Simply Six: Kellen Ross of 'Opium Symphony'

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! The moment I knew that I wanted to start/sing for a rock band was after I heard the Smashing Pumpkins album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. I was 14, and heard it for the first time from my older brother's CD collection. I knew then that rock n' roll was something that I wanted to be a part of. I was so frustrated with the music at that time, and I felt that bands like the Smashing Pumpkins set a great example of how to "break the mold". I wanted to do just that!

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

My band always makes fun of me because I rarely listen to music! Haha, but when I do, I enjoy bands that are timeless (in my humble opinion). I listen to The Beatles, Queen, Stone Temple Pilots, Radiohead, and Dire Straits, to name a few.

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

The greatest moment was the first time that I heard one of my songs, "Deaf Radio" to be exact, on the radio! I had spent my teenage years in Abilene, TX daydreaming of all the things I would do/accomplish once I graduated high school, and moved to Dallas to start a band. This was one of those things! 

I was waiting tables at the time while performing on the weekends around DFW. One night I was driving "home" (I was sleeping on my bass player's couch), and I turned on the radio about 3 miles from home. It took me a second to realize that the familiar song I was hearing was mine! I couldn't believe it! An Opium Symphony song being played one of the biggest rock stations in DFW! I knew that if a rock station was playing a song I wrote on their own accord, then I had something that the rock community deserved to hear!

I felt like I had crossed off one of the goals from my "musical bucket list".

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 believe that music can change the world. It can do whatever the listener wants it to. For some people, music is "just something to listen to", or to dance to. I tend to delve into the music that has/speaks a certain message or encourages some time of change within the listener. You can't listen to John Lennon and avoid catching yourself thinking about life/the world. You can't listen to Marilyn Manson and not feel just a little pissed off at society. 

Music is always influencing current events, or at least it is always reflecting current events, and acting as a voice for the Zeitgeist. For example, Muse's single "Uprising" was perfect for the way that the world was feeling at the time. The bank bailout just happened, economic recession was at it's peek, and people were feeling slighted by big brother/corporations. It isn't as if Matt Bellamy spawned the idea of speaking out to these injustices, but I can bet that the song was a huge hit partially because he "hit the nail on the head" relating to what people were feeling at that time.

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

Technology is affecting everything. It makes things easier, yet more complex. I think technology is a great thing to embrace in the music industry as long as you don't use it as a crutch. In recording, I spent about $19,000 dollars on a record that just 20 years ago would have cost me well over $300,000. In the realm of recording, if someone uses technology to do something that they could do if they practiced (or worked harder), then I would call that using it as a crutch. But pushing the boundaries with technology and creating sounds that are humanly impossible is a good use of technology. 

Lastly, anyone who doesn't use technology to get noticed is simply ignorant to the possibilities, or has an extreme "purist" view on "getting noticed". If a band isn't using the Internet to get their music out into the public, they're missing out big time, and I would say they have no chance of ever having a voice in the future of music.

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

Well Barbara, I mean John, if I were a pair of shoes, I would be a pair of Marty McFly Nikes. Simply because I am mentally willing their existence so I can have a pair before I die!

Simply Six: Moochie Mac

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 have always wanted to perform since I was a kid. It started with watching Michael Jackson live in Singapore along with all his music videos and such. That got me into performing when I was in high school and college, karaoke and all that. The main turning point for me to making music professionally and writing my own songs was this place in Phuket, Thailand called Rock City. I was performing there for close to 8 months. Sang rock covers of Bon Jovi, Linkin Park and stuff. When I saw, how women went crazy to a cover band doing non originals, I decided that the only way up was to make my own music. I wanted to create something. I wanted people to sing along to my creation. Michael Jackson, Rock City Phuket and scantily clad ladies were my turning point. 


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


I love Michael Jackson. I listen to him a lot. A lot of Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Queen, Freddie Mercury is one of my heroes. Aerosmith. Guns N Roses of old. I listen to a lot of Japanese Rock too. Bands like L'Arc En Ciel, X Japan, Gackt and the one that I am hooked to at the moment, Miyavi. Crazy guitar god. Amazing.


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


 The song Sayonara. I am really proud of it as it was written for my late Grandma. Whenever I perform it, I get goosebumps. We are currently planning a Japan tour in August and proceeds from that will go to the quake victims of Japan. I am thinking that that will be really fulfilling too when it happens


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


 People can change the world. Music just makes it easier. It motivates people, but at the end of the day, it boils down to us being decent, loving human beings. Music to me can influence current events. It can help people lift their spirits in times of ordeal. Our upcoming tour of Japan for example. I'm pretty confident it will help Japan, even if it's just a tiny bit.


