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Strangers Helping Strangers Feeding the hungry one concert at a time
10 for 5 10 questions for 5 artists Read their answers. A new Music scene A scene bubbling just below the surface. About to explode!!!!
Soul Mouth
2020/ Volume 1 / Issue 1
Music Festival Season 2020
The art of spreading independent original music that feeds the new music scene
Small independent music festivals find themselves stronger than the bigger and more expensive corporate ones.
It is about 7:00pm and my drummer and I were on our way to do a show at the Harvest Fest and Freedom Fair in the middle of nowhere. It was so far out there that me and my drummer started to worry that we would break down and hear banjo music. The GPS even told us good luck. When we got there we were told go to stage 3, so before we went to go find Stage 3 we decided to climb the hill to where the 2 main stages were. There were lasers in the sky and a nice haze hung over the crowd who were dancing in brightly colored clothes. We stopped at all the vendors which was everything from food, to massages, to T shirts and other fun things you would find at a music festival. We then ran into our bassist and our merch guy and whe headded down the hill to find out where stage 3 was. It was a little tiny bar on the property a bit away from the main festival. There were about 5 people in there. They only had Coors light and Sam Adams. We looked at each other thinking what did we just drive, what felt like 4 hours north for. So we got a beer, and relaxed a bit when a woman came over gave us all hugs and said welcome were excited to hear you play. That was what we drove all the way out there for. It wasn't a buddy hug, it was a, were family and I havent seen you in 10 years hug. So we loaded our gear into the bar and they told us the stage was in the back room. We had to laugh. There was no one there. I looked at the drummer and said, man lets just have some fun and play some music. He smiled and we set everything up on stage. We were still a bit early so we climbed back up the hill one more time and I dont recall what band was playing but damn they were killing it. The sound, the smells, the lights the entire vibe was just freaking amazing. Something I thought was long gone since I was a kid. We went back down the hill and the stage area where we were suppopsed to play had a few more people, so we took the stage. We started jammin' hard, 20 minutes later the inside and outside of that little bar was wall to wall dancing people. People just losing their minds in the music. Feeling every funky note. Smiling happy faces, and people zombified by the music. We were one with the audience and it was awesome!!
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The failing of Woodstock 50th goes to show you bigger doesn't always mean better. Music festivals are not about the dollar, they are about the music and the smaller festivals have not forgotten that. They are creating a music scene that is all about the love and the feel.
By Jason Gisser
The next act showed up and we anounced that we were done and the crowd started screaming for more so she asked us to take her set so she could continue dancing and partying with the growing audience. Happily we obliged. Even though we were only supposed to play for I think an hour we played for nearly 3 hours and had a great time doing it. You couldn't see 5 feet in front of you with the haze and the lights dancing in the air, bending small lasers and distorting the sea of people into waves moved by the sounds. When we finnished, we packed up our gear and headded back up the hill to catch more bands, but after one we realized we had a gig the next night in Windham and it would have been better to head out while we were still awake. As my drummer and I were walking out we ran into 2 of his friends, and he told me they had a festival in Marlboro we might be able to get on. A few months later we were playing at their festival called Mazzstock. I had no idea what to expect. as I got about 1/4 mile from Mazzstock Field I started to see people walking towards the festival. When I made the left turn onto the dirt road, a guy maybe in his 30's was standing there, and asked me if I had my tickets and I said I'm here to play. He asked me what band I was with and I told him and he took out a huge white marker and wrote a big letter "A" on my windshield. Then he told me to go to the next check point. I drove up a little further and at the next check point they asked me what band and I told them. They handed me my credentials and they laminates said, "Certified Bad Ass". I instantly thought oh this is going to be a good one. She then told me to pull up and wait in my car someone would be there shortly. So I did. Within 5 minutes a guy rolls up on his golf cart and tells me to pop the back. When I did he started taking my gear out and putting it on the golf cart. I was really hoping he worked for the festival. He did. He told me to hop on and then he drove me past a sea of tents and when it opened up to Mazzstock Field, there was a sea of people. and beyond them were 2 huge stages. The Alpha Male Gorillas were absoultely killing it. The crowd was bouncing up and down singing along and enjoing the festival experience. It was like a sea of tie died T-shirts were finally smiling. There were fire dancers, holla hoopers. I even saw a tent that said massages, and when I joked with the promoter about it he said go get one, they are free for the musicians. I thought to myself, wow this is awesome. I had a show that night after my set with the Mazzstock Allstars, so I had to leave right after we were done, but man I did not want to go. I was playing with my band the next night so i knew I would be coming back that weekend and I couldn't wait. Everything from visual arts to sonic arts, cullinary arts, aroma arts, dance and yoga and things for kids to do. But what I noticed right off the bat was this sense of comunity. There were people walking around picking up anything they saw on the ground and putting it in it's propper trach container. It was so clean. That and how cool the stages were. They were high enough that you would look down and see a sea of heads just swaying. That next night I went there with my full band and we had a time that would brand a smile on my face for a long time. Next stop, Froggy Daze. Vinny and Lee both told me about Froggy Daze at a Mazzstock Allstars rehearsal. I reached out and they booked us to play. It was at Landers Campground in Narrowsburg, NY as it is every year. Right on the Delaware river. 2 big stages tons of camping and this is another 3 day music festival. I drove up by myself and was met at the gate by Heather 1/2 half of the cutest couple ever who happen to both own the festival. I never met her before and had no idea where to go or what to do. I told her I was one of the musicians and asked her where to go. She smiled and told me where the stage was, where I could unload my gear. Then I said what about camping I'm staying and I was going to set up a tent. She said oh thats great, she said "Just drive in and find your lilly pad".
