Megadeth’s guitarist/backing vocalist Christopher Broderick or “Chris” has been with the band since 2008 and he says it’s been a dream to have set foot into the shoes of the killer guitarists he looked up to growing up. He’s also thrilled about the return of the Gigantour, and explains how his holidays went for him and the rest of the guys and how it feels to have thirteen albums under the name that everyone knows as Megadeth!

All Access Magazine (AAM) First off, Happy New Year!

Chris: Oh thank you very much Happy New Year to you too.

AAM What was it like to perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Halloween?

Chris: I think that’s what was kinda of what it had so much charm was the fact that we did it on Halloween night. We had gotten dressed up each one of us had a different monster character that we played so, I think it was awesome. The funny thing is that I’m use to coming into a show where you’re going over the riffs and your thinking about the songs you’re going to be playing and rehearsing it all mentally and that particular day of the show the whole time spent prior to the actual performance was spent in the makeup room getting the costumes ready so it was quite a experience.

AAM Did you all go trick or treating afterwards?

Chris: *Laughs* No, I actually walked Hollywood Blvd which was actually pretty crazy there were people going nuts on that street so it was interesting.

AAM What about Christmas and New Years how were those for everybody? Did you get what you wanted for Christmas?

Chris: Well I don’t know well no not necessarily think about what I want for Christmas anymore or anything like that really. I definitely did get some cool things because ya know as you get older you kind of let people surprise you than just telling them “Oh I need this or that”. So I got a cool pair of snowboarding pants and a pair of tickets to see this show when it comes to L.A. in April so that was awesome.

AAM Are you ready to be playing shows to kick off this New Year?

Chris: Oh yeah defiantly getting ready for “Gigatour:.

AAM How does it feel to have the Gigantour back in action?

Chris: I think it’s awesome because it’s funny when Gigantour does occur because there are always plans to do it annually and yearly but sometimes different offers or packages come up so it can’t always happen. So it was nice to see it return this year so we’ll just play it by year and hopefully we’ll see more it more often.

AAM Megadeth has toured all over the world but is there a spot that they have not toured?

Chris: Yeah well some of the guys may have been there but I’ve never been. Some places like Indonesian, China, and South Africa or anywhere in the continent of Africa would be cool to me.

AAM Have you had the chance to tour with the band of your dreams?

Chris: uh well if it’s unfortunate that I wouldn’t ever have that dream come true but there is always hope but me personally I would love to be able to tour with Jason Becker.

AAM What’s it been like to be playing with Megadeth? Would you say that it’s a dream come true?

Chris: Oh yes definitely. To be able to play with Megadeth which is known to have such killer guitarists and getting to be in the shoes of some of the one’s that I grew up listening too is just awesome.

AAM “Thirteen” is the third and final album to be released with Roadrunner Records, is the contract going to be renewed or has a new label come into the mix?

Chris: Well I think that all depends on Dave and Roadrunner because I’m sure he’s thinking of what the options are and what will help Megadeth the most and help build the band and help get our music out there and I’m sure that’s being considered and Roadrunner is aware of that.

AAM What has not been asked or said about “Thirteen”?

Chris: hmmm that’s a hard one because ya know you get the standard questions but I guess one off the wall question would be “What were you having for dinner when you were recording?” I’d say I had Indian food.

AAM What else can we expect from you guys for 2012?

Chris: I think ya know we’re just really looking to go out and bring the music from “Thirteen” and get it out to as many people as possible so just tour, tour, tour because that’s what we plan on doing for most of 2012.

AAM Is there anything else you’d like to say or add?

Chris: Just thanks to everyone for your support and the love of making music for them because we have fun doing it and its cool.

Skye Delamey was put on this planet to create music. She literally fell in love with music before she could even walk. From the moment she crawled over to her first organ, she had found her destiny. To date, Skye has released three CD’s, has a fourth CD “Skye’s Wonderland” in the works for 2012, and has even directed five of her own music videos. She recently released her first entirely acoustic CD, “Songstress Secrets: Confessions of the soul,” and has started her own online magazine, Stacatto.tv, which is a place for her to share her knowledge of Music Theory and to really give back to the Community.

All Access Magazine (AAM) : I’ve really enjoyed preparing for this interview, listening to your music, and watching your videos. I love the musical variety that you have, and how every song has a concept. And they are all different. Let’s start out by talking about your latest album “Songstress Secrets: Confessions of the soul.” What inspired you to record an acoustic album?

Skye Delamey: I wanted to shed light on vocals and the piano as the complex instrument that it is, and really highlight the piano as a bass instrument, and as a treble instrument. Throughout the years people have told me that I really need to put something like this out so they can hear what I can do vocally, and, kind of… unproduced. Not to say I’m staying at the acoustic stuff, but I wanted to have an album like that, and I was excited to do it.

AAM: Very cool. It’s great to have the variety. I love the most recent video you did for “Thor,” especially the way the lightning crashes behind you while you’re playing the piano. It really conveys a lot of emotion. How did you get the idea for this song and video?

SD: Well, it was 2008…The night of L.A.’s biggest thunderstorm, as far as I’m concerned. As an L.A. Native, I’ve never in my life seen rain and lightning bolts to that extent. It was as if I was struck that night, by a musical bolt of lightning. I sat at the piano and songs just came through me, almost as a cosmic source. I was very compelled to just write a song in honor of Thor, the God of thunder and lightning, and “Thor” just came to me.

AAM: Well, you did a great job on that video. There are a couple songs on the album were actually inspired by loved ones from the other side….. Can you tell me more about “Another Chapter” and “I See You There?”

SD: When my Grandpa died, my Mom was so devastated. I just wanted to reach out to her in a spiritual way. There is really nothing that you can buy somebody when they’re hurting over the loss of a loved one. There’s almost nothing you can do. But I felt like a Medium in a way, and I asked my Grandpa what in the world can I possibly do to help heal her pain, and that song, which initially was a poem, came through me about another chapter. He is on the other side in another chapter of being.

AAM: And then the other one, “I See You There,” is for your Grandma?

SD: Yes. That’s for my Grandma. And that one also came through me, almost as a conduit or a Medium….My Mom’s parents were both born deaf and mute, and they were together for 78 years. So it’s really unusual that their first Grandchild, me, ended up being a singer and a songwriter, and I’m all about music and lots of loudness. It was as if I was their voice, reaching out to my Mom, trying to heal her pain.

AAM: Wow. That is amazing….Your musical style is very versatile. You can go from beautifully melodic, to heavy, to punk rock, and then back again. Which style is your favorite? And do you see yourself leaning towards a certain direction in the future?

SD: Over the years I have been advertised as ‘heavy girl rock,’ so I love that genre…but I love the melodic stuff as well. And, ultimately, whether it’s melodic, punk rock, or whatever it is, it has to rock. Also, all the songs, no matter what they are, they also start in that raw state. Even “Francis Farmer” can be played acoustically, with just singing and playing piano. But, no matter what it is, as a songwriter it’s a good indication if you’re able to break it down.

AAM: I was going to ask you about “Francis Farmer.” That’s another video that really stood out to me. It’s definitely one of your heavier songs too. Is this song based on a true story?

SD: It’s in honor of Francis Farmer, the Actress. But it also just sheds light on all the victims of psychiatric drug abuse, including children that are given Ritalin for being creative. “Francis Farmer” was inspired by a trip to CCHR.Org on Sunset Blvd. It’s an organization that advocates for people’s rights, and citizen’s rights, and are against foolishly giving out psychiatric drugs to people that don’t need it.

AAM: It’s good that you’re making it known any way that you can. You are a natural for making videos. It seems you just keep cranking them out. And they are all so visually appealing, unique, and creative.  How do you come up with the ideas for your videos, and which comes first, the song or the idea for the video?

SD: Well the song always comes first. And to me as a songwriter, making a video is a visual way of writing a song. It’s like putting your creative vision into a creative format. I’ve had a huge background in acting. And I’ve studied all of that. But I never thought I could make videos, and direct them. But working with wonderful people just inspired me to put my vision into a video format. It’s the same process as songwriting.

AAM:  Very cool. Have you thought about directing music videos for other artists?

SD: (laughs) Oh…If I could wear that many hats, I would. I just can’t… What I did, it was because it was very fun, and inspiring; a natural process. But my main passion is music. I am put on the planet to sing and write songs. I gotta focus on my main attraction and passion in life.

AAM: Definitely. So has this been a lifelong passion for you? How did you start playing the piano and singing?

