Name: Arthur Brown

Birthplace: Yorkshire

Currently residing: East Sussex

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence:

The Crazy World of Arthur Brown

Website

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Brassens, Stephen Sondheim, Bartok, Lightning Hopkins, Howlin Wolf, James Brown, Nina Simeone, Moulettes, Lena Lovich, Fela Kuti, Toots and the Maytals, Bob Marley, Estrella Morante, Leonard Cohen, Prodigy, Fatboy Slim, Charles Mingus, Ornette Coleman, John Coltraine, Holst, Kate Bush, Mozart, Stockhausen, Bessie Smith, Frank Zappa, Lonnie Donnegan, Jimi Hendrix, Radiohead, Kitten and the Hip, Z-Star, Ivor Cutler, Talking Heads, Duke Ellington, Queen, Ken Colyer, Michel Lagoa, Joni Mitchell, the Residents, Ladysmith Black Mambazu, Louis Armstrong, Yat Kha, Peter Gabriel, Eminem, Laura Nyro, Carrie Tree, Afro Celt Sound system, Dr John, Mahvishnu Orchestra, The Smiths, Danny Thompson, Sam Walker, Lucie and Wayne and the Amairican Stream, Camaron, Antarayni, Victor Jara, Richie Havens, Nusrat Fattah AliKhan, Luna Loop. Judge Smith, Kate and Nick Pynn, Jane Bombane, Tina Turner, Maddy Prior, every busker I’ve ever heard, Bjork, Odetta, Oliver Rajamani , Zee Rock and The Flying Balalaika Brothers and a thousand others.

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Egyptian Ella, sung by Fatima Spar.or You’ll never Walk Alone (piano version) by Nina Simone.

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

my perfect day is, I wake up, have breakfast, and then see what comes.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

Ask my friends

5. What is your most valued material possession?

whichever one I’m looking at, at the time.

6. Who were you or would you be nervous to meet?

I just had my first date with a gorgeous lady tonight. I noticed that before we actually got to rendezvous- vous, I was nervous for a few seconds.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

my favourite place to be is always “here”

8. Is there something you’d like to do more of at the moment?

See my grandchildren.

9. Where would I like to find myself in ten years?

Still on my feet!

Name: javier ryan

Birthplace: afton, mn

Currently residing: missoula, mt

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: i was in choir since i i was lttile and thought iwas gonna make comics strips and started teaching myself piano at lunch breaks in ninth grade and then switched to electric organs that i’d watched my grandad play and switched to more portable guitar after graduating from high school and tragedy struck in college and i could’nt paint anymore so i put the pepper on writing and singin’ songs and that’s gone on and off for ten yearsish but i got into looping and drum machines and even had a band with traffic called special peoples and played keys with grit for a while and now i play bass with SHAHS and try to write pop music on my looping setup that sounds like prince MJ george michael billy idol and big black all capture on a demo called PARIS MINGUS made with audacity on a 2003 macbook’s internal mic.

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1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

me like madlib, dilla, metalfingaz (DOOM), grimes, xxyyxx, shuggie otis, pharoah saunders, miles davis, john coltrane, squarepusher, and tom waits. ini kamoze, LEN, yello, r. kelly, kanye, lana del rey. fine young cannibals, willie nelson, bjork, bonnie raitt.

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

“your mother wouldn’t wanna see you with a poor boy.”? -nick ryan, skin flowers.

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

waking up at 11 so i can say “good morning” without people smart-assing at me. do my emails and my social media then practice guitar scales to the news then random ufo vids then some actual shows interlaced with some songs (UMO has been bumped a lot lately.) then i walk downtown with my guitar and start working on whatever new songs-wait… perfect day. i was doing typical. perfect day: wake up after noon in a tour bus in a new town. eat a decent breakfast and then walk around looking at architecture or people in hopes of finding some i get along with. work on new beats, sound check, dinner, play the show and after party a little then get some rest and do it all over again.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

when i leave, so does my aroma. if you’re done with that, i will finish it. i can sleep most places and even through a party. sometimes i have stuff in my beard and they laugh. and i believe in stuff with a child-like somethingness.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

easy. 1985 sequential TOM420 drum sequencer or the  roland gaia.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

probably grimes. and i’d be nervous about being nervous. she’s a dissonance genius and she seems nice from her interviews. i have no filter and an extremely dark sarcastic sense of humor, especially when i’m nervous, so i’d be afraid of trying to be funny then having to dig my foot out of my mouth. i should probably just stick to one word impersonal responses, grunts, and nods. and then i’d just be worried about smiling too much and if i was holding my arms in a weird way. i mean really who does that with their arms? idiot! idiot! idiot!

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

maybe in a really tall building, or san francisco, or watching a ufo zip around. i saw one over los alamos once. really.

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

i really like recording and producing. i scored a short film. i just started writing a new concept album, and i think i’d like to get more into making videos. i want to make a multidimensional experience of it all, like another reality is bleeding into ours. you know? like t.v. but on a stage. i want to be the j.j. abrams of pop music.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years? it would be nice if i could find myself in less than 10 years.

Name: Fel Torres

Birthplace: Azores, Portugal

Currently residing: Missoula, Montana

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: I come from a long line of guitar players all the way down to my dad so naturally I started playing drums at 11yrs old, first band at 13 (metal), played in highschool band and some jazz lessons in college time frame, moved to Missoula in 96 and played in Spy Kiss, Fuse, Superfire, Ouija, Thetan Revival, Maria, The New Hijackers & The Cold Hard Cash Show as well as some fill ins throughout the past recent years.

Website

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Freddy Mercury

Shannon Hoon

Brian Setzer

Led Zeppelin

John Bonham

Bob Dylan

Rolling Stones

Stevie Wonder

Robert Johnson

Iron Maiden

Dennis Chambers

Johnny Cash

Phil Collins

Qotsa

Waylon Jennings

MMW

Willie Nelson

Ween

So many many many more…

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

“White collared conservative flashing down the street, Pointing their plastic finger at me. They’re hoping soon my kind will drop and die, But I’m gonna wave my freak flag high, high. Wave on, wave on. Fall mountains, just don’t fall on me. Go ahead on Mr. Business man, you can’t dress like me. Sing on Brother, play on drummer.” -Jimi Hendrix “If 6 was 9”

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

A G Rated day or X?

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

Hmm… I’m always willing to help? I don’t know, you’d have to ask them 🙂

5. What is your most valued material possession?

My drums, guitars and guns……..Gawd that sounds so white trash.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

Being in a Tribute band that fits in so many situations we get hired for a lot of private parties and festivals and such which has put us in the presence of a lot of high profile people and musicians and have been blessed to have played with a number of them as well so I kind of got over the star struckness of it all but I think Page, Plant or any of the Stones or Elton would be a pretty nervous time.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Portugal.

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Touring. More touring and another rock project.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

On stage in front of 80,000 people.

Name: Amanda Jo Cevallos

Birthplace: Dallas , TX

Currently residing: Austin, TX

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: i got a guitar when i was 21 wrote my 1st song at 18.. put the pieces together when i was about 24….. spend most of my musical journey trying to figure out which song I wrote to teach to the band next. I’m currently touring Europe, and the US. my band has no name.

Website

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

i love Willie. and anyone who writes songs is up there on my list. especially country songs.

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

“pickin up hookers instead of my kids..” –  Willie Nelson

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

get up late, make coffee, drink it, write a song, “take a nap”, cuddle, have some wine, smoke some weed, repeat.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

i do what the hell i say im gonna do…on my own time of course.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

my cat

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I’m nervous about most things…meeting people is not one of them tho. we are all imperfect, no matter what, so if someone is real famous, and I’m nervous, I just imagine them delivering pizza or flowers.. lot’s of stars did that stuff.. so i default to they probably worked hard for their success, like me, so why be scared of them.. they’re cool. or not. but who cares!

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

on top of a mountain by a light house drinking wine with my honey in Spain.. oh wait, I was there last week! and i did that. dammit, take me back!

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

no. i do enough now as it is…well, i guess I’d like to play more piano and lead guitar.. but im working on that in the present, so.. in the future I’d like to be good at those things.. currently im dreaming about being good at anything.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

i want to be a mom. So i hope to have kids by then. and a family. couple dogs, a few cats… a career in country music! im not askin’ for much.

Name: Alysia Stern

Birthplace: New York

Currently residing: Long Island

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: I began writing poetry and stories at the age of nine. I wanted to be a journalist and an author. I always had a fondness for music and found myself singing my poetry and creating beats in my head. Since Shaun Cassidy “Da Doo Ron Ron” and the Grease soundtrack, I have been a music fanatic.

Website

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

I was always a big “Freestyle” fan. Soave, Fascination, Coro, George LaMond and Johnny O are the first few that come to mind. Since Cris and I started our radio broadcast, we get submissions from around the world and there is so much hidden, unsigned talent out there. Lately, Indie musicians have become my favorite. There are too many  artists to name. And as we get to know them, and learn their stories, struggles and triumphs… it makes  their music so much more inspirational.

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Enrique Iglesias “Hero.”  Being a New Yorker, September 11th was one of the most horrible historical moments in my life. Every time I hear this song it makes me well up with tears.  All these years later, having an entertainment business and radio broadcast,with Cris,  knowing he is a NYC Fireman ~ I don’t take anything he does for granted. Not even a phone call to ask me to do something stupid.  I guess that song now reminds me of him.

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

My perfect day is getting up at 5Am. Putting on the pot of coffee and praying while the kids are still asleep. Then getting them up and off to school, going for a morning run and coming home and working for twelve hours. Work for me at this point is so rewarding. We get to hear new unsigned, unreleased music, we get to meet great people and most of all we get to help people pursue their dreams.  In the evenings, after dinner and showers, I share stories of  the people Cris and I met, show the twins videos or we listen to the new music.  I find that my daughter is now really into writing music and playing her guitar.  So I guess as I am inspired, and sharing the dreams ~ my children are getting inspired as well. To go to bed with inspiration from great talented people and dreams from ten-year old twins and people around the world, it makes me want to wake up tomorrow and do it all again.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

That is hard to say. I know they all know I have a heart of gold, and I am kind and funny also. But the past few years I think some of them think I am self-absorbed. I talk about myself and my career too much. After my husband left, about four and a half years ago, I was not a wife anymore, I didn’t have that identity… and as I realized that although one dream was ruined, the rest of them were still inside me and I was going to pick up the pieces and march forward to be the woman I always dreamed of being. I could not afford to have a PR company represent nor did I have money for expensive press releases or campaigns. So not only was I my own talent, I was my own PR Rep, manager, promoter, fan club and supporter. I guess to someone that may seem selfish, but to me it was all I could do to make this dream into a reality. I had to live it, breathe it and speak it. You never knew who I would meet or who would get to know me and want to hire me. The squeakiest wheel gets the grease. It finally worked for me. My real friends saw past that but I guess I weeded out a lot of “not-so real” friends because I have been deleted on Facebook and not invited to parties or talked about by those who didn’t walk in my shoes and judged me. It just makes my story more “readable” I guess. LOL  I turned the past four years of struggles into experiences that made Cris and I start The Rendezvous Show Inc. – an affordable Promotions Company for Indie Artists.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

My iPhone because it has all my contacts and client’s phone numbers and pictures of my children in it.  I could not go a day without it.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

When I got to spend an hour interviewing Gloria Estefan, she really changed the way I look at celebrities. She is so beautiful and humble. I realized people are just people whether they are famous or not. I don’t get “Star Struck” when I do celebrity interviews, but maybe meeting John Travolta or Robin Williams would give me the butterflies in my stomach.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

It’s actually right down the block, on the corner of Ocean Avenue and Richmond where the reality meets the Great South Bay. Hurricane Sandy destroyed the bench I used to sit on, but It was always my place of “regrouping” and serenity. To watch the boats sail by with  the warm Bay breeze on my face… I would definitely say that’s my fave place.

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Yes, Family vacations.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

I hope in a similar situation, with our businesses, The Rendezvous Show Inc. becoming larger and more well-known. Could you imagine how many Indie artists Cris and I will have met in ten years?  I also hope by then I would have written that world known novel I have been dreaming of since I was nine. I have eight children’s books published now, but I have not yet written one based on music. I hope to have that completed as well.

photo: Leigh Eldridge

Name: Devon Lougheed

Birthplace: Hamilton, Ontario

Currently residing: Vancouver, BC

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: A self-righteous hardcore kid with an obsession for weird time signatures and stand-up comedy grows up and gets real and begins to make pop music for oddballs, which culminates in BEEKEEPER, a trio of vagabond music geek raggamuffins who have a crush on you and aren’t afraid to say it.

Website

 1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

As a band, we’re heavily influenced by They Might Be Giants, Fugazi, Kurt Weill, The Travelling Wilburys, Hawksley Workman, faraquet, Jimmy Eat World, Katy Perry, and, oddly enough, Drake.

