Simply Six: In The Cinema

In The Cinema are from Minneapolis.

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?

Ryan:  When I was 16, my super cool hippie friend Rachel introduced me to Cat Stevens...I remember hearing "Father and Son" for the first time and was almost paralyzed...I still get goosebumps when I listen to him sing...I didn't start writing songs until years later, but this was definitely when I fell in love with the voice, and how powerful it can be.

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

Ryan:  Otis Redding, Tracy Chapman, The The, Ray LaMontagne, Neil Finn, Glen Phillips, Morrissey...these are just a few of my favorites...Lately I've been listening to new albums from The Swell Season, Peter Wolf Crier (shout out to Mpls!), Cold War Kids...the Crowded House album "Time On Earth", I think I've listened to that every day for the past couple of weeks...maybe because it's been raining a lot lately in Minneapolis. 

Joe: STS9, Louis Armstrong, GLK, Genesis, Aphex Twin, RJD2 Prefuse 73, a lot of Minneapolis hip hop (Rhymesayers and such), classic rock (Boston, Kansas), Mayor Hawthorne’s “Green Eyed Love,” Kid Cudi’s Man On The Moon, MF Doom, Madlib, Nat King Cole, Flying Lotus, Patsy Cline, A Tribe Called Quest, Bobby Womack, etc.

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

Ryan:  Joe and I finished our first album ("The Illness Project") in the Spring of 2007...I was absolutely desperate to get out of the studio and play music for as many people as possible, so we decided to just jump off a ledge and go for it...We subletted our apartments, booked 26 shows on our own, and put 7500 miles on the Oldsmobile on our first tour!  It was absolutely amazing, seeing a new city every day, playing to new people every night...It was incredible, and it really made me feel like a "real" musician...Nothing beats playing live.

Joe: I would say touring was most definitely the most fun and exciting experience also. As far as overall musical live greatest moment I would have to say our cd release for “The Illness Project” at The Bryant Lake Bowl here in Minneapolis. The whole night was on point with us as a band as well as the people that came to see us. One of my favorite venues.

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

Ryan:  I definitely think music has the ability to move people, and certainly can be used as a catalyst for change, especially on a personal level...As a songwriter, I do believe that connecting with a listener, and bringing some sense of understanding is huge...For me, it's an absolute necessity...not to cure or change anyone, but to connect and relate...If someone can hear me sing or be moved by something I've written, there's nothing more satisfying.

Joe: Music for me is more than something I just listen to to pass time. I know I listen to different types of music depending on how or what I’m feeling at that time…So, yes, to a certain extent  I think music does play a part in shaping the world and the future of our country.
As far as current events go, I’ve been to live shows in the past where the bands have a strong political agenda either in lyrics or in between songs and I think the fans do listen to what they say so it definitely is influential in that sense.

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

Ryan:  For us as a band, technology has been awesome...We do a lot of looping, and incorporate some electro beats and samples in our live set, so being able to add those elements has been very fun...Also,  recording programs are so user-friendly, which is great for broke indie bands like us...We recorded most of our new album by ourselves, and you can get a great-sounding album, which was not a possibility when I started recording about 10 years ago...On the downside, technology can really snuff out your creative candle if you let it...About a year ago, I began tackling the online world, as far as promotion and marketing...just typing those words really creeps me out...It can be dangerous, the business side as an indie artist can really consume your time if you let it...But staying in touch with all of the new stuff going on is just something you have to do...However, if 90 percent of my time is spent doing non-creative business junk, then I get burned out very quickly, and don't feel like an artist...I have to remind myself to just pick up the guitar and sing just as much as I work on booking, promo, and online stuff...Continually creating is key.

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

Ryan:  An old pair of brown patent leather thrift store oxfords...much like a 70s creepy insurance salesman would wear...I know, nothing but class.

