Simply Six: May McDonough

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?

-----  My mother kept musical instruments around the house, and she was a rock n roll girl herself.  I learned guitar watching her, and passing tips back and forth with my brother.  Singing was just a part our lives as a family.  The three of us used to harmonize irish folks songs on the way to kindergarten in the mornings.  So I'm not sure I can isolate any defining moment for me.  I was always a musician.  All though I did go through a few years in highschool trying to be a comedian.  Even then though... I think comedians are just musicians who can't play, and musicians are just comedians who aren't funny.

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

------  My music collection is pretty lofty, but I've got favorites.  Sonic Youth, Neutral Milk Hotel, Tom Waits, The Beatles, The Pixies.  I grew up on Bowie and Led Zeppelin and the greats and then moved into the more obscure stuff in high school.  There's a common thread in what I like, but I couldn't name it for the life of me.

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

----  That's got to be a tie between recording my first album last year, and now having a band and playing the House of Blues for the first time.  For an indie band, that's one of the biggest stages we'll ever be privy to.  Can't wait.

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

----  Sure.  Music is art.  And art is distinctly what we do with our humanity.  There's not much pragmatic purpose in it, yet it's what we do.  so I feel like it must be some integral part of the human experience.  It most certainly can influence our actions and our perspectives.

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

---- Well, while the industry fat cats we're busy debating over what new format to use, some nerdy music fans sitting in their basement somewhere created the mp3 and started sharing.  That's definitely the greatest influence I've seen on the industry.  Sharing has given indie bands like us a platform.  Mp3's have made word of mouth powerful again. It's unfortunate that the RIAA refuses to see that.  I wrote an open letter to the RIAA about it on our blog.  They need to revise their laws.  

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

----  Probably the kind of pair where one is always missing.

SIMPLY SIX: GTaa

GTaa is a singer/songwriter from England.

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?


There was no magic switch, although theres plenty of inspirations, to see
Elvis perform on stage is an amazing spectacle, the Beatles Anthology (nee
Long and Winding Road) documentary triumphant.

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

The Best of The Beatles, The Smiths, Depeche Mode, Motown, Bowie, Julian
Cope, The Human League, Queen, the classics….

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

Greatest moment- in terms of audience, probably  one of the radio shows,
perhaps BBC Greater Manchester Radio, singing Rising Sun.

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

Music resonates with the times, reinforcing and energizing the mood and
movements of the moment - Changing the world by its very being,
brightening the dullest day, to firing up the disaffected.
It amplifies and projects the mood of the masses- stirring mass
consciousness. Live Aid, peace protests etc. changed the course of events.

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

Technology - is a great enabler removing constraints- music is more
accessible for listeners, writers and producers than ever before.
Practically  you can sit on a train, or plane, and be happily producing
the latest and greatest on your portable, in fact, thats how much of The
Time The Place, was initially arranged- 16 hours a week on a TGV between
Brest and the Hague.

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

shiny black leather cycle touring shoes- smart and good for a spin.

SIMPLY SIX: Clara Bellino

Clara Bellino is a singer/songwriter from California.

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?
>

It was putting myself to sleep when I was 9 listening to David Bowie, I
loved his lyrics, metaphors, imagery and personal expression. I was
writing poems, decided I was going to sing them, put them to music. I had
just started playing piano.

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

I listen to a wide array of music: what I catch on radio, in my car, I
love Spanish, sung, and Brazilian grooves of all kinds. But also
classical, big band, japanese pop, instrumentals. Music that has something
to say and does it in an entertaining personal non preachy way that
involves me and talks to me not at me.

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

There have been a few. Most recently it was doing an internet radio
interview with someone in Indiana knowing that 400 kids in 2 orphanages in
Kenya and India were listening in to my song we picked for them "Goodnight
Baby", and it lifted them up. I was choked up listening, and when I found
out it cheered them up. Playing the Olympics in my hometown in 1992! was
pretty special too.

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

Music does change the world, imagine the world without it?

Influence current events? sure if we all sing together..

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

Technology I suppose has benefited and hindered music as I see it;
technology gives me more control over being exposed around the world and
gives me the ability to connect with the people who enjoy what I do.
Musically speaking, I still prefer the sound of real instruments played by
people playing together who know how to play them.

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

A fuzzy pair of warm slippers :)