Simply Six: The Icarus Account

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 we were about 6 years old our parents took us to a concert. During one of the songs I remember getting goosebumps because of how much the song moved me emotionally. I remember saying to myself "One day I want to give people that same feeling through music that was just given to me" Since then we've stayed true to that through the years as we've performed written and released our music. 

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

When we listen to music we try to stay open to lots of different genres/artists to help us stay well-rounded and think outside the box. On a consistent basis we listen top 40 radio stations to see what is hot now in the mainstream. But we also enjoy listening to a lot of the lesser known indie acts out there. Some artists we are currently hooked on are ben rector, the fray, usher, the script, matt nathanson, the dangerous summer and many others. 

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

I'd say our favorite moment so far has probably been playing our first international show in Canada and having over a hundred of our fans that we didn't know at all sing back every word of our songs so loud that we couldn't even hear ourselves. It was definitely a pretty surreal moment. 

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

I'd say that we think it can change the world. I'm not sure how much it immediately affects current events, but I think it definitely can change the way a person thinks and feels about life and every movement starts with one person. Ultimately music can change the mindset of a whole bunch of people which is when you see cultural shifts. So in a more indirect way I think music does influence current events, and I also think that events affect music. I mean throughout all of history different time periods have given us different types of music and I think it all goes hand in hand. The music is changing the landscape of current and future events, while the events are also shaping and dictating the content and the feel of the music that is being written. 

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

I almost touched on that in the last question! Technology has had a huge impact on the music industry not only in the way that music is created with recording software and new instruments but also in the way that music is promoted, bought, shared, and discovered. When music downloading came out in the early 2000's and iTunes debuted it totally revolutionized the thinking of all artists and labels. There's a lot bigger focus now on singles as opposed to albums because tracks are typically bought one at a time. Now things are changing even more as subscription based streaming engines like spotify are becoming popular. As much as music is an art, the industry is a business so the way that money is made is always going to dictate the trends in the music industry. For us we have kind of just accepted the fact that people are going to download our music both legally and illegally and you really can't fight it. We have chosen to accept it and try to connect with fans regardless of if they are buying our music or not. We have found that often if we give music away for free, more people end up buying it and it gets spread around a lot more so we end up with bigger crowds at our shows which results in more merch sales. We also have to be adaptable as what worked last year isn't necessarily going to work this year. I mean just 2 or 3 years ago myspace was the way that we found every single one of our fans and almost all of our tours were booked through fans from myspace. Now, I don't even remember the last time we logged into our myspace account so we have had to quickly find other ways of promoting our music and connecting with fans. Anyways, I could go on a really long time about technology but bottom line is it is significantly changing the landscape of music, the creation of music and the industry as a whole and everyone involved is just along for the ride! 

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

Just a normal pair of black Chuck Taylor Converse. It's a shoe that never goes out of style and is cool among young kids, teenagers, college kids, and adults. Those shoes meet people where they are and fit right in. We hope that our music spans generations that way with our sound, style, and content And hopefully we can also do that as people. So I guess I'd say it's more of a goal than a fact, but we'd like to be a pair of Chuck Taylor's haha. 

Simply Six: Shannon Haley

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 think I had a series of moments like these that built on themselves. The first one I can remember is when I was very young, probably around five years old because it was right around the time my parents were getting divorced, I was in the car with my mom with the windows down and we were singing at the top of our lungs to James Taylor. I remember having a feeling that I couldn't verbalize at the time, but I knew I felt connected to something deeper, almost spiritual. I knew I wanted to be singing with James, but just not from the car. This feeling has stuck with me and it's probably the reason that it seems to be literally impossible for me to walk away from making music. The other moment that sticks out for me is the first time I wrote a song. I was in 3rd grade and I felt like the song hit me from out of nowhere. I just started singing lyrics. Writing songs is one of the biggest parts of why I want to sing, and it is my main fuel.

