STEAM Magazine South Texas Entertainment Art Music volume 6 issue 11 February 2018

February 2018 VOL.6 ISS.11 #71 ON THE COVER...

4 COMICS 5 QUICK READ 6 ALBUM COVER OF THE MONTH 7 CD REVIEWS 8 MELISSA HAYES: HAYES FROM THE HILLS 11 REBELUTION: WARM ISLAND VIBES 12 N EW PRODUC T S 13 JAC OB SART ORI US: TEEN SENSATION 14 N EW MO VI ES & M USI C 15 FEBRUARY EVENTS PUBLISHER RUSTY HICKS EDITOR TAMMA HICKS COMICS EDITOR ALLENE HICKS STAFF WRITERS STEVE GOLDSTEIN, TAMMA HICKS, RUSTY HICKS CONTRIBUTING WRITERS J MICHAEL DOLAN, DEREK SIGNORE, ROB DICKENS, RICK J BOWEN STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS ALLENE HICKS, RUSTY HICKS

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BY MELISSA HAYES

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STEAM Magazine is published monthly by STEAM Magazine, South Texas Entertainment Art Music, in Corpus Christi, TX. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Views expressed within are solely the authors and not of STEAM Magazine. Typographical, photographic, and printing errors are unintentional and subject to correction. Please direct all inquiries to: submissions@steamtx.com

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ELEPHANT CHIPS J. Michael Dolan

While

it’s true that continuous chipping away gets you closer to the goal, it’s also nevertheless true that what you’re actually chipping away is everything that doesn’t align with your commitment to advance & succeed.

What you’re actually chipping away are activities & behavior that slow your progress to a crawl. What you’re actually chipping away is everything you are no longer willing to put up with.

Important

because if you plan to build an elephant in 2018, you need to start chipping away at all the stuff that doesn’t look like an elephant

WE’LL NEVER MAKE IT TO MARS J. Michael Dolan

If

we are truly crazy, genius, artists & treps, then we might as well set our goals to Mars. However don’t expect to get there. We’ll either fall short and land on the moon, or travel much further than we ever dreamed and land on Pluto.

Important because when we commit to achieving the impossible, long distance travel is imminent.

BELLY OF THE BEAST J. Michael Dolan

Stealing

away into your private space to do some deep soul searching about the value of your work and the direction you’re headed is not only important, it’s absolutely imperative for a crazy, genius artist/trep. And obviously, the more often you do it, the more insight and wisdom you’ll gain. However, when you’re faced with a specific career challenge, problem or crossroads that has left you stressed and perplexed, the last person you should consult is yourself. The last person you should ask for advice is yourself. The very last person you should have a conversation with is yourself, because you’re the one inside the belly of the beast!

Important

because while YOU will ultimately make the final decisions, a profound, pragmatic conversation at the deep end of the pool, with someone whose opinion you trust, always provides a unique, alternative POV, which can provoke a welcome shift from belly to breakthrough.

THE HIGH YOU GET FROM PROGRESS J. Michael Dolan

Progress is my drug of choice.

Like that feeling you get when you step on a scale and weigh less. It motivates you to lose more.

Like finally working out a complex song lyric or complicated composition. It inspires you to raise the bar on the next one.

Like figuring out an app and realizing how it completely changes the way you do something. It emboldens you to figure out another one.

Like when your new, risky marketing idea produces OMG results, you’re inspired to try more risky ideas.

Important because progress is addicting.

Once you experience it you want more.

Once you see how far you’ve come you’re driven to go further.

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sergio Mendes found moderate success playing on albums by Herbie Mann and Cannonball Adderley before moving to New York in 1964 and teaming with his manager, Richard Adler. Even with an Atlantic Records contract, Sergio struggled to achieve attention with his band Brasil ’65. At the suggestion of Adler, Mendes began searching high and low for a singer who’d be able to sing in English to augment the Portuguese lyrics that the band incorporated into their piano driven mix of Latin jazz and bossa nova. Lani Hall was singing in a Chicago coffee house when Sergio first heard her. He hired her and his new four-man, twogirl band was in place. They were now able to play their own jazzy interpretations of songs by The Beatles and Henry Mancini along side of those by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Brazillian guitarist Baden Powell. They caught the attention of trumpeter Herb Alpert who hired them as an opening act for his own hit making Tijuana Brass band. Alpert took them under his wing, signed them to his A&M Records and produced this album. Their breakout single “Mais Que Nada” hit the charts and for the first time,

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a Portuguese language song became a worldwide hit; the first of many. Lani Hall left the band in 1971 to pursue a productive solo career. Still under the guidance of Herb Alpert, the two married in 1973. She currently remains active in music at age 72.