SD: It definitely has been a lifelong passion…Probably from the time I was born! My Dad played, and still plays, the accordion. And as a toddler, it was just lying around. I would crawl over to it and play with the piano keys. I literally fell in love with the ‘magical black keys.’ Literally fell in love… And that was my dream in life, to play piano and sing. So I am very grateful.

AAM: Wow. You did fall in love at a very young age… What types of training have you received?

SD: I have had a whole lot of training. But there is a lot that you discover on your own. I didn’t like a lot of my training. I was kind of rebellious, and I had a hard time with a lot of my music teachers that were more serious. I didn’t like being put in a box. Finally, I rebelled enough to attract the right teacher. And she said to me, Skye, if you wanna sing, feel it with all your heart and really connect with the message of the song. And there was really no looking back after that.

There comes a time when you love something so much that you go beyond what you’re taught and you really discover it. There’s so much out there that once you learn the basics you’re hungry to learn more and there are so many complex cords and keys and different ways of singing. I just really was on a roll to learn all I could, beyond the normal.

AAM: In addition to singing, songwriting, and directing, you recently started your own online magazine Stacatto.tv. What is the primary focus of your magazine and what goals would you like to accomplish with it?

SD: Stacatto.tv is a way to give back to the music community and to take my knowledge of music theory and really showcase that. And that’s why it’s called Stacatto, the musical theory term. I used to run a business called musical transformations, and I gave voice lessons at the time, and songwriting consulting, and things like that. I wanted to take what I knew of that and really showcase music as a language. Not just music the lifestyle, but music for what it really is. To give tips to artists, and put a spotlight on actors and businesspersons… Anyone can place an ad on the Spotlight section of Stacatto.tv. It’s a way to showcase what each individual person has to offer.

AAM: Sounds great. Is there anything else that you’d like to share with our Readers?

SD: I’d like to share my website www.skyedelamey.com where you have links to different sites with music and things like. Also check out my YouTube station at www.youtube.com/skyedelamey

AAM: Thank you for your time Skye. I see great things happening for you and I wish you all the best in 2012.

Keep Rockin’

Alison “MetalBabe” Cohen
www.metalbabemayhem.com
www.facebook.com/metalbabeproductions

Winchester Rebels have arrived on the rock scene with the goal of putting themselves on the rock ‘n’ roll map and moving onto the national stage where they rightly belong. As Kid Rock says, “it ain’t bragging if you can back it up” – and this talented rock group, as heard on their new album Three Sheets To The Wind as well as the band’s high-energy live show, can do just that.

Three Sheets To The Wind has just been nominated for “Rock Album Of The Year” by the 2012 (22nd Annual) Los Angeles Music Awards.

Winchester Rebels host and headline a Benefit for the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara at SOhO Restaurant & Music Club, 1221 State Street, Santa Barbara, Thursday, February 16. 8 p.m. Buy tickets here: www.digitalomni.eventbrite.com. Also performing: Orange County band A Broken Opera and Seven Year War.

All Access Magazine (AAM) recently interviewed the band’s front person, Nick Hunt (NH). This is how it went.

AAM: Who are Winchester Rebels?

NH: We are a bunch of fun-loving guys that like to get a little sideways, do a burn out, a wheelie (Bike or moto), launch off something and get some air, and just plain rock out. We enjoy Coors Light, pizza, burritos, and a little sushi if we are feeling pendy! We are not trying to conform to the trends in music. We play what we like and what moves us and if you don’t get it then I guess you just don’t get us but we can still be friends!

AAM: Interesting name for a band, how did it come to be?

NH: Our ex-bassist Johnny “Reno” came up with “Winchester Radio” when he was living in Goleta on Winchester Canyon. I liked “Winchester” but thought the “radio” was a little too indie or soft so I came up with “Rebels” and that’s how we became Winchester Rebels.

AAM: The background behind how a group forms is often an interesting one, definitely something that doesn’t happen at the snap of a finger. What’s your story?

NH: Johnny “Reno” and I put it together. We had bands before but they were punk, indie rock, post hardcore, emo, whatever you want to call it and we decided to try and get back to our roots in 90′s rock. At least, that was my idea. Santa Barbara is one of those places where band members get recycled because truthfully there aren’t that many talented people in our small town. We got our buddy Nick Fitzgerald to play guitar. He got his old drummer Barry Carter to move up to SB from the OC to play drums for us. We tried out some second guitarists and had no luck when we remembered our buddy James Longoria was looking to jam. It worked out great. We knew we had something special after one practice.

AAM: Okay, so let’s talk about your new album “Three Sheets To The Wind,” what did you have in mind when this was recorded?

NH: We wanted to create a great hard rock album from start to finish. “Three Sheets To The Wind,” I thought, was an old sailing term that meant full speed ahead but it actually refers to the ropes that hold the sails being loose causing the boat to shudder and flop around like a drunken sailor. Either way, I liked it. We consumed a lot of alcohol during the writing and recording of this album so it was also very fitting in that respect (laughs).

AAM: Discuss the lyrics and meaning behind some of the songs that are on “Three Sheets To the Wind.”

NH:”These pills I’ve been taking have made me numb and I want to feel” (“Dining with Devils”). I wrote this after I had knee surgery. I was feeling like crap because of all the pain meds I was taking so I just stopped taking them and dealt with the pain instead. I think to heal, sometimes we need to feel the pain and not numb it with drugs. “Failing everything I try, never making grades with you” (“Down”). This line is about being frustrated in a relationship where you try to do the right thing to make someone happy but it just never seems to pan out. Some of the lyrics I write just come out unconsciously. A lot of times when we are writing I don’t really put much thought into words as much as the melodies but when I hear it back, it makes sense to me why certain words or feeling come out in my music. I guarantee if you like hard rock you will find a song on this album that moves you.

AAM: What kind of impact do the Winchester Rebels hope to make on the rock scene in the long run?

NH: We would love to be that new band that comes out of nowhere and takes the country by storm. We want to bring real hard rock back to the masses. We want to be the band that just keeps getting better and stays on your iPod or stereo for years and years to come.

AAM: Let’s talk gigs – where have you performed, what was the band’s best gig, what was your least favorite, etc?

NH: Mainly in Central and Southern California so far. We had a really good show at The Viper Room in Hollywood a while back….we also played a fun house party where we were crammed into this little living room and the house was packed with people rocking out. Basically any show with a good crowd makes for a fun show! I want to feel that energy from the crowd. That’s what makes it fun. Least favorite show we played was in Lompoc (Calif) at this place called the Shamrock. Let’s just say it was a trainwreck. We don’t like to even talk about it. Everything that could go wrong went wrong that night.

AAM: Going forward, what’s the 5-year plan look like for Winchester Rebels?

NH: Play some key shows with some big-name acts, get our music out to a international audience, get a record deal, record a hit record and just play our asses off!

www.reverbnation.com/winchesterrebels
www.facebook.com/winchester.rebels.music

Interview by Alison “MetalBabe” Cohen

Richie Onori is a multi-talented musician and versatile percussionist who released two CD’s with Stuart Smith’s band Heaven and Earth, and has a new album in the works. He also teamed up with Stuart Smith in Sweet about five years ago and has toured extensively with them. Richie Onori is currently focusing on his Solo Career, and will be releasing two CD’s in 2012, “The Days of the Innocence” and “American Fighters.”

All Access Magazine (AAM):  First of all, congratulations on being nominated for Artist of the Month on Rockwired.com. You have my vote!

Richie Onori:  Thank you so much !

AAM: You definitely have a lot going on these days, with your Solo Material, Sweet, your work with Stuart Smith, and you have two of your own businesses. Let’s start off by talking about the first of your two upcoming releases, “Days of Innocence.” What can you tell us about the CD?

RO:  I am so very much excited about “The Day’s of Innocence.”

It has some poignant messages, storytelling, and a few “about love” types of tunes.  One song is called “Goodbye Cruel World.” I guess you can figure out what that’s about; I had a couple of bad months…

AAM: What is the meaning behind the title track?

RO: It’s about me and people that experienced the 60’s 70’s and 80’s musical renaissance and growing up in this magical musical time. Things are different now. Sometimes I wished I could back to those times when life and families were different.

The last lyrics of the song are:

NOW THE WORLD’S A DIFFERENT PLACE

PEOPLE LOST IN CYBERSPACE

WITH YOUR CELL PHONES YOU CAN’T REPLACE

HAS THE MUSIC DIED

AAM:  What is the expected Release Date for the CD?

