Of course there are high moments and low moments on the road, but overall there were a lot more of the classic moments that make you smile when you remember them than there were bad. To walk into a bar a thousand miles away from home that is filled with people who have never heard of your music and have no idea who you are is a little overwhelming at times. But at the end of the night having those same people buy CDs and t-shirts, offer you a place to stay and go out of their way to try and help you in any way they can is absolutely amazing!
This tour we were on the road for about a month and a half, we started out in Ruidoso, New Mexico went up into Oklahoma and then made our way across the Southern States going all the way to Florida before looping up into Georgia and then making our way back to Texas through Tennessee.
We have a lot of memorable stories from the road! One of them was in Albuquerque, NM. We performed at a house party and it was right around Albuquerque’s “Annual Wine Festival”. There was a guy who had been outside at the Wine Fest all day and he had ended up really badly sunburned. By the time he got to the party he’d also had a little too much to drink and didn’t seem to understand why his face hurt. He kept walking up to us after we had finished playing asking us to touch his face and figure out what was wrong. We told him he was sunburned but he wouldn’t believe us. He was very persistent until we finally told him, “Look, dude. We’re not going to touch your face”.
100% - Kid Koala
Kid koala is a mixing, ones and twos, dj-ing, graphic noveling, film making, machine of a man. His music articulates power and feeling through a wide array of mashups and independent projects. Montreal born, he's opened for the likes of Radiohead and Bjork in international venues. From project to project, he tries to maintain a level of innovation to keep his mind fresh and creativity flowing. A must listen.
Please check out his site and all of his music.
AS: How did 2009 treat you? Take our readers through the year, on the turn tables, in the comic world, and life in general. Anecdotes are added bonuses.
KK: 2009 was a bit of a blur but a lot of fun. In the middle of winter we started this new night in Montreal called "Music To Draw To... " It was an evening of quiet time records and everyone was invited to bring something to draw, knit, write, sculpt or whatever. My wife Corinne had a little bake shop and where she was able to test her new baking recipes. Everyone got a cup of hot chocolate and a pencil when they arrived. It was so inspiring to see all those people simultaneously working on such creative things. After that we went took the event to New York, Los Angeles and Toronto.
In the summer, a group of our friends decided to get together and shoot a live action version of the Nufonia Must Fall book. So we built a life size robot suit and a small crew of us ran the city shooting the robo-rom-com starring our friends Julie (malorie) and Paul (the robot). Hilarious.
After that we started to prepare for The Slew tour. So I spent a lot of time in the studio cutting custom vinyl records that we would use to recreate the tracks live on stage. We were joined on stage by Myles Heskett and Chris Ross on bass and drums and my friend Dj P-love was there to share scratch duties. It was a crazy rock show with 6 turntables, bass and drums. There were mosh pits at all of the shows. That was a first for me... Definitely a fun way to round out the year.
Corinne and I chased our baby daughter around and watched her grow and crack people up to no end. It was definitely an exciting year.
AS: What should we expect in 2010?
KK: We will be bringing The Slew to the UK and Europe and eventually back to North America. Also, I will be doing a new version of Short Attention Span Theater show with Dj P-love and Lederhosen Lucil in Vancouver as part of the 2010 Winter Olympics Cultural Olympiad. Other than that, I am trying to finish drawing and scoring the new Space Cadet book.
AS: Could you take us through the process for creating a track? Do you find you have an idea of what the end product will be or do you find yourself stumbling upon the tracks?
KK: Often, I'll have an idea of what I'd like to try making in the studio. For Some of My Best Friends ar DJs, I wanted to do a completely hand cut turntable version of Basin Street Blues. Once I decided that, I tried to find solo instruments holding single notes (woodwinds, horns and strings etc.) Then I take those single notes and bend them into other notes by hand and stack them up to make chords. It's kind of like strange lego music that way. I like that twisted sound the turntable. It adds a character that sounds a bit surreal.
AS: Do you find Montreal comes out in your music? If yes, how so? What city do you find is producing the greatest music and dj's.
KK: I think the music I've recorded here has been a product of the Montreal environment for sure. It's got a very supportive community of people with many artists and creative types so it's easy to be inspired by the people here. Also, the weather forces everyone to hide in their studios all winter. When it's winter time I always feel like recording quiet music but when it's summer time I like to bring up the tempo and cut loose a little.
I don't know what city is the best for music but who really cares? The world's kind of all one big city anyway. As long as the people out there are enjoying themselves while they're making and playing their music, I'm all for it!
AS: It seems like a lot of comics and graphic novels now use filler issues to pass the time. What does the industry need to do to promote plot development across new issues or is this sheerly in the readers' hands?
