rickyleepotts …an opinionated realist

It is rare to find a band who brings light to the meaning of talent. But the band that I am sitting with today does that and then some. Not only do they look and sound like they need to be on center stage at Warped Tour, but they also sound like they belong on the radio and on your iPod. These guys are from Indianapolis, Indiana and I cannot believe that it took me this long to find out about them. They scream here and there, which I usually do not like, but it is so well done that it is hard not to fall in love with it. Their lyrics are very educated and as far as I can tell come from real life situations. Sit back, relax, and get to know the guys in Ironsides.

Where did you guys all meet?

Guitar Center, Facebook, and theft of a guitar player from another band.

How long have you been playing together?

Oh…almost two years.

I am digging the MySpace page. Who designed that?

Mister Lawrence Rosinko.

Speaking of MySpace, what are your thoughts on the service?

Yes?  We love our fans, and love that they can love us via MySpace.

Are you guys on Twitter?

Josh and Robby are both on Twitter and would love to be followed, @josh9288 and @veryelaborate, respectively.  Nic has one as well but Josh and I are the only ones with the password. (Laughs)

Where did you come up with that band name?

The name of the band before was The Last Word and then Robby joined, we wrote all new music and decided that we needed a new band name.  Things were tossed around for a while and then Robby chimes in with “Hey guess what, we are called Ironsides now.”

Who is the ringleader of the band?

Well that is a bit complicated; we split it up.  Nic handles the money, Josh handles the MySpace and all that, and Robby is just…kinda…weird.

Describe your genre in one word.

Ambibrutal.

Where do you guys practice?

Casa De Ironsides, up in Carmel.  Want to hang out later?

Do you have a favorite venue?

We love any venue full of people.

Do you guys have jobs outside of music?

Indeed we do.  Nic is your friendly neighborhood Jimmy John’s driver, Josh is getting pretty good at getting fired, Robby is on welfare, Butters is in high school, and Zek cleans windows.

Who is doing all of that screaming?

That would be Josh.

Who has the most tattoos?

Robby, with four…we need more tattoos.

Tell me about White Horse Entertainment.

White Horse Entertainment is run by our good buddy Joshua “Lego” Lohrman.  He is everywhere, at every show, and sometimes he is on our couch when we come home eating Cheetos.

What are you drinking on stage?

Water, Gatorade, Monster Energy Drinks, and sometimes coffee.

What is the biggest crowd you have ever played for?

Cornerstone for sure.

The smallest?

Here is a story for you:  Josh and Robby were commissioned a while back to do a one off acoustic show at a café in Illinois.  No one showed up and we played to the guy that owned the place and his wife.  Until she left, and then he got a phone call.  We ended up playing to a 100% empty room.

If you could tour with anyone in the market right now who would you guys pick?

Oh Sleeper.  Love those guys.  Cool dudes.

You have a very Warped Tour style of sound. Have you ever thought about trying to get on any of those dates?

We have tossed the idea around; maybe next year.

Do you guys play outside of Indianapolis a lot?

As much as possible.  We hit Illinois a lot.  They seem to like us there.

If you could live anywhere else in the world where would you go?

Canada! They give bands government money!

How did you guys react to the passing of the King of Pop?

Consequently we received news of his passing while we were on our way to the acoustic show mentioned in a previous question.  We like to think that his spirit filled the empty room as we dedicated that show to him.

Where can I get some of your merchandise?

Come to a show! We want to see your faces.

Who does all the songwriting?

Most of that falls on Josh.  He brings a song idea, everyone plays around, with it, bada bing bada boom, Ironsides.

PC or a Mac?

Mac.

Who are some of your biggest inspirations?

Willie Nelson, Our Army of K-9s, and Hannah Montana.

If you could only play one song for the rest of your life, which song would you choose?

The Finisher by Oh Sleeper.  We are listening to it right now.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

On the road,  assuming Robby lives that long.  He does foolish things like picking fights with bears and jungle cats.

What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?

That we made good music.

I always let the artist get the last word. Go.

Pewp.

I first met this man on Twitter, so it is fitting that when I took some time to sit down with him that it be on the social networking site itself. I have, since first chatting with him, gotten to know a little bit more about what makes this guy tick. I had the chance, not long after we sat down on Twitter, to meet this guy in person at an event held at Scotty’s Brewhouse up on the north side of Indianapolis. He is a true gentleman and a guy that I think you should take the time to get to know. With his efforts online to his efforts from 9-5, he is a perfect example of a man that “get it” when speaking on social media. So sit back, relax, and take some time to get to know the man that is Robby Slaughter.

(For those of you that do not know how Twitter works, messages that start with @robbyslaughter are messages from me to the artist.  Messages that start with @rickyleepotts are his responses.  I have set a limit to 140 characters for this interview and all questions and answers must fit in 1 single tweet.  All of the messages you see have not been edited and are exactly as I received them.)

So tell me @robbyslaughter, what is that you actually do for a living?

@rickyleepotts I help people. That’s what we all do for a living. My primary interest is in bottom-up workflow and productivity.

@robbyslaughter Can you help me?  I have been sick for the last three days.  Any words of advice on how to keep focused?

@rickyleepotts First: ask coworkers to give you a day without interruptions to catch up.

@rickyleepotts Second: Go through and reply to every email you received with: “I’ve been out sick, but I WILL reply within 48 hrs.”

@rickyleepotts And finally, make sure you leave on time the first day back! No use making yourself relapse.

@robbyslaughter That is some good advice.  Thank you.  So where did you go to college to learn how to help people like myself?

@rickyleepotts One of the big challenges of workflow and productivity is people feel like it’s too academic or too complicated to …

@rickyleepotts work smarter, because of tools or obscure terms. But the reality is that more important than a college degree is a new

@rickyleepotts perspective on work.

@robbyslaughter U are cheating u know. U are only supposed to be allowed 140 characters to respond. But that’s OK. I like it! Pepsi or Coke?

@rickyleepotts I didn’t know about the 140 character limit! I like Pespi better.

@robbyslaughter I will take the blame for not explaining the rules to you.  Don’t worry, @paulpoteet cheated too. You a Colts fan?

@rickyleepotts Yes, Go #colts! You can’t live in Indy and not be a Colts fan.

@robbyslaughter I beg to differ.  I HATE the Colts.  (Notice how I did NOT use a #?) According to Twitter you are a trouble maker?

@rickyleepotts If you’re not making trouble, what are you doing? Progress requires thinking differently.

@robbyslaughter You are very well spoken.  I like that.  Any reason why you follow more people on Twitter than follow you?

@rickyleepotts I don’t pay attention to follower/following counts. I just try to take part in the community, and numbers emerge.

@robbyslaughter I think you should write @HALLMARKPR cards.  What is on your Christmas list this year?

@rickyleepotts Thanks, I think. Xmas list: World peace. I don’t really have anything that I’m excited about.

@robbyslaughter How many people work for @slaughterdev?

