Debbie Does Music: Dust off the Cobwebs: Let’s Talk Hotels & Highways

Gonna jump right in!

Last week I had the pleasure of interviewing a new Americana Roots band, Hotels & Highways, for a local publication, VC Reporter, check it out!

You’ll get some good background info on the band, and a glimpse at the interview.

But only here, at DDM, will you get the complete, uncut version of my exchange with Erin “Syd” Sidney. And the pictures from their cd release show at Zoey’s Cafe in Ventura last Thursday. Check it!!

DDM: So this tour, it’s like you are hitting places in between all of your homes. How did you all meet, given you live in really different places?

H&H: Ok — so Patrick grew up in Detroit and played music there – after college he was in a successful band called the Patrick Thomas Theory, played all over the midwest. At the same time that he was doing that I was getting a pretty healthy national touring solo singer/songwriter career going. I was based out of Boston and in about 2005 he came and played a show with me and a guy named Todd Martin at a now-defunct club in Boston. He mentioned offhand that if I needed someone to tour with, he was my guy.

I called him a few months later when I had a tour going from CA to VT. We were best friends by the grand canyon and somewhere on that tour or another that followed we wrote the song Live Now in a hotel in Ames, IA. We were staying in a lot of hotels. We were driving on a lot of highways. So…..

Lisa, in the meantime, had been called away from her career as an elementary school teacher when my dear friend Gregory Douglass had connected with her at a gig he played at Skidmore college. She could sing with him and that’s a huge deal because he’s amazing and he took her out on the road as his co-singer.

Somewhere in there she asked me to produce a record for her just as I was moving to NYC and thinking about doing the solo singer/songwriter thing less. Patrick and I had been writing a bit in New York and we were doing this semi-annual gatherings called the Who’s That Pack where us a few other kind of notorious solo singer/songwriters got together and played each other’s songs. Chad Perrone, Tim Blane, Todd Martin, Pat & I made up these comedy/party fests. (There is some genuinely weird/funny youtube stuff on that here)

Anyway, she started coming into the city from her home in CT and we were writing together. Then I introduced her to Pat and the three of us wrote together for her record — and it was great.

SO basically. You take all of those experiences and you put them in our back pockets. Life goes on and this past fall I had a string of college dates booked to anchor a tour. I was not interested in going out and playing them alone and doing my solo material. I was over it. And, further, I’d had an incredibly shitty summer with my step mother dying really terribly from cancer. Pat arranged to borrow a friend’s cabin on a lake in New York, we invited Lisa, I flew in, and the whole thing began. We really just went there intending to write in the spirit of the Hotels & Highways stuff we had done before, knowing that a performance collaboration could be as fun as the who’s that pack and that writing together was something we enjoyed.

DDM: You’ve obviously spent a great deal of time together recording the album, Lost River, but now your time on the road…is there some adjusting taking place? I know what a “road trip” for a family of five is like, and I wouldn’t want to do it again for an extended period of time like you all are doing!

H&H: Ah, well, it’s a built in part of our lives my friend. It’s funny — even my relationship with my wife, who I’ve been with for about 10 years, is built around the idea that I leave for weeks/months at a time. And sure, there’s adjusting, but really it’s the beginning and end that’s an adjustment. Once you’re out here, it’s happening, you have a choice — either make each other’s lives easy and comfy or don’t. We have really closely aligned goals desires schedules and senses of humor. So that helps a lot.

DDM: I’m listening to you now, who are you listening to as you drive across the country on tour?

H&H: Haha, this sounds a little like a pervy chat room — well, *I’m* wearing a dog collar and rainbow colored wig…

This very second Patrick is trying to figure out one of the changes in “Fidelity” by Regina Spektor. Lisa learned it on banjo in the van between Saratoga Springs, NY and Camden, NJ and we just remembered how pretty it is when she sings it.

But otherwise, we’re listening to some standby podcasts – This American Life, RadioLab and some standby records — there’s a fellow named Joe Pisapia who we had the pleasure of visiting in Nashville and singing with. He’s just a true gem. He gave us a copy of a record he made a while ago called Watercolor. Check that out on iTunes. Guy and a girl singing. Just gorgeous. He plays with kd lang now in her band The Siss Boom Bang and was with guster for years. Anyway. Him. And Tony Rice, the classic bluegrass cat. We’re trying to get better at that bluegrass stuff. And then an awful lot of shuffle, which you can actually see by going to my last fm profile and see what I’ve been playing/listening to.

Also I posted my year end wrap up for music I’ve been liking at my blog.

DDM: Who are some of the band’s influences (probably some you mentioned above)

H&H: It really has to do with a feeling more than anything. We like feeling like we’re playing with a sort of adventurous and comfortable at the same time feeling. Like we’re following something and we don’t know where it leads but it feels really familiar too. We have had a lot of fun listening to Fleetwood Mac and various other artists a lot of fun just trying to play our instruments the way we play them and not think too hard about it.

Along with feeling, it’s sound. What happens when you just play and the tape is there to pick up what you are capable of playing, not what you could play if you were…a robot. Hahah.

DDM: Anyone at SXSW who you are all excited to see/meet?

H&H: We have some really good friends down here in the business or on the outskirts of the business. Actual, real, friends, not “biz” people — those are the folks we’re excited to see. The first night we were here though we had a fantastic and totally typical SXSW night — Devotchka in a giant theater, then this woman Hazel Dickens in a cozy room where this 90 year old woman sang her ASS off over classic bluegrass. Then over to see Young The Giant, a way sexier and groovier and spacier and more natural Killers/Coldplay. I love them and the band did too. We finished the night with our hands in the air at a Talib Kwali show.

(DDM drools here…)

Tonight was mellower — saw the strokes at a giant outdoor stage and then I caught up with an old friend named Matt Duke while Patrick saw Portugal. The Man at Stubb’s.

Tomorrow we just chiiiiilllllll out and prep ourselves mentally for our show. I’ll go for a run, Pat will go into town. Lisa will go for a walk, make some lunch. Just a normal day at home on the road.

DDM: Speaking of the tour…It seems your taste in music, and food, are delicious! You’ve got me drooling with your blog posts of tour meals! Are these friends or fans that are treating you so well? And are they competing for “best meal”?

H&H: Ha, no competition. Many of them don’t know we’re doing that. We’re just, you know, trying not to come home and get sick immediately from all the shit we’ve been ingesting. Trying to check each other before we fall off the healthy food wagon. It’s working generally very well, though today I almost made us late for a show by wandering the aisles of this insane organic grocery store and trying to pick up tons of stuff. Pat snapped me out of it.

The folks we featured are part of what we refer to as our fan-mily. I recently had someone introduce me at a party as “a guy that has been a fan of mine for a long time” and that statement just gave me the creeps. So — we blur the line a bit I guess. People are people. Whether they’re on stage or in the crowd.