For over 55 years, Sergio Mendes has had his share of highs and lows, but he’s still recording and performing at age 75, frequently with his wife of many years, Gracinha Leporace. If you’ve never heard this great artist, or if you just need reminding, give a listen to the genre defining “Mais Que Nada” that opens the album. Lindo Maravilhoso!

For a band that started out in the realm of British blues/rock bands in 1968 with their debut, “This Was,” their second offering, “Stand Up” showed that they were much more than just a one trick pony.

They formed in Blackpool, Lanashire in 1967 and prominently featured their wild front man, Ian Anderson.

The Scottish born multiinstrumentalist quickly rose to the forefront of the band with his creative stage presence, expert musicianship on both flute and acoustic guitar, and progressive songwriting. This newfound attention didn’t sit well with original Tull guitarist, Mick Abrahams, who left shortly before work on this album began. He was replaced by Martin Lancelot Barre, and along with Glen

Cornick on bass, and Clive Bunker on drums, did a masterful job getting Anderson’s inspiration on vinyl and to a public that made it a number one hit in the UK, and millions around the world. (Glen Cornick died in 2014 at age 67 from congestive heart failure.

Mick Abrahams has been dealing with health issues for quite some time, but still records when he can.

Ian Anderson, Martin Barre and Clive Bunker are still out there doing what they do in the 21st century.)

The intricate woodcut print characterizations by Jimmy Grashow and popup display of the band once again illustrate the lost art of album graphic design.

This album is almost as much fun visually as it is sonically. The 10 songs cover a wide range of references. There’s blues rock in “A New Day Yesterday” and “Nothing Is Easy” and hard driving progressive rock with “Back To The Family,” “Look Into The Sun,” and the autobiographical “For A Thousand Mothers.” Ian Anderson gives a jazzy touch to J.S. Bach’s “Bouree,” the only song not written by him, and plays a folksy mandolin on the whimsical “Fat Man.” There’s also a wonderful acoustic arrangement with strings called “Reasons For Waiting,” and that’s a recommended track to seek out.

MIKE & THE MOONPIES STEAK NIGHT AT THE PRAIRIE ROSE (SELF-RELEASE)

BY ROB DICKENS Austinite band Mike and the Moonpies are renowned for their tight mix of country, swing and soulful honky tonk, particularly live but also in the studio. They had much critical success with 2015’s Mockingbird.

For this release, frontman Mike Harmeier wrote or co -wrote all but one of the album’s ten songs (the exception being “The Last Time” by friend Jonathan Terrell) in the span of about a month or two, right before the recording session. It’s the band’s fifth release.

Recorded over a week in April last year at Yellow Dog Studios in Wimberley, Texas, Steak Night at the Prairie Rose was produced by Adam Odor (himself a musician) and features the multi-talented frontman/ guitarist Harmeier, guitarist Catlin Rutherford, drummer Kyle Ponder, bassist Preston Rhone, steel guitarist Zachary Moulton and piano, organ and Wurlitzer player John Carbone. This marks the first time since the Moonpies inception that Harmeier felt comfortable enough handing the reins completely over to someone else. Odor’s resume includes Cody Canada & The Departed, Jason Boland & The Stragglers and as an engineer on countless projects with famed producer Lloyd Maines (Joe Ely, Dixie Chicks).

“From its inception, ‘Steak Night’ was and is a band album,” notes Odor. “No extra layers, no added studio JIM BYRNES LONG HOT SUMMER DAYS (BLACK HEN MUSIC)

BY RICK J BOWEN

TOMMY EMMANUEL ACCOMPLICE ONE (MASCOT)

BY ROB DICKENS Aussie ex-pat Tommy Emmanuel and his brother Phil taught themselves to play at a very early age. A meeting turned jam session with his guitar hero Chet Atkins bolstered his confidence. By the mid1980’s, he went it alone, making instrumental guitar records, a move that was bold and against trends of the time (and since). His CV now stretches over twenty albums, two Grammy nominations, two ARIA awards (Australia), Guitar Player awards, numerous magazine polls naming him the greatest acoustic guitarist alive, he’s played with Atkins, Eric Clapton, Doc Watson and John Denver. Pretty impressive. He is also unofficial ambassador of Melbourne-made Maton guitars, with his Signature TE instrument.

Accomplice One is an album of collaborations with some of Emmanuel’s favorite artists. The result is a more roots-music feel.

musicians (except for the genius Mickey Raphael guesting on “The Worst Thing”), no unwarranted overthinking about what is expected. We worked out musical parts and arrangements together, we worked on instrument tones together, and we hit record on the tape machine and played it together. Some of these songs came together in a matter of 2 to 3 takes, others took many, many, different directions before landing on what you hear today. And most importantly, what

you’re hearing on this album is what you’ll be seeing at each show, night after night.”