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

I get especially teary-eyed over the part in “Dr. Jones” by Aqua where the lady is calling Dr. Jones, but he is asleep. Also, bits of “Your Ex-Lover is Dead” by Stars and “What Sarah Said” by Death Cab for Cutie really get us weepy.

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

Sleep in; sun-soaked hangs with cold kombucha beers in the afternoon; beekeeper show at night; whisky-soaked makeouts with the girl or guy we were eyeing all day.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

Our excellent hair. Plus we give great back massages, forreals.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

Is it cheating to say our instruments? I fished a weird androgynous statue out of a dumpster about 15 years ago; it’s the only thing that has stayed with me through multiple moves. It’s worth nothing in terms of $CAD but if it broke, I’d be chuffed.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I’d like to meet Steve Albini, because he is my hero in so many ways. But, I’m nervous, because nobody likes to find out that their hero is a total asshole, which I’m assuming he is. Steve, if you’re reading this… let’s take this as a jump-off point!

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

At The Ford Plant, an all-ages venue in Brantford, Ontario, circa 2004. I’m on stage performing as my rap-alter ego BUTTASMOOTH, and I’m battling my arch-nemesis, Tupperware. We went round for round until everyone agreed it was a draw. He was reading his lyrics off a laptop on stage…

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

I have dabbled in standup and improv comedy for years, and much of that and much of that itch gets scratched via beekeeper performances. I’d like to have the time to really get back to it, to work on some things properly. Some people might remember a comedy podcast I did for two years called The Exploding Sandwich; I can’t reveal details yet, but fans of that show and/or of beekeeper should be getting pretty excited right now.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Doing an acoustic tour of wineries in the Niagara region… isn’t that what ALL successful Canadian artists do in ten years?

Name: Merle Travis Peterson

Birthplace: Great Falls, Montana

Currently residing: Great Falls, Montana

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: Started on harmonica at 14, then switched to Bass, then to guitar, moved to Missoula then to Seattle then back to Missoula playing original Rock and making demos; when I was dying up on stage I started busting into Johnny Cash songs in order to get the crowd back on my side, and they loved it, and it worked better than my stuff ever did, so I started The Cold Hard Cash Show (a Tribute to Johnny Cash) gave up the notion of being an artist/singer songwriter and decided to just be an entertainer, and things have been good ever since.

Website

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

1. Johnny Cash

2. Jimi Hendrix

3. Queen

4. Merle Haggard

5. Iron Maiden

… and many many more …

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Conway Twitty, ‘I Can Tell You’ve Never Been this Far Before’

“… I don’t know what I’m saying as my trembling fingers touch forbidden places …”

That line makes me smile. It’s so dirty!

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

Everybody leaves me alone for the day, nobody calls, nobody talks to me, and I play the guitar all day long! And it’s NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN!!! A total fantasy of mine!

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

I never ask them for money! Ha ha

5. What is your most valued material possession?

Sadly my car, and only because I have put so much money into it since I bought it. I need it to travel to gigs so I got to keep it running. I wish I could say I own a really valuable guitar but I don’t. I play Fender guitars and if my house was burning down I would grab those first.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I was nervous when I met David Letterman and played on his show, but since then I’ve met lots of famous people, including John Mayer and Katy Perry, and I’ve pretty much got over it. They are all just folks! I suppose I was a little nervous meeting Johnny Cash’s brother, because I didn’t know what to expect. I impersonate his brother, but he was nice and said Johnny would be flattered.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Memphis Tennessee, but I’d wait ’til Friday night to blink!

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

I’d like to Captain a Star-Ship and travel to the far reaches of the Galaxy, in order to rest my spirit. Being a Highway Man is tough! I may be thinking too far into the future.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Probably Las Vegas. I always figured I’ll end up there

Name: Kat Jones

Birthplace: Fresno, CA

Currently residing: Portland, OR

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: I was interning at a recording studio because I thought I would never be able to be a musician as at the time I had no musical skill but somewhere that skill appeared out of seemingly nowhere and I was signed to Velvet Blue Music within 2 years of that time so you can imagine what a shock that was and when we released a few records and I had moved to Nashville to be closer to my then boyfriend and my life drastically changed due to some unforeseen circumstances which were apocryphal in nature I had to take a little time off but it didn’t stick because I moved back to the west coast (Portland, OR) to make music and release my next album, I Am Warm Young Blood in the late summer, which is all about this apocryphal season.

Website

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Oh my, this is going to be a little hard for me as I am sure it is for most people.
I have been really getting into Ike and Tina Turner lately.
David Bowie and The Smiths are a HUGE influences.
I could easily site Johnny Cash and Nick Cave as being personal role models.  And Cash By Johnny Cash is one of my top 5 books of all time.
Radiohead, Unbelievable Truth, Jeff Buckley, and Over The Rhine all had huge early influences on my voice.  They’re probably all still hidden in there somewhere.
Leonard Cohen’s Book of Love makes me cry every time I read it.
Verdi’s Requiem is one of my favorites.

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Paranoid Android by Radiohead gives me chills of ecstasy every single time I listen to it and OK Computer is one of the reasons I make music at all.
I arrived to this record a little late in the game but The Good Son by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds is one of my favorite albums of all time.

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

My perfect day would start out with me sitting outside with some food and great coffee, a couple books, and a pen and paper.  I love to write for hours first thing in the morning so a day that starts this way is always incredible.  It would be followed by seeing close friends and talking about art and maybe taking a long drive by myself to some place I have never been.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

I cheated and asked my friends because I thought my answer would be the shallow one and they all just made my day.  So here’s what a couple of them said:

Your sense of humor, encouragement, love for celebrating people, love for deep conversations over warm beverages, and overall classiness, your honesty, your moral integrity while dropping more f bombs than die hard 1, 2, & 3 put together, the instant feeling of openness and family (the good kind) whenever you are around.

I love my friends.  They’re awesome.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

My dog Daisy.  She means so much to me and we have been through soooooooooo much together.  And she is an AMAZING touring dog.  She is so gentle and loves people.  And when I bring her into a show, she steals it every time.  I stopped bringing her to shows 🙂

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I used to work at a restaurant in East Nashville, TN called The Family Wash.  My former boss James Rubin knows EVERYONE EVER and is in a band called The Magnificent Others.  They’re a supergroup essentially.  I am cutting and pasting their line-up for you to read right… Now!

James Rubin = Lyrics, Vocals, Guitar

Reeves Gabrels [David Bowie, Paul Rodgers, The Cure] = Guitar, Backing Vocals

Marco Giovino [Robert Plant, Patty Griffin, Norah Jones] = Drums & Things That Rattle

Frank Swart [Patty Griffin, Norah Jones, Buddy Miller] = Upright & Electric Basses

Patty Griffin = Backing Vocals

It’s the last one that got me.
Patty came in to the restaurant one night after she recorded vocals for them and it’s the only time I have ever asked James to introduce me to someone.  She was really really nice and I felt a bit awkward so I asked Patty if I could clear the plate off her table for her after telling her I loved her art and that she was a huge inspiration to me.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Scotland.
Or a unicorn hatchery.
Yes, unicorns are made in hatcheries.

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

I would like to play more music. I would like to unpack my things from the storage unit and put my art up on a wall somewhere. I would like to drink tea with friends and tell funny and inappropriate jokes.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

On a green hillside overlooking a city somewhere.  Portland would do just fine.  So would Edinburgh.  I will always be making art and art is portable.

Name: Ashly Jane Holland

Birthplace: Bozeman, MT

Currently residing: Livingston, MT

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: Presently we are coming off of the high of being included in the Livingston Town Proper fundraiser at the Emerson Center for Arts and Culture.  We were able to share the stage with John Mayer, Zac Brown and many world-class musicians all the while raising funds for our Park Co. Firefighers!  What a night~

Past, well…it’s been a real amazing musical journey.  Last year was amazing with Red Ants Pants Festival, Targhee Bluegrass Festival, Sweet Pea Festival, Boulder Festival of the arts and more.  We are grateful for all and any opportunities that come our way, the universe has been good to us.

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1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Gillian Welch~simplicity in songwriting at it’s best, while writing killer numbers that you would think are traditional tunes.
Loretta Lynn- she’s an inspiration to me, a self taught songwriter that came from poverty to be where she is today!
George Straitt-handsome and great voice 🙂
Alison Krauss and Union Station
Fiona Apple
Postal Service

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Yes, there are many…

The Cox Family, Kiss me mother, has a special place in my heart.  It makes me long for the maternal relationship mentioned, one I never felt.

One more dollar (Gillian Welch)- “A long time ago, I left my home, just a boy passing 20.  Could you spare a coin and a Christian prayer, for my luck has turned against me.

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

A perfect day for me would be to wake up at around 9ish, make some coffee, enjoy it at leisure.  Go to the river with my fiancée Tony, look for Yellowstone River Agates, enjoy lunch, play some music, do some yoga, watch a show and go to bed early…

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

Consistency and Honesty. I will be glad to give you my honest opinion, even if it is difficult or uncomfortable.  I want my friends to be the best they can be.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

A diamond ring my grandmother Belva gave me. She is the original “Jane” from Little Jane (we share the same middle name-Jane).  She and I are very close and always have been.  She has given me many precious antiques that I value greatly, but the ring was hers and my grandfathers.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I would be nervous to meet Gillian Welch and David Rawlings.  I just admire, respect, and value them so much, I think I would be a bit star struck!

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

First thought was White Sulphur Hot Springs.  I love the fresh healing waters there~ it is not crowded and perfectly stinky!

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Play music!  I would love to move into a full-time music position, vs. the current part-time music.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

In 10 years I will have more time to write and play music.  Combining my non-profit experience in the substance abuse prevention field with music in a way to help folks.  Enjoying a healthy, peaceful life with my sweet guy and dog 🙂

Name: Brad Parsons

Birthplace: Lewiston, Idaho

Currently residing: Portland, Oregon

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: I have been playing music for twenty years with many different bands doing many tours across the country and recording 7 albums and I am now currently recording and touring with Brad Parsons Band.

Website

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Neil Young, Nirvana, The Beatles, Built to Spill and Wilco are some of my old favorites. Recently I have gotten into songwriters like Townes Van Zandt and John Prine.

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

That is a tough one…The song “Reservations” by Wilco always gets me. There’s I line in it that goes like “I’ve got reservations about so many things, But not about you” that’s something I’ve always wanted to feel about someone but I never have.

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

I like to wake up late and grab a coffee and smoke a few cigs.  Then sit around for a few hours working on music and maybe meeting up with friends later in the night for some booze and laughs. I also still really enjoy watching live music. I try to go to at least a few shows a week that I am not playing.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

I really would have no idea.  You’d have to ask them.

5. What is your most valued material possession? My guitar.  I really have narrowed down my material possessions to very few things out of necessity. Not because I’m a hippie.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

My maker.  I’m terrified of death.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Montana! I love the people and the landscape.

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

I would like to listen to more music. There is so much great stuff out there I’ve never heard.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Happy, alive and successful.

Name: Bob Cabo

Birthplace: Englewood, NJ

Currently residing: Howland, Ohio

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: I’ve done a fair job at getting nowhere fast, in spite of the fact that I’m better than many, but never as good as I hope to be, which may have something to do with my being reluctant to ever tell anybody that I’m in a band, which surprises the heck out of them when they find out because I’m something of an anti-hero, which is why I now thing I’ve rambled this run-on sentence quite long enough, thank you.

Website

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Eric Clapton, Beatles, Peter Green, Savoy Brown, Mick Taylor, Colossuem, Norah Jones

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

River of Tears by Eric Clapton

3. How would you describe your perfect day? Breakfast, go out for a while, lunch followed by a nap. Watch TV, dinner and more TV. sleep

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

You’d have to ask them, but maybe that I’m usually a nice guy.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

A Martin Bellizza Nera

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet? Clapton

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Savannah, Ga

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Travel

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Back in Florida

Name: Ric

Birthplace: London, England

Currently residing: E Missoula, Mt

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: I hit things for a living (Bryan Adams, Billy Idol, Bette Midler, Jon Anderson, Spinal tap, Nova, etc etc etc)

Website ??????

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Captain Beefheart, Zappa, Lowell George, Peter Gabriel, Prince, Hendrix, Radiohead, blah blah blah…..:-)

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Any of Lowell’s ballads (Long distance love, Roll ‘um easy, Willin’), & much of Gabriel’s material (In your eyes, Don’t give up)

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

Plenty of weed, beer, good healthy food (2 mitigate the first two) and a well-paid gig with Gr8 musicians & singers…I also remember sex used 2 be a part of it….LOL

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

Everyone seems 2 think I’m a nice guy (Whadda they know??!!)