DDM: Let’s talk about the album! I love it! You recorded it at a cabin in upstate New York! Where? (I have lots of family all over upstate NY) Tell us about the experience of delving into the music for 10 days straight. Does it get much better than that?

H&H: The experience was totally unlike any other, and yet drew from previous positive stuff. I had done a record in a barn in the woods of Vermont in the dead of winter a few years back. Patrick lived in his home studio and Lisa had always dreamed of a cabin recording experience. We all had. So it just came together — we set up Patrick’s home studio, we lived there. We went kayaking, running, walking. We tried to just devote every moment to nurturing creativity. We didn’t drink or dull our minds, we stayed sharp and focused, and we had fun. Every day we’d run the “tape” and play a few blues songs, covers of our own stuff, whatever, get loose, and then explore the latest idea.

After we left the house and came home from tour, Pat took the tracks back to his studio and added some pieces to the songs and started the long process of mixing.

DDM: Is the album what you hoped it would be?

H&H: Oh, beyond. Pat did such a great job mixing it. It’s a headphones record. It’s a good driving record. I mean, I’m really truly proud of this thing. None of it feels forced or contrived at all to me. It feels like a record of people making music in a room together. That’s what it is.

DDM: Any favorite songs for you from the album?

H&H: That is very difficult to answer. I like the album! I like it as a whole. “Night Song” is pretty special to us all. That was a song we had come up with, tried to record and couldn’t quite capture. It came to us in one take after a day of preparation doing other stuff, little stuff. That song is take 1 on a warm summer night with the cicadias humming away in the background. What a gift.

DDM: You funded the majority of the album through Kickstarter.com, with great success! That is good news, Not all bands/songwriters have been as successful. Tell us about how that worked for you.

H&H: When you have an album, that’s just step one of a possible….hundred…infinite! Steps. We knew in order to bring this record to life we needed:Great artwork, physical product, a decent length and size tour, and PR. So we turned to our fans, asked them for $10,000 in exchange for goods and they met our goal and exceeded it. We raised $13,000 and now I write to you from a hotel room at SXSW, one of the most prestigious festivals in the business, and we have a showcase tomorrow that is listed on the back of every program. I mean, it’s a little mindblowing. We were given a gift from our supporters to be able to get in the van and go where we were needed rather than try to chase dollar signs.

DDM: There is a big difference, I’d think, from working intimately in a beautiful cabin setting to playing gigs in different cities each night. What is like to go from one to the other?

H&H: It’s a good point. I like to call it “getting my head together” before we play. A run, the gym, meditating, just getting my shit together and remembering why we began this journey and where it began and then stepping onstage and trying to honor those core principles: Explore, Say Yes, Don’t Push.

The stages and crowds are different but we try to extract that vibe from the room.

DDM: You’ll be playing at Zoey’s Cafe, next Thursday, for a CD release show. Coming home after being gone how long?

H&H: I left town on 2/24. And it’s home for the blink of an eye, the next night we’re in San Fran and then up the coast and over through Chicago back to the northeast for the big release shows.

DDM: This will be your first “hometown” show with the group?

H&H: Yes!

DDM: Syd, how long have you lived in Ventura? How has the music community in the Ventura area inspired you?

H&H: 3 years, about. I came here nearly every summer through college. Polly and Steve and what they’re doing at Zoey’s as well as all the touring musicians and friends I have that come through are great. Even greater is that I can play in a band like The Pullmen with former members of Shim Come Quick and the MIssing 23rd and get this instant entry into a scene I never would have seen if I didn’t play music. To be in a band with guys that grew up surfing every day, that understand California culture, that understand PUNK ROCK culture and it’s significance, that’s huge for me, it’s such an education. Not to mention a blast.

In it’s own way, it’s a vibrant scene. Not too big, not too small, and it’s growing. I have high hopes for a place like Ventura and you know, I’ll always be a Vermont kid at heart, but I miss it right now! I miss that weird little quirky sweet town. It’s got a real character. It’s a damn shame that the character in most towns gets completely overrun by the soulless mall culture that infects the US like a cancer, but Ventura is putting up a decent fight trying to keep it’s soul. As a guy from the only state without a McDonald’s in the state capital, I respect that 100%.

DDM: What is your connection with Zoey’s?

H&H: Steve and Polly are like family to me. And to so many other musicians around here. I worked there this past summer, got to meet lots of musicians from the area and touring through. Doing sound there is a lot of fun AND really tough. It gave me a whole new level of respect for the guy on the other side of the board. Anyway, for years and years I’ve been coming through and playing there. Now that they’ve moved I feel like the possibilities for what the venue can be have expanded and they’re starting to do more and will expand with the space.

DDM: After the tour, do the three of you go back to your “previous lives”? Are there any plans to continue with more recordings?

H&H: I’m as committed to this band as I ever was to my solo career and I can speak for the band when I say they are too. When I get back I plan to hit the phones and the airwaves putting the plans together for the next steps. We’ll be conference calling, group emailing. It’s amazing, having three band leaders working simultaneously — we get a LOT of shit done and we keep each other honest. We’ll be ready for more! We’re already planning more touring, and we’ve written some songs on the road. This is far from over. That being said — I’m Erin “Syd” Sidney, Pat is Patrick Thomas and Lisa is Lisa Piccirillo — we always have that forum for creative expression if it demands to be put into a different context. But Hotels & Highways is a band, no matter where we are.

Pictures from Thursday night’s cd release show

Zoey’s Cafe, Ventura CA

Printed by permission. Visit Debbie's blog @ http://www.exurbmagazine.com/

Debbie Does Music: How a Housewife Gets to The Grammy’s

Yep. I’m going to The Grammy’s tomorrow! Like, not going to hang out in the street and watch everyone walk the red carpet. I am walking the red carpet. Yep!! I’m really excited. But how does a housewife with a music blog get to mingle with the famous?

Nepotism.

Yep.

And I’d do it again. See, my husband works on design for the star studded event. That’s his work you see here. He, and the agency he works for, were in charge of the look. Which got him tickets to the event. So while I didn’t get to go to the only awards show that means something to me for ME, I’m going! I rented a dress, from a great company called One Night Affair, because I don’t have the means for a designer dress in my housewife budget, but I had enough to rent a designer dress for the night. And a complimenting clutch.

I’m getting glammed up! Hair and makeup done at noon, headed to a pre party by 2pm, and the awards in the early evening. I’m giddy. I’m looking forward to live performances from Arcade Fire, Mumford and Sons, Ray LaMontagne, Muse, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber (I put them in the order of my interest, that’s right, it’s probably the opposite order than about 90% of any other viewer, but that’s okay too).

When my kids found out Justin Bieber was performing (I have three boys in elementary school) one said to me “Mom, if you get to talk to Justin Bieber, can you tell him something from us?” Awww, I said sure! (How cute, right?) He said “tell him we think his music SUCKS!” LOL. Wow, jealous much? I’m sure I won’t meet him, but if I do, I don’t think I’ll tell him that.