RO: Gerry Gallagher from Sola records (www.solalabel.com) and I are shooting for a late March/April release and launch.

AAM:  You also plan on releasing another CD, “American Fighters,” some time in 2012. What inspired you to release a full-length concept CD?

RO: I think many artists like to make statements about what’s wrong in the world and offer their own beliefs to bring about awareness through their songs.  My inspiration comes from my own experience of knowing and understanding the truth on what’s behind the curtain. I think mankind is at tipping point and now it is my time to make a statement through my music.

AAM:  Your CD focuses on messages of truth, awareness, and change. What is the most important message that you are trying to get across?

RO: Many of my protest type songs on “American Fighters” were written in the 90’s and early 2000 and I find them extremely relevant in today’s menacing world. Many issues I cover are addressing greed, the environment, politics, inappropriate taxes, drugs, both prescription and street. Additionally we need our people to come together instead of being sidetracked and confused by the suppressive and oppressive forces. Finger pointing is what they want us to do and thus picking a side is what people are conned into believing. It’s just a trap. We need to go after the correct targets, and that’s what I try to do with the messages that come through my music.

AAM: Do you have any plans to do a solo tour or any upcoming shows in the works?

RO: Yes, in the works. We are talking about dates in Japan and Europe, but first we will do some local warm up gigs before we have the launch party gig! Stay tuned www.richieonori.com.   We are putting together an all-star band for the shows.

AAM:  That’s awesome. I will definitely keep a lookout. I saw on your website that you will be at NAMM this year. Will you be doing a Signing or Performing?

RO: I have two companies in which I am the owner www.onoriintl.com and www.albionUS.com.  I will be doing business, meeting folks, talking, and possibly performing.

AAM:  Wow. That sounds great. I was going to ask you about your businesses. In addition to being a World Class Drummer and known Musician, you have your own Fashion Line for Musicians called Onori International Guitar Straps. It launched just about six years ago, and to date is in 2000 stores in the U.S. and in 22 Countries. That is absolutely amazing! How did you start your Line, and can you tell us the ‘secret to your success?’

RO: Well I listened to my Grandfather’s advice. If you are going to be an artist you better have a back up plan. Now that I see so many of my music biz friends eating “you know what” I’m glad I did. Somehow I managed to keep my artistry #1. I must say it’s been like a minefield. Put it this way. I had to fire a lot of my girlfriends and wives. I don’t have a lot of time for B.S.  And that has been part of my secret. As far as starting my guitar strap line, I just created, with the help of some very talented artists, a line of straps that I believe were missing in the marketplace.

AAM: What advice would you have for someone (like me) who is just starting out his or her own business?

RO: Have enough funding and pack a big lunch because you will need it.

AAM:  It looks like you are also involved with Albion Amplifiers. What is your affiliation with them?

RO: I am the U.S. distributor for this incredible Amp line. The AMP guru “Steve Grindrod, who designed the entire Marshall product from 1973 to 2000, and then designed the VOX reissue product, is the co-owner in the company. The reviews have been spectacular.

AAM: How long have you been in Sweet and how did you originally connect with them?

RO:  Stuart Smith, whom is been my partner in the group “Heaven & Earth,” did a Hurricane Katrina benefit concert back in 2001. That night I was pretty much the drummer for all the artists and acts, which included Slash, Steve Lukather, and Keith Emerson. Steve Priest, the original bass player for “The Sweet,” came up and we did “Fox on the Run” and several other Sweet hits. It was like magic and years later when Steve got the itch to rock again it was a no brainer to work with one another.

AAM: Very cool. Sweet also has a brand new album in the works, with a scheduled release date of March 2012.  Are you on that CD? And if so, what can you tell us about it?

RO: Actually we released a live record a few months ago- Check it out.  www.thesweetband.com I think you’ll like it!

AAM: Oops! I thought I saw that somewhere. I will definitely check it out. How does it compare to previous releases from Sweet?

RO: What I’ve heard from all the reviews so far is it’s being touted as the real deal. I must say we rock hard live! As far as a new record get ready for a new “Heaven & Earth” record it’s monumental. After that I hope to be creating a new “Sweet” record with the boys.

AAM: Let’s talk about your background, and the direction that you have been taking in recent years. You are most known as a Drummer, and in recent years you have worked as a Vocalist, Songwriter, and even played several different instruments. What inspired you to explore these other avenues?

RO: I needed to express myself fronting a band plus I’m a ham and I’m sick of all my band mates being out in front while I’m trapped in the back. Just kidding…Kind of.

AAM:  (Laughs) Do you see yourself leaning in a certain direction at this point, or favoring one instrument over another, aside from drums?

RO: No. I love it all.

AAM: Is there anything else that you’d like to share with our Readers?

RO:  Be prepared to rock and I really want to have all you guys come to my shows. It’s important that you all support live music and most important, mine. Just kidding,…kind of. See you at NAMM.

AAM: Thank you so much for your time Richie. It’s been an honor doing this interview. Hopefully I get the chance to meet you at NAMM.

For more information on Richie Onori, please check out the links below:

http://richieonori.com/
http://richieonori.wordpress.com/

Also, make sure to vote for Richie Onori for Artist of the Month on Rockwired.com using the link below:

http://www.rockwired.com/aomballot.html

Keep Rockin’

Alison “MetalBabe” Cohen
www.metalbabemayhem.com
www.facebook.com/metalbabeproductions

“Eileen Carey’s voice is a droplet of honey dangling from a hive: glistening, all natural, and inviting… but don’t be fooled by the coating because the woman beneath is strong, confident, and just a little bit sassy! Lyrically Carey is smart, to the point, and colorful. Potent lines such as ‘Your lips have lost their poetry’ from the title track deliver her message with absolute focused precision and flair. Eileen has something to say and she says it dynamically. An upbeat, empowering twirling dance that relishes life in the moment and celebrates the wonder, joy and excitement of what comes next.”

SONGWRITERS MONTHLY

All Access Magazine (AAM) recently sat down with Pop-Country vocalist Eileen Carey (EC) for a wide-ranging interview about her beginnings in music, her bi-coastal career, winning two L.A. Music Aawards, and what her future plans are. Here’s how it went.

AAM: Who is Eileen Carey?

EC: A singer-songwriter-vocalist in the Pop-Country genre who has also acted and sang on commercial jingles, who divides her musical career between Los Angeles, Calif. and Nashville, Tenn.

AAM: How would you describe the music you play?

EC: I think life is a treasure chest of journeys. Most have fantastic awakenings. Others, are sometimes very difficult to travel through. I make a journey of every song. I find a way to open the doors along the way and offer a ride to anyone heading in a similar direction. Or maybe having been there before, go a new way. It’s a way to share feelings and experiences that have affected where we are or where we are going. I like my music to be lifting; to impress hope with strength and determination. Whether you need a little or a lot, I like to think my songs can light a fire under your seat.

AAM: When did it dawn on you that you might want to sing and perform music full-time for a career?

EC: I always loved music. Listening gave me direction and my own bravery to follow it. As I grew, music gave me a way to express myself and share what I have learned and what I still hoped for. I try very hard to deliver that freedom with my music today. I worked in the middle years in Hotel Management. I was able to interact with others and exercise leadership, but it was always a predetermined adventure. It was gathering together to carry out someone else’s wishes. I liked that I was able to recognize myself in other people and their approach to each journey, but I always found myself a bit shy when it came to sharing those views or feelings. When I began working in the entertainment areas of the hotels; booking the artists and performers, scheduling them for the right events, it reminded me just how clearly music communicated to its audience. That’s when I knew I wanted to bring music, my own music, to the front of whatever I tried in life. Once I began doing that with my own singing and song writing, the hotels began booking me, and the response was overwhelming. It didn’t take long after that for me to want to continue writting and performing full time. It’s what gave me the ability to accept success with joyous reward, and failure with repair and resolve. It was also nice to be acknowledged for my music by winning “Americana Album of the Year” in 2009 and “Dance Single of the Year” in 2010, both at the L.A. Music Awards.

AAM: Talk about your previous career as an actress and making commercials.

