Here are the questions I asked Tony:
1. what inspired you to play music?
2. how has music changed your life?
3. what bands do you listen to and how have they shaped your music?
4. what advice do you have for others that want to pursue in music as their career?
5. where did you get the idea for the name of your band?
6. what do you want your fans to know about you that they might not know already?
7. what is racing your mind before you go on stage?
This is how he responded:
1. My grandmother Carol inspired me to play music. She raised me basically from birth when I lived back home in Kansas City. She was a very good singer and we always went to church and sang hymns together.
2. Thats a tricky question because being in a band and just listening to music are two different things. Listening to music is like reading; the more you read the more you learn. The more you listen and practice music the better you get at structuring songs and writing, so in listening to my favorite bands, I began to write songs that sounded like them. Being in a band has changed my life because it's becoming something I can build a future on. I've made a lot of friendships, went through a lot of good times and bummer times but I got through it. Basically, in the words of Morgan Freeman, "He crawled through 500 yards of shit and came out clean on the other side"
3. I listen to a variety of music but i'll tell you what I'm hooked on currently: Title Fight, they just put out a new record and from what I've heard it's great. Lifetime is one of my favorite bands, Motion City Soundtrack, A Wilhelm Scream, Saves the Day, Shook Ones, etc. But at the other end of the spectrum i'm huge on Dr. Dre, Dangerdoom and Eazy E fan. It hasn't really shaped our music, more of our failure to sound like our influences that has resulted what we play haha. But its cool, because we think its unique.
4. First, understand that you have to play the music you love with people you could LIVE with. If you're going to be in a serious band, you have to build a foundation and put work into it. Bands that put in work will reap benefits, I promise you that. I've seen bands with Berklee talent and Green Day sized potential just sit around on that talent until it rotted away. Hard work overcomes talent at one point, so make sure you put in the work to back up the talent you have. The next thing i'd say is tour as much as possible. We have internet and all that yadda yadda, but hitting the road and learning to manage money will make you a better band, and your music will evolve. More advice: don't be an asshole to others. Don't be that guy that lights up a doobie at someones house show. Don't be that guy who gets hammered all the time. People don't have to like you so don't step over the line. Be gracious if you get the chance to play music because there are people who don't get that privilege in other countries. Next, understand that Record Labels aren't as cool as you think. In this day and age, it's better to self-promote until you get a deal thats worth taking. Arcade Fire winning album of the year on an indie label is just great for all of the smaller bands because it shows you that you don't need to think about getting on a certain label to make it big. Just put in hard work, make records you're proud of, and the rest will follow.
5. Our band, Stickup Kid, was named after a song by the rapper Side FX. We just liked the sound of it.
6. Hmm. Good question. I'd let them know that all of us dudes in our band grew up broke as hell with blue collar parents and worked for what we have, and when we see people appreciate what we've done it makes us feel proud of the work we've put in.
7. Hahahaha hopefully this goes through every singer's mind "Don't forget to breathe"
Everyone should take 5 minutes out of their day to listen to an amazing band called Stickup Kid. They are truly one of a kind and will keep you wanting to listen to more of their exceptional songs!!! A talent that should be recognized.
No comments:
Post a Comment