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Tommy James
of Tommy James and the Shondells
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Table of Contents Page 3-5 Ida Findiku Page 7-10 Ian Guerin Page 11-13 theJackofHearts Page 14-15 Robyn Christian
Page 17-23 Tommy James
of Tommy James and the Shondells
Page 25-26 Star Crystal
Page 31-32 iLO Page 33-34 The Pondhawks
Page 27-29 Jola
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Los Angeles | New York | Atlanta | London
Ida Findiku
The Next Chapter
When did you first get into music? I started playing the violin in the first grade and my story has a funny beginning. The local school offered music lessons after classes and on my very first day of school I sat near someone who was already registered for violin classes. Being a curious kid, I went to all my friend’s lessons for a whole semester and fell in love with the violin. I looked straight at the teacher’s eyes and begged her to take me as a student. After a few months of seeing me in the corner of the class the teacher finally asked: ‘Do you have parents, or no?”. That day I ran home as fast as I could to my parents and asked them to dress up and look good enough to convince the teacher for me. They got very puzzled because it was the first time I ever mentioned the violin. My parents did dress and impress and I started violin in the second semester of the first grade. I was only seven years old and very curious. Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music? The notion of music itself has inspired me all my life. I decided to become a performer at a very young age, even though I had the chance to pursue other careers. There were at least five times in my life when I needed to decide if I was continuing with music or changing direction. I chose music because it was the most challenging concept for me to absorb.
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How has your music evolved since you first began performing? My music has evolved from strictly classical to almost all genres. I say this because I am trained professionally to play anything I’m hired to perform. After 29 years in the industry, I believe I am lucky to have had classical music as my foundation to build upon and expand on other genres. My next style to tackle is jazz, especially improvising. If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to stay in this tough business? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why? Curiosity drives me. I get curious like a child in almost everything I encounter in life. Classical music makes me easily curious because I see it as one of the most organic yet complex expressions of our humanity. As for all the other emotions you mention, I deliver them clearly when the music demands for it. Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in an industry overflowing with new faces and ideas? I’m a born storyteller. I strongly believe that my own human experience and the path I’ve walked makes me unique. This translated in the music industry means that I am often more animated and colorful, given my Albanian/Mediterranean background. Mixing that fiery passion with intellectual curiosity makes me a strong storyteller. I just tell the stories with a small wooden box. What has been your biggest challenge as a performing artist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how? My biggest challenge has been and always will be my harshest critic, myself. I haven’t been able to overcome yet the idea of perfectionism. Unfortunately, this notion stands at the core of all classical musicians, which does more harm to an artist than it seems. I believe I will overcome this challenge within myself when I will allow myself to fully enjoy the performance and let go of my insecurities. I am very close to achieving this and won’t ever give up on my dream! A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art.” Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art? I believe all people are artists deep down. Unfortunately, suffering is part of our reality. So why not suffer for what keeps your soul alive? However, I personally draw the line at the notion of losing one’s humanity for the purpose of making it in the arts. How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business? The internet is one of the best platforms to support the music business. I have often found students and gigs through online sources and it has been a successful experience. The internet has great tool for artists to share their work from the comfort of their home, especially now during a world pandemic. Have you done or plan on doing any Live-stream Concerts? If you have, how has the response been from your fans? I have mostly shared short creative videos online with my own photography and classical music from my own CD. This is mostly because I am old school and enjoy the audience’s energy close to me as I perform. However, I think it is time to get out of my comfort zone and start live-streaming. I think the response, both the audience’s and my own, will be more enthusiastic for live-streaming than my short videos.
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If you could change anything about the music industry. What would it be? The financial reality in the music industry is extremely alarming, especially for the classical musicians. I am the typical example of the artist who has all the
musicians. I am the typical example of the artist who has all the typical example of the artist who has all the required degrees or preparation and still cannot find steady work but for temporary gigs. We need a world where musicians make a living out of their profession, ASAP. What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why? I have been mostly influenced all my life by artists and their journey rather than one specific album. These artists have become part of me throughout the years because of their unique voice and aesthetic. I love and admire their humanity above all and that is why they are part of my life. Hillary Hahn -violinist, Dario Marianelli -composer, Damien Rice - Singer/Songwriter, Augustin Hadelichviolinist, Amy Winehouse -Singer/Songwriter. What is the best advise you have received? One of my professors gave me the best advice right before a graduate recital, a major performance for a young artist in school. She told me to not shy away from all the emotions I am feeling at the moment, instead to use them in my performance. The outcome was a very raw and liberating performance. I cried on stage for the first time ever. Tell us about your current project. Are you working on new music? An EP or Album? I am slowly working on bringing back the repertoire from my very first CD - Part of Me. It is all classical Albanian music with solo violin and piano accompaniment. This music connects me with parts of myself that make me feel even more Albanian. This preparation is in the hopes of promoting the CD through live performances. What’s next for you? I hope to find a college professor position after this pandemic. My heart is set on helping the new generation understanding our world and making it a better place for us all. I have been stuck on this dream for a while now. Ask me in 10 years and I will update you on my journey of making this dream come true. How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Thank you everyone for reading about me! You can reach me through these platforms: Facebook - Ida Findiku Instagram - Idushkaa YouTube - Ida Findiku
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Ian Guerin
Finding His Rhthym & Soul Rising R&B recording star Ian Guerin is quickly making his mark in the world of music. With the release of his latest album, “Irreplaceable” he has plummeted head first into an unapologetic industry with a bang. The Orange spoke with Ian regarding his inspirations and his song. “Feel good and timeless, “Irreplaceable” is The perfect spirit lifter, relatable in words and relaxing in music. Irreplaceable is for everyone who wants not only to escape their troubles in the tribulations, but to find comfort in the knowledge that they can be overcome.”
When and why did you decide to dedicate your life to the music industry? It really came natural for me. I remember being almost 10 when I was first taken into a recording booth by my aunt Mitzi Bennett; I was mesmerized by the experience. I felt right at home. I was shy back then, but I remember feeling an urge to explode into freedom. I thought to myself “I want to be here always.” I don’t think I had to adapt, I felt like I had been put in the place I belonged. The why came a few years later. I tried other things (including college) & I always came running back to music. I couldn’t find anything else that made me feel so at ease, effortless & natural. When I write, record, perform or interview my real pours out. It’s a strange feeling. Nothing else I do feels 100% true, plus I learned early on that 98% of people don’t do what they love for a living & I couldn’t stand the thought or understand (still can’t) why or how they can go through life like that. I wanted my life to count & figured if I was going to be successful I might as well try to be so at something I truly love. Here I am years later doing it & trying to encourage others to follow their dreams. You are an artist from Mexico who sings R&B, what’s up with that? Music is a universal language. You don’t have to understand the words or the background to be moved by it.