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


Technology has made music more accessible to the masses. The internet is a major game changer. Pros and cons. Piracy went up, less money from album sales. I love how I can use all that imaginary money to buy my imaginary alcohol. On the other hand, promotion and getting fans from around the world is way easier. Us being based in Singapore could have fans in the States, Japan and all without even being there. I guess an artist just has to work harder. I believe the internet has given back a lot of power to artists. We just have to learn how to utilize it properly. A label is no more a necessity to make music a career.


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


 If the reader of this article right now is a beautiful lady, I wanna be her shoes. I am flexible like that. 

Simply Six: The Evidence

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?

Well, I started as a drummer, first and foremost, which I sort of fell into. My Dad offered me a dusty, decrepit old kit that he had lying around. Shortly after I started playing drums, I saw the music video for "Show Don't Tell" by Rush,and going into the second chorus, Neil Peart does this massive drumfill...the camera zoomed in on his kit for it, and I KNEW I wanted to do that. With singing for me, it was more a matter of necessity. I was in a trio and we needed more voice for harmonies. I discovered that I loved to sing, but there was no real polarizing moment for me. 

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

As mentioned previously, I love Rush, and so does Tyler. We're still trying to sell Dean on them. In general, we have many common influences, and many disparate ones. I'll try and include a sampling of artists here that represent all our tastes.

Queen, Steely Dan, AFI, Pantera, The Cure, Aphex Twin, Bad Religion, Coheed and Cambria, Midnight Oil, Prince, Iron Maiden, U2, Circa Survive, Thrice, The Beatles, Three, Bad Brains, Squarepusher, Knapsack, Foo Fighters

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

Wow, that's a tough one. I think our new record Currents is honestly the most proud I've been of a record that we've done. The songs, the production, the performances....it feels like something that I will be able to listen to for years without thinking about what we could have done differently, you know? To pick a specific moment from the record, though? I think I'll go with the a'cappella bridge in "Crossing The Rubicon". That feels like a real moment to me...

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

Music, just like any artform, is just a language. It's a way of communicating things. Everything you learn about it, everything you hear, just increases your vocabulary, and your ability to communicate more efficiently. It can be overt or subtle, but it affects you nonetheless. That's why people get songs that they claim to hate stuck in their head. They CONSCIOUSLY hate them, with a certain calculated pretension, but they SUBCONSCIOUSLY are affected by them. To that end, music is a mirror of our collective experiences. I'm not going to lie, a lot of my personal philosophies and political viewpoints have been shaped by musical artists. I've been inspired to be involved in social activism by music, to write my own, to blog, to talk....music can really affect people. But without proactivity, music changes nothing. It only opens a door to inspiration. PEOPLE still need to make changes.

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

It's a double-edged sword, I suppose. Technology has made the industry less profitable in a traditional sense, but opened the door to many new avenues of creation and distribution. You can't say that it's all bad or all good Ultimately, we're all still making music, right? THAT is what's really important. New tools always take some time to get used to. People innately either fear change and resist it with all fervour or embrace it without foresight or caution. I prefer a more moderate viewpoint with technology and music. Use whatever works best for you in the current climate...

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

Haha...well, I guess we'd be a good, comfortable pair of sneakers. 

Simply Six: Heather Edwards

Heather Edwards is a singer/songwriter from New York.

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?

When I was 6 1/2 years old my parents bought a piano.  I was trying to play a song but it wasn't going the way I thought it should or wanted it to.  I asked my Mother what the problem was and she explained that I had to take piano lessons.  My Father was a high school math teacher and asked his students if any of them had a piano teacher that they really liked.  One girl told him that she had a piano teacher and she really liked her and that is how my parents found my piano teacher.  After my first lesson I ran to the piano once we got home and tried to play the song.  I exclaimed to my parents that the piano lesson didn't work.  They told me I needed to take more than one lesson and so I kept going back.  Four months later I gave my first recital (playing at a fourth year level, which I didn't know was a big deal at the time).  After that performance I was on Cloud 9 and knew that a pianist/performer was what I would be 'when I grew up'.

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

Instead of generating a random (and very extensive) list of artists that I love to listen to, I've created alphabetical listing just for fun (but not a complete listing by any means)!

