When/How did you first start playing music?
I started playing piano at the age of 6, mostly classical stuff, but when I was around 12 I got really into The Beatles, which led me to pick up one of my brother's guitars and learn it. I remember strumming open strings thinking it sounded good, only for a friend to tell me it didn't. My first critic! How far I've come...
What's the best gig you ever played?
We've played some great ones, but I have to say a few of the shows on this past tour were up there. We played Middle East Downstairs last week, which was really, really fun and probably one of our biggest crowds, definitely a favorite in recent memory.
How has social media effected the way you market/promote your music?
I think in general it's a really positive thing that allows artists to reach new/old fans directly. For a band of our size it's vital in the spreading of information and music, something that wasn't so easy to do 10-15 years ago. I have to say though I do miss the mystery associated with liking certain bands when I was younger. Maybe it's a product of just getting older as well but there used to be something really cool about not knowing too much about a band and them being these mysterious, divine creatures that only visually exist in the one picture inside their jewel case. The pros outweigh the cons here. It's much easier for newer, younger bands to reach a mass audience through the internet. I've had the luck of someone finding one of my songs online and ending up wanting to use it in a promo for Showtime's "Weeds" which is something that would've been impossible before social networking. I am definitely grateful for it.
What's your prediction for the next big advancement in how we find/listen to/share music?
Everyone's always talking about what the next Myspace is going to be or what it is. I think in its day it was an easy way of getting info on a band, gauging how popular they are, hearing their music and seeing upcoming shows. It was all in a nice package but unfortunately it went downhill and is now unpleasant to look at and use. I'm waiting for the next similar thing and these days I am most inclined to go to a band's Bandcamp page because that is the easiest and most elegant way I can hear their music and buy it if I so desire.
What's your next big gig coming up? When/Where?
Our next gig on the books is March 10th at Great Scott, but we are talking about other possible dates surrounding that as well. It's all up in the air but expect updates on that soon!
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