The challenge for a band of this ilk is how to capture the lively, good-time essence of their notable stage performances in the studio. Mission achieved on that score here. Steak Night at the Prairie Rose is far-reaching and spirited and contains a wonderful economy and an irresistible cohesion.

Blazing pedal steel, electric guitar and organ totally put the garnish on this tasty collection of country boogie, country funk and punchy Western Swing.

Highlights include the album opener “Road Crew,” which is a sparkling homage to a roadie friend and the title track with its searching autobiographical nod that goes all the way back to Harmeier’s very first time playing music onstage in front of an audience at the very impressive age of thirteen.

Add in the almost line-in-the-sand commitment of “The Last Time” (“The Last Time I’ll Be There For You … Until You Need Me Again”) and the swinging closer with its good-natured tale of life on the road – “We’re Gone”.

Get a piece of this steak, anyway you like it.

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THEMOONPIES.COM ROB DICKENS: LISTENINGTROUGHTHELENS St Louis-born Jim Byrnes is a true Thespian, blessed with a soothing baritone and the dramatic skills that would allow him to sing the phone book to high praise. His acting career has included featured roles on TV programs like Wiseguy, Highlander and X-Men and Jim’s musical awards include three Junos, one Maple Leaf and a Canadian Folk Music Award. For his 2017 CD, Long Hot Summer Days, Jim teamed up with long-time musical partner, acclaimed guitarist and producer Steve Dawson, on 12 outstanding tracks of blues, roots and soul. Byrnes and Dawson are authentic stylists who reinvent familiar tunes, breathing life into old chestnuts with new arrangements and great performances from the ensemble they convened at The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver B.C. Byrnes throws himself into the emotional center of each track and is bolstered by the fabulous back up gospel trio The Sojourners, who

It took two years to record the album.

The artists who stepped forward to join were Jason Isbell, Mark Knopfler, Rodney Crowell, Jerry Douglas, Amanda Shires, Ricky Skaggs, David Grisman, Bryan Sutton, Suzy Bogguss, Jorma Kaukonen, Jake Shimabukuro, J.D. Simo, Charlie Cushman, Clive Carroll, Pat Bergeson, Frank Vignola, Vinny Raniolo, and Jack Pearson.

“Making Accomplice One has been this great journey through so many of the worlds I’ve inhabited through the years,” concludes Emmanuel. “Playing with old friends, new friends, heroes, people I’ve been like an older brother to… and musically to jump around from bluegrass to jazz to blues to just pure songs, it’s like going to the world’s greatest buffet and picking out all my favorite meals.

People try to categorize what I do, to put me in a genre or put a label on me. I always go back to that old Duke Ellington line, about there being two types of music, good and bad.” Well I try and play the good kind, and on this record I got to play it with the best people.”

What a treat. Tommy Emmanuel is known

are to him what the Jordanaires were to Elvis.

Dawson’s gritty slide guitar cracks open the door on the opening Gospel-infused track “Step By Step,” written by the late Jesse Winchester. The heavily-covered classic from The Band, “The Shape I’m in,” is ratcheted down 40 bpm with drummer Geoff Hicks and bassist Jeremy Holmes delivering a deep blues shuffle that emphasizes the melancholy. The stirring choral intro to Bobby “Blue” Bland’s “Ain’t No Love in The Heart of the City’ signals a theatrical and new reading of the\is soul standard. Byrnes shows he can stick to the script for an authentic version of “There is Something On Your Mind,” a swinging horn-driven blues that was a hit for Bobby Marchan in 1960. Byrnes then plays the role of fire and brimstone preacher delivering his sermon “Everybody Knows,” with Leonard Cohen’s prescient lyrics ringing true in these troubled times. The first of three originals, the blue -eyed soul of “Deep Blue Sea,” is followed by the mysterious recording of Willie Dixon’s ‘Weak Brain, Narrow Mind.” Some greasy B3 organ and moaning baritone sax highlight the cover of “99 ½ (Won’t Do).” and Byrnes trades barbs with Mon-

as a guitarist with amazing fluidity, creativity and delicacy. Accomplice One puts all the technical virtuosity into wonderful context, with the songs/instrumentals and the act of colluding itself providing a musically balanced context. The guests are pivotal – not only due to the weight of their reputations, but the enormous inspiration they bring. There are times when you can hear Emmanuel and his buddies passing joyous exchanges and it is infectious for the listener as well. I do question the inclusion of the reggae-infused take on “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay”, but that is nit picking when compared with the other fifteen masterful contributions. Highlights are the reverential “Deep River Blues” (with Isbell and made famous by Doc Watson), Skaggs’s take on “Song and Dance Man” (written by Australian Mike McCelland), the two electrifying tracks with Grisman and Sutton (“C Jam Blues” and “Watson Blues”), the biting “Looking Forward To The Past” (Crowell) and the incendiary duel of “Purple Haze” with dobro maestro Douglas.

