Simply Six: Megan Blue

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? 

 

When I was five, I was obsessed with the theme song from 'Flash Dance'.  I remember twirling around on the orange shag carpet with my fisher-price plastic microphone.  I was hooked pretty early!  

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

your favorites? I love funky music.  The New Orleans music scene is so inspiring to me!  I especially love Jon Cleary and Papa Grows Funk.  I also love the greats- Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Aretha, Stevie Wonder, Etta James, Susan Tedeschi.  Anything that's got a lot of soul to it, and that makes you want to dance.

 

 

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

or live?  Oh, I have to pick one?  Singing at Jazzfest in 2001 was pretty amazing.  We just did a tour for Sundance Film Festival, and we had an amazing gig up in Park City- brought the house down.  That was incredible!  Any time I can connect with the audience and take them away from their daily grind and into a different world- that is my greatest achievement as an artist.

 

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

How much can music influence current events?  I ABSOLUTELY believe music can and has changed the world.  Artists that have a voice have an incredible platform and influence- Just look at some of the greats- John Lennon, Michael Franti, Ben Harper.  There are artists out there that have gotten me to think about how I can make the world a better place- and I love to be a part of that kind of music.   Music and Art are always intertwined with current events- Political songs have been making us aware and creating revolutions for hundreds of years.  'I think it's time we stop, hey, what's that sound, everybody look what's going down...'

 

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

your career as a musician?  Technology is a double-edged sword.  The worst of it is, people just don't want to pay for recorded music any more.  They want to burn it from a friend, get it for free off the internet.  That effects all musicians who are trying to make a living off of album sales.  Now it has to be about live shows, which is o.k., except I think that if you start thinking you don't need to pay for the album, why pay to see it live, when I can just watch it on Youtube?  The good thing about it is that you can reach a much wider audience through all of these social mediums we have now.  How has this effected me?  Simple math-  Because record labels are dying out, they don't have the funds to support their talent.  They don't have funds to send out talent scouts and agents in search of new talent.  This means that the ARTIST is now in charge of seeking out labels and agents, not vice versa, and now we are also expected to be promoters in addition to everything else.  You have to be incredibly tenacious, incredibly driven, and incredibly stubborn to make it happen.  Luckily I am all of those things.  In addition to that, you have to believe in yourself, and you have to believe that you have something that HAS to be heard.  

 

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

shoes would you be?

Vintage blue leather cowboy boots-  because blue is my signature color, my last name, and the name of my band, and because cowboy boots can be worn anywhere with anything- dresses, jeans, ball gowns.  And they look great on stage!

I also do a column called POV where you can basically write about anything you want.  I've had everything from the Occupy Wall Street to ghosts to music talked about.  So if you'd like to do that that would be cool.   Do you have any videos I could post, I only found one on youtube....just thinking it would help let people see and hear you.

Simply Six: Traum Diggs

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 would say the first time I saw Run-DMC on TV I knew that I wanted to do whatever they were doing.  I couldn't be more than 5-6 but I knew that I wanted   to be just like them.

   

 

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

I'm a real 70s and Early 80s soul music junkie! Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Jackson 5, Teddy Pendergrass, Donny Hathaway, The Stylistics, The O'Jays, The ChiLites, Earth, Wind and Fire, The Gap Band, The Spinners, Teena Marie, Rick James, Smokey, on and on! If I'm not listening to that it's classic hip-hop or reggae. 

 

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

   I recorded a tribute to Michael Jackson called "Mike Jackin' 4 Beats" which I believe is my greatest lyrical performance on record to date.  I also performed two shows in one night once.  A show with my band in Manhattan and then opened for Talib Kweli at a venue in Brooklyn.  That was the best feeling I have had as an artist thus far. 

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 provided the backdrop to many a movement.  If you are unfamiliar with the state of the world in a particular time or place just listen to the music and you will know.  There is no question that music can change and influence the world. How many Vietnam War protesters do you think were influenced by Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On". 

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

     Technology has affected and will continue to affect the music industry.  From 45s and vinyl to 8 tracks to cassettes to CDs, to mp3s, the landscape of how music is packaged and delivered to the consumer has changed.  As far as the artist is concerned, the technology of today gives the unsigned or never before heard artist an almost even playing ground with the major label artist. If you have a clever or simply rediculous presentation you have a chance to "go viral" and reach millions of people online.  In my career specifically, technology has been essential.  The mere fact that I am doing this interview is the result of the technology that we now have at our disposal.  As a result of the Internet, I have been able to connect globally with folks who would never have access to me or my music 10 years ago.  So although it has created a great deal of absolutely horrible content, it is somewhat of a necessary evil.     

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

        I am definitely a pair of Gortex! Rugged, waterproof, dexterous and stylish all at the same time.  And very New York!

ALBUM REVIEWS

Brother Joscephus and the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra

This is an self titled album with a mouthful for a title, but it's a name you should remember. This is a band and an event, created by a man from New York but evoking the music and world of New Orleans. When I put this cd in my player and the first song "A Child Shall Lead" started I had to check the linear notes to make sure that this wasn't a record made in New Orleans. It has the good time, fun feel of the best music from the crescent city. Their description of their music is that it....

blends together the perfect gumbo of New Orleans party music, Soul in the style of Ray Charles and Al Green, a good helping of jam-bandy Roots Rock and a righteous splash of good, upbeat Gospel without the religious overtones (we like to call it "Secular Gospel").

This is an album I've listened to many times already. A Child Shall Lead, Bon Temps Roulez, O Moses, Bury Me In New Orleans are great songs. When he slows down and plays more of a love song he loses some of that energy, but luckily most of the songs more than make up for any such lack with more than enough spirit.

SPOTLIGHT: Brother Joscephus and the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra

It's been awhile since we've done a Spotlight here, the Simply Six have kind of taken over, but we want to get back to just Spotlighting some great artists also. Today's Spotlight is on an unusual band, Brother Joscephus and the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra. The group lists New York as their home state, but their musical home is New Orleans. The group is lead by singer Brother Joscephus.

On their webpage they describe their sounds as:

BroJo blends together the perfect gumbo of New Orleans party music, Soul in the style of Ray Charles and Al Green, a good helping of jam-bandy Roots Rock and a righteous splash of good, upbeat Gospel without the religious overtones (we like to call it "Secular Gospel").

Their first album was just released on Feb 24 of this year. The group's intention is to do more than just create great music. Their stage shows are a spectacle in themselves. The group second lines through the auidence, throws mardi gras beads from the stage, in other words they have a good time Nawlins style. The group comprises of twelve members with additional members when needed. They have a horn section, a gospel choir section and the rhythm section.

In addition to its music and stage show Brother Joscephus tries to pass along the message of love. He reminds me a lot of the artists from the sixties that thought their music could pass a message of love and faith along with the feel good sounds of their music.

This month Brother Joscephus is touring throughout the New Orleans area. He has already played with such local greats as Trombone Shorty, New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars and Eric Lindell.

Lastly I'll leave you with a list of the members of the group:

Brother Joscephus - lead vocals, acoustic guitar

The Right Reverend Dean Dawg - piano, organ, conducting

Pastuh Peace – drums

Reverend Deacon Big Bottom - bass guitar

Friar Paisley - electric guitar

Lost Prophet of the Ivories - backup vocals and organ

Gospel Spice - tenor sax, clarinet

Low Flying Quail – trumpet

12-tone Johnson – trombone

Alabama Red - soprano vocals

Ukulele Jackson - alto vocals

Jambalaya Jones - alto vocals