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You cannot help but feel haapy after hearing that. I said thank you and she said the coolest thing to me. She said Welcome Home. Thats how it felt. I felt like these crazy music fanatics, there just like me. Everyone treated me like family. I drove up the dirt rd and saw all the vendors, then i saw Lee from Mazzstock and he said park your car by us. So I did, then I set up my tent, then I sat at a picnic table with members of The Alpha Male Gorillas, Skydaddy, and Mutant Dasies. Killer musicians just lauging haveing a few beers and enjoing a great day outdoors with a green landscape as well as a sonic one. I spent 2 hours just walking around and falling into the scene, then it got dark. Alpha Male Gorillas take the stage and everyone gets infront of them. The music hits you like a ton of bricks on fire!!! The lights, the screaming crowd, the dancers, the complete vibe. It is almost indescribable. You just have to go for yourself. After theAlpha Male Gorillas, The Scofflaws took the stage. I had never heard them play before but I have always heard the name. Funky, but ska, with horns, and killer grooves. You couldnt see one person standing still. We were setting up across from the Scofflaws. so we had a great view of them and the sea of people. When The Skofflaws finnished, that sea of people turned towards us and started moving our way. The feeling was so cool. We started playing and we had that audience. They reciprocated with loud roars. After our last song we put our gear away and went to where we were all camping. I was glad I made the decision to stay. We were on so late I thought driving home would have been a mistake. I'm glad I stayed. Even though the bands were done, it didn't mean the party was over. This dude George built this huge and I mean huge tent called The Thunderdome. They set up acoustic instruments as well as a PA and a DJ rig. There are rugs, some chairs, lazers and other lighting. It's so freaking cool. It's so freaking cool. Do not miss it if you go to Froggy Daze. We jammed acoustic in there and when I came out of the Thunderdome, it was light out. So I walked over got a coffee and a bacon egg and cheese then layed in my tent for a while. Make sure you bring blankets and extra clothes, it gets cold at night. ha ha ha. When my festival season ended I was already making plans to go see my new family members next year. Well here it is 2019 and Festival season is about to begin for me. This year we will be playing at Froggy Daze, Tailwinds Music Fest, Mazzstock, Abele Park Jam, Bergen Street Fest, Kens Cosmic Campout and The Backyard Boogiedown. 7 killer festivals, 4 of which are are 3 day camping festivals. You can check out a calendar with a bunch of music festivals on
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For more information check out www.soulmouthrecords.com/soul-mouth-music-festival-calendar
Soul Mouth Festival Calendar
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Abele Park Jam on the Lake August 4th at 11:55AM Abele Park, Putnam Valley, NY 10579 Mazzstock August 9th - August 11th Mazzstock Field, Marlboro, NY 12542 Adirondack Independence Music Festival August 31 - September 1st Charles R. Wood Park, Lake George, NY 12845 Bergen Street Fest September 21st & September 22nd Teaneck Armory, Teaneck, NJ
Soul Mouth The Art of spreading the original independent music that feeds the new music scene
I stepped onto a field and hear over 40+ bands saw fire dancers, and hoola hoopers, artists, sinners, saints, people in cotumes, and when the smoke cleared I thought to myself did anyone see that? Anyone other than the nearly 4500 people from around the country. I thought, does anyone know how incredible the independent original music scene has become? Some one needs to capture this and bring music back to the days when it could completely change someones mood. When every song sounded different it gave young musicians different styles of music to get inspired by, helping them create their own sound. Music written because someone was bleeding their soul, not because they wanted to be famous. Music not for the eyes, with overly done up men and women auto tuning the feel out of every song. Music for the ears and soul that the artist had to write because it was deep inside and they needed to get it out. Something people can feel. Real music by real musicians, that fans can truly relate to. Like that Soul Mouth was born.
