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?
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.
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