EC: I moved to Southern California and was star struck. I took acting classes and performed in musical theater. I loved the atmosphere of the television and film industry and got as close as I could to any production that would have me. I tried out for any small part, walk-on, or extra position that I could get. I wanted to learn as much as I could about the business of directing and creating for TV and commercial film. I made the most of my oportunities. I went to work with Ray Charles in a Pepsi commercial. I spent time filming with Jack Nicholson in the movie “Hoffa.” I had a lot of fun and freedom working with Danny DeVito in “Batman,” and while most of my screen time was cut out while working with Sharon Stone and Michael Douglas in the film “Basic Instinct,” the rewards of the experience were worth every second of the time I put in. Being able to talk to him (Douglas) gave me so much vision. The industry is vast and complicated, but these stars can deliver an enormous expression of life in a short period of time. My delivery was more musical, and I realized my music could be expressed as a 3 ½-to-4-minute movie.

AAM: Virtually every musician I’ve ever interviewed has at least one or more (other) musicians that have helped shape and influence their music. Who are your influences?

EC: I have admired many different musicians and have been influenced by the characteristics of some of the top people who have made a real difference in the music industry. Songwriter Dianne Warren; for her magical way of bringing lyrics and music together in an unmistakeable blend all her own. The Pretender’s Chrissie Hynde; for her brave way of expressing her words and feelings across newly-developed sounds and mixtures. Sheryl Crow crosses many lines – Pop, Country, Rock, and Folk – and always delivers the absolute best that any song can be. And my favorite male artist would be Keith Urban; he flat-out raises the bar for songs that are written with feeling and delivered with joy. It’s usually sweet and intoxicating…like spiked punch! (laughs). I love all of that and feel it in what I do musically. In my own way I look for myself to write like Dianne, sing like Chrissie, deliver like Sheryl, and spike it up like Keith!

AAM: Your Bio says you divide your time between Nashville and Los Angeles? Please explain.

EC: I go back and forth. My Midwestern roots are what I seem to be driven to… or away from. Let’s face it, When I’m in Nashville, I’m from L.A. and when I’m in L.A., I’m from Nashville. I love both areas for similar reasons. I guess I’m a Cross-Country Artist. I love to mix it up and break some of the rules and traditions, and then bring the outcome to the other side of the country. I love the feeling I get here in Los Angeles and the energy that keeps pumping into me here on the West coast. I feel like my songs are well-received and have been getting through to people long after their release. It’s like, the story never gets old out here. The people, the activities, the friendships, and even the controversies stay fresh and encourage me to write in the midst of all that surrounds me.

Nashville is where the country flavor kicks into gear. I have been inspired by the talent that resides there and the challenge that it takes for a woman to direct her way into working with such a legendary part of the country. I have done radio station tours and performances in and around the Nashville area and feel welcomed in such a way that my songs reflect a deeper courage and comfort. That good “home” feeling you never want to let go of? Well, it rocks out here in L.A. and sometimes in the studio with some of the Nashville musicians that join me here.

AAM: What’s it like being a musician trying to make ends meet in 2011?

EC: Oh, Gosh! I dont think it’s ever been harder to stay in the music world that I love so much. I’m gonna have to cancel my private jet and my two Summer homes in the South of France! (laughs). But really, the budget is tough and the opportunities are getting tougher. The independent artists in music have made a strong attempt over the recent years to turn the industry’s ear toward some of the best talent that music has generated in a long time. Still it’s a struggle, but as hard as it gets, this is no time to give up. Everybody is feeling the strain and everyone is giving a little bit to keep going. For example, I work with top-notch people in the studio that have reduced their recording costs. There are great people in other areas of production and marketing that have trimmed their costs as well. Not to give less, but to support more. It is encouraging that the passion of everyone’s work is still the driving force. I sell cds on the internet and at my shows but I am most fortunate to be associated with suportive indpendent artist groups such as Rockin’ Moms, Chick Singer Nights, and Nette Radio. They help bring artists together to support each other and build their own craft. It’s important that I give back and stay involved in good causes with my music and these organizations, among others are very helpful in doing that. I really enjoy giving people a lift, so if I can do it with music and generate awareness for good causes, it’s a win-win. Like the title of my song “What Goes Around Comes Around,” it usually comes back to me. I get new opportunities and share whatever earnings come with it. Isn’t that what it’s really all about?

AAM: Talk about some of the favorite songs you have written over time.

EC: Well there’s a few from each of my previous cds. “Possibillities” was my first cd and it’s loaded with great music; “That Town” is the one song that really got me going. It set the stage for breaking away from old places and habits that weren’t getting me anywhere. “Hearts Of Time” is the title track to my second CD and it shines with hopes and visions of a better way. It has some of the best people working on it from both L.A. and Nashville at the same time. My third, and most positively-influenced CD is called “Movin’ On.” It has several great tunes that I think are most reflective of courage and confidence and show that what you truly desire can be accomplished. “Out With The Girls,” tells all the girls – poor, young, rich, and old – to take a little time off and grab a night out on the town! “Faith” reminds us that sometimes we end up in the wrong situation or relationship and either we dont know it, or we don’t want to know it. Whatever the case may be, if you have a little faith in yourself, you will find a way to right the situation. I love the song “Do I Dare” because it keeps me going for it. I keep trying like the song says, “to reach beyond my fingers”. Then there’s “Mr. Right Now”. Even though I didn’t write this song, it’s a fun song to sing and the ladies love it! “Mr. Right Now” is about having fun in your present relationship…with no ties.

AAM: Going forward, what do you desire to happen in terms of growing your career?

EC: 2012 is going to be a pretty exciting year for me as I’ll be releasing a new album. I’ll also have a new dance single coming out sometime this year for the Country dance saloon clubs. That will be a whole lot of fun.Touring will be high on my list of priorities in 2012 as well. I’m scheduling all over California, across the Southern U.S., back to Nashville and who knows… maybe my first time on the East Coast in the Fall. I’m hoping to pick up bigger shows and artists that I can open or co-host like The Judds or Pat Benatar. Maybe even Sheryl or Chrissie! My dream would be getting my music into TV/Film and Commercials. I think it fits in with what I see in TV drama and comercials with a lot of action and high spirit. I hope to keep sharing my music all over the world.

www.eileencarey.com

Severed Fifth is a band from Northern California and they have a brand new album called “Liberate” and after working with producer Juan Urteaga, frontman Jono Bacon says “It is very similar to Nightmares; that was a demo that I recorded myself in my home studio, with the exception of some of Jim’s leads. The difference is that before the live band formed I had written all the songs and then when the guys joined, we went through an active process of refining the tunes. Bits were chopped out, re-arranged, vocal parts adjusted, new leads added etc. The result is what you hear on Liberate.” The album will be dropped February 3rd with a CD show in its place. Jono Bacon talks to me more about the recording and writing process for this upcoming release.

All Access Magazine (AAM) So tell me why the name Severed Fifth? Are there apparently five severed pieces you’re not telling me about?

Jono: Hah, not quite. I came up with the name Severed Fifth back in 2008 when I was trying to think of a cool name for this music project. I have always tried to pick made-up words so this makes it easier to get unique search results online (my previous bands included Neuraxon and Seraphidian, which are also made-up words). I thought Severed sounded like a cool name, but wanted it to have another word so it was more unique. At the time I was writing a song about politics and thought of the Fifth Amendment, and the vivid image of it being torn in two, and Severed Fifth was born. Importantly though, the name doesn’t mean anything specific: we like everyone to interpret it how they will.

AAM What about your new album “Liberate” you worked with producer Juan Urteaga and he’s worked with Machine Head, Testament, and Exodus, now those are some top notch acts how does that make you feel to have worked with a man that worked with bands such as those?

It was awesome. Jim Adams (guitar in Severed Fifth) has worked with Juan in the past with Defiance, and we were all pretty familiar with the quality of his work. He was awesome to work with and really worked to get the most out of the band, and he brought lots of ideas and suggestions. Juan had a particular impact on my vocals: Jim had warned me that Juan was going to work me like a motherf**er, and he wasn’t wrong. I am pretty proud of the performances that resulted.

AAM How was the vibe in the studio?

It was great; very laid back, but focused on getting a great result. Working with Juan is like working with an old friend – there are no formalities, it is loose and laid back, but we knew he wanted the best for the album and the band. Before we went in there he had not heard us but he started really digging the band as we worked more and more on it.

This resulted in him dipping into the album even when he didn’t need to. He was constantly sending me new mixes, fixed sections and other bits that he noticed when he kept listening to it. It was awesome to see him rocking out to our music in his studio and singing along to it.

AAM How would you describe the overall sound of the new album? How does it compare to “Nightmares By Design”?

