SImply Six: Summerfield

Summerfield are from Fayetteville NC.

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?

Summerfield: We knew we wanted to do this when we stepped out in front of thousands of people at the Dogwood Festival. This first time we ever played together, opening the festival with the National Anthem. We were both incredibly nervous before we stepped out on stage. The moment we started playing, however, all of that fear turned into confidence. To hear thousands of people cheer like they did in such a patriotic manner was amazing. That is when we both knew we wanted to do this forever.

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

Summer: Vanessa Carlton is my favorite I love her voice, piano playing, and lyrics. I also enjoy Toby Keith, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, John Mayor, Boys Like Girls, and Taylor Swift to name a few

Isaac: I am all over the place; I enjoy Zac Brown Band, John Mayor, Jennifer Hudson, and Thrice. Whatever is playing I’m down for it.

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

Summerfield: That would have to be getting boxes and boxes of our first album delivered to our doorstep. Nothing quite says you’re actually doing it like opening a box that is full of your own album copies. All of your hard work and dedication paid off just lying in your hands. That was a big moment for us both and it is still sinking in.

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

Summer: I believe music has the power to inspire. Music can be that extra push to get you through the day or even inspire you to make a difference in the world around you. We like to write music that has a purpose, usually based on the things we have experienced. Many times we have played charity events and have used music to benefit many worthy causes.

Isaac: Music for me holds a world of emotion. I believe in having a soundtrack to my life. I have a song for every mood and every circumstance. It affects the way I feel, think, and behave. I believe I’m not that different from everyone else. I believe we are all effected by what we listen to be it good or bad.


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

Summerfield: We are a grassroots kind of band. We are staying true to ourselves and our mission. Years ago grassroots meant getting your city to love you. Today with the power of social networking our grassroots movement means that we are connecting with fans all over the world. In a recent giveaway contest we were surprised to find we were giving away as many prizes outside of the country as we were in the country. While we are focused on our surrounding area, technology has allowed us to grow far beyond our reach. The ability to be a country-pop band in Fayetteville NC, and be sharing our music with someone over in the Netherlands is amazing.


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

Summerfield: Converse: they are retro yet current, fashionable yet functional and we both own multiple pairs.

Simply Six: Te Vaka

Te Vaka are from Australia.

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?

Ans/ The one that immediately comes to mind is the 'electric ladyland' album by jimi hendrix - as a 13 year old hearing it for the first time,

it changed my views on music forever.

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

Ans/ I am always hunting on the net,radio etc for sounds that excites me and maybe inspire a new creation. At the moment i'm watching Peter Gabriels 'new blood' show arrangements of his songs with just an orchestra, in my car i have Miles Davis 'kind of blue', other than that it's the standard stuff like Bjork,black eyed peas,david byrne,john mayer..any interesting songwriters will do me.

                

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

            

Ans/ on a personal level, writing and producing our 6th album was a challenge. The feeling i experienced on it's completion was like i had just conquered Mt. Everest. I found out how much work a producer does.

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

Ans/ Definitely Yes to that! you can be taken on an emotional tour where you experience all human emotions just by listening to music and it's humans that rule and influence earth.

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

 Ans/ it has brought artists and fans closer together in so many ways, as a musician it's affected me in that i had to adjust to learning new things but it's all good.

            

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

Ans/  Cool red ones like the ones worn by the court jesters of old.

Simply Six: Savio Rego

Savio Rego is an artist from San Francisco and Berlin.

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?
Peoples Reactions - I performed at several open mic, little shows in cafes and wine bars performing cover songs and a couple songs I wrote merely to test the reaction it would have on the audience. The reaction was people would come up to me after the show and ask if I had a CD for sale. That was the defining moment for me.


2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?
Recently I've been listening to new material of Sade, John Mayer, Lionel Richie, Norah Jones as well as a lot of Lounge music by various artists and then the occasional radio stuff when I'm driving.

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?
Listening to my music on Commercial Radio. As of 1 week now, my song "Miss You" is played on BB Radio in Brandenburg, Germany.

4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?
Certainly, as a music lover and listener, it has changed things in my world. I think it's a very powerful and an effective way to communicate. For instance, listen to "Heal the World" by Michael Jackson and you realize it has a deeper message and crosses the boundaries of music made for just entertainment. So I say music can have a great impact on listeners if the contents resonate.

5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?
Immensely, you can pretty much find new listeners and make new fans online with social media and other online outlets such as blogs, podcasts and so on. I would attribute as little as 100% of my success to technology. From starting a little myspace music page to growing by fan base to networking to touring in Germany to hearing my music on Commercial Radio, all happened via the Internet. Of course it's the people that make it happen for you but without technology you wouldn't even find these people. The only downside is there is a plethora of music these days and with so many choices and options you really have to have something that would make a new listener want to invest their time listening to your music. And the answer is simply.....good music, So I think if you can start it right by writing music that will resonate with people, from there technology can work in remarkable ways.

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

SIMPLY SIX: Erin Toland

Erin Toland is a new singer/songwriter from New Orleans.

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 always loved singing, but I remember listening to Jason Mraz's "Unfold" from his Live at Java Joe's album and thinking "I want to do that." So, from there I started playing guitar and writing.

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

Right now I'm listening to John Mayer's version of "Freefallin'" and I love it. As for eveerything else, my taste varies. I just recently experienced a rough break up so I've been listening to a lot of sad country songs. My favorites though include Garth Brooks, Etta James, James Taylor, Jason Mraz, and Rilo Kiley.

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

I can definitely say it was when I played the Viper Room in Los Angeles, and I was playing a cover of Etta James' "Somethings Gotta Hold on Me" and the room EXPLODED into applause when I was done. Everyone was screaming and I felt like a total badass. haha.

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 sometimes it's a two edged sword with getting music involved in things like politics. You have musicians who take stands and people follow them not because they truly believe it for themselves, it's because they're fans. However, it's great that musicians can have a platform to effect the world in a positive. Music can't change the world, music can't stop bombs from being dropped and killing people, but it can open the eyes of people who be otherwise unaware. Also, music just makes people happy. Happiness is something everyone needs.

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

I bought a MacBook for the soul purpose of recording and for me, it's done great things. I think technology is great, but I hate when people get in the studios and sound like dogs howling but then sound great when ProTools gets involved. I.E.- Paris Hilton.

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

Wow...I'd think I'd be a pair of baseball cleats just because I love baseball.