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.

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.

As many of you know, I am addicted to dance music. Listening to guys like Armin van Buuren and David Guetta there is no stopping my love for this genre. But there is one DJ that holds a special place in my heart. I have actually had the chance to see this DJ multiple times and in various countries, and most recently saw him from the front row at Club Rain in Las Vegas, Nevada. When I heard that this DJ would be jumping on a cruise ship and spinning records for four days straight while visiting Grand Cayman, needless to say I got a little excited. But today comes the official announcement of Perfecto at Sea, a once in a lifetime vacation from Tampa, Florida to the Grand Cayman.

This epic journey is brought to you by the folks over at Sixthman. This is the same company that brings you the famed and always talked about Rock Boat that travels with a ship full of fans singing tunes all across the Atlantic Ocean. The Rock Boat has featured acts like Sister Hazel, the Alternate Routes, and Josh Kelley. But this time Sixthman has joined forces with Paul Oakenfold to present a new kind of vacation experience. Jump aboard and head out to sea with Paul Oakenfold on September 30th, 2010. The cruise ship will be leaving from Tampa, Florida and is headed to Grand Cayman. While spending a bit of time there, the Carnival Inspiration will then make its return to the dock in Tampa on the 4th of October.

So what exactly is Perfecto at Sea? Well, it is an unparalleled floating electronic music festival for starters.  This event is actually hosted by legendary DJ and producer Paul Oakenfold. Of course, synonymous with high-caliber nightlife, Oakenfold’s Perfecto experience will feature the epic sounds that he’s become known for. However, this is not the traditional club or festival experience as the beats will hail from under the stars as we cruise the Caribbean. (Imagine that for a second. You look up at the sky, see nothing but the moon and stars, hear the waves crashing at the boat beside you, and look over to see hundreds of people dancing to the smooth beats coming from Oakenfold’s fingers. That is just something that you cannot afford to miss.)

Oakenfold will be bringing friends and other special guests to help keep the party going 24/7 and deliver a cutting edge, music-meets-leisure experience. Yes, music will not stop from the time you step on the boat until the time you dock again a few days later back in Tampa. The full line-up has not yet been released, but will be announced very soon. And that’s not all. Perfecto at Sea will include theme nights, gambling, pool-side cocktails, and a sea deck turned dance floor.

But don’t just take my word for it. “Fans will not want to miss this thrilling and unprecedented event. We are very excited for this opportunity to reach a new musical community and to partner with such a hero of the electronic world. Together with Paul we’ll bring an amazing festival to life,” says Sixthman owner Andy Levine.

So what does it cost to be a a part of this epic journey? Well, not as much as you might think. Prices for Perfecto at Sea start at $599 per person and include all sorts of things like non-alcoholic soft drinks, your room and board, 24/7 room service, and access to all of the dance floors on the ship. This price does not include your transportation to Tampa, unfortunately, but once aboard the cruise ship you can relax and just let the sounds take you away. You can visit the Perfecto at Sea website for more details and to reserve a cabin. Come this September make sure you are on this boat as this event will prove to be everything and more that is dance music. Bon voyage from Tampa to Grand Cayman.

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)

There is no such thing as a free lunch. Well, wait, maybe there is. If you ever happen to be in the windy city and can take advantage of one of the following great specials the only tab you will have to pick up is the one from the bar. (Note that there truly is no such thing as a free lunch. The lunch, although maybe free for you, cost someone something along the way. By the time the food was produced, packaged, shipped, prepared, and served there was a lot of dollars spent to provide you with that free meal.) So, who out there is hungry? This list proves to make you salivate all over your keyboard! Plus, eating at these places gives you more than a free meal, but rather a true experience of what makes Chicago great. The places on this list are iconic restaurants to the city of Chicago and impossible to find elsewhere.

Friday night at the Lion Head Pub

I love chicken wings. Nothing beats a big plate of deep fried BBQ chicken wings. Sometimes I venture out and try the hot sauce, but I like the sweetness that most BBQs offer. (Unless of course you are at Scotty’s Brewhouse and can enjoy their MoFo Mustard. It is sweet and spicy all wrapped into one sauce. Their specialty actually.)  So, on Friday night the folks over at the Lion Head Pub throw a nice Caesar salad, some fresh vegetables, and a variety of other bar foods like Sloppy Joes onto a buffet and invite you and all your friends inside for dinner. But of course, don’t forget to the tip your waitress. And have a cold one for me while you are there. They appreciate the traffic from the bar.

