Interview: To Have Heroes

To Have Heroes is singer/songwriter Andy Skib. Maybe I should let him explain it: "What do you do when you’re not a band, but you’re not a solo artist? You give it a name. I chose, "To Have Heroes", to be that name. This is my "project". Over the past eight years of my life I’ve become friends with some incredible musicians. Some live in Tulsa, some in Austin, Nashville, and New York. Oh yeah, and one lives in American Idol. To Have Heroes is my way of beginning to see what I sound like with the help of all of these different "musically inclined" friends."

1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer. For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later. Is there such a defining moment for you?

For me, I'd have to say it all started when I was between 5 and 10 years old singing in the car. Sting, James Taylor and Nat King Cole are my fondest memories. I haven't stopped singing since.


2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?

I go through cycles of favorites....right now i'd have to say Augustana, Jason Mraz and George Stanford. Yet, there is always Silverchair, Ryan Adams, Amos Lee, Big Wreck, and Soundgarden/Chris Cornell playing in my car.

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?

Probably finishing my newest EP. It's really my first venture without a band. It's sort of a bittersweet feeling though. I love the fact that I can do it yet, I don't have that companionship that comes with having a band. Overall, it gives me a great sense of accomplishment.

4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?

Oh I completely think that music can change the world. To me it's the most universal language out there. It doesn't matter where you're from, if you feel it, you feel it.

5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?

Well, technology is a blessing and a curse. If you're not on the front edge of it you're going to be left behind. If you don't know how to take advantage of it all, it might end up hurting you. For me it is a great tool! Somehow through cyberspace I've been able to let people, thousands of miles away learn about my music and listen to it without waiting weeks and weeks. All they had to do was type in my url and there's my music. I can put up a video that took me 10 minutes to make and show it to all of them in a matter of minutes. If technology is used well, there is no reason we shouldn't embrace it.

6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

Definitely a 90's pair of Air Jordan's.

Album Review: Real Animal by Alejandro Escovedo

With the year just about half way over I can safely say that this album is one of the best of the year so far. Escovedo writes of his personal life but can translate it so the listener can relate to it.

A few years back Escovedo was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. This album is a look back at the life he's lived and the music he's made. The songs talk about his days back in the punk group the Nuns to his time in the Americana group Rank n File with Chip and Tony Kinman. The songs range from pop to strings to garage sound.

The album opens with the most pop song on the album "Always A Friend." This song belongs on the radio and puts to shame most of what is being played today. This album is what real rock and roll is about. In the final song Escovedo talks about what this music has meant to him all his life: "Close your eyes and you can hear/The music in the wind/Out on the pier/That's the Ike and Tina Soul Revue/I don't know what this means to you/But it was everything to me."

In today's world, where so much of the music that comes out is created in the studio by some Mastermind with machines that could make me sound good and that has his eye towards the bottom line it's nice to see music that is made from the heart and soul.

Interview: Rachel Vette

Rachel Vette is the lead singer of the local Rock group The Vettes.

1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer. For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later. Is there such a defining moment for you?

I was actually at an outdoor concert @ Six Flags in New Orleans East about 4 years ago and was watching the bands (don't remember exactly who) and I turned to my brother and said I'm sick of being in the audience; I can do that! The rest is history.

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?

Surprisingly I like mostly guy fronted bands better than female fronted bands. I love a lot of 80's bands like Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, and all the one hit wonders. Current favorites are Coldplay, Metric, The Killers.

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?

We were added to regular rotation on our local Top 40 radio station which is beyond huge and unthinkable for most indie bands. In addition to that we hold the championship spot for the most days at being #1 on the station--- 24 days (beating out Panic at the Disco 21 days)

4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?

Change the world? No. I think of music as more of a reflection of what's going on in the world; it's art. Change is inevitable and if the world changes I wouldn't say music is to be held responsible.

5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?

Technology has changed the music industry. Access to anything you can dream is available in seconds. The way people are fans has completely changed as well. I have more to say about this but I'd rather leave it at that.

6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

high platform shoes--- 14 K Gold with Diamonds for sure

Feral Children

For regular readers of this site this spotlight is going to be a little different than what you're used to hearing. Feral Children is nothing like what I've posted on here before. They play indie, experimental rock and they play it loud. And more importantly they play it good. From their harmony to the build up to the shouting the songs are good. Their music combines elements from British invasion to garage rock to pop melodies with an element of anger and frustration building into the climax.

The group is from the Northwest. The members are Bill Cole, Jim Cotton, Josh Gamble, Jeff Keenan and Sergey Posrednikov. The group started as teenagers Jim Cotton and Jeff Keenan met and bonded together with their love of music. Soon the other two members were added. After high school the band temporarily went their separate ways until Jim Cotton ended up in Seattle, soon to be joined by the other three.

Cotton and Keenan trade vocals back and forth. They built up a following with their live shows, gaining them a showcase on the Seattle based radio station KEXP and local papers calling their music “fascinating, beautifully narrated work”.

