Donavon Frankenreiter Visits Madison

Hey guys, I'm posting in honor of my birthday! And by in honor of my birthday, I mean in honor of the fact I got to go see Donavon Frankenreiter for my birthday, thanks to my wonderful boyfriend.

And it was awesome.

I've loved his music for a while now: chill, surf-y, easy, but not stoner-y. Which is an awesome combination, I have to say. So I had to see him live.

Last night he played all my favorite songs of his, including "On My Mind", "Free", and "Life, Love, & Laughter". He finished with two other awesome ones: a super-cool acoustic-y version of "American Girl" by Tom Petty, and his own song "Swing On Down". It was a small concert at the city's Majestic Theatre, which is fairly small, so we got a fantastic view of the stage.

Oh, and we got a free copy of his new CD, GLOW. Which you should check out. You can listen to some of the songs from the CD here.

Now, off to celebrate my 21st!

~Libby

Woe, Is Me

If you haven’t heard of Woe, Is Me before, then you soon will. Coming from Atlanta, Georgia, the 7 piece band -- made up of singer Tyler, screamer Michael, guitarists Tim and Kevin H, bassist Cory, drummer/programmer Austin, and keyboardist/vocalist Ben -- is one group you should keep an eye on this year, because they are definitely going places. Their music is hardcore/experimental with catchy vocals, strong guitar riffs and powerful drum beats. Let‘s admit it, we all love a good cover and Woe, Is Me's cover of Ke$ha’s popular single, "TiK ToK" will blow you away. If you don’t believe me, check it out for yourself! While you’re at it, listen to "Hell or High Water", which is my personal favorite. They’re currently signed to Velocity/Rise Records and are working on their debut album Number[s] which is set to be released on August 31^st.They’re also on the lineup for the Pyknic pArtery Tour this summer with Drop Dead Gorgeous, For All Those Sleeping, and many others. So be sure to check out their Myspace to see all the dates. And if they do come near you, go see them!

~Isabel

http://www.myspace.com/woeisme

INTERVIEW: Kenelis

I love finding awesome female vocalists (remember the Kate Linne interview?). But I’m not picky when it comes to genre. Be they pop, rock, metal, and everything in between, if they can rock the stage that’s all that matters. Recently I’ve stumbled across an awesome UK outfit known as Kenelis. Genre-wise they’re an amalgamation of energetic punk, outrageous experimental, and harsh grunge. But to be honest this is one of those rare occasions where I am not going to be a genre-Nazi. Why? These guys just plain ROCK. Don’t believe me? Fine, read for yourselves!

First things first, what genre do you consider your music?

Rock, and all the various genres under its umbrella. We’re a bit grunge, a bit punk, a bit experimental but all definitely ROCK!

What bands are you usually compared to by fans, magazines, the radio stations, etc?

We’ve been very lucky so far to have been compared to bands that are phenomenal. We’ve had comparisons to Placebo, Radiohead, Biffy Clyro, Hole & Skunk Anansie.

Tell us about the other members of the band, who they are and what they play.

Andy S and James play guitars, Andy H on bass and Oli on drums. They seriously rock.

A person’s home plays a huge role in shaping who they are and what they do. How has coming from England shaped you as a musician?

Well we are very lucky that we come from a country of musical legends, so whilst rock music isn’t as big here as it is in America, we’ve got some great bands to be influenced by. England is also a very liberal country so there is a lot of artist freedom. On the downside, work here is very demanding, stressful and fast paced but this is something that is reflected and vented in our music, especially in the new album.

How did you come up with the name Kenelis?

Kenelis is an alternative spelling of a flower, that will grow and survive in harsh weather conditions. Hey we live in England remember! Our weather is HARSH. But yeah, I really like that analogy for a band name.

You’ve had your fair share of gigs across the UK. Will we be seeing you in North America anytime soon?

I think an American tour is definitely on the cards for next year. We’re often kindly told “hey, you’re music could be HUGE in America”, so we’re going to give it a go! I can safely speak for the band that it would be the highlight of our career so far.

What’s the craziest concert experience you’ve had?

Craziest concert experience? Hmm.... probably London Pride, for the outstanding crowd reaction that we had. It wasn’t the longest set and they wern’t even all rock fans. I think we converted a few though. People that aren't into rock only know what’s in the mainstream, so their knowledge is very limited. We converted a fair few that day. I love converting people!