KK: I guess for some people there's this pressure to turn something out every few months. Both in music and books, I'm drawn to doing projects or using techniques that are quite labor/time intensive. To me, it's all about having fun and learning through the process... so I try to stretch that "process time" out as much as I can... in my mind it equals more fun... but by industry standards, I guess it's way too slow. Making records through these techniques is always going to take longer than traditional methods. It's kind of like making animated film or something. The end product may be too esoteric for some audiences but if you look/listen carefully, hopefully you can see/hear all the smiles we had making the stuff along the way.
AS: What artist is currently revolutionizing music? What are they doing to separate themselves from the crowd?
KK: Keyboard Money Mark! I recently visited his studio in Los Angeles. His studio is packed with every instrument, old school audio gadget, noisemaker, and effect imaginable as well as all of the traditional pianos, organs, guitars, drums, vibraphones, you name it! and he promises he's going to use everything on his next album which will sort of be his magnum opus. He was showing me how he is currently using cassettes to deejay... And also how he can flip old telephone test tone equipment to play melodies. That guy can bend a melody and story out of anything. And it all has his signature soul to it. Whether he's singing or playing keyboards or drums or whatever he gets his hands on, he always does it with that Money Mark style. I can't wait to hear what he comes with.
AS: As someone that crosses multiple media to fill their creative itch, what medium are you most drawn to as 1) a creator of art and 2) an observer of art?
KK: I just try to find those zone moments no matter what it is. Sometimes it happens when I'm playing live on stage, Sometimes it's that rush you get when the ideas are flowing at the drawing desk, sometimes it's that lucky accident that happens in the recording studio that surprises you and makes you say "WICKED!!!."
As an observer, I like anything that kind of makes you forget where you are and makes time kind of slow down. Sometimes you can get that reading a book, other times from a film or a perfect song.
AS: Is there anything else you would like to share with the ArtStar community?
KK: The Space Cadet tour/book/soundtrack is on it's way... It's the quiet lullaby-type project I've been working on. For the tour, everyone in the audience will get a pair of headphones and hopefully a beanbag to sit on.
Hello Disco - Ze!
I am Glam - Ze
A feisty chick that's emerging as a vibrant trend setter and innovative musician, Ze! pops in as a force to be reckoned with in 2010. With a synth-pop club sound, the MIA comparisons are limited but her individual touch and boy lusting streams through her songs and art. Take a sec and enjoy our chat with the lovely Ze!
AS: Right now, who do you think is revolutionizing music a)globally and in b) Kuala Lumpur? Why do you think so? What are they doing differently than the rest of the crowd?
Ze!: In Malaysia, I'd say KRU, a boy-band of 3 brothers who've been around for more than 15 years and are still creating changes in the Malaysian industry not only with music but also with movies. Globally, I think artists like Madonna, Kanye West and MIA are revolutionizing not just music but image as well. They're distinctive and I guess you gotta be made of steel and be a little crazy to put yourself out there and make a stand. While everyone else seem to want to follow trends, they don't listen and wait for trends to happen but get out there and create their own.
AS: Could you recap this past year; where you've performed, who you've met, songs you wrote and any effects that the journey has had on your music?
Ze!: This has been a good year! I did the European tour in July and opened for Chicks on Speed and Afrikan Boy, performed at Reebok's Pump Up 20th anniversary party in Berlin, collaborated with many talented producers and got 2 of my songs picked up by MTV. I simply can't complain. Not so much this year, because the journey that has created a lot of change for myself and my music was actually in 2008 where I spent a whole summer in UK and Europe going to the biggest music festivals like Glastonbury, V festival, etc. We don't have these sort of festivals back in KL and I can't quite imagine Malaysians camping out in the mud just to see their favorite bands play. So just being around this energy and experiencing the craziness has helped me grow so much as an artist.
AS: When is your next album release and tour? For both of those, what are you most excited about?
Ze: My album is scheduled for release this January and working on a tour in the summer. As I would tell my friends, it is a complete nightmare getting these things together and I work my butt off but in the end it is worth every tear and sweat! Having the album would be great tool getting my music out there and sharing it with the world; and touring is always an adventure, i love discovering new places and making new friends.
AS: Could you describe your recording experience thus far? Who did you work with: producers, clowns, musicians? Any words of wisdom?
Ze: Being in the studio can be fun and it can be very stressful as well. I studied at SAE so it's good to know the ins and outs of a recording studio as an artist because I know what it's also like to be on the other end of the room pressing the record button. I've been in the studio with producers, musicians, voice-over talents and there's really nothing glamorous about it. But being a part of creating something new is a great feeling, and it's beautiful. Words of wisdom? Always come prepared!