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"I know nothing about running a radio station or a music magazine or even a label, but I do know there is so much music out there that needs to be heard that is kept out of the mainstream. It's all around us in the smallest corners of bars, on midsize stages in local venues, on huge stages under the lights and drenched in the smoke, with thousands of fans creating an energy that will rock you to your core! i do know that.
I grew up in a time when you sat and waited for the station to play Pink Floyd's new album from front to back. You listen to the DJ's voice and you learned about the bands. Then they do it, they put the first song on and because it's your favorite band you freaking love it before you could even hear it. You are a fan of the music!!! You know it's going to be awesome, and just the sound itself made you feel great. You follwed that band in music magazines. You finally get the album and you check out the artwork and damn if it was an album that opened up, score! You would put it on the turntable and hear that needle sound then bam there it is that first note and the rest that danced behind it. Just awesome. Then you find out there on tour and they will be in your neck of the woods in 2 months. You talk about it with your friends. You get excited for tickets to go on sale. When you find out when they would be on sale, you go overnight to campout online waiting for tickets. You get the tickets for $35, two little golden passes to your soul. You would pack up the car with friends food and beer and head over to the stadium. You would buy a fake band shirt for 10 bucks, smoke some weed in the parking lot with other huge fans of the band then you would head inside. The calm before the storm, then suddenly the lights go out, the crowd roars, and bam the drums, the bass, the guitars, then that first vocal note. It's all distinkly their sound and you are all there luving the hell out of it while you are living in the moment. Man, music was so exciting!!! Now you download it before the radio station gets it, you read about them online and you order tickets to their show online for $150. You go to see them and you spend the entire time video taping it with your phone. Man I miss those days and I see killer original music all around me. I don't mean good, I mean freaking amazing. Then I see all these small music festivals that are actually pretty big. But more importantly they have huge heart and people are flocking across the country to be at them. Not to see huge rock stars, but to be a part of a growing scene with the sountrack made by independent artists and original bands who write music from their soul. People would tell me all the time, that there is no place to see original music, or there's no original music around here. I thought to myself some one has to show people what is going on.
So I built Soul Mouth Records in my head. I watched the music industry change for years. It has never been begging for something new more than right now. But how do you make it profitable for a band. We had a record deal in I think 2015 but it was an indie deal and we had to pay for everyting from PR to studio time and duplication. As well as merch. All they did was distribute yet they got 50% of our publishing. Thats not a record deal that is an outright robery. But how do you fund a label? So I though Soul Mouth Radio. What if we built an online radio station and sold advertising? That would do it. If I build it myself and use it to play all the best independent original bands as long as I have permission, (which I have from every artis we play. ) we could showcase their music and if we sell advertising we could use that to pay for the station and put money aside for the label. But I think we would need more. We would need to really help build the scene, so i thought nothing does that better than a magazine. Everything comes out of my pocket right now, with the exception of donations from some very cool friends, fellow musicians and music lovers. But then I thought wait what about an Ezine. It could sell ad space as well and keep people in the know with the music scene. It could give reviews, Music Festival dates and lineups, it could promote shows at venues, it could talk about the radio station. In a scense create an alternate music scene. One that cost a hell of allot less with music you will not just hear, you will feel. So without having a clue how to do any of this, I closed my eyes and moved onward through the fog. As a result the radio station is running 24/7 all around the world, Your readiong the result of the first issue and once these are up and running smoothly, I will start the lable. It was a long process to get even this far, but here we are. I couldnt have done it without the support of my wife. It's a ton of work, and it's long hours and no money but she knows how important it is to me. Itt's one of the things that make her awesome. It's important to know when your listening to the station, all these band are independent original bands. they are all around us every day. Get in the know. Tune into : soulmouthrecords.com/soul-mouth-radio And read Soul mouth Music Magazine It's a feeling, can you feel it?.
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So you want to know some of the musicians on Soul Mouth Radio, a little better. We picked 5 musicians that we play on Soul Mouth Radio and asked them 10 questions. The 5 musicians we picked are all have different genre's and each one plays music you can feel. Rob Cannillo Sarah Fimm Noel Doughty - Lotus Revival Vinny Pomarico - Alph Male Gorillas Danielle Miraglia Each musician is accomplished and each has been playing the music scene for years. Here what they have to say about recording, building a band, venues, life experiences and generally what it's like being an amazing artist in this music scene. Rob Cannillo 1) What age did you start playing music and why did you start? Music chose me, I did not choose it. I attempted to play the guitar in 2nd grade and took a few lessons from a very nice red headed Nun while I was in catholic school, but quit out of frustration quickly. I then bought a guitar and taught myself at the age of 25 and never looked back. 2) Who were your biggest influences in music? Dylan, Gregg Allman & The Allman Brothers Band.