Address: 2251 North Lincoln Avenue • Phone: 773-348-5100 • Directions

Saturday night at the Map Room

Just the name Map Room has me interested. I picture walking in to a dark, fresh and modern atmosphere with white leather couches everywhere and sexy blond bartenders wearing all black behind the bar. But, from noon until 3:00 PM you can venture in off the streets and enjoy a free brew with your lunch. Order any number of items from their extensive barbecue inspired menu and your beer comes with the meal. This is from a huge list of beers including bottles, drafts, and even cask ales. This place is truly a beer lover’s dream.

Address: 1949 North Hoyne Avenue • Phone: 773-252-7636 • Directions

Midnight Snack at Sedgwick’s Bar & Grill

If you are walking around the crowded streets on any given Saturday night and manage to stumble across Sedgwick’s Bar & Grill, walk in and enjoy some late night snacks on the house. Here, after midnight, you will find an array of foods thrown together on a buffet for your eating pleasure. You can grab nachos, quesadillas, pastas, and even a variety of cold cuts. But again, remember that it is midnight and chances are you are already drinking. So, make sure to order a few beers and take care of your bartender. This food might be free to you but these have to make a living somehow.

Address: 1935 North Sedgwick Street • Phone: 312-337-7900 • Directions

Spending Sunday at Big Chicks

Are you hungry for some pre-game fried chicken? Perhaps some cheeseburgers or gyros? Maybe you are even in the mood for a meatball submarine sandwich. However you look at it, if you can make it to 4:00 PM then head over to Big Chicks for their incredible buffet packed with all of this and more. This buffet is always changing and there are new items being added nearly every week. So, after a long night out on Saturday, sleep in, grab a candy bar or something to hold you over, and head over to Big Chicks for a late afternoon feast. You won’t be sorry.

Address: 5024 North Sheridan Road • Phone: 773-728-5511 • Directions

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.)

I came across a show the other day that grabbed my attention. It comes from the man that almost ate himself to death in the film Super Size Me, Morgan Spurlock. The show is titled 30 Days and Morgan puts himself in situations for thirty days that he would normally not find himself in. He does the research, he plans the topic, and then is filmed for the thirty days breaking down how his mind and body react to the living this life style for an entire month. The show is quite good and it allows the audience a chance to see life on the inside.

The episode that stood out to me most was the season finale of the second season. Morgan put himself in jail for thirty days. His girlfriend, of course, did not take this too lightly, but she knew he had to go for the sake of his show and for the sake of what makes Morgan, Morgan. So he was picked up at home and for an entire month was treated like a criminal. He would eat with these guys; he would sleep with these guys, get time in the “yard” with these guys, and even shower and use the restroom right alongside convicts.

At first it was a little scary for Morgan. I mean, going from being able to do whatever you want whenever you want to now being thrown behind bars is a major life change. From the moment he walked into the prison he was told that he would be treated just like all the other inmates. He would get no special treatment, no extra protection, and would not be pulled out of any fights or altercations if he found himself in one. Morgan was on the inside all alone.

The episode was actually quite educational. There is not a lot that you can see in forty-five minutes that takes place over a month’s time, but I felt they did a good job breaking it down and showing the highlights. You learn a lot during that time, however, and get to see how smart prisoners really are. For instance, the bathrooms in these cells are literally just sitting out in the middle for everyone to see. So if you have to use the restroom you are going to be showing off for the rest of the guys around you. But these prisoners have developed a technique to show when they are in fact on the John. When someone goes to the restroom they throw a sheet up to cover the cell. Then the inmate will write and place a note on the outside of the cell to let guards and cell mates know they are using the restroom. It is clever and it works.

Part of the reason for this system, however, is due to the fact that jails are overcrowded. The cells are meant for two inmates, at most, and all of them are housing three at a time. A pair of convicts will get a bunk bed while the other gets a thin mattress and is forced to sleep on the floor. Now, the prison that Morgan visited was not maximum security, where I feel things might be a little different, but the inmates were only allowed very few hours of daylight a week. They were kept inside and not given very much freedom at all. But tensions do run high around any prisons.

So as Morgan goes along he decides to make things even worse for himself. Not only is allowed a handful of visitations while he is in the pen, he decides to put himself in solitary confinement for seventy-two hours. This, from the way he described it, has to be one of the worst forms of punishment that a prisoner can go through. I have always thought that this would be the easy way out. You get your own room, three meals a day served to you right there, time to shower and work out all by yourself, and no worries about getting into arguments or fights with the other inmates. But, when Morgan said that the prisoner is not allowed any books while inside of solitary confinement, I quickly changed my mind. You see, if I was in prison (for whatever reason) and I had nothing to do but wait, I would read. I would read magazines and books and try to learn as much as I could when I was on the inside. I would also begin taking college courses, as they are offered in most prisons, and try to get as far as I could in my personal education as possible. But, if while in “the hole” as they like to call it, you cannot read I would not want to be anywhere near that.