@rickyleepotts Three plus myself.

@robbyslaughter So are you an @iPhone user?

@rickyleepotts I am, and user is the right word. There is use, there is addiction, and not really any grander benefit.

@robbyslaughter Is this your first time being interviewed on Twitter?

@rickyleepotts Yes, it’s my first time for a TwitterView.

@robbyslaughter Well in all of my interviews I let the artist (you are an artist in my mind) get the last word. So with that being said, GO!

@rickyleepotts Thanks for the TwitterView. I hope it was fun for all who listened in! Check us out at http://www.slaughterdevelopment.com/

From the moment you walk into this quaint little joint that is Napoli Villa you feel as if though you have stepped into a little café on the other side of the pond. (Having spent six months in Paris, France, I know what it is like to have a meal in a foreign country. Napoli Villa brought back a ton of memories of my time over seas.) The walls appear to be old and rustic, the decorations, including the local artist paintings hanging on the walls (all of which are for sale), are fitting to the theme, and the attention the service staffs pays to you does not fit the Americana stereotype. Even the wine rack hanging behind the bar has a story behind it.

Napoli Villa has recently gone through a complete renovation and just celebrated their grand re-opening this past Sunday. But before I start talking about the multi-course meal and the band that performed while we all dined to celebrate their re-opening, I wanted to touch base on the event that happened prior; yet another great Paul Poteet’s Gotta Eat!

This particular PPGE was on a Sunday, which is the first time one of these has taken place on the weekend. Did that mean there would be a bigger crowd than usual? That is exactly what that meant. The events normally start at 4:30 in the afternoon making it difficult for some to attend the ones during the week but being on Sunday opened the door for a lot more people.

Napoli Villa sits in the heart of Beech Grove on the cities’ southeast side. Beech Grove is not easy to find however, at least the way Google Maps described how to get there. If you have not been down there before make sure you have a map readily available in case you get lost. You literally get there by driving through a few neighborhoods on your way. You see homes and small businesses on either side then all of a sudden you run straight into Napoli Villa. The restaurant is small and sits on the corner of what appears to be the Beech Grove main street. There is free public parking all around which is nice.

We got started with their appetizer sampler, for lack of a better word. It was stacked high with a variety of cheeses, two kinds of olives, some deep fried ravioli (which would later prove to be the single best item we would taste all night) and a few other samplings. From there we were greeted with some more of the deep fried ravioli and some of the freshest bruschetta I have ever tasted.

Based off the taste alone you could tell that this stuff was home made. The ravioli’s outside was dusted with a subtle crust and the inside was filled with a soft and savory cheese. And the bruschetta had a nice toasted base with a heavy scent and flavor of olives. Each bite made you feel more and more like you were sitting at a table somewhere on the streets of Italy. Any place that can produce food that smells and tastes as authentic as this deserves some attention.

Napoli Villa then featured their specialty. It is said that they offer the best meatballs in the world. So when the meatballs came, and after a round of applause for the master mind behind these delicate round treats, we dug in. Now, I don’t know about you, but I have had a variety of meatballs in my day. Most of them taste about the same and are based on the sauce you dip them in more than the meat itself. But these little guys were not only the furthest things from ordinary, they didn’t taste like any other meatball that I have ever had. I won’t go as far as saying these are the best meatballs in the world, but they are incredible.

We also had the chance to try bowtie pasta that had a spicy sausage and red sauce base to it. It was delicious and I am not sure if the sauce itself was producing the spice or the sausage, but I begged for seconds by the time I had finished my first plate. Just then a huge platter of fresh calamari hit the table. The calamari was very lightly breaded, similar to that of the breaded ravioli. It also had a hint of salt, which made it taste more authentic. Granted, while the amount of food at this PPGE event was not as much as previous events, it was at a much higher quality which did not call for a lot in quantity to produce a true authentic Italian quality.

Joining us at this week’s PPGE was a handful of regulars. You had guys like Chris Hadley of Cuisine Made Quick, Walter Grassi from Smart USA, and even Bob and Jessica Clark made it out. (These two are a treat to have present at these events. If you do not know Bob and Jessica Clark then you need to not only come to the next event but you need to make sure you introduce yourself to these two individuals.) There were also new faces sitting all around. Folks like Ian Meyers, Travis Weik and Sheryl Hugill attended their first experience. And based on their reaction to the food, they all seemed to have a great time.

Napoli Villa is family owned and operated and it truly shows in the way you are treated from their host staff at the front door to the service staff to even the executive chef walking around and introducing him to each and every table. You feel at home, not as if you are out for a nice meal, and you are treated as though you truly matter to the restaurant owners. Welcoming in the Paul Poteet event was a great way to introduce all of us to the restaurant. But we don’t stop there. When the first event came to a close around 6:00 PM it was time to start preparing for the next event. That night, after Paul Poteet’s Gotta Eat, Napolia Villa had their official grand re-opening party. I was lucky enough to be invited to join in this as well.

After all of the folks from PPGE made their way toward the ext, the staff worked quickly and diligently to clean the room we were just in. They were running a little behind, you could tell, but it took no time at all to get everything setup for the dinner party.

The room that we found ourselves in for the duration of the evening was quite small. Granted, there were a ton of folks in there for the event with Mr. Poteet, but it seemed very crowded and made it difficult to move around once people started arriving. However, they managed to make it open up a little for the dinner party as the tables were now organized differently and there was plenty of space to breath. Just as we got settled into our table a server walked up and asked us what we wanted to drink.

I was actually, at the time, a little uncertain what this follow up event was. I knew that it was their grand re-opening dinner, but I was uncertain as to what all was included and what we could expect. The server, unfortunately, did not provide me with a very detailed description, but throughout the evening we would learn it was simply a multi-course meal showcasing some of their specialty dishes. Who can be upset with these meatballs, their cheesy pasta, and their incredible oil drenched salads?

One thing I did notice that caught me off guard was their dishware. I understand they are a family owned and operated establishment, but not all of their dishware matched. Even at our four-person table there were dishes from various collections. The salad plates and the bread plates did not match and unless I am missing something, that is quite the initial eyesore. Of course, there might be a story behind it as to why they use the dishware that they do, but it was noticeable to anyone paying attention.

Another thing that caught me off guard was their plate presentations. For instance, the pasta dish that came right before the main course during dinner was just a pile of pasta on a plate. It was something I would imagine better served in a bowl, and there was nothing to enhance the dish what so ever. It literally was just pasta on a plate. The pasta was good, don’t get me wrong, but I wanted my eyes to be a little more entertained.

The dinner was well balanced. The night was finished off with a lemon cream cannoli and a nice cup of coffee. Considering all of the food that we ate during the Paul Poteet event, and the five courses we had at dinner, all I wanted to do was take a nap and relax. The meal was definitely what I would call, “filled with comfort food” and the conversation throughout the evening was absolutely irreplaceable. Meeting new people is something I thrive on and these events are made for that.

