brings great joy to the hearts of all listeners, and that it carry in every note that Love has the power to connect us. This album, more than any other, embodies all the many colours of my soul!
It's been six years since my last album. You know, they say that singing, well for that fact, all art, is a 'reporting of the soul'. And I, like many artisans, need those times where I focus more on the inner journey, times of reflection so that what I bring up to the surface in the singing is 'something worthy of reporting'.
Life and preparation for this album took me places inside and musically that were new, and you can hear that in the energy of each song.
I want to move out again in global concert tours with this new album ...when the time is right.
I want to do solo concerts for the next 50 plus years that embody the feelings of this album - a concert that weaves together various languages, cultures, musical genres with excellence.
What has been the highlight of your career so far, and
why?
I would say the creation of this new album. I had
been working for the past three years with various coaches, honing my skills in different musical genres, selecting music, etc. I had
began about 12 years ago more intensive training in bel canto singing (beautiful singing...classical/operatic),
and that foundation has brought a new depth and breadth to all the music....even the jazz, pop,
Broadway, etc. I had the
opportunity to work for several sessions with Rosalind Plowright OBE, a well-loved opera singer in the UK, who was working with the Seattle Opera for a time last year. I have already been getting great feedback on songs from other countries, and of course, the US...so, of course, that fills up my heart! Feedback that the singing takes people to new place of connection inside themselves, that it makes them feel more loved...that they can feel a special energy pouring through the singing...that's the kind of feedback that makes it all worth while for me!
opportunity to work for several sessions with Rosalind Plowright OBE, a well-loved opera singer in the UK, who was working with the Seattle Opera for a time last year. I have already been getting great feedback on songs from other countries, and of course, the US...so, of course, that fills up my heart! Feedback that the singing takes people to new place of connection inside themselves, that it makes them feel more loved...that they can feel a special energy pouring through the singing...that's the kind of feedback that makes it all worth while for me!
And what’s the moment you want to forget?
I've already forgotten it.
If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
Well, that is where I'm a bit of an odd fish....not able
to do that. Hence this album: LOVE AND PASSION COLOURS OF MY SOUL. Throughout my piano/singing career, I have had
times where I've focused specifically just on one genre - jazz/pop & R&B/country/world
music/classical/alternative/spiritual, etc. However, the whole of my life and musical journey has brought me to this place. All
the different kinds of music/languages/cultures have been what has enabled me to connect with all
the colours of my soul into one varied tapestry and they all make up me and my music today.
I think it is that journey of deeper connection within myself through these songs
that is holding a place of special energy for the listeners.
Where can we listen to it?
New Album just released, so we are just ramping up for
marketing last week and this.
Several radio stations, including streaming internet stations globally, have said they will be playing.
www.janebakken.com main website
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/janebakken4
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/janebakken2
Twitter @CarmenRose12 - Click on Tweets and Replies for many tweets of song previews and YouTube clips https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NE26UGzL7bE
This is a preview of Track 1 on new album: Broadway cover from Jekyll & Hyde
I normally do not include this for airplay, however, globally, it is getting more interest along with I Send You Love (one of my originals from Christmas album) probably due to holiday season.
Several radio stations, including streaming internet stations globally, have said they will be playing.
www.janebakken.com main website
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/janebakken4
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/janebakken2
Twitter @CarmenRose12 - Click on Tweets and Replies for many tweets of song previews and YouTube clips https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NE26UGzL7bE
This is a preview of Track 1 on new album: Broadway cover from Jekyll & Hyde
I normally do not include this for airplay, however, globally, it is getting more interest along with I Send You Love (one of my originals from Christmas album) probably due to holiday season.
Where can we find out more about your music?
Both new album and Holiday album available for
purchase and downloads through all CD Baby download partners: CD
BABY, Amazon, iTunes, Shazam, etc.
Friday, 21 November 2014
(i am) isis Q&A
Your name:
isis.
Where are you from?
I’m Newark-born, Minneapolis-raised and now residing in
Brooklyn.
Name of band:
(i am) isis.
Who else is in your band?
Diamond Dave (guitar), Isaac Childs (keys), Manny
Mavrakis (drums) and Mike Koltosky (bass)
How would you describe yourselves?
