The Orange Magazine - Vol 9

Page 20

Jimmy Kang, VP Wu-Tang Management

MUSIC

design&print

Founder Michael Neely CEO Rasheed J. Neely Aaliyah Neely Editors Aidem Media Group David R. Navarro

Contributing Writers Michael Neely David R. Navarro Graphic Design David R. Navarro design&print Advertising & Promotion Aidem Media Group B & S Designs

Copyrights The Orange Magazine is sole property of AidemMediaGroup/ AMGmusic.Net. Which is owned

by Michael Neely and any articles and pictures are sole property of The Orange Magazine and any likeness. The Orange Magazine has been copyrighting since 2019.

Table of Contents Page 2-4 Kristine Mirelle

Page 16-18 Kid Astronaut

Page 30-31 Nathaniel Krantz

Page 5-7 Sonny Masicampo of Pilot Haus

Page 20-22 Jimmy Kang, VP

Page 32-34 Becky Raisman

Page 9-11 KneeOn Sisters

Page 24-26 Kenny Aronoff

Page 12-15 Leland Sklar

Page 27-29 Mike Liorti of Rosedale

Wu-Tang Management

Page 35-36 James Branton of Ashes To Omens

1

Kristine Mirelle No Stopping Now

When did you first get into music?

When I was four years old, my mom told me I was going to start piano lessons. I still remember my little feet dangling off the chair in our kitchen and me saying that I didn’t want to. I just remember she said I had to take it for one year and then could quit after that! I was sure I was going to quit... that was 30 years ago lol. I fell in love with music and never stopped.

Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

I just knew it was something that I loved to do... as much as many people say to have a back up plan... I knew I didn’t want to. When. you have back up plans, you end up going with the back up plan. Its like a safety net.... and when people know they have a safety net, they don’t give it everything they have. I decided I wanted to do music no matter what happened because nothing else could make me happy How has your music evolved since you first began performing/writing music?

As I’ve “grown up” I’ve been more raw in my lyrics. In my most recent album I talked about growing up, having guns pointed in my face, dealing with abusive boyfriends, pressures of looking a certain way as a female, losing my best friend, dealing with demons, and even dealing with the intense fear I have of ever being broke and homeless again. It’s a lot, and maybe too much information to share with people, but it was a release for me. It felt good to be open about things I didn’t normally talk about.

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I’m sure you have shared the stage with a lot of talented artists/celebrities along the way. Would you share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us?

My favorite moment was probably when I share the stage with artists Mario, Brian McKnight, Faith Evans, Lil Kim, Jagged Edge, and Musiq Soulchild in New York in front of 20,000 people. I opened the show and I just remember how I got the entire stadium to sing a long with me... its the best feeling: Making people feel comfortable enough to sing at the top fo their lungs. And I’ve also had some other favorite moments were also performing in small lounges and then doing impromptu performances that were not planned. I was once performing in Malibu, CA and Robin Thick joined me next to my piano and sang a Marvin Gaye song while I accompanied him. Most people didn’t even realize it was him because it was just in a small non-assuming restaurant... and for that reason, it was even more entertaining :)

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?

Definitely Joy :) I’ll also add, that EVERY business is tough. Entertainment isn’t any more tough than the business of being in accounting. There are highs, lows, competitors, and fans. I’m a big believer that everyone creates their own world, and if you believe its tough, than it is. But If you believe its a big beautiful fun adventure, then although it can be difficult at times, you’ll enjoy and appreciate it for all that it is.

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in an industry overflowing with new faces and ideas?

When I moved to Hollywood everyone said, “aren’t you scared? There is so much competition?”. I was never scared because I know there are a lot of people who claim to want to be successful in this industry but very few people master their craft or work very hard. Rather, they do just enough to get a little attention and hope that someone comes and creates their career for them. For me, I’ve done almost 400 Paid shows in just one year... without a record label, manager, or anything like that. 99.9% of people will never work as hard as me... so that’s what makes me special and unique. There are a million talented people in this industry but it doesn’t matter... just because you’re talented doesn’t mean you deserve success.

What has been your biggest challenge as a singer/musician? Have you been able to overcome that challenge?

If so, how?

The only walls that exist are the ones we build... and perspective is a big decider of whether challenges will get the best of us. I spent a good part of my life without a home, with no money, and tons of credit card debt. I’ve been through very rough times, and I’ve been through times where I had absolutely nothing. I didn’t have parents who gave me money, and financially, was in poverty for most of my adult life. But rather than see it through the perspective that I didn’t have much, I felt like I had everything. I had a talent I worked so hard for that no person could every just “buy”...

I had earned it. I knew because we didn’t have money growing up, all I had was a piano... so I played the piano hours and hours every day for almost my entire childhood... that would mean I had a huge advantage over other people who did not master a talent. And I stuck with it, and later, created a very successful music career where I’ve now traveled 6 continents, I’ve seen the world through music, and don’t have to have another job. I just get to do what I love :) I still have A LOT of things I want to accomplish in life, but I will say, that just to arrive at a place where I can make a living with my passion feels pretty darn good.

