John Brodeur is a singer/songwriter from New York.
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?
As a small child I discovered music through my parents' records--the Beatles and their solo records, the Best of the Bee Gees, '70s songwriter stuff like Billy Joel and Neil Diamond and Cat Stevens, and so forth. Those records were my best friends back then, and I knew from a very young age that I wanted to make music. I guess if there was one defining moment, it was just after I got my first electric guitar for Christmas after my 11th birthday--the kind with the built-in speaker, from the back of a JCPenney catalog. After playing along with the radio for a few days I had learned my first song (Poison's "Talk Dirty to Me," if you must know), and I realized that this wasn't just something that lived in my head.
2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?
Everything. Not kidding--my playlist today was Gil Scott-Heron, Sparklehorse, Ke$ha, and Jawbreaker. I really try to listen to anything I can get my hands on. Some favorites: Elliott Smith, Big Star, Jellyfish, the Flaming Lips, Beatles, Radiohead.
3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?
Don't take this as a cop out, but . . . I'm proud of all of my records, and I think my greatest moments are yet to come. A few things that stick out in my 15 years of playing original music: The first review (a rave!) of my first "real" band's demo tape; releasing my first solo album; and sharing stages with bands and songwriters that I admire, like Sloan, Glenn Tilbrook, Freedy Johnston, Fountains of Wayne, and Greg Laswell.
4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?
Music has the capacity to drastically affect our moods and emotions, so it can definitely have an effect on social change. But I think more often music is influenced by current events, not the other way around.
5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?
How hasn't technology affected the music industry? In many respects technology has made recording, marketing, and touring much easier. But it's a double-edged sword: The industry is now more crowded than ever, and it's harder to get your voice heard without relying on some kind of gimmick.
6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?
Probably an old beat-up pair of Converse All-Stars. Or maybe that's just how I'm feeling tonight.
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