5. What is your most valued material possession?

My Drums & my Bicycle & my living space…oh, and my health!!….:-))

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

A suicide bomber

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Venice Beach

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

MORE DRUMMING!!   (Oh, & I need a new motorbike; one of my fave things 2 do is ride)….:-))

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Right where I am now, but richer….:-)

Name: Ali Marcus

Birthplace: Albuquerque, NM

Currently residing: Seattle, WA

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: It all began at campfires, Peter, Paul and Mary and a grassy hillside overlooking the Potomac River, and the most I could ever want to do now is write and perform songs that can create that kind of sense of belonging in other people – you know, folk music.

Website: www.alimarcus.com

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Bruce Springsteen, Carole King, Aimee Mann, REM, Patty Griffin, Fiona Apple, Langhorne Slim, Joni Mitchell, Pete Seeger, No Doubt, Neil Young, Woody Guthrie, Peter, Paul and Mary, the Nields, John Denver.

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Dar Williams has a couple: “It Happens Every Day,” and “After All” – I’m such a sucker for Dar! Also Patty Griffin’s “Forgiveness.” And I love the pretty little guitar solo in Tom Petty’s “It’s Good to be King” on the album Wildflowers, and the song “Wildflowers” as well usually brings tears to my eyes. On a different note, Rachmaninov’s Prelude in C#-minor affects me strongly, as does Chopin’s Waltz Opus 64 No.2.

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

It would have to involve some or all of the following: a hike in the mountains, an awesome book, an old friend, oysters on the half shell, blue crabs steamed in Old Bay Spice, a fancy cocktail, getting driven around, Paris, Santa Fe.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

I’m a very loyal friend.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

Our new couch! (Am I supposed to say my guitar?)

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I was so nervous to meet, converse, and perform with Tom Paxton! I was all alone on a park bench in Decatur, GA, anticipating this crazy meetup. He set me at ease immediately of course and we had a great time.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Paris! At that art store near the Jardin du Luxembourg where they sell the blank books I like, for so cheap!

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

I’d like to learn how to bake really good bread.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

In the Pacific Northwest, still in love and still making music.

Name: Linda McRae

Birthplace: ~

Currently residing: On the Road

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: I was born, picked up an accordion at 6 quit at 14 started guitar and joined a band can’t remember the name played for a few years joined Easy Money moved away started Terminal City, was asked to join Spirit of the west spent years on the road playing all over hell’s half-acre, quit to do the solo career spending more time on the road playing all over hell’s half-acre including New Folsom Prison, festivals, bars and barns and folk clubs and the like and having way too much fun doing it oh and hopefully becoming a better songwriter and musician in the process largely due to the encouragement of my fantastic husband and manager James Whitmire who is also a retired donkey rancher turned poet who encouraged me to go to Nashville to work on my music and study with the masters and then get in his car and drive all over hell’s half-acre meeting so many fine folks and having the time of our lives traveling to and fro and currently promoting our brand new cd Rough Edges and Ragged Hearts that was released on our new label 42RPM and was produced by yours truly and Marc L’Esperance and features performances by Ray Bonneville, Doug Cox, Gurf Morlix, Samantha Parton, Tony Babin and The Sojourners I think I’m done.

Website: www.lindamcrae.com

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Hank Williams Sr. Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard, Jean Ritchie, The Louvin Brothers, The Delmore Brothers, The Stanley Brothers, The New Lost City Ramblers, Skip James, The Band, Little Feat, The Beatles, The Stones, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Gurf Morlix, Ray Bonneville, Blaze Foley, Ray Wylie Hubbard.

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

“Imagine there’s no heaven, It’s easy if you try 

no hell below us, above us only sky

Imagine all the people, living for today

you may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one,

I hope some day you’ll join us 

and the world will be as one”

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

just like today and every day, listening to good music and hanging out with my husband and my friends (and getting a great review of my new CD!)

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

my supportive nature and the fact that I CAN keep a secret!

5. What is your most valued material possession?

my 1963 J45 Gibson Guitar

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

T-Bone Burnett at the Edmonton Folk Festival in 1993 I think it was

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

there are so many thankfully but some that stand out are: Miltown Malbay, Ireland sitting in a small pub playing in a session with Luka Bloom, Anne Rynne, Siobhan O’Brien and friends singing and playing but there are so many more too…In a hotel room in Memphis, TN during Folk Alliance with my friend Denise Williams singing and playing with Tracy Schwarz and Ginny Hawker

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

spend time at a cabin on the water or in the mountains more often

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Performing at the mother church, The Ryman Auditorium on stage with Neil Young!

Name: Scott Goodwin

Birthplace: Spokane, WA

Currently residing: Seattle, WA

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: I played music with my family and especially my brother until I found myself in College at EWU and I’ve never thought of anything else to do with myself so being in a band, writing music and teaching drums are my life!

Website: www.truespokes.com

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Miles Davis, The Kinks, Wilco, Soundgarden and The Beach Boys. And of Course Floyd, Beatles and Zep!

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Pink Floyd ‘The Final Cut’. the guitar solo/ and lyrics in the title track

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

Wake up at 10. Practice drums and piano for two hours, teach drums for a few hours, write and play music with my pals, listen to some Kinks and Beatles records, the Man Who Would be King and go to bed with my wonderful wife!

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

I think my friends would say they appreciate my positive attitude and my straight-forwardness.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

My Ears! (My hearing!)

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I think I’d be nervous to meet Chris Cornell.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Walking onto a big stage with backline gear!

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Write more songs, record my own album.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Living in the country with a recording/ teaching studio.

Name: Oleg Bernov

Birthplace: Russia

Currently residing: Thailand

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: Learned to play guitar when 14 years old to entertain the girls. Still doing it.

Website: www.redelvises.com

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Louis Armstrong, Tom Waits, Michael Franks, Frank Zappa, Glukoza.

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Pink Floyd “Great Gig in the Sky”

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

Wake and bake

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

smile

5. What is your most valued material possession?

Bass balalaika

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet? Vladimir Putin

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

North-East Thailand

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Film

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Star on Hollywood Blvd.

Name: Ricky Hill

Birthplace: McKinney, Texas

Currently residing: Princeton, Texas

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: When I’m 14 I give up my dream of being a race car driver, sell my go-cart for $300 and buy a homemade bass guitar and worn out Fender Bassman amp (wish I still had that amp!) from our church youth director, teach myself to play and start banging around in garage bands until high school ends when I decide playing bass is boring, so I start singing for a cover band, the guys are 40ish and I’m 19 but they are cool with it because I am young, blond and energetic, I’m cool with is because I get to drink beer, play the guitarist Goldtop Les Paul and get paid a little, a year + later I then decide playing other people’s music sucks even worse than playing bass so I go back to bass and hook up with childhood friend Dave Williams (late of Drowning Pool) over the next 7 years we play in 3 bands together Crazy Jane, Mr Luvdog and Fugly, Fugly gets a record deal and promptly implodes, I am distraught and quit music for good, or so I think, 2 years later a former Fugly bandmate talks me into joining Vibrosound, an Emo band, I like the songs and again I am playing  bass but also get to sing a lot, so it’s ok, but doesn’t go anywhere so just as always I become bored and quit, but this time knowing I’m not done with music I am then approached by a friend about starting a new band where I am the lead singer, we write some weird hybrid pop/punk/country/southern rock stuff, call ourselves The Atoms and start playing shows, the music is interesting but not always good, after 2 years we split up, then a year or so later get back together, then add some new members, write some new songs, then lose another member, add another member, rename the band Reverend Leon & The Repenters, the music is really good this time and I like being Reverend Leon, so we record a new EP in 2011, release it in 2012 and just like that…here we are today.

Website: www.revleonandtherepenters.com

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Tom Petty

Cheap Trick

The Ramones

The Clash

Van Halen

Janes Addiction

Ryan Adams

Foo Fighters

Lemon Heads

Hayden

Beck

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Stem, by Hayden. The entire song is only 1:47 seconds, but I think it may be one of the best love songs ever written. If you’ve never heard it go find it and listen to it. And just about anything by Cheap Trick, who my wife turned me on to years ago, those songs still remind me of when we were first dating.

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

On a beach with my wife, toes in the sand, cold beer, and nothing but the sound of the ocean. Maybe I’ll play a little guitar and write some music too. Can this be every day please?

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

I really have no idea…maybe that I’m ok with whoever or whatever you are, you don’t have to change to be my friend.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

Anything related to my son’s childhood. I hold on to those things like gold. I would rather lose a guitar than one of his kindergarten finger paintings. Everything else is pretty much just stuff.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

No one. I have never been starstruck. The only time I ever really get nervous is when I have to perform in front of close friends and family. I hate to let them down.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

See answer to question 3. Maybe there will be Mexican food involved, which I can pay for in Pesos! Is it wrong that I keep blinking. I don’t think this question is working right, I am still in front of the computer.

Please report this problem to the help desk.

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Spend time with my family, record more records, write more songs, play more shows, run more races, travel more…enjoy life! Basically everything I don’t seem to have enough time for right now.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

In ten years I hope I am in the process of selling most everything I own, packing up the few things I keep and looking for a little house on the beach somewhere where my wife and i can just relax and enjoy getting old. I can dream right!

Name: Salim Nourallah

Birthplace: Alton, Illinois

Currently residing: Dallas, Texas

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: Recorded Nourallah Brothers with my brother Faris with boxing gloves and occasional instruments six years later solo debut Polaroid met with words like “discovering a singer-songwriter who can stop time is rare, but Salim Nourallah is such a find…” (Rolling Stone), still trying to stop time but it keeps whirring past Hit Parade is record #5 released by the world’s finest indie label Tapete Records from Hamburg I want to go to Spain and play in July then Germany too with the wife and kids which would be our Euro tour #4

Website: www.salimnourallah.com

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

the Beatles, the Kinks, the Clash

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

“People are Like Suns” – it’s about how temporary we all are and it’s one of Neil Finn’s greatest moments as a songwriter

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

I would spend it with my wife Jayme and our kids. I’d be mentally “present” for the duration. Meaning: absolute peace from the incessant chatter in my head – worrying about bills I failed to pay, emails I failed to return, things that need fixing or tending to, etc., etc., etc. – you know, free from all the useless things our minds get tangled up with on a daily basis.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

That I’m not an asshole

5. What is your most valued material possession?

Could my life be my material possession? I suppose it’s probably not, so then I guess I’d pick my recording studio…

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I wouldn’t be nervous about meeting anyone now that I’m all grown up and middle aged…people are people no matter how much we admire them or how well-known they are. I wish I could meet John Lennon but the chances of that happening seems to be nil!

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Santorini, Greece – I’d preferably like Jayme to be there with me in a bathing suit

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

I’d like to have more time to work on my own music, more time to write songs, more leisurely days of carefree fun with my family too. I suppose I’d also like to be naked more often but definitely not in public.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Mainly alive…oh and happily married with my kids close by. I’d like to find myself still involved with playing music too.

photo: charity vance

Name: Shannon Labrie

Birthplace: Lincoln, NE

Currently residing: Nashville, TN

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: Started writing classical piano pieces when I was a little girl. I can’t remember a time I didn’t sing. Never read music, just felt it. Got my first guitar around 10 years old, when my dad got cancer. He showed me EM, G, C, D, and F before he passed away. I couldn’t put the guitar down after that. I kept writing music on piano and guitar and before I knew it, I found myself in Nashville, TN writing my honest heart out. My Mom has a beautiful opera voice and my Dad was an incredible guitar player and songwriter. They taught me along with James Taylor and Lauryn Hill albums:-).

Website: www.shannonlabrie.com

 1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Bob (my dad)

James Taylor

Lauryn Hill

Bob Dylan

Van Morrison

Tom Petty

Beatles

Miranda Lambert

Norah Jones

Eagles

Alison Krauss

Just to name a few:-)

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Killing Me Softly

Any song from Lauryn Hill

Any song by James Taylor. I especially love Copperline and The Frozen Man

My Morning Jackets: Thank You Too

Bob Dylan: Gotta Serve Somebody

Miranda Lambert: House That Built Me

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

Laying in a hammock with a man on a cool fall day.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

My honesty and sense of humor.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

Everything is replaceable. In the end when I’m on my death-bed, it’s going to be the love and relationships I had that I most value and I try to remember that every day.

If I had to pick something, it would be my dad’s guitar strap. I never play without it.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I was Jack White’s server at a restaurant I worked at two years ago. That was the first time I was ever star struck. I was also pretty nervous when I met John Oates…..than again, I was most nervous to meet my mom after I had taken the car out all night without calling (back in highschool). She was pretty pissed.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Heaven, with all the people that I’ve had to say goodbye to.

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Read. I’m continually losing time to read.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

I hope in ten years I’m not regretting the last ten years:-) I’d like to be sitting on a porch in the early evening with my close friends and family drinking bottles of wine and eating cheese!