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keyJunk’s harmonica master Steve Marriner on the aching slow blues of Elmore James’ “Something Inside of Me.” Dawson then leads the ensemble by picking on a National steel guitar for t h e c o u n t r y blues“Anywhere The Wind Blows,” and Jim and the Sojourners take us to church on a longtime Percy Sledge staple, “Out of Left Field.” The seductive title track closes the CD with a romantic recollection of simpler times, love and better days long since passed.

JAMESBYRNES.COM RICK J BOWEN: WABLUES.ORG

In Accomplice One, Tommy Emmanuel’s CV just got even a little better – incredible fun.

TOMMYEMMANUEL.COM ROB DICKENS: LISTENINGTTHROUGHTHELENS.COM

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made with arrows. You must have the patience and focus of a saint.

Yeah, I get a little obsessed. My parents taught me a lot of patience.

Do you have to look for an inspiration to be motivated to create an artwork or are you a more regimented person who needs to focus just on that specific task.

When I was younger I would tell people that I like to draw almost as emotional therapy by drawing something that would make life better than it was or at least help in looking for that feeling. I am very good at focus, but not at having a set routine.

I just have to talk about your flowers because they're so beautiful. The way you use colored pencils to get all the various shades and hues in one pedal is incredible, very life like.

Well, thank you. Being back here for my dad is when I selfishly decided I would create these flowers. Then people started asking me for flowers and tell me what they wanted. I have really enjoyed the nature and beauty of each one and before you know it I was drawing flowers for everybody.

I really enjoy the murals that you’ve done around Austin. I'm going to spend a day just driving around looking at them.

Yeah, I did most of those between 2013 and 2016 and they are all still up if you want to, there are 8 in total.

Do you have a place where your work is on display?

There are a few places in Arkansas that have my work and since I just got back to this area I've been working on getting my art up here in San Marcos. I have been going to the coffee shop pop-up shows, but no permanent locations yet.

I said you have a very good eye and beautiful talent. When we talked you said that you were doing a pop up art show. Is this something you do often?

Every Friday Tantra Coffeehouse in San Marcos has the pop up show “Escapism” which features a night of art and music. They have an open call for local artists to set up a booth and a DJ provides the music. It’s great exposure and fun, so if you’re in the area come join us.

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HayesFromTheHills.com Pictame & Instagram: HayesFromTheHills flickr: MelissaLenoreHayes

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT I am staring at an azalea flower It stares right back, magenta and fuchsia power And it screams back Echoes of heartstrings crossing my flesh barrier Is this the sound of ancient mothers?

And it touches every vibration of my being And is this the universal seeing?

You are beauty.

You are beauty!

And truth is looking for you Truth we do not choose Calling all humans with a heart Truth is looking for you Love, Melissa

Melissa designed and purposely left “Yo, You Are Beauty” (right) to be filled in by the viewer’s imagination.

Go ahead, color it in!

Yo, You Are Beauty Frida Khalo | Elephantine

By: Derek Signore, Sound Magazine

For over a decade, things have been falling into place quite nicely for Rebelution. Having cemented themselves in the upper echelon of the reggae-rock scene with five groundbreaking full-length albums, the Grammy-nominated Isla Vista based quartet show no signs of slowing down. The band visits Texas this February to bring some warm summer vibes to winter…

As a reggae band how do you handle touring in the colder weather months trying to bring what is mainly considered a warm island vibe to an area where snow covers most everything?

We’ve been a band for thirteen years now and we’ve overcome some pretty harsh weather conditions. We love playing so much that it doesn’t matter where we go we just love playing for people. The other beauty about touring in the winter is that there is less competition so when you do have a show it kind of gets everyone out of the house and breaks their cabin fever for a night. People want to get out and do something and we’ve found that music is the best motivator.

Does the weather have an effect on your writing process, hard to think frigid weather and snow like conditions all around you helps to inspire the creation of reggae music…

It’s a little bit of both, when it’s cold outside you are forced to stay inside and play your

instrument so we set up in our green room with our recording equipment and have at it.

We just actually finished recording our next album which is due in 2018.

Is it safe to say the new record will be released in the warmer weather?

That’s correct, yes (laughing).

Many states are moving towards recreational marijuana. The band is no stranger to it and even has branded smoking apparatus available on your website. As you tour the country and play in states where it is legalized, are you seeing it more prevalent at your shows or are things just the norm?

It pretty much feels the same. Most of the states where it is now legalized kind of already felt like that before at our shows so I don’t really know if I see a difference. I think it’s nicer for us and not have to worry and hide stuff in our pockets during a show.