I’m sure he already knows.

Anyway, here is a glimpse of the dress

Printed by permission. Visit Debbie's blog @ http://www.exurbmagazine.com/

Debbie Does Music: Delaney Gibson video premiere “La Di Da”

Last Thursday night the house was packed at Zoey’s Cafe in Ventura. We were there to see the premiere of the lovely Delaney Gibson’s video “La Di Da”. Directed by Travis Mauck and produced by Matt Holwick, this whimsical video about falling in love is just adorable and fun!

Not only did we get to see the video, Gibson performed some new and old songs in a full concert. This was her last show in the VC for quite awhile. We’ll miss her brightness on the west coast while she tries her skills in the Big Apple. I hope she doesn’t fall in love there, we want her back!

This night started off great too! Joshua Bartholomew opened for Gibson. This guy has an amazing voice and you definitely need to check him out. He has a great story too! He went to Nashville to check out the music scene, and never went back (to Canada). This month he’s in California and he’s got that itch again. He may be calling Cali home soon! Let’s hope! He’s got some great tunes and sounds like some great opportunities in the works too!

After Bartholomew played for us for awhile, he and Gibson played a couple of tunes together, one from her album, Hurricane and Forget Me Nots, Rain or Shine, which they never actually performed together before. Today’s technology allowed the duo to harmonize in two different studios, Gibson in LA, and Bartholomew in Nashville. The tracks fit together perfectly on the album, but the live version was full of passion, something I love about live music.

Gibson was backed on stage by her band, and in the audience by her devoted friends and family. The band, consisting of some of Ventura’s best talent included Joe Baugh, guitar; Sam Bolle, bass; Tony Cicero, drums; and Laura Mihalka, cello. This group just make Gibson, who sounds amazing solo, sound even better with a layering of great sounds.

Well, on with the show, check out the video La Di Da, and let me know what you think!

Printed by permission. Visit Debbie's blog @ http://www.exurbmagazine.com/

Debbie Does Music: Live Shows: DDM Produces Mom’s Acoustic Night Out!

Last week I had a moment where my two lives collided. My mom life, and my music life came together for a good cause! I produced a Mom’s Acoustic Night Out at my kid’s elementary school. Singer/Songwriter Mikey Wax, from New York, played for a small group of mom’s at Sumac School in Agoura Hills. It was intimate and fun.

I got the idea for the show when Mikey, whom I interviewed back in November, was promoting a “house concert” series in California. His goal? To get more people to know his music and his name. His strategy is unique and fresh (hmmm…that’s why I liked it!) If you can round up 25 of your friends at your house, he will come play…for free! In return, he promotes himself. He sells merch and asks for your email address to add to his database.

Mikey Wax, photo by Watts Juniper Production

Being an indie singer/songwriter these days means you need to have at least a basic foundation in marketing yourself. Mikey has at least that! He has been doing house concerts for over a year in different parts of the country. I think he fell in love with California last week, the temperatures alone made it worth his time. But the mom’s at our show definitely made it fun. “You are a refreshing group of moms, I’m really glad to be here!” (He’s savvy too!)

I didn’t want this to be a run-of-the-mill school event, so I came up with some cool ideas myself. I asked for the concert to be held in the library, not the Multi Purpose Room (can you say stark??). I turned off the overhead fluorescent lights and brought in lamps and candles. I offered hot tea and baked goods. I even made lanyard style passes for tickets. It was definitely a cool event for some hip moms! The only down side? It was on a Monday night and we didn’t sell out. But the upside was a small group of lovely ladies swooning over the voice (and looks, he’s a doll!) of Mikey Wax.

Printed by permission. Visit Debbie's blog @ http://www.exurbmagazine.com/

Debbie Does Music: Brandon Nathaniel, an Interview

When you are young, and have had a dream for 10 years, it is a big deal. When it comes true, it’s pretty amazing. This Friday night, Brandon Nathaniel’s dream of performing with Toad The Wet Sprocket, his musical inspiration since childhood, is coming true! He will be opening for the band at The Key Club in LA on January 14th. Tickets are available here.

Brandon and I chatted about the experience, about his musical career, and his trip to Utah over the holidays.

DDM: so…how was your trip?

Brandon: Pretty amazing! I reconnected with some friends i have out there that i haven’t seen in years.

DDM: I saw you were doing some writing while you were there. I love facebook status updates!

Brandon: I was. I am. Working on some new songs

DDM: Oh good!! That’s always good! So the trip was inspiring I guess?

Brandon: To say the least.

DDM: Awesome! Can you tell me what the inspiring part was?

Brandon: Ya, the change of atmosphere and pace. Cold weather. I have a strong affinity for cold weather and I think that all the people I met, and things I thought about while taking a break from a busy reality got me to thinking, which gets me to writing!

DDM: That’s great! You also played while there, right? Where did you play?

Brandon: A private show was set up at my publicist’s family’s house in West Jordan, which is in the Salt Lake Valley. Lots of family friends, and people who have heard about my music came to see me play and just hang out and have a good time

DDM: Nice! House Concerts are big! KC Turner in San Francisco is really promoting this kind of thing.

Brandon: They’re more intimate than larger venue shows, granted there’s nothing like the thrill of playing live on a stage, but getting to meet and talk with each and every person who is listening closely is very rewarding

DDM: So lets talk about influences. I know Glen Phillips is a huge influence on you. He is so talented! Why Glen (for those who don’t know much about him)? And who else?

Brandon: Well I grew up listening to TTWS. They stemmed from Santa Barbara and I spent my younger years in Oxnard. There was a lot of buzz about them and their music was always playing in the house while my mother forced us to clean. lol. Their music was a huge part of my childhood and musical development thereafter. As far as other bands/artists, I have a pretty big ear. Was obsessed early on with classical music, until i got that 90s sound, then after that i was hooked on anything with an acoustic, organic sound. I’m also a huge Snow Patrol fan.

DDM: Nice. So you grew up with music? Parents musical? How did you first start?

Brandon: Not a drop of musical background from any family members. My uncle gave me a keyboard as a gift when i was about 5 years old. I took a couple months of keyboard lessons, then used the material they gave me (books, lessons etc) to teach myself the piano and to read music. I was playing classical Beethoven by ten years old, then finally picked up the guitar 4 years later.

DDM: Wow! That’s impressive! Were your parents wondering where the heck that all came from?

Brandon: I think it was a surprise to them that rather than being a normal ten year old kid who was into ten year old things, i was spending hours sitting in front of a musical instrument. I still wonder if they were maybe worried about me, haha. But ya, I was told later on that one of my great great grandma’s played piano and sung.

DDM: lol. I can relate. I have a 10 year old who is not into what most 10 year olds are. But he dropped guitar (along with his younger brothers) after 6 months. I’m hoping at least one of them gets back into it.

Brandon: I think it takes a certain attention span to devote the time needed to learn to play.