Name: Tom Catmull

Birthplace: Atlanta, GA

Currently residing: Missoula, MT

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: I grew up in Southeast TX, listening to and learning the songs of Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt and Lyle Lovett and now I can’t seem to stop writing, recording and performing my own brand of folk, country, pop and “what have you” by my lonesome, in little groovy combos and with a full four piece machine of pain and destruction because, quite frankly, it is still worth the fallout, I tell you!

Website: tomcatmull.com

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Tom Waits
Rhett Miller
The Shins
Townes Van Zandt
John Hiatt
The Avett Brothers

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

“If I had a bullet, I’d put in this gun.  I’d catch that old dog nappin’. I’d shoot him before he runs.  Cause he ain’t much good for nothin’, except staring at the dust.  Lord, I wonder what he’s looking at, sneakin’ up on us.”

John Hiatt Dust on a Country Road

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

tough question.
HUGE excessive breakfast with my two boys.
time enough after for songwriting and guitar.
Ski the early afternoon.
play an early show, preferably a listening room/theater.
walk away from someone else’s sound equipment and go have a beer with good friends while listening to musicians who are better than me rock a club and all its inhabitants.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

humility, I think.  Not to brag, but I am the most humble son of a bitch in this blessed country!  Honestly though, i don’t think there’s anything one person can do that someone else cannot do better.  And I also think that is what makes everything awesome!

5. What is your most valued material possession?

This is totally boring, but I’m going with my guitar.  I’m not including health, family and mental faculties, anything like that as material possessions.  My guitar allows me the freedom to write and sing and play.  It’s important, dangit!

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

Tom Waits, in a dark alley.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Paradise Valley on a Saturday morning between a weekend of shows at Chico Hot Springs having a long breakfast with friends.

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

EVERYTHING! I would like to write more(music and whatever). Learn to paint. Travel! I miss travelling (out of the country that is). I would like to understand a lot of basic scientific principles a little better than I currently do.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

I would like to be allowed to do more of the things I love and less of the things I don’t. I only really want “success” as much as it affords me more time to spend with family and friends, more time to write and record, and less time self-promoting and hauling/running sound equipment.  It’s the same with any job, I suppose. But I LOVE learning about different things, people and places(this is starting to sound like an internet dating ad). I want more of that, dangit!  I have no big 10 year business plan.  More shows, more songs, better money, less bogus gigs, more golden venues and golden shows, I tell you!  World domination through Americana,…the usual.

Time: Friday February 24, 2012 at 2:26 pm

Name: Grace Decker

Birthplace: Boston, MA

Currently residing: Chez Decker, Missoula, MT

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: They always said, “You’re a very….STRONG…player”….but I never really understood what they meant until I was in college and had pretty much quit playing classical music and started fiddling oldtime music and then accompanying singer-songwriter Larry Hirshberg and I realized I like to play along, and I kinda like to play hard, and so six or eight years of playing along turned into a bunch of weird, and a lot of the time wonderful, duo gigs as th’ Spectacles, all over western Montana (playing everything from Tom Waits to the Ramones to Lucinda Williams and a lot of Larry originals)… and then, long about 1999, Wham, I jumped headlong in crazy musical honkytonkin’ musical grab-ass with Cash for Junkers, my musical home port and band of brothers…then just as C4J broke apart when multi-instrumemtalist extraordinaire John Rosett returned to South Caroline…I had the amazing luck to be invited into a fantabulous couple years with bluegrass crazies and wide-hearted friends Broken Valley Road Show…and just as THAT was slowing down (a bit)…who’d’a thunk–C4J returned, as fun as ever (and playing better than ever in my humble opinion).. I keep shaking my head at my great good fortune to be on such a great musical ride…plus some side projects and fun recording gigs and other musical communities along the way….and when I catch my breath and look around I’ve been gigging and giggling in western Montana for almost 20 years.

Website: www.cashforjunkersmusic

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Birth – Age 8: Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lawrence Welk

Age 8 – 12: Vivaldi

Age 12 – 16: A bunch of crap mostly, but I still have a soft spot for Michael Jackson, Tears for Fears, and The Cure.

Age 16 – 22: The Dead.

Age 22 – now… this is the “heavy rotation” list…

Gillian Welch, Tom Waits, Uncle Tupelo, The Jayhawks, Candye Kane, Khaled, Tom Catmull, Bob Wills, Tarkio

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Hammond Song, by the Roches. One of those songs I can’t just “have on”- I have to give it my full attention. I dream of covering it but I think it’s too big to cover.

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

I’d be woken up by my 4 year old snuggling in, and then we all get another hour of sleep, cuddled together. There’d be plenty of time for a long rambling walk in the hills, after a breakfast sandwich with avocado in it. There’d be baking of bread. There’d be time to read. There’d be lots of laughs. There’d be one of those gigs when I can’t tell who’s having more fun– the band or the dancers.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

I hope they would appreciate my love of good times and my wearing of my heart on my sleeve. I hope they also forgive me those things.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

For my 40th birthday, last year, my amazing husband organized friends and family to contribute toward a new fiddle for me… their generosity still leaves me stunned and kinda freaked out at times. I chose a fiddle I love to play, a fiddle that I’m still growing into. And I never play it without thinking of Josh and all the people I know who want me to make music.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I imagine I’ll be nervous to meet the parents of the girl or boy Alden decides to marry someday. I get all ook, ack, eek around everyone at times, famous or not. One of the nice things about being a musician is that you often get to be the life of the party–AND a fly on the wall– at the same time.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

West Fork Butte Lookout Cabin, on a crisp fall morning, a cup of strong coffee at my side.

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Learn to do and make more things with my hands. After the apocolypse, I imagine everyone will need fiddlers– but they might need people who know how to make things even more.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Feeling glad about having richly lived every minute of the previous ten years, and excited about the next ten.

Name: norman dahlor

Birthplace: missouri

Currently residing: kansas city

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: 44 years non stop playing in bands, a couple you’ve heard of most you haven’t, currently in the elders a 14 yr old irishamericana folk rock band, gonna be sitting down in my next, you know like playin’ pedal steel or somethin’… i think

Website: theelders.com

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

the beatles, the band, rolling stones, bruce springsteen, solas, richard thompson, paul simon, earl scruggs, bill monroe, bob dylan, trad irish music from a variety of performers like slide ie, cape breton style music from a variety of performers like bara mcneills or macmaster, bacharach, sinatra, grateful dead, clash… lots, i think i could fill this box up

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

yes many, ‘pair of brown eyes’ by the pogues popped first in my mind

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

i’d like to walk on a nice warm sandy beach with both my children.. i haven’t done it yet but it sounds perfect right now

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

good guy to have in a band

5. What is your most valued material possession?

probably my 1964 fender p bass

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

i don’t know really, maybe one of the victoria’s secret models

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

kinsale, ireland

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

i love traveling and i’ve really enjoyed what little time playing/traveling through europe i’ve been fortunate enough to do.  I’d like to do more …

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

i think i’d like to be on that same beach with my kids, walkin, talkin’ laughin, cryin and lookin for shells

Name: Morgan Childs

Birthplace: Vancouver, BC

Currently residing: Toronto, ON

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: Born in Vancouver in 1981, grew up in Invermere BC, in the Columbia Valley. Attended the Okanagan Summer School for the Arts in Penticton BC, with influential faculty members like Ross Taggart, Blaine Wikjord, and Campbell Ryga. Moved to Vancouver at age 17 to attend the music program at Capilano College. Graduated with a degree in music performance. Attended Banff Centre International Jazz Workshop in 2002 and 2003. Workshopped with and studied with many of the influential musicians of the past 10 years; Chris Potter, Jim Black, Dave Douglas, Ari Hoenig, Clarence Penn, Django Bates, Kenny Werner, among many others. Have studied drums privately with Byron Landham and Gregory Hutchinson. After 10 years on the music scene in Vancouver, working with many internationally renowned musicians, including Brad Turner, Mike Allen, Bill Coon, Ingrid Jensen, Laila Biali, Phil Dwyer, Bruno Hubert, André Lachance, and the Amanda Tosoff Quartet (winners of the 2007 Galaxie Rising Star Award at the Vancouver Jazz Festival, and the 2009 GM Grand Prix du Jazz at the Montreal Jazz Festival), I moved to Toronto. Maintain a busy gigging schedule in southern Ontario and accross Canada with such fine musicians as Richard Whiteman, Kelly Jefferson, David Restivo, Adrean Farrugia, Richard Underhill and many others. Happy to be working!

Website

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Past: Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Billy Strayhorn, Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Elvin Jones, Philly Joe Jones, Cannonball Adderly, Horace Silver, Lee Morgan, Kenny Dorham, Frank Sinatra, Joe Henderson, John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Wayne Shorter, Joe Zawinul, Ahmad Jamal, Jimi Hendrix, Ella Fitzgerald, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, The Band, Joni Mitchell, Dimitri Shostakovich, JS Bach, Alexander Scriabin, Maurice Ravel, Frederic Chopin. My favourite composers from the Great American Songbook are George Gershwin, Richard Rogers and Cole Porter.

Present: Branford Marsalis, Brad Mehldau, Joe Lovano, John Scofield, Bill Frissell, David Sanchez, Miguel Zenon, Mark Turner, Chris Potter, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Gregory Hutchinson, Christian McBride, too many others to list… some Canadian composers in the jazz realm I really admire include Brad Turner, Phil Dwyer, Amanda Tosoff, Christine Jensen, Joel Miller and Kelly Jefferson. There are so many people doing so many interesting things around me though that I never want for good music.

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Anything Rick Danko sang lead on with The Band. “When You Awake” or “It Makes No Difference” or “The Unfaithful Servant.” That last one, in particular, with it’s dirge-like tempo and arresting, slightly-out-of-tune mournful country circus horn parts kind of kill me every time. Or how about Mahalia Jackson singing “Come Sunday” with Duke Ellington? Yeah, that’s pretty great too.

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

Get up reasonably early and make some strong coffee and a frittata with spinach and mushrooms for breakfast. Drink my coffee, read some emails and facebook for a bit. Have a nice hot shower and a shave. Around noon, maybe some cats come over for a session and we play tunes for a couple of hours just for fun. Lots of laughs, then a light lunch and a long walk… I’m talking 10+ km around the city, through the parks, up and down the streets. Stop somewhere for a really good espresso. Window shop. People-watch. Read a newspaper. Smoke one (and only one) perfect cigarette. There’s two or three ways the evening could shape up to be my version of perfect:

1) A great gig with close friends where we’re all feeling moved to push ourselves to new heights of personal expression, after which we would maybe truck off to a good, unpretentious bar and hang like dogs. Something like how my 30th birthday went down on Halloween night!

2) A dinner out, somewhere nice, with some good wine and good company. Delicious but un-fussy food would be my favourite. A half-dozen oysters on the half shell. Lobster bisque. Steak frites with peppercorn sauce. Creme anglaise with fresh berries for dessert.

3) A glass of Talisker, and the Miles Davis album “Milestones”. On repeat. All night. By myself. Any truly perfect day must involve that record.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

I think most of my friends would say that I am basically kind, loving, passionate, loyal and funny. At least I would hope that’s what they would say. I’m trying, guys, hang in there while I get it together.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

I guess over the past 10 years I’ve put together a solid collection of very nice vintage cymbals. They are precious to me because I use them to create.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I’ve been lucky to meet a number of my musical idols, particular standouts would be Roy Haynes, Ed Thigpen, Dave Holland, Victor Lewis, Henry Grimes and Cedar Walton. For some reason I felt too nervous to walk up to Paul Motian at the Vanguard a couple of years ago. He was just standing there, alone, in the back near the washrooms, and I could have easily managed a meeting. I suppose I felt like I didn’t want to bother him right before he went on to play. I certainly regret not saying something to him now that he’s gone though. Lesson learned. I don’t know if I’d be “nervous” per say, to meet Sonny Rollins, however I think I might burst into tears if I ever get the chance. I just think it would spark some kind of intense feelings I wouldn’t be able to express any other way.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Can I have more than one? Can I pick one for each season?

Village Vanguard, Greenwich Village, New York City, autumn.

Top of Panorama Mountain, Invermere BC, winter.

The Main restaurant, Plateau Mont-Royal, Montreal, QC, spring.

My aunt Diana’s deck, with our whole family there having a big BBQ, Ladysmith BC, summer.

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

I love to travel, so I’d say hitting a few continents that I’ve never been to would be pretty great. Europe, Africa, Asia.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Find myself? The joy is in the search… I don’t ever want to find myself.

Name: Carter Gravatt

Birthplace: Staunton, Va

Currently residing: Richmond, Va

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: All about the same, I’m still in my first band.