It is very similar to Nightmares; that was a demo that I recorded myself in my home studio, with the exception of some of Jim’s leads. The difference is that before the live band formed I had written all the songs and then when the guys joined, we went through an active process of refining the tunes. Bits were chopped out, re-arranged, vocal parts adjusted, new leads added etc. The result is what you hear on Liberate.

As such, the songs on Liberate are much more reflective of the whole band. This is also significant in the performances, specifically the drums (performed by Ben Gibbs who used to be in Severed Fifth) and the bass (performed by Ron Crockett) who brought their own styles in the recordings. Obviously the whole sound is better too with Juan’s engineering and production skills.

AAM Did the band have any definitive goals they were shooting for before the recording process began for this album?

We just wanted to get in there and create the best album we could within the time and budget constraints that we had. We have always held a firm philosophy in Severed Fifth that we want to write great songs. There are lots of really awesome technical death metal, metal-core, thrash, and other bands out there that write awesome technical riffs, but they sometimes fall down in terms of writing cohesive songs that feel like one consistent unit.

Speaking personally, I am a huge fan of technical death metal (I used to play in a more death metal orientated band), but I wanted to form a band that wrote and performed songs where each song felt distinctive and went through an ebb and flow. When the other guys joined they shared this philosophy, which is why I think we work well as a team.

A continuation of this philosophy is that we don’t really give a shit about what is considered current or ‘in’ right now: we just like to write tunes that feel good to us and that we think our fans will like. This is why some songs are more melodic (e.g. They Prey and Forgotten Heroes) and some are thrashier and more aggressive (e.g. Fallout and Fight Philosophy). We like the different flavors of songs as they spice up the album and the set, and we wanted Liberate to reflect this perspective.

AAM Were there any songs that were particularly difficult to write?

Politicold was more complex because I really wanted it to have this extended groove feel to it, but I also wanted it to inspire from those awesome Megadeth-style Rust In Peace musical passages without replicating it to closely. It took a fair few re-writes to get the song in its final form.

When the band formed and we started chopping and changing the songs I had written, we spend quite a bit of time on Blackening – we added the new intro, moved some sections around and adjusted it until it felt right. I think all the songs sound way better ever since we went through this process.

AAM Do you have a favorite song from the new album?

I am really proud of Forgotten Heroes; this was always going to be the weird different song on the album, but I think it really needed the attention to detail in the production, and would be quite different to the other songs. It needed the big drums, the careful mixing of the instrumental middle section, and for the Winston Churchill speech to be thought-provoking yet respectful to his memory.

I am really pleased with how End Of Days and Blackening came out – we absolutely love playing Blackening live and the blistering nature of the live performance was captured well in those songs on the album.

AAM What can we expect from the new album? Has this been your favorite album to write and record?

Totally my fave. I wrote and recorded the previous Severed Fifth demo ‘Denied By Reign’ (which was pretty much all out death metal) and wrote songs for albums in my previous bands, but this one felt more personal and involved. I have always thought that music reflects where you are in your life, and this album reflects the kind of music we all love to listen to, play, and share with others.

In terms of what to expect, I think people should expect something a little different. We have always described Severed Fifth as a mix of British heavy metal and Bay Area thrash, and I think the album reflects that pretty well.

AAM Can you go into one or two tracks on the new album? If so, can you give us the track title and brief description of how the track sounds and how it came about?

Let’s look at They Prey. The song is written about a genocide that takes place on a rural African community. The song kicks off with a big intro before laying down a solid groove and clean vocals coming in. The chorus of the song is pretty big and anthemic but with a grindy rhythmic section behind it, before it continues into the second verse with growly vocals. The song then moves into a big head-banging bridge section, an awesome solo from Jim Adams, and then wraps with a solid slab of rhythm to finish the song. Of all the songs we have played people from the new album, They Prey has become a favorite, and we are really happy with how it turned out.

Another example is Blackening. This song is written about the exorcism of a small girl and the fight between good and evil in her body. The song kicks off with a big grindy intro before launching into a thrashy verse section. The song then picks up into the pre-chorus and chorus with open rhythm chords and a mixture of clean and growly vocals. We then head into the bridge which is an up-tempo rhythm with cutting growly vocals that is designed to band some heads. The bridge is interleaved with some big Maiden-style breaks and clean vocals to bring some light and shade.

The album also includes some slow growly crunching songs (e.g. Fight Philosophy), some straight-ahead thrashy grooves (e.g. Machines Of War and Repent), fast thrash (e.g. Fallout and Drill Down), an acoustic song (Forgotten Heroes), and more.

AAM You mentioned that you recorded this album and it was paid from the donations you got from the global Severed Fifth community? Tell me about that.

Part of what we are trying to do with Severed Fifth is to change how the music industry works. The band was formed from the philosophy that if a band gives their music away for free and builds a community around the music, you can achieve great things. We released our first few demos and gathered quite a bit of interest with Street Teams forming around the world, people contributing wallpapers, creating fanzines, mobile phone apps and more.

When we knew we wanted to record the album, we had an appeal for donations and around $4500 was raised by fans of the band. These contributions came from over 15 countries and covering all continents in the world.

While we will give the music away freely when the album is released, we encourage fans who like the music to support the band with a donation to http://www.severedfifth.com/pay or to buy the album on CD when it is released.

Importantly, while the music is given away, we retain commercial rights. This opens the door for us to work with record labels around Severed Fifth releases, box sets, digipacks etc.

AAM What are your upcoming plans with shows and touring? Any bands in particular you would like to see yourselves play or tour with?

Right now we are focusing on getting the release out, but in 2012 we want to tour, preferably around the West Coast to begin with. Our manager, Tambre, is currently looking into these opportunities, but if wider tour opportunities came up, we would love to do it.

In terms of bands, we have a huge list of bands I would love to tour with, including Machine Head, Exodus, Slayer, Iron Maiden, Testament, Hatebreed, Judas Priest, Metallica, Megadeth, High On Fire, Anthrax etc.

AAM Let’s go five years into the future, where do you see Severed Fifth being at as a band?

I would like to see us in a place where we have a global fan base who loves the music, supports the band, and comes out to see us play. I would love to see us take Severed Fifth on the road across the USA, Europe and elsewhere and to play with some cool bands and record and release music that people love to listen to.

AAM Is there any last word you would like to say to your fans that have bought your albums and have come out to your previous shows?

Thanks so much for supporting Severed Fifth and what we are trying to do. Your support builds more and more energy in us and we will always be thankful for everyone who supports Severed Fifth in any way. Stay metal.

Brussels, Belgium just got heavier thanks to the stylings of Now, Voyager! While they began under the name of Nebra with drummer Ben, bassist Thomas, guitarist Antoine, and second guitarist Martin, things just weren’t going the right way and after going through a series of changes there was no telling what was going to happen. Not until 2010 when vocalist Nabil came into the picture he decided to join in and since his arrivial and formation of the band it has given them the chance to grow and further expand as a band. Since they have gone on to tour and perform with such acts as The Devil Wears Prada, Memphis May Fire, and Dream On Dreamer among others. Also having recorded their first EP entitled “Seas”, this band is indeed roaring to go and do what they do when it comes to music. Guitarist Martin and vocalist Nabil discusses with me about the band the EP and what they want to achieve when all of this is said and done.

All Access Magazine (AAM) Tell us about the band?

Now, Voyager is a band from Brussels, Belgium. The band basically started 4 years ago with Ben (drums), Thomas (bass), Antoine (guitar), and Martin (guitar) under the name Nebra. There were a lot of different vocalists during those 4 years each with their own style, and because of that the band went through a lot of musical changes. It wasn’t until 2010 when Nabil (vocals) joined the band that Now, Voyager came to be, with the sound they felt suited them most. Since the band’s formation we’ve had the opportunity to grow as a band, and develop our sound. We’ve gotten to share the stage with bands such as The Devil Wears Prada (US) during their last tour through Europe, as well as the tour package of Memphis May Fire (US), The Color Morale (US), and Dream On, Dreamer (OZ). Most recently the band opened for While She Sleeps (UK), and Bury Tomorrow (UK), The band also recorded its first EP in England at Outhouse Studios, reputed for having produced bands such as Architects (UK), Enter Shikari (UK), You Me At Six (UK), and Your Demise (UK) among many others. The EP is now available at shows or online, and is entitled “Seas”.

AAM Voyager, what does it mean and why did you want to call your band that?