So the folks over at Napoli Villa, thank you for your incredible hospitality and delicious food. From the salad to the meatballs and the calamari to the ravioli, know that you will be seeing me again very soon. They have created something special here in the Circle City by offering you a truly authentic Italian experience. Make sure that you take a trip to Beech Grove and visit everyone at Napoli Villa very soon.

The band that I am sitting with today needs no introduction. They bring to the stage a sound that is nearly impossible to replicate and a certain style that deserves some attention. They are dressed exactly how they sound, their album cover matches their style to perfection, and their sound begs for more. If I had to rate them on a scale of 1 to 10 as far as their overall image and branding is concerned, I would give them an 11. Sharing the stage with bands like the Sick Puppies, Breaking Benjamin, and Chevelle, they are getting invaluable exposure and are selling records as fast as they can produce them. They are touring the United States and are winning fans in every corner of the globe with their hit single Eyesore. Their name is unique, their style is fitting, and the talent is impressive. It is my absolute pleasure to introduce you to the next big thing in rock music, Janus.

Where in the world did you come up with that name?

Janus is a Roman god of gates and beginnings and is depicted as a figure with two faces, one looking forward to the future and the other looking back to the past.  Honestly, we just thought it sounded cool, but it really encapsulates how we approach songwriting.  We’re always looking at what we’ve done in the past to learn and build on what we’re going to do in the future.

How long have you all been together?

This lineup has been together about three and a half years.

When did you first decide you wanted to give this a music thing a run for its money?

I’ve wanted to be in a band since I was thirteen years old.  Writing, recording and performing our songs is the best thing I can imagine doing.  This is actually the first band I’ve had where I felt like we had something special.

Where do you guys practice?

We practice in Chicago , but we’ve been on the road so much we don’t practice anymore.  The shows are our practice now.

I love your album cover. Who designed that?

Thanks!  Our singer David Scotney designed all of the artwork.  Everything you see from the album to the website to the merch is created by him.

You guys are doing some pretty heavy touring right now. What do you like about being on the road every night?

Playing shows and meeting fans is the best.  That’s the fun part.  Everything else is some kind of business or logistical task.  It’s just the four of us out here on the road, so we wear a lot of different hats.

What is like being on the road with Chevelle?

The Chevelle tour has been amazing!  Those guys have been really nice and super helpful with everything.  We actually crashed our van and trailer in a snowstorm traveling from Pennsylvania to Ohio , and Chevelle took our gear to the next town so we could get the trailer fixed up.  Other than that, we’ve had some really candid conversations around the music business/touring/etc., and the path they’ve taken.  Very insightful.

Where can I get some Janus merchandise?

You can get Janus merchandise at our shows or our online store.

Wait wait wait, you are going on the road with the Sick Puppies too? Do you ever quit?

Not really! (Laughs)  The best thing we can be doing for this band right now is touring.  There are still a lot of markets we haven’t been to yet and a few key markets we’ve only been to once or twice.  Despite the radio and Internet, you really have to do a lot of touring before people really know who you are.

If you could only perform one song for the rest of your career what would it be?

Right now it would be “Eyesore.”  I love seeing people getting rowdy in the crowd.  It would be great to see that forever.

Who writes all of the lyrics?

Our singer David writes all of the lyrics.

Is there a ringleader in the band?

That depends on the day.  I’m not sure anyone is really “in charge.”

What are you guys drinking on stage?

Beer or water.  I usually bring something on stage to drink and never touch it.  I feel weird about that…like people came to see us play not stand here and drink.  Less drink more rock!

If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go?

Portland, Oregon.

What are your thoughts on MySpace?

It’s got its pros and cons.  You have to have a MySpace page as a band at this point, but it can’t be the only thing you have.  I think people are so sick of bands on MySpace at this point, because they are constantly bombarded by messages and bulletins.  Being obnoxious will only earn you so many fans.

Are you guys on Twitter?

Yes we are!  You can find the band account, Mike’s account, David’s account, Johnny’s account, and even Al’s account on Twitter!

What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on stage?

I stepped on a cord while running across the stage and slid like five feet almost taking out the drum kit.  That could have been disastrous.

How did you react to the passing of Michael Jackson earlier last year?

Michael Jackson’s music was phenomenal.  His persona creeped me out though, and I grew more and more distant to him and his music over the years.  Still, I was shocked and saddened to hear of his passing.

How cool is it being featured on MTV with the Headbanger’s Ball?

Amazing!   Been a fan of the show for a long time, so it was cool to do something I’ve seen some of my favorite bands do over the years.

Do you guys have a favorite venue to play?

I don’t have a favorite venue, but I did really enjoy playing the Riviera in Chicago recently.  Up until that point, I’ve only seen shows there so getting a chance to stand on that stage in front of a sold-out house was amazing.

What is largest crowd that you have ever played for?

Probably somewhere around 3,000.

The smallest?

Probably ten people.  We happened to be touring Tennessee and Kentucky right around the same time they were getting show storms.  They never get snow, so one inch of snow and the town shuts down.

Who are some of your influences?

I’m a huge Deftones fan.  I grew up listening to mostly heavy music though, so I draw influences from rock and metal.  I’ve been listening to a lot of old Pantera records lately and Lamb of God.

Where do you see yourselves in five years?

Hopefully we’re on our forth or fifth record at that point and not driving around in a van to all these  shows.  I’d like to continue making music for as long as possible.

What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?

If we can connect with people through our music then that’s all we need.  It’s what we’ve wanted to do our whole life.

I always let the artist get the last word. Go.

Stop.  (Laughs)

The guy that I am sitting with today has a story to tell. He actually has quite a few stories to tell. Good thing he is a singer and a songwriter. He tells his stories on stage with a guitar in his hand. Outside of the fact he is about as laid back as they come, he is also an incredibly nice individual. His skills on the acoustic matched with him trained vocals talents makes him a great excuse to see a live show. His songs have unique titles and you can tell, just off of the lyrics alone, that he has been through more than an average person should ever have to go through. I first met this cat at Birdy’s Bar and Grill and have become good friends since. Sit with me today as it is my absolute pleasure to introduce you to Jason Firebaugh.

So how do you actually pronounce that last name of yours?

It’s just like saying Fireball…except you don’t prounce the two ll’s on the end of it.

Is it true you just moved to the Indianapolis area?

It is true that I just moved back to Indianapolis.  I was away for about seven years, lived in Florida and Texas in that time.  Glad to be back though!

Describe your genre in one word.

Heartfelt.

Do you write all of your own lyrics?

For the most part, yes.  There’s only one song that I can’t take complete lyrical credit for.

Have you ever co-written with anyone?

Yes, I used to be in a punk band in Florida called Skylab Hoax.  We collectively wrote a song called “Best Disguise” that I still play on my own.  I also have two songs in which friends of mine gave me titles and I wrote lyrics based on those titles.  Those were really fun.