Who are your musical and personal influences?

Our influences range from 90’s – today. As there’s 5 of us I’ll give you each band member’s top two, which I have to say was really hard! Me: Biffy Clyro, Hole - Andy S: Radiohead & Placebo – Andy H: Stone Roses & Radiohead – James: Sound Garden & Radiohead - Oli: Every time I die, Kings of Leon.

When you’re not on stage or in the studio where would we find you?

If we’re not on stage or in the studio, we’re either at work or running our own label. There’s not enough hours in the day but we’re progressing well as a band, so we’ll just keep on going until we break through. I think the most amount of time any of us get to chill out is between the soundcheck and the performance when we do a gig!

If you had to describe Kenelis in three non-musical words what would they be?

Passionate. Honest. Fearless.

Who is the primary songwriter in the band and where does the majority of the inspiration come from?

We write the songs together. We usually form the music first, then the vocal melody. Andy S or James might have a guitar riff idea, Andy H might have a meaty bass riff, Oli with an alternative drum beat, me with an acoustic or keyboard melody, it varies to be honest, but very equal. Our songs are usually one unfinished song split up into 4 new ones. We drop anything that isn’t working but always keep the good bits!

If you weren’t making music what would you be doing?

Oh I will always be making music! Same with the band, we are musicians, it’s in our blood. Whether anyone still wants to listen is irrelevant! I was banging pens on books as soon as I could hold a pen. I’m not a great drummer but I wanted to make noise immediately. We do this because we love music so if we get the opportunity to give up our day jobs and live on nothing for a year, we will do it. Getting paid to do something you love is anyone’s dream job. This is ours. Money is evil and I hate how necessary it is to live. Saying that I’d much rather make music and be rich obviously. Anyone that says otherwise is soooo lying!

We’re very fortunate to live in such a technologically advanced age; without the resources you and I have we wouldn’t even be able to communicate and put together an interview. If you didn’t have the internet how would you promote your music and network with fans?

We’d have to do it the 90’s way with lots of paper and envelopes. The new way is not only much kinder to tree’s, but SO much quicker! We are lucky to be able to self release a record, and have the tools to generate 70,000+ fans on myspace. We can reach the whole world online! The only downside is that it’s harder because the market is so saturated. You’ve got to be the ones that stand out and give people a reason why they should want to be loyal to you over the other millions of bands out there. In the 90’s you’d buy a record, then buy everything from that band and listen to it so many times you not only know every lyric, but every beat, every riff and on live recordings, every imperfection, which is something new so you love that too. It’s not like that as much now, which is a shame really.

Some bands have pre-show rituals that they do to ensure good luck or calm their nerves (Britney Spears walks on water, or so I’ve read). Do you guys have anything like that?

I want to say something cool here but if I’m honest, we just want to make sure everything is ready to go, and that our stomachs are full of chicken. Except Andy S, he eats beanburgers and vegetables. Saying that, the last time we ate there was a hardcore girl-fight right outside the window. So entertainment is always a plus, nothing like seeing two girls shove each other into tables to make you feel everything is going to be ok. Ps. The day Britney walks on water I’d imagine is the day she actually sings live!

What’s the most enjoyable part of playing live?

Being in the music and feeling everything. The sounds, the audience reactions, the stage vibrations, nothing beats this. When it’s good it’s better than any drug, any food, anything. When you spend hours recording and practising, to feel an immediate crowd reaction is amazing. It’s like everyone in the room is a musical collective, through the music and performance you give. It’s f***ing great.

If you could open up for any band (just one!) who would it be and why?

OK I spoke to the boys about this as it’s hard to have a collective definite decision for just one. But I think we all agree Biffy Clyro are one of the best current bands in the world, and if not our individual favourites, up there in the top 3. Mon the Biffy!

What are some differences between the music industry in the UK and the US that you know of? Do these differences give you an edge or a setback?

Rock is definitely bigger in the states. Our charts are very pop dominated, which is fine but harder to make a living out of. Our music scene here is all about the known bands so if you wanna play established venues you’re expected to buy 60+ tickets up front and sell to your fans. If you wanna support a known band you’d be expected to pay £3-10k and hope to make some money up selling merch. You guys so have it better! Get us over there!!