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I remember hearing a lot of different types of music from a very young age; my father is a rock fan, my family is more traditional, yet I was never really driven to local sounds or rock; I was driven by snaps, smooth feels, Jazz, Big Band & R&B. I tried pop for a minute there with my debut album ‘MADSEXY’ but I felt myself in the old fashion arena. I felt alive when I discovered you can mix those sounds with some R&B flavor; I had to cross over. For me it was never about race, upbringings, or location, it was about what made me feel alive so I went for it in the knowledge that souls know no bounds, so there would be people out there that would hear my music & feel connected regardless of their walks of life, age, looks or location. Your songs seem to be influenced by love and relationships, are they specific to a special someone? I’d love to say no, because that would mean I didn’t go through all that heartache, but there’s no good songs without. real experiences. The songs in my album ‘IRREPLACEABLE’ were all made for 3 specific girls that marked pivotal moments in my life. I love them for the lessons & the stories I can now tell — in hopes that others will see the light at the end of the tunnel sooner than I did. I will most likely get over the emotions that still cross me, but I don’t think the soul fully ever recovers from those loses. It’s like a piece of glass that’s chipped & can never be pasted back to normal; wiseness & strength come at a price & that’s ok. I wish them well & thank them for giving me these great songs, I wouldn’t have had them without them, yet they’re most definitely not collecting coin from them, ever. Hahaha. You seem to put all your passion and emotion into all of your songs, where does that come from? I think from the need to express myself. Some people repress their emotions throughout their life; mine feel like a force that can’t be tamed. It comes from within’, I don’t exactly know how it forms, but when something happens to me lines & melodies start pouring out of me uncontrollably. I might sound extra, but it’s true; when I’m hurt or confused or happy songs just seem to write themselves at speed of light. The title track of my ‘IRREPLACEABLE’ album came about in less than 40 minutes. It’s like my heart & mind had already aligned their speech & I was just a vehicle writing & recording their statement. It doesn’t happen always, when that element isn’t there I actually have to go back & remember, structure & piece everything out, but sometimes it comes out so perfectly I’m as amazed as anyone watching. What is the driving force behind your career? My hunger for expression. I want to get my message across & I want it to positively impact as many people as possible so that they know that dark times don’t last forever. I know how hard it is to have an anxious mind & how much hurt is magnified through that lens so I want to bring empathy & strength through my songs. That’s why they have sort of a not so happy story yet an uplifting beat. I want people to know weights can be lifted even when they’re hurting. I want to have a platform to create awareness on environmental issues & I want my parents & my sister to live at ease. Buying my dad his apartment in Vegas while voicing issues that are planet relevant, & healing someone in despair through song, sounds like a perfect example of a driving mix to me. What are the biggest challenges that you’ve faced and how have you overcome them? Exposure & budget are the main ones. I think anyone who at some point has been independent in their career path knows they are the toughest because you’ve got a world of ideas, yet again no money or platforms to expose them & that holds you down.
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The second one was confidence. I’ve endured so many negatives & so many none call backs that I’m immune now, but there was a time when rejection stung. Specially because I knew I had something special & it was hard for me to understand why the person in front, whoever that was, didn’t see it.
There was also a lot of doubting from relatives (not my parents or sister) that didn’t take me very seriously; that hurt because they’re the ones who are supposed to uplift you so that, when things get tough, you can keep going. They also made me doubt my looks, voice & style, so I wasn’t very sure I had what it takes to make it. Sometime later I realized the only thing in that “making it box” you truly need is self-belief. You believe in yourself & nothing can stop you; that’s how I overcame them. I kept going, through fear, sorrow, anxiety, insecurity & ignorance — cause I had to learn by mistake how things are done. I just moved forward. Never letting the chance of not getting to my next stop invade my mind, & so far, looking back, I’ve come far & I continue to move regardless of those feelings. I once read “you haven’t failed till you stop trying” & I took it to heart. Knowing what you know now would you have done anything differently? For certain. I wouldn’t have waited a whole album to crossover & make the album I wanted. I also wouldn’t have wasted time reminiscing about nonsense & waiting for perfect moments. I should’ve taken what came my way & rode with it. I wasted a lot of time trying to find perfect moves & I let many that could’ve helped pass me by. Still I grew into the man I am by paying the price of my miss outs & by building the mental strength that has so helped me take on my current opportunities so much better than I would’ve.out, another tour & of course putting my, by then, household name to good use. Speaking in front of audiences about the importance of environmental balance & serving a bigger purpose than just fame affairs & favors. I see myself trying to make a difference, even if said difference is roughly sketched now. I now allow myself to blossom in front of people & to be who I truly am & I wouldn’t if I had taken these chances without that time wasted, that introspection & that knowledge. So, in a way timing has been perfect, I just wish I had done things a little faster, I wish I had taken more chances to gain more experience. However, I now know not to squander time so that’s a good story on its own. What do you think about while driving alone in your car? I guess it depends on what mood I’m in. If I’m sad, worried or despaired I try to speak to myself out loud to dissect the facts & reach a soothing conclusion.
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I also introspect a lot on how my actions affect the way events go down & I try to converse with myself about it. My singing coach taught me that speaking your thoughts out loud makes them clearer than just thinking them through & it’s true, so I use that alone time to do so. I spend quality time with myself, laugh matters off, & reassure me that everything will be alright. It sounds crazy, but I’m my most important person & I want to nurture myself & be my friend. I believe that if I achieve that I will be able to handle the toughness of the business better. I also sing of course: to Janet, Mariah, Michael, Tony & whatever my guilty pleasures & favorites. It’s a time for me to get away from all the noise & movement & I make it worth. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I see myself in the entertainment business for sure. Another album out, another tour & of course putting my, by then, household name to good use. Speaking in front of audiences about the importance of environmental balance & serving a bigger purpose than just fame affairs & favors. I see myself trying to make a difference, even if said difference is roughly sketched now. I see myself with an AMA, a Grammy & writing songs for fellow artists & myself. Performing alongside my favorites & I want to say I see myself in love, but I don’t want to push my luck. I wish I was in love, but it’s ok as long as I’m living my best life; that includes: achievements, recognition, more music, helping others & making sure my family is happy. What is your most triumphant moment thus far? I’d have to say the reception given to my album since it’s release. I love that people love ‘IRREPLACEABLE’ as much as I do. I invested my whole self in this body of work & I wanted all songs to have a soul & count & I think I achieved that. To me ‘IRREPLACEABLE’ is my ‘Off the Wall’. It might seem far-fetched for some to see it that way, but to me it’s the culmination of a spiritual, emotional, physical, mental & musical transition that made me the man I always aspired to be. No song in the album is a filler. They all have a backstory & can stand on their own & I intended them to be that way. During its making some people pressured/asked/mocked me if I was ever going to finish or release it because it took long. I’m glad I didn’t rush it. The end result is — as my sister puts it — timeless. & I was aiming for that. People who take a moment to listen to it while they read the lyrics will find somewhere to insert themselves in it. There is something in there for you, I guarantee it. It’s an album that to me has already succeeded in telling a great story & that ought to prove itself sooner than later; in its era or later. ‘IRREPLACEABLE’ is my pride & joy and & I’m like a father at his kid’s Christmas festival every time I get out there to promote it. If I could ask you any question what would it be and how would you answer it? Where do you dream of performing & why there, & the answer would be the O2 Arena in London. All my favorites have done it at the pinnacle of their careers & to me that would be like having made it to their level. Like being right up there with them — where I as a 9 year old in a booth for the 1st time dreamed of being. That would be it. Ian Guerin Live at the O2! That sounds & feels amazing even in writing. What’s new for Ian in 2020 and beyond? New pair of music videos, new songs for the deluxe edition of ‘IRREPLACEABLE’, new tour, new collaborations, hopefully new songs for fellow artists & hopefully new girl. I really want to fall in love head over heels for real; not as many couples who fall in love to be in love — not with the person. It’s been so long since I did so without having my heart broken that I’m not even sure I can feel that bliss anymore. I’m sure it’s there asleep, somewhere within’ me, but the fact that I can’t remember how it feels saddens me. I want to clear the score, fall in love & make it irreplaceable. Any girl who’s interested can make sure to contact me, haha. Ian Guerin Album “Irreplaceable” Streaming https://songwhip.com/album/ian-guerin/irreplaceable Twitter @IAmIanGuerin Instagram https://instagram.com/IAmIanGuerin Facebook https://www.facebook.com/IAmIanGuerin Reverbnation https://www.reverbnation.com/ianguerin
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theJackofHearts Artist on the Rise
Who or what made you decide to get into the music industry and why? I started out learning the programs in a module in my technology class in high school then later that year some friends and I started writing our own lyrics and I guess I just never stopped. music has become a driving force in my life. it’s my passion my hobby and my now my career. What is your stage name, and how did you come about picking that stage name? My stage name is theJackofHearts (J.O.H.)