Some of your songs like “Green to Black” and “So High” have been associated with the pro-weed-legalization movement. Do you find yourself not playing those songs in states that have yet to legalize recreational use?

We’ve always been pretty big cannabis advocates so songs like that make it onto nearly every set list unless we play in some foreign country where there are strict laws against marijuana use. We want to encourage people to look at cannabis in a way that is different than the way they grew up.

We know fans, on occasion have thrown joints up on stage for the band to enjoy, do you partake or shy away when that is

offered?

Yeah, no disrespect but I definitely shy away from it because I don’t know what is in there.

For me especially I try not to smoke before or on stage so that my voice is ready and I can perform at the best of my ability.

Interesting that you bring up your voice as some of the best stories we’ve heard from musicians are when they try not to speak after a show to rest their voice and it pisses off fans who are trying to interact with them, where they mistakenly perceive it as some sort of inferiority complex…

One hundred percent that has happened to me. After the show you really want to try and rest your voice so sometimes I appear like an asshole because I mouth my responses and nod than interact. This interview though, I hope, sets the story straight for those beleaguered fans (laughing).

I know you released your own beer not too long ago, with some breweries adding cannabis to their brews is that something we might see from your brew line in the future?

We’re definitely trying to expand to more markets around the country first and foremost. Some members of the band are super into it, not so much for me but I really respect their skill, the way they select the hops and everything else involved. We teamed up with a brewery in Florida and we are working on expanding and maybe including a new ingredient or two, but first and foremost it’s about expanding our current line to more and more states.

nomination in 2017 when the album Falling Into Place was nominated for the "Best Reggae Album" award. Having had a taste to what that scene is all about are you now pinning to not only get nominated but win a Grammy in the future?

The reason why I was excited to be nominated for a Grammy is that I wanted the fans to feel special. They are really the ones who promoted this band from day one and got the word out there. Getting a Grammy is not a big desire for me though it was cool to get dressed up in tuxedos and go to the show.

Funny story is that after the show we went out to dinner and at the restaurant I was mistaken as a bus boy from patrons at another table. There might never be a more Los Angeles experience going from a Grammy nominee to a bus boy in the same night (laughing).

RebelutionMusic.com 2/22 THURSDAY HOUSE OF BLUES, HOUSTON 2/23 FRIDAY SOUTH SIDE BALLROOM, DALLAS 2/24 SATURDAY AUSTIN CITY LIMITS LIVE, ATX

The band received your first Grammy STEAMMAGAZINE.NET

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ErgoSonic® Percussion will be demonstrating the ErgoSonic Balanced Projection Kit at the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Convention in San Antonio, February 15-17 2018 at booth #371.

With a conventional drum set, toms and floor toms project sound down toward the floor. ErgoSonic’s new set leverages the company’s patented angled shell drum design. The result is a drum set with greater directionality, power and sound projection; more tuning options; and a unique aesthetic appeal.

“We offer a new look for the modern drummer, i n - cluding a distinctive signature offset lug design, chrome accent stripes and the uniform, forward-facing front heads can

“FireGrain is a revolutionary heattempering process that transforms ordinary hickory drumsticks into precision tools with unprecedented durability. While keeping their original weight, balance, and attack, Promark FireGrain sticks allow drummers to hit harder and play longer, naturally.

No excess vibration, no space age gimmicks, just natural hickory, hardened by flame.

“All Promark drumsticks are designed, engineered, and manufactured in the USA at our Texas facility to the most stringent quality controls in the industry.” - Promark.firegrain.com The Rebound 5A features an acorn wood tip and a long 3" taper to optimize finesse and agility. Promark Firegrain sticks are available at most music stores and online retailers.

STEAM’s Review: 4.5 As a gigging drummer in a variety of bands playing everything from classic rock to country to oldies I have used these sticks for 6-months and have the full assumption I will continue to use them longer. Although I prefer nylon, the wood tip has held up extremely well with minimal breakage over 6-months of use on the tip. The dark finish gives the sticks a classy look while not changing the feel or balance.

PROMARK.FIREGRAIN.COM

be imprinted for a custom design,” said Kenneth Turner, president & chief executive officer of ErgoSonic Percussion. “Beyond the slick aesthetic, this unique drum set has more power, punch and clarity than conventional sets.”

ErgoSonic will also display its award-winning, revolutionary Angled Shell Marching Bass Drums and Concert Toms as well as it line of marching bass drum rehearsal covers, cases, harnesses/carriers and other accessories. www.ErgoSonicPercussion.c om.

See ErgoSonic Percussion’s ad on page 16.

Frustration, Convenience and Confidence! Kick drum creep is something all drummers seem to face at one point. The problem happens when a bass drum is hit by the beater over and over again, this causes the drum to gradually move forward. KBrakes are anchors for your kick drum spurs that have 512 stopping points that stop your kick drum from sliding, creeping and moving forward as you play. Drummers have been fighting against this problem for years, using things like tape, cinderblocks, even band members to keep their kick drum in front of them. Unlike other

kick drum anchors KBrakes stay attached to your drum all the time.