Where do you see yourselves in five years?

Recording our 4^th Album and world tour!

What are your next big plans for Kenelis?

We’re currently doing a UK tour this summer and finishing our second album, which I’m so so SO convinced is mind-blowingly good enough to launch us. Watch out, we’re coming for you!!!

Ps. Download a free track from our 1^st album on www.kenelis.com which will soon be replaced with a new album track so do it now so you can get both for free! x

If you’re interested in checking out their website (which you definitely should be) you can find all of their music there, along with concert dates, merch, and exclusive blog updates. Enjoy guys! http://www.kenelis.com/home.cfm

~Juno

PS- Review on the way! I just moved and getting my internet situated has been…difficult, to use PG words. But I plan to get back on schedule right away!

NEW Music Video for "Oh!" by We Have Band

Check out this new video by We Have Band. It's like a cross between a clothing commercial and Holi (the Indian festival of colors) with a healthy dose of catchy, electro-punk beats. And who can resist such an easy-to-remember chorus!

"Oh!" - We Have Band

We have band - OH! from naiverecords on Vimeo.

Enjoy!

~Ellie

Photos and Archived Sets (Live) from Bonnaroo 2010

Hey guys.

I recently changed my homepage to NPR, and I'm so glad I did. There was a link a few days up to listen to the big names at Bonnaroo live online on their site. I listened to little of Kings of Leon and DMB shows, and both were awesome. Now that the event is over, here's a link to NPR's archive of lots of the sets. Pictures are up too. The festival also included performances by awesome artists like Jay-Z, Stevie Wonder, Weezer, Tori Amos, The Avett Brothers, Diane Birth, Brandi Carlile, Jimmy Cliff, The Flaming Lips, Conan O'Brien, Ween, Tenacious D, the John Butler Trio, Norah Jones, Kris Kristofferson, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Nas and Damian Marley, She And Him, Regina Spektor, and the XX.

My only conclusion is this: Next year, I'll be listening in person, not online.

Here's the link:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127088792

Enjoy!

~Libby

Jackie Greene

This guy is awesome. Check him out. Especially "Honey, I Been Thinking About You". It's sweet.

His MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/jackiegreene

"Honey I Been Thinking About You": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkxiA6_ZCo8 (Sorry, it is a One Tree Hill music video. It was all I could find.)

Enjoy.

Mobdividual: Post-rock, Shoegaze, and Avant-garde

Before I get into the review itself I’d like to take a moment to say this artist’s music pertains to a genre we’ve never explored before. His work falls into the genres of post-rock, shoegaze, and avant-garde. If you’re familiar with these you can skip over to the review. If not, read on and I’ll break down the fancy pants terms for you.

First, post-rock. Wikipedia says “Post-rock is a musical genre characterized by the use of instruments commonly associated with rock music, but using rhythms, harmonies, melodies, timbres, and chord progressions not traditionally found in rock. Post-rock musicians typically produce instrumental music”. In other words, post-rock uses the same tools of the trade as the rock musicians we all know and love, but unconventionally. There are no riffs, no “in your face” sounds (as I like to call it). It’s minimalist and experimental. Iceland boasts a large post-rock scene, consisting of epic bands like Sigur Rós.

Shoegaze, also known as shoegazing, is an alternative rock subgenre coming from England. It often consists of distortion of sounds. The name comes from the somber stage performances where artists would typically look downwards at their feet while they played. When electronic elements were added to it, it helped create post-rock (a descendent of shoegaze). One of the most respected bands in the field is My Bloody Valentine, but my favorite happens to be the shoegaze/dream pop crossover group Asobi Seksu. Silversun Pickups aren’t typically labeled as shoegaze, though there are shoegaze influences in their music.

Lastly, avant-garde is more or less an adjective than a genre. There are of variety of “avant-garde” genres, including avant-garde metal, avant-rock, and avant-garde jazz. The same simply means different, or ahead of its time. A trendsetter. It comes from the French term used for soldiers meaning “advancing guard”, or soldiers who would stand in front of a battalion. The term is also used to describe visual art, movies, a literary movement, and even politics.

So hopefully you guys are a little more prepared for what’s ahead! Ready for it? Buckle up! Introducing mobdividual’s 8 track EP, A Year From Monday.