Tell me about the Acoustic Live Challenge that you just experienced.

The Acoustic Live Challenge was a great experience!  I entered it mostly to get more into the music scene here in Indy.  I haven’t been playing my solo/acoustic stuff for very long so I knew I would have a tough time winning, and I was up against some absolutely amazing musicians.  I learned a great deal just watching everyone else play and I also met some great people that I will continue to play with in the future.

Who are some of your biggest inspirations?

Musically speaking, I have a ton…and honestly, most of them fall in the “Punk Rock” genre.  Face to Face, Screeching Weasel, Blink 182, Green Day; just to name a few.  In life, my friends and family inspire me everyday.  Every song I’ve written has at least one person (if not more) as my inspiration.

If you could be any cartoon character whom would you be and why?

Louis/Cornelius from Meet The Robinsons.  This is my favorite Disney movie.  I like the message and theme of the movie.  Basically saying, you live and you learn and you move on from it.

What are you drinking on stage?

Beer, typically Miller High Life, Coors Light, or Bud Light.

Do you have a job outside of music?

Yes, I currently have a job in a warehouse that pays the bills…but just barely.

What would you be doing if you were not playing music?

I enjoy the lyric writing process so I would hope that I would still be writing in some fashion.  Maybe poetry or short stories.

If you cold live anywhere else in the world where would you go?

Any place that is warm year round, is near water, and has nice beaches.  If it meets those three criteria, I’m down.

What was the last movie you saw?

Inglourious Basterds.

Did you like it?

I did like it.  I enjoy most Tarantino movies. I would watch this one again.

If you could only play one song for the rest of your career what song would you choose?

I have a song called “Love Found Never Lost” that I wrote about my sister and her husband.  Basically about their love story; how they ended up together, etc.  That would be the one, it’s one of my favorites.

How long have you been performing?

On my own as a solo act, I first played out in October; so about four months.  But prior to this I played for a few years in a punk band.

Do you play anything besides the guitar?

Not really…although I could still play a C scale on trumpet if you ever need that.

Let’s say you are about to headline a show at Verizon Wireless Music Center. Who is your opening act?

Locally, either Brad Odom or Eddie Brummett.  If I could be selfish and pick a nationallly known opening act that I really wanted to see and hang out with, I would pick Blink 182.

Are you a Colts fan?

Now you’re talking my language.  I love the Colts!  Huge, huge fan!  Besides music, following the Colts is my biggest passion!

How did you react to the news about Michael Jackson?

This may sound morbid or strange, but it seemed normal to me.  It just seemed like with the ups and downs, all the strange things that happened in his life, it just didn’t surprise me that much.  Although I will say, with all he contributed to music, it was a pretty big loss.

I hear you are not on Twitter yet.

I am not.  You are correct…although I am hoping to get started “tweeting” at some point soon…is that right?  Tweeting?

What are your thoughts on MySpace?

I think MySpace is great.  I think it was the first place where musicians could really get their name out there and network around the world without having to physically travel to places.

Who has more talent between Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers?

You know how the Colts questions was Awesome?  This is the complete and total opposite of awesome…but if I must answer, I will say the Jonas Brothers.  I loathe Miley Cyrus.

Coke or Pepsi?

Coke.

Can you name SpongeBob SquarePants best friend?

Patrick?  Is that right?  I have five nieces and nephews, that is the only reason I even have a guess.

You are a songwriter. That means you must know how to tell a good story. Tell me a story.

So I was in Broad Ripple about nine or ten years ago.  My friends and I decided to head into Rock Lobster, and yes, I am that old.  It was a Friday or Saturday night, so it was packed.  After having a few drinks, I needed to use the restroom.  For those of you that are either female or haven’t been to the Rock Lobster, they have (or had, not sure if they still do) a trough style urinal.  One big urinal where guys just line up next to one another to go to the bathroom.  Anyway, I end up at the far right of the trough and there are three guys to my left.  I hear the door open and a guy yells out to the three guys, “Scoot down, make room.”  So they do.  This guy stands right beside me and proceeds to drop his pants completely; so he is standing there in his boxers only.  I laughed to myself and he looks and says, “Don’t tell me you’re not seeing this?”  I had no response due to the fact of who this person was…none other than future Hall of Famer and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning.

Do you ever play outside of the city of Indianapolis?

I played a show in Illinois in December, but nothing else yet.  I really hope to be able to play at various places in the Midwest as I get more established.

If you could meet anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why?

One person who is kind of a personal hero, but one that I didn’t mention as an inspiration earlier…Warren Zevon.  He was an amazing lyricist, with a very unique voice.  And the fact that he decided to write a final album in the time he had left on earth, speaks volumes of what he was as a person and as a musician.  I would love to be able to meet him and talk with him about his entire life.

If you were offered a large sum of money to do a rap album with someone else’s lyrics would you do it?

Absolutely not!  I am not a fan of rap and I wouldn’t want to be successful off of something I didn’t do myself.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I see myself still playing music.  Although I would like to be able to make a career of it, the odds are very slim.  No matter what happens, I am a lifelong singer/songwriter/musician.

What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?

I want to be remembered as a person who truly, honestly cared.  Someone that cared about other people and their feelings.  Someone that cared about society.  Someone that cared about making music that was from the heart and took the time to ensure that it always was.  If I give that impression off to people, then I will be happy with my life.

I always let the artist get the last word. Go.

Rock On!  Go Colts!

The guy I am sitting with today has some serious talent that you just can’t afford to miss. He brings not only raw talent to the stage in his guitar playing abilities, but his songwriting is some of the best I have ever heard. Not to mention that he is one of the nicest and most humble guys in the music industry. He works his butt off producing music and tours every chance that he gets. I have a hard time fitting him into a genre, but all across the board he produces some incredible music. I first met this guy at a hole in the wall bar here in the heart of Indianapolis, Indiana. He was sitting in the corner playing on his computer when I first saw him and he has left an impression on me every since. (Perhaps it was the John Deere hat he was wearing.) With a list of influences a mile long it is hard to compare this guy to anyone else in the industry. But regardless, it is time to sit back, relax, and get to know the man that is Ryan Horne.

What is your first memory of the guitar?

Picking up my fathers old Martin and turning it upside down and trying to play it. I am left handed and I knew then and there that I would buy a left handed guitar.

How long have you been performing?

Starting performing with a band I played and sang with in high school. Starting making a living playing music in 2004.

Do you have a job outside of music?

I do not. I am able to play music for a living these days and it works.

Do you write all your own lyrics?

Most of the time but as of late I have been doing a lot of co-writing with other artists and writers. Creatively, it is so much fun to have different perspectives.

Where do you get inspiration for a new track?

Everywhere. That is a tough question to answer because you can see a man walking the streets and get inspired to write. So many things inspire new tracks.

Where are you originally from?

I am from Marietta, Georgia. It is a suburb of Atlanta.

How do you like it down there in Atlanta?