AS: Over the past few months what are some of the road blocks/ difficult times you’ve over come. What did you learn about yourself and the music industry?
Ze!: The past few months have been difficult, because I made the decision to leave the fashion line entirely to my sister now so I can focus full-time on my music. I spent sleepless days and nights thinking and doing research, but mostly I was listening to my instincts. It's been an eye-opener and I wonder why it took me so long to finally do this. I guess, without realizing it, I was doubting myself and I learned that there really is just one person and one thing only that can stop you from getting to your dreams and that is you and you alone. The music industry is tough, as all kinds of show businesses are, which is what makes it so damn irresistable!
AS: Your style really allows you to stand out from the crowd, where do you look for new ideas and inspiration for your threads?
Ze!: Thank you. I don't think I go out of my way to get ideas, I mostly like to browse about at the most random of places and if something catches my eye I’ll get it. And then it's about mixing and matching those things together which is the fun part. But I do like reading or watching something that has nothing to do with music or fashion whatsoever and then put the 2 together to create something new.
AS: What life experience(s) comes through the most in your music? How are you able to manifest it in your music?
Ze!: My love life and my contradicting need to be accepted. I'm a very passionate person and I put all of me into just about everything I do. It's actually a rather dangerous way to live because when you're hurt you're really broken, but when it's good it's really really good. I can't really write what I can't feel. I'm probably most honest when I'm writing music. And instead of it making me feel vulnerable or exposed, it gives me relief like a huge burden taken off my shoulders and that keeps me moving forward.
AS: Is there anything you would like to tell our readers?
Ze!: Thanks for reading and have a kick ass 2010!
Check Ze! on her webpage and myspace.
As always, sample the cuts here but buy now!
The Nurses
I just want to preface this post with the announcement that we have finally caught up with the rest of the design world and implemented Lightbox. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, just click the pictures to find out.
Opening up the set was a scraggly bunch that, despite their rough appearance, put together a lovely few tunes. I am going to put them in a sub indie pop category called "melodic merriment." Combining sounds of gentleness and lust to create repetitive caresses on the ear. Digitally, good background music, live a sight to see and rock to.
During the beer they talked about how they alternate going first with The Brunettes and today was their day as the second band. It was neither good nor bad but just was a fact of the road. They headed back and we had another brew and moved inside.
Despite the long journey, their performance did not suffer. I would classify this as "starring at your knee and heel bouncing goodness" where you stare at your knee and heel and can't help but bounce. Catchy songs like "Lolita" filled the air and kept the feet tapping.
To be fair, and we're all about being fair here, I was at the show for The Brunettes. Those swanky New Zealanders are so ZANNY! But TMTS proved to me, they are a stand alone performance. With a true lead man in Scott Reitherman, Secretly Canadian Records has a band that will be riding the touring train for a while.
With high expectations comes supreme delight or disaster.
Supreme delight hit me that fall evening. And I promise you, it wasn't just the accents.
The two ladies rocked the keyboards. The guys rocked the hand-helds. Jonathan Bree and Heather Mansfield combine for quiet explosions of bliss on the mics. Beyond great performances of "Loopy Love" and "Red Rollerskates" the song of the night went to their incredible cover of The Cure's "Lovesong." Upon review, I found the studio version and the live did not touch it. The synth was simple, the vocal effects minimal and the emotion provoked by The Cure was brought out ten fold with Heather's eyes and voice. Amazing.
Thanks for amazing shows and mainly giving me an excuse to play with Lightbox.
Fire Clean by Pflames
Please Play my Demo by Pflames
I Won't Stop Rocking by Pflames
AS: Whats the story behind the stage name: Pflames?
AS: Could you recap this past year; Where you've performed, who you've met, rhymes you wrote and any effects that the journey has had on your music?
When I think of this guy: I can't help but think of a quiet tenacity. An unfailing impulse to get things done wrapped inside a simple joy for life.
I have lived with Cody, road tripped to Florida with Cody, camped with Cody, ran 150 member arts organization with Cody, gotten mono from Cody, rocked out with Cody, gotten drunk with Cody, and take full credit for Cody's current relationship (yes the drunken phone call freshman year really might have ruined it. Note to all readers - friends don't let friends drunk dial).
However, the great thing about my experiences with Cody is that they aren't unique.
Many of our readers who know Cody can create a similar list - it is just incredibly difficult to be around Cody Elder and not do something fun.
A college football players turned patron of the arts, Cody is the heart and soul of Art Star.
Simply put, you wouldn't be reading this blog if it wasn't for him.
So today we salute you, good sir.
Hope you have the best of birthdays.
Hell yeah.
Fuck yeah.
Ahhhwwaaaooooooo!
