When/How did you first start playing music?
On a whim, I asked for an electric guitar for my 18th birthday. From the moment I plugged it in started making noise, I was completely hooked. I played that guitar until my fingers bled, my hands ached, and all my strings had broken – then I played it some more. Within 6 months I recorded a full-length album with 9 original songs and was playing in a band. Within a few years, I had learned to play 10 or 11 more instruments and could create music in its entirety by myself. The rest is history.
What's the best gig you ever played?
I would have to say all of the recent shows I’ve played in my hometown of Portland, OR. All those venues and surrounding areas just have such a nostalgic feeling for me personally. I played at the Portland Memorial Coliseum with Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Trail Blazer half-time show (for nearly 23,000 people) at the Rose Garden Arena, and headlined the Roseland Theater twice. I grew up going to those venues for sports events and concerts myself, so it was surreal and extremely humbling to take those stages myself and receive such a great reaction from the crowd.
How has social media affected the way you market/promote your music?
It has taken my music into the World Arena. It’s amazing to be able to share your work with the entire planet by just clicking a button. I’m always excited to hear about the constant advancements in technology and how they’re making it that much easier for music listeners to receive content throughout the world. It’s an incredible tool for indie artists to use to fully maximize their fan reach and interaction. Bands and artists that “connect” with their fans, have fans for life.
What's your prediction for the next big advancement in how we find/listen to/share music?
Music is becoming more ubiquitous by the day. Physical media and the “traditional” way for delivering media will die off (besides vinyl). I believe people should have the option to listen to what they want, how they want, when they want it. That being said, I think that any platforms that support that concept will always be wildly successful. It’s forward thinking and the future of accessibility of music that will shape industry trends and music sharing. All the media which tries to “force feed” people content and “tell” the public what they’re going to like will always fail and die a thousand deaths. One of the greatest things we have as human beings is our freedom of choice. Nobody wants to be told what to do, how to act, or what music they should listen to or when for that matter. The second that someone attempts to take that simple freedom away from people, they revolt. Guaranteed.
What's your next big gig coming up? When/Where?
There’s always something going on, we’re in the process right now of working on a 2011 tour and entertaining a few overseas offers. You can always follow/like me at Twitter, Facebook, or visit my website for new dates and details.
Check out more on Avery Watts here.
