Simply Six: Alex Chudnovsky

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?

Not really, there never has been a defining moment, it has been a gradual progression as a musician, from starting to play the electric guitar when I was 16 until now.
My drive has always been to share my music with people, and influence them through my music in a positive way.

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

To be honest, I don't really listen to much music, but when I do, I find myself listening to heavy metal, Slayer, Megadeth, Metallica, Dream evil to name a few, I also enjoy listening to Russian music.  I very rarely listen to classical music myself.

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?
Being nominated by APRA as the finalist making it into the last group of 20 - best up coming composers in Australia, out of about 3,500 entries from Australian composers.

4.  Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to?   How much can music influence current events?
It can definitely have a big influence, in terms of influencing current effects, it's something that is hard to measure, but as a generality, music is a time stamp of emotion, just as a photograph is a time stamp of an image, music can capture the composers embedded emotion in the piece for ever . So music can definitely make people feel better, cheer them up and effect their daily lives in positive or negative ways.

5. How has technology affected the music industry?  How has technology affected your career as a musician?
It has completely changed it, with the advent of the internet, it has given us musicians an opportunity to share our music with the world where in the past it went as far as demo tape in an envelope. Personally YouTube has been amazing for me, having 10 thousand plus subscribers and over 2.5 million views across my videos.. this simply would have not been possible in the previous decade.

6.  Now for my Barbara Walters question:  If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?
Freedom wins the day for me - Thongs (flip flops I think they call them in the states) or Barefoot

SIMPLY SIX: Stark

Stark is Lani Ford with changing members rounding out the band since they started in New York City in 2003.

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 was a classical pianist and church organist. I heard classical music and hymns since before I was even born so as soon as I could make noises I started singing. As soon as I could talk I started making up my own songs…about 3 years old. Later, I voraciously listened to any music I could find, memorized all the words and made up song and dance acts. After seeing Wizard of Oz and getting a Judy Garland album, you couldn’t stop me. Glen Campbell, Judy Garland and Linda Ronstadt were my mainstays before 10 years old. Don’t ask me why.

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

Depends on the mood I’m in. I have extremely eclectic tastes in music but the theme of either angst or misery with some kind of rebelliousness is probably always present. I listen to a lot of local/independent bands like Bantam. New Professionals, I.C.U., F.P.ToZ, Statues of Liberty . I love Marianne Faithfull, Etta James, Janis Joplin, Sass Jordan , Tori Amos, Eminem, Rosemary Clooney, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Sabbath, Agnostic Front, AC/DC, Heart…I could go on and on.

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

Every time someone says they can’t stop listening to one of my songs or that they felt like someone got them when they heard my song. That’s always so humbling and inspiring and makes me remember why I keep torturing myself with all this.

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

I’d like to believe music can change the world. I think it keeps some cultures alive when people are taking part in it. Can Nickelback write a song that will stop war? I don’t think so.

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

I think technology has taken a lot of the artistry away. It’s become formulaic. I don’t know if my career would have ever been really any different but I still do analog recording which if a defiant move away from the technology. I think we’re even going to go vinyl for the new album…but we’ll also have download cards…so technology won’t go away…you have to use parts of it and just do what you believe in. I like that old fat sound so pro tools just doesn’t do it for me.

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

Combat boots.