Nabil: Voyager is basically the same as an explorer, or someone who wants to explore the world around them, and its various facets. The band’s name is actually based on Walt Whitman’s poem which goes as follows: “The untold want by life and land ne’er granted,

Now voyager sail thou forth to seek and find.”

We just basically felt it captured the essence and spirit not only of the band and the music we wanted to create, but as well of its members personally. As far as our music goes, we’re always looking for new elements to work with and integrate into our music, and as people we purposely set off to England to record because it represented this idea and this journey we had to take, to make this happen, even though it meant leaving everything we knew behind and isolating ourselves to do it. So that’s basically why the band’s called Now, Voyager, in a nutshell.

AAM. Why do you want to record and release your own music? (Be very honest.)

Martin: This is a hard question… Before anything else, we write music for ourselves as it’s the best way to get out of the everyday routines, and allows us the gift of voyage (no pun intended). So our songs tend to be extremely personal, and end up being to and for us, before anyone else. The most beautiful gift, based on that, is that something so personal can actually end up speaking to a crowd, and connecting with a person other than ourselves. Personally, it’s what makes me want to create because seeing our songs, which are in a way our babies, has the capacity to appeal to other people; it’s something that has no price. I hope that answers the question.

AAM What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)

Nabil: There’s no main focus as far as themes go within the lyrics, I mean every song is based primarily on an idea or a feeling, or a state of mind, or an event that takes place. I mean some songs we have written based on a pre-determined theme, such as ‘Astrophoria: The Weight of a Dream’ which talks about the idea that sometimes a dream can be the end of us, because we become so obsessive with it, that we lose touch with reality, and in the end letting go of that dream is the best thing to do. Some songs like ‘To Every Beginning’ just question life and its purpose, and seeks to force the listener to ask himself whether he/she is really living their life, or idly sitting in the backseat and watching everything happen. And some songs like ‘Tabula Rasa’ are a little more optimistic and talk about acceptance and trying to appreciate all the little things in life we have. Overall, the only real ‘theme’ we have is actually just life and anything that happens in it.

AAM Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.)

Nabil: That’s a rather funny question, I feel. Any real band should write their own songs, shouldn’t they? I mean there’s nothing wrong with doing a cover once in a while, but being a band is about finding out who you are as a musician and as a person within that band. The songwriting process is somewhat similar to those long belts you see in factories where every step is a necessary step to an items production. At first, before there are any riffs, words, or drum beats composed, we talk about an idea, or a theme. Based on that, Martin begins composing a rough draft which he brings over to Ben and Antoine who review it and send it back to Martin. That happens a few times until everything’s perfect. Ben and Antoine then take the music, and add on all the finishing touches and everything that makes all the difference to the song. When that’s over and done with, it basically goes over to me for the lyrics. That’s what happens most of the time, but it can happen that sometimes Martin will feel inspired and start composing something, or that I’ll be going through something, or thinking about something a lot, and just start writing lyrics, and then send them over to Martin and he composes around that. That’s how ‘Tabula Rasa’ started off. I just wrote down the lyrics and sent them to Martin, and he was going through a hard time personally, and just began composing the music around the words, and it all worked out. The starting point can vary, but the rest of the process remains the same. The most important part for us is to keep the songs very honest, and make sure it carries over the feeling we originally had for it, over to the listener.

AAM So tell me about your debut EP, when did you begin to write it, record it, and finish it all up and how long did it take?

Martin: Actually, two songs (Foundations and To Every Beginning) were already composed before even considering the idea of going into a studio. Two other songs (Tabula Rasa and The Surface) were composed, worked on and reworked on in pre-production, a few weeks before heading off to the studio. We left for the studio sometime in April, and we recorded the entire EP in 7 days. It was our first experience in a studio, and we keep an amazing memory of the whole thing that will never fade.

We opted for the name “Seas” for the EP mainly because we’ve always been inspired by sea-based elements, such as the ocean, boats, etc… On top of that, it kind of just brought up a number of other things such as the idea of voyage (which is quite dear to the band), and the distance between our hometown and the studio in England, and having to travel the sea to achieve that dream.

AAM Who are your musical influences?

Nabil: That’s a hard question to answer, because to be honest we all listen to a wide variety of music, and I think our individual preferences all differ greatly. I know for myself I tend to listen to a lot of pop rock, indie, and anything really chill and mellow. My favorite band of all time’s Lifehouse so I guess that probably says it all. Overall, not a whole lot of metal since I feel like a lot of it is recycled these days, so you’ve got to find your inspiration elsewhere.

Martin: I listen to everything, as long as it’s got a rock’n'roll spirit to it. That could be anything from metal, to indie rock, to experimental, to hip-hop, etc. The most important part is that it’s got to have a bit of craziness to it and a lot of feeling. To give a few artists that particularly have an influence on me, I’d say Korn, The End, Foals, The Arcade Fire, Thrice, The Dillinger Escape Plan, and Nine Inch Nails.

AAM How do you describe your music to people?

Nabil: I think the best description I could find for our music is a mixture between Thrice, Architects, Norma Jean, and a touch of Oh, Sleeper. We tend to mix in a lot of ambient atmospherical parts, with more technical parts and odd time signatures, and then some more straight up in your face parts. Overall I think there’s something for everyone in what we do.

Martin: I’d say we do a mixture between rock and hardcore, with a little touch of “post-randomsomethingcore”.

AAM What image do you think your music conveys?

Nabil: We’ve never really been asked that before… to be honest, I don’t really think it’s even something we even think about. We just know that we play something that is very honest to us, and that we firmly believe in, and we think that transpires over into our live performances and anything else we do that’s band related. We don’t try to give a specific image, we just create music we connect with, and try to relay that feeling over to the listener. We try to give something more than a big heavy breakdown, or a few catchy lines, that’s all I know.

AAM Have you ever cried while listening to music? If so what were you listening too?

Nabil: I think I’ve cried to music twice… One time was when I was a teenager and going through a tough break up, and for some inexplicable reason I decided to put the most depressing song ever (Everything by Lifehouse) and at some point it just hit me, and I started balling my eyes out. Looking back on it, I kind of laugh at myself since it’s such a cliché movie type moment, but it was definitely the music that set me off. The second time was while we were in the studio on the last night after all the recording was done, and we all sat together to listen to the raw recordings, and I ended up tearing up on ‘Tabula Rasa’ just cause we saw all our hard work finally pay off, and all the risks we took to go record in the UK were somehow justified. It was a dream come true to succeed in that endeavor, when the odds were stacked up against us.

Martin: I’ve cried a number of time while listening to music, and I wouldn’t be able to say the number of times it’s happened though, but I started tearing up while listening to the outro of “The Canyon Behind Her” by Dredg, Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah” cover, or even “Wake Up” by The Arcade Fire. It happens often when there’s a moment where I listen to a band and I feel as though I begin to vibrate in the same way, as though the artist was speaking to me personally, and it’s a very unique feeling to have.

AAM. What do you guys have planned for the future?

Nabil: As of right now, we’ve got our first official video clip scheduled to be released end of January, as it’s currently being edited by our amazing friend, Sam Velghe. We’re also working on brand new songs, of which is an acoustic track. We’ve just signed a deal with a booking agency here in Belgium called Noize Agency, which we hope will open a lot of doors for us as well. And we can only hope touring is somewhere in there for 2012.

AAM. What music do you listen to when you are having a bad day?

Nabil: It all matters what kind of bad day! If it’s a sad kind of bad day, then something more mellow. Probably Lifehouse, The Appleseed Cast, Say Anything, or Deaf Havana. If it’s an angry kind of bad day, then probably something along the lines of The Plot In You, Like Moth To Flames, The Chariot, or Underoath.

Martin: At the end of a long, tiring day and I end up in the metro, I love blasting some Meshuggah, The Chariot, or anything else that’s just really loud. If I feel a little down, or in need of optimism, I’ll play through the albums of Biffy Clyro, Chevelle, or even Florence & The Machine.

AAM If you had your life to live over again, what one thing would you change?

Nabil: I don’t think there’s a whole lot I would change, to be perfectly honest. I am who I am today because of everything I’ve gone through, and I am extremely proud of the way I’ve turned out considering all of that. Maybe the only thing I would change is perhaps to have taken the piano lessons I took when I was 12-13 a little more seriously instead of just not caring at all. That’s about it though!

Martin: With regards to our music, I think I would’ve started on the artwork for “Seas” way, WAY before having gone to the studio, which would’ve allowed us to bring the EP out a lot faster.