Website: facebook

1.  Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

REM, Led Zeppelin, Bruce Molsky, Dirk Powell, Son Volt, Edgar Meyer, The Bothy Band, ZZ Top, Calexico, Jeff Beck, John Doyle, Brad Mehldau, David Grier, Matt Flinner, Russ Barenburg, and on and on… 

2.  Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

David Gilmour’s first solo in Comfortably Numb, Bach’s Prelude to suite #1 (Cello), REM Everybody Hurts 

3.  How would you describe your perfect day?

A cool sunny day outside with my family and an evening playing music with friends.

 4.  What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

My super powers. Leaping buildings, laser vision, … stuff like that.

 5.  What is your most valued material possession?

My mandolin- Dudenbostal F5 #10

 6.  Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

Pretty much anyone…Jay Farrar comes to mind though.

 7.  If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Home!

 8.  Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Play more with other musicians.

 9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Still playing music and as happy as i am now.

Name: Jacob Navarro

Birthplace: Fort Bragg, California

Currently residing: Anacortes & Seattle Washington

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: I grew up listening and watching my parents perform in a belly dance troupe, lots of middle eastern percussion in the house as a child; took violin lessons at age 5 and switched to guitar at age 10, added the mandolin in my mid twenties; have been working with William Cook (upright bass, singer, songwriter, bad ass) for almost two decades now in various projects, our current one being Spoonshine; met Adam Kasper (produced Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Cat Power, REM, Queens of the Stone Age, many more) a few years ago and have been working with him ever since; in addition to spending most of my time gigging, recording, writing, and collaborating musically as much as possible, I’ve had a handful of tunes used on a Spike TV show about midget wrestlers & played mandolin on Eddie Vedder’s solo song “Better Days” for the movie soundtrack “Eat Pray Love”!

Website: spoonshine.com

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Mark Knopfler, Tony Rice, Greg Brown, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Manu Chao, Neil Young, Tinariwen, Ali Farke Toure, Frank Zappa, Creedance, Doc Watson, The Band, Bob Dylan, JJ Cale, Jacob De Bandolim, Old Crow Medicine Show, Salif Kieta, Nirvana, Ray Charles, Wilco, Fela Kuti, Norman Blake, Woody Guthrie, Rachmaninoff, David Lindley, Balkan Beat Box, Bill Frisell, Brian Eno, Calexico, Hazmat Modine, Peter Rowan, The Raconteurs, Jimi Hendrix, Sade, John Prine, Led Zeppelin, Martha Scanlan, Ry Cooder, Townes Van Zandt, The Pogues, The Grateful Dead, etc…

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

So many to pick from! I think if I had to pick one, it would be “Walking In The West End” by Dire Straits. It’s not really the lyrics specifically, but that song makes me feel nostalgic, sentimental, and really good!

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

Honestly, here is my idea of a perfect day: Coffee and pancakes, followed by a long hike and a picnic in the woods.  Time spent with a really good book and a cup of tea. Eating a home cooked dinner and sharing a bottle of wine in the company of my family. Staying up all night playing music with good friends.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

He isn’t preoccupied by worrying about what others appreciate about him.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

I recently had quite a few of my instruments stolen, which made me rethink how much importance I put on my attachment to material possessions. However, my grandmother, Ida Abelman, was a remarkable artist during the 30’s and 40’s who’s work is part of the Smithsonian collection. She producing lithographs dealing with the social issues of her time, worker’s rights, child labor, women’s rights, immigration, industrialization, etc….. Our whole family has a very deep sense of pride in the art she contributed to the world. One of her prints that I have she wrote “for my dearest grandson, Jacob Navarro” on the bottom. The print is really dark, it’s called “my father reminisces”, and there is all this heavy imagery on it, there is a lot to it. It’s one of my most valued material possessions that is quite irreplaceable.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I met & played a private show for Mark Knopfler and his band once, that was the first time I have ever really felt stage fright. I don’t usually get star struck, people are just people, I hate the idea that being involved in the arts somehow elevates you above the blue-collar working class. I’d like to think we are all made of the same stuff. But I really look up to Mark Knopfler! So I felt fairly giddy going into this little room and meeting the guy, then playing some of our songs for him. He and his band were all very nice, and having him pour us a shot of irish whiskey and make a toast to us remains one of my high points.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Not fair, there are so many incredible places to be…. Camping up on a mountain in the Olympic Rain Forest; no, eating pain au chocolate in the south of France; no, getting lost walking along the canals in Venice; no, eating Aglio Olio at Brad’s Swingside Cafe in Seattle; no, sitting on a sand dune in the heat of the summer in Sag Harbor, New York; playing music around a campfire in the Skagit Valley; no, I can’t do this game, the world is too full of awesome to pick one favorite place to be!

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Music, backpacking, cooking, reading, etc…

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Besides still being alive and well on the planet? Can’t be to picky, but I suppose I would like to find myself traveling a lot more in ten years.

Name: Chris Hamilton

Birthplace: Thunder Bay, ON

Currently residing: White Rock, BC

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: A musical journey that began with piano lessons that did not instill a life of piano-playing then guitar lessons that led me to quit guitar for a few years, but ultimately I tried again and since my early 20’s life has mostly revolved around music.

Website: facebook

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Where to begin? I respect a lot of my colleagues and contemporaries in children’s music, but my favourites are all outside of that world. Bands: Ramones, Pogues, Beatles, Tragically Hip, Beatles, Clash, U2, REM, Supergrass, Gruesomes, Spirit of the West, Crystals, Ventures, Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet…and 1000 more, all for different reasons. As far as individual musicians go….hmm…Bob Marley, Darlene Love, Buddy Holly, Django Reinhardt, Johnny Cash, Stompin’ Tom, Danny Elfman, Ray Charles….etc. etc.

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Redemption Song by Bob Marley, and Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Darlene Love both get me every time.

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

Sunshine and relaxing with the people I love.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

Interesting perspectives? Humour? No idea. I’ll ask.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

For practical purposes, I suppose my computer but really it’s my stockpile of decades worth of my drawings and paintings.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I was surprised at how nervous I was to meet author Judy Blume (Superfudge, Freckle Juice, Blubber etc.). I used to work at a downtown Vancouver bookstore that often had big name authors come through, and other celebrities promoting books. Heck, being downtown many celebrities would SHOP there too. But Judy Blume was the only one who I got “starstruck” around.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

On stage with my band in front of dancing kids & parents…or curled up on the couch watching a movie with Bev. Tie.

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

More recording for sure, and more illustration.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Don’t want to go far from here, but I’d like to be able to count on my shows and art for a reliable full-time living.

Name: Caroline Keys

Birthplace: Bamberg, South Carolina, USA

Currently residing: Missoula, Montana

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence:

Bamberg, South Carolina
1975 – Hello, world!
Charlotte, North Carolina
1976 – First musical memory: my parents singing John Hartford’s “Don’t Leave Your Records in the Sun.”
1977 – Dad records he and I singing a song about moonshine to tape.
1978 – Learn to operate tape player myself, turn the page when the bell chimes.
1979 – Pick nose through preschool Christmas program while dressed as a red jingle bell.
Statesville, North Carolina
1980 – Learn to operate record player.  Use that power to play “Mickey Mouse Disco,” “Sgt Pepper(side A),” and “The Chipmunks go Hollywood.”
1981 – Class learns birthday song for our school principal.  Why I can still sing it today I do not know.
1982 – Parents buy piano (probably to get me to quit picking out tunes on the telephone), put me in lessons.
1983 – Suzuki violin lessons on full-sized violin my Great Great Great Uncle in West Virginia built.  His daughter refused to take it to Julliard because it was too heavy.  So it was, like, perfect for a seven-year-old, right?
Lynchburg, Virginia
1984 – Become obsessed with musical comedy “The Pirate Movie” starring Kristy McNichol and loosely based on “The Pirates of Penzance.”
1985 – Izzy Parker’s & my parody of “We Are the World” entitled “We Ate the World” is denied entry in school talent show.  “We ate the world / ’cause we were hungry /we’ll eat you too if you don’t give us some more money…”
1986 – When allowed to pick out one book from Sweet Briar University bookstore, choose “The Annotated Gilbert and Sullivan.”
1987 – Sing scales to the surnames of classmates in 7th grade chorus.  Favorite name to sing: Rumney.
1988 – Three words: “Endless Summer Nights” by Richard Marx.
1989 – First overnight choir trip w/ highschool Glee Club.  I learn a lot.  Like that upperclasswomen can lure upperclassmen into motel rooms by sweet-talking to them through the bathroom vents.
1990 – First rock concert: Crosby, Stills, and Nash at arena in Roanoke, Virginia.  The band thought they were in Cincinnatti.
1991 – See Paul Simon on “Born at the Right Time” Tour at DeanDome in Chapel Hill.  Do not faint and end up on his couch, per fantasy.
1992 – Check Yer Head, A Picture of Nectar, Automatic for the People, Body Count, Amused to Death, This One’s Gonna Hurt You, The Power of Pussy, Cereal Killers, Nothing’s Shocking, Breakfast Club Soundtrack, Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars, Gish, One From the Vault
Hertford Heath, United Kingdom
1993 – Sing Elgar’s “The Kingdom” in British prep school choir.  Sneak into boy’s dorm at night to listen to Alec Anderson play guitar.
Linville, North Carolina
1994 – Stay up too late singing duets with “Country Bob,” a dishwasher who is twice my age.
Jupiter Island, Florida
1995 – Go clubbing w/ fake ID. Buy Joe Montana a beer.
Chattanooga, Tennesee
1996 – Use tax return to buy first guitar.
1997 – Learn fancy chords from Grateful Dead & Indigo Girls songbooks
1998 – Send guitar (no case) to Montana sandwiched between a pillow and the ceiling of a Buick.  Follow behind it two weeks later on a Greyhound.
1999 – Wrap belongings in a maroon shower curtain, tie it to the roof of Kelli’s Subaru, and head West for good. Catch Phish play w/ Tim O’Brien, Bela Fleck, and Jerry Douglas in Nashville on the way out.
2000 – Decide that New Orleans is, indeed, on the way from Steamboat Springs, Colorado to Glacier National Park, Montana. So why not attend Jazzfest?!
Many Glacier, Montana
2001 – Live out John Hartford’s dream: “all I want to do in life is to pick and drive an old boat.”
Missoula, Montana
2002 – Enroll at University of Montana.  First week: attend Top Hat Picking circle without guitar.  Following weeks: learn a song a week to take to Top Hat Picking circle with guitar.
2003 – Join first band: Broken Valley Roadshow. Play guitar and sing.
2004 – Play first bluegrass festival.
2005 – Go to Weiser for the first time. Start writing music reviews for Missoula Independent and editing Montana Rockies Bluegrass Association Newsletter.
2006 – Marry lefthanded redheaded old time mando playing mountain man.
2007 – Broken Valley Roadshow represents USA at Nanning International Folk Festival in China.
2008 – Tour Holland with Whiskey Puppy.
2009 – Go to Mt Airy for the first time.
2010 – Take RPM (Record Production Month) Challenge. Write and record album in my living room.  Decide the RPM finish line is actually the starting line for a new project: Stellarondo.  Record Stellarondo album at Type Foundry in Portland with Adam Selzer.  Join New Hijackers. Start Top Hat’s Family Friendly Friday and Artist-in-Residence programs.
2011 – Play over 200 gigs with Broken Valley Roadshow, Him & Her, New Hijackers, The Tulis, Wise River Mercantile, Stellarondo, Whippletree, Big Kids Band.  Release Stellarondo record, take two tours of Pacific Northwest, artist residencies Seeley Lake (BVR) and Hobson, Montana, collaborate with Rick Bass scoring his short fiction, serve as Martha Scanlan’s back-up band.  Play first ever solo set.

Website: stellarondo.com

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Past:
John Hartford, Gilbert & Sullivan, Uncle Dave Macon, Roger Miller, Stephane Grappelli, Edward Elgar, Shannon Hoon, Open Road, Jay Reatard, John Coltrane, Hazel Dickens, Frank Zappa, Harry Nilsson, Vic Chesnut, The Asylum Street Spankers, Bongwater, Mozart, Ollabelle Reed, Townes Van Zandt

Present:
The Heartless Bastards, Skerik, Bethany Joyce, Martha Scanlan, Richmond Fontaine, Grace Decker, Laura Viers, Gibson Hartwell, Wilco, Angie Biehl, Bobby Bare Jr, Lana Rebel, Nate Biehl, Graham Lindsey, Caleb Klauder, Travis Yost, Paul Brainard, Kelly Hogan, Amy Martin, Aaron Parrett, The Wilders, Brian Herbel, Charlie Parr, Yo La Tengo, Will Oldham, Chelle Terwilliger, Michael Hurley, Tom Catmull, Tuatara, The Magnetic Fields, Nick Jaina, Tyler Ramsey, Caliphone, Ivan Rosenberg, Sallie Ford, John Sporman, Leah Keys.
2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?: When Skerik comes in after Stanton Moore’s drum solo on “Angel Nemali” from the “All Kooked Out” CD.