DDM: Let’s hope! So, once your parents figured out you really loved this, how did they encourage you?

Brandon: Well I was finally upgraded to an actual “piano” when i was about 13. they gave me some continued lessons, but i just worked better on my own. I was watching aPBS program one morning and saw this older man playing the classical guitar, and i was watching the way he was playing and thought to myself “I could so do that!” and the very next day asked my dad to buy me a guitar, and within a couple months I had my first acoustic and still have it to this day. On a side note, I was homeschooled from 3rd grade to my freshman year of high school, so i feel like i wasn’t influenced by anyone outside of my own realm. I kinda lived in my own world and it gave me all the time in the world to practice as much as i want and just not have distractions.

So my parent’s decisions to homeschool me and to give me the tools needed to progress, even inadvertently, benefited me greatly

DDM: Awesome. My 10 year old is begging to be home schooled. I did for his 1st grade year, but with three boys, it’s so hard!

Brandon: I can imagine. My parents have 3 boys, I’m the eldest. We drove my sister nuts.

DDM: Wow. (By the way, I joked with Brandon last week about what makes a cool mom. I told him most young artists I interviewed said their mom’s were named Debbie. There was a long pause…and Brandon said…”actually…my mom IS Debbie too!” HA!) Did your mom home school all 4 of you?

Brandon: No, just my sister and I. My first younger brother wasn’t born till mid 90′s then youngest 5 years after that.

DDM: So you have a brother who is like 10?

Brandon: 15 and 10, yes exactly

DDM: Wow! either of them into music?

Brandon: 15 year old i’m pretty sure is tone deaf, but is an amazing artist. absolutely stunning artwork. The 10 year old is, and can sing, and I’ve tried teaching him. but nowadays video games and the other distractions out there don’t give him the ample time to sit down and practice.

DDM: Yes. Video games. It’s a shame. The video (game) killed the radio star.

Brandon: haha that is so true, or the Mozart’s out there too. Killed them or at least slowed them down.

DDM: Ya. that is a huge plug for homeschooling. And throwing out the games.

Brandon: Yea, I agree with it. all geniuses are socially awkward anyway. But at least they’re geniuses.

DDM: Except for me!

DDM: So, you decided to go to high school instead of homeschool?

Brandon: yea after a few years of not having too many friends, I was ready to go back, and did so my freshman year. Like a sheep to the wolves that was. I didn’t know what to do, so, i stuck close to my guitar. I carried it everywhere. I wasn’t even in any music classes. Just played on every lunch, break, before/after school, it didn’t matter. i was a scrawny 100 lb kid carrying a huge dreadnought guitar in a big black heavy case everywhere i went.

DDM: And that got you friends?

Brandon: Lol! Ya, I made friends, many of which i still see today! Then my sophomore year transferred to a newer high school that was built in the area lived in and started to get more involved in music. The choir teacher even made me a deal to get me to join his class

DDM: Good! Where did you go to High School ?

Brandon: Capistrano High School first my freshman year then Tesoro High School. I graduated with two of the guys from Local Natives. I think that school is a breeding ground for entertainers.

DDM: Wow! I’d say so! Ok, so you graduated High School, and then…college? Diving right into the music scene?

Brandon: Banking. I started working 9-5.

DDM: Wow. didn’t see that coming

Brandon: Lol! I didn’t really get serious about getting into the music scene until about March of last year. I always wanted to play but i didn’t have a goal in mind. I just knew I had to work, and once you start working those kinds of jobs, you get “stuck”.

DDM: ahhh…yes… for me it was an insurance industry job for seven years. I know how it goes.

Brandon: I tread water for years trying to figure out how to ultimately stop working and do what I loved to do. And finally did so last year.

DDM: Wow. Big step. How did you financially pull it off (I’m not going to ask “rob the bank?” )

Brandon: Ha! Nope! I saved a little. I sold everything, got rid of everything I didn’t need and have kept it on a “as needed” basis. I’m much happier when I live simply. I also played shows here and there.

DDM: So living in OC, you can still live simply? Alert the press!

And so now you have a manager and a publicist, and a record?

Brandon: Yes. Working with management, PR and have a pressed ep which was released beginning of summer last year.Once I released the ep, I cut my ties working a job, and never looked back.

DDM: Inspiring!When you make that decision to be true to yourself IT WORKS!!!!

Brandon: YES!! I felt like i had to make a decision, because it wasn’t being made for me. and i needed to just do it. I’m a happier person for it and I just feel more honest with myself too.

DDM: And next week you play at the Key Club opening for TTWS!!!!

Brandon: SIX days exactly! I can’t even begin to describe my excitement. Obviously to play alongside them but to see them as well. I havent seen a live Toad show since New Year’s Eve 2001 at The Roxy. I was about 16. its been almost exactly one decade. I hold this show coming up so dear to my heart I don’t think anyone “could” know what it means to me unless I told them the amount of influence they’ve played in my life.

DDM: It has gotten me all excited too! I love a good live show, but what I really love are the stories like this, behind what is the “show”. I am not musical in any way, besides knowing what I like! But I love a good story. This is a GOOD story, Brandon! I’m excited for you! Stories like this are why I write!

Brandon: Aww, thank you!! I’m glad I could be a part of it!

DDM: You are it!

(at least this week! ) hehe

Brandon: haha! Its funny, I’ve actually met Glen (Phillips) twice! Once 10 years ago, and again last year. I flew out to NYC to see him play with WPA at the City Winery. I think the coolest thing is, that even though he’s met thousands of people I know he knows who I am. Which to me is just awesome.

DDM: WPA will be at hotel cafe on 1/25!! I’m soooo there!!!

Brandon: I’ll be joining you then! WPA is amazing.

DDM: So, tell me your band member’s names and how you all came together

Brandon: Gustin Flaig (drums), I met Gustin last year at a show i played in Tustin. i shared the stage with Tori Blake, who is an upcoming pop singer/songwriter. He’s been working with her for awhile.

Bobby Hasbrook (elec guitar) Bobby and Gustin are good friends, since childhood. I asked Gustin if he knew anyone that could play my style of music and would want to play some awesome shows and Bobby showed up right away.These guys are the most dedicated musicians i have ever played with

Phillip Nguyen (bass) I met through my friends that played behind me previously. He was willing to come on board and play behind me when I played at the Roxy and opened up for Paul McCartney’s guitarist Brian Ray. Phillip rocked.

DDM: So, you guys are ready?

Brandon: We are ready and even ready for an encore song should the crowd desire!

DDM: Nice! I’m looking forward to it! Any new songs?

Brandon: Most definitely. I always write. it’s the most important thing to me next to performing. I’ve written probably over 100 original songs. Going to be playing all new material besides “Can’t Believe” which is featured on the EP.

(and also featured here, on DDM folks, take a spin on the mp3 player to the right)

I was really impressed with Brandon. He has a love for music that is inspiring. And he is definitely on his way to something bigger! Take a listen, become a fan, and support young artists, like Brandon!