We’re an eclectic rock band infused with elements of
soul, spoken word, blues and everything in between.
Who are your main influences musically?
Well, since our our individual core genres are all over
the place, so are our influences from metal and blues to soul and classical
music. For instance, Isaac’s jazz influences include Dave Brubeck, D’Angelo
and Ahmad Jamal. And Mike is totally classical and is inspired by Croatian
virtuosa classical guitarist, Ana Vidovic (random right?). Personally, I’m moved by all
things authentic and honest, so most of my faves are emerging or underground artists.
Outside of that, all the icons ever. Seriously. There’s something magical about
music before it become so mechanically commodified. I do love the creative depth
of genrebending artists like CeeLo and Andre 3000. I also love P!nk and Macy
Gracy definitely interests me. The type of artists who continue to reinvent
themselves in the midst of such a cookiecutter industry. I think that’s where we are and
want to exist in a space where can continue to grow and challenge our sonic
senses.
What do you hope to achieve in music?
To reach a level of freedom in our
art where we can make good music, tour and live off of our works and not be
worried about the cost of its creation or how to market it. That would be a blessing.
What has been the highlight of your career so far, and
why?
Every experience brings new highlights. Right now, it’s
our first all-band EP that we’re releasing later this month. Over the past two
years, it was just bits and pieces. Some things worked and some didn’t. Now, we’re
a solid unit that I hope will continue to reflect different colors, sounds and
senses as we grow and experience life and music.
And what’s the moment you want to forget?
Well, we have completely erased from our memory an
extended road trip to play one of the most disorganized and disappointing festivals
I’ve ever attended. And it’s sad, too, because I was called a “diva” for
expecting the basics that we were promised like a working PA and microphone. But, that’s
life and we move forward to bigger and better always!
If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your
music, what would it be and why?
That’s impossible! Each song represents a piece of our
mosaic. They’re only one part of the reflection that is us. Given that, our latest
track “Take It Back” is a great representation until you hear our next release, and
then the next one.
Where can we listen to it?
You can hear our latest track on soundcloud at soundcloud.com/iamisis/take-it-back
Where can we find out more about your music?
Check out our main site at www.iamisis.com.
You can also find us on all the major social media
platforms:
Anything else you’d like to say about your band/music
that I forgot to ask?
Our EP, Mosaic, will be released digitally November 28
and we can’t wait!
Sunday, 22 December 2013
Nina Yasmineh Q&A
Your name:
Nina Yasmineh.
Where are you from?
Originally from Minneapolis, MN and now living in
Brooklyn.
How would you describe yourself?
A singer-songwriter who makes darkly romantic, ethereal
indie pop.
Who are your main influences musically?
Hard to choose just a few but Florence + the Machine,
Ellie Goulding and Corinne Bailey Rae have been pretty strong influences for me
over the last couple of years.
What do you hope to achieve in music?
I mean, I wouldn't mind winning a Grammy at some point
down the road but mainly I just want to continue putting out music, to always
be improving and moving forward and to have more and more people hear and like
the music I'm making.
What has been the highlight of your career so far, and
why?
Probably making the Seven Years EP and having it receive
such positive reviews- I wrote, recorded and produced the EP by myself without
any real prior producing experience so to have it actually end up sounding the
way I originally heard it in my head and to have so many people like it was
very gratifying.
And what’s the moment you want to forget?
Well, I don't have any horror stories but there were a
few rather embarrassing performance mishaps that happened earlier on
when I was just starting out, dropped picks and things like that, that still
occasionally make me cringe...
If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent
your music, what would it be and why?
"Seven Years", the title track off the EP- It's
sort of like my mission statement in terms of my vision for myself and my music
and the heavy keyboard, mystical synth vibes are a good representation of the
overall sound of the EP.
Where can we listen to it?
Where can we find out more about your music?
Friday, 30 August 2013
The Buddy Jack Band Q&A
Your name:
Bud Brown.
Where are you from?
Pequot Lakes, Minnesota – originally
from San Diego, California.
Name of band:
The Buddy Jack Band.
Who else is in your band?
