Simply Six: American Anodyne

Erick Jones (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and Chris Thacker (lead guitar, backing vocals) respond 

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? 

(Erick Jones)  In elementary school a group of high schoolers were allowed to bring their rock band to perform for the little kiddies (of which I was one).  Now, I had grown up around acoustic music all my life but I was in 5th grade the first time I heard a rock show.  The guys weren't overly good as I remember, and I can't tell you to this day what the songs were that they were playing, but the interplay between the instruments and the loud amplifiers left an impression on, and I can still vividly remember that feeling of sheer awe.  I went right out and demanded guitar lessons.  I got piano lessons instead and quit immediately.

(Chris Thacker)  My mother gave me her record collection when I was about 13 years old along with an old record player.  The moment I realized I wanted to be a guitar player was the moment I set the needle to Jimi Hendrix Experience 'Smash Hits' album.  My brother and I had began learning to play guitar, but when the first notes of "Purple Haze" rang through the speakers I was sold!  I remember thinking, "Holy shit, I want to be able to do that!".  I listened to that record non-stop for months and still have it in my collection.  I revisit it from time to time to grab that youthful feeling of curiosity.

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

your favorites? 

(Erick Jones) Steve Earle, Bruce Springsteen, Kathleen Edwards, Kasey Chambers, Ryan Adams/Whiskeytown, Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt, Wilco, My Morning Jacket, R.L. Burnside, John Lee Hooker, B.B. King, The Allman Brothers, Doc Watson, Shovels and Rope, The Band, The Black Keys, Bob Dylan, Gillian Welch/Dave Rawlings, etc...

(Chris Thacker)  I've been stuck on four records the last couple of months; Drive-By Truckers 'Decoration Day', Son Volt's 'Trace', Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent's 'Shovels and Rope' and Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit's 'Here We Rest' (no particular order).  Four amazing albums that I just can't seem to get enough of.  I can always listen to Paul Simon's 'Graceland' and have a huge smile on my face; definitely one of my all-time favorite records.  Tony Rice's 'Church Street Blues' is one of my all-time favorite acoustic guitar records and reminds me of my childhood.  I also love the entire Outkast catalouge from start to finish. 

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

or live? 

(Erick Jones)  I saw a young lady start getting a little weepy the other night while listening to me sing a song that I wrote.  Not that I like to make girls cry, but anytime you can touch someone emotionally like that has to be a great moment

 (Chris Thacker)  I don't know that I can choose one shining moment that has been the apex for me so far.  Each experience is exciting and unique.  I love to play music, whether in the studio or in front of an audience, and I've had some wonderful experiences with bands that I have been in, and sitting in with others bands that I love.  Each musical encounter has the potential to be the greatest one you've had to date; you just have to be open to the opportunity.

4.  Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to?

How much can music influence current events? 

(Erick Jones)  People change the world and nothing else does.  That's the way is always has been and I believe that's the way it always will be.  Music can be instrumental in facilitating change in that it can help bring together like-minded individuals and serve as a rallying cry.  In that sense I believe music can be very influential in bringing about change, but only if the music itself speaks to the basic truths of the human condition.

 (Chris Thacker)  Music does have the ability to change the world and is always influencing culture both directly and indirectly.  The enigmatic beauty of music is that it’s on the listener to allow it to affect them.  Music is like the setting sun: it happens every day around us, but it is our responsibility to take the time to appreciate the beauty.  We choose how much we listen and let music affect us.

5. How has technology affected the music industry?  How has technology affected

your career as a musician? 

(Erick Jones)  Technology has constantly been affecting music since the dawn of man (make a better mousetrap and someone will try to play a d minor on it), but the recent advances in the retail delivery of music to the consumer (and subsequently the ease of piracy on large and small scales) has really been a game changer.  I personally witnessed the demise of the record store from the inside working for a smaller chain based out of Atlanta.  It's heartbreaking to think that our generation is probably the last that will ever know what it feels like to walk into a room of like-minded music lovers and hear that great new band/song/style of music etc..  blaring a little too loud over the speakers and be changed, just a little bit, forever by it.

    Now, as the piece of the pie gets smaller due to piracy and lower cost to consumers I feel like the days of large all-powerful labels is in a free-fall slide and the rise of smaller, boutique artist-driven labels is on the rise.  As the business models continue to change, I think we're all just scrambling to find our place in it.  Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing is yet to be determined.

(Chris Thacker)  Technology has obviously turned the music industry up-side-down and people are still trying to find the next working 'business model'.  There are no longer 'dream deals' available to artist and we use television and popular vote to determine who has the next shot at being a 'star'.  That being said, technology allows independent artist to make a living and retain more of their earning.  We can reach out to a larger fan base through social media, we can have our music available for sale through multiple outlets on a global scale, and we can connect with our audiences on a personal level that has never been available in the past. 

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

shoes would you be? 

(Erick Jones) A pair of well-worn cowboy boots

(Chris Thacker)  I'd be the pair of Durango boots I've got on my feet.  These boots have traveled the world with me from Seattle to Prague (and literally everywhere in between), seen some dingy clubs, and stood on the stages of stadiums.  There's nothing in this world like a good pair of boots.

SIMPLY SIX: 8 Ball Aitken

8 Ball Aitken is a singer/songwriter from Australia.

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 used to work on a farm all week, then party all weekend. An Aboriginal elder was visiting my town, and we were talking on Sunday morning after he had been watching me play guitar all weekend. He sat me down and told me off sternly – ‘I will be really disappointed if I visit next year and see you still here drinking and smoking, just wasting your talent and your life away,”. That was the light bulb going on moment in my mind that made me pack my bags, grab my guitar, and hitch-hike south to the big city of Brisbane. It was a ‘time stands still’, life-changing experience. From that point on, I have stayed true, and followed my dream of making music and taking it out to the people.

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

The roots of blues, bluegrass and country music as well as The Allman Brothers Band, Daddy Cool
Tony Joe White & Neil Young.

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

‘Outback Booty Call’ is a song I wrote about regional romance and dating in the bush. I was touring in USA a few years back when I found out about the booty call phenomenon. I thought to myself, we have booty calls back in Australia, it is just that we have a lot further to travel between love interests because of our small population on a large island. This song is practically a documentary. You can see the clip at -- www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RYcXmuZqDY

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

I honestly believe that music can change the world. Songwriting is creative and can promote a positive outcome and cause listeners to take action. I have witnessed powerful movements start in peoples back yards first and then go on to great things. To me, a good song can bring light to the world whether it is played to twenty people in a bar or a million people on television.

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

I think that the access to affordable recording equipment for independent musicians and having the internet as a marketing tool has made it possible for more musicians and bands to find an audience than ever before. It is exciting times for me me, touring all over the world as an independent and making a living from playing music without a major record company running the show means freedom, fun and a career doing what I love to do the most... Play music.


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

Probably red crocodile (or alligator for USA) skin cowboy boots with 8 Ball inlays.