Simply Six: Eric Garcia

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?

Hearing and seeing Jimi Hendrix. The tone of his guitar, his concept and the way he looked. I had a poster altar of him when I was a teen. After all these years, he still does it for me. It hasn't changed. He had rage, tenderness, and he was really shy and a wild performer. He heard sounds that didn't exist and he chased them.

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

Mostly classical music and jazz. I love Bach, Beethoven, Coltrane and Bob Dylan. There are many others, of course, but these are the 4 that I find I go to most frequently.

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

on record or live?

There is no greatest moment. There are little special moments. It happens when I'm not in the way of the music and it is just flowing through me and I'm just watching it happen. I work hard to set up the circumstances to have it happen, but I have no control. One just hopes to ride the perfect wave.

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

listen to? How much can music influence current events?

I think it can change things in subtle ways. It influenced a generation in the 60's.

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

affected your career as a musician?

It made it possible for everyone to record, which was wonderful and made for many bad fidelity recordings. Technology allowed me to record an album playing everything by myself, as well as mixing and mastering. From conception to final product, even though I usually play with other musicians. This album is a very personal statement, so it was important for me to play most of the parts.

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

type of shoes would you be?

Sneakers.

Simply Six: Hudson K

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 remember hearing Madonna for the first time and wanting painfully to BE her. She was just at the beginning of her career when my family discovered her and I would dress up in clothes to mimic her and dance around with a hairbrush as a microphone singing "Papa Don't Preach," (to the dismay of my parents as i was only ~6 years old and I didn't know what the song was about) and "Material Girl," etc. etc. I thought the words to "Like a Virgin" were 'like a bird dance' and my sister and i danced accordingly.


2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?
Terry Riley, Beethoven, Debussy, I still listen to classical music. But then I turn on Neil Young, Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, Buffalo Springfield, and also poppy female artists like Imogen Heap and Bat for Lashes.
I also love weird music...I realize weird is a vague term, but basically anything that stands out as being completely and utterly different. The most obvious example I can think of that people might recognize would be John Cage.

And I actually think his music is pretty tame.

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?
This past year when I realized that I AM an artist. And I can do whatever I want artistically and I don't have to care a damn about what other people think. I have no plans of getting rich:)

4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?
Yes. Music has saved me from depression, anxiety, and drug abuse.
I also believe it shapes your consciousness and helps you understand differing world views. I have learned more about humanity through song-writers than from anywhere else.

Music has gotten me through the tough times...and I think about that when I am creating it for other people.

5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?
Technology has made it possible for me to even MAKE a record that sound sas good as what we are used to hearing on the radio. It has also made i possible for me to reach out to venues and fans and build a relationship with those that I would not have had the chance to do so 10 years ago. Really, before Myspace existed and was mainstream, there was still very little way an indie had a chance of reaching the world at large without beating the pavement 365 days a year.

6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?
An old-but-loved-pair of leather boots

SIMPLY SIX: Luke Parkin

Luke Parkin is a singer/songwriter from Massachusetts.  He's recorded over 70 albums and he's just turned 30.  

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?

Yes. as an eight year old, seeing and hearing the historic 1986 broadcast of Pianist legend Vladimir Horowitz in Moscow. My father said, "do you remember asking me who is the greatest pianist in the world? (pointing to the television) well that's the one." 

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

I try to limit my exposure to over listening for fear that I'll be drawn to far into any particular sound but when I do listen: (and usually read along if I can) The Staples: Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, The Poets: Chopin, Liszt,  Scriabin, The Impressionists, The Second Viennese school, Stravinsky, Messaien etc. too many to name. also lots of pop these days. I'm trying to educate myself in pop music!

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

I tend to think of a series of greater moments as opposed to a penultimate moment or “the” defining moment. Music is fleeting and if not for time passing there would be no cadence, no moving line, no measure, no tune. Sound is not stationary. When you reach for a note or find a perfect sonority and finally grab hold of it, that’s when you say…Eureka! 

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

Artists are not soldiers. We do not use violins, guitars, pianos, or turntables as bullets, surface to air missiles or reconnaissance aircraft. We do not stand in front of tanks, light ourselves on fire, fly airplanes into buildings, tear-down countries, or rebuild nations. We are not terrorists. The shock and awe we make is on proscenium, a written page, or in the recording booth. In November of 2009, Pope Benedict XVI’s Address to Artists was called “You Are the Custodians of Beauty.”  At the moment we're in the midst of a vast cultural upheaval so as an artist, I think it best to have a little bit of simplicity in your soul.

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

Technology revolutionized sound before the record business decided to homogenize it. The effects are everlasting. It’s a shame that we’re going backwards and not forwards in terms fidelity with regard to formats and compression. Mp3 takes away precious parts of the spectrum. Ipods and iphones (both of which I own and use) are great for consumers and not so great for audiophiles.

Electronic music introduced me to another universe. Up until 8 years ago instrumental Classical music was the only thing in my tiny orbit. Because of what I learned (and the extrodinary teachers who taught me) I was ushered into the studio tradition and parts of experimental tradition (formerly avant –garde, now a dirty word)  

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

Rock and Republic designed a boot called Ignacio which I love. It's elegant, moody, and very prim.