SIMPLY SIX: The Shivering Hills

The Shivering Hills are a band from Wales. At the moment they're working on recording songs.

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?

Seeing MTV for the first time as a kid blew my socks off!

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

Queens of the Stone Age, Red Hot Chillipeppers, Faith no More

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

It has to be the first time we blasting out our favourite track 'Give a Little Bit' to a load of stomping fans.

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 deffinately change the world. In our eyes, music changes people and people are the world. When an innovation of music comes along, the inspired people feel different thus have an adverse effect on the world it's self.

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?

Purple Adidas Super Stars (shell toe) with yellow stripes and big fat white laces.

SIMPLY SIX: Stehpanie Paige Norton

Stephanie is a singer from Australia.

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 cant say there was a defining moment when I first realised that I wanted to be an artist. I first picked up the guitar at age 15 but had always had a love for music early on as a child.
There wasn’t a particular artist that inspired me to sing. It was just something I did and I knew felt right.I used song writing as a way to express my feelings as a teenager and its wasn’t till years later that I realised how I wanted to go about my music.I would say 911 opened my eyes up about the world and made me want to write songs that had real meaning. I realised how much tragedy goes on and has gone on over the years and its really inspired me to write about real stories!

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

I try not to limit myself musically. I love experimenting and you can never stop learning from other musicians so im constantly listening and gaining inspiration from all styles of music .The artists that inspire me the most are Henry Rollins & Daniel Johns,.They both create art that has both true passion & substance. Im usually listening to Rollins Band, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Scars On Broadway, Tom Petty, Iggy Pop, Rob Zombie, Queens Of The Stone Age, Tenacious D, Silverchair, System Of A Down, David Bowie, Amen, Acdc, The White Stripes, Misfits, Pj Harvey, The Doors, Juliette & the Licks, Nirvana & more…

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

I would say the way the audience has been connecting with my music.The support ive have been getting in the last 6 months has been flattering. Having other musicians appreciate my work and want to get involved in other projects is amazing. Having people message me saying they connect with the songs and how they have helped them through tough times is rewarding. The fact that you can affect someones life on the other side of the world from something you have created in your bedroom is a great feeling and by far my biggest achievement so far.

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. Its not something that can change overnight but music is just as powerful as politics. I think that musicians have a large impact on the youth and as they are the ones who will determine our future its important in both art and music to keep on trying to convey the messages. So yes music can affect current events just as current events are affecting music, these are the things that artists as myself are finding inspiration from.

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

Definitely!The Internet its such a great way for bands and artists to get exposed.I really believe its opened a lot of doors for myself as an artist. A site such as Myspace allows new and unknown bands to be heard and grow a fan base. The old days everything was done via record labels and now these days you can get label interest from a track being heard on a website.
And the great thing about the advancement in musical technology is you can pretty much record a decent sounding demo on your home computer without having to spend a fortune on a polished studio album and get your music out there all by yourself.

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

I would be a pair of comfortable shoes because if I could walk through life content then I will achieve the best out of myself both personally and musically.

Go check out her myspace page for samples of her music.