I got the name from a playing card I found on the ground one day around the time I started rapping. Was having a pretty bad day saw the card and for whatever reason was compelled to pick it up and keep it then my day became progressively better so it more or less became a good luck charm and I still have that very card in my wallet to this day nearly 18 years later. And is there a meaning behind your music? I make my music not only as a hobby but also as therapy for myself and anyone listening that can relate to the subject matter in my songs. I’ve built bonds with a large amount of my followers through my music and interactions I’ve had with them over the years and I’m honored to have such an amazing fan base!
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What was the name of your first single? Who were your biggest writing influences? My first single was called “life I Live”, it featured one of my homies from High School and a rapper named, Sin that I knew from a juggalo from my earlier influences in music. They were mostly Horrorcore, like Insane Clown Posse and Twiztid. But, over the years, I grew out of doing Horrorcore music and became more interested in independent Hip Hop artists like Tech N9ne, Krizz Kalico, CES CRU, Mayday, Palmer Squares, and Yelawolf. Why did you decide to sing /rapping rather than play an instrument? I always enjoyed pushing my limits and making music is a wonderful way for me to be able to do that. I am constantly writing new material and pushing myself to make improvements in my delivery and all other aspects of making my music. I’m always learning and besides that making music is a wonderful form of therapy to work through some of the more difficult life events. I have been through so much, since my mother’s passing away when I was 18 and me surviving stage 4 cancer when I was 23. What kind of things inspire you? Everything is an inspiration from events in my life to the music Artists I listen to even my friends, family and fans have served as inspiration over the years. How much practice do you practice at your craft a week? I never stop in one way or another I’m always working to further my craft from learning new mixing techniques to structuring my lyrics to the best of my ability I even often find myself thinking of new lyrics while I’m driving to and from work or town. I am currently even building a full sized recording studio and a stage on my property here in Meigs County Ohio. When do your ideas come to you? New ideas come to me all the time. You never know when inspiration is going to strike. What was your experience like when you did your first show? Amazing and overwhelming there were so many people there and everyone was so supportive it was a wonderful experience I’m so glad I didn’t freeze up but walking out on the stage for the first time was a major adrenaline rush there was so much energy I’ll never forget it.
If you could collaborate with any artist who would it be and why? At this point I’ve collaborated with a few of my idols like Tech N9ne and Stevie Stone as well as countless other artists I’ve met over the years like Gorilla Zoe, Cryptic Wisdom, Hard Target, Cozmik Spirit and Chainy to name a few but a group I’d really like to collaborate with because they’ve been a huge inspiration to me lately would be Palmer Squares. Do you follow a formula when you write? Not really. I do memorize my lyrics as I write them but most of the time I just put a bunch of beats in a playlist and vibe to them as I write.
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Which song you have written is your favorite and why? Currently my favorite is my newest A to Z but I really love the song weed/women/fame I put out with my homie, Chainy. What’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to you while working on a song? I came up with a hook for a song in a dream once. I had a dream myself and a former label mate were doing a song called firestarter and when I woke up all I could remember was the hook so I wrote it down and we made an awesome song based around the hook that got an amazing response from the crowd when we did it live. Some other strange things have happened to me while writing but some of them aren’t really appropriate to talk about in an interview (haha). Which song did you have the most trouble writing? Definitely my newest single “A to Z” hands down most difficult song ive ever written What’s next? Next up I’ll be releasing a collabo project with my homie SICMA from WV followed by another solo album with a few major features on it. I’ll also be opening up my own studio/ outdoor venue come spring I’m really excited to be taking this next step in my music career! Do you have a website or social media? FACEBOOK: Facebook.com/royalbutchermusic YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkocbYyYGsGrpUi4qYbOeYw SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/43chAS2qnKA0lMqi6N9Ts3?si=9QOhig6eTWytBmZWMRCQXA
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Robyn Christian Artist with a Purpose
When did you first get into music? I went to a fine arts elementary school where there was a piano in the classroom and we would sing during class! It was so fun! Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music? My mom was my biggest supporter growing up! She would get me gigs all around town.
How has your music evolved since you first began performing? I used to sing covers growing up and I never really liked it because I wanted to develop my own style. However when I got older I was able to find my niche in positive uplifting music and decided this was the type of singer I wanted to be.
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If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to stay in this tough business? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why? I would say desire to use the gift God has given me. When I realized my purpose in life was to sing and bless people then it wasn’t about me anymore, it was simply a desire to sing and make music that people could listen to and smile.
Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in an industry overflowing with new faces and ideas? To me it doesn’t matter what other artists are doing because everyone has a purpose. There’s no competition when you’re using your gift! What has been your biggest challenge as a performing artist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how? My biggest challenge was not knowing my purpose, so when you’re in a competitive world such as the music industry your mind will tell you not to use your gift because there’s a million other people out there that are better! Set your mind free and use your gift regardless of the circumstances. Using this mindset has helped me overcome this challenge. A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art.” Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art? I have not suffered for my art, it’s been fun and a blessing to make music! How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business? The internet is a great tool to gain fans and get your music out there without a major label. Have you done or plan on doing any Live-stream Concerts? If you have, how has the response been from your fans? I was performing live and for different events every week before the pandemic happened but since then I have been able to stay connected with my fans by taking requests on Facebook and singing live at my house. I’ve also been part of many zoom events as well. The response has been great! If you could change anything about the music industry. What would it be? I hate that the music industry is popularity first than music. Someone can be famous for no reason and then put out music. There are some amazing artists out there with awesome music but you might never hear them because they’re not popular on social media. What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why? Honestly it’s hard to answer this question because music hits my soul, it’s everything to me and I’ve listened to every kind of music and grown from everything i’ve heard. I’ve especially learned that it doesn’t matter how good of a singer you are, what matters is how good you’re using your spirit in the song. You can truly feel what a person is feeling through their song. What is the best advice you have received? Everything happens on God’s timing. Tell us about your current project. Are you working on new music? An EP or Album? I recently released my EP album Smile. I love this album because it’s me, my feelings and it’s positive and uplifting. What’s next for you? What’s next for me is wherever God takes me. I’m not too concerned with making things happen on my time but rather focused on what’s in front of me right now. Right now I’m in a band where I can help other young artists and musicians get started. How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? You can go to my website robynchristian.com or access my EP Smile at any digital music store.
