Simply SIx: Broni

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?

Great question. I would actually have to say my older brother is responsible. I don't know what his defining moment was, perhaps it was Cobain or Vedder in the 90's… But the reason I was joining bands in high school and singing my guts out in a mediocre fashion was because I was watching my brother do that. 

But the thing that convinced me I want to be a SOLO artist was when I went to my first Jason Mraz show in 2004. and he held the room in his hand. had them silent. I knew then and there that being a singer/songwriter rather than the lead singer of a rock band was my path.

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

Ray Lamontagne is a biggy for me right now. I feel like he is the king of using the voice dynamically. 

Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale from LA… I supported them on my last trip to the states. and I fell in love with what they're doing.

Ryan Adams

Gregory Page

Bushwalla

Bright Eyes

Fun

the list could go on and on.

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

Oh man, this is hard. There are so many, but i guess i have to choose one. I played in this rural country town once. There was 4 people in the room. I still tried to put on a good show, despite feeling defeated and deflated and my travels were running at a loss.

One member of the audience bought my $5 EP for $100 and wouldn't let me stop him. That's when I discovered that what i'm doing could mean something  to others and when i find those people they will help keep me afloat… I've been trying harder since then to please even the smallest of crowds and being as generous with my music as i can.

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

I don't think It has as big an influence on current events as it used to. But i don't think that is MUSICs fault. I just don't think there are many artists in the public eye who care to comment with their music. I know plenty of politically influenced artists but without any mainstream attention they aren't having the same sort of impact that say midnight oil had.

However I do believe that each and every artist can help shape the opinions of their community of followers and that can be very powerful.

For example. Even Jason Mraz's conservation attempts and the attention he draws to many of earths problems influences thousands of people. I know i carry a drink bottle rather than purchasing plastic bottles because of him.

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

It has put my career in my own hands. Which is good and bad. Good because i'm in complete control and I answer to no one but bad because I never got into this to run a business or learn about marketing and money in exchange for services and social media. But i have to.

Technology has changed the listener. So many people are downloading their music free, so why would they pay for mine? when i'm nobody. So I have to offer freebies just to try to get a little bit of attention.

It has also flooded the field. People are spoiled for choice which makes even the Lady GaGas have far less sales and far less of a following than the huge acts of the past. But that also means that unknowns from the burbs like me can find their own little niche of people who will support them. So I am all for technology.

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

Dunlop Volleys… No matter what state i'm in. If i'm old to you or if i'm new.. I'm gonna make you comfortable.

I may look worn out at times but you can still use me for something… like the gardening…

haha what? that's a horrible answer…

Simply Six: Kafka

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 don’t think there was ever a moment when I knew would to be a singer as such. For as long as I can remember I knew that I was going to write my own songs. Before I could play any instrument and before I had any musical ability what so ever I knew that I would be a songwriter. Writing my own songs was just something I was always going to do, there was never a plan so to speak which I would follow in order to become a song-writer, I just always had a sense that I would just become a songwriter, I never envisioned it being hard or any kind of struggle, I would be a song-writer and that would be that. I finally saved up to buy my first guitar when I was thirteen, within the first few months I wrote countless songs and my prophecy came true. Just write, forget everything and throw yourself into to it, what has anyone got to lose? That’s my philosophy. I’m totally engrossed with the song writing process, the adrenaline and the satisfaction you get from is like nothing else I’ve ever experienced, if the drugs don’t work then you’re taking the wrong drugs and song-writing is my drug of choice and it always hits the stop.

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

There is always a constant flurry of CD’s going in and out of the CD player (yes I still listen to CD’s and when the chance comes up vinyl). Some of the regulars are Lou Reed, Neil Young, Elvis Costello, Bob Dylan, PJ Harvey, The Only Ones, The Clash, Pixies, Pavement, Nick Cave, Sonic Youth, Bright Eyes, The Smiths, Joy Division, Jesus and Mary Chain, The Talking Heads, The Buzzcocks…. to name a few.

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

The greatest moment for me was getting the album ‘Mysterious Skin’ finished. It took far longer than I could of possibly imagined and was a very frustrating time, life really caught up with me and at times it felt like it would never see the light of the day. The process was long and drawn out to say the least but thankfully it was all worth it, I ultimately wanted an album that I could be proud of forever. No matter what comes in the future this album will always remain a significant one, that’s for sure, it’s the one where all future successes will be built upon.

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

I suppose the first thing to do would be to answer the question ‘how apathetic do you believe today’s society to be?’  You only have to consider global warming, it’s here and it’s happening right now and what are people doing about it? Nothing, the majority of people just don’t care and it’s a sad state of affairs. We had the event Live Earth not long back to address the issue, it was everywhere, and what’s it’s legacy?  No one even remembers it let alone it having any lasting legacy. People are just too comfortable, sat in their houses with their big TV’s and eating too much food, most of today’s issues just don’t enter the equation.