I like it more and more and we are starting to bring the Atlanta music scene together and make it more into a community.

What is your favorite venue to play?

The Workplay Theatre in Birmingham, Alabama.

What is the largest crowd that you have ever played for?

Probably around 2,000.

The smallest?

Probably around 5. (Laughs)

What is your opinion on MySpace?

It is dirty now with all the ads and all the strippers, not a huge fan but I love Facebook.

Are you on Twitter?

Yes, I am on Twitter at @ryanhornemusic.

How did you react to the news about Michael Jackson?

Not much of a reaction; just thought he had some great tunes.

How many albums do you have out now?

About to release my fifth record but I do not sell the first two anymore; I don’t like them.

Where can I get some Ryan Horne merchandise?

You can get merchandise on my website.

Describe your genre in one word.

Americana.

Tell me a little bit about the new record.

A collection of tracks that I enjoy. Focus is on the songwriting (the melodies, the lyrics). Has a little more of a southern rock plavor to it on some songs.

Do you have a favorite song on the record?

Yes, Hell To Pay. It is about a shooting I witnessed in Atlanta.

Who are some of your biggest influences?

So many to name. Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Martin Sexton, Ryan Adams, Patty Griffin, etc. Too many to list. Lots of great artists and songs out there.

Tell me a little bit about Patchwork Records.

Home grown. A project I started in college. Not much else to say about it right now.

Who would win in a pillow fight between Nathan Angelo and Micah Dalton?

Hard to say, they would be pretty even.

What are you drinking on stage?

Usually water.

If you could only play one cover song for the rest of your career what song would you choose?

Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen.

Is there any song that you play in every set?

Yes, 4th of July which will be on the new record that is coming out December 8th.

If you were told that you only have a week to live how would you spend your last seven days?

Traveling to places around the world that I have never been to.

If you could tour with anyone in the market right now who would you choose?

Patty Griffin or Martin Sexton.

What would you be doing if you were not performing?

I would be an engineer in a studio. I have a degree in Recording from MTSU.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Still putting out records, still traveling and playing.

What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?

All of the songs that I have written. I want to write 1,000’s of great songs.

I always let the artist get the last word.  Go.

The new album is coming December 8th! (Note that this interview was conducted prior to the release of his latest album.)

When you first see what this band looks like you cannot help but wonder what they sound like. Giving you an almost Enya sort of feel from their website/MySpace design and their photography you assume you will get hit with a soft ambient sort of sound. But you will get pretty much the exact opposite. This band that I am sitting with today takes a sound like what you expect from Evanescence, tosses in some almost techno beats, and then dishes out some polished and educated lyrics to produce a sound that is hard to replicate. When I first introduced myself to these guys I couldn’t help but want to get to know them better. It is rare to find a duo like this and even more rare to see a duo perform at such a high skill level. These two actually met over the Internet (seems to be a popular way to meet people these days) and their passion for music goes simply unmatched So take a few minutes, sit back with me today and get to know the group that is Lorelei.

Where did you come up with that name?

(Chris) Shannon and I both read a book called, “The Dogs of Babel” by Carolyn Parkhurst. It’s about a man and his dog, which was the only witness to his wife’s death. The dog’s name was Lorelei, which is fitting since Shannon has some dog features.

(Shannon) Funny, Chris! The story was very beautiful and we were both inspired by it. Then we discovered that Lorelei comes from a German myth. She’s a young maiden who haunts the Rhine River and lures in sailors with her song.  I used to be in an all-female a capella group in college, the USC Sirens.  Lorelei is the German equivalent of a Siren. We both liked the idea of a female seductress enticing men to their doom.

Actually, speaking of the name; how do you pronounce that?

Lore – uh – lie.

Where are you originally from?

(Chris) I grew up in Port Orchard, a suburb south of Seattle. Same stomping grounds as many of the famous Seattle musicians, like Kurt Cobian for example.

(Shannon) I grew up in Gig Harbor.  We realized that our childhood homes were only a few miles a part from each other! 

How did you meet?

(Chris) I posted an ad on Craigslist, believe it or not. I had been searching for months for the perfect singer, and Shannon responded. The rest is history!

(Shannon) Yep, I had just moved from LA to Seattle and was looking for some creative outlets to get involved with in addition to my solo project.  I saw his ad and emailed him. He listened to my music and he contacted me.  He sent me some songs that he had recorded with a previous singer who didn’t work out.  Chris was obviously very talented. We met up, started collaborating really well together…and here we are!

What are your thoughts on MySpace?

(Chris) MySpace is a great network for artists/bands who may never get heard outside of their home town. It’s a nice place to create a following and be able to communicate directly with fans. There have been many artists who have found success from MySpace popularity, like the Arctic Monkeys.

(Shannon) Honestly, I’m not a big fan of MySpace, but I do feel we should have a page, since most bands do.  It has gotten so filled with spam lately and it’s hard to weed out the real fans from the ones trying to promote themselves.  But it’s still a great tool for promoting our music and connecting with fans.  I’m more of a Facebook gal.

Are you on Twitter?

(Chris) I think so…Shannon, are we on Twitter?

(Shannon)  I have a Twitter account.  It’s: shanrockeileen. Hit me up!

Who are some of your biggest influences?

(Chris) I have always have been heavily influenced by UK music, and musicians.  Radiohead, Keene, and David Gray for example. I grew up in a musical family and I was exposed to a lot of blues and bluegrass music. Daryl Hall from Hall & Oats shagged my mom on one of their tours, so that is where a lot of my talent came from.  Eric Clapton is one of my biggest guitar influences. I started playing guitar while listening to a lot of Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath.

(Shannon) One of my biggest influences as a singer and songwriter is Sade. She crosses all genres. Her music is soothing, soulful and timeless. Other vocal influences are jazz and soul singers, like Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Dusty Springfield and Eva Cassidy.

Do you guys have a favorite venue?

(Chris) Not really any favorites. I like venues where you are up close and personal with your audience. I also really love playing outdoor venues as well. It’s my dream to play at The Gorge in Eastern Washington someday

(Shannon) One day, Chris! My dream venue would be the Hollywood Bowl.

Do you ever tour outside of Washington?

(Chris) We played a showcase at the Viper Room in Hollywood last year.

(Shannon) And we’re planning a northwest tour in 2010, which will include Seattle, Portland and San Francisco.

Who is the ringleader of the band?

(Chris) Shannon and I work equally on Lorelei. Decisions, direction, and ideas.

(Shannon) Yeah, we’re both the ringleaders.  We write the songs and record them.  The rest of our band mates just perform with us.

Who writes all of the lyrics?

(Chris) A few of the tunes on the album I wrote with a co-writer that I had been writing with for years. However, Shannon changed and re-wrote a lot of those.  All the other songs Shannon had lyric duty.

(Shannon) I’ve always felt it was important that I write the lyrics I sing.  With the exception of covers, it’s hard for me to really get into a song that someone else writes.  I think it comes across better emotionally, both on the recording and while performing live.