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Tommy James
“The Soul of the Sixties” by Eileen Shapiro
“The thing The 60s did was to show us the possibilities and their responsibility that we all had. It wasn’t the answer. It just gave us a glimpse of the possibility.”.....John Lennon Tommy James not only defied music sensibility but defined it at the same time. The 60’s was a time filled with sophisticated anarchy and revolution. The music was the key to identifying the time portal and as destiny would dictate Tommy James and The Shondells illuminated the soul of the industry, and has withstood the test of time. A walk of wisdom collected through the years, Tommy James (and The Shondells) were the first faction to feature the Moog Synthesizer. They were among the first band to produce music videos 13 years before MTV presented their first. During the years 68’ and 69’ they sold more singles than The Beatles or any artist on the planet for that matter and more than 300 artists covered their songs including Billy Idol, Tiffany, the Boston Pops, Neil Diamond, Joan Jett, The Monkees, and Billie Joe Armstrong. Recognized for a cascade of hits including: “I Think We’re Alone Now”, “Mony, Mony”, “Crimson and Clover”, “Crystal Blue Persuasion”, “Hanky Panky”, “Sweet Cherry Wine”, “Draggin’ The Line”, “Mirage”, “Gone, Gone, Gone”, and about 20 others. His songs have appeared in numerous films exampling: “Heaven and Earth”, “Pontiac Moon”, “Forrest Gump”, and a host of others. Aside from being a singer, songwriter, musician, and producer, James is also the author of his best-selling autobiography “Me, the Mob, and the Music”, the story of his true to life wild ride, and stay tuned for the film which will also be an exciting adventure. Currently while the planet continues in isolation and people continue to cry for the moon Tommy James can be heard on his own radio show called “Gettin’ Together With Tommy James” on SiriusXM every Sunday 5-8 PM on ‘60s on 6. It features Tommy playing his own hits as well as other artists from the 60’s. I had a long and electrifying conversation with Tommy James regarding his career, his autobiography, and his galvanizing journey through life and the music industry......I found him to be one of the most courageous, coolest, and kindest man on the planet....and a master story-teller as well! Mostly he genuinely loves his fans.....
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During these crazy, unprecedented, and fractured world events what have you been up to? Like everybody else, hibernating.... of course, the concert business is on its rear end. Our last date was in February and we don’t start up again until at least April of next year., and nobody knows for sure if those dates are going to play. Who wants to be the first one into a theater? I am doing my radio show every week. How can people tune in and what exactly can people expect to listen to on your radio show? The bottom line is I play a lot of different kinds of music. It’s 60’s on 6 so there are some parameters. It’s basically 60’s music and they let me dip into the 70’s a little bit and back into the 50’s a little. My whole philosophy is that there was so much music released in the 60’s, so much great music. It was the most creative time we’ve ever had in my lifetime and the problem was there was so much music that there wasn’t enough room for everyone on the charts. So there is so much music that nobody ever heard, even by named artists. So, in addition to the hits and telling stories about the hits about people that I’ve known and worked with, we have this underground aspect where we like to present “new old songs.” You honestly wouldn’t believe how much great stuff was never heard. Often in the middle of the show we’ll play a B-side and stuff like that. We don’t like to overwhelm people with that, but every so often we’ll play something like that. I have been doing this for about 2 1/2 years now. When they first came to me I wasn’t sure because it’s one thing being on the other side of the microphone where you ask questions and you respond, but suddenly when you are starting from scratch..... we are very happy to be on 60’s on 6 because starting your own channel can be such a problem. You have to build an audience and that happens slowly. 60’s on 6 is the most listened to station on Sirius and it’s international and national. It’s coast to coast all over North America. It’s terribly important, especially now when the music business is dead for the time being. I will say that the royalty business thank God has never been bigger. Well right now all people can do is listen, watch and read...so we’re good. So your autobiography, “Me the Mob, and the Music” which I want to read, is being made into a movie... Well it’s true. That’s the only thing about an autobiography, you’ve got to tell on yourself.
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Who do you want to portray you? Let’s see....Walter Brennan is gone...... listen I am the worst one to ask. There are so many hip young new actors out there and I can’t believe how many of the young actors started out as musicians in rock bands. There’s a tremendous choice out there and I’m going to let the grownups handle it. I just flat out don’t know.
That’s fair. Barbara DeFina is producing the film. She produced “Goodfellas”, “Casino”, and The Color of Money” back in the 80’s.... just a string of great movies. She’s about 4 foot 3 and you would never figure her for making these mob movies. She’s terrific. Matthew Stone did the screenplay. I have a hell of a respect for these guys who do screenplays because they have to take a basic story from a book or something and turn it into scenes, creating dialogue and stuff like that. It’s amazing watching all of this come together, and Kathy Marshall is going to direct. Well from everything I’ve heard about your book there’s going to be some really exciting scenes in the movie. Basically, the gist of it is a very tumultuous and sometimes really scary relationship with Roulette Records. Was Roulette Records a blessing or a curse to you? It was both. Honestly, we would never have had the kind of success that we had on one of the big corporate labels. The whole thing was so amazing. When we signed with Roulette, we had no idea what they were involved in. They were basically a front for the Genovese crime family in New York. Morris Levy, the head of the label was as they say, a mob associate. He was Jewish so he wasn’t a made man. He wasn’t Sicilian but he had every other trait. The bottom line was we really had to tiptoe around. While we were Mony, Monying, and I Think We’re Alone Now, and Crimson and Clovering all over the place we had this very dark and sinister story going on behind the scenes. We couldn’t talk about it. It had to be very interesting... It was very interesting. Getting paid was a whole other issue, but we would never have had the kind of success we had if we would have gone with one of the corporate labels. The whole thing was when I came to New York, “Hanky Panky” had exploded out of Pittsburgh. The record was almost 3 years old at that time. I had recorded it back in late 63’, and it took off in Pittsburgh. It was one of those “only in America” type of stories. The record exploded out of Pittsburgh three years later and they tracked me down. I went to Pittsburgh and found the first band I could find to be the new Shondells and a week later we were in New York selling the master. We got a yes from Columbia, we got a yes from Atlantic, RCA, even Kama Sutra Records. I went to bed that night feeling so good thinking we would probably be with CBS or some other label. The last place we took the record to was Roulette as almost an after thought. The next morning I woke up, I was 18 years old at the time, and all of these companies that had said yes the day before all of a sudden called up and said they had to pass. Finally, Jerry Wexler at Atlantic told us the truth. Morris Levy had called up all of these other companies and scared them to death. He called them up and said “this is my freaking artist.” Just like that....he’s right out of central casting. That’s how we ended up on Roulette. But the truth is that if we had gone with one of those other labels, if we would have been turned over to some house A&R guy, I can tell you right now that’s probably the last time anybody would’ve heard from us. We would have been lucky to have been a one hit wonder, especially with a record like “Hanky Panky” as a first record. At Roulette they actually needed us. I was given the keys to the candy store. I could basically do anything I wanted to do. They were looking to me to make future records happen, so I was allowed to put a production team together, use my own people and we ended up with 23 gold singles, and about 110 million records sold because of that. I go into detail in the book about that. Getting paid was another issue. It was like taking a bone from a Doberman. I know that happened to many artists at that time. Well that’s how it was back then. I am fascinated by the record business. In fact, I’m going to do a whole thing regarding the labels on my radio show. It’s going to be one of our themes. But the truth is that these guys that put this amazing machine together called the record business were all street guys. It wasn’t until the corporations really took over that it got like it is today, even though everything’s kind of disintegrated. But the street guys put together this amazing, well oiled, machine together where you could sing a song in the studio on Monday morning and by Friday afternoon it could be in the stores and on the radio. So that was my thing with Roulette, crime doesn’t pay. So, what is the most trouble you’ve ever got yourself into? There is going to be a scene in the movie, and it was in the book where Morris and I really had a blowout. Morris Levy can only be described as something out of the movies. He was every bit of a gangster. He was big and