Primarily
it’s just me these days but I’ve been playing music for awhile so there are a few songs on the TBJB
page that feature and incorporate many other artists; some famous and some not. There is one of my
older pop songs ‘Alabama’ on the RN page sung by R.B. Greaves of ‘Take a Letter Maria” and “Always Something
There to Remind Me” fame a number of years ago as a label demo.
How would you describe yourselves?
The premier
Electroclassic music maker in the world; The Buddy Jack Band’s electronic instrumental creations tantalize
the very depths of the listener’s mental canvas and paint colorful and dramatic tonal images; apparitions
that are full of real life experiences and emotions. Every one of our compositions is carefully
crafted and produced to deliver passion and vision to our listeners in a very personal way. We want this to be the musical score that
will let our listener’s imaginations run wild or if they so desire it will
artfully fashion a casual and unobtrusive background ambiance for private time with friends or loved
ones. The right instrumental music in
the background will enhance and improve conversations. When the mood and
the right song is playing, you might find that you have the desire to get up and start dancing.
We know that we’re not going to be everyone’s first
choice of music for every occasion; and that’s OK. Everybody has to find their own space and time to enjoy
music; be it our music or any music for that matter. To fully
enjoy our musical experience to its fullest we recommend that the listener find
a quiet moment when they can put the world aside, slip on a
comfortable set of full range headphones, close their eyes, relax and enjoy the full sound range of what
will quickly become familiar tunes and rhythms; launching a new and exciting journey with every song. We
welcome everyone to the world of lyrical and ethereal expeditions; journeys filled with adventure,
emotion, and even the occasional sweet taste of serenity. It’s
really music that you can reach out and touch with your mind if you let
yourself go.
This isn’t just music – whether it’s the focus of a
listening experience or just background enhancement these remarkable Electroclassic compositions will make
you feel good about yourself, the world, and everything around you. Our music is different than the
rest. It is mood music; music to make you feel better; no prescription needed. It's that simple...all we
ask of anyone is please give it a try.
Who are your main influences musically?
It’s not so much who in particular is an
influence but what type of music has influenced and still influences me
personally. The single most influential person for me historically would probably be Art Farmer as listening
to him years ago convinced me to switch from trumpet which was my main instrument at the time to
Flugelhorn; which then quickly became the instrument love of my life along with mellow jazz.
Someone once commented on the ‘ElectroClassic’ style of
The Buddy Jack Band and our current compositions and ask how I personally got to the point of
writing this type of music. After thinking about it for a few seconds what came to me was "I suppose
that's what happens when you start off being trained in classical/orchestral music starting at four
years old, marched through years of military music and then get kicked into contemporary jazz to have fun
playing, bounced into rock n' roll with electric trumpet and rock festivals while trying all the while to
support your musical habit with a steady run of big band James Brown style R&B..." They said “Yeah; that makes perfect sense, a
recipe for arriving at an original sound."
What do you hope to achieve in music?
As simplistic as it
might sound, what I personally want is the largest audience of people around the world listening
to TBJB music and really enjoying it; letting it make their lives better in some way. I want to see this
through downloads and plays of TBJB music and the eventual incorporation of compositions and segments
into movies, advertisements and other media as background.
Seeing live performances of the music by great musicians
is another distant but potentially achievable goal. I’d ultimately like to use Sibelius software to
create sheet music so the songs can performed live.
But in the long run whatever happens, the knowledge of
others enjoying the music will in fact bring the greatest sense of achievement. In creating this music
and The Buddy Jack Band ElectroClassic style I am leaving something tangible and memorable for my two
daughters; something they will have with them to remember and hopefully share with their
children. And of lesser but still
relevant significance; a modicum of income from the music would also be
acceptable.
What has been the highlight of your career so far, and
why?
The highlight of my career with The Buddy Jack Band has been seeing the volume of remarkably
positive comments from some incredibly talented musicians on ReverbNation, SoundCloud, YouTube and
MySpace. The lifetime highlight of my personal career was to be able to work with and become close
friends with R.B. Greaves. He was one of the finest friends I have ever had and taught me so much about music
and life. I am still incredibly distressed at the fact that he died of cancer last September; at such a
young age. I’ve worked with a lot of musicians and I am convinced that he was one of the great singers
of our time; but unfortunately for a number of reasons too few people ever got to experience his
greatness. Having him as a friend and
mentor was definitely the most significant highlight.