Aerosmith
Beatles
Chet Baker
Damned
Eurythmics
Fleetwood Mac
George Gershwin
Heart
India.Arie
Journey
Kronos Quartet
Led Zepplin
Meatloaf
Nat King Cole
Ozzy Osbourne
Prince
Queen
Rush
Stevie Wonder
Tom Waits
U2
Van Halen
Who
Xavier Rudd
Zappa

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

It is really hard to say I've only had one greatest moment.  However, one of the highlights was a show that I gave when I was 18 years old - my Senior Recital.  The first hour was Classical music in chronological order based on when it was composed and ended with a piece I composed.  The second hour I came out with a rock band and we played an hour of songs I had written.  I loved the complete change in mood and the crowd had a great time.

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 that music has power that we may sometimes either be unaware of and/or take for granted.  Music therapy has been proven to heal.  Lyrics have inspired and taught people around the world about major events.  Music fundraisers are events that can help raise awareness and funds for medical research, disaster relief and other important causes.

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

I believe that technology has been a blessing and a curse.  Because of the internet, music is more available and accessible to people around the world.  Music searches and social networking have helped my music reach people globally whereas without the internet, I don't know that I'd have fans in places like India, Ireland and Bulgaria.  The downside of the technology is that music is easier to steal and has put traditional record stores out of business.  I read that it was estimated that because of online piracy and illegal sales of copyrighted works on the artists who create them, artists lost $12.5 BILLION and 71,060 jobs last year.  Those are pretty terrifying statistics.

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

If I were a pair of shoes I would be the most flattering, comfortable, never-go-out-of-style pair.  These shoes would be the kind that a person would do anything to keep around because this paid of shoes is her absolute, can't-do-without favorite!

 

SIMPLY SIX: GTaa

GTaa is a singer/songwriter from England.

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?


There was no magic switch, although theres plenty of inspirations, to see
Elvis perform on stage is an amazing spectacle, the Beatles Anthology (nee
Long and Winding Road) documentary triumphant.

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

The Best of The Beatles, The Smiths, Depeche Mode, Motown, Bowie, Julian
Cope, The Human League, Queen, the classics….

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

Greatest moment- in terms of audience, probably  one of the radio shows,
perhaps BBC Greater Manchester Radio, singing Rising Sun.

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

Music resonates with the times, reinforcing and energizing the mood and
movements of the moment - Changing the world by its very being,
brightening the dullest day, to firing up the disaffected.
It amplifies and projects the mood of the masses- stirring mass
consciousness. Live Aid, peace protests etc. changed the course of events.

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

Technology - is a great enabler removing constraints- music is more
accessible for listeners, writers and producers than ever before.
Practically  you can sit on a train, or plane, and be happily producing
the latest and greatest on your portable, in fact, thats how much of The
Time The Place, was initially arranged- 16 hours a week on a TGV between
Brest and the Hague.

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

shiny black leather cycle touring shoes- smart and good for a spin.

SIMPLY SIX: Verismo

Verismo is a trash metal outfit from New York.

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, absolutely....My father decided to set up his small drumset in our new house's basement as soon as the building was completed (he had played in R&R bands in his youth)...I got really excited about that and just days later Freddy Mercury (Queens) passed away and there was The Memorial concert in Wembley stadium, London. I was listening to Metallica for a while at that point when they performed at this show....they blew me away....decision was made "I wanna be a drummer"... HUGE inspiration



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


I have been listening to the classic metal/hard rock records of course for a while, which hasn't stopped much, although I am always looking to discover some newer releases. Besides that I am very open to other styles as long as it's good music...Jazz, Funk, Classical...you name it



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


I guess that would be recording our first album, City Of Kings. Basically the drums and rhythm guitars for the entire record was recorded in ONE take, no repeats, overdubs or anything. That was a 10-song package, well rehearsed...the engineer couldn't believe it....LOL



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


Oh, music has great influence on ppl. I am not sure if it can change the world (that's politics) but certainly can state a point of view and that's mostly controversial to what's going on in the world. I'd rather say music, musicians are influenced by current events and we are expressing them broader and braver. Although music can get a person thru rough times!



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


Enormous effect on the industry. I believe it has great potential in the near future but it hasn't been really figure out yet. Established acts have advantage of the system since they have a huge fan base that they can reach online without record labels and such but for newer acts it's very hard to get recognition. We're going thru some serious transition which is pretty difficult at the moment. Only the strongest and the best acts will survive.



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


Comfortable, long lasting and suitable for the job.