“Tea in the Sahara” by The Police

When John Coltrane comes in towards the end of Miles Davis’ “Someday my Prince Will Come.”

“Fearless” by Pink Floyd

When “China Doll” finally arrives at the D.

“Seeds of the Pine” by Martha Scanlan.

Listening to “Rhythm of the Saints” in headphones.

The Red Hots.

Most all the sounds I am surrounded by in Stellarondo.

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

1. Take dog walk to swimming hole.
2. Eggs.
3. Write song.
4. Hot yoga.
5. Not have to talk until noon.
6. Play music with people.
7. Cuddle kitty.
8. Walk with a friend.
9. Spend time in canoe or soak in hot spring, depending on season.
10. Eat Cioppino at Scotty’s Table.
11. Talk to sister in Memphis on the phone.
12. Go for moonlit cross-country ski.
Most days I get do 3 or 4 of these things.  Grateful!

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

Maybe listening?

5. What is your most valued material possession?

Right now I really love my banjo and Gibson GA-15 RV amp.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I have a hard time recognizing faces, so I feel socially nervous a lot. I don’t think I would be able to say a thing to Gillian Welch.  Or maybe I wouldn’t recognize her and we could carry on a normal conversation?

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

In a canoe at midnight at the outlet of Lake Josephine. In summer, on a full moon. With Robert Duvall.

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

I would like to see more of my family. I would like to drop thumb. I would like to spend more time on boats. Get more experience recording. Go for longer tours with Stellarondo. Volunteer more.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

In ten years I hope I will have created something pretty. I would like to have made, and to continue to make good things. I would like to be doing my best work in 10 years. And even better work in 20, and so on. And I would like part of that best work to be in service of easing human suffering. The only way I would believe I’ve accomplished this if I were to open The New Yorker and find an Andy Friedman cartoon of Bono, Desmond Tutu, and me twisted up in some sort of yoga pose. Just kidding. The music community in Missoula amazes and inspires me today. I cannot wait to see where we all are 10 years from now.

Name: Brock Gleeson

Birthplace: Grand Junction, Colorado

Currently residing: Jackson, Wyoming

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: I’ve been a semi-pro musician for ten years, I’ve lived all over the US playing music in such cities as Nashville, Austin, Phoenix, and Denver.

Website: facebook reverbnation myspace

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

My favorite musicians are typically the ones I grew up on, it’s their music that has really created me as a musician from childhood, ie. Hank Williams, Willie Nelson, James Taylor, Joan Baez, but recently I’m deeply into Justin Townes Earle, Josh Ritter, Joe Firstman, The Damnwells and Jason Isbell and the 400 unit.

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Ray LaMontagne’s line from the song ‘Empty’ always kills me, “She lifts her skirt up to her knees, walks through the garden of roses with her bare feet laughing”

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

I would say my perfect day starts and ends with coffee and my beautiful wife, doesn’t really matter where that is.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

I suppose you have to ask my friends that, but I’d hope it was loyalty and kindness.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

There are more than a few possessions I am extremely attached to (my uncles banjo, my 25 anniversary Gretsch, and my hummingbird) but unfortunately it’s probably my cell phone.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I would be nervous to meet Bob Dylan, just to shake the hand of the man that wrote all of those amazing songs might be overwhelming.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

I’m pretty sure I haven’t been to my favorite place as of yet. But if I would blink my eyes and end up next to a warm ocean, well that’d be just fine.

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

I would like to do some more writing in the future, whether that is music, movies or novels. I just hope to write more.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

In ten years I see my wife and I in Africa helping out in a medical clinic. That’s the plan anyways!

Name: Aran Buzzas

Birthplace: Helena, MT

Currently residing: Missoula, MT

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: I started playing guitar when I was 15, forming a classic rock cover band with my best friends that lasted just over two years.  After high school and the band’s end, I went in a more singer/songwriter oriented direction, playing acoustic guitar and hitting the open mike scene.  For years I played mostly for myself, producing a (very) rough cassette demo in the late 90’s that I gave to close friends and family.  It wasn’t until late 2007, at the end of a long musical dry spell that new inspiration struck.  I began writing and singing traditional country music, released a homemade CD, Just Bein’ Here, of mostly old songs I needed to get out of my system, and began practicing in earnest with the plan of forming a band and conquering the world. Or at least western Montana.  Unfortunately it was about this time that I developed recurring tendonitis in my forearms, and that has slowed my musical ambitions the past three years.  However it’s allowed me to focus on my vocals, and write a collection of new songs, more in the honky-tonk vein than my older stuff.  In summer of 2010 I released a four song demo, The Niki’s Closet Demo, which showcases my new direction.  Since fall of 2010 I have opened for several touring roots music bands, including two of my very favorites the Clumsy Lovers and Hellbound Glory.  My songs have been played extensively on underground country podcasts, and just in the last month I’ve begun work on a full length professionally recorded album.

Website: facebook  reverbnation

 1.  Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

I am such a music nerd that you would really have to break it down by genre!  Since I’m a country musician, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams (Sr.), Willie Nelson, and Merle Haggard are huge influences on me.  The Dubliners, The Pogues, Flogging Molly’s early stuff, and Altan for the Irish trad.  CCR, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Steppenwolf, Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson etc.  Contemporary artists include Hellbound Glory, Whitey Morgan & the 78s, Caleb Klauder, J.B. Beverley & the Wayward Drifters, Cutthroat Shamrock, Calamity Cubes, Clumsy Lovers, .357 String Band, McDougall, Rachel Brooke, Wayne Hancock, Dale Watson and too many more to list!

 2.  Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

There are many of them, in many different musical genres.  “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” by Hank Williams comes to mind.  Certain Irish rebel songs stir things deep inside of me.  Soundtracks to certain movies, and so on…

3.  How would you describe your perfect day?

This is a tough question, but it would involve a large home cooked breakfast, lots of guitar time, family, friends, sunshine and homemade beer.

4.  What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

You would really have to ask them this question!

5.  What is your most valued material possession?

Besides old journals and photo albums, it is without a doubt my guitar.  Predictable, but true.

6.  Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I was nervous when I met Wayne “The Train” Hancock.  I would be really nervous meeting Willie Nelson.  Probably Merle Haggard as well.

7.  If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be? 

Since it’s cold weather out right now, I’d say Makena Beach on Maui.  If it were warmer it would be somewhere in the west of Ireland.

8.  Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

More music.  Always striving to play more.  Maybe more traveling as well.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

I would like to have a reasonably stable band unit that is well established in Missoula, and maybe tours occasionally around the northwest, west coast, or even to some of the more prominent roots music festivals in the U.S.  I can’t imagine living somewhere besides Missoula!

Name: Jeremy Sibson

Birthplace: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Currently residing: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: I started playing drums professionally in 1980 when I was 12 years old in theatre musicals and when I was 17 joined the Australian Army as a musician where I stayed for 8 ½ years and when I got out I started playing in an original Prog Rock band and then a succession of jazz, funk, and big bands all the while keeping on playing in pit orchestras and highland pipe bands until in 1999 I discovered my love of the Bodhrán which I have been playing in various Irish groups since and in 2008 I went back to University to gain my Bachelor of Music and Teaching.

Website: http://jeremysibson.com

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Phillip Glass, Duke Ellington, Bill Whelan, Danny Elfman, Dr. John, Flook, Buddy Rich, Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl, Genesis, Solas, John Joe Kelly, Cormac Byrne, Martin O’Neill, Beethoven,

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

“Bridge Attack” by Bill Whelan from the film “Some Mother’s Son”.

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

Waking up to my son and wife and then going and playing a session at the pub with good mates.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

My musical knowledge and accompanying skills.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

A toss-up between my wedding ring and my collection of family photos going back 7 generations.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I was nervous meeting Dave Weckl for the first time.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Inis Oirr at Craiceann.

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Go to and play at festivals in Ireland.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

With my family living in Ireland (where my wife is from).

Name: John David Limbert Kirby

Birthplace: Burlington Ontario Canada

Currently residing: Borington (Burlington)

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: Starting, stopping, maintaining balance.

Website: kirbysings.com 

1.  Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Loaded questions, but off the top of my head, The Beatles, Zepplin, Corwin Fox, Lindy, The 80s Pop movement, the numerous musicians I’ve met on the road, Coldplay, Barry Manilow, Phil Collins, Motown…most music in general or anything that moves me.  

2.  Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

I swear to god…I Will Remember You by Sarah McLachlan. It really is a great song. Over played to the point of near irrelevance, but man…it gets you there.  

3.  How would you describe your perfect day?

Wake up at 10, coffee,  compose a song for a movie or commercial or something, LLLLLUNCH, walk or hike or something, NNNNNNAP, rocking sold out show somewhere. Free Beer. Party. Bed, 4am.  

4.  What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

My beard. But most of my music friends say I’m funny, or at least I can make them laugh. So I like I can do that. They might say, “He’d never take your last beer unless you insisted on it.”  

5.  What is your most valued material possession?

There are 3. Guitar, Computer, Car. In that order.  

6.  Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I would get gitty meeting Dave Grohl. Or physically paralyzed around Natalie Portman. 

7.  If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be? 

Asking myself that every day. But I’d say right now, on tour, somewhere in Europe or Australia or something.  

8.  Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Tour internationally more. I’ve really gotten to know Canada well travelling it so much. Love to do that around the world.  

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Somewhere where I’m happy, not worrying about money and able to play/make music.

Name: Sarah Burton

Birthplace: Ottawa, ON

Currently residing: Toronto, ON

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: piano student turned guitar grunge kid at 13, but didn’t perform til age 21 and now sings her heart out almost every night in alt-folk format but wishes she was a dance/rap star.

Website: sarahburton.ca

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1.  Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Elvis Costello, Aimee Mann, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Gram Parsons, Ryan Adams, The who, Sloan, Belle & Sebastian, Muse, Weezer

2.  Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Too many to mention but the first that comes to mind right now is Billy Bragg – “I saw two shooting stars last night, I wished on them, but they were only satellites, It’s wrong to wish on space hardware, I wish, I wish, I wish you cared.“

3.  How would you describe your perfect day?

Wake up from the sun shining through the window, drink a good coffee, eat some fruit, walk down to the beach, go swimming, take a ride in a boat, play some music, meet some funny strangers, ride bikes, laugh my ass off, try parasailing, eat spicy foods and take a ride in a helicopter. Or a unicorn

4.  What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

My sense of fun and adventure. And my rapping skillz.

5.  What is your most valued material possession?

I should say my guitar, but it’s probably my phone…

6.  Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

A shark or an octopus

7.  If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Hawaii!

8.  Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Swim

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

On a boat, muthafucka!

Name: Richie Reinholdt

Birthplace: Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan

Currently residing: Missoula Montana

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: I played in a bunch of bands and recorded a bunch of albums

Website: richiereinholdt.com

1.  Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?  

uh…..Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Bill Monroe, Neko Case, The Band, Robbie Fulks, Buddy Miller, Bob Marley, Buck Owens, Marshall Crenshaw, Buffalo Springfield

2.  Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

wow…so many…Neko Case-Wish I Was The Moon Tonight……..Buffalo Springfield-Broken Arrow

3.  How would you describe your perfect day?

A cold Sapporo and a sushi roll on the beach at Hanalei Kaua’i

4.  What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

I have no idea 

5.  What is your most valued material possession?

my 1945 Herringbone Martin D 28 

6.  Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

Bob Dylan 

7.  If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Kaua’i 

8.  Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

play more shows were people actually listen 

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

alive

Name: Heather Lewin

Birthplace: Milwaukee, WI USA

Currently residing: West Allis, WI USA

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: Music was always a big part of our family gatherings…everyone sang & danced & played instruments (Hee-Haw and Lawrence Welk were always on at grandma’s house)…so around age 9, I started singing & dancing with a variety group called The Sunshine Kids, which inspired me to take vocal lessons…& about that same time, my parents bought an organ, which came with a half-year of free private lessons & my older sister refused to play it, so I took organ lessons… In summer of that year, I tried trombone & it was way too big for me (& tasted horrible), so I returned it and asked for something else, but the only instrument they had left was a viola (which I’d never actually heard of before, but I was just glad I didn’t have to blow into it)… so I played viola throughout middle school, then I went to High School of the Arts as a vocalist & I started playing cello while I was there (& loved it!) &  played in lots of orchestras (MYSO,  Central Wisconsin Symphony, Shorewood Players, Whitefish Bay Players, Concord Chamber Orchestra)  then went to college to study cello & music education & eventually started teaching music & began fiddling & started playing for dancers & joined lots of different bands (The O’Shyttes, the Consorte of Somesorte, Bounding Main, The Romaniax, Roberts Quartet, West of Ennis, The Mighty Lumberhorn, Athas, Slainte L’Chayim, Irish Fest Ceili Band, Astral Subastral, Andreas Transo’s Handful of Earth Band), some of which I still fiddle & sing with today.