10 for 5
10 questions for 5 original musicians
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3) Do you get scared stepping in front of a big audience and why? I don’t get scared, but I do get extremely anxious, nervous and very excited. I have learned to take that nervousness and channel it into my performance. 4) Who are your 3 favorite independent original artists to play with and why? Tough question. I don’t get a chance to perform with many other artists, but lately I have had the pleasure to share the stage with Ian Flanigan and Jason Gisser, both who I respect their songwriting and singing enormously. 5) What would be your dream gig? My dream gig would have been to open up for Gregg Allman or the Allman Brothers, but since Gregg is gone that won’t happen. Now my dream would be to be on the bill of an all-day music festival with great acts. 6) Other than music what do you love to do? Other than music I love spending time with my Wife, children and friends: cooking, skiing, grilling, fishing, traveling and hanging out my tiny cabin I built by hand (no electric) in the Catskills. 7) What was your greatest moment in music? Some of my greatest moments include hanging backstage with Gregg Allman and touring 3,600 miles across America in my RV gigging and raising money and awareness for a Cancer cure. 8) What was your most difficult moment in life, and how did you overcome it? About 15 years ago, I was diagnosed with a bone tumor in my jaw. The surgeries cut me through my front lip under my chin, up my jaw line and around my ear. They then peeled my face off. It left my face and speech paralyzed for years. I overcame it by just not letting it win, sheer determination and a lot of prayer. After that I decided to release my first CD, “The Long Road Home” It was… a long road. 9) You promote allot of shows. Barn Concerts, Acoustic Music Fest & Conference, HONOR Music. It is allot of work putting these together. Can you describe the feeling you get when it all comes together and at what moment do you relax and say let the show run itself?
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It's a labor of love, I am a slave to it, again, music chose me. I don’t relax, maybe it’s me, until it’s over! LOL 10) What is your favorite venue to play at? My favorite place to perform is anywhere people are into music, listening and feeling it. Could be for 3 people or 3,000. Noel Doughty (Lead Singer of Lotus Revival) 1) What age did you start playing music and why did you start? I started singing maybe before I could even talk. I was always in chorus at school and eventually joined my first band at age 15. 2) Who were your biggest influences in music? My biggest influences were: Led Zeppelin, Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, Nina Simone, Joni Mitchell to name a few... 3) How did you meet the your band mates in Lotus Revival? Lotus Revival started out as a project called Lotus back in the early 90s. Brad King and I worked together at a bar new Paltz called Cava Lucia. We became fast friends and shared the same musical background. Often after closing the bar, the acoustic guitar would come out and the lyrics would start flowing. There was a very big “Battle of The Bands” competition happening at the Griffin which was the sister bar to the one we worked at. The music scene was very strong at that time. So every band in the Hudson Valley became involved in this competition. It was very exciting and the talk of the town. Every week- four or five bands would compete and one would win that week. Then there were the playoffs with all the winning bands and one big winner. Brad King and I were already part of bigger bands who were in the competition. I was in Funktional Loonacy (we won 2x) and he in Melange. He decided to sign us up with our late night acoustic thing and called it Lotus - because I have a tattoo and a strong
connection to the symbolism. He made it formal ...and we competed. Then 20 years later- the revival and more songs written. Our early recordings were in the bathroom of my place outside town and you can just hear all the peepers on the Lake - can’t get that in a studio! 4) Who are your 3 favorite independent original artists? honestly not even sure who is independent...but I have to give kudos to you Jason Gisser! I love Nathaniel Rateliff, but also listening to Ida Mae, lots of great jam bands- Ghostlight.... Just saw a killer show last night in SF - Rival Sons with the Sheep Dogs opening!!! 5) What would be your dream gig? My dream gig - well literally dreamt about playing the big stages - Madison Square Garden many times. But my dream gig would be a touring band without boundaries meaning the constraints of time or places. I would choose to play with people who inspire me and are a family band - not afraid to take risks and true to heart. It’s all about the good vibes and equality as people and as musicians. 6) Other than music what do you love to do? What do I love to do besides music??? Well I love connecting with people, spirit and nature. I’m an avid yogini... my daily church. I’m a very proud baseball and soccer mom! I love to see music and delve into the mystery of life through art and books... oh and I have thing for fashion too. 7) What was your greatest moment in music? My greatest musical moment... well let’s see I have been blessed with many. I have played for big audiences - 20k; I got to play with Steve Vai last year and that was pretty special indeed but the moment that stand out was a hometown gig with my former band. We were on a national tour and I don’t think I’ve ever experienced that brand of overwhelming love and support. I knew everyone in the venue that night - it was one of the most magical evenings of my life.