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when you grabbed his hand it was like holding onto a catcher’s mitt. He was really a big in between “I Think We’re Alone Now” and “Mirage”. I went up there and was told by the accountant under no uncertain terms that everything was cross collateralized. And I thought “what the hell does that mean?” (I’m going to write a song called cross collateral). What it boils down to was that they weren’t paying. If I pushed it too far, I could end up like Jimmy Rogers (“Honeycomb”). What that meant was that Jimmy was suing Roulette. He was stopped by what he thought were cops on an LA freeway and they beat him, they thought to death. This happened in 1968. He was a pretty strong guy and survived but he was never the same. This is scary stuff....am I allowed to write this? Well it’s the truth. The bottom line was we understood what that was and gradually I read up on the Genovese crime family and it was pretty astonishing. So we were walking on egg shells but the funny part is that one of these days I’m going to ask the good Lord what he had in mind. This was as you say a blessing and a curse. If it hadn’t been for Morris Levy there wouldn’t have been a Tommy James.....and that is the truth. Speaking of the Lord, many people thought that when you wrote and recorded “Crystal Blue Persuasion” that you were inspired by those little blue LSD tabs that were going around at the time, but instead you are inspired by the Bible. My question is what was a rocker doing reading the Bible? I became a Christian....what can I say? That’s really what “Crystal Blue” was about. Back then when you wrote songs about religious experiences, for example “Sweet Cherry Wine”, was about that too, it wasn’t politically incorrect to do that. It was a snapshot of where you were at as a person. So that’s what we wrote songs about. Anyway, I was very proud of that. When I’m asked about it, I talk about it. Out of all the many songs that you have recorded is there one that you are particularly proud of and kind of loved above the rest? Wow.... I suppose there are actually two. One has to be “Crystal Blue Persuasion”, for the reasons I just told you. I suppose the other is “Mony Mony.” There is no air left in the room when we finish with that song. The CO2 level goes up pretty high and at concerts it’s what we end the show with and it has been all this time....50 years. It’s just amazing how this stuff has lasted. Billy Idol also ends his show with “Mony Mony.” Yeah, so does Bruce Springsteen. I have to put that as one of my all-time favorites. I’ve been so fortunate. I look out at our concert crowd now and literally I see three generations of people. I have been so blessed. I mean rock ‘n’ roll is a business that gives you maybe two or three years. We have been doing this literally for 54 years. It’s amazing for me and I thank the fans and the good Lord for the longevity that we’ve had. I really mean that. So have you had your Ultimate stage fantasy yet? I don’t think anybody has ever asked me that..... I suppose one of my all-time favorites is the Ed Sullivan show. With all that history on that stage, Ed Sullivan was the biggest show on television. We were on three times and we headlined each time. Headlining the Ed Sullivan show was I think the biggest thrill. Not only for me but for my hometown, for my parents and everybody around me. One of the reasons was because the night we did the first Ed Sullivan Show , “Crimson and Clover” hit number 1. Billboard and the trades were always out on Sunday night and the night we did the first Ed Sullivan Show that song was number one. It ended up being our biggest single as well. We did 5 1/2 million singles right there in 1969 and then another 20 or 30 million more on various albums over the course of 50 years internationally.
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To this day it is and has been my very favorite song. Thank you... So that night was a moment in so many ways. Have to say that’s my greatest stage fantasy.
That’s a good one. Musically you were ahead of your time. You used a synthesizer when no one even knew what it was. Do you know who owned it? No who owned it? Whitey Ford. Our usual studio was being updated to 24 tracks. So, I had to find another studio and I found a little studio called “Broadway Sound” on 54th and Broadway. I walked into the studio and the owners of the studio were there to greet me. One of them was Whitey Ford. He owned the studio. I looked over and I saw this gigantic thing that looked like a 1920 switchboard. It was the size of a wall with a keyboard on the bottom half and it was analog too. Digital hadn’t been quite invented yet, except for the astronauts. It was a big analog Moog synthesizer, the very first one. They played it for me and I fooled around with it and I said “whoa, we have to do an album around this.” Our next album after “Crimson and Clover” was “Cellophane Symphony” and that was built around the synthesizer. I knew that that was going to be the future because it replaced musicians. You knew everybody was going to try to take the cheap way out with the synthesizer. That was a moment, too. Do you think that if you had the technology we have today you would have done things differently back in the 60s when you were recording? Yeah, I would have used it. You are the first artist that has ever admitted that to me. I think it’s foolish to say “no I would’ve done it the same way”, I would’ve spent 12 hours trying to tune the organ..... We would have gone all the way with it. Technology always fascinated me. We were at a moment in time during the 1960s when the space program was finding its way into the TV studios and the recording studios, miniaturizing electronics...We went for example from 4 tracks to 24 tracks in about three years. That was huge. That opened up things you cannot believe. We were so lucky to have been in the business at that period of time. You were asked to play Woodstock and you declined. Are you sorry? Yes... not just yes...HELL YES! Why did you decline? I was in Hawaii. We were playing two gigs, two weeks apart. One was in Hilo and the other was in Honolulu. Tom Moffett the promoter put us in this 21 room Spanish Villa at the foot of Diamond Head right on the ocean. We were in paradise. I got a call on Wednesday from my secretary Joanne who told me Artie Kornfeld, who was one of the promoters of Woodstock had called. Artie was also a producer and a friend of mine. She said that Artie said they were going to have this big gig on a pig farm in New York, and they’d really like me to be there. I said “WHAT?” I thought “Oh yeah, I’m going to leave Paradise to fly 6000 miles to play a pig farm in upstate New York.” They said it was going to be a big show. I told them “if we’re not there start without us.” I was laughing as I hung up on her. By Friday we knew we screwed up really bad. They shut down the New York throughway and we were watching this on TV. All the network news stations had it and were filming the incredible number of cars that were showing up. Thousands of cars....and they started without us! We damn sure made the next one which was the Atlanta Pop Festival. I bet you did. I’ve been noticing on the Internet a huge amount of people are campaigning for you to be inducted to the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame. You certainly deserve it and they keep wondering why you haven’t been? Truthfully, I always thought it was unseemly for an artist to promote himself into the Hall of Fame. Chubby Checker did it for years and I always thought it was a big mistake. When it’s our turn to go, we’ll go. That’s really how I feel. You know when I’d like it to happen? When the movie comes out. That would be the greatest one-two punch that I could think of.