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Debbie Does Music: I thought this would be titled “Being In The Right Place At The Right Time”

But instead, it’s titled “How The Accordion Came Between Me and Butch”.The Hotel Cafe in Hollywood was the setting. As I dodged the rain to get into the venue, I happened to see a musician checking in, who said he was with Butch Walker’s band.

Right Place.

He was also inquiring about getting passes for his friends who were coming to the show. Since the evening was a benefit for LAFD Spark of Love Toy Drive, musicians didn’t get any passes for this show.

Right Time.

I offered up my two extra tickets to the guy. Followed with a “and you can introduce me to Butch”. He agreed, “no problem!”

I was giddy. As I reached into my purse to hand him my business card, he slipped through the door calling over his shoulder “I’ll see you inside”

But…wait…

There were hundreds of people inside. Hundreds. But not my “In”. He was nowhere to be found. Butch wasn’t going on for three hours, he probably wasn’t even there yet, so I relaxed with a drink, my camera and a standing spot close enough to get a few shots of some great talent!

There was Meiko, who looked like a little girl in her candy cane striped tights and pig tails, but sang about what happened when she fantasized about having a hot affair with Santa before killing him, because her manager suggested she write a Christmas song. This girl has spunk. And lungs.

There were the The Weepies, who’s harmonizing is breathtaking, and music makes you want more.

.

And, of course, there was Butch Walker. Whose stage presence makes you dance, and who sang four Christmas songs, including Little Drummer boy and Winter Wonderland. With an accompanying accordion player among the six others on stage. An accordion player who never introduced me to Butch. Oh well.

Right Place

Right Time

Wrong Want.

I’m okay with that. But I don’t trust accordion players anymore. I think that’s only fair.

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Debbie Does Music: Shawn Mullins

As a busy mom, being a hipster is hardly likely. After I get three boys to school, get some exercise in, run errands, do laundry, blah blah blah, there is a good chance I missed anything hip on any given day.

But what that does mean, is when I hear a voice I love, I’m excited, and it’s New To Me Music!! I don’t care if it’s a year old, a decade old, or released today. And if you are busy, you may feel the same way.

We can’t all be cool, and I wear my “Uncool Mommy Blogger” crown proudly.

Today I’m all excited about Shawn Mullins. His new album, well, new to me (it actually came out in October of this year), Light You Up, is FANTASTIC! The album’s namesake song is hot! Serious make out session song (for those young hipsters, anyway). The rest of the album is definitely more of a country feel (he is from Georgia, after all) than the radio hit, but it’s all good. He even has a song titled The Ghost of Johnny Cash (the only country singer I truly have loved). Tinseltown is a keeper, as is California. This is not your daddy’s country music.

As I get excited about New To Me Music, I sometimes wonder “where the HELL have I been??” This is his 18th album, it’s not like he’s a newbie. Oh ya, that’s right, I have three boys, ages 10, 7 and 7, I’ve been in a cloud of non-hipness for a good portion of those years. But, baby, I’m back! DDM is here to let all you mommies and non-hipsters wear your crowns with pride as well.

An added bonus, you can get Shawn Mullins (New To Me) album, Light You Up, for $5 if you get it on Amazon this month. That is a bargain for some truly good music. Give yourself an early Christmas present today, or a late Hanukah present! You will be glad you did.

Printed by permission. Visit Debbie's blog @ http://www.exurbmagazine.com/

Debbie Does Music: The Day the Music Died

There were tributes around the world yesterday. It’s trending on twitter, viral on facebook, and everyone knows WHO John Lennon was (even if they spell it Lenon, but I digress…)

Among some of the tributes, was a live show last night in Ventura, CA where singers/songwriters played Lennon songs. The ustream video is here! Let it play while you work today. Some great talent today, has Lennon to thank yesterday, for inspiration.

There is a lost interview with Lennon, that occurred three days before his untimely death. A portion of it is here, and it will be printed in Rolling Stone Magazine in it’s entirety this Friday.

“What they want is dead heroes, like Sid Vicious and James Dean,” Lennon, then 40, told the magazine of fans and critics who didn’t exactly stay loyal to him during his five-year break from music.

“I’m not interested in being a dead f–king hero…so forget ‘em, forget ‘em.”

Lennon also empathized with another up-and-comer: “God help Bruce Springsteen when they decide he’s no longer God…They’ll turn on him, and I hope he survives it.”

As for his Beatles buddies, Lennon intimated that he would be open to returning to the road with Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. However, he saw no need to rush any reunion, putting it to the interviewer that “there’s plenty of time, right?”

“We just might do it. But there will be no smoke bombs, no lipstick, no flashing lights. It just has to be comfy. But we could have a laugh. We’re born-again rockers, and we’re starting over.

“There’s plenty of time, right? Plenty of time.”

There’s that bittersweetness we were talking about.

The topics of conversation only grew in depth and breadth from there (though nine hours of talking will do that to you).

“Give peace a chance, not shoot people for peace,” Lennon said at one point. “All you need is love, I believe that. I’m not claiming divinity. I’ve never claimed divinity. I’ve never claimed purity of soul. I’ve never claimed to have the answer to life. I can’t live up to people’s expectations of me, because they are illusory.

“The hardest thing is facing yourself. It’s easier to shout ‘revolution’ and ‘power to the people’ than it is to look at yourself and try and find out what’s real and what isn’t, when you try pull the wool over your own eyes and your own hypocrisy…that’s the hardest one.”

And for all the deep thoughts revealed, there was also plenty of humor…even if it was at the expense of some fans.

“When I was younger, one…I could say ‘when one was younger,’ but maybe they’ll think that’s too ego…you know, I’m not allowed to speak on that level, because that upsets the little turds, right?

“So let’s put it like, when I was younger, I used to think that the world was doing it to me and that the world owes me some thing…When you’re a teeny bopper, that’s what you think. I’m 40 now, I don’t think that anymore, because I found out it doesn’t f–king work. One has to go through that. For the people who even bother to go through that, most assholes just accept what it is anyway and get on with it.”

Many of life’s big questions, eerie in retrospect, also popped up.

“We’re all part of it, there’s no separation in that respect,” Lennon said. “Am I real? What is the illusion I’m living, or am I not living? I deal with it everyday, the layers of the onion.”

“Don’t be afraid to be afraid. Yes, I’m often afraid and I’m not afraid to be afraid, it’s not at all scary. At least when [the world] is all right, let’s enjoy it.”

Lennon also discussed his childhood, and his constant struggle to balance his desire to be tough, citing Marlon Brando and James Dean, and to be the Oscar Wilde-like “sensitive poet.”

“It’s more painful to try and not be yourself in a way,” he said. “People do spend a lot of time trying to be someone else all the time, I think it leads to terrible diseases.