Joe: A fresh pair of Nike’s. I suppose that’s the difference between me and Ryan…

SONG OF THE WEEK

This week we present another New Orleans native John Boutte. Every year John gets more praise as more people recognize how good he is. The first Jazz Fest after Katrina he gave one of the most powerful shows of the event. Combine Sam Cooke with Nat King Cole and throw in a gumbo of New Orleans sounds and experiences and you might get someone like John Boutte. Here he is singing "City of New Orleans."

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Interview: Paul Sanchez

Paul Sanchez was a founding member of Cowboy Mouth. He's recently left the group and is now on his own. His concerts are billed as the Paul Sanchez and the Rolling Road Show where he performs with different special guests. At the French Quarter Fest this year I happened to catch his show there with John Boutte, Shamar Allen and Susan Cowsill. To call it one of my favorite concert moments is an understatement.


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 was asked this question a few years ago in a spontaneous moment and before I had time to think I answered. I remember that my father died when I was five and that is when I also started singing. I don't know that I was especially talented but I was encouraged to sing by my whole family. Looking back I realized it was probably that the sound of a five year old singing was prettier then a houseful of people crying.
I have been attracted to playing solo acoustic and my earliest t.v. music memory is McCartney performing Yesterday on the Ed Sullivan Show.

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

I like Sinatra, Dr. John, the Nevilles, John Boutte, the Boss, the Beatles, Nat King Cole, Cole Porter, a good tune and a great lyric.

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

I really dig the sense of community a great live show has and that is more difficult to put on a disc, energy and community are intangibles that have to be lived and felt in the recording before they can be heard in the listening. I played in one of the most energetic live bands to come out of New Orleans and for ten releases we made albums lacking in energy and passion. I'm most proud that Dave Pirner, who produced Exit To Mystery Street, was able to put the energy that was bouncing off the walls, on to the disc for people to hear.

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

Listening to music is a liberating feeling, giving one's self over to its joys. you can change your world and how you feel about it and connect to it with music. I believe in that way music does, has and will continue to change the world. It starts with a person, spreads to a crowd and echoes to forever.

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

It is easier to make demos, cheaper to record records, easier to share music with musicians and promoters. I'm still basically an acoustic guitar guy with a batch of songs but it easier to spread the tunes around now.

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

The comfortable kind that you slide into and remember you've always loved, the pair you never knew you missed and don't want to take off.

Interview: To Have Heroes

To Have Heroes is singer/songwriter Andy Skib. Maybe I should let him explain it: "What do you do when you’re not a band, but you’re not a solo artist? You give it a name. I chose, "To Have Heroes", to be that name. This is my "project". Over the past eight years of my life I’ve become friends with some incredible musicians. Some live in Tulsa, some in Austin, Nashville, and New York. Oh yeah, and one lives in American Idol. To Have Heroes is my way of beginning to see what I sound like with the help of all of these different "musically inclined" friends."

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?

For me, I'd have to say it all started when I was between 5 and 10 years old singing in the car. Sting, James Taylor and Nat King Cole are my fondest memories. I haven't stopped singing since.


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

I go through cycles of favorites....right now i'd have to say Augustana, Jason Mraz and George Stanford. Yet, there is always Silverchair, Ryan Adams, Amos Lee, Big Wreck, and Soundgarden/Chris Cornell playing in my car.

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

Probably finishing my newest EP. It's really my first venture without a band. It's sort of a bittersweet feeling though. I love the fact that I can do it yet, I don't have that companionship that comes with having a band. Overall, it gives me a great sense of accomplishment.

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

Oh I completely think that music can change the world. To me it's the most universal language out there. It doesn't matter where you're from, if you feel it, you feel it.

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

Well, technology is a blessing and a curse. If you're not on the front edge of it you're going to be left behind. If you don't know how to take advantage of it all, it might end up hurting you. For me it is a great tool! Somehow through cyberspace I've been able to let people, thousands of miles away learn about my music and listen to it without waiting weeks and weeks. All they had to do was type in my url and there's my music. I can put up a video that took me 10 minutes to make and show it to all of them in a matter of minutes. If technology is used well, there is no reason we shouldn't embrace it.

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

Definitely a 90's pair of Air Jordan's.