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 don’t believe there ever has to be suffering for something you love. Did I suffer? Absolutely. But that’s because I didn’t know what I was doing. I didn’t have a plan, I didn’t treat my music as a business. I spent a great part of my life hoping someone would discover me and do all the work for me. It wasn’t until I took my career into my own hands and took on the responsibility and said, “no matter what happens in your life, its your fault”, so whether good or bad, I took responsibility for it.... and my life changed drastically for the better. Its hard to look at yourself and stop blaming others or the world for your shortcomings, but when you finally come to the realization that you have all the power to change your life, than you can really begin to build your life and shape it into what you want it to be.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

It’s given us the opportunity to reach the entire world. It’s also eliminated the need for labels so every artist has the opportunity to create a successful independent music career.

Have you done or plan on doing any Live-stream Concerts? If you have, how has the response been from your fans?

I’ve gone live and take requests from my followers every now and then. I once did it while I was sitting in a restaurant with my brother and started singing to my phone right there in the middle of lunch. Within about 20 minutes, we had gotten 20,000 views. It was pretty interesting to see what was possible.

If you could change anything about the music industry. What would it be?

I wouldn’t change anything about the industry... I would change people’s perspectives about the industry. I once posted a video of me talking about how I built my music career and it was so so interesting One person said, “yeah its easy for you to say this, you’re a woman. If I was a woman it would be easy for me to get fans too”. Then the very next comment was, “No, but its so hard to be a woman in the industry. If I was a man, people would take me seriously”. Do you see how its totally up to us to decide what we believe about things? Two completely different perspectives and BOTH OF THEM came up with exact opposite reasons as to why they could not succeed. I’ve built a career saying, “Allright, what’s going on in entertainment and how can I conquer it and strategize how to succeed through it” rather than “how can I complain and find an excuse to blame someone”. This type of mentality will separate those who succeed and those who do not.

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What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why?

Stevie Wonder “Songs in the key of live”. TLC’s “Fan Mail”, Amy Winehouse “Back to Black”, Lauryn Hill “Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” and then probably Monica “the boy is mine” or Hozier’s album “Hozier”. All of these albums are so great... great music, great writing, and so much soul.

What is the best advice you have received?

This may seem super simple, but Nike’s “Just do it” is epic. Life doesn’t have to be complicated, you don’t have to know what you’re doing exactly, but if you want to make something happen, just friggin do it. Make it happen and figure it out. I also love the question, “Do you want to make history or do you want to make excuses”? It’s your choice.

Which one do you want to do?

Tell us about your current project. Are you working on new music? An EP or Album? Or something different?

I’m working currently on an English/Spanish project. I’ve been producing most of it as well as writing each song. Its mostly just funny and humorous and I’m really enjoying it because my favorite thing to do is to make people happy.

Performing for people is one of the best feelings because you get to see your own talent and gifts, create an experience for others where they. can forget about life for a while :) I look forward to doing that with this album because its just so fun, and I’m going back to my Latin roots which is something I feel really great about.

What’s next for you?

Apart from creating my own music, I started an online business where I help other artists create music careers too.

I’ve written books, created courses, and even hold live trainings where I show artists how I set up 25 city tours, or make money performing and more. It’s been exciting to share everything that I know with other artists.. I plan on continuing to create my own art, while showing others how they can promote their own.

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music and career?

For both my music and more info on how I help other artists, I keep most updates on my Instagram at @KristineMirelle.

My music is on KristineMirelle.com and my books and resources for artists are on GigMagicSystem.com

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Sonny Masicampo Pilot Haus

Photo by Cliff Braun

When did you first get into music?

I was born and raised in Philippine Islands and did not move to America until my early 20’s. Music has always been part of my childhood. Listening to the radio got me started with music at a young age. It has always been a source of motivation and inspiration. I spend hours listening to songs by singer songwriters and bands from United Sates, England and Canada. I was intrigued by the words and melodies they make. This obsession got me started learning how to play the guitar so I can play their songs. It gave me joy every time I’ve learned how to play songs of my favorite singer songwriters and bands. Some of my early favorites are James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Bob Dylan, Jim Croce, Neil Young, America, Beatles, The Doors, and Bread to name a few. I began hanging out with friends having the same interest to play songs with them on my guitar. We found it very exciting and fun. Then we started playing at our school campus and coffee shops in the city allowing live music.

Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

My days with the Navy while we were out to sea inspired me to write songs and think about pursuing a musical journey someday. But because of family responsibilities the journey did not happen until early 2015 when I formed Pilot Haus. An original alternative rock band based in Aurora Colorado. With the help of local talents as Scott Alexander McTaggart on drums, Johan Bautista on bass/lead guitar and Julia Bautista on keys, we practiced and eventually recorded our first EP album INCEPTUS. Later we were joined by Andrew McTaggart, Cliff Braun and Pete Carstensen.

Performing live shows around the Denver Metro venues as The Roxy Theatre, Herman’s Hideaway, Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom/Other Side, Colorado Dragon Boat Festival and the Denver Art Society followed.