And what’s the moment you want to forget?
I’m going
to be completely serious about this: once I worked with a show band doing Las Vegas ‘lounge music and
comedy’ and traveling around the country. We weren’t necessarily very good or funny but I was a
sideman getting union wages and housing so it was a good gig. The most remarkable thing about this
group was that once the audience had a couple of
drinks in them the music got better and the jokes funnier
(to the audience anyway).
Well for one week the agency booked us into what was
definitely the wrong venue in the South. It was a very large and impressive/expensive restaurant and show
lounge. It was huge with cloth covered tables, a huge bar with electronics, and even a creek
running through it with little bridges and all. It started off well enough and the audience enjoyed the
music we played during the dinner hour but when ‘Showtime’ started things changed quickly. Part of
the act was a segment where the drummer dressed up in a full gorilla costume and ran through the
audience. To most drunk businessmen in a secluded hotel lounge (our usual fare) this was funny;
but to the ‘fancy’ and ‘proper’ crowd at this establishment the whole thing was perceived as ‘rude’ and
‘crude’.
The first show set ended with the gorilla skit.
Immediately after the curtain closed the owner/manager of the club came up to the band leader and told him that
the group was one of the worst groups he had ever booked in his lifetime and that we needed to keep it
‘more acceptable’ or we would be fired ‘union or not’. Well that
pissed off the band leader and during our break he created another ‘gorilla’
skit and we opened the second set with the curtain going up to him
standing in the center of the stage in full costume making noises and jumping around. He then proceeded to jump off the stage and
run quickly through the crowd who were sitting at the cloth covered
dining tables. He would pick up drinks from them and pour them into his costume and sit in ladies
laps and numerous other things he knew would piss off the owner.
Before he was no more than two or three minutes into this
‘new act’ the owner climbed up on the stage, grabbed the microphone and said to the crowd “this
is the worst and most disgusting band and show I have ever seen. Please accept my apology and know that I have fired them and they will
be leaving the building immediately.” At that point the
sedate audience broke into loud cheers, whistles and applause supporting the knowledge that we were being
fired. We immediately stopped, closed the curtain, packed up our instruments and headed out the
back door. I didn’t read it but I heard that there was an article in the ‘Entertainment’ section of
the local paper the next day describing the whole incident.
I have never been back to that city; nor do I plan to go.
So, what do you think would you want to remember that?
If you had to choose just one of your songs to represent
your music, what would it be and why?
It's hard to pick just one because so much thought goes
into the development of every one of them and each is so completely different. But because you want me
to pick just one I will pick 'Sidewalks' because of how the piece flows to create such a wonderful visual
image of city sidewalks as they start empty at the break of day and become increasingly more crowded
and busy as the day wears on. You get peaceful and mellow sounds, unusual instruments, some
light Jazz, strong rhythms and some powerful electronic sounds all mixed together just like the cacophony
you find on a city sidewalk. It seduces you gently and slowly building until it’s really cranking
then it lets you down just as peacefully and gently as it started.
'Sidewalks' as a part of the 'CityScape' album (along
with every song in that album) paints a musical image of an integral part of life in the mythical
CityScape city. I like the sound and feel of cool Jazz and I was able to incorporate that along with a woodsy flute
and tenor sax into the initial movements of the piece creating the feeling of a city waking up. One of my favorite segments is the Steel Drum
band playing in the park in the middle of the city for the
lunchtime crowd. I hope you enjoy it; hey I hope everyone enjoys it.
Here are the EB notes for that composition from the album
– “As the sun softly rises over the city the barren sidewalks are quiet and peaceful places. As the
sun continues to spread its light and warmth over the area you notice the store owners beginning to
prepare for the day; cleaning and washing the sidewalks getting ready for their upcoming business
everything adding to the activity. As the day grows elder the walkways become increasingly livelier and are
soon overflowing with throngs of people moving swiftly but dedicatedly to their ultimate destinations.
Throughout the day things may slow down a little except for the always vigilant street musicians and
vendors and before the onslaught of hasty lunchtime activities. Things then calm a little but at the end of
the day these human thoroughfares are once again filled with the sounds of activity; eventually ending the
day on the same quiet but not foreboding note upon which it all began. Sidewalks; take another look,
they are very interesting places if you let them be.”