Love,
Art Star
Check out The Best of Cody Elder:
The Music Industry: Trendy Schiznit, Can Your Business Model Work?
Clicking Around With Music: DJ Bam Bam
Clicking Around With Music: Samantha Crain
Clicking Around With Music: Teen Wolf
Clicking Around With Music: Lori Kirk
Clicking Around With Music: Paleface
Megaman, I feel Your Pain
now in theatres: juneau
point and shoot: the sun is bright in my eyes
my olympic heroes part 4: pass the torch
What can we say about Matt Hayes that hasn't been said already?
He is one of the few people who have the academic discipline, raw creativity, humility, and depth of spirit to actually transcend both genre, place, and time.
Matt Hayes is the type of man that the great Greek writers of yore would spin plays and epic poems about.
One can't help but imagine Homer writing, "Tell me, O Muse, of the god-like Matt Hayes" and his journey to get back home.
In fact, much of Matt Hayes can be defined by his journey for home. A resident of at least 5 different states, from Nebraska to Virginia to North Carolina to Texas to California - there is a physical and tragic nature to this search.
But perhaps most importantly it is the idea of "home" being a collection of people who are like you and accept you that becomes the most haunting journey for Matt.
For who, really, is like Matt Hayes? Who's appetites, knowledge of all things cool and cutting edge, hipness, fashion sensibility, work ethic, and ability to create beautiful things can rival this artistic genius?
Winner of the most prestigious undergraduate scholarship in this country, the Bill and Melinda Gates scholarship, this filmmaker, journalist, fashionista, lover of German, cultural critic, and all-around great guy can be found interviewing celebs at red carpet premiers, writing for the L.A. Times, and hopefully, soon, at a theater near you.
Happy Birthday Matthew Winfred Hayes III!
May your journey continue indeed.
Until then, enjoy the best of Matt Hayes on Art Star:
1. A Moderate, To Dazzingly Awesome, Smoothie - pure vintage Matt Hayes, not really having to do with anything, except making a great smoothie. No pretension, just real.
2. When Cool Kids Implode - for my money, one of the best Art Star posts of all time.
3. The Only Difference Between Us and Them is money - truer words have never been spoken.
4. Omar Miller Is A Fucking Giant, part 1 - first of many celeb interviews
5. Weekend Jamz Part 1 - this post actually won an award from Imeem. Seriously.
6. Omar Miller Is A Fucking Giant, part 2 - the citizen cope section is priceless.
7. Shit I Wrote When I Woke Up Part 1 - the weird gets weirder.
8. Merry Christmas You Animals - just an inspiring list.
9. Clicking Around With Music: Savage - a hip hop interview just for kicks.
10. Art Star Interviews Cederic The Entertainer - mmm he interviewed Cederic the Entertainer.
We are so honored to have such a talented and noble individual blogging for us.
Happy Birthday Matt!
love,
Art Star
DB: I'd be stuck to this interview and I would say READ ME!
DB: Chocolate chip cookie dough
DB: The Roots
DB: Bad Boy Bill
DB: Guitar
DB: Character, because at the end of the day, each candidate will make try and make you believe they are fighting for what's right for the American people, and the majority of the time they are lying through their teeth just to get votes. I just want to see a politician not look like a complete ass or idiot.
DB: It was a DJ nickname that was given to me in grade school. At first, I was known as Dave "Bam Bam" Boenzi, but eventually I dropped my given name and threw a DJ at the front of Bam Bam.
DB: Crookers. These guys are a production powerhouse and are bangin' out tracks left and right. They don't use the typical sounds you hear in every other dance record, which is what drew my attention to them in the first place. They aren't afraid to be diffferent.
DB: Everything. It could be an image, a color, an everyday sound. Someone could say something to me and a light will pop on in my head, and the subject doesn't necessarily have to be about music.
DB: My parents listened to 50's and 60's Rock 'n' Roll. I was exposed to artists like Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Beatles, etc.
DB: The toughest decision I've had to make yet was to switch up my sound from
DB: Keyboard
DB: Club Volume in
DB: The moment I realized that I could do it better than most of the DJ's I saw perform live.
DB: Picking up the wrong tone arm while beat matching the next record. I thought the left turntable was live and picked up the right tone arm. I was wrong and there was a brief moment of silence, but I never let it happen again.
DB: Breaking my latest music. As of a couple years ago, I've been incorporating a lot of electro into my sets, to the point that they are solely comprised of it now. Crowds have been extremely responsive to my new stuff and I couldn't be happier.
DB: Stay tuned to myspace.com/djbambam for news on my latest productions, including my upcoming original artist album in 2009!