They have 180º rotation capabilities to allow them to fold flat as the drum is packed into it’s case. KBrakes are extremely durable, add zero weight to your drum kit and have one job to do and they do it better than any other drum anchor in the world.

KBrakes Grips are available at most music stores and online retailers.

STEAM REVIEW: 4 I’ve been playing drums professionally for many moons, and have always worked with multiple bands in whatever areas I have lived in. South Texas is no exception, I work with 4 full time bands and also do many fill in gigs with other bands. Ok that gets me to the reason I was glad I found this product.

Myself and thousands of other drummers have to drag their dirty nasty rugs with them because the drums would slide if you didn’t, but still do slide even on the carpet. The KBrakes is a product that keeps your kick drum from sliding, whether on carpet or any hard surfaces. So I

have them on my kick drum and Hi-Hat stand, you can use them on your Snare drum too. KBrakes are very easy to install on your kits and you can just leave them there, they fold up nice against the kick drum. Since I play on concrete, wood, and carpeted floors it’s really helped me to not worry about sliding on any of these surfaces.

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By: D.C. Washington, Sound Magazine Photo: Noah Sahady Jean

Teen sensation Jacob Sartorius is an RCA signed singersongwriter with over 30 million followers across social media thanks in part to his recently released EP Left Me Hangin’ which received accolades from The New York Times, MTV, and Substream Magazine. The popphenom recently wrapped up the sold out European leg of his world tour where he made stops in Paris, Koln, Amsterdam and is now back stateside for an upcoming performance at the Aztec Theatre this February. We had a chance to speak with the up and comer to discuss the pressures of being a 15 year old in the music industry and how he feels youth is an advantage in an ever changing musical marketplace.

Do you feel like you have a distinct advantage over a lot of your musical brethren as you are growing up with social media and not merely adapting to it?

Social media is such a big part of our lives, from kids to adults it seems like everyone checks their social media daily.

It’s all about interacting, merely checking in on it from time to time helps but it’s all about how you can better relate to your fans. In the past interviews were either on the radio or in monthly tabloids like yours so information came in spurts, today you have to be able to go

one on one with your fans at any given time. It’s a more personal relationship with the artist than there has ever been before.

With music programs in schools slowly being phased out we see acapella taking over thanks to the popularity of shows like Glee. Being so young do you ever feel the responsibility to inspire the youth of America to continue to make music and contribute to the industry in spite of the lack of musical programming around them?

I think children should be forced to take music in anything but if there is interest there should be a music curriculum that they can partake in if interested. When I was in school we had choir and while I was the only guy to be a part of it…it was my thing. If you really believe in something you should be able to express yourself whether in school or out.

We know you had an instance with bullying that resulted in you leaving the school. From that point and even now in your musical career you have proven to be a voice and beacon for other kids who are suffering from bullying. Music is always therapeutic for the musician, how are you making it so for your fans as well?

I think I have a message that helps people relate to things that are happening to me as well. I can relate to kids who are dealing with bullying, anxiety or depression because I’m a kid and I’m dealing with those things as well. I think too for the people who haven’t yet seen the light at the end of the tunnel my music can be a message for them that things can and

will get better.

This industry can be very perilous for a young man like yourself, how are you keeping yourself grounded and be a kid while still maintaining the business side of things?

Growing up very quickly unfortunately happens in the industry. Take traveling, for me it’s awesome, I perform back to back all the time. Performing is something that I’ve always loved. For me the music I put out is kind of advertising to come out to my show. My shows are very interactive to the point where I bring fans up on stage to sing with me when possible.

Who are some of your inspirations, being so young we have to assume it’s an older musical crowd and not some up and comer like yourself…

It started for me with Justin Timberlake and Ed Sheeran and more so for Ed even listening to some of his interviews to better get into the mindset of a musician like that. I recently performed at the Jingle Ball with some of them and while I didn’t get to meet any of them I hope to someday. I’m not looking to have a three year career but to make this my life’s worth and that is helped by having artists like that who continue to inspire me every day to be a better musician.

This is your first major tour. As you continue to travel do you find your surroundings are influencing your song writing in a way where it hadn’t in the past?

I like to look out of my tour bus window and capture the surroundings. I constantly look around and find inspira-

tion in the words of the world around me. Being on tour introduces you to experiences most people will never have and provides me a vision that I can share with my fans afterwards.

You mentioned before that you are looking to make this a lifelong career, what steps are you taking to make sure something like your voice is not affected by the rigors of the road.