Morgan explains how being locked up by yourself, even for seventy-two hours, can do a lot to a man. He began talking to himself and was just acting silly trying to find ways to pass the time. The human body can only sleep for so many hours a day and you could tell that boredom set in very early with his time in that holding cell. But I have a feeling the whole situation would be an issue. Being in jail, having to follow someone’s rules about when you eat and sleep, and not being able to make phone calls whenever I wanted, having no Internet access, and not being able to watch TV that you want. I would simply go insane after a few hours, let alone a few years. Just try to imagine living a life like that, never mind the fear of being disliked, for years at a time. There are guys that get five, ten, twenty or more years in prison. Is that justice? That depends on their crime. But I am not sure how I would handle a situation like that.

The show, if even only for an hour, put you in a pair of shoes you might not have understood before. I now know what it is like to be a convict behind bars. I know what a prisoner goes through, what kind of food they eat, and what sort of activities they can take advantage of. All things said and done I do not want to be in jail. It looks to be a pretty lonely place. But if it was not for Morgan Spurlock and his show 30 Days I might never know what it truly was like behind bars. This is just one episode in his collection of now two seasons and if this one shows anything for the future of this show, I can see this lasting for a long time. So check out 30 Days if you want to live your life in someone else’s shoes; if only for an hour at a time.

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!

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.

This year the Golf Inc. Conference will take place in Florida. When you think of Florida you start to imagine places like Disney World in Orlando or beaches in Miami. But on the north side of the state there are places of interest just the same. For instance, places like Amelia Island. This is home of the 2010 Golf Inc. Conference and proves to be a great selection as folks are already talking about the course and the hotel. So, as you begin to prepare for the three day conference this April, I wanted to provide you with a list of eight reasons why you should attend this event. (Note that this list was taken from an issue of Golf Inc. Magazine.)

Recovery Shots for the Next Decade

At this year’s event you will have the opportunity to sit through thirty sessions that will cover the full gamut of your business and help you on your most pressing needs. It’s time to see your business get ahead of the game.

Guaranteed Return on Your Investment

89% of past attendees rank it as a “good” value or better, with 64% ranking it “very good” or “excellent”. The folks at Golf Inc. are so confident that you will find the conference a good value that we offer a money-back guarantee*. They are sure you’ll feel you got your money’s worth that they will give you your money back if you find the conference was a “poor” value.

Best Speakers of any Golf Conference

94% of past attendees rank the quality of speakers as “good” or better, with 65% ranking them “very good” or “excellent”. And 91% agree that the speakers represent the industry’s leading operators, developers, and experts.

The Ultimate Networking Experience

Network throughout the conference with colleagues, industry leaders, and others. Their cocktail parties and other events are rated as the best part of the conference. “You always bring together a strong group of industry professionals in a great and intimate setting. Hard to find another conference that duplicates that kind of value,” a recent attendee wrote in an anonymous survey.

Lowest Rate in Years

They are offering their lowest attendee rates in more than five years. Get in for as little as $399 for one person, if you register before February 19th, 2010. You can register the second person in your party for only $199., and the third person for only $99.

Special International Development Symposium

Learn from international golf leaders on where to build now and what’s working in today’s economy. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear speakers from the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Bahamas.

Private Club Track: The Membership Dilemma – How to Stop the Bleeding

They have crafted a track especially for private clubs, board members and owners who are struggling with membership declines in this tough economy. Learn from experts who have success stories to share.

Outstanding Golf at Amelia Island Plantation

Play one of the four Audubon International certified golf courses beautifully designed along the coast. Enjoy the ocean, the weather, and work on your game while at this year’s conference.

This list should be more than enough to get you to the 2010 Golf Inc. Conference. If not, just take a look at the presentations that make up that list of thirty sessions. There are some industry thought leaders at this event and it will be a great value for you and your club by attending this year’s event. Plus, the round of golf, the cocktail parties, and the potential for all the relationships that you can build is invaluable. So go ahead and register and start planning your trip to Amelia Island.

*Money-back guarantee: Attendees will be sent a survey by email one week after the conference. If you rate the conference as a poor value you will be offered a refund of your purchase price.