The interview was due to begin in minutes, and I was caught behind a parade of tourists on Sunset and Highland. I could see the Renaissance Hotel mere feet to my left. My worst nightmare was being late – I saw it as a death sentence, an instantaneous mark of irresponsibility that would be sure to follow me throughout my career. Diving into the first parking space I could find in the underground garage, I ran up and through the beehive of boutiques and stores of the adjoining mall and across the walkway into the hotel, barely on time, praying that he was still there.
A quick scan around the lobby and I saw him: Savage, the New Zealander rapper of strong Samoan heritage. Making eye contact, he stood, beckoning me over to the nearby couch. He looks exactly like his publicity stills, if slightly more tan from soaking in the Malibu sun on the set of his new video for “Wild Out,” the second single off his U.S. debut album Savage Island (December 23rd). When I looked him over, the phrase “size matters” came to mind. He shook my hand with a powerful grip befitting his stature. When our conversation shifted to sports, he admitted that rugby was his weapon of choice, and he had been on both the giving and receiving end of some marvelous injuries in his time. You can feel the energy it would take to play such a feral game in his music. His voice is big, rough, and reminiscent of Fat Man Scoop, while his bass lines are pounding and heavy, like the man himself.
Savage, born Demetrius Savelio, grew up on the south side of Auckland, New Zealand. “Every country has a hood,” he said, and his journey from troubled household to a mainstay on the Kiwi hip-hop scene could match even the roughest anecdotes from any of his American counterparts. A series of challenges, from an absentee father, to his overworked mother, to ill-fated gang entanglements came to a head when a teenaged Savelio violently lost seven friends and one cousin in a single year. Yet, like any successful artist, adversity only cemented his drive to not only move forward, but also give back once meeting his goals.
Few artists show the dedication to their crews, their neighborhood, and their people as Savage does. As we spoke he occasionally downplayed his efforts by claiming his benevolence – a generosity he attributes to his proud Samoan heritage – is for the benefit of his own nieces, nephews, and two children (ages 8 and 10), but occasionally the scope of his efforts would slip through. He performs in prisons, speaks at anger-management classes, and hosts youth groups. He does this because he’s been through it all before, and would be doing those who helped him in life a major disservice not to continue the tradition. Bound by both honor and a desire to help, he gets this proud smirk when he talks about “the young generation,” like a scientist cooking up a new plan to save mankind.
He knows the game well. Savage has been performing with his fellow Deceptikonz for over 10 years; their own individual (and successful) solo albums don’t prevent them from still performing and touring together regularly. Even if you missed his most recent American tour (his surprise favorite stop was Oklahoma), you may have heard his music before. His first single, “Swing,” was featured in last year’s Judd Apatow rom-com Knocked Up. Unlike the East coast vibe to “Swing,” “Wild Out” has a decidedly southern rap feel. It would be at home on a playlist featuring the Yin Yang Twins, and Three 6 Mafia. The sound was no accident. In addition to including traditional Samoan chants, he readily admits that hip hop from all over the United States influences his style (on the whole, the fusion works). Both East and West coasts share equal space on his iPod. He talks about the new Q-Tip album he picked up at Amoeba Records with the energy of a kid at Christmas. He’s got no opinion on it yet, as he’s “saving it for the plane ride home.” There are few aspects of hip-hop Savage doesn’t drink in, although he could pass on any bling. Money was precious growing up, so the Samoan in him avoids needlessly spreading it around. As open-minded as Savage is, it’s easy to wonder if American artists reciprocate the warm reception? Ask Xzibit, Snoop Dogg, Bone Thugs N’ Harmony or Ice Cube – he’s toured with them all.
http://www.myspace.com/savagedkonz
Hello December, Hello friends, and Hello new Art Star.
I had completely forgotten about these.
What we have here are two video profiles I made last year (while working with a side-project mag: Dpurr) for two of the groups competing in Davidson's Battle of the Bands comp. The first face you'll recognize is that of Ctotheb himself, Chris Burton. Now we can all stop guessing what this man looks like. :) The second host, Stacey Helmerich, is awesome in her own right, and will be feeding the masses and dropping knowledge bombs in China this coming January.