Website: heatherlewinmusic.com

1.  Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Composers: Arbeau, Praetorius, Playford, Telemann, Vivaldi, Corelli, Bach

Fiddlers: Liz Carroll, Casey Driessen, Bruce Molsky, Ben Sollee, Trevor Exter, Chris Bain, Franklin George, Henry Reed

2.  Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Bill Withers- Ain’t No Sunshine

3.  How would you describe your perfect day?

Waking up in another country with a pocketful of cash, a fiddle and nowhere in particular to be. Going sightseeing, making music and sampling local cuisine. Stumbling upon a used bookstore, where I’d find a rare antique book that I’ve always wanted. Eventually meeting up with friends or family & going to a museum or festival. Ending the night in a cosy bed with my recently acquired book & some great tunes playing quietly in the background until I fall asleep.

4.  What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

My fearlessness?

5.  What is your most valued material possession?

Old family photos

6.  Who were you, or would you be, nervous to meet?

I love meeting new people. I’m completely fascinated by everyone.  Not nervous, just curious. That said, the highest profile people I’ve met & played for are the governor of Chiba, Japan & the President of Ireland. Both are great gals.

7.  If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Ireland

8.  Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Sing more & play the blues.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Still fiddling.

Name: STEVE MITCHELL

Birthplace: North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Currently residing: Nashville, Tennessee

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: An ongoing experiment in musical chemistry, including The Wounded Cheesies, 1982-1983; The Tree Of Plenty, 1985-1987; Ernie’s Coffee Shop, 1987-1990; The Festive Eddies, 1990-1992; Travels With Charley, 1992-1995; Yardsale, 1995-2000; The Paperboys, 1999-2005; The Haphazards, present.

Website: the haphazards

 1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson, Gram Parsons, The Grateful Dead, Emmy-Lou Harris, Neil Young, John Hiatt, The Staples Family, Willie Nelson, Andrew Bird, Taj Mahal, Death Cab For Cutie, Ry Cooder, Bob Dylan, Dave Brubeck, Doug Sahm, Talib Qweli, Kanye West, Sufjan Stevens, Miles Davis, NRBQ, Wilco, Ryan Adams, Steve Earle, Feist, U2, The Rolling Stones, Don Williams, Elton John (before 1975) and the Talking Heads.

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

The Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows” and “Surf’s Up”, The Grateful Dead’s “Stella Blue” and “Box Of Rain”, Lee Ann Womack’s “The Bees”, “Chicago” by Sufjan Stevens, “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Paul Simon, “Hot Burrito #1” by Gram Parsons.

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

Finishing up a new song, charting it for the demo musicians, having a glass of red wine, and then playing the song for my wife.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

I do my best to really listen. And I provide healthy snacks.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

My Goldtone resophonic guitar.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I met one of my musical heroes and biggest influences, Emmy Lou Harris, and we talked about homeless dogs. I can’t imagine that it would feel comfortable to meet Bob Dylan.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

In the Kendrick Cabin, next to Cameron Lake, Vancouver Island, on the patio, with my guitar and a hot coffee.

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Learn how to use power tools and renovate old homes.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Anywhere, as long as I’m accompanied by my wife Leslie, my daughter Molly and our mellow long-haired chihuahua, Acorn.

Name: ray johnston

Birthplace: Montgomery, al

Currently residing: dallas Tx

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: college and early corporate career spurty cover musician then made NBA team then battled leukemia on and off thru 4 relapses then formed ray johnston band in sep 09′

Website: rayjohnstonband.com

1.  Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Bands: allman brothers, dave Matthews band, average white band, Stevie wonder, zac brown band.

2.  Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

“Don’t you think life would be awfully boring, if the good times were all we had” (pat green – Crazy)

3.  How would you describe your perfect day?

Early morning duck hunt, mid morning quiet time writing or praising God, darn good lunch, hour siesta, afternoon quail or pheasant hunt, date with a cool cute girl, then our band has a show at red rocks.

4.  What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

Enthusiasm

5.  What is your most valued material possession?

A Rolex that my dad’s men in Vietnam gave to him then he passed it down to me.

6.  Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

Jennifer Anniston

7.  If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be? 

Snow skiing in park city

8.  Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Dougie

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

As a humble giving man who has a band that plays 100 fun shows to (5000-7500 capacity) venues a year and still stands for what’s right and for the Lord above

photo: elmo tham

Name: Terry Clark

Birthplace: Honolulu, HI

Currently residing: Richmond, VA

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: After being in this band for the last 18 years, I can safely say that Carbon Leaf represents my musical past, present and future.

Website: carbonleaf.com  facebook

1.  Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present? 

Neil Young, Cream, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Rush, Marillion, Uncle Tupelo, Ray Lamontagne, The Decemberists

2.  Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally? 

The second half of the guitar solo in Hells Bells by AC/DC and the third chorus of The Pogues version of An The Band Played Waltzing Matilda.  Also, when Mariah Carey hits “that high note”

3.  How would you describe your perfect day?

A day spent with my family… with no chores, email, or deadlines of any sort!

4.  What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

My general good nature and my work ethic.

5.  What is your most valued material possession?

My 1975 Gibson ES335

6.  Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

Neil Young or Angus Young

7.  If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be? 

My family’s summer cottage on the Chesapeake Bay. Or St. Barts.

8.  Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Create more music!

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

The big house on the hill! (not big house as in prison)

Name: Leslie Alexander 

Birthplace: Calgary AB 

Currently residing: Ashcroft BC  

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: I grew up on a sheep farm and couldn’t wait to hit the road, make mistakes and writing songs about them, which turned into four independent records and international touring with the likes of Jane Siberry, Barney Bentall and my own band the Wild Rose Hippies. 

Website: lesliealexander.com 

1.  Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Bruce, Joni, Bob, Wilco, Ray LaMontagne, Tom Waits, Steve Earle, Lynn Miles, Corb Lund 

2.  Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally? 

Born to Run 

3.  How would you describe your perfect day? 

Friends, food, sun, music, and no agenda. 

4.  What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you? 

My endless supply of fodder for speculation and gossip. 

5.  What is your most valued material possession? 

My guitar, followed closely by my computer. My phone doesn’t rate! 

6.  Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet? 

Nobody, unless they were going to hurt me. 

7.  If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?  

Carthew Ridge, Waterton Park, AB 

8.  Is there something you would like to do more of in the future? 

Play big shows 

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years? 

In a cabin by a creek unless I’m on the road playing big shows.

Name: Jeremy Breaks

Birthplace: Prince George, BC Canada

Currently residing: Vancouver, BC

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: I was born into a musical family and had a father that built a shack dedicated to playing music in our back yard, he later opened a music store in Prince George and I worked and networked out of there for 5 years while I was still playing Disco Punk music, but eventually decided that I had out grown my home town and needed to move to Vancouver to pursue music further and distance myself from “bad influences”, after tree planting for 1 season I developed a love for roots/rock bluegrass and folk music and picked up the banjo which redirected me musically, also I met Scott Perrie “the other half of Redgy Blackout” and have been writing and playing music with him for 6 years now and we have made 1 record and 3 EP’s.

Website: redgyblackout.com

1.  Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Ryan Adams, Crooked Still, The Avett Brothers, Waylon Jennings, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Devotchka, The Beatles, Pink Floyd…I will stop now

2.  Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

The score in the movie “Gladiator” always makes me cry

3.  How would you describe your perfect day?

Finishing a song that your really happy with and then going for a swim in a Kootenay Lake with my lovely…

4.  What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

Apparently I am a very sweet man…lol

5.  What is your most valued material possession?

Probably my 80’s Squier tele that my dad gave me and my cat “Doug”

6.  Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

David Suzuki

7.  If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Sitting on a beach on the Oregon coast.

8.  Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Travelling, All over………

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Healthy and living in a small town in the Kootenay’s writing music professionally and raising a family;)

—

photo: belinda bruce

Name: Jane Gowan

Birthplace: Vancouver, BC

Currently residing: Toronto, ON

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence:

I was lucky to be born into a house with 2 pianos, so I learned piano before dropping it as a teen, then taking it up again and going to music school where I met many marvelous people and learned about jazz, world music, new music, improvisation and got my mind blown at the Glass Slipper, took up the trumpet, then got sidetracked by folk, and took up the accordion and joined a band called Fear of Drinking and had some great times but eventually got fired (oops), but by this time had met the lovely and talented Koralee Tonack at school who loved the same songs as me, and we formed Time Waits which became Spygirl which is a wonderful warm messed-up musical family of the dearest friends and most talented souls, but everyone’s having beautiful babies and doing their lives and I’m in Toronto now and I’m a happily married stepmom of 4, and I miss my Spygirls and also my bandmates from other Vancouver bands I inhabited (such as Belinda Bruce and the Tawny Stars, and The Neins Circa) and good people from places I’ve worked along the way (Coastal Jazz & Blues, The Vancouver Int’l Film Festival for example), but luckily out here in the humid summers and frigid winters the songs keep knocking on my door and wanting in, so to humour them I took up electric guitar and formed Shade (a pop/rock quartet); we recorded an album in 2010 called Highway, and then I made a new Shade EP (One Last Show of Hearts) with just me and my friend Tim Vesely, which will be released with minimal fanfare on Nov 22, and in the meantime I’ve formed a duo with my pal Llynn Kellman who is awesomely creative and gifted, and we’re called The Llynn and Jane Show and I consider myself very fortunate indeed to be able to do what I love.

Website: shademusic.com

1.  Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Elliott Smith, Tom Waits, M Ward, Gillian Welch, Calexico, Los Lobos, Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris, The Pretenders, The Kinks, Lucinda Williams, Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Beethoven, Schubert, Glenn Gould, Nick Drake, Lyle Lovett, Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley, Karen Dalton, Johnny Cash, Paul Weller, Billy Bragg, Flight of the Conchords, Elvis Costello, Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, Amy Winehouse, Otis Redding, Beck, Marc Ribot, Francoise Hardy, The Lonely Island.

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

“Holy Man and Holy Priest, 

this love of life makes me weak in my knees, 

so when we get there make your play, 

’cause soon I fear it’s gonna carry us away 

to a promised lie you made us believe, 

for so many men there is so much grief, 

and my mind is proud but it aches with rage, 

and if I live too long I’m afraid I’ll die. 

Strangers on this road we are on, we are not two, we are one”

from the song  “Strangers”, by Ray Davies and The Kinks

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

It would start with strong coffee and acoustic guitar in the kitchen; it would contain no deadlines, and would involve a lot of aimless puttering and abstract musing. A friend would drop by late morning and we’d laugh a lot. Then just as the friend departs, there would be a knock at the front door, and a man dressed smartly in a 3-piece suit with a wool cap tucked under his arm would hand me a letter, which would turn out to be an invitation from Tom Waits to open for him on his next tour. I’d hug the man, tip him $100, then watch him ride away on his bicycle. I’d go back into the house and resume puttering, but now with intent.

 4.  What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

my baking

 5. What is your most valued material possession?

A piece of jewellery that my Dad made for me.

 6.  Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

The Dalai Lama

7.  If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

On a bike, in the sun, on a flat dry road.

8.  Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

sing

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Writing songs for the next Clint Eastwood or Wes Anderson film.

Name: Christina Maria

Birthplace: Vancouver

Currently residing: Zurich/Vancouver

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: Acoustic guitar songwriter turned electric guitar, keyboard beat face.

Website

1.  Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Three from before and three from now. Steve Miller, Indigo Girls, CSN&Y, St.Vincent, The Dirty Projectors, Tune-Yards.

2.  Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

A good example would be a whole album. The Cinematic Movie Orchestra album, “Ma Fleur,” while I’m driving, always moves and relaxes me.  

3.  How would you describe your perfect day?

 A day spent in nature, with good food and wine. I like to climb mountains, looking for crystals.

4.  What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

 Themselves. I love my friends 🙂 Though I travel a lot and leave them constantly… I meet the most wonderful people everywhere I go and I’m very thankful for them. Also maybe my friends would say that they appreciate that they could probably always beat me in an arm wrestle.

5.  What is your most valued material possession?

 Slippers that my gramma made, I bring them everywhere.

6.  Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

Myself in 20 years. Holy caca, I would be nervous. But I’m sure everything would be fine, I should have my own waterslides/theme parks by then so it would probably be a lot of fun. 

7.  If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be? 

Flying in the sky. I dream about it all the time. I can go anywhere and see everything. I love it. I also must say that where I am is pretty great too (living in an old farmhouse near Zurich in Switzerland). Zurich, Vancouver and Bali are the most beautiful places I’ve ever been in real life.

