Simply Six: Glass Wave

Glass Wave are from California.


Responses from Christy Wampole, lead singer of Glass Wave

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 became a singer completely by accident.  I was sitting in a coffee shop in Texas reading a book and I heard a French man speaking on his cell phone at the table next to mine.  I am a graduate student in French literature so I was happy to hear this language in a place that has historically not been so hospitable to the French.  He came and asked me about my book -- The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison -- and I answered him in French.  He instantly asked, "Est-ce que vous chantez?" ("Do you sing?")  I answered that I sing only in my car and in the shower.  And badly in both instances.  He asked me to make a cassette singing something in French (I was familiar with basically all French pop music from 1950 to 1980) because he was looking for a French singer to accompany him in his jazz performances at bars and restaurants.  So I made the tape and the rest is history.


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

Lately, I've been listening obsessively to the Paul McCartney and Wings song "Jet" over and over.  For some reason, I find it completely empowering.  On any given day, I might be listening to death metal (Job for a Cowboy), French pop (Serge Gainsbourg), classic rock (The Kinks, Fleetwood Mac), random post-rock (Timonium) or nineties bands (The The).  My consistently favorite band is Led Zeppelin.


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

The greatest moment was when I sang with Glass Wave for the first time, even before we had our name.  I sang "Creature," and when the last chord of the song rang out, the composer Robert Harrison looked at me and said, "You're our new singer."


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

Of course.  I can name dozens of instances in which music actually influenced a major decision I was about to make.  This influence extends beyond the individual to the collective, I believe.


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

Without technology, I'm not sure anyone would know who Glass Wave is.  It is almost purely through digital media that we have found listeners around the world.  I've been so surprised to see who is listening to our music and where they live.  According to their own claim, our biggest fans are two brothers in the Ukraine.


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

To speak for myself, I would probably be a pair of beat-up, brown leather boots with dust and salt from twenty countries folded in the creases.  As for the band, we're probably steel-toed stilettos.

Simply Six: Purple Tree

Purple Tree is a group from New York and Chicago.  The questions are answered by band leader David Perry.

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 seeing my Dad perform in his band when I was real young. He was a lead singer and musician.

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

I listen to Julian Lennon allot. Once in a while some early Floyd. Something like Meddle or Obscured by Clouds. I also find myself listening to Jet, the Beatles, Paul McCartney, Lady Gaga, and various 80's one hit wonders. It depends on my mood. I could probably listen to Dylan for days. His words dig deep.

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

Playing my first gig in NYC to find the place packed with folks there to hear music I wrote. That's a good feeling of achievment. NYC will always be my favorite city for music.

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

Music is the easiest way to connect to all types of people. Music does change the world a little bit at a time. It reaches into areas of our heart, soul, and mind that nothing else can penetrate. It helps us to understand different cultures and personalities without prejudice. Every generation of music reflects current events to a degree. As far as changing them we've proven it is possible. Bob Dylan proved it with his song 'Hurricane'. John and Yoko also proved it with the song 'John Sinclair'. All it takes is the right artist speaking for the people at the right time through song.

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

Technology has affected the music industry by forcing record labels to slowly become obsolete. The advent of the MP3 has changed how we obtain music and how it is controlled. It has also changed the music industry by making anyone with a computer a potential musical artist talented or not. This has over saturated the market with choices, many not so good. This also buries the good with the bad making it hard for a talented, dedicated band to get noticed. 

Technology and the Internet has affected my career by allowing me to acquire new listeners without having to constantly gig or go on tour. Having a website has changed allot too.

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

Probably a pair of Sandals with Chuck Taylor's coming in as a close second.

Simply Six: Brother Joscephus

Just recently we did a Spotlight on Brother Joscephus and the Love Revival Revolution and today we're doing a Simply Six with the leader of the group, Brother Joscephus himself.

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 grew up worshipping music. My younger brother and I would listen to the Beatles and Elton John and would sing and harmonize all the time. We also did a weekly ranking/arrangement of our collection of 45’s, spreading them out all over the floor in order of how we felt that particular week.

Believe it or not, the defining moment for me was when I had a visual to go with the audio – in my case it was MTV – back when MTV really was music television, when it was JUST starting out. I remember being around 10 years old and watching the guy from Men at Work play guitar and thinking – yep, time for guitar lessons.

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

I’m a total iPod geek. I’ve spent years and years honing my iPod collection – sometimes up to 10 hours a day when I was really researching the importance of the iPod collection and trying to leave no stone unturned in the musical history archives. Every track in my iTunes is meticulously labeled and has the correct year of creation (live performances trump release date), original album, artwork, etc. If I download something that’s a compilation I have to find the original albums that the songs appeared on.

I like to make all kinds of intricate playlists and pretty much listen to everything on shuffle.

I always love song-oriented stuff as I consider myself first and foremost a songwriter. My favorite songwriters: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Donald Fagen, Tom Waits, Pete Townshend, Randy Newman. I also love Ollabelle and early Dixie Chicks.

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

I once sang the National Anthem at Safeco Field in front of 30,000 people which was pretty cool. But seeing the evolution of Brother Joscephus and the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra – the righteousness and originality of the music and what we’re doing and the way we’re doing it… nothing I’ve done in my 20+ years as a musician compares.

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

Music changing the world is kinda my thing. I mean, we ARE the Love Revival Revolution – we ARE actively trying to start a revolution here. Sure, why can’t music change the world? Art is a form of expression and has been influential in shaping world views since the dawn of time, if you think about it.

I think living in the information age and the worldwide accessibility to media and, hence, art makes the ability to change the world through music more viable and powerful than ever before in the history of mankind.

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

I’m still trying to figure out how to actually make money with this new technology thing. But I think it’s ultimately really evened the playing field. There’s good and bad and I think the whole thing is still sorting itself out. But to go along with my previous statement, I believe in my heart that making music and art much more accessible to everyone throughout the world is a good thing. Especially if you’re trying to change the world or just spread love and music to as many people as possible. In that respect, it’s really great.

6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?
Well, I really have two personae, David Mendelsohn who’s the reality anchor behind the project, and my alias/alter ego/stage personae, Brother Joscephus.

David would be comfy sandals. BroJo would be alligator skin boots with 3 inch heels.

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.