Track One- a () is like an instrument (Light some candles, ‘cause this is the “mood setter”)

Yes, that is the song title. All of them flow together to form a complete sentence, one of the many reasons I love this EP. Anyway, the song itself is relatively short. It opens with a slow, somewhat melancholy blend of instruments artistically implementing dissonance. While it may not be captivating to a general audience it does set the mood for the rest of the EP, so anyone looking for something slow and lovely knows they need not look further.

Track Two- it has to absorb all the positive influences, (The trip eastward)

This song is a direct continuation of the last; in fact the whole album flows together, similar to the song title. This piece is fairly consistent in the arrangement and even uses a bit of a “twang” sound you’d expect from bluegrass and country music. About 2/3rds of the way through I swear I heard some East Asian influence, but that’s probably just me. Either way it does have that ambient, new age vibe that we hear in more contemporary uses of traditional Asian instruments, like in music used for meditation.

Track Three- intercept all the negative influences (It starts to come full circle)

This one also picks up from the last track but begins to fade out into distortion, sort of resembling a CD skipping. I think it’s pretty nifty sounding, to be honest. Using dissonance and distortions tastefully and creatively isn’t very easy, since those words (by dictionary definition) mean harsh sounding (dissonance) and altered (distortions). It perfectly reflects the title, however, slightly turning this into a concept album without words. I give mobdividual mad props for proper use of the song reflecting the title (and vice versa), and also for his use of dissonance and distortions.

Track Four- that might affect people… (For unto us a synth is born)

WHOA HARSHNESS. By now you get that this whole album is basically one piece broken up into multiple tracks so no one should be shocked that it picks up from the third track. You might be a little surprised by how it begins however, because the distortions sound like they’ve taken steroids. They rev up, and melt back into the slower melody we heard in the very beginning in track one. Slightly beyond the halfway mark the backdrop sounds like a New England drizzle. A synth is brought into the equation, adding to the complex and artistic blend of seemingly random sounds and instruments. However this piece is not in any way more “electronic” than the others as the use of the synth is brief and fleeting, however it is not overshadowed by the more consistent instruments. It adds an element of fun to the piece, livening it up in a way we had yet to hear from the previous songs.

Track Five- a () cannot do (Use your inside voices, children)

The distortions commence, this time sounding more like white noise, and we are drawn back in by the previous arrangement. The distortions remain as a backdrop, and at one point the two seem to carry out a musical conversation if you will. The whole song seems to be a decrescendo (naturally losing volume) near the end, which seems odd seeing as the EP is one piece split up into eight tracks. Remember learning about the technique of foreshadowing in English class? That’s what this track seems to be doing, as if ending to start a whole new piece altogether.

Track Six- unless it is treated with the same finesse (The favie)

The decrescendo continues on until it almost stops altogether, and we are greeted by a pizzicato. It’s repetitive, but not in any way boring, rather soothing. The twangs return and almost seem to be calling out. The emotion this one is giving me is a sense of longing. Because this is rather short, like the rest of the tracks, there isn’t much else to say about this piece except that so far it stands out as the most emotional of the tracks. The predecessors had an aggressive vibe with the distortions but this is the only track that has spoken to me as if it’s trying to relay some spiritual message by instilling a feeling in me. Thus it is my favorite.

Track Seven- as the environment is stands in.” (Loop, there it is!)

The shortest track of all (only 43 seconds), it ends with a looping that came out of NOWHERE. And Juno loves surprises. The majority of the track is a repeating chord which nicely wraps up the transitions from the use of distortions earlier on to the implementation of ambience of relaxation.

Track Eight- alvar aalto (Finé)

It wraps up with a track named after the author of the quote that the previous song titles derive from. It’s one of the more musical pieces and perhaps the most radio friendly (his website states this has “single potential”, and I couldn’t agree more). This song is very reminiscent of the softer side of shoegaze, which we see in more modern genres like twee (slightly similar sounding to indie/folk/lo-fi). It ends with an atmospheric fadeout, staunchly different than the way the EP greeted us. While it didn’t go out with a bang per se, it certainly went out in style.

Sounds Like- Something you’ve probably never heard before. Seriously, the genres mobdividual dabbles in are underrated, and while they have a substantial underground following and going mainstream would destroy it, it does deserve a bit more recognition. This is the sort of thing I’d expect on a soundtrack for a noir film.

Feels Like- A lucid dream.