“I come from the macho school of pretense. I was a suburban kid imitating the rockers. But it was a big part of one’s life trying to look tough…I thought that’s what it was, trying to be the tough James Dean all the time. I still drop in to that when I’m insecure.”

Lennon said he later learned how important it was to develop one’s—er, his—weaker side, crediting Yoko Ono with helping him see that.

“That’s what feminism is all about. That’s what Yoko’s taught me. Yoko’s been telling me all the time, it’s all right, it’s all right.

“I was torn between being Marlon Brando and the Oscar Wilde part of me…If you showed the other side, you were dead.”

The overarching theme of the interview—or at least of the pieces that have so far been released—are, oddly enough, about how much control we truly have over life.

“We always have a choice, but how much of it is preordained? It’s very strange sometimes. And that’s a good ending,” he told the interviewer.

Read more:http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b215029_john_lennons_lost_last_interview.html#ixzz17XxvrHNT

I think we all have a favorite Lennon or Beatles song, and I know I have fond memories of listening to my sister’s White album over and over with her. I think I’ll listen today, with the rest of the world. And just maybe, today will be a day of peace. Wouldn’t that be nice?

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Debbie Does Music: To Tubeify or Not To Tubeify?

The modern day Napster? Maybe. Too good to be true? Probably. Playing with it now? Definitely. Tubeify is the menaje trios of Last.fm, Billboard and Youtube. Brought to you by Tomas Isdal, a University of Washington PhD student.

Basically, the gist of Tubeify is to turn youtube into a jukebox of sorts with an easy to use interface. But Youtube alone can’t get you the cool factor of the Time Traveler feature. This allows you to search any given time period since 1964, the interface uses Billboards top 100 of each said period, and pops out video selections for you to peruse while you experience sight and sound from your time selection.

I immediately went to my high school graduation year. Can you guess what that was? Here is a snapshot of it:

So I sat and took a listen/watch down memory lane. I’ve never actually experienced some of these songs in video form, since the greatness of Youtube came long, LONG after those days for me. Sigh.

This is the sort of thing that can get you lost for a few hours, so don’t take it lightly. But do take advantage. I have a feeling the Big Brother “Label” won’t be liking how the music is being shared for free.

You do need an invitation to get onto Tubeify. Get it here, and go and play for the day, or night. Or all day and night. It makes music fun! Click on the “request invitation” and add your email. You’ll get an email from Tubeify in just a few minutes and get started. Be warned, you may not want to stop.

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Debbie Does Music: Local Singer/Songwriter Showcase

This past Saturday night I had the opportunity to watch and photograph some amazing young talent in my area. Although this was a local setting, it could have happened just about anywhere. Unsigned young talent, acoustic setting, a panel of expert judges and a room full of family, friends, some professional musicians and singers, all there to witness the finale of a competition that started in July.

And there was some great new talent. There were young pups with guitar in hand and some with accompaniment thanks to talented friends and family. I’m going to showcase a few here because I really truly enjoyed their efforts. If you would like to see any of the artists from that night, check out the ustream video in it’s entirety from Zoey’s Cafe.

The winner of the Showcase was Mimi Gilbert, an 18 year old from Ojai, CA. I’m sure we’ll be hearing more from Mimi as she begins this journey in the music world. I hope she sticks with it, it’s a tough road.

Something I’ve been noticing, and it rang true at the finale as well, is a phenomenon I think that’s been going on over the past few years with singer/songwriters. Rather than it being a category of musicians (someone who writes their own music and sings it), it has become a genre of sorts. It’s as if singer/songwriter is a synonym with folk/acoustic/alternative. Throw in indie and you have yourself a genre for sure. I’m in no way saying this is a bad thing, for I really love a good folk/indie/singer/songwriter. Some of my favorite talent fits perfectly into that genre.

However, I think, like most trends, it’s going to get old. Fast. And then what? What about singer/songwriters that can’t sing like Jack Johnson or Norah Jones? Are they still considered singer/songwriters? Or do they have their own category? Alt fusion, perhaps? It’s almost an epidemic. Except epidemics are usually featured in the news as scare tactics. This only gets scary when the untalented step on stage. I’ve noticed that even then, though, folks seem to go along with the spirit of the singer/songwriter and chalk up off-key and out of tune to alternative. Go figure. Maybe it’s something I am missing the boat on. But I’ve heard enough good (and bad) artists to know the difference, I think.

Although I liked nearly all the performers on Saturday, there was only one that stuck out, almost as if he was shouting “I’m not like the others!” and really, his passion, near anger at times, really WAS different. Elijah Behar would fit my Alt Fusion category, I’m sure of it. He technically is a singer/songwriter, but not the genre as much as the category. I spoke with Eli to learn a little more about what makes him go outside the box of the “singer/songwriter” genre.

“I’m very connected to what I’m singing. I may come across as angry, but it’s only what I’m feeling about the song. I actually felt really connected to the audience once on stage.” Behar said he knew from the beginning he wouldn’t win the competition, he was too far outside the “box” to be the favorite, but with this being only his second live acoustic performance (he’s the front man for the band Marquee from Ventura, since 2008, so he’s had band performance experience), I thought he did exactly what he should have done. He represented Eli. Not a genre.

I get that it’s hard to define yourself when you start something new. Influences come from everywhere. Heck, I deal with that as a writer (and a mom!) it’s not easy being true to yourself when it’s so easy to see what others are doing, and compare yourself to them. I say kudos to all the singers/songwriters, whether they are in the category or the genre, as long as they are doing it for the right reasons.

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Debbie Does Music: The Beatles are finally on iTunes!

I’m sure you’ve heard Apple’s big news this morning! After 10 years of iTunes, Apple and The Beatles have come to an agreement. You can finally download all your favorite fab four records digitally through iTunes.

Why, you ask, did it take so long? “For years, the big impediment was a long-running legal dispute between Apple and Apple Corp., the record label the Beatles owned. Soon after Jobs and Steve Wozniak launched Apple Computer in the mid-1970s, Apple Corp. sued its namesake, charging trademark infringement. But the companies settled their differences in 2007, with Apple gaining ownership of the “apple” name, logo and related trademarks, some of which it licensed back to Apple Corps.” according to an article this morning in the Mercury News.

In 2008, Apple succeeded in bringing all of Radiohead’s releases to iTunes after heavy negotiations as well. Prior to June of 2008, Radiohead would not agree to “unbundle” albums for individual song sales.

I think this is a win-win. I’ve been wanting to add The Beatles to my digital library for a very long time. Now to decide which album to get first…any suggestions?

Debbie Does Music: Things I’m Looking Forward To This Week

It’s gonna be a goooood week, I can tell!

Tonight, I’m taking some friends to Hollywood to see a young singer with a sweet voice. Skyler Stonestreet is a girl from Santa Barbara who stole my heart when I heard Dream Away.