8 ) What was your most difficult moment in life, and how did you overcome it? What was the most difficult moment in life... oh boy... which one? Well losing loved ones... my sister, my mother but that is an unfortunate part of life and we all have to find our peace with it. Death makes you appreciate life. My most difficult moment was being diagnosed with a life threatening illness that has no cure- 10 years ago. I was a new mom and there was no choice but to fight so I could be there for my child. Still fighting everyday. 9) In Lotus Revival you guys create a feel, that has overtones of acoustic classic rock but with hints of folk. Tell me how the process of a song like Salty old Dog comes to light. From writing to recording. Let’s see the process of writing with Brad has been that we are either in the room together - he starts playing the riff and then I kind‘ve work out the lyrics on my own... then I have to say it comes together pretty organically. A bunch of these songs were written while I was in California and he in New York- he will send me music and I’ll just write the lyrics then send back the song with my finishing touches- sometimes rearranging but most of the time we have a very fluid connection. It’s funny you should mention - Salty Old Dog, because that was a bit of an anomaly. I wrote the lyrics - which Brad felt was more like a Dylan Novella.... so Brad wrote the music and changed the lyrics... but in the end I rewrote them. We usually have a more streamlined process but I guess the essence of that song had to be tweaked until it was just right. Now it’s right..... Angeline Saris who plays on the lotus revival album is such an accomplished bass player and she also plays percussion on the record. She really adds a beautiful complement to our songs. 10) What is in the future for Lotus Revival? Lotus Revival will be recording a song or two this summer and releasing it soon after. So look out for an upbeat tune called “Downhill Drive”.
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Vinny Pamarico (The Don) (Guitar & Vocals in Alpha Male Gorilla's) 1) What age did you start playing music and why did you start? Let’s see, I was 19—my college roommate Mark, who ended up my roommate by total luck of the draw (I didn’t know him prior to becoming his roommate) was a really good guitar player and had both an electric and an acoustic guitar, and he’d let me mess around with them a bit. I wanted a guitar for Christmas years prior, but my parents didn’t get me one. They did however get my brother one—he’s a lefty, and I’m a righty. My Ma didn’t want me to get into music because she knew, that knowing my personality, that I would find my way to the stereotypically dark side of rock and roll, and do it to excess. She was half right, because I did it in moderation! So when I was at college, I would play Mark’s guitar, and then with some money I made keeping a job through college, I bought my first guitar, a red electric Wasburn, strat-style, and the first song I learned to completion was Rockin in The Free World, by Neil Young. From there, I started reading tablature, got the occasional one-off lesson from friends, and started writing a few songs of my own, and by the end of college, wanted to start a band with some of my musically talented friends from back home. My friend Paul inspired the name of the group, Alpha Male Gorillas—and I had a pretty good idea of who would end up wanting to be a part of it, and thankfully they all joined, and things got rolling.
2) Who were your biggest influences in music? There are so many—but if I had to pick a single band, it would be Pearl Jam. The first time I heard “Once” off of the Ten album, my entire life changed, and by the time that song hit the 2:20 mark and the solo is just WAILING-- I think it was that moment where music started to catch up to my first passion, which was baseball. It made me say, “I need to do this someday,” which is to play live rock music to a crowd, record, and take whatever rock music would give to me. Also, back to Pearl Jam, my rhythm guitar playing tends to mimic both Stone Gossard and Eddie Vedder’s styles at different times, and my leads are highly influenced by Mike McCready—I just can’t pull it off as well as they can, haha. Some other bands and artists who I really love and have let cultivate my styles both musically and lyrically: Jimi Hendrix / Band of Gypsies, Pink Floyd, Led Zepelin, Tool, Metallica, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Nirvana, Gov’t Mule, Beck, Phish, Lettuce, the GZA, Wu Tang Clan, Cypress Hill, Snoop Dogg, A Tribe Called Quest, The Beastie Boys, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Tenacious D just to name a few. A few nods to some local heroes who helped shape my abilities—Thomas Agunzo Sr. literally taught me the notes on the guitar, and the spacing between them, and I give that same lesson to first timers every time they ask me to show them something. Schwinny from AMG taught me the very basics, pentatonic scale, Rock 101, etc… I mimic his style quite a bit as I was a fan of his before I asked him to start a band with me. Tin Monk taught me more advanced techniques for rocking, soloing, rhythm guitar, and for that I am forever grateful. Sam Weismann helped me to believe in myself as if I were a full time working musician by coaching me through learning a ridiculous amount of songs in a very short period of time and proved to me that it was possible. Since then, no matter how daunting, I’ve never doubted my abilities to be able to play something eventually as long as I put the time in. Big Bad Baragon is a guy that I’ve seen go from a complete novice as an instrumentalist, to an extraordinary performer in a matter of less than 2 years time—his work ethic and immersion in all things music is something that has made me push myself to be better, and he reminds me that we’re all students no matter how good we become at what we do. Lastly I consider Big Lee to be very influential in terms of recognizing your abilities for what they are, and just “owning” them to the fullest degree.