Should Open For- Asobi Seksu, My Bloody Valentine, Mogwai

Overall Score- I will give this pupil of music a gold star for both his effort and achievement.

You can find his album here. Enjoy!

~Juno

Kate Linné: A Female Musical Force

As a woman I struggle to find singers with whom I can identify. Half the time they’re either 14 and under the massive thumb of Disney or scantily clad to a point that’s not sexy, just disgusting. Where’s the attitude, the dignity, and (most importantly) the talent? For once can’t we have a female singer whose music is fun, boobs aren’t hanging out, and can actually sing?...Oh wait, we do have one. Her name is Kate Linné, straight out of Nashville and an up-and-coming musical force to be reckoned with.

First of all, let’s get the most basic of basic questions out of the way. Why are you doing what you’re doing: making music?

I just love writing songs...I think it would be impossible for me to hear an amazing piece of music or see a great band without thinking, “Oh my God, I want to do that!” It still happens to me every day.

What genre(s) would you consider your material, or are you not a fan of labels?

We have decided that the best way to describe it is “electropop.” I love pop music...I’m proud to put myself in that category.

How long have you been singing (not just professionally)?

I have been singing since I could walk. My mom says I used to put on a dress and prance in circles around our house with a toy plate in my mouth singing songs about what I was doing. If I had a child like that I would probably be worried, but I guess ended up turning out OK.

Who do you consider your influences?

This is tough to answer because they’re so diverse. People like Fiona Apple and Ben Gibbard taught me that the best music needs to say something, but then Britney and Timbaland taught me that music also needs to be FUN. I think both things are equally important. One band that really knew how to incorporate both was No Doubt. I loved them...Gwen Stefani is still one of my idols.

If you weren’t making music what would you be doing?

I would probably be in Entertainment Law. Two words: pencil skirts.

Do you write your own lyrics? If so, what provides your biggest inspiration for your lyrics?

I write all my own lyrics...I draw the most inspiration from my own personal experiences and the lives and of people around me. I tend to write a lot about love, because that always seems to be where life gets the most dramatic.

In September your song “Into Me” was featured on the show ‘Greek’. How was your song chosen, out the thousands of potential tracks?

Honestly, I don’t really know. From what I have heard, the music director just loved the track. I was incredibly flattered that he chose my song from the the thousands of others that were submitted.

What’s the greatest bit of advice anyone has given you in terms of making your mark in the music industry?

There was one night where I was sitting in the office of a publishing company in Nashville after some industry event and one of my friends (who had a few margaritas) gave me this giant lecture about the business. He said “The absolute worst thing you can do for yourself is to have a fallback.” To make anything happen in an industry that is so competitive, you need that little extra push that desperation gives you. You have to go for it 100% and never hold anything back. I also want to make sure that I point out that this is REALLY scary. However, I still believe that’s what you have to do.

What bit of advice do you have to offer to aspiring performers?

See above. I stand by his advice.

What do you think you bring to the table that gives you an edge over other aspiring singers? In other words, why should we pay attention to your music?

I think this is really an issue for the fans to decide. I just want to be the soundtrack for everyone’s good time...if I can make people want to dance and be happy, then I’M happy.

What’s the strangest concert experience you’ve ever had?

Wow. I don’t know if you can print this, but I went to see A Perfect Circle once and Maynard James Keenan started “self servicing” on stage in the middle of the show. I was three people back from the stage. It freaked me out.

Many musical acts say that we’re they’re from has somehow influenced who they are as an artist. How has coming from Tennessee shaped you, in terms of your music?

Moving to Nashville taught me that it is actually possible to write songs for a living. Once I got here, my ambitions turned into from dreams into goals.

If you could share the stage with one singer or band (just one!) who would you pick and why?

I want to go back in time and be in No Doubt! But, in the phase before they were a big deal...it would be awesome to play a show in some packed, sweaty club where the crowd was just going nuts.

Who’s currently rocking your iPod/CD player?

La Roux.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced working on the local scene?

There’s not much of a dance music scene here...I wish I had more people to write and nerd out about programming techniques with. I also need to hang out with more gay guys...the best electronica here is at the gay bars, and no one will ever go with me! So sad.

Anything you’d like to say to those who tried (or still do try) discouraging you from accomplishing your dream?

