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NEWSLETTER | JANUARY 2010
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FIVE QUESTIONS FOR FIVE MUSICIANS/BANDS IN JANUARY'S BEST ACOUSTIC BAND SHOWCASE 1) What is so unique about Orange County's music scene? Barrett Johnson (singer-songwriter): "There are so many good musicians in Orange County. I am very thankful to know and be friends with so many talented people. One unique thing in Orange County is Zion Studios. I don't know anyone who can produce and arrange like Dallas Kruse. Sitting in on sessions he has arranged with first chair LA Philharmonic string players has been incredible. I'll definitely be doing my next album with him. He currently sits in with at least six or seven bands around LA and Orange County and more people are starting to find out about him." Marc B. (singer-songwriter): "It's just a great place to make all kinds of music, since our area is not defined by any one genre as say, Nashville is with country music. Orange County is everything; a thriving hip-hop, rock, electronic, acoustic, country, and everything-in-between scene. We've seen resurgence in Orange County from all different ends of the musical spectrum. The people of OC are close enough to LA to be affected by what's going on there, but we're not encapsulated in any bubble. There are so many avenues to take your music in OC." I Hate You Just Kidding: "Orange County's music scene is clearly influenced by such a variety of music; you could easily see a hip-hop band on the same night as a folk band." CANVAS: "Well, we've only been playing out and around OC for less than a year and what we've come to notice since then is that there is a great amount of support from other bands. Everyone (who we've come in contact with) has been very supportive of one another. Whether it's coming out to another show or helping another band when they need another musician to fill a night to even helping borrow equipment. Goldy from Yellow Red Sparks (one of our favorite local bands) has been really cool about helping us find a new drummer. It's just little things like that. Also, if you go on a lot of the local bands MySpace pages, the majority of their top friends are local bands, which shows support and even helps promote. If everyone supports each other, there's no stopping OC's music scene." Kurt Hunter (singer-songwriter): "I find that OC's music scene is unique because it's more about sharing with each other. I know a lot of bands' members often jam with each other and create new ideas and sounds together. You don't see that in the bigger city scenes." 
2) What are some current OC bands/musicians that you see live quite often? Barrett Johnson (singer-songwriter): "Billy Kernkamp, Melanoid, Yellow Red Sparks, and Justin Grennan." Marc B. (singer-songwriter): "When I'm in town I can always count on a killer local show from The Simpkin Project, Matt Costa and Trevor Hall." I Hate You Just Kidding: "My Pet Saddle, Charles Mansion and Drew Danburry." CANVAS: "Anyone who knows us knows we love Aushua, so we try to see them every time they play. We just saw The New Limb at the Gypsy Lounge and we were blown away. BLOK, Yellow Red Sparks, Barrett Johnson, The Steelwells, MelanoidÑthe list goes on. We also just played The Roxy with Kiev and had a chance to watch their set and it was amazing. We haven't stopped listening to their EP ever since." Kurt Hunter (singer-songwriter): "Danny Maika, Mike Vitale, We Are The Pilots, Honey Pie, Tiana Star, Great Big Things, the list goes on..."
3) What can we expect from you or the band next year? Barrett Johnson (singer-songwriter): "Better choreographed dance routines. I've been stretching." Marc B. (singer-songwriter): "New music coming out (February) on the Wailer's compilation album. We're launching the debut full-length (June) with Oniric Records and probably a national tour (summer) to go with it. A music video (July) will come with that. We're also going to Costa Rica, Hawaii and all over California through Spring. We're keeping busy and loving what we do." I Hate You Just Kidding: "A 7" (vinyl) EP release / west coast tour in March." CANVAS: "We are all looking forward to 2010. As some know, we went through some changes in September individually and as a band. We changed our name, we went through some member changes, but most importantly, we've written a lot of new material that we are really proud of. We are hoping to start pre-production on our new EP hopefully in the beginning of the year and we would really love to go on tour next year. The new name CANVAS came from one of our songs and it was really about starting over and painting a new picture. You can definitely expect us to start 'painting' the picture in 2010." Kurt Hunter (singer-songwriter): "Well, I'd really like to get a little tour going, and put together a small band!"
4) One random fact about you or the band: Barrett Johnson (singer-songwriter): "I am powerless to cream cheese danishes." Marc B. (singer-songwriter): "My favorite animals are elephants and sea turtles, both for very important reasons." I Hate You Just Kidding: "We both successfully reached our own age on the wii fitness test." CANVAS: "We all practically live together. And we're always with each other even when were not at the loft aka home. Some people think it's weird that we spend that much time together or ask if we ever get tired of each other. The truth is, we're all past that 'friendship' point and we're a family. We bicker like family from time to time, but we get over it. We are all best friends. Not only are we close as a band but all of our families are close as well. Christmas weekend the band and all our families got together and went bowling, it was intense! We also LOVE playing charades and Taboo. Individually: George (guitar) is an amazing cook. Doll (vocals) can't live without Dr. Pepper chap-stick. Keila (vocals) is scared of the ocean. Piper (keys) loves carne asada fries from Albertos." Kurt Hunter (singer-songwriter): "I'm the Esurance guy!"
5) Why is the OC Music Awards important to our music community? Barrett Johnson (singer-songwriter): "I think that Luke Allen, producer of the OC Music Awards, has the best of intentions for the bands in OC. Hopefully any recognition that any of the bands get, will help them take a step forward." Marc B. (singer-songwriter): "This event brings together everyone who loves music and has anything to do with our scene. I mean we're all out there doing our thing, whether it's making music, web design, photography, management, venue ownership, whatever...it brings us all together under one roof for a night, which is the best thing and the only thing that will push us forward as a unit. The OC Music Awards is a huge reason why an 'OC Music Scene' even exists. Without awards shows like this, there'd be no unity." I Hate You Just Kidding: "It's important because it helps draw attention to all the local DIY musicians/bands who haven't already been promoted by MTV, commercial radio stations and/or major record labels." CANVAS: "The OC Music Awards is definitely important to our music community because they give OC bands a platform to do what they love and be recognized for it. They might also help open another door or attract more fans for a band, all of which are positive things. We remember going out to the showcase last year, so it's amazing to be part of it this year and be recognized within our music communityÑso thank you to everyone!" Kurt Hunter (singer-songwriter): "OC Music Awards is important, because it really gets the collective music scenes' pulse going. It inspires us all to do our best and put in a little more practice time than usual. Plus, it gives us a chance to see other groups and artists since we are all booked on the same evenings usually!" Return to front page » |
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