Producer Scott Colburn, whose credits include Arcade Fire and Animal Collective agreed to produce their first full length album on Sarathan Records. Their album Second to the Last Frontierwill be in stores July 8th. It's already getting some major buzz from local press and more. The group have been compared to another indie band from the area, Modest Mouse.

This music is dark and tells about small town alienation and being poor but it is more than worth listening to.

Buddy Miller

(Buddy Miller on tour with Allison Krauss and Robert Plant)

This week’s voice to hear is Buddy Miller. Buddy calls Nashville home and is an in demand session player and producer as well as a superb songwriter and singer. He also records with his wife Julie. Besides country music Buddy considers himself a Christian singer, though it might not be quite the church music you’re used to.

Buddy started out playing in a bluegrass band in high school. After traveling the country playing his guitar he ended up in New York with the Buddy Miller Band with a young Shawn Colvin singing and playing guitar. After a few years of this he ended up moving to Nashville. Along the way he met and fell in love and eventually married Julie.

Buddy is the leader of Emmylou Harris’ band and has helped produce her more recent albums. She has called Buddy one of the best guitar players of all time. He has gained fame as a songwriter, with artists such as the Dixie Chicks, Lee Ann Womack and Brooks and Dunn covering his songs.

Buddy is not just a behind the scenes person though. He has stepped out front to write and sing his own songs, as a solo act and with his wife Julie. He has released 7 albums between his solo career and with Julie.

His most recent disc is Universal United House of Prayer. It’s a country album that rocks, a protest album, a gospel album…there are many things this album could be called, among them I would call it great. This is a theme album and the theme is the soul. He writes of the problems the word is facing today and their impact it has on the soul. The centerpiece of the album is his covering the Bob Dylan classic “With God on Our Side.”

Even more recent Buddy has produced a new album for soul great Solomon Burke called Nashville. His album Universal United House of Prayer won the 2005 Album of the Year award from the Americana Music Awards. Currently he's touring with Allison Krauss and Robert Plant. The final issue of the great Americana Magazine No Depression named him the Artist of the Decade.

Buddy is widely sought after for his musical skills and knowledge, both as a guitar player and a producer in Nashville. He continues to tour with Emmylou Harris and record with others as well as put out his own music and record with his wife Julie. It’s been a few years since he put out his last album so hopefully he has something new coming out soon.

Interview: Tina Jamieson

Tina Jamieson is a singer/songwriter from New Orleans.

1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer. For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later. Is there such a defining moment for you?

Actually for me the first time I knew I wanted to do this was when I strummed a guitar for the very first time at about the age of ten years old... I loved the sound that came from it and wanted to learn more and then came the writing... there was something so soothing and creative about it... I couldnt stop...


2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?
I enjoy
Coldplay
U2
One Republic


3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?
Id have to say when I was about 13 years old and the first time I sang in front of anyone ended I up being in front of about a thousand people and while I managed to get through it I was so nervous I shook... but I did it... and then when it was all done I got a standing ovation... and that was the moment I knew I wanted to be a musician and a singer... I was so proud of myself...

4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?

I believe music moves people... so yes I do believe music can change the way a person feels... I also think music helps people relate to things they may not have otherwise cared about...

5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?

Hmmmm well I love a live performance thats why Ive done so many live youtube videos... I think saying it live is saying it real... so I prefer live... as far as the recording I think too much is machined out... as I like to call it... which sometimes takes away from the heart and soul of a singer...


6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

Most definitely Id be a pair of Stilletos...
ahahahaha... Always have loved the high heals... lol

Interview: Susan Cowsill

1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer. For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later. Is there such a defining moment for you?

Yes, it was MY first performance on the Ed Sullivan show three years after seeing the Beatles on Ed Sullivan!


2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?

My all time favorite women singer/songwriter is Karla Bonnoff,,,,,I also love U2,,,,Wiskey Town featuring Ryan Adams...But my all time fav record is Richard Harris singing Jimmy Webbs music


3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?

Playing for the first time at our home town bar The Carrollton Station in New Orleans after having been evacuated for four months. We were the first band to come home, and I believe the first band to play at the club since the storm. It was the most meaningful night of music I have ever played to the most loving and "in need audience" I have ever played for in all my years as a preformer.


4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?

Absolutley it can,,,It has! Just look at Bono,,,Farm Aid....George Harrisons Bangledesh.



5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?

Oh my god!!!!! How hasn't it changed it? The industry I mean. My music?? Not at all. My music, all of our music is unchangeable , it is simply music, our emotions expressed in lyric and sound,,,,,,yeah, thats my answer.


6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

Oh this is an easy one, but can I be more than one pair??? Ok. First I am a pair of desert boots with the laces up the front, then I am a pair of fluffy but raelly worn in slippers, preferably velvet outside and lamby fur inside and lastly and mostly,,I am no shoe at all.