I see no point in acknowledging those people, this interview included.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Hopefully I will still be writing, producing, and touring with an amazing band. I have always wanted to tour in Europe, and if I get the chance to do that I will be a very happy camper. I would also like to have a kick-ass home studio and a giant shoe closet.

What are your next big plans for your music career?

My new manager and I are putting together a pretty exciting calendar for the rest of this year...stay tuned.

Her music can be found here at her MySpace, http://www.myspace.com/katelinnemusic. Her EP ‘Where I Fell’ is also available at CDBaby, http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/katelinne.

~Juno

Full-Length Interview with Camron, from Green Means Go

I’ve been a fan of Green Means Go since the beginning, so it was easy for me to interview one of the guitarists, Camron (who is an all around fun person to talk to). I contacted him through Facebook, asked him if he was willing to do an interview for MnM and he agreed! With that, it gives me pleasure to introduce to you, Camron!

How long have you been in the band Green Means Go?

Well, we started Green Means Go the summer of ’07. 3 out of the 4 original members of GMG all played together in a previous band but since people left for college, we decided to change up the lineup a bit and change the name. So we’ve been playing together longer, but as GMG we’ve been around for about 2 ½ years.

You play guitar in the band; can you tell us how long you've been playing this instrument?

I’ve been playing for about 6 years. I started off by taking lessons, but I wasn’t really progressing the way I wanted to so I picked up bass (which is what I played in our first band). When GMG started, I switched back to playing guitar. So, I’ll say that I’ve been playing guitar seriously for about the same amount of time the band has been around. Before that, I was kind of a slacker and didn’t really play too much.

Who has been your biggest influence?

Bands like New Found Glory, Blink-182 and Sum 41 are what made me want to be in a band in the first place. I love pop/punk, so that has a huge impact on my writing style. But I also love writing and playing heavier stuff, so bands like A Day to Remember, Four Year Strong and even some metal inspire me to write breakdowns and hardcore parts.

If you can describe yourself in one simple word choice, what would you say?

Enchanting, of course.

Who have you all shared the stage with?

We’ve played with some of our friends in Loftland, Callback California, Sleep Serapis Sleep, Now You Have Audio and Leo. We’ve also played with Eleventyseven, Run Kid Run, Flatfoot 56…There’s been a ton more, but I can’t really think of them all. Oh and our singer, Stephen, sang a few songs with MxPx, and our drummer, Jon, played drums on stage with New Found Glory once. Does that count??

Who would you like to share the stage with?

New Found Glory is my number one choice because they’re my favorite band of all time. I think Yellowcard would be an awesome band to play with. And if we did that, that would mean that they were reunited which would be sweet! Also, Andrew WK because that show would just be one giant party.

I heard that you played The Ernie Ball Stage at Warped Tour, how did that go?

Well, it was pretty stressful at first. They told us the wrong time and stage multiple times, so all of our promotion was thrown out the window. We were constantly scrambling to promote to people once we got a new time/stage change. But we had a good time slot, we played a good show, got in for free which was pretty awesome, and they fed us! We got to eat with all the “real” bands that were on it hah. So all in all, it was a very fun experience. Warped tour is amazing.

Was there anyone who thought the band wouldn’t make it?

Hah well, there’s always going to be people talking crap about bands. Ours is no different. We would always hear people putting us down and saying things that are just uncalled for. Sometimes it’ll be from people who have never even heard our band. I think there will always be doubters no matter what, but that doesn’t really bring us down. It makes us play harder and we just have fun doing it because music makes us all happy.

What genre of music do you consider your work to be?

Pop/punk with a little bit of some good ol’ hardcore riffs and breakdowns thrown in the mix.

What is your favorite GMG song to play live?

Our new song “Never Saw it Coming” is probably my favorite. It’s pretty simple and upbeat, but it also sounds really powerful and heavy. Also, I really like “Brand New” because there’s a lot of jumping parts in it and its one of our poppier songs, so a lot of people can get into it.

What is the biggest obstacle you have faced so far to make music?

Writing a song we are all proud of is pretty difficult. We all have our own style of music that we all share, but we bring in a lot of outside influences from different directions as well. So, trying to work together as a full band and making a song that each of us really likes is always pretty tough. But completing a song and hearing it after it’s all written is a great feeling because that’s something you put your time and effort into, and that’s something that you can be proud of.

