SIMPLY SIX: Bone Gunn

Bone Gunn is a group based out of New York City.

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 believe the moment for me was birth, as silly as that sounds. My father comes from a family of 11 brothers and sisters, each one of them plays traditional irish music. So right from birth i had that coursing through my existence.

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

This is an odd question for me to answer, believe it or not i listen to very little music at all. When i do it tends to be either far out there strange music such as "GOD SPEED! YOU BLACK EMPEROR" or down to earth folk oriented material such as "RICHARD THOMPSON" or "JOHN DOYLE"

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

The greatest moment I had as a musician was actually about 3 weeks ago on stage at the mercury lounge in N.Y.C.. We had just brought on 2 new musicians to our line up, of course I was a bit nervous for this first gig with them. We played the first song of the set "Is it fear " and it was the most together it had ever felt. there was an energy on stage that had not existed before that moment. As far as i'm concerned it was our first gig as a "real " band. All of us friends, all of us with the same goal.

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

Of course music can change the world! look around. I suppose it's easy for me having grown up with traditional irish music, to see the direct impact that a song can have on a group of people. It can provide commonality in places where none else is found, but that is not the only example. "RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE" incited more revolutionary ambition than any other group in the 90's or since. There is a reason songs are so often used in movies, they provide a deeper connection with a scene than what the cameras and actors can supply on their own.

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

Technology has changed the industry for the better and worse. For the better by increasing the amount of exposure opportunities for bands, but for the worse by increased theft and the dumbing down of music as an art. For example albums don't have the same impact that they once did. It's so easy to just get the song you heard once and liked, that the experience of truly soaking an artists message as a whole is too much to ask.

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

I would be a pair of combat boots!