Definitely, I am working with a great vocal coach almost every day. I’m not trying to throw shade at anybody but there are a lot of people in this industry who do not take their health seriously and you can hear it at their concerts, their latest albums. I’m not looking to be that guy. I play a lot of back to back shows and I owe it to my fans to take it seriously so my fans

JacobSartorius.com 2/6 Tuesday House of Blues, Houston 2/7 Wednesday House of Blues, Dallas 2/8 Thursday Aztec Theatre, San Antonio

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COASTAL BEND BORDERLINE BAND See our ad for full listing!

FRONTIER SALOON 9709 Leopard St, Corpus Christi Live Music Every Saturday Night! See our ad for full listing!

GIGGITY’S 722 Tarpon St, Port Aransas Live Music Every Night! See our ad for full listing!

LOVE & CHOCOLATE ART EXHIBIT FEB 2, 6 PM - 9 PM Supreme Lending Corpus Christi 509 Lawrence St, Ste 201, Corpus Christi Several talented creative artists will be featured in the art exhibition who have interpreted the theme of Love and Chocolate into their artwork. A spread of sweet chocolates, appetizers, wine, and refreshments will be offered to our guests. Live entertainment by the well known talented musician, David Martinez.

14TH ANNUAL WINTER BEACH CLEANUP FEB. 10TH, 8:30AM-12 NOON Six Coastal Bend beaches.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The cleanup will take place from 9 a.m. to noon. Aransas Pass/Redfish; Port Aransas; Packery Flats; North Corpus Christi; Kid's Place at Cole Park; Padre Island National Seashore!

BAREFOOT MARDI GRAS FEB 10, 11:00 AM Briscoe King Pavillion 15820 Park Road 22, Corpus Christi A Family Parade takes place along the beach off Park Road 22 between Whitecap Blvd and Bob Hall Pier. Parade starts at 11am. The Parade Judges Float will open the parade followed a few minutes later by color guard and Mardi Gras themed floats in different divisions like Float, Jeep and Golf Cart. Many colorful characters enter the parade making it a unique activity for friends and family.

Then attend the Barefoot Mardi Gras Festival, a fun filled family event with Cajun music, food, drink, displays, exhibits, artists, children’s area, children’s stage and more! Admission is $5 with Kids 8 years old and younger FREE! PORT ARANSAS MARDI GRAS PARADE FEB 13, 5:00 PM 1.3 mile route through the City Port Aransas It’s not just Tuesday – It’s Fat Tuesday! Beads, costumes, and fun! The 22nd Annual Parade will kick off from the corner of Beach Street and N Station Street and takes about an hour.

KITE DAY 2018 FEB 17, 10 AM - 2 PM Malaquite Visitor Center Complex Padre Island National Seashore, Corpus Christi Padre Island N.S. is hosting its annual kite day and you are invited! Kids can make their own

kites (while supplies last), and kite flying clubs will give tips and demonstrations. To make traffic flow better for this event the fee booth will be closed, park entry fees can be paid at the Malaquite Visitor Center.

CIRQUE ITALIA FEB 22-25 Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds 1213 Terry Shamsie Blvd, Robstown Let Your Imagination Wander...and come DIVE into the Magical world of CIRQUE ITALIA. THE COASTAL BEND REGIONAL SCIENCE FAIR FEB. 23-FEB. 24 Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Judging categories are K-5 and grades 6-12. Anyone can register to be a volunteer, while judges are asked to have a science background (though academics or industry).

AMY STEVENS: CONFECTIONS NOW THROUGH MAR 6 Weil Gallery in the Center for the Arts Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi “Amy Stevens: Confections”, at the. Taking a humorous, feminist approach to life’s struggles and the futile quests for perfection, this exhibition celebrates one of life’s big moments in the form of an obsessive investigation of the perfectly imperfect birthday cake.

BIG SHELL BEACH CLEAN-UP FEB 24, 8 AM - 1 PM Malaquite Pavilion Padre Island National Seashore, Corpus Christi Come make a difference! Help clean up marine debris from the beautiful and remote Big Shell Beach!

To participate, meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Malaquite Pavilion parking lot. Be sure to arrive early! A FREE lunch will be provided after the event and the park entrance fee will be waived for the clean-up. .

NORTH END HOT RODS AND HATTERS 7TH ANNUAL CAR SHOW FESTIVAL FEB 3 Lockhart, Texas The 7th annual Hot Rods and Hatters is slated for Feb. 3, the event has grown from shutting down eight city blocks in Lockhart to 30 last year. This year the city is increasing it again for the music and auto party that draws more than 850 cars and expects 30,000+ spectators!