As you might expect, we here at All Acess Magazine get lots of requests to conduct interviews from bands not only in California, but across the U.S. and overseas as well.

When we received a recent request from a publicist to do an interview/feature on singer Tricia Freeman, one of the first things that jumped out at us is how busy she is performing – fourteen shows in the coming month of February alone! (see very bottom for itinerary). In our current economy – especially as it relates to the live music/entertainment scene – that’s truly saying somethin’. What we also found to be cool about Tricia is that in addition to her regular gigs, she also plays volunteer and benefit shows – such as the one she recently performed at for Wounded Warriors.

What follows is a recent interview All Access Magazine (AAM) conducted with Tricia (TF).

AAM: Okay, so just who is Tricia Freeman?

TF: I’m a small town girl from Lawrence, Kansas also lived on a hog farm as a young girl in Texas …for several years as a child, I did the whole 4-H thing and lived small. Lawrence was a one-high-school, University of Kansas town, so when school was out it was a one-horse town, but when school was on, there was music everywhere and so was I, underage or not! I listened to tons of country, bluegrass, rock n roll (now “classic rock”, ha ha ) music.

AAM: How long have you been playing and performing music?

TF: I started out singing in church with the choir, after a brief stint playing trumpet and French Horn in the band. I changed to A capella where I developed a true love of harmonies. Also sang with a few bands, then I decided to move to Palm Springs, California, at age 19, bought a guitar and tried to be a vegetarian, (that lasted about a week !) I learned to play and started doing gigs in the desert with my soon-to-be husband. We also had a beautiful daughter named Mercedez and all the while, I continued with my career.

AAM: Tell us about your new album, “Everyone Can See,” and some of the songs on there.

TF: I am so thrilled with my new album! I have the best in the biz playing on this thing: Richard Bredice, K.K. Martin, Baba Elefante, Frank Cotinola, Chris Whynaught, Daniel Blank, and Kerry Chester. They truly brought my songs to life, I couldn’t have asked for a better crew. Tom Davies helped put it all together, couldn’t have done it without him either.

AAM: Who are some of the main influences on your music, and who have you been told you sound like (vocally)?

TF: Everything from Janis Joplin, Stevie Nicks, Linda Ronstadt, Billy Holiday, Patsy Cline, to Ruth Brown, Melissa Etheridge, Chrissie Hynde.

AAM: You have two bands – one for playing your originals, and another for playing your standards. Can you elaborate on this?

TF: I have all my casual band musicians that have been with me for 10 to 15 years, we play about. 5 nights a week up and down the coast. They are great about just knowing some song that I pull out of my book, great players, Eddie Keating, Johnny Vila, Stanley O’Kane and Larry Green are the “usual suspects” (laughs). For my origianl shows I use the guys from my album whenever possible, those are the guys that made this record really happen for me, studio cats but great to performers, as well. Lucky me knowing all of these talented people!

AAM: You recently performed at NAMM, what was that like?

TF: We just did a show to open up NAMM 2012 at the Anaheim Marriott, and we rocked the joint! I had all the players from the record, so we couldn’t miss. It was a great debut of the record. It was the same energy as on the record, it was so cool to capture that!

AAM: What do you consider you high-water mark in the music business so far?

TF: Performing with Eric Burden was such a thrill, touring Germany and Finland, and this new record! I really want this to be heard and am looking forward for great things to happen this year. Also performing at the Doheny Blues Festival in Dana Point with the great Al Green. Another really great memory for me is when (guitarist) Walter Trout flew me to Memphis to sing vocals on two of his albums. I have also opened for B.B. King and John Fogerty among others. Many thrilling moments – but always room for more! (laughs).

AAM: Do you see any differences between being a female bandleader/front-person, as opposed to being a male in the same situation?

TF: Of course there are differences! Anyone that says different is full of s***! (laughs) I love men, so I am happy being surrounded by them in my bands, but I also work with a few female musicians, like Sissy Gilio, and the whole vibe is different, not better or worse, just different. I have worked with some of my “cover band” guys for a long time and they know what I expect from them onstage; whereas the guys from my album now know me and I don’t have to worry about a thing! They all have my back and I always feel confident on stage because of that. I love performing in front of a crowd; I am so comfortable there, when I don’t have to worry about my band.

AAM: Where do you see yourself and your career being five years from now?

TF: I would love to open for some ‘name’ bands, do some festivals and some other large venues, and I would like to sell some of my material (songs) to the movie or TV industry. I want to record my next album, write a screenplay, I want, I want, I want… So little time and so much to do.

(Catch Tricia Freeman Band live this coming month on Feb. 3 & 4 at The Marina Room in Laguna Beach; Feb. 11 at Cook’s Corner in Trabuco Canyon; every Wednesday and Thursday nights at The Village Inn in Balboa Island; Feb. 18 at Dickie O’Neill’s in Palm Springs; Feb. 24 at Taco Surf in Sunset Beach; and Feb. 25 at Harpoon Henry’s in Dana Point).

www.triciafreeman.net

All Access Magazine (AAM) caught up with the 2009 L.A. Music Awards “Hot AC Album” winner recently.

AAM: Who is John Enghauser?

JE: (Laughs) I’ve been trying to figure that out my whole life. I’m such an enigma that it’s difficult to put my finger on a single description. I’m an introvert who loves to be the center of attention sometimes; a hard worker who procrastinates; a serious person who loves a good time; creative yet business savvy; energetic yet LOVES to nap; a traveling home body and a pretty good friend/brother/son/boyfriend.

AAM: How would describe your musical style?

JE: Amazing! Just kidding (laughs). I still struggle with this question. I call my genre “electro-acoustic soul rock” with a heavy emphasis on melody and groove, but I ask listeners to first listen and then they can decide what it is to them. It contains elements of jazz, funk, blues and even fusion at times. My music has been compared to artists like Lenny Kravitz, Steely Dan, Todd Rundgren, The Chili Peppers, John Mayer and Jamiroquai. Toss all of that into a blender and out comes a concoction that is my music. Personally, I think I just sound like me, but if I have to be compared to anyone that’s some pretty nice company.

AAM: Kudos on being selected a “Top 100 Live Artist for 2011″ by Music Connection. How did that happen?

JE: I think it started with first getting recognized by Music Connection when I won “Hot AC Album of the Year” with my album “Lost in the Pages” and subsequently receiving three more award nominations at the LA Music Awards. This prompted the folks at Music Connection to review my CD which was pretty well received and then I was selected for the 2010 Hot 100 List. In the last year I’ve had some success with film placement which helped me with the 2011 selection.

AAM: When did it first dawn on you that you seriously desired to become a musician?

JE: I always dreamed of performing as a vocalist with my heroes when I was about ten years old. The first instrument I played was slide trombone at age twelve, but I think I started to take it seriously when I was seventeen when I had my performance as a singer in my high school variety show. A group of guys were putting a rock band together to play in the show with no lead vocalist. While I was still a somewhat shy person at the time, I approached them and told them that I could sing lead. They all knew me, but didn’t have any idea that I could sing. Actually, no one had much idea that I could sing, even my own family. But I knew. We did three nights in a row in front of about 500 people each night and then I knew I was hooked!

AAM: Who do you list as your primary music influences, be they alive or deceased?

JE: Wow! There are too many to list, but I’ll mention a few… Stevie Wonder, Peter Gabriel, (early) Genesis, Yes, Steely Dan, Earth, Wind & Fire, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Jamiroquai, Allan Holdsworth, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Todd Rundgren, Level 42, Foo Fighters, Al Jarreau, George Benson, Weather Report, Jaco Pastorius, Police, Paul Weller, Francis Dunnery, Dennis Chambers, 24-7 Spyz and King Crimson. How’d I do? (laughs)

AAM: You recently moved from San Francisco to New York City. What do you see as differences between the two live music scenes in each city?

JE: New York has an unbelievable wealth of talent which is similar to what I experienced in L.A. and Boston when I played with so many Berklee music students. I also played with some tremendous musicians in San Francisco. SF is still Jerry Garcia’s town. It’s not as much of a rock town as L.A. or NY. But, If you’re a music fan I’d say that you can find just about anything you’re looking for in both towns except jazz is somewhat scarce in San Francisco. The industry itself pays more attention to NY than San Francisco these days. There haven’t been as many artists coming out of San Francisco as there used to be. Hopefully that will change.

AAM: What’s the best gig you ever played, and why?