Where do you get inspiration for a new track?

(Chris) I’ll send Shannon music tracks that I feel great about, and she’ll work with the songs that inspire her.  Once she gets a melody and lyrics down, we’ll work out the final arrangements together.  It’s a great way to write songs actually.

(Shannon) Yeah, it works really well for us. Sometimes we’ll discuss the type of sound and vibe we want based on a certain song we’ve been listening to at the moment.  But it usually ends up turning out completely different from the original idea.  That’s why I love songwriting.  The songs take on a life of their own.

If you could be any cartoon character, whom would you be and why?

(Chris) Being Shaggy from Scooby Doo would be cool. He is the 70’s version of Ghost Hunters. Plus he has a pet dog that talks.

(Shannon) You kind of look like Shaggy!  For me, it’d be Wonder Woman. Because she kicks some butt and I already have her costume.

What is the biggest crowd that you have ever played for?

(Chris) My old band, Dead of Winter, opened for Stone Temple Pilots at the OK Hotel in Seattle. It was packed! That was a great show.

(Shannon) Mine was when I was flown out to perform a holiday concert for US troops and civilians in Guantanamo Bay. I felt like a celebrity there. That was an experience I’ll never forget.

The smallest?

(Chris) We set up a show opening for Alice In Chains, and only forty people showed up. A majority of the people were our friends and family. It was a big venue and it looked even emptier.

(Shannon) I got you beat. My smallest show was for five people. One of who was a drunken old man with a floor-length white beard swaying off beat. Granted, I didn’t promote the show, and it was technically just for practice.  But for morale purposes, I still had to be reminded multiple times that night that every band has to start somewhere!

If you could tour with any band out there right now who would you chose?

(Chris) U2 would be a great band to tour with, as they have such a huge fan base. Also, the Fray would be great. For “awe” purposes, I would love to do a song with Eric Clapton.

(Shannon) I think I’d choose Radiohead.  Or No Doubt.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would you live?

(Chris) Well, I must say Seattle is one of the best places to live in the world.  So I’m happy where I’m at. My second choice would be on my own vineyard in France or Italy, living peacefully making wine and music!

(Shannon) Yes, I’d live right where I am.  I want to travel all over the world and always come home to Seattle.

How long have you guys been performing together?

(Chris) Almost two years?

(Shannon) Yeah, just about two years now.

What is the last movie you saw?

(Chris) I saw the Hangover.

(Shannon) “Up In The Air” with George Clooney.

Did you like it?

(Chris) Yes, I thought it was a very funny movie. I would recommend seeing it, but not with children around!

(Shannon) I loved it.  I was tearing up throughout.

What would you be doing if you were not performing?

(Chris) I can’t imagine not performing music. That is a hard one, because I can’t really picture myself doing anything else. I think music keeps me out of trouble!  Perhaps I would paint oil paintings.

(Shannon) I’d probably be a visual artist and blogger. I recently started my own inspiration and design blog about things that make me happy.

What are your thoughts on the passing of Michael Jackson last year?

(Chris) I always loved MJ’s music. He was such a great pop songwriter. His influence is everywhere in modern music.  I believe he had a hard life and was greatly misunderstood.

(Shannon) I was pretty distraught.  I grew up with Michael in the 80’s and would create dance routines to his songs as a child.  I’d be lying if I said he didn’t influence me musically.  I was always a supporter of him throughout the sketchy years.

What is the last album you bought?

(Chris) I haven’t bought an album in a long time! I buy and download individual songs, but haven’t bought a full length CD in awhile. I haven’t felt there has been a full album that I must have.

(Shannon) Yeah, I feel the same way. But I’ve bought entire albums off of iTunes before.  The last one I purchased like that was Adele’s album, 19.

What are you drinking on stage?

(Chris) Bud Light and goat’s blood!

(Shannon) Yuck. Water.

Pepsi or Coke?

(Chris) Coke.  I like Coke better than Pepsi any day, especially Coke in a glass bottle.

(Shannon) I’m right there with you.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

(Chris) With a few Lorelei records under our belts, a large fan base and great tours. I will be satisfied knowing that we are sharing our music with the world.

(Shannon) Lorelei will have multiple #1 hits.  Perhaps we will have a Grammy nomination or two. Dream big!

What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?

(Chris) I’d like to be remembered as a creative guitarist /songwriter.  I’d like to make some kind of impact in the music world.

(Shannon) The reason why I sing and write songs is to be able to inspire others.  If I can touch other people’s lives in a meaningful way, impact them, uplift them, I will be happy and will know that my purpose on this earth has been fulfilled.

I always let the artist get the last word.  Go.

(Chris) 2010 is the breakout year for Lorelei!  We will put out our full length CD, shoot a video, and complete a west coast tour.  We are planning many big things for the band and we want our friends and fans to stay tuned!  I believe that all creative people out there should stick to what they believe in and stay confident in their art.  Even when it gets tough, it will pay off in the end.  Love and persistence is the key.

(Shannon) Thank you so much for interviewing us, Ricky!  Everyone, please come listen to our tunes on MySpace sign up for our mailing list.  Fans are our top priority and we always respond to genuine emails and comments.  Big things are happening and we’d love to have you along for the ride!

Paul Poteet is hungry. He is hungry for delicious food, good drinks, and invaluable conversation. Paul has actually taken his hunger and made it out to be an excuse to gather his closest friends and to invade any number of restaurants around our Circle City. This side project of Paul’s is called Paul Poteet’s Gotta Eat and has been gaining an increase in followers each and every event. The first event that I went to was held downtown at the Skyline Club. Since then he has held events at Urban Elements, the Brickhouse Burger Company, and The Pub, also located downtown. Paul actually has been hosting these events every couple of weeks. But, after picking his brain about the future of this side project he and some others close to him have said they plan on having at least one of these a week (more than likely on Thursday evening) in the very near future. I already know of two more that have been scheduled! There are a lot of good things coming from this man and his appetite, that is for sure.

The most recent stop on Paul’s journey took us to the north side, the far north side actually, all the way into Noblesville. Sitting deep inside a strip mall, a place called Eddy’s Sports Pub can be found. Sitting next door to El Rodeo, one of the best authentic Mexican restaurants you can find in this city, and across the street from a Crown Liquors and Chase Bank, you would not think to find a place serving the coldest beer around and some food that screams deep friend and delicious. There are over twenty big screen televisions hanging all over the place, video games in the corner to eat your quarters, and a bar as wide as the restaurant pouring anything you desire. The place even has the cliché corner bar neon signs showcasing Blue Moon, Corona Light, and Bud Light Lime. This is a place I could call home.

The event started with some munchies including some sloppy Joe nachos and some deep fried onion rings. The nachos were incredible. Just imagine a huge plate of nacho chips piled mile high with fresh sloppy Joes topped with shredded cheese, tomatoes, and jalapeños. By the time you are to the bottom of the plate (yeah, we made it all the way through them) you are left with nachos soggy with goodness.