3RD ANNUAL KNIFE THROUGH THE HEART OF TEXAS FILM FESTIVAL FEB 4, 2:00 PM The Mohawk 912 Red River, Austin Think of this festival like Mardi Gras married Dia de los Muetros and their monster baby was born on Valentine's Day: festive, romantic, probably drunk -and hopelessly macabre. You should submit to this festival if you have a sense of humor but a healthy respect for others' work, love all things horror/ fantasy/supernatural, love to get into a heated (and probably drunken) debate over whether "Alien" or

"Aliens" was the better movie.

CLEARING STONES AND SOWING SEEDS FEB 6-28 Austin History Center 810 Guadalupe, Austin The exhibit presents selections from the Travis County Negro Extension Service Photography Collection archived at the History Center. The photographs, taken between 1940 and 1964, document the variety of services and educational programs offered by the Extension Service, including animal husbandry, crafts, domestic education, gardening and agriculture, and home improvement.

2018 ROYAL COURT CORONATION FEB 7, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM Morgan's Wonderland 5223 David Edwards Drive, San Antonio Fiesta Especial Royal Court Coronation will recognize the individuals who participated in the Fiesta Especial Royal Court Leadership and Life Skills development program creating visibility for the leadership and contributions individuals with disabilities make in our community.

This year's program participants raised $38,276 for programs and services benefiting individuals with disabilities in the local community. These individuals represent the successes and abilities of people who live with a disability and are part of the San Antonio community. Come and celebrate with us!

CHUCK WAGON BREAKFAST AT FROST BANK FEB 8, 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM Schertz Financial Center San Antonio, Texas Frost invites the community to welcome the return of the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo by coming into Frost’s Schertz Financial Center for an oldfashion Chuck Wagon Breakfast. The wagon pulls in at 7:30 a.m., and it will be serving up sausage, bacon, eggs, biscuits & gravy, peach cobbler, coffee and juice until 9:30 a.m. A fiddler will perform live music. This event is free and open to the public.

SAN ANTONIO STOCK SHOW & RODEO FEB 8-25 AT&T Center San Antonio MARDI GRAS FESTIVAL & RIVER FEB 10, 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM Arneson Riverwalk Theatre 418 Villita, San Antonio A procession of decorated river floats transforms the San Antonio River Walk into a floating Mardi Gras celebration. Krewes of costumed revelers and live entertainment celebrate San Antonio style.

Enjoy live music, entertainment, and food trucks.

The public is encouraged to come dressed in masks, costumes, and beads. Free admission.

LOVE STINKS: CELEBRATING STINKY CHEESES ON VALENTINE'S DAY FEB 14, 6:30 PM The Cheese House 500 Park Boulevard, Austin Whether you're single and love stinks or you're so cheese-y in love that it stinks...we're celebrating Valentine's Day by sharing our favorite stinky and funky cheeses with you! We'll feature 7 cheeses

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and 4 food pairings along with extra goodies like fresh Easy Tiger bread, olives and nuts.

TET FESTIVAL AUSTIN 2018 - VIETNAMESE NEW YEAR FEB 18, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM KIPP Austin Public School-North Campus 8004 Cameron Road, Austin Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, is the most eagerly anticipated and the most important holiday in the Vietnamese culture. Tet brings generations both young and old together celebrating the new year fortunes with traditions passed down from ancestors RON CAMPBELL CARTOON ART SHOW FEB 23, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM 2nd Street District 214 Guadalupe, Austin Campbell is one of the famed animators of the classic animated film Yellow Submarine, based on The Beatles song, and 2018 will mark its 50th anniversary. Campbell will bring his vast collection of work for a rare visit to downtown Austin on February 23-25. He will be painting live on site, signing autographs, and talking cartoons with fans.

NB PEACE, LOVE & MUSIC FESTIVAL **VIBIN AGAINST VIOLENCE FEB 24 , 12 PM - 6 PM Faust Brewing Company 499 S Castell Ave, New Braunfels Come out and support our local musicians as they spread the peace and love in our community. This is the perfect time for our NB community to come together and take a stand against the violence we are experiencing in the community.

SOUTH END THE MEG JORN TRAIL DEDICATION AND 5K RUN FEB. 10 Harrison & 25th Street Trail Harlingen Join us in honoring Meg by naming the very trail she designed as an architect and the work we have done as group in The Harlingen Wellness Coalition. Join Meg's family, the HWC, and the entire community on Feb 10 for The Dedication of the Meg Jorn Trail. This will be a FREE EVENT and shirts available for the 1st 300. See you all there.

FIESTA EDINBURG FEB 22-25 Edinburg Municipal Park 714 S. Raul Longoria Rd, Edinburg This is a fun, quality of life event for the City of Edinburg and the entire Rio Grande Valley. Major attractions such as the Heart of America Carnival, regional food, arts/crafts plus top notch entertainment are a large draw to the community festival.

HAVE AN EVENT COMING UP? LET US KNOW! submissions@steamtx.com