Simply Six: Mike Stout

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?

Yes - When I was 15 years old at a Boarding school (i.e.-reform prison) in a farm town in the middle of Illinois corn country, I went to a place called the Youth Center and saw a band called the "McCoys" who featured a teenage guitar player named Rick Derringer and a young singer whaling on a song called "Hang On Sloopy,"  followed a week later by a group called "Them" with a young teenage singer named Van Morrison. I said to myself: 'there's my way out of this insanity.'

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

Phil Ochs, early Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, Bruce Cockburn, Woody Guthrie, delta blues greats like Mississippi John Hurt, Son House, Leadbelly, etc and the Beatles - the all time masters of innovation and 3-part harmony.

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

 

In 1973, at an International Peace Conference in Montreal, Canada I performed in front of 500 people from 12 countries a song about a Chilean singer and poet, Victor Jara,  who was tortured and murdered after the Sept. 11, Coup d'etat.  There were 20-25 Chilean refugees in the audience who came up to me after the show crying and thanking me for remembering their fallen hero. Also, on July 4, 1974 I performed an anti-war song in front of 5,000 Vietnam Veterans on the Washington Monument in DC to a standing ovation. 

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

 

Music can change the world by changing an individual's outlook, attitude and connections with the world around them, whether the song is about other peoples, nature, unjust or oppressive conditions or just a doo-wop 4-part harmony tune that makes you forget your surroundings. Music can change the world by bringing joy, hope and rekindled spirit into their hearts and heads of all with ears.

 

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

Negatively, in the sense that it has made recordings somewhat artificial with less of that live, spontaneous feel; positively in the sense that it is so exact and precise that you must be at the top of your game to stand out and be heard. Software such as "Pro Tools" can make the worst singer sound like gold, and the best singer run of the mill. It forces you to sing from the heart, and not from the throat.

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

 

Flip flops - the most open, naked, and easy to remove at any given moment.

SIMPLY SIX: Patti Rothberg

Patti is a talented artist from New York. She recently released her new album Double Standards.

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 used to sing to myself in my plaid pants on the lawn of my parent's home when I was only 3 It might be my earliest real memory. But the defining moment in culture may have been when Olivia Newton John was a rollerskating singing muse in Xanadu, 1982 or so.

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

SO many...but I LOVE a great song! Tom Petty, Jules Shear, Elliot Smith, Juliana Hatfield, Patti Smith, Stevie Nicks, Dylan, THE BEATLES, Zeppelin etc..!!

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

That might be a tie between the solo that flew from my fingers on Looking 4 a Girl, and my ridiculous spoken word event in the fade of Eggshells on Candelabra Cadabra (my second record). Frank Zappa would have been proud.

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

I believe music changes the world every day. It only takes one set of two ears to hear and believe in someone like say, Bob Dylan and play telephone...pass it on until soon music, fashion politics and the world are affected!!! Political messages thru music are like the medicine that make the spoonful of sugar go down.

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

Video killed the radio star. The internet killed video. everything is much too diluted now. Next!?

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

Part of me would be stilletos or 70s platform boots, the other part would be barefoot!