JE: What’s funny is that I’ve played on some pretty big stages, but I’ll never forget those moments in the smaller, more intimate clubs when I’d be in a band just starting out. The best example was with my original funk rock band in Boston called Jamawokee. We put on a high energy show and used to play at this tiny underground café in Northampton, MA called “Fire and Water”. The owner loved us and used to have us play there often so we watched our audience grow with each and every show. It would get so hot and crowded in there that I’m surprised the fire marshal never caught on to us. We were very young and all of my band mates were fantastic musicians. We’d literally write entire songs in rehearsals and the chemistry that the four of us had on stage was unprecedented. We’d stretch the tunes out live and do a lot of improv just to see how far we could push our abilities. For each sound check we’d just improvise to warm up. For any audience members that would show up early to hear it, I’d announce, “We call that tune ‘Sound Check’.” A trademark of ours was a tune named “The Menu”. It was a song I’d just written and wanted to play at the next Fire and Water gig, but I hadn’t completed the lyric yet. So I picked up a menu off of someone’s table and sang the contents of the menu to the song. The chorus morphed into a call and response with me waving the menu around and screaming “The Menu” and the rest of the band responding with “The Menu” and back and forth. It absolutely killed! And the owner loved the free advertising (laughs). So we took that concept on the road to some other clubs. If they didn’t have a menu, I’d find something else to read. But it had to be off the cuff and something I hadn’t read before. That was a very creative and pivotal time for all of us. I realized then that I was to be a songwriter, not just a front man. On a side note, the guys from Jamawokee have gone on to become very accomplished musicians and are doing very well. Some have toured with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Josh Grobin, Shakira and many other A-list artists. I am collaborating with one of them now.

AAM: You wrote a song about the late Jaco Pastorious on your current album, Lost In the Pages. Talk about that.

JE: Jaco was the best bassist of all time, period! Everyone tries to copy him, but can’t come close. When I wrote the tune, I didn’t have Jaco in mind at first, but when I started writing the lyric I had recalled parts of his biography which I read twice. The only book I’ve read twice in my life, by the way (laughs). The lyric could actually apply to several celebs who died tragically (e.g. Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson, Jimi Hendrix), but it’s about Jaco. I recently had the honor of presenting the posthumous award to him at the 2010 LA Music Awards that his son John received. What an amazing moment for me to meet his son listen to his stories. Some of which I recalled from Jaco’s biography which brought everything to life for me.

AAM: Talk about some of the new songs you are writing?

JE: Ahhhh, you’ll just have to wait and see, but I will tell you that a lot of the tunes have a shuffle groove this time. No special reason, it just turned out that way. I’m very pleased with the songs. I’d say you’ll find some similarities to “Lost in the Pages”, but it will definitely have an identity of its own. In terms of performing the tracks, I am performing vocals, guitar and keyboards. I am not playing bass this time. I’ll leave that to my good friend Eric Holden who will be recording the bass lines when he gets off tour with Shakira in a couple of weeks. Dicki Fliszar will again be featured on drums and Joerg Stoeffel, my sound engineer, performs on some electric guitar.

AAM: Where do you desire for your career to be in, say, five years?

JE: I have never had a five-year plan, though I’d love to be well established as a songwriter in film and TV. And I can only hope that I write that one perfect song that I’ve been chasing by then.

www.johnenghauser.com

“Electronic-dance act ellee ven’s mesh of of seemingly disparate elements unifies for an upbeat ethereal grab bag of tribal beats and treats, accompanied by Ven’s dreamy, girlish vocals… who needs chemical enhancement? ellee ven’s “Her Wildcat Lovin’ Majesty” is one fervent elixir.”

BILLBOARD

The former Los Angeles Music Awards winner’s music is an exciting, cutting-edge blend of electro-pop, hip-hop, and rap that can be heard to fine effect on her body of work including CDs Dangerous Diversions and Her Wildcat Lovin’ Majesty. ellee ven divides her time and music recordings between residences on the East and West coast, working with a posse’ of talented musicians including rapper Prodeje, DJ Swamp, and Anthony Lee. Ellee Ven also operates a music/pop culture website, Groovetonics (whose mantra is “Groovetonics – Enhance Your Senses”), home to both English Dance-Pop duo Goldfrapp as well as ellee ven herself.

ellee ven (ev) was interviewed by All Access Magazine (AAM) recently.

AAM: Who is Ellee Ven?

ev: ellee ven is me, Jessica Lazaro Kunin. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and am Spanish, Greek, Italian Russian and German. I was a school teacher and liberal arts major who discovered there is a bigger classroom in this world and decided that music was a great vehicle of expression. I was sort of living half way and the whole ellee ven thing was a way of trying to live my best life. Actually doing the things I dreamed of and by spending my time only with people that can really compliment my journey

AAM: Musically-speaking, what are you working on right now?

ev: In October of this year we did a couple of shows and had the chance to get in studio for a few days… what’s resulted was a fun fusion of hip hop and lounge. That’s how I’d describe it. It falls in line with our sound, which we call Groovetonics. It’s definitely danceable but it’s getting back to the basics with live drums and horns that really accent the electronic elements in a powerful way. I love the new songs. Our plan is to keep at it and hopefully we will have a new album by the end of April 2012.

AAM: When did you first discover than you had an itch to be a musician?

ev: I didn’t really think of it as a profession until much later as in after college and after love and marriage and divorce. But I ALWAYS had the itch. I would imitate whatever I’d hear. In the 8th grade is when I first did a play and started in this group called Vocal Jazz Ensemble, which just really turned me on to the joys of remixing classical melodies.

AAM: What are some of the favorite songs you have written, and why?

ev: The first one that comes to mind is UNDER MY SKIN. It is a song that I just feel is great. The lyric always seems to apply and in my mind it’s a signature song because it was the first song I recorded with Swamp that I saw was going to easily translate to live performance. I truly never get sick of it. I don’t do a live show without including it. My latest favorite is called JUMP TO FALL, I think it’s opening us up to a whole new direction and I just can’t turn it off. I love all my songs though. Even the ones I like less.

AAM: What led you to the Electro-Pop/Hip-Hop road of music you presently create?

ev: That’s a pretty involved question but in a nutshell I really love music because it’s definitely a “no rules” sort of world and I am constantly amazed at how the most UNCONVENTIONAL combinations can truly create the most familiar sounds… I just record the sounds I enjoy listening to…

AAM: Tell us about your “Give Into The Groove” charity.

ev: I started GIVEINTOTHEGROOVE in 2001 in L.A., mostly because I was becoming frustrated with all the bad bookings I endured. I was playing alongside bands whose music really wasn’t like mine and I really wanted to build my fan base so I figured I’d create a night that I would love to be a part of. I knew my fans would love a little bit of my kind of music, some other kinds too, some fashion, some art, PLUS I knew my fans are generous and would respond to giving to something other than a club night. I was very involved with the Los Angeles Free Clinic at the time so we benefited them the first and second year. The event has grown exponentially and we have drawn attention to lots of causes nationally. Do check out giveintothegroove.com for more details.

AAM: You’ve been working with L.A.-based rapper, Prode’je for a few years now. How did that happen?

ev: I was working with my guitar player Anthony Lee who is still my lead guitarist and also my producer now. He actually started producing some music with Prodéje and just thought we were a match. He felt our personalities would mesh and it’s always been really easy, breezy and productive.

AAM: What is “Groovetonics,” how and why did you create it?

ev: Well it’s GrooveTONICS… lots of people throw in the R . I created it only to put a name on my sound. The running theme is it makes you move (groove) and it lifts the mood (like a tonic).

AAM: I see you split your professional time between the 2 L’s, Los Angeles and Lexington (Ky). Why is that?

ev: Really I’m a citizen of the world. I’ll be adding to that list. There’s not really a reason other than I love travel. I love changes in scenery and I love the seasons.

AAM:What do you see happening for Ellee Ven in, say, the next five years?

ev: I see me moving more into music licensing and producing. Producing music, events and even clothing. I will continue to write and perform but when I’m a little old lady I’d like to foray into fashion AND hopefully develop new talent and experiences too.

AAM: Care to tell our readers anything about yourself that you haven’t shared with the media before?

ev: sometimes wish I’d sought out major label support. While nine times out of ten I really am grateful that I’ve carved my own way, there is just so much I didn’t know and don’t know about the BUSINESS of music. I sometimes think if I’d asked for help more people would know my music. BUT at the end of the day, I truly believe that my music is a direct result of my experience so every song I’ve written is based on those choices.

www.elleeven.com