Careful, she’ll steal yours too with that pureness…

Saturday night I’ll be attending Shades of Day’s album release party at Zoey’s Cafe in Ventura. This rockin band from Ventura is pure talent, peeps. I’m looking forward to the party, and to next week, when I’ll sit and interview them. I hope they still like me after they have to sit with me for an hour or so…Here’s a sample of SOD from The Freak Fest in Ventura last month…

Debbie Does Music: Mikey Wax Interview

I’m excited about tonight! I’ve finished my interview with Mikey Wax, listened to his albums more than a few times and get to see him at Genghis Cohen in Hollywood this very evening! If you are in the LA area, you can too! He goes on at 8pm, and I’ll be the blonde snapping pics of him!

Before you come out to listen, check out my interview this week with the lad from Long Island…

DDM: I love your sound! I heard your album For Better or Worse last week, and really liked it! How long have you been singing/songwriting?

MW: Thanks! I’ve been writing songs forever- basically since I started playing piano around age 8. It was always a natural thing for me. I used to come home from school and play piano for hours. At first I only wrote instrumental songs, but I eventually built up the courage to begin singing when I was 18.

DDM: Is it all you thought it would be? I mean, I know it’s a lot of hard work, and a lot of time, and not always a lot of profit…(sort of like what I do too…)

MW: It’s a lot of hard work, but since I love it, it’s more like an exciting challenge. The key is to keep writing better songs, touring consistently and networking…and keeping expenses low!

DDM: What part of the job do you like best?

MW: Writing, performing, recording. I like it all!

DDM: Touring. Tough? Exciting?

MW: Touring is extremely freeing. I love it… Being on the open road. I feel like I’m serving my purpose when I’m playing music for people every night. Plus the high after playing a great live show is unbeatable.

DDM: The album For Better or Worse is about relationships. Are there personal experiences that go along with any of the songs you are willing to share?

MW: It’s probably safer not to Sometimes the songs are ideas and emotions taken from real life experiences, and sometimes there are certain lines that just sing well and relate to people even though they may not have been personal experiences.

DDM: Your latest album The Traveler is also great, reminds me of John Mayer, in a good way. You’ve heard that before, though.

MW: Thanks! The Traveler album was a fun, simple process, and I think it captured some of my best songwriting on songs like “Birmingham” and “Goodbye Too Soon”

DDM: You did something really cool, and brave, and offered the EP for free through your website. Seems it was a good idea. Do you see it that way? Months later? (ps. Because I’m a mom who doesn’t have much time to herself, I didn’t get mine for free! But still love it)

MW: I’ll give you a free copy at the show Yes, I’m very happy with how it helped spread the word. Part of the deal was that people who downloaded the album had to join my e-mail list or follow along on twitter. As a result, my e-mail list grew to over 10,000 fans, and twitter to 9,000 fans, plus it created more buzz about my previous albums too.

DDM: Do you have a favorite cover song? Why?

MW: My favorite songs to cover would be songs that I have no justice covering because I could only ruin them haha. I enjoyed doing my cover of “La Vie En Rose”

DDM: What’s next?

MW: I’m currently recording 3 songs in LA with producer Warren Huart (the Fray, Augustana). I have plans to eventually release a new album in 2011, and continue touring and expanding my fan base.

What more can you ask for on a Friday night? Good music, cute singer, nice guy, and a girl with her camera, ready to capture it all.

You can become a fan too! Visit Mikey’s official site at www.mikeywax.com. You can also become his fan on facebook (like me!) or follow him on twitter @mikeywax

Wanna hear him now? Click to listen to his song 02 In Case I Go Again it’s beautiful.

Printed by permission. Visit Debbie's blog @ http://www.exurbmagazine.com/

Debbie Does Music: Arcade Fire – The Suburbs

The parody here is killing me! New album, The Suburbs. LA shows at The Shrine, sold out. Me, stuck, well…in the suburbs. Ya, that mostly sums up DDM much of the time. But I still enjoy good music, not always like my counterparts who don’t have kids, a house in the burbs, and a bunch of domesticated animals…but hey…

I wish they could have stopped here, in Thousand Oaks, as part of the tour, or maybe even at my house. I mean, I am THE EPITOMY of The Suburbs!!!! We could have had a house concert!! I would have invited enough people to make them happy. And I could have cooked, or ok, ordered in, for them.

Instead, I sat at home, and read tweet after tweet of peeps saying things like “Arcade Fire looks like a musical brigade up there! Amazing”@grimygoods and “My heart is so full right now. My mind is blown from how amazing this show is.” @Seraphina_L. And if you search twitter for #arcade fire you can see all the other comments from their adoring fans. It didn’t help. It was great for them, but darn it, sitting at home is harder when you know the good stuff is happening!

So, you should check them out, if you haven’t already. They are from Montreal, not a burb, but where music by this talented bunch of indie rockers is made. The album is one cool ‘burb tribute.

Try it. From one exurbanite to another, you’ll like it.

Check out their site/blog You can check out songs, video and merchandise here, as well as see what they did to help Haiti.

You can follow them on twitter @arcadefire, but if your smart (and lucky) you will go to a show and see them live, soon. And then you can make me jealous, too. You can tweet me @debbiedoesmusic and rub it in.

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Debbie Does Music: 2010 Indie Music Award Winner Nathan Morris!

Independent musicians have a hard gig! They write, play, sing, market and promote their music all themselves. It’s inspiringly hard work, and when it’s successful, it brings a tear to my eye! Nathan Morris is successful!

Nathan Morris was awarded the 2010 INDIE CHARTS MUSIC AWARD! Nathan has received this award for maintaining the #1 spot on www.IndieCharts.com for over 6 months!

Exciting stuff for a 25 year old from Kentucky. Let’s see what happens when we exchanged Q & A’s over the interwebs this week:

DDM: Congrats on your win on the 2010 Indie Charts Award. This is a big accomplishment for an indie musician! How do you feel about it?

Thank you so much for that! It truly is an amazing accomplishment. I remember getting the call from my manager about winning the award. I was at a cookout with some friends. We all had a moment to celebrate and it was so cool to share it with them and Jody. I’m thrilled, to say the least. We’ve been really working hard over the past few years, releasing music, meeting people, learning new things. It’s refreshing to see something like this happen, you know? The award has most certainly given me a little more of a push to up my game with writing and recording. All that to say, I’m honored, excited and proud of everyone on my team that works hard day in and day out to make sure all the pieces are in place for me.

DDM: What keeps you indie? Do you WANT to be indie? Why?

Being an independent artist allows for the ball to stay in your court. I am the owner of a company in a sense, and decisions need to be made every day in order to continue to move forward. I have a group of people that are always on the same page with me with decision making. Being indie allows for me and my team to have the control necessary to continue to move in the direction we have always intended.

DDM: Had you ever considered any of the competitions (American Idol, America’s Got Talent, etc) or is there something about those that you don’t like/don’t want to be a part of?

