Simply SIx: Ladies of Sport

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?

If there was one, I don’t remember it.  It might have been in the time when a kid is sentient but not making memories yet. My parents tell me that when I was 3 and a half I’d play my little toy drums and sing along to their records at the top of my lungs.  There was always music on in the house:  James Brown, Elton John, Ray Charles, Billy Joel.  Good singers to learn with.  I was always a singer, I think.

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

My listening runs the gambit, but has been very rock-centric these days.  My current top five is hard to list, but let me try.  In no particular order:  The Walkmen, St. Vincent, Ryan Adams, Neko Case, and Andrew Bird.  There are also things that I’ve been listening to for years that I keep coming back to.  Tribe Called Quest always finds it’s way to my ears once a month.  Same goes for Aimee Mann, Refused, Ben Folds Five, and Paramore.  As you can see, my taste is hard to pin down. 

I’m also a producer and engineer, so many times I’ll love a record just for how it sounds.

And, in general, I listen to five times more comedy than music.  I’m a huge fan of stand up.  Louis CK, Patton Oswalt, and Patrice Oneal are my current favorites.  Marc Maron’s Podcast, WTF, is amazing if you love comedy.  It’s almost always an interview with a comedian talking about his or her craft. It inspires me so much to hear how an artistic mind works..

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

The last song on our Debut Record Empires Fall. “For Mary,” was played completely live on the first take.  No edits or overdubs.  It’s a very emotional and personal song, and there is nothing like the first take for capturing that kind of emotion.  By the time you’ve gotten around to the third take you’ve had too much time to think about what you’re doing, and you start doing the things you THINK you should be doing instead of what your instincts tell you to do. 

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

If it brings someone joy, enjoyment, release, or any other emotion, then it is changing the world in some small way.

That said, in the 60s, when people actually got up and fought for what they believed in…that time brought music to match the times.  Dylan, The Beatles, Joan Baez; these artists weren’t changing the world, they were just writing the soundtrack for the people on the front lines.  Does anyone with any real power give a fuck what Bono has to say?  I think probably not. The best you can hope for as a musician is to touch an individual. But is a song going to convince a racist to love everybody?  Is it going to convince a politician to serve the people instead of himself?  That’s not reality.

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

For me, the music technology revolution has been a wonderful thing.  The means of production and distribution are far more accessible than they once were.  The Ladies of Sport can have an idea, record it, mix it, master it, put it up and have it in our fans’ ears in 12 hours. As an indie artist, you can’t beat that. 

That said, I have years of shitty recordings that precede the releasable ones.  It took me a lot of work, study, and practice to learn how to make stuff sound great.  The stuff I put out in those early years was stuff I did in a studio with people who knew what they were doing (which is also a great way to learn).  If an artist wants to be taken seriously, he should probably practice recording for a few years before he starts trying to self release.

Look at Cake’s latest record.   I’m a huge fan, and I’ve always thought their records sounded great.  They recorded this one themselves…It is un-listenable.  Bland, flat, lifeless. I can’t listen past how unprofessional it sounds. Don’t take a good engineer with good gear for granted.
6.  Now for my Barbara Walters question:  If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

A beloved and well-worn pair of Adidas.  I may not be pretty, but I’m comfortable, classic, and easy to wear.