The onion rings were simple, deep fried, and boring. Nothing really to get excited about when it comes to onion rings. It is also pretty hard to mess up onions rings. But the Buffalo wings that were served alongside it were another story. At first I passed these up as I was in the middle of a handful of conversations with guys like Daniel Herndon, but I could not hold off all night as I began to smell the heat from the buffalo sauce. Good thing there was a side of bleu cheese on the plate to cool my burning lips.

Shortly after I wiped my face clean of hot sauce came a plate filled with more deep fried goodness. This is what they mean when they say pub food. Food that is easy to make, fills you up, and forced you to drink one more beer. Speaking of beer, Eddy’s has some great drink specials. They run specials every night and all of the tables, at least on the restaurant side of the bar, had a table tent that explained all of their deals. Thursday nights they feature $2 domestic pints. Pretty hard to go wrong with deep fried and domestic.

About the time I was starting to get full I saw some friends of mine that I actually met at a previous Paul Poteet’s Gotta Eat event. I went over to say hello and here I was greeted with even more food. I started with a section of their club sandwich. Piled high was three slices of wheat toast, thin sliced tomatoes, turkey, ham, lettuce, and a mayonnaise that I could see myself bathing in. This stuff was tangy, but soothing at the same time. It absolutely made this sandwich perfect. It was so good I went back in for seconds and actually managed to clean the plate.

Now I am full. I moved from Coors Light to a Diet Coke and was ready to let everything just sit for a while before I tried to move. Just then John Karamanski, the man behind the curtain making these videos and images of the events, walks over with a pizza. He sits it on the table, grabs a few slices for his wife, and leaves the pizza for the rest of us. The four folks sharing the table beside us were just leaving so that meant more for us. I grabbed a piece, Bob Clark and Clayton McDaniel grabbed a slice, and we began enjoying what might be the single best piece of pizza we have ever eaten.

This pizza was not what I would call pub food. It was a chicken alfredo pizza. Yeah, a pub serving what tasted like brick oven chicken alfredo pizza. It was amazing. I devoured it hoping to enjoy one more piece when Paul himself walks up and grabs the last slice. He took one bite, knew there was something special here with this pizza, and managed to require a few napkins before had was finished. It was the perfect dessert for a meal filled with carbohydrates and calories.

As the night was wrapping up I made mention to Paul that the crowd was possibly the biggest I had seen yet. Half the restaurant was filled with people eating, drinking, and networking. Although they are not taking a head count at each one of these PPGE events, he felt it was the best crowd they had seen as well. Even the weather, which some blame Paul for in the first place, couldn’t stop folks from coming out. I tipped my waitress and my cap as I walked away from yet another successful event. Until next time, remember that Paul Poteet’s Gotta Eat.

The guy that I am sitting with today was first introduced to me by a coworker. I received an email from Ryan Mull, managing partner at IMAVEX, and he said that the two of us should meet. He was copied on the email and Ryan also made mention that I was doing interviews with artists all over the world. The interviews are done either in person, via email, or over Twitter and he decided that Twitter seemed like the more appropriate solution. (The in person interviews tend to get a little out of control. Sure, I can type as fast as someone speaks but it is hard keeping up when trying to have a conversation as well as capture every moment that I can while chatting.) So, we connected on Twitter and quickly realized that we needed more than 140 characters to get our thoughts across. So we moved from Twitter to email. Both collections of questions and answers are here in this blog. So sit back, relax, and get to know Kristian Andersen.

(For those of you that do not know how Twitter works, messages that start with @kristianindy are messages from me to the artist.  Messages that start with @rickyleepotts are his responses.  I have set a limit to 140 characters for this interview and all questions and answers must fit in 1 single tweet.  All of the messages you see have not been edited and are exactly as I received them. Also note that #RLPTV was an attempt to create a trending topic on Twitter with this interview. It also allows for users to search and find my content.)

Let’s start this interview with @kristianindy! Tell me, @kristianindy, what is it that you actually do for a living? #RLPTV

@rickyleepotts My team and I work with our clients to help them develop their brand, product, and business strategies. We call it BXD.

@kristianindy How many people are on your team? #RLPTV

@rickyleepotts We have 7 full time employees (including myself) and a couple of part-timers – http://bit.ly/7CPOIz #RLPTV

@kristianindy I LOVE that you just used a bit link. How concerned are you with traffic on your link shares? #RLPTV

@rickyleepotts How concerned am I? Um…I guess not very. Should I be? #RLPTV

@kristianindy In my opinion VERY. I obsess over traffic to my link shares. Same as my analytics report. So are you a #Colts fan?

@rickyleepotts Yeah – my primary analytics report is my monthly P&L statement. Season ticket holder for 10+ years. #RLPTV

@kristianindy No kidding? That is awesome. Do you like the new stadium?

@rickyleepotts The new stadium is great in most regards –1 of the best in the NFL. Better than that strip club the Cowboys call home.

@kristianindy I do not even watch football to be honest. You appear to be an educated man! Where did you go to college? #RLPTV

@rickyleepotts It sounds like your a golf guy. I graduated with a degree in Design from Anderson University, in Anderson, IN. #RLPTV

@kristianindy I am in fact a golf guy. Are you? I can see you on the course! So what is this I hear about you living in Arkansas?  #RLPTV

@rickyleepotts What did Mark Twain say about golf again? – http://bit.ly/86vwJi . I split time between my homes in Arkansas and Indy. #RLPTV

@kristianindy I enjoy some MT but I really like those bit links! & I want to have multiple homes! So, what is your favorite “brand”? #RLPTV

@rickyleepotts This short-form interview format is tricky isn’t it? #RLPTV

@kristianindy I like it though! It makes you think about your response. I would be more than happy to do an email interview if you rather?

@rickyleepotts No way. This is interesting. Keep ‘em coming. #RLPTV

@kristianindy That’s the spirit! You have worked with some pretty impressive clients. Who is your favorite? #RLPTV

@rickyleepotts We’re really proud of our affiliation with all of our clients. We try 2 only work w/ clients where there is a mutual respect.

@rickyleepotts Currently we’re really excited about @FormSpring @exacttarget and @rewardsnap

@kristianindy What is one thing every brand has in common? #RLPTV

@rickyleepotts The fact that, in spite of what they might like to believe, they are not (exclusively) in control of their brands. #RLPTV

@kristianindy No no, I know but just in your experience with brands. Think Apple, McDonald’s, Target. What do they have in common? #RLPTV?

@rickyleepotts You mean great/successful brands. Successful brands all have a simple, differentiated, and focused value proposition. #RLPTV

@kristianindy No no no, you did quite well! I always let the bands that I interview get the last word. So, you too! GO! #RLPTV

(*This is where the interview went from Twitter to being handled via email.)