Where can we listen to it?
Where can we find out more about your music?
Anything else you’d like to say that I forgot to ask?
Greg, yes and thank for asking we’d like everyone to know that TBJB is wrapping up the final few songs for the Audiot album (meditative melodic trance rhythms) and is preparing for the official release later in 2013. When completed the album will be available as downloaded MP3s initially and CDs later. The Homecoming album is respectfully dedicated to the memories we all have of coming home after living away for the first time in our lives. Homecomings are always interesting as is the composition of this album which features more of the film type of genre. Artistic juices are flowing and work is underway and everything is expected to be finished before the scheduled 2014 full release. Individual songs are available and will continue to be available for sale as they are released as downloadable MP3s.
Greg, yes and thank for asking we’d like everyone to know that TBJB is wrapping up the final few songs for the Audiot album (meditative melodic trance rhythms) and is preparing for the official release later in 2013. When completed the album will be available as downloaded MP3s initially and CDs later. The Homecoming album is respectfully dedicated to the memories we all have of coming home after living away for the first time in our lives. Homecomings are always interesting as is the composition of this album which features more of the film type of genre. Artistic juices are flowing and work is underway and everything is expected to be finished before the scheduled 2014 full release. Individual songs are available and will continue to be available for sale as they are released as downloadable MP3s.
The Whirled Peas album (a play on words but something we
nonetheless want to see) is a collection of songs that are more focus on the musical and rhythmic
fringes of Hip Hop, Dance and House electronic music. Two songs
are currently available and there is no scheduled date for release of this
'work in progress' album. New instruments and software are being
acquired in order to complete this project.
Wednesday, 26 June 2013
Autumn release for Polica
POLIÇA will return with their second album ‘Shulamith’ this autumn.The album also includes a new mix of current single ‘Tiff’, a slice of brooding R&B inflicted pop with lead singer Channy Leaneagh sharing vocal duties with Justin Vernon of Bon Iver.
The band's debut album ‘Give You The Ghost’ was one of 2012’s standout debut albums with every single released being A listed at 6 Music and with ‘Dark Star’ and ‘Lay Your Cards Out’ getting playlisted on Radio 1, as well as ‘Record Of The Week’ accolades coming from Zane Lowe, Huw Stephens and Fearne Cotton.
Having just played the XX’s Night And Day Festival, they return to the UK in August for two special shows at Jodrell Bank with Siguar Ros and the End Of The Road Festival alongside other European dates.
They will also be performing two nights at NYC’s Radio City Music Hall with the XX on September 23rd and 24th.
To find out more about the band from Minneapolis, Minnesota, visit www.thisispolica.com
Sunday, 2 June 2013
The Phoenix Philosophy Q&A
Your name:I’m Stephanie Thorup, I play guitar and do some vocals.
Where are you
from?
We’re based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
We’re based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
Name
of band:
The Phoenix Philosophy.
Who
else is in your band?
Jesse Weber – Vocals/Keys
Daniel Schmitt – Bass
Ketan Kulkarni – Drums
Daniel Schmitt – Bass
Ketan Kulkarni – Drums
How
would you describe yourselves?
This question is usually the hardest for me when people ask, but we can very
easily be described as an energetic, electronically driven rock/pop band.
Who
are your main influences musically?
We take a lot of influence from Pendulum, Innerpartysystem, Shiny Toy Guns,
Fall Out Boy, Anberlin, and Acceptance.
What
do you hope to achieve in music?
All we could ever ask for is to have as many people possible listen to and
enjoy our music. We’re working to gain some more momentum around the Midwest
and hopefully take over the world.
What
has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?
The release of our latest EP, Leap of Faith, is my personal biggest highlight,
and I think the rest of the band can definitely agree with me. We worked really
hard for over a year, putting all of our effort into writing the best music
we’ve released as a band.
And
what’s the moment you want to forget?
A
few years ago, we played a show in Grantsburg, SD. The weather was really
terrible that night and on the way back, our van broke down. We waited until
the next available tow truck was available at 6am on a Sunday to bring all of us
back to Minneapolis. The ride home was cramped and spirits were really down,
but we were able to get our van fixed for fairly cheap after finding the right
repair guy and we learned what to do the next time we experience issues like
that.