The first band up: The Pulitz Surprises, will still be around Davidson this Spring for those of you who want to catch a performance. Many of The Cupps have, sadly, graduated. As always, feel free to head over to YouTube and watch the vids in high-resolution. You'll be glad you did.
name: Grand National
band: Rupert Lyddon & Lawrence 'La' Rudd
hometown: London
label: Sunday Best Recording (UK) / Recall (US)
label type: Indie
myspace visits: 179,381
myspace friends: 12,505
These here Londoners are not your typical post-punk garden variety depressing duos. Instead, Rupert Lyddon and Lawrence "la" Rudd (don't dare call them ru ru), responded to this emerging genre with spite and energy that comes out in songs like "playing the distance" and "boner" (sweet name, eh?). Their multi-instrument talents come out like Rupaul on Saturday nights throughout their first album kicking the national habit and in their sophomore album, a drink and a quick decision. both have creative titles but do they deliver? Yes. Plain and simple. I’ve already given accolades to two songs on the first album but the second album delivers a different feel. Songs like "joker and clown" show an easier, less rebellious side but still maintain a charismatic and mature voice while delivering a heavy message.
I think my interpretation of the few lyrics in "playing the distance" is pretty apparent. The llama was thrown in for fun and the randomness of people is an effort to show the diverse use of 'they.' I really like the guy on the top that looks like Mr. Bean. A clever fool, he is. Check out what Rupert had to say to ArtStar about the song.
AS: Playing in the Distance has a total of about 30 words in the lyrics. Kind of ambiguous. Could you enlighten us on who they is and what they did to get you playing in the distance? (somewhat serious here, but mostly just curious)
GN: It's my guess that it's fundamentally about being played and kept at arms length from someone or anything. Then the chorus line is about 'keeping on keeping on', or 'not letting the bastards grind you down', a we're not caving in sort of a thing. "They" could be anything i guess, i did feel particularly relevant at the time whilst getting a record deal and being dicked around by false promises. Fortunately we didn't cave in and our knight in shining armour Rob da bank turned up on his flossy white steed and gave us a deal and opened his arms and doors to the wonderful world of Sunday Best. By the way ambiguous is a good thing in lyrics, I love it when you can hang out your laundry dirty or otherwise onto other peoples melodies and words.
AS: Of the bands Depeche Mode, Talking Heads, The Cure and Van Halen whose band experience/ career would you rather have had? Why?
GN: Certainly not Van Halen, that's a mess. Any of the other will do nicely thank you.
AS: If you were a sticky note what would you be stuck to and what would it say?
GN: Fuck Sticky notes, don't read me you prick, look at something usefull shit for brains
AS: What is your favorite milkshake flavor?
GN: Oh fuck, we're in the flavours section of the interview. Blueberry and bull sperm please
AS: Favorite Band Live:
GN: Saw the breeders recently, great
AS: Favorite Band to open up for and/or that has opened for your.
GN: Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip opened for us when we we're doing an acoustic gig. They made us look like a right bunch of plonkers, which you could argue happens quite a lot
AS: Favorite instrument that you do not currently play
GN: Bass Clarinet and trumpet in a section. Menacing stuff, check out Miles Davis Big Fun album. In another lifetime perhaps
AS: In the 2008 election, what issue do you feel is the most important?
GN: Touch choice between environmental and Foreign Policy i guess
AS: What artist is currently revolutionizing music (other than yourself, of course)?
GN: Morgan Tsvangirai apart from the fact he's not an artist and has nothing to do with music. There's some great music around but revolution seems to big a word. I guess the internet itself is either revolutionizing music or turning it into a multi-headed toxic freak.
AS: From what do you draw musical inspiration?
GN: I've never quite got to grips with that question. Its either an esoteric arse wipe of an answer of just a long list that takes me ages to think of.
AS: What music did your parents expose you to in your youth?
GN: Tom Lehrer, some bizarre contemporary classical Olivier Messiaen i think, Fats Domino, Stevie Wonder, Nick Drake
AS: How did the band get together? If too complicated, was there a comical story in the progression of the band?
GN: We met in a pub through the vast interrelated underbelly of London musicians. When La turned up at the studio Rupert had a bassline (playing in the distance,) La had a melody, it seemed rude to not continue. Peanut Dreams, Leaves and Cherry Tree followed immenently
AS: What was the toughest decision you have had to make as a band? How did you come to that decision?
GN: Changing personnel in the live band setup is never easy. We just talked about it as openly as possible i guess.
AS: First Instrument:
GN: Guitar
AS: Favorite Venue to play at:
GN: To be honest, Somewhere new in a new city with great sound and an audience of over fifty of which ten people know one of our tunes.
AS: At what moment did you realize you wanted to do live music?
GN: The moment i picked up a guitar i guess.
AS: Most embarrassing moment on stage:
GN: There was some off stage politics that had nothing to do with nothing, the girl introducing us decided to have a rant in front of the audience and on Live Radio. Yep, i know you'd appreciate a funny embarrasing moment but that was an embarrasment full stop.
AS: What are you looking forward to the most about this touring session?
GN: Finishing of with Bestival 2008. Rob da banks monster festival.
AS: And finally, is there anything else that you would like to share with the Art Star audience?