I see that you have worked with Smaller Indiana. The logo on their website does not link. That bothers me as a designer and as someone who wants websites that I visit to be user friendly. However, every time that I try to contact someone from there I am NEVER replied to. I am handling it in a very professional manner. It is honestly leaving a very sour taste in my mouth. What are your thoughts on a website that has a logo that does not link to the home page?

I’m sorry to hear that you are not getting a response from the gang over at Smaller Indiana. They are an amazing group and have done an enormous service for the Indy business community. With that being said, I’m obviously a proponent of adhering to best practices when designing for the web.

Where do you see the Internet in ten years?

I don’t think we will see it. In ten years it (the Internet) will be so ingrained and embedded in our lives that it will become invisible. The end game is truly ubiquitous networking.

What is your biggest challenge working with brand management?

I think it’s getting clients to understand that you can’t control a brand via brute force. It’s like raising a teenager. If you just lock them in their room and try to exert total control, they will rebel and you’ll end up with the opposite of what you intended. Conversely, if you just let them go and provide no supervision or support the outcome could, and often will, be equally bad. Managing brands is about finding the right balance between control and chaos.

Your team, based on what I see on the website anyway, looks more like fashion models than brand experts. Do you encourage that atmosphere in the office?

(Laughs) We just have a great photographer. But I will say that often times really great designers tend to have refined aesthetic sensibilities that transcend their professional life and manifest in lots of other ways…including fashion. We definitely take image seriously, it’s a profound part of our business. I don’t want to take fitness advice from someone that is in worse shape than me.

Out of Twitter, Facebook, and a blog which do you find has the most potential for the future of social media?

I have a hard time separating them. They are all just digital channels. I rarely think of those three “products” in a vacuum. Ultimately, I think Facebook is built to last, because their business is built on data. Blogs are a really just a publishing platform, but I don’t think they are going away either. Twitter is in front right now, because they are filling a huge need around “instant” – instant search, instant gratification, instant gossip, etc. 2010 will be the year of instant/real time, so I expect Twitter to flourish in the short term.

Who would play you in a Hollywood film about your life?

I’ve always said Ethan Hawke. But the rest of world seems to think Stifler (Seann William Scott) would be a more appropriate fit.

The names of your children intrigue me. Can you explain how you and your wife came up with those names?

My oldest daughter, Scout Belle, was named after the character in “To Kill A Mockingbird”. We named our middle daughter Daisy Jane, just because we thought it was a beautiful name, but there is also a literally connection to “The Great Gatsby” as well. Finally, my youngest is boy named Indiana Olav – we call him Indy. That is really my way of paying homage to Indiana and acknowledging how great that community has been to me and my family.

Any words of advice for a young guy like myself who wants to be on that list of the “Forty under 40″?

I think the fundamentals of success are fundamental. There is no secret sauce. I think it is a matter of working hard, being humble, serving others, and creating value. If I could add one thing that is often left off of that list it would be – being visible. Make sure that you are communicating to “your audience” in a way that is engaging and make sure that they know what you are up to. If you’re generating value…they’ll want to know.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In a perfect world my life would look very similar to the way it does today. I would hope that my family is healthy and happy and that my businesses have continued to enjoy some level of success. I just want an opportunity to keep doing what I’m doing…which is what I love.

Do you think Lady Gaga has talent or she is all hype?

You’re asking the wrong guy. I listen to country (mostly classic country) music almost exclusively.

So how do you know Ryan Mull, managing partner at IMAVEX?

That’s a good question. If memory serves correctly we met a long, long time ago when he was at MarchFirst and I was doing consulting for one of their clients, a company called Healthx.

I always let the artist get the last word. (Yes, I consider Kristian an artist.) Go!

You’re doing good work and building a heck of a personal brand. Keep at it.

It is rare for me to listen to a female singer and actually like what I hear. I don’t know if it is the fact that I feel most of their voices all sound the same, or the thought of them writing lyrics that they could never relate to. But when I first heard the voice of the band I am sitting with today I practically fell off my chair. Not only does her voice give you chills but the instrumentals behind her are spotless. Having toured with guys like the Fray and Jack’s Mannequin (currently on tour with those guys actually) they are getting some invaluable exposure. I cannot wait to see them perform live as if it even comes close to what is on their newly released album it will be worth every penny. Sit with me today as we get to know the folks in Vedera a little bit better.

Where did you guys come up with that name?

The name is from the “veda” which means secret writing.

You seem to be all over these social networking sites. Do you have a favorite?

Right now Twitter is my favorite because it is quick and easy and we can do it on your phone. Right now we have the band page but we are thinking of splitting it up and getting our own.

So you are on tour with Jack’s Mannequin and fun. How is that working out for you guys?

The driving is not fun! I have heard great things about fun.

Do you guys have a favorite venue to play?

I like the Fillmore in San Fransisco. It has history. We have toured so much I have a lot of favorites. I like Seattle and Portland. I just like the towns. We like the San Diego House of Blues. The House of Blues is great in general. You get catering, a great staff, and the lighting is great. They even have stage hands. It is always easy when you play a House of Blues.

How long have you all been performing?

It will be six years in May. That sounds and feels crazy. We are still the original lineup. That is what is the craziest. We all met in high school. Drew and Bryan are borthers. That was easy for them to know each other. We all just started playing together.

You guys have shared the stage with quite a few acts. Who has been your favorite artist to tour with?

I really liked the Fray tour. They did a down play tour. They did smaller venues. That was actually last year. I am not a fan of winter tours and it being cold, but that was a memorable tour for me. We did two dates with Jason Mraz. I loved him and his band. All of his fans are really cool too. They are all music listenenrs. I would like to do a tour with him for that matter.

So tell me about this new album that just dropped.

It has twelve tracks and we worked on it for a while. We recorded for a couple of years. It came out today actually. We put it on iTunes first. We played a song on the Hills TV show and that helped getting people to know our name. That show is to the masses for sure. It is our baby and we are really porud of it.

If you could only play one song for the rest of your career what song would you pick?

Wow. That is one hard question. Right now I am digging ‘Loving Ghosts’. It is one of theose songs that has an anthemic course. We could jam that song for a long time.

I dare you to describe your genre in one word.

(Thinks) Pop.

How do you guys get hooked up with Mat Kearney?

We have the same management as him. He came to some shows way back. We made a friendship and we was on our last tour. It was really fun. That tour was great too.

Who writes all of your lyrics?

I, the lead singer, does!

Where do you get inspiration?

From everything. Being on the road and being in a different cities everyday because I am out of my element. I am out of where I am comfortable a lot of times. Being on tour with other bands and seeing whaet they are inspired by a lot of songs are about my husband Brian and what we go through. Relationships I see around me.

Where do you see yourselves in five years?

I hope that this album has done well and that we build our fan base and keep touring. I want to improve on what we are doing and possibly have a baby by then. Maybe.

What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?

That my heart led me as much it could.

I always let the artist get the last word. Go.

Thank you. That’s what I want to say.