He took up music less than 10 years ago and has come a very long way. He’s also a big proponent of “If you build it, they will come” and he, I, and our amazing crew have done just that with Mazzstock. 3) How did you meet the now members of the Alpha Male Gorillas? It’s really hard to even know who is in the band anymore with the lineup rotating so much! But let’s say there’s 5 of us that are pretty core to the operation, and play almost every gig: Joe, I met in 3rd or 4th grade on the All Star Baseball Team bench—we were rivals to that point, but that day, being both National League Teams, we were teammates. I was eating ants and grasshoppers trying to show off / gross people out. Joe loved it. We ended up in 5th grade together later on and became really tight really quick, despite sharing affection for the same woman (neither of us ever got her). I met Schwinny in 5th grade when his school joined mine. He smoked me in a footrace (I’d beat him now though)—we have gotten closer as time has gone on. I met Dave and Ant through Joe—when we were forming the band, he brought them around, they were 4 years younger and more talented than the rest of us. Turns out, they were awesome musicians and great to hang out with. BOOM—you’re in. 4) Who are your 3 favorite independent original artists? This is a really tough one, but here goes: #1 – Chuck Marlboro, which is a pseudonym for Ant Defraia, who I have been in several bands with, and am currently in 2 bands with. His own catalog is so deep, so vast, and covers so much ground, and is so damn good. He writes it all, plays it all, records it all, produces it all, and keeps it almost a complete secret to everyone else. I could probably name more of his songs than he could, and some of these songs could be the biggest in the world if they ever saw the light of day and had the proper promotion. But he also doesn’t care about that at all, and I
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also love that about him and why he does what he does. He’s a genius, and he’s a little brother to me. #2 – Jason Gisser. My man! Jason is truly someone who is doing music for all the right reasons, with the number one reason being that he loves it. He’s an unbelievable vocal talent, writes songs with very catchy hooks, is a great rhythm guitar player, will out-shred your electric guitar solo with his acoustic guitar, and somehow manages to stay humble through it all. Got a gig? He’s there. He’ll play to 5 people in a room like he’s playing MSG, and he can actually get some really high profile gigs where he’ll play to literally thousands of people. He’s a great bandmate, a team player, and has as much appreciation, if not more appreciation for the art that other people make than his own, as evidenced by the fact that he started his own radio station and has hundreds of songs and bands from all over currently represented on there. Again, this is another guy that creates his own scene instead of waiting around for others to recognize his talents, and I have an incredible amount of respect for that. #3 – The NY-Chillharmonic. A 22 piece band, that’s not “big band”, in the words of the chief composer / bandleader Sara McDonald, “It’s just a BIG BAND.” But it really is so much more than that, and I can’t really wrap my head around composing for 22 pieces of a band, then getting that band together to rehearse, and then absolutely killing it at the gig. Band rehearsals with more than 4 members are hard enough to pull off—but it goes to show you the amount of talent this project attracts, when the hired guns are probably playing in the NY Philharmonic just the same. And the style of the project is just unlike anything anyone’s ever heard—there’s some pop, some jazz, some down and dirty rock, some really avant garde stuff going in—it’s brilliant, and what an insane amount of effort it takes to pull of something like that. They also tour worldwide, so hats off to Sara and the other 21 people that make such a huge undertaking a reality. This project should be winning Grammys and playing the show as well.
5) What would be your dream gig? Oh man—this is really tough. I mean, a sold out MSG run of shows might mean that you’ve reached the pinnacle, but then there’s playing outdoor arenas in Europe, or Latin America where most of the people don’t even speak great English, but know all of the words to your songs, and the crowds over there are incredibly passionate and crazy—they make metal show moshpits in the US look like the people are standing at attention. So yeah, maybe Lollapalooza in Argentina or something to that effect. Maybe Red Rocks? Maybe Jam Cruise or some tropical island / other Caribbean hosted get away like Gov’t Mule does in Jamaica or Phish does in Mexico every year? The Coliseum in Rome? I guess I have a lot of dream gigs =) 6) Other than music what do you love to do? Eat food. Lots of it. I like to cook it too. I love hanging out with my girl Victoria and our cats, our families, all my guys, my best friends. Any time I am with any of those people doing any of those things, I am truly in my happy place. 7) What was your greatest moment in music? To date? It must have been last summer when our Music Festival sold out on Friday Night and again on Saturday—that we were able to build something fun enough that we reached capacity, and is widely loved and consistently reviewed positively is our greatest achievement to date. I can’t say it was just me, it was a collective effort of other 1,000 people, and I am already looking forward to this year. 8 ) What was your most difficult moment in life, and how did you overcome it? My most difficult moment in life was more than a moment—it was a few years, and I’m glad those years have passed. It was a time in my life in which I was not proud of a lot of the decisions I had made, and who I had let myself become. I wouldn’t have gotten through it the way I did without the love of my friends and family, my job, my woman, music and literally all of the great things that I had previously lost sight of, and through it all have learned to be truly grateful for what you have, as it could always be much worse. 9) In The Alpha male Gorillas you guys have a killer mix of soul, hip hop blues and rock. How do you guys go about writing a song? I thought of 4 or 5 different songs while formulating an answer to this question, and they all came together quite differently. Sometimes, the band gets together and just jams, and a song comes out completely