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Your album “Alive” came out the end of last year, what inspired it? First overall, I think that it is terribly important to keep putting out music. Our fans have been so great and loyal over the years and they buy everything we put out. It’s just something I do. It’s what I do. I can’t seem to stop myself. Tell me about the album. I know you have some cool people playing on it. The funny part is that it started out as an acoustic album. I was going to do an acoustic album of some of the old songs, some brand new songs and I thought that would be kind of cool. Well we got about two songs into it and realized that there was no way that we could do this acoustically. I just thought I did it over again. We started with this song “So Beautiful.” The two singles of the album went Top 20 on the Billboard AC Charts. That’s so cool. Isn’t that something? It was great to be back on the charts. It’s such a different record business and music business now. Doing radio again, it’s fun but there’s a whole new generation of people. The “Alive” album was really a labor of love. I’m not sure I am ever going to do an album again because everything is single song downloads. The most that we are ever going to do again is probably a four song EP. And another thing is that it’s just starting to happen, but vinyls are making a big comeback. We have our own record company and Ira Leslie who was doing marketing for Roulette is doing marketing for us. The guy is really amazing. He has more street knowledge about the record business than anybody I’ve ever talked with. Do you have guests appearing on your radio show? Lew Simon, who runs the 60s channel and some of other decade channels wanted it to be just me and my stories, however he said at some point maybe we will do that. Right now, he said if I didn’t mind then he would just keep it me and my people. I have Ed Osborne who works for me and Carol Ross, my manager who are also on the show with me. I like bouncing stuff back-and-forth. Ed Osborne who co-produces the show with me was a big executive at BMG, but before that he was one of the original CBS jocks. Carol Ross is an actor who was on Gun Smoke, Wild,Wild West, and before that she was a nightclub singer. Before she became an actress, she was an Action dancer on “Where The Action Is” with Dick Clarke. We have a team of thoroughbreds that I’m so proud of. I brag about these people all the time. In any case Lew Simon wants me to play my own stuff and I asked him, “Can’t I go to jail for that?” So, I am able to play 50 years worth of stuff. Isn’t that wild? Completely wild! The soundtrack of your life was just released, what songs are on it? Oh brother. There are so many, I wouldn’t even know where to start. Do you know what I’m really into now?
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What’s that? Smooth jazz. Maybe it’s me just getting mellow, I don’t know but that’s where the geniuses are now. So I would do some of that, I would do several Motown songs. I love Wilson Pickett. The stuff that I wind up playing on air you wouldn’t believe. I just think Wilson Pickett is one of the most amazing artists I’ve ever heard. I would go with some stuff from the 50s. I love Bobby Day. He wrote “Rockin’ Robin” and “Little Bitty Pretty One” and sung them both. I would probably go with several Beatles songs. Songs like “Strawberry Fields” which to me was such a breakthrough record. “Strawberry Fields” was when radio divided up into AM and FM. Strawberry Fields straddled that fence. I’ll never forget we were riding in the car on the road somewhere and I was listening to the radio and “Happy Together” came on by The Turtles. The next song was “Strawberry Fields.” Two totally different flavors, two totally different directions of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Rock ‘n’ Roll was breaking up into two different genres. One was pop and the other was psyche delic rock. Then there was just flat out metal rock. This happened in one moment, in 1967 and I just remember being absolutely startled by The Beatles at that moment. They were so different from how they started out. They evolved. When I realized you could evolve, that you could take your audience on a trip that is when I started producing the group. When we started out, we were a garage band, then we were a studio band, then we went on to party rock, then we went to psychedelic rock which was really Pop music done a slightly different way. As the technology and as the science of the technology came into the studio and multi-track machines became bigger, we had to expand what
we were doing if we were to keep our audience. So, we were able to go through all of these changes and thank God the audience stayed with us. And it’s still with you. We still have the fans and God bless them. The country music used to do that. They had this multi-generational fan base. I get asked so many times by young bands,, “what do we do?” You can set your hair on fire and not get any attention. I am amazed how difficult it is to make any noise today. Nobody’s paying attention. I tell them to forget record companies for right now and to go to publishing companies. I tell them to write their own music, record about 10 of their songs, and do them well, and go to a publisher. That’s the best advice ever. That’s where the action is. Rock ‘n’ Roll was never meant to be enjoyed individually. It’s a social affair. Rock ‘n’ Roll is a social thing as much as it is a music thing. When you take that away, what have you got? The concert business really hadn’t changed that much. That was the amazing thing. You still have the excitement, the audience, and we never made more money on a nightly basis than we make now. Ever. The world right now is a marketplace. You can go anywhere online. There has never been more of an opportunity to get music to people. Getting new music in front of the fans is one of the toughest things to do. I know you probably don’t stay up all night thinking of questions that you want to be asked. So, if you could help me ask you any question on the planet what would it be? Well I think you’ve already asked it. “How are you?” ......I suppose I would like to be asked about the relationship with the fans. I think it’s probably the area that I’m most proud of. Fans are everything. They make the car go. Without them you have nothing. The fans have been so good to us. If you could say anything to your fans, what would it be? I would say, a huge thank you and write it across the sky. I’m just so grateful to the fans. Like I said, the good Lord and the fans have done it for us my whole life. After a certain point they become like extended family. I spend more time saying the words, thank you more than anything else I say. And I really mean it..... The official website for Tommy James may be found at: https://www.tommyjames.com Facebook: @TJandtheShondells Instagram: @tommyjamesandtheshondells
TOMMY JAMES AND THE SHONDEllS
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Star Crystal
Rockers with a Twist!
What first got you into music? Elijah: Fate brought us to music, we were born already as rockers in the soul Eugene: The great desire to be on the other side of a stage Alex: Every person is born with some talent, some ignores it and chooses money. In my case, I was born as a musician. And when I was young, I watched Hollywood movies and I loved that music and then decided to play it. Susanna: I was born already with this desire to be in music. I wanted to become a famous singer. Who inspired you to make music? Susanna: I’ve always liked singers with a strong growl in their vocals. Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, Dibri Mills, Vixen and many strong singers were and are examples for her.
How would you describe the music that you typically create? A song must have cool riffs, mind blowing solo and sexy keyboards tune. Whole song describe emotions of lovers and all positive emotions in the world. In general it’s music from the 80’s. What is your creative process like? Some one of us bring an idea (mostly it is Alex) of a song or we jam and begin creation of the song Who would you most like to collaborate with? The main thing in this work is punctuality and planning for further actions. No matter who it is or which company, the main thing is seriousness and dedication to work. If you could open a show for any artist, who would it be? It would be many bands playing our glam 80 style and individual singers of that time.
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What is one message you would give to your fans? Listen to good music that will evoke a feeling of love, passion, kindness in you. Do you sing in the shower? What songs? Most often these are our songs that are still being created. Or the song I hear first when I wake up. Also our songs dancing all night, don’t give up, John. What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career? We would live a routine life, wouldn’t see the world, don’t know what a thrill it is to perform on huge stages in front of a thousand people. Where have you performed? We had three European tours, We performed in Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy and Croatia. What are your favorite and least favorite venues? We really love Zagreb’s hard place, Arad’s club fles, and Plovdiv’s Polinero place. Do you have any upcoming shows? Yes we are going to do shows in Great Britain, France and German. And some summer festivals in Europe. We heard you are signed to Rock Avenue Records USA? How did that come about? It was much unexpected. We were searching for a label. We spend our nights and send emails with our info to labels and one day we got an answer, it was the cool guys from Rock Avenue Records. How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business? The internet has been impacting tremendously. Now you can easily find a new hot band to listen to or watch huge gigs while just sitting at home but it’s just imitations of real emotions What is your favorite song to perform? We have a lot of favorite songs. Don’t Give Up, Dancing All Night, and Miracle. Which famous musicians do you admire? Doug Aldrich, Paul Gilbert, Richard Sambora, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Tommy Aldridge, Billy Sheehan What is the best advice you’ve been given? Love what you do. And work hard on your talent. If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be? Around the world, a lot of pop music rotates. I would equally distribute all the styles. What’s next for you? We will always work in music. As long as God helps us in this and gives us strength, opportunities and health.