I actually had purchased a plane ticket to Kansas City, MO a few years ago to try out for American Idol, but didn’t end up going. I think it’s a pretty cool competition, but I just feel that right now, it’s not for me. It’s launched a lot of successful careers though.

DDM: It looks like you started producing albums at the tender age of 18…so tell us about where you learned to sing/write? Schooling/etc…

I learned to sing when I was about 8 years old. I initially loved the idea of entertaining people, but soon in to vocal lessons I developed a large passion for it. I would always write in my teens. I’d write stories and fill pages of notebooks in my room. When I met my dear friends Brent and Justin, who were fellow songwriters, they taught me about structuring and it’s purpose and how to guide a listener through the song. I always hope that my songs stay true and I always continue to personally progress in my efforts as a songwriter.

DDM: So…Owensboro, KY…a suburb (or what we like to call an “exurb”)? of…I’m not sure…St Louis? What is the biggest city near Owensboro?

Owensboro, KY is an hour and a half away from Louisville, KY, two hours from Lexington and two hours from Nashville, TN. It’s a great hub for me to be in. I can be in any of those cities in such a short period of time. Owensboro just feels good. It’s where my family is. It’s where my dearest friends are. It’s home!

DDM: Let’s talk about fashion! How have you been inspired by fashion? Buckaroo jeans is your exclusive outfitter? Tell us about that relationship…do you design too?

Fashion inspires me when what I’m wearing feels good. If I personally think I look great, then I tend to write, perform and so forth. There’s just something about that additional bit of confidence that brings your best out. Buckaroo was and has been a great relationship. My manager, a friend and myself were out in LA, walking down Sunset Blvd. and simply happened to stumble upon this nice store. I had never heard the name Buckaroo before, but upon entering, I saw all these really cool jeans and jackets that I really liked. They had a very unique look about them and it wasn’t something you saw every day. We spent a good 2 hours in there shopping. My manager got in contact with Buckaroo and the rest is really history.

DDM: I’ve been reading your blog. You are very introspective, especially for a young guy. Is it your introspect that makes you a great songwriter, or your love for songwriting that makes you and introspect (sort of like the “chicken or the egg” theory I suppose.

I really appreciate the compliment, thank you. I think with songwriting, it’s about living. And the life that you live creates memories and stories that you share with people. Some tell them at a cook out or family get together. I write mine down and share them with everyone. It’s about being honest. It’s about not questioning yourself or your feelings and hopes and desires. The life I have lived is throughout each song I’ve written. There’s a lesson learned in each track too. It’s cool to kind of go back and hear something you wrote a while back and remember what was going on and how you dealt with and got through the situation. That’s a big hope of mine for the listener. I want them to be able to relate in a special way, that every time they hear that particular song of mine, they’re taken back to a particular moment.

DDM: What’s next for you?

-I guess what’s next is taking what I’ve recently learned about myself and my music and just going full speed with it. I will continue to record songs that I believe whole-heartedly in and releasing them to the people who continue to show their full support, all while hopefully gaining the attention and appreciation of new fans.

DDM: The new song is out now! Tell us about “A Minute More” Inspiration?

“A Minute More” was written in the basement of a friend’s house. My friend Brent was getting married that week and we were reflecting on our lives and the fact that in a week, he was going to be sharing his with the woman he loved forever; how she was going to walk in to their home for the first time and how amazing and beautiful it was. We wrote the song in about 10 minutes. I feel that the best songs in my catalogue are ones that came together quickly. It’s an extremely honest song. I am such a romantic. If you want to know me on a personal level, away from the music and videos and photos, this is the song. I believe in fighting for the one you love. I think about my future wife all the time and all the fun things we’ll do together, as well as all the trials we will face together. It’s a song reflecting on my past, but realizing the promise of that day when I meet her. I want people, when they hear it, to know they’re worth the wait and important.

DDM: The video is coming out next week. How exciting! How was it making your video? Any good stories with the process you can share?

Shooting the video was such an amazing experience. We went with Neil McCormack, who I have worked with previously on another music video. He just has a great eye and ability to make me feel comfortable. So many people came together and worked so hard to make the video look the way it does. It couldn’t have gone any better really. A big shout out to all of them.

We shot the video over a 2 day period. At one point, some of the crew were lifting a heavy upright piano out of a truck for one of the shots and I felt so bad just sitting and watching, but they didn’t want me helping. Also, the last few shots with me at the piano, I was falling asleep in between takes. I never knew I could fall asleep sitting up.

Nathan’s latest single has been released and is available on I-Tunes. The video will be out in about a minute more (or next week) …we are anxiously awaiting it! Check out “A Minute More” and tell us what you think!

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Debbie Does Music: Fun-do-mental Music in Thousand Oaks

Ya’ll saw the Harvest Moon the other night, right? It was big and beautiful. The specialty of the harvest moon was that it rose in direct correlation with the sun setting. this was because of the fall equinox. It actually hasn’t happened since 1991, and is known as the Super Harvest Moon this year.

This was cause for celebration. And in Thousand Oaks, David DePalo, owner of the new Fun-do-mental Music studio, decided to celebrate with a free-form aleatoric jam (for us simple folk, it was a music jam).

DePalo, holds a master’s degree from the Peabody Conservatory of John’s Hopkins University.He’s worked in the film industry for the past fifteen years as a composer and orchestrator. “I’ve played classical guitar since I was eight. I jammed in my basement all through high-school and that’s how I knew such a concept [as Fun-do-mental Music] was possible.” says DePalo. ” You don’t need to be a trained musician to make music. It’s a simple as howling at the moon.” Which is what it felt like Wednesday night.

After taking pictures and warming up to the participants, a participated by banging on the bongos like a good music lover! My kids keep reminding me that Debbie Does NOT, in fact DO music…I just write about it. But here is proof, to everyone, that even I, a writer more than a player, can get down and howl with the best of them.

There aren’t just drums at Fun-do-mental. There are all kinds of interesting instruments. Some that make you go hmmmmm. I had to ask David about some of them. “The concert bass drum and 34″ Han Chi Chau Symphonic Tam-tam are favorites with the kids. As is the Water Phone, which is a bowed percussion instrument the emits eery sounds like whale song. I personally love the Khamak, an exciting drum that has a string attached to the head which you strum with a plectrum to create frantic, thrilling rhythms. The harmoniums and pixie harps are fun, too. And everyone loves our double bass.”

Not only can you come to one of David’s jam sessions (he updates his website frequently with dates of upcoming events), you can also have parties and take lessons there. “For a while I kept the studio completely acoustic. But we score a short film for kids’ parties, and one day I cut some old sci-fi scenes of a space ship landing and taking off into that movie. So then, of course, I had to get a Theramin!”

The studio is clean, modern and comfortable. It’s a wonderful place to create music, or take a class. Check out everything Fun-do-mental Music has to offer our community.

Printed by permission. Visit Debbie's blog @ http://www.exurbmagazine.com/