Simply Six: Erik "Eski" Scott

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?

"Well, I just kinda always loved the music. I used to dig Buddy Holly in second grade, then played air drums to "At the Hop" in fourth grade, (I had it down, even to when
the drummer clicked his sticks accidentally near the end). There was no sudden 'epiphany' moment. I joined the band in fourth grade, wanting to learn drums, trumpet, or something sexy, and they gave me a trombone....hmmmm. Then I was tinkering with guitar in high school, and a friend in a band said I could play next week's show if I played bass..so there I went. And I must say, the youthful rebellious energy of the sixties, Viet Nam, and drafting the kids to go and be cannon fodder for the defense contractors, and then the student killings at Kent State, sealed the deal for me. I became a bit counter culture, and the music was my weapon."

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to?  Who are some of your favorites?
" Anything that reveals the soul and character of the artist, and resonates in the soul of the listener.This generally requires the music to be played with hands, and includes blisters, callouses, and sweat.  ( Allowing for the fact that sometimes you just wanna shake yer booty)
I reckon I'm a bit old school here, and pure electronica played with sequencers and one finger doesn't really resonate with me, altho there is a place for
those instruments in the language."

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?
" Too much history to pick one. I remember it was pretty cool playing with Alice Cooper in front of 30,000 Halloween-fueled fans in Detroit in 1981. And with Sonia Dada
at the Winterpark Festival in Colorado in '94, or Denver in '98. And many such moments in the studio, when things just came together proper..."Screamin' John"
was a moment in the studio with Sonia Dada, and even a couple moments on my solo CD "Other Planets", when I managed to enunciate the lead melody just right.
There is a totally different energy with that music, chilled and interstellar, but every once in awhile I can just stare up at the stars. You know?"

4.  Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to?   How much can music influence current events?
"Boy that's a tough one. I think we all thought it could change the world, back in the sixties. And I guess it did, for awhile. In fact I know it can, individually.....it can energize and promise, encourage and enrapture, incite and sooth. But maybe only for awhile. People with agendas aren't gonna change 'em long term with
music alone, I'm afraid.  So I guess we just gotta keep playing."

5. How has technology affected the music industry?  How has technology affected your career as a musician?
    In good ways, and alot of bad ways. Producers using too much of the very same technology have made so many artists
sound exactly alike, you can't tell one from another. They routinely vacuum all the soul from a performance. You've got to be very careful
to capture personality, and not cover it up so you don't know who in fact has any. And people deciding music should be free have made it very
hard for artists to dedicate their lives to the art, if they want to send their kids to college.  Geez, I could tell you stories."

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

" Hmmm, blue suede shoes come to mind."