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Jola
A Conversation with “Master Drummer” by Eileen Shapiro
One of the most vibrant musicians on the scene today as well as the most fashionable, Jola is one of the twin drumming members of the supporting band of the iconic and legendary Adam Ant. Adam Ant is and has always been (since the 80’s), one of the most exhilarating, flamboyant, and colossal rock superstars that the planet has ever known. As a frontman, Ant shines above the noise, however he is fortunate to have one of the tightest, most talented and titanic support bands in the music industry, Jola sensationally included. Her essential and non-negotiable timing seems like one walking on a high wire without a safety net. Like a conductor, Jola and fellow drummer Andy set the pace for the music, and keeps the time with our emotions. I suppose the biggest question that everyone is asking is how are you as a musician keeping safe and busy in today’s surreal climate, and what good do you think will come out of this? I always like to keep busy, whether as a musician or in general, so it’s business as usual in that regard but possibly the challenge for a lot of people, whatever their profession, is not thinking too far ahead and getting anxious about what lies ahead. Only time will tell whether any good will come out of this current situation. Flora and fauna are definitely having the mother of all parties at the moment though! Aside from this you and the band are preparing for a US West Coast tour, besides leaving the house what are you most excited about? Alas, the West Coast Friend or Foe tour has now been rescheduled for 2021. Adam’s US tours have always exceeded high expectations and it’s a massive disappointment for me, but beyond anyone’s control. As a drummer how well do you manage with improvisation? I wouldn’t class myself as a skilled improviser, however, having studied jazz in the past, I’m not uncomfortable in this territory and I do enjoy musical voyages into the unknown. When I’m performing, I always try a different fill or voicings or change a pattern. Sometimes it works and other times it doesn’t, but that’s how I like to play. In a band situation, it’s quite exciting to perform a show that suddenly takes an unexpected turn and requires an ensemble ad-lib!
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Your set-up? I have a Gretsch New Classic in Black Sparkle with 10”,12” rack and 14”,18” floor toms. My snare is a vintage 1970s chrome Gretsch. Sabian and Paiste cymbals. I use Evans Calftone skins on all drums other than the 18” floor tom which has an Evans Hydraulic. These skins have been a revelation. The sound they produce is so big with minimum tweaking needed. What is your biggest challenge and triumph as a drummer? Good question. Just when I think I’ve overcome my biggest musical challenge, another one comes along and that’s fine by me! Playing in Hyde Park to a massive crowd with Adam, Stevie Nicks and Rod Stewart was a crazy day. I am just thankful for all the luck I’ve had. What would your ultimate gig be? If you mean as a performer, then Glastonbury and Coachella would be interesting, as I’ve never played either of those festivals. If you mean as a spectator, I’m not sure. Though I did go to a surprisingly brilliant ELO gig. I wasn’t really a fan and wasn’t expecting much, although I am appreciative of their quirky, orchestral songs. But that was a hell of a show. No messing with the original arrangements, an excellent sound, which really does make a difference, and a celestial light show. A two hour fantasy. Certainly checked out their back catalogue after that. Thanks Roy! What music do you personally like to listen to? I listen to all kinds of music. Though it’s been a long while since I heard anything by a new band/artist that excites me. I’ve got Hank Mobley on a loop at the moment! He had a mind boggling gift for composition and a vast output of material, much of which I haven’t yet heard but currently on my Mobley loop are the albums Dippin’, No Room for Squares, Soul Station and Hi Voltage. These albums also feature legendary drummers Philly Joe Jones, Billy Higgins and Art Blakey. There’s some fascinating rhythms going on here. Do you have any solo projects that you are working on? I recorded some reggae tracks as part of a new project last year which went on the backburner due to other commitments within that band. But we may now have an opportunity to fine tune those tracks and get them heard. I’ve also been writing songs that would be good to record with a live band at some point. There’s 7 months till the end of this year so anything could happen between now and then. Who does your fashion? I design my own stagewear. I sketch my ideas and forward them, together with fabrics, zips, buttons, to the very talented Naomi Gibbs, a theatre costume designer who I’ve collaborated with many times. My costumes for the Friend or Foe tour were made by Naomi (www.societybelle.co.uk), and were based on my original sketches. She made them beautifully. They got pummelled on two tours but are now packed away, having a rest and waiting for the West Coast 2021! There are also lots of other stage outfits that I wear with Adam that I’ve cobbled together! I enjoy creating an alter ego for the stage. I’ve worn jeans and t shirt onstage with other bands, but use colour and trinkets for effect like many performers. Adam’s image is very dramatic so I hoped that a theatrical look would work for me in his band. Are there any tips that you can share with other drummers to improve their speed? Playing fast does require stamina and ease of movement but playing at slow tempos is more difficult in my view. The musician is exposed. Dealing with space can be tricky. Precision and timekeeping are under more scrutiny. But for drummers wanting to gain speed in their technique, the bad news is there’s no fast track to thrashing around the drum kit at breakneck speed. Unless you’re lucky enough to be performing continuously, boring old practice and repetition are the most effective way to improve your speed. If there’s a fill
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Who does your fashion? I design my own stagewear. I sketch my ideas and forward them, together with fabrics, zips, buttons, to the very talented Naomi Gibbs, a theatre costume designer who I’ve collaborated with many times. My costumes for the Friend or Foe tour were made by Naomi (www.societybelle.co.uk), and were based on my original sketches. She made them beautifully. They got pummelled on two tours but are now packed away, having a rest and waiting for the West Coast 2021! There are also lots of other stage outfits that I wear with Adam that I’ve cobbled together! I enjoy creating an alter ego for the stage. I’ve worn jeans and t shirt onstage with other bands, but use colour and trinkets for effect like many performers. Adam’s image is very dramatic so I hoped that a theatrical look would work for me in his band. Are there any tips that you can share with other drummers to improve their speed? Playing fast does require stamina and ease of movement but playing at slow tempos is more difficult in my view. The musician is exposed. Dealing with space can be tricky. Precision and timekeeping are under more scrutiny. But for drummers wanting to gain speed in their technique, the bad news is there’s no fast track to thrashing around the drum kit at breakneck speed. Unless you’re lucky enough to be performing continuously, boring old practice and repetition are the most effective way to improve your speed. If there’s a fill you want to perfect, slow it right down. Practice with heavier sticks than usual. Play it from memory as much as you can. Only refer to the source material, audio or written, when you have to. Move it up a gear once you are comfortable playing it slowly. There are tons of good drum tutorial books for rudiments out there for the reading drummer, but my favourites are Buddy Rich’s Modern Interpretation of Snare Drum Rudiments and George Lawrence Stone’s Stick Control and his more advanced book, Accents and Rebounds. Lots of essential reading to be found there. What do you have going on for 2020 and beyond? 2020 and beyond? 2020 has been a hell of a year so far, for all the wrong reasons! 2019 was the business. I was very busy musically. Aside from my work with Adam, I branched off into a reggae collaboration and recordings which as stated, I hope to pursue this year. Last year, I also did a stint with London band The Priscillas for some summer shows. The Priscillas (www.thepriscillas.co.uk); Taylor, Val and singer Jenny, have some great songs, punchy and melodic. Jenny is a very dynamic performer and I had a lot of fun with this lot! The east coast US and UK Friend or Foe tours with Adam were just sensational. Some very memorable shows! Cincinatti, Detroit and in the UK, Hull and Blackburn spring to mind. Adam’s energy and athleticism were second to none and he has such a great connection with the audience and we were firing on all cylinders, so I am disappointed that the US west coast tour has been rescheduled for 2021, but we will be back and after a lay off like this, I’ll be straining at the leash to get back on stage and thrash my drum kit to within an inch of its life! www.joladrums.com // Instagram: @joladrums // www.adam-ant.com // www.gretschdrums.com // www.daddario.com Photo Credits: @robert_sutton_photography, Susan Phelps Costume made by @society_belle
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iLO
Photo by @johnnyng201609
Singer-Songwriter on the Rise! Who are your inspirations? (as in other band or artists) Sade, Michael Bolton, FINK, Sting, 30 Seconds to Mars. When did you first start singing? When I was as young as 6 - I was writing poetry and short stories that later turned into lyrics and full songs, but I didn’t begin singing professionally until my twenties.