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

I still don't go for longer than a week without listening to James. Right now I'm listening to Mary Chapin Carpenter's new album. My favorite go-to artist who I will never stop loving is Sheryl Crow. I also love The Script, The Fray, and the occasional country song from the 90s. 

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

Right now I'm most excited about a song that I wrote for my duo project, "Haley & Michaels", with my friends Ryan Michaels and Tova Litvin. It was the first song that Ryan and I sat down to write together as a duo and I felt something really magical happen that day. I think one of the greatest moments for me as an artist was on stage at Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles when I finished  playing the song and realized that I had been completely gone, absolutely lost in it. It is so fun to get lost in a performance and that was a really special 4 minutes of my artist career. The song is called "The Price I Pay" and you can hear it at www.haleyandmichaels.com

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

I know that music can change the world in the sense that it can change people, or help people. I think that changing the world would certainly have to begin there. I know this because music has helped me during some very difficult times in my life. I think that music gives people a chance to go somewhere emotionally that they might not be able to go themselves. Possibly to a place that they need to go. I think that it can help people open their minds and think about things in a new way, if the lyric or melody can provoke it. Music is a way to get messages out to people, so with regards to current events, I think that if you have the power to say something you believe in, it's something to take seriously. You never know who you might reach...

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

In a certain way, technology has been incredible for me, as an independent artist. I can now make fans by putting songs up on the Internet, I can reach fans directly and communicate with them often, all over the world. So many doors have been opened because the internet has given us the reach. Even as a listener, I find new music I like all the time through music blogs or online stations. I like to say that in a certain way, the internet is turning the music industry into a democracy. It is giving people more of a chance to choose who they listen to, to a certain extent. It's hard not to be grateful. At the same time, music is so readily available that it's value has changed. A lot of people expect it to be free. The single song download is available so many people have stopped buying albums. As an artist trying to make a living, this can be a challenge. As a consumer, I guess it kind of depends what type of music lover you are. The good news is, it is still possible to buy albums, to pay for music, to respect it. 

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

Aha! This requires me to know the names of shoes! Hmm, I would be a gray or brown leather boot with a zipper and sturdy heel. :)

Simply Six: Richard Kincaid

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 think it was the first time I was performing a solo in church.  I was only 7 or 8 and the energy and experience was amazing.  Even at a young age, you feel an enormous sense of accomplishment when you really connect with an audience.  There is no other experience like performing.  

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

 

I have very eclectic taste in music.  I like everything from classic rock to new alternative and electric/dance music.  I am always, however, drawn to strong vocals.  I really like Danny O’Donohue from The Script, Steve Perry from Journey and everything from Stevie Wonder.  Stevie is such an exceptional composer and singer.  I was amazed hearing him sing at a young age.  I also really respect Christina Aguilera.  She is an amazing singer!.  Some of my favortite new artists are The Script, Band of Horses, Phoenix, Civil Union and the Black Keys. 

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

 

Completing my first CD, “Return”, was my greatest moment.  I have talked about recording a CD for years and finally did it.  The whole creative process and the exceptional musicians I worked with was a great experience for me.  I am really proud of the end product.

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 a central part of most people’s lives.  For my own life , I associate songs with so many key moments and eras.  I think music can influence current events.  We saw that in the 60’s with protest songs and artists have always been at the forefront of cultural change.  Most importantly, music is a respite from busy lives and troubled times.  Well crafted songs are mini novels that take you away and bring out emotions that all of us have experienced.  It can be very powerful, which is why great songs never really get old.  

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

Technology has dramatically impacted the music industry.  The internet and the reduction in recording costs have really opened up the world to aspiring artists.  You can reach a huge audience now without a record company.  The bad news is that it is harder to make money on recordings.  You really have to tour to be a professional musician these days.  As to me, current technology made it affordable to make a CD and start to build an audience without signing with a major record label.  We will see what happens from here, but I have a chance to find an audience for my music.  I couldn’t say that twenty years ago.  

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

I would be running shoes.  I stay very busy, with a music career, a business career and a non-profit career.  I wouldn’t have it any other way, but my schedule keeps me running.