If
you could choose just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it
be and why?
I’d say Stars in the Sky. It brings together every element of what makes us
unique: it’s catchy, great back and forth between male and female vocals, mixes
in electronics, and both heavy and light when it needs to be. It’s the
song on the release that I’m personally most proud of. I had only warmed up to
singing live for a year or so and I was nervous about having my vocals live in
records forever. Everyone who’s heard the EP has had nothing but nice things to
say about it, which makes me a more confident vocalist and makes me excited for
when we start writing for the next release.
Where
can we listen to it?
Our latest release and some other old gems are currently up on Spotify -
http://open.spotify.com/album/6zsYyRtZu9ox2YX5AfO7ac
http://open.spotify.com/album/6zsYyRtZu9ox2YX5AfO7ac
Where
can we find out more about your music?
We’ve got accounts on pretty much every site you can think of:
http://www.thephoenixphilosophy.com
http://www.facebook.com/thephoenixphilosophy
http://www.soundcloud.com/thephoenixphilosophy
http://www.reverbnation.com/thephoenixphilosophy
http://www.youtube.com/user/thephoenixphilosophy
Twitter/Instagram: @tpptheband
http://www.thephoenixphilosophy.com
http://www.facebook.com/thephoenixphilosophy
http://www.soundcloud.com/thephoenixphilosophy
http://www.reverbnation.com/thephoenixphilosophy
http://www.youtube.com/user/thephoenixphilosophy
Twitter/Instagram: @tpptheband
Anything
else you’d like to say about your band that I forgot to ask?
Leap of Faith is available now for physical purchase from our Bigcartel merch
store. It’s also out on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and all other digital music
retailers. If you like what you hear, your support would mean the world to us.
Also, thanks a
lot for taking the time out to interview us. We’re endlessly appreciative.
Thursday, 9 May 2013
THE HUSH Q&A
Band name:THE HUSH.
Who are you and where are you from?
All members reside in the Los Angeles area but we originally hail from all over the US. Jazmine Giovanni (singer) was born in Honolulu; both guitar players, Lee Landrum and Greg Pajer, were raised in Northern California but didn't know each other until THE HUSH was born. Andrew James (bass) has roots in Idaho while Blake Paulson (drums) is from Minnesota.
How would you describe the band/the music?
Lee: Everybody in THE HUSH has a lot of experience on and off stage. It's great to work in a room full of pros, we get down to business quickly.
Jazmine: Musically we are modern rock with an edge.
Who are your main influences musically?
Jazmine: Michael Jackson, Freddie Mercury, Prince, NIN, Amy Winehouse.
Lee: All the guitar greats. Steve Vai, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Watriani, Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robin Trower. The list goes on.
What do you hope to achieve in music?
Jazmine: We'd love, more than anything, to really outdo ourselves at every turn, growing as writers and expanding our creative capabilities.
What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?
Jazmine: There have been many. We receive such amazing feedback from the press and from the fans. Our highlight is really seeing the effect of our music and having the opportunity to share that.
Lee: Once together, we took off and running really quickly. Within a matter of months we wrote new tunes, started playing shows in Hollywood and recorded our first EP. Going into our fourth year, we are still a relatively new band and are working on our first full length album and our next video. I'm really proud of the progress and material we've created so far and feel the biggest highlights are still in front of us.
And what’s the moment you want to forget?
Jazmine: I could do without playing small venues with horrific sound systems ever again. There's a few nights I'd like to forget. Granted, there is a certain charm in paying your dues in this way within a band, just not enough charm, sadly.
If you could choose just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
Lee: The fan favorite is still So Hollywood, off our EP, Scene of the Crime. That song has great guitar riffs, a catchy melody and really good lyrics. We've come a long way since recording that song but it still resonates with all.
Where can we listen to it?
Official Website: http://www.thehushrockband.
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/
CDBaby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/
Where can we find out more about your music?
Official Website: http://www.thehushrockband.
YouTube: http://youtu.be/X3CX9GUNbMU
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/
Reverbnation: http://www.reverbnation.com/
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/
CDBaby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/
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