Danielle Miraglia
improvised on the first try—if we were lucky enough to record it, that song either lives on exactly as we played it the first time, or we make some mods to it to make it better. In other cases, I’ll have some words scribbled down for months, and either myself or one of the other guys will write music that reminds me of those words, and then we try to make those words fit the song. Sometimes someone will have a song penned from start to finish, and we keep it that way when we play it. Sometimes it takes on a new life after we rehearse it a while, or play it out in front of people before recording it. Every now and then the music just inspires a vision, and the words come naturally, and we get together in groups to hash out the hooks, then the verses, or vice versa—but with at least 5 contributing members, there’s no shortage of material, just shortage of agreement on what works best, and what to focus on, haha. Either way, I love it and truly love being part of such a unique and eclectic group. 10) What is your favorite venue to play at? Mazzstock Field! It’s the ultimate home field advantage, and there really is no place like home! 1) What age were you when you first started playing music. 13 when I started playing guitar and was on the path to eventually doing it seriously. But when I was 10, my friends and I started a band without knowing how to play instruments yet. I had a little casio keyboard and wrote cheesy pop songs for the band. We learned as we went along. 2) Who are your 3 favorite independent artists or original bands. .Aw, man I can’t pick just 3. We have so many great musicians, bands and songwriters right here in the Boston area. Baker Thomas Band, Lisa Bastoni, Jenee Halstead, Jen Kearney, Monica Rizzio, Spotted Tiger, Peter Parcek, Susan Cataneo, Ali McGuirk, Dennis Brennan Band, Tim Gearan Band, The Blue Ribbons…so many more I could name, but those all come to mind.
3) A song like All My Hero's Are Ghosts, and Monster clearly have a country vibe. A song like, Rockstar is funky, with tons of groove. All on Fire has a hornless Ska feel to it. All very cool songs, with your feel. What music were you influenced by growing up. “Hornless Ska”- Ha! That’s so funny. Through early childhood into my teen years, I went through every phase of popular music – My earliest memories are of getting singles by J Geils Band, Joan Jett, Hall and Oats, then – Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Rolling Stones Tattoo You…then the Prince obsession began and never ended. Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, Tina Turner (child of the 80’s)…etc. Rap music of the late 80’s, then the metal phase which lead to the guitar-playing, which lead to classic rock – Janis, Jimi, The Faces, more Rolling Stones and then blues…So, I’d like to think it all shows up somewhere in my music without being too all over the place. 4) Some people have the idea that you need to keep writing to stay on top of your game. Some believe you write when you need to get something out. Some just play till it sounds cool, or feels good then they add on from there. When you write a new song what is your process. For me, songs come in batches. I have to be in the flow of writing and then a bunch happen at once. Then I won’t really write for another year because I’m recording and then performing a ton. I do have to make a conscious effort to and make time to write these days. It’s a matter of being in an ongoing mindset where you’re in tune to all that’s around you. Things that people say. The details of your surroundings. Sometimes I’m in tune and other times oblivious. Sometimes when you’re going through something major, it’s almost too big to write about. I’m in that place right now and the best thing I can do is try to focus in on the smaller pieces of it…the moments. 5) What was your biggest moment in music. I’m still waiting for it! I think for the most part it’s more like a series of smaller moments that makeup who you are. 6) What was your toughest time in life and how did you overcome it. I pretty much just went through it. Seeing my husband go through a major health scare. I overcame it because he pulled through. Not sure how I’d have handled it otherwise. 8. OK you get the Desert Island Album question. Your allowed 3 albums... and a record player. Wind up, because your on a deserted island. What 3 albums would you bring and why? Just 3!? Prince – Sign of the Times (My favorite Prince album..it’s also a double, so I’m kind of cheating)
Prince – Tie between Around the World in a Day, Parade, Dirty Mind…Don’t make me choose! Rolling Stones – Toss up between “Some Girls” and “Let it Bleed” – Though Sticky Fingers has my wedding song on it “Sway,” - Don’t make me choose! 9) Where is your favorite place to play? This is a tough one to answer because it can just depend on the vibe of the night. My favorite places in MA to play for a listening audience – The Burren Backroom Series, The Narrows Center for the Arts, The Cabot Theater…Then there’s just the easy vibe of playing Toad (Cambridge) with the band…it’s still one of my favorite things. Outside of MA, I love Caffe Lena, Nelson Odeon…any room where the audience is with you and enthusiastic. 10) How many instruments do you play and which is your favorite to write with? Pretty much just guitar. I play a little harmonica too, but only on a few tunes.