Of course music certainly give’s people a voice. Music is fundamentally a tool for bringing people together, it’s only in the last hundred years that people have had the ability to listening to music as a sole activity, prior to that people had to come together in order to experience any kind of music, and despite technological advances the majority of people’s listening experiences are still shared. It is a way of connecting and relating with other people like no other. I’m sure there’s not a soul on the planet that you couldn’t talk to and find some common ground in relation to music, it’s what we all have in common.

So no I don’t think music on can change the world, people need to want to see change first and as already mentioned I think today’s masses are dangerously apathetic but if the time comes when the people do want to change then I think music, as in the past become as great facilitator in the process.

On a personal level I certainly think it can transform people lives. At the end of the day music just makes you feel better.

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

I suppose it’s screwed the industry. One of the things that annoy me is all the constant doom you see in the media, things like ‘the industry is falling apart’ ect... we’ve seen it for the last few years now and we keep getting told it’s getting worse. I can’t help but think so what? Should we really be expected to feel sympathy for all these fat cats who aren’t getting all the cream anymore? The music industry is practically built on theft, right from the moment someone worked out how to record sound the artist has been getting screwed. Today’s technology has empowered the artist, never has there been a better time than today to be an independent recording artist.

The cost of recording has now completely bottomed out, previously when you paid for a recording session you were paying mainly for the equipment, now it’s mainly the expertise. However if you are willing to learn the craft of recording you can do the whole thing on a couple of hundred pounds, depending on you requirements but you’d need along with good songs a genuine talent at engineering and producing yourself.  In terms of making my own record I don’t think it would have been possible to make this album with the budget I had without digital technology. I was also extremely lucky to have worked with such a talented engineer, Mark Jones, who has worked alongside people like Pater Gabriel.

So overall I think it’s turned the industry on its head, for independent artist’s its opened doors like never before. Recording, distribution and marketing with all the social networking platforms that are now available, to all independent artist it’s a dream come true. It’s kind of like the ultimate punk rock dream, DIY for everyone, of course to make it all work you’re going to have to work damn hard, and of course having a little talent and something interesting to say won’t go amiss.

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

I’d be the most smelliest, dirtiest, ugliest pair of boots, the kind that gets left outside the house, the ones you would not be seen dead wearing but when the time comes and a job needs doing, and troubles about and your needed back in the trench, then a good pair of boots that can with stand any punishment are essentially. I’m those boots; you’re most valuable asset always ready for anything.

SIMPLY SIX: Dana Alexandra

Dana Alexandra is a singer/songwriter from Philadelphia. I was first introduced to her music last summer by my niece. My Dad was dying and everyday we went back and forth from my Mom's house to the hospital to spend our last days with my Dad. My niece had her Ipod and wanted me to listen to a singer from her home town of York, Pennsylvania. I listened to her and immediately liked what I heard, but kind of put it out of my mind with so much else going on. From the start of this site I've been meaning to try and get Dana to do a Simply Six, but somehow never got around to it until now.

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 almost always knew I wanted to be a singer/performer, besides those times back in first grade when I wanted to be a school teacher one day and a vet the next. Back in the day my one friend and I would compete with each other of who had the better voice. It was funny and harsh! I was no early bloomer though. I suppose it took me a while to grow musically and find the confidence I needed to really go for everything I wanted.

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

These days I'm much prouder of my music taste then a year or two ago. I still have odd tastes though!!! I listen to anyone from Feist to Christina Aguilera, Bright Eyes, June Carter and Johnny Cash, and tons of fun music to dance to, tegan and sara and a lot of friends bands. I support! :)

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

My greatest moment? wow! I'm so awful at answering questions like these but my answers are honest! My greatest live moment was when I finally got to play a song straight from the heart to the person it was written to right in the audiance and have them hear it live. it was I guess artistically gratifying! haha

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

Of course music can change the world! I hate to sound cheesy but it really is a universal language and I do believe we can get our own personal beliefs out through songs for our own sake as well as sharing it with others. My mind gets opened up a lot when I listen to other people's views in songs.

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

I'm not sure where I stand with technology now a days. I think it's wonderful how clear records can be with studios and amazing equiptment...but it's also a huge shame how awful people get huge when they don't have a lick of talent. It's frustrating and it's only hurting the industry. Come on, raise the stakes higher to where it used to be when you really had to have talent to get somewhere. Bring it on..I'd rather work my bum off to prove that I've got it then have to work my bum off just to stick out of the huge amount of fabricated talent.

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

Probably a pair of cute flats!!!