How has your music evolved since you first began performing?

Since our early live performances, Pilot Haus live shows evolved into a more dynamic and high energy experiences.

So has the music. Our second full album Breaking Zora and third full album Latitude were indicative of that concept.

In a very good way, the influence of such alternative rock bands as Nirvana, Weezer, Pearl Jam, The Ramones and Green Day to name a few, significantly influenced this approach.

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I’m sure you have shared the stage with a lot of talented artists/celebrities along the way. Would you share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us?

One of my favorite local bands is SF1. We shared the stage with them at the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival. Headed by Shane Franklin. An accomplished emcee, drummer, music producer, songwriter dancer and actor. Their high energy live performances are something to be reckoned with. They are awesome to watch. Another band was Wendy Woo. A highly accomplished singer songwriter and an outstanding guitar player with many albums under her belt. I’ve followed and watched her performances over the years.

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?

Passion. It keeps me going. I’ve always loved music and having to create my own makes me feel good about myself and it’s my passion for music that makes it happen. My motivation remains high because of it.

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in an industry overflowing with new faces and ideas?

Remaining true to myself and my conviction makes me unique as a performing artist and songwriter. It sounds like a cliché but it’s true. I write and express what I feel. It gives for more meaning to my life. So beware, if you piss me of, I might write a song about you with lyrics hidden behind words and metaphors. Lol. What has been your biggest challenge as a singer-songwriter/musician? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

The biggest challenge for me is finding players that will be with me for the duration of this journey. Members come and go but to me, they remain as Pilot Haus family. Their contribution to Pilot Haus music is priceless. The talented Johan Bautista, Scott Alexander McTaggart, Andrew McTaggart, Julia Bautista, Cliff Braun and Pete Carstensen had moved on due to family commitments and other ventures but they remain my brothers and sister. I love them.

To overcome, Pilot Haus continue to move forward with new local talents. They are hard to find but with hard work comes huge benefit. Completion of our third album Latitude is a testament to that persistency, hard work and way to overcome.

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 agree and sure did and continue to experience a bit of it. This pandemic is a good example of this when I have to cancel all live performances, practice sessions and the recording of new album. Another is losing members. They are so dear to me and I miss them so but that is life. Accept and move on. Suffering only makes for sweeter and meaningful accomplishments.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

The impact is tremendous. There many avenues now to make your music heard when before the internet this is unheard of. From Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, i-Tune, BandCamp, ReverbNation, and Deezer to name a few. And Google makes for an awesome archive of all your accomplishments and activities. I’m always in awe whenever I Google Pilot Haus and see the many sites that pop up. It took me many long hours and hard work to make it happen but it really is amazing.

Have you done or plan on doing any Live-stream Concerts? If you have, how has the response been from your fans?

Yes, and I have. And it was nice. My first was with the Denver Open Media (DOM). Was a very good experience and the response, excellent as it was very interactive.

Fans putout comments through chat as I was performing live.

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If you could change anything about the music industry. What would it be?

Laws and regulations, either Nationwide or Statewide Photo by Dennis Gatchalian

must be enacted to protect local musicians. There are predators out there to make money and take advantage of them. When we check posts and activities in our personal major social plat-forms we see promotions pops up all the time and yet revenue shared is non-existent. That could be an example.

What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why?

Sweet Baby James - James Taylor: Learning to how play an acoustic guitar.

Abbey Road – Beatles: Inspired me to write my own songs.

Harvest – Neil Young: Taught me the emotions that comes with writing lyrics.

History: America’s Greatest Hits - America: Being in a band and with talented musician is fun.

The Very Best of Bread – Bread: The power of melodies in music.

Tell us about your current project. Are you working on new music? An EP or Album?

I’m working on the next Pilot Haus full album titled Odyssey. It’s a selection of songs about my life’s journey and as a sailor in the U S Navy. A tribute to my American Dream. As I child growing up in the Philippine Islands it was my dream to live here in America. The Navy made that dream happen for me and I’m forever grateful.

What is your baseball walk onto the field song?

I could suggest my own original composition but I rather not. Therefore, I suggest Enter Sandman by Metallica.

What’s next for you?

I will be recording the next Pilot Haus full album early next year. It’s a long time coming and a good therapy for being confined at home for a long time. Hoping that this pandemic slows down, we will start performing the new song live next year on different Denver Metro venues to promote the album.

How can fans-to-be gain access to your career?

Please Google Pilot Haus and checkout many of our social media sites. There you can see and learn how Pilot Haus evolved since I formed the band in the spring of 2015. Below are some of them: https://music.youtube.com/browse/VLPLvg6vZXeW7H1r5VBC6RlonHS2Zx692b-1 www.reverbnation/pilothaus www.pilothaus/bandcamp https://www.facebook.com/Pilot-Haus-1682248632022201 https://www.instagram.com/thepilothaus/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/43EAGK5KhXOVux7AnEk7xj https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pilot+haus&i=digital-music&ref=nb_sb_noss https