What is your ultimate direction for life/music?

Right now, I’m in college studying philosophy. Not exactly sure what I’m going to do with that but it’s a lot of fun. Also I use music as a way to keep me sane from all of the crazy thinking that comes with this field of study. Music will always be a part of my life no matter what. I will always be writing with friends and just playing guitar on my own time.

In honest words, what are your feelings about the local scene?

The local scene isn’t that great. We’ve had better luck playing out of the area most of the time. Sometimes it seems like kids go to shows just to go to shows, like they’re almost afraid to have fun. When we play shows, we like to see kids jump around and sing the songs with us. That gets us more pumped than anything. It was always pretty hard doing that around here. Not to say that we’ve never had good shows here. We’ve had some really great turnouts and a lot of fun at some of them. But just going out of town makes for a better time because that also gives us an opportunity to act like idiots in the car while we’re traveling.

Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians?

Just have fun with it! You have to love doing what you do. If playing music becomes more of a chore than an enjoyable experience, it just sucks the fun right out of it. If you want to take your musical career to a new level, pursue that. But don’t let it consume you. Music is to be enjoyed, not forced.

Who are some guitarists that you admire?

Chad Gilbert (New Found Glory) and Tom DeLonge (Blink-182) are huge influences of mine. To me, those guys are kings at writing superior catchy pop/punk. Also, I like Alan Day and Dan O’Connor (Four Year Strong) because they’re so creative and they fuse hardcore and pop/punk very nicely. I’m pretty jealous of how good they are.

What’s your most memorable show you have played?

One was in Madison for Halloween. That show was crazy! There was a huge turn out and everyone was rocking out with us and having a great time! We busted out a “Fat Lip” cover, and everyone loved it. Another time was at Lifest 2009 up in Oshkosh. We had about 200-300 kids there and they were all jumping around, singing along and even doing the whole circle pit thing. It was nuts. Seeing kids get into your music is one of the best feelings in the world.

Have you had any “crazy” fan experiences?

Hah well, only one really comes to mind. I’m not going to name any names or go into extreme detail, but this guy was just one of those people that doesn’t leave and the more he’s around, the more creeped out we would all get. Other than that, our fans are awesome! We’ve just had fans/friends that like to bring us tasty treats like candy or homemade brownies, which isn’t crazy at all. That always brings a smile to our faces because our band absolutely loves to eat. And some people make signs and banners for us too. Also, last summer we were playing at Lifest for the weekend, and two girls made shirts to wear at the show and it said “We Love Camron” on the front and it had a picture of me. It was pretty sweet haha.

Besides making music, what other hobbies do you have?

Playing videogames is definitively up there. I think our band’s game to play is Super Smash Brothers. We’re all pretty good and we could play that for hours. Other than that, I love going to movies and shows, and acting stupid with my best friends. We all have our own sense of humor that I think people would find weird yet captivating haha. I also love hanging out with my girlfriend and watching “Friends” with her. That’s always an awesome time! I’m just a pretty laid back dude. I don’t really have to be doing much of anything to have fun. As long as I’m with people I love, I’m good!

If I were to steal your iPod, would I find any embarrassing songs?

You may or may not find Miley Cyrus on there. Maybe some Kelly Clarkson and Taylor Swift as well. No Justin Bieber yet, but I’m working on it. I also have Creed on there…sorry.

Even though I haven’t seen them live, their music is still pretty sweet. I suggest you check out the track called “Never Saw It Coming” on their Myspace page. If you do have the chance to see them, they’ll be in Madison on April 24^th. I’ll be getting my hands on one of their CD’s soon and make sure to check back to read a review of it! You can listen to their tunes here on their Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/gmgrock

Hope you enjoyed my latest article!

-Isabel

Sex and the City Trailer Tune

Here is the answer you've been looking for.

Well, some of you. OK, fine: fans of Sex and the City only. Still, many people recently have told me they've been looking for, and cannot find the name of the song that follows Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' "Empire State of Mind" in the trailer for Sex and the City 2.

Well, it is "Can't Touch It" by Ricki-Lee Coulter, an up-and-coming Australian R&B and pop singer/songwriter. It is included in the film's soundtrack, now on sale. It's fun and catchy, and great for any night out on the town. It might even make a good workout song. Enjoy!

~Libby