SHS is a NPO which organizes and hosts food drives at concerts and festivals then delivers the donations to local food banks nearest to the venues that they were collected. Together we make a difference Feeding the Hungry One Concert at a Time Since 1997 In 1997 Strangers Helping Strangers was formed when fans of the band Strangefolk came together to give back to the community that had given them a family and the gift of music. This was a unique opportunity to help those in need both within the music community and without, whilst providing fans, bands and venues a resource with which to further their charitable goals. Kat Harless and Tina Campbell created the organization, running our first official food drive in 1998 at a Strangefolk concert and we have been growing ever since. Marc Druin took the reins in 2001 and ran dozens of successful events until 2003 when Donald Pearson took over. Strangers is home to a massive network of volunteers throughout the country who dedicate their time and effort to our cause, something we are forever grateful for. The ultimate goal of Strangers Helping Strangers is simply to provide for the fans, bands, venues and anyone who just wants to give a resource with which to further their charitable goals. We provide organization, support and resources to care for those less fortunate by setting up food drives at concerts and festivals, after which we then deliver the supplies to local food banks, pantries and shelters. Together we make a difference!
Sarah Fimm 1) What age did you start playing music and why did you start? Probably before I could speak. My mother plays the piano in a way that would take your breath away. She has the touch. Her father, when he returned from the war, rented a small piano for several months so she could learn. My love of the instrument grows with each passing day. 2) Who or what are your biggest influences in music? David Baron, my producer and friend, is at the top of that list. He is a brilliant composer. And...Maynard James Keenan, Josh Freese, Bjork, Bach, Kate Bush, Leonard Cohen, Debussy, Tori Amos, etc. The list is long. 3) You have allot of different musicians on your albums. How do you get the musicians for your albums? What's the process? Do you call them, send them the music to learn or do they write their own parts? Does the studio find them for you? - I usually call them directly once Dave and I decide what/who might work for a particular piece. At times, I even write with specific musicians in mind. I never send them the music in advance. Generally speaking, it's just about what works for the piece. Each musician brings something unique to the table. Calling musicians and inviting them to work with us is one of my favorite tasks. 4) Who are your 3 favorite independent original artists? That's tough! There are so many. Three that come to mind: Lettie Maclean, Alfonso Peduto, Loudboy (aka John Andrews). 5) What would be your dream gig? I'd bring an orchestra and an additional 100 gifted musicians I adore to Chichén Itzá and we would play under the stars until dawn. (or maybe bring a quartet to the International Space Station and play a song or two while orbiting the planet at 17,150 MPH?)
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6) Other than music what do you love to do? I love to read books. I love to study different subjects. I love to stare into fires and sit by the river. I love to film new ideas. I love to sew thousands of mirrors together and create Sparkle Parks. I love to cook for people. 7) What was your greatest moment in music? Meeting David Baron (my producer and friend) at Edison Studio in NYC. 8 ) What was your most difficult moment in life, and how did you overcome it? I don't know. Honestly, the most difficult moments I experience are when people (or animals) I love are suffering. I suppose in these situations we just have to accept that things happen in life and try to be there for each other in whatever ways we can while we're here. 9) Your music creates more than just songs it creates a vibe or a blanket of sonic feel that gets in someones bones. The vocals are so in touch with the music, and so moody the listener cant help but get sucked into your world of color and artistic vision. When you write do like writing from inside the song or from outside the song looking at it as a whole? (I think only you might understand that question.) - Well, thank you. I appreciate that. Probably both. I try to get out of my own way. The sea of noise inside my head is often unwilling to be silenced. This is my biggest issue. Fortunately, David has a way of making you feel like you can do anything. He creates a space where artists can feel comfortable. He keeps you laughing. At the same time, he never wastes words or says anything discouraging, so you have no fear or failure. You feel invincible. So, to answer your question, this helps you go anywhere you might need to go. He'll be right there at the controls when you are ready. He'll make it sound better than you ever thought it could.
10) What is your favorite venue to play at? - Hmmm. Very hard to choose one. Here's a few... 1. The Vilar de Mouros Festival. It took place a field filled with tiny jumping spiders. I went to sleep in a trailer and woke up with them all over me. The show was unforgettable. It also happened to be the night that I conquered my fear of spiders. 2. The Fillmore in San Francisco. Historic places have a life of their own. 3. The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. 4. The Falcon in Marlboro, NY - Great venue. So much love to be found there. 5. The Highline Ballroom in NYC. Best sound EVER. (Can't wait to see the new space!) 6. Scala in London.
Hayley Jane & The Primates
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