GN: Thanks for reading this may you all have a long, fruitful and generally and specifically magical, wonderous lives. Lovely
help support the artist. artstar does not get any money if you buy their songs or if you visit their link. we just want to make sure these guys stay well fed so they can keep producing greatness. enjoy and be sure to check out the link below:
Hey good people, Happy November and end of Daylight Savings Time!
Some of you complain that there are "too many" posts on Art Star. Well although I respectfully disagree with that - I do want to incorporate an Art Star lite format for you. So at the start of every month I will highlight what I thought the best/most important/most interesting posts were.
It is just my opinion, but someone has to be a filter. Our last recap was the Art Star First Quarter Report.
Without further ado, Art Star's Top 10 Posts of October
1. Omar Miller Is A Fucking Giant Pt.2 by WHayes
Can we say how amazing it is that we scored an interview with an actor who has two movies out right now (both of which are pretty good). The fact that the interview itself is pretty sweet is just icing on the cake.
2. Clicking Around With Music: Lori Kirk by PicturesqueMusiq
I became a fan of Lori Kirk after reading this interview. Just everything you want a young artist to be, endearing, humble, dedicated, passionate, and talented.
3. Kill That Crack Head Terrorist Muslim Thug Nigger Hussein Obama by smartblackboy
Although this post was written half in anger and half in jest - the sad reality is that every day this post receives at least a dozen hits from people who are searching on Google - "Kill Obama" and "Crack Head Terrorist".
4. Home Is Where The Art Is by fotoloka
"Someday maybe photographers will just implant a flash card into our eye and all we' ll have to do is wink to make an image.." Well until then, thank you.
5. Clicking Around With Music: Teen Wolf
Just good west coast party fun. A must read.
6. My Mind On Shuffle "I Know You Got Soul!" Edition by CtotheB
"Poor people have always been in a recession." For those times when you forget the truth.
7. Best of the Internet Part 1 by Whayes
What Art Star is exists for - to share the stuff we find on the internet with you.
8. Weekend Jamz Part 1
For to shout out to Jim Nash. For the great music. For the picture and caption.
9. Hip Hop Artists To Watch Out For by DJ NY
We were waiting for a break out post - it finally happened.
10. Clicking Around With Music: Samantha Crain by Michael
Because catching someone right on the cusp on being a star is something we always appreciate.
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Name: Samantha Crain and The Midnight Shivers
Members: Samantha Crain: vocals and guitar; Jacob Edwards: drums; Andrew Tanz: bass and vocals; Stephen Sebastian: electric guitar
Hometown: Shawnee, OK
Label: Ramseur
Label type: Indie
Myspace visits: 130451
Myspace friends: 7051
The past year has been a busy one for Samantha Crain. Releasing "The Confiscation EP" in July, she’s managed to adhere to a rigorous touring schedule and already has her next full-length album, "Songs in the Night," in the bag. All the hard work seems to be paying off—besides being featured in Paste Magazine’s “Best of What’s Next,” Crain landed a spot on the Hotel Café Tour, playing with Ingrid Michaelson, Meiko, and Rachael Yamagata. If you’re not yet acquainted with Samantha’s music, you’re missing out. Crain’s unique vocal presence casts a spell on the listener, and makes for some of the best folk/folk-rock/any-genre-of-music-period you will ever hear. Check out the video and ArtStar's exclusive interview.
name: Which Way Is Home
hometown: Detroit, MI
label: unsigned
label type: unsigned
myspace visits: 173,891
myspace friends: 12,673
my take on Which Way Is Home:
Michigan. Motown. Detroit. Sufjan. Modern musical history has emerged from this metropolis of sound. Even the joys of Davidson students could be heard from the casings of Ford Field. Further impressing me is our featured band: WWIH. They are touring the Midwest and enjoying every second. An energetic band with the exuberance of 150 children on Christmas morning. Ok, the last metaphor was a bit unnecessary but the power and passion that comes through their music is quite unique.
For those who followed NC/GA/TN/SC/VA music for the last 15 years, there was a band named Jump, Little Children. Sad part, the verb "was." As they have moved on from an incredibly successful touring career to settle down, these fellas, though lacking a cello and violin, draw from the same muses and articulation that JLC rocked for so many years. "Tired and The Torn" takes me back to those glory days.
As much as I would like to leave the review at that, an injustice would have been done. I found traces of STP in a couple of their tracks like "It's Alright" where their dynamic intros are supported by catchy lyrics, guitar interludes and overall intensity. All in all, a great band that I wish would come down South. Cheers fellas and keep doing what you're doing. Check the songs and interview to follow.
AS: Names?