8.  Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

 Always more art. Maybe high-fiving, because I always miss and its so awkward when I do.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Self sufficient on an island off British Columbia. I think its important to know how to do- be self sufficient.

Name: Britt Kristine Arnesen aka 907Britt

Birthplace: Anchorage, Alaska

Currently residing: Missoula, Montana

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: I like to write music, be a good mom, play guitar and piano, pick berries, play shows and make records with Richie Reinholdt, make YouTube videos, and share original songs, though I didn’t always understand that was my calling, so before I released my first album Continental Divide in 2010 I had spent six years in a natural resource management career in Alaska where I walked away from a great job and financial security to write, record, and perform music for an (ever-frugal) living, which means we eat a lot of lentils, and although being a (too) young single mom poses huge challenges for me as a musician, having all the free time to spend with Canyon has been absolutely worth it, because I took that boy to Yellowstone, even if Mama never took ME to Yellowstone.

Website: 907Britt.com and facebook

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Richie Reinholdt, the Acousticals, Gordon Bok, Patty Griffin, David Gray, James McMurtry, Simon & Garfunkel, Tom Waits, Gillian Welch, Neil Young, Eva Cassidy, Jackson Browne, Yukon Ryder, Ben Harper…now you said “favorite” so I am only going by emotional preference here. Of course I respect, learn from, and revere many others. But each of these artists has many songs I can put on repeat endlessly. And then there’s Sarah C. Hanson, local hero to a young teenager in Juneau and Fairbanks.

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

“Song for Adam” from Jackson Browne’s first record.

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

Run-on sentence #2. I would wake up early on the wings of an exhilarating dream feeling well-rested, drink coffee, do dishes from last night’s dinner while I cook hot breakfast, wake up my son Canyon to great smells, get him to the bus stop on time, play morning music at the Wheat Montana with my favorite banjo player, go out berry picking, cut a couple tracks in the studio, chat with my mom on the phone, kiddo arrives at bus stop on time, build Legos, cook dinner, pet Panther the kitty cat, play guitar while Canyon builds Lego, receive good news on email, work on a purdy fingerpickin’ love song while he reads until lights out, then snuggle up while he falls asleep, then… well, uh…I guess I would go to sleep too, unless there was a moonlight beach nearby. Hey, that sounds a lot like many of my days.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

I would hope it’s my heart.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

My 1957 Gibson J-50 guitar. We met at Greg Boyd’s House of Fine Instruments when I traveled through Missoula last January and it was love at first note (low G). I’ve never been the same since.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

The principal?

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Midnight sun berry picking tundra on Murphy Dome west of Fairbanks, Alaska with my favorite people.

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Play original music and make records with Richie Reinholdt!

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

More of the best, less of the worst, and me wiser and better at managing all of it. I hope to have a few more (and ever awesomer) records, and deepening musical and personal relationships. In ten years my son Canyon will be ready to move out of the house. That will be a huge change. We’ll just have to see how the gypsy in me handles it. Ten years ago I never would have guessed I would end up in Missoula, Montana playing music full time. Prediction fails. Hopes and dreams are cool. I keep re-reading The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb (no relation to the recent movie of the same name).

Name: Tim Easton

Birthplace: Lewiston, NY

Currently residing: Joshua Tree, CA

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence:  My brothers taught me to play guitar and when I started writing poetry they said I could write songs so next thing you know I’m a street musician in Europe for around 7 years just to live life and experience things and read and learn to write and then I came back to America to start making records.

Website: timeaston.com

1.  Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?
With composers I guess I’m a traditional Mozart kind of guy. I do like some of the modern stuff like Phillip Glass, but mostly I’m a folk musician and I love Doc Watson and Mississippi John Hurt and Sonny Terry/Brownie Maghee and folks like that. I will put them on the record player around the house most of the time. The Kinks have been getting some airplay around here as well lately. Same with Lightning Hopkins, songwriters like M. Ward and Connor Oberst move me, and I’m always blown away with the amount of work that Jack White kicks out every year.

2.  Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?
The first song on Joni Mitchell’s BLUE album when she sings “I am on the road and I am traveling traveling traveling….” and then basically that whole album from there on out.  A lot of times, when I get misty during a tune, I’ll find it’s a woman singing.

3.  How would you describe your perfect day?
It definitely starts with a hassle free morning where I can lay in bed a while and read something.  Poetry, fiction, The New Yorker or The Week…and then I’d get up, have some coffee and toast and juice and get right to work on writing or making music.  I’m not a morning person, per se, but I like to do creative stuff right after getting up, before the news of the day or whatever distraction happens.  Now that I have a daughter, all of this has changed, and I’m learning that a perfect day involves playing with her and teaching.  A good meal with family and maybe friends, lots of laughter,  a nice walk… these all factor in there somewhere.

4.  What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?
Sense of humour, energy, and that they cannot predict what I am going to do or say.

5.  What is your most valued material possession?
Probably my Gibson J-45 that I used as a street musician all those years ago.

6.  Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?
I was appropriately nervous to meet Paul McCartney, and I managed to tell him that I had a four track. I guess being around Bob Dylan might throw you off your game a bit, but really, he’s just another dude who writes, paints, and plays.

7.  If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?
Alaska comes to mind first.  Some amazing hangs there….but, it’s getting kind of cold at this moment, so I’d have to say on the beach in the tropics in one of those Gauguin paintings.

8.  Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?
Write write write. Take the Trans-Siberian Express across Russia through Mongolia.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?
Happy with family and friends and animals living in the country, but that’s where I am today.  So maybe it will be the city for a spell.

Name:  Marvin Lee Reininger

Birthplace:  Clarkston, Wa.

Currently residing: Lewiston, Id.

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: I have been a part of or played in 7 bands.  MASTER PO, THE RUMMIES, THE ELECTRO-MAGNETS, THE BAD BATS, thE burpieS, bum notes, and HEARTS FALL LIKE LEAVES.

Website: Marvin Lee Reininger

1.  Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present? 

The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Billy Childish, Jarvis Cocker, Black Flag, Ian MacKaye, MF DOOM aka DOOM, and Mike Patton. 

2.  Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally? 

The tail-end of CAN’T YOU HEAR ME KNOCKIN’ by The rolling Stones. 

3.  How would you describe your perfect day? 

Coffee, tunes (whether playing music or listening to music), good food, a couple beers in the evening, and a full nights rest.  Yep, I’m a simple man. 

4.  What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you? 

I have no idea.  Ask them! 

5.  What is your most valued material possession? 

Fender Mustang 

6.  Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet? 

I was super nervous when I met Mike Patton and Sherman Alexie. 

7.  If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be? 

I’m already there. 

8.  Is there something you would like to do more of in the future? 

Play more music, write more, read more, more more more more. 

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years? 

In the same position I am in now.  Happy to be back home!

Name: Larry Hirshberg

Birthplace:  Boston, Massachusetts

Currently residing: Missoula, Montana

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: Saw The Beatles on Ed Sullivan and didn’t care. Was petrified by Led Zeppelin’s Dazed and Confused coming from my tiny transistor radio. Loved Cecilia. Loved Suite: Judy Blue Eyes. Loved Southern Man. Loved Roundabout. Loved Killer Queen. Loved The Piano Has Been Drinking. Loved Mud Shark. Loved The Grand Illusion. Went to college. Was turned on to The Grateful Dead. (Thanks Chris C.) Saw some shows in ’77-’78. Started playing guitar and writing songs in late 1978, after seeing a Jerry Garcia Band show in Cheney, WA. Saw some more Dead shows. Saw John Fahey. Saw Bob Marley. Saw Joni Mitchell. Got first electric guitar and Ibanez TS-808. Still have the 808. Formed The Porcupines in Santa Fe in late 1981. Saw some more Dead shows. Porcupines broke up in Eugene in 1984. Wrote a lot of songs. Played in Boston a lot between ’86 and ’94. Saw some more Dead shows, as well as some Sun Ra, some Lucinda Williams, Tom Waits and The Church. Wrote a lot of songs. Played in Strunk and White. Played in The Bagboys. Formed Th’ Spectacles in 1994. Returned to Missoula. Wrote a lot of songs. Played bass with Tom Catmull 1999-2003. Played some blues bass after that. Got paid. Wrote a lot of songs. Fronted The Trillionaires 2004-2006. Did not get paid. Now – Solo artist who wishes he had time to be in a band phase. I know there are a lot of periods in this “sentence,” but it sure runs on and rambles, doesn’t it?

Website: larry hirshberg 

1.  Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Jerry Garcia, Robert Hunter, Peter Case, Terje Rypdal, Sun Ra, James McMurtry, Steve Kilbey, Tom Waits, John Fahey, Aimee Mann, Son Seals, etc. 

2.  Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

“Polegnala e Todora,” by The Bulgarian State Radio and Television Female Vocal Choir. No shit! 

3.  How would you describe your perfect day?

It has a bird in it that I’ve never seen before. 

4.  What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

A.)When I’m quiet. B.) My wife. 

5.  What is your most valued material possession?

2004 ALCS game 4 ticket stub….* 

6.  Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet? The dentist. 

7.  If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be? 

The place the words come from.

8.  Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Dream. Breathe. See Iceland. Eat lobster in Maine. My wife. Walk. Canoe. Play chess with my daughter. Model railroading. Listen to Dark Star. Good gigs.

 9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Having lunch in Rarotonga with my wife, daughter AND the person who discovered the cure for Type 1 diabetes, whom we invited on our vacation because we love that person and because we just won the lottery.

*(and regarding that 2004 ALCS game 4 ticket stub, that is total bullshit. Of course I didn’t go to that game.)

Name: Rich Hope     

Birthplace: Edmonton, AB

Currently residing: Vancouver, BC

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: Made first record in 1998 called “Good To Go” followed by 5 yrs in John Ford, who were a band ahead of it’s time or behind it’s time depending on how you look at it we made a self-titled album in 1999 and got signed to EMI and wasted their money while they wasted our time and we put out 2003’s Bullets For Dreamers and then i went back to my own thing and put out Rich Hope and His Evil Doers (Maximum Music) in 2005 and lots of people liked it and then i put out Rich Hope is Gonna Whip It on Ya (Sandbag Records, 2009) as a two-piece trashy boogie blues machine and played the Olympics and did some big shows with some big acts and even more people dug us and then we put out a single last year called I See Trouble (Sandbag, 2010) and made a great video with the Zenga Brothers and even more people dug that and I’m working on a new album that’ll probably be country like they used to make when country didn’t suck.

Website: richhope.com

1.  Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

The Clash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, The ROlling Stones, Jr. Kimbrough, Son House, RL Burnside, The Dirtbombs, Doug Sahm/Sir Douglas Quintet

 2.  Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

2nd verse of The Clash’s “Tommy Gun” Love Mick Jones guitar part.

 3.  How would you describe your perfect day?

I would describe it as a “perfect day”

 4.  What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

Ask them.   

5.  What is your most valued material possession?

Don’t have one.  Stuff is just stuff. But I do love my guitars and bicycles.    

6.  Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

Bruce Springsteen.  

7.  If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

On my bicycle.

8.  Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Make more music 

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Hanging out with my kids

Name: Dustin Bentall

Birthplace: Vancouver, BC

Currently residing: North Vancouver, BC

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: Dad was a rock star so I’m just taking over the family business, same old story.

Website: dustinbentall.com

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

The Band

The Beatles

Neil Young

Tom Petty

Bruce Springsteen

Eliott Smith

Wilco

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

The piano outro of Layla after the guitar wankfest  ends. I was quite young when I watched Goodfellas for the first time and that music played when all the bodies of the dead gangsters started showing up after a night of some serious mob killings. Epic scene. Loved it.

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

waking up to breakfast in bed and then coming downstairs to find an endless supply of cocaine.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

The fact that my dad was famous

5. What is your most valued material possession?

my guitars, ’73 Martin D-18 and ’90 Gibson ES335. actually, probably my iPhone.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

Wayne Gretzky. Great guy

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be? 

On stage. anywhere.

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

riding horses and shootin’ guns on my ranch. when i get my ranch.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

my own island in the caribbean.

Name: Larry Kirwan

Birthplace: Wexford, Ireland

Currently residing: New York City

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence:  Bought guitar, left home, still going….

Website: black47.com

1.  Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Everyone from the Johnny Reck Showband through Dylan (Thomas and Bobby) to Miles… and on it goes…

2.  Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Ave Maria

3.  How would you describe your perfect day?

Begins with tea, ends with booze, with a little creation in between.

4.  What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

You better ask them, they’ve never told me.

5.  What is your most valued material possession?

My eyesight

6.  Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

The Iceman.

 7.  If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

One step ahead of the hounds.

8.  Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Create.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Above ground.