What did your family do to encourage you? Telling my parents that I want to quit university and my daytime job to pursue music was challenging - my grandmother has been my biggest supporter ever since I sang at home with a hairbrush but it took time for the rest of my family to come fully onboard. When they saw me perform with a full band onstage at a sold-out show, I think they accepted and celebrated my choice and have been very encouraging and proud from then on. Who else in your family sings? Noone, I don’t come from a musical background - my mum is in the medical field and my dad was a journalist and a writer. But I knew I’d be a singer for as long as I can remember. Who are your musical inspirations? Life, my friends, relationships, mental health and self-discovery. What kind of music do you listen to today? I love the 80’s, classic rock, country-rock. Today I’m listening to Chris Stapleton, HALSEY, The Neighbourhood, Imagine Dragons, Billie Elish, Sting, and Sade. What embarrassing songs might I find on your playlist? Some colourful euro-pop from the 90’s, the whole Spice Girls collection (which I dont think is embarrassing, I’ve loved them forever), and a song by Dan Balan called Chica Bomb that was too catchy to escape my mind.
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Where would you most like to perform? Headline show at the O2 Arena in London. Who would you most like to open for? Michael Bolton! I’d also love to tour with Maren Morris, Ryan Tedder / One Republic, and James Bay. If you weren’t singing, what would you be doing? I honestly would be quite lost, I only ever imagined being a performer. I studied foreign languages (German and Russian) and I love psychology, so maybe along the lines of an interpreter or a therapist, but nothing would bring as much happiness as music does. Do you play any instruments? I compose some of my melodies on piano, but voice is my main instrument. If you could dabble in another genre of music, what would it be? I’d love to write and perform toplines for trance/dance/ EDM music. My favourites will be Above and Beyond. What genre of music can’t you stand to listen to? I respect and like all genres, but not the hugest reggae fan - although I think reggae brings a beautifully happy and relaxing vibe. A great song is a great song, regardless of the style. What hidden talents do you have? I write comic stories in my native Bulgarian, have done it for years. My childhood friends and I were lucky to spent many summers on holiday together in a little Bulgarian seaside resort and after each holiday, I’d fly back to the UK and immortalize our crazy and funny memories into mini books. Do you enjoy writing music and/or lyrics? Absolutely love it, it’s the ultimate therapy and release. It’s wonderful to put feelings into words andcreate something that others can embrace and gain love from. How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? https://www.reverbnation.com/ilonatmusic https://www.instagram.com/ilonatmusic https://www.twitter.com/ilonatmusic https://www.facebook.com/ilonatmusic https://www.youtube.com/user/ilonatmusic
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The Pond Hawks
The Top of the Indie Music World by Eileen Shapiro
Often recited as being reminiscent of The Beatles, the Chicago based duo, The PondHawks are quickly rising as one of the biggest Indie factions in the world. Their vocals and harmonies continue to bend genres and delight fans. Their newest song, “Afraid of Love” continues to create a buzz and fans are anxiously awaiting to see what’s next. I spoke to Jorie and Mario regarding a psychedelic, fluorescent 50 year anniversary festival celebrating Woodstock as well as exactly what they were up to....Mario is a jokester while Jorie just seems to entertain his comedy. Together they make an incredible sound that touches the hearts of fans and listeners..
So what have you guys been up to since we last spoke? Mario: Just making it happen. We did a radio show this morning. It was called CRIS, and it was interesting because they were blind. Jorie: They are in Chicago and it’s with Lighthouse for the Blind. They are really into PondHawks music. We had to bring all of our albums in, they wanted to be able to hear all of our music. Mario: Spectacular. What did you talk about? Jorie: Basically, what we went over with you, the beginnings of the band, and about our music, and songs that they talked about, were they hard to do or easy.... Mario: Our favorite amphibians and reptiles....the usual, you know... You just came off doing a festival of some sort? Jorie: We did the Woodstock tour. That was actually pretty good. Everyone was dressed up like hippies..... Mario: They told me to come dressed the way I always do...the thing is Eileen, I pick a decade and I stick to it. Well you picked a pretty cool decade. Jorie: Oh yeah he did.
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Are you writing or recording anything new? Mario: Oh yeah! We were on our way to the interview this morning and I was playing our new demo for Jorie. Our new song. We’ve got about 25 songs in the queue. So it’s like “what do we want to do next?” I’ve been reading your reviews, and the consensus is thinking you sound like The Beatles. Mario: It’s A misnomer, but God bless him for that. We’re into the John and Paul formula, but that’s what it is. Jorie: I love it, but nobody can beat The Beatles. I think it’s doing the more pure harmonies stuff where you’re not using all these effects to make your voice sound better or to have some sort of weirdness to it, auto tune and stuff like that. Mario: I’ve got enough weirdness. Jorie: He’s weird altogether. ....But I don’t think you need all that gimmicky stuff if you can sing. Mario: Just a paisley tie and that’s good enough. Well you two can sing! Mario: I make dogs cringe. Jorie: Yeah they howl. Jorie: It was A private party with only invited guests, but a lot of invited guests. It was on this Estate. There was a sound system and everything. There was food and you could just walk around, that’s how big it was. Mario: I hit the piñada, but I didn’t get a Rolex. We were rolling with the punches. We thrive on the humor of the situation. Because you know that’s what life is all about anyway. If you don’t have humor in life you’re just missing the boat. Jorie: The audience was entertaining for us to watch while we were singing. Mario: Life in general they are going to be thunderstorms and lightning but you got to laugh in between.... Follow The PondHawks on the web: https://www.thepondhawks.com https://www.pondhawksmusic.com https://www.facebook.com/thepondhawks https://www.reverbnation.com/thepondhawks https://www.twitter.com/ThePondHawks https://www.instagram.com/ThePondHawks https://youtube.com/user/jpondhawk/videos | https:// soundcloud.com/the-pondhawks/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/2nmP1PiRxJ8uPqp2sdZQU5 The PondHawks All Songs playlist: https://www.reverbnation. com/thepondhawks/playlist/-4 EPK: https://www.reverbnation.com/rpk/download_ bio/1241547
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Stay Safe. Stay Healthy. World Health Organization Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pandemic https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/ novel-coronavirus-2019 CDC Frequently Asked Questions https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources Coping During COVID-19: Resources For Parents https://childmind.org