WWIH: Eric Nicolau (EN; vocals, guitar), Ryan Ballard (RB; bass, vocals), Lucas Zell (drums), Mike Nissen (MN; guitar)
AS: Who would win in a fight between the duo of The Beatles (circa 1967) and Bob Dylan vs. David Bowie and The Beach Boys?
EN: My god, that such a hard question! The Beatles and Bobby D. Brian Wilson was locked in his bedroom and the 70's were Bowie's golden years.
MN: I think it would come time to fight and they would put their "dukes" down and have a hippie-lovefest(circa 1969).
RB: Well, I'm goin' with Beatles and Dylan. Beach Boys were kinda losin' steam, and Bowie wasn't quite awesome yet (pre-Ziggy).
AS: If you were a sticky note what would you be stuck to and what would it say?
RB: stuck to the fridge and it would read, "DO NOT EAT MY THAI FOOD".
AS: What is your favorite milkshake flavor?
EN: Vanilla
AS: Favorite Band Live:
EN: Radiohead. Absolutely amazing.
AS: Favorite Band to open up for and/or that has opened for your.
EN: Anathallo.
AS: Favorite instrument that you do not currently play
EN: UM HELLO, THE CELLO
AS: In the 2008 election, what issue do you feel is the most important?
EN: This is tough, but I guess if I really had to pick something it'd be US involvement in Middle-east. Im really not a big politic guy.
AS: How did your band come up with the name?
EN: Its a phrase that I feel encompasses my life and my childhood.
AS: What artist is currently revolutionizing music (other than yourself, of course)?
EN: Nowadays.. Well, it is hard to answer that sadly. On a mainstream/ worldwide level, I don't feel there are any artists that are revolutionizing much really. Chris Martin could easily answer this question for all of us-- "that HE is"... sorry Chris, I'm not feeling that.
RB: Good question, and a difficult one at that. My gut reaction is no one. Not to say there aren't great artists out there now, however the entire music industry seems to be in disarray currently. I hear a good number of bands channeling the spirits of classic rock icons instead of creating their own sound. Granted, there's always a bit of your influences in what you write, my personal feeling is there's a lack of originality across the board.
AS: From what do you draw musical inspiration?
EN: I write songs purely out of habit of picking up the guitar everytime I feel something. Seriously, since I was a 7 yr old kid, I was holding a guitar. I always was working on some riff or idea, playng it for everyone, wanting to know what everyones thoughts were. The creative process is an undefined, mysterious thing.
RB: Depends on the moment I think. I find that when I'm trying to get inspired, it never works. There's something about the process that well, quite honestly, isn't a process. When the moments are spontaneous and I feel caught off guard I think musical inspiration has been at its best.
AS: What music did your parents expose you to in your youth?
EN: The Beatles, The Smiths, The Cars, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, The Talking Heads, U2, Duncansheik, Dishwalla
RB: My parents grew up in the 40's and 50's, so I was exposed to literally polar opposite sounds, generationally speaking. I have my older siblings to thank for the classic rock. To name a few: Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Beatles, Marty Robbins, Johnny Cash, Moody Blues, Sinatra, Blondie, Journey, King Crimson, Queen, The Cars
AS: How did the band get together? If too complicated, was there a comical story in the progression of the band?
EN: Very, very complicated ow it came together to where it is now. But what is very comical is that in my senior year of highschool (while WWIH was a band already), Lucas literally begged me to let him play in the band. I consistently told him no, and he consistently persisted to ask (DAILY!). A few months later, he joined the band.
AS: First Instrument:
EN: My 8th birthday-- A red fender stratocaster... Love
RB: X-mas '85, Casio mini-keyboard
AS: Favorite Venue to play at:
EN: The Magic Bag (Ferndale, MI)
AS: At what moment did you realize you wanted to do live music?
EN: Seeing my Dad play a show (I was about 4 or 5). My dad was playing guitar in bands my whole childhood. Seeing him up there jamming really got me. The seed was sewn.
RB: There's an old picture of me when I was about 4, I'm standing on a coffee table in just my underwear and socks with my brother's mandolin rockin out. Yeah, pretty sure that was the moment.
AS: Most embarrassing moment on stage:
EN: We were playing on a tiny stage, I was approaching the microphone and nearly tripped on the sea of cables and crap clustered about the stage. ahhhh How charming...
AS: What are you looking forward to the most about this touring session?
EN: Playing the new material from the new record (due Thanksgiving time)
AS: And finally, is there anything else that you would like to share with the Art Star audience?
EN: Thanks a lot for reading through all of this and looking into what we have to say about all this stuff, haha. Come by our myspace and try it on. Lets dance
RB: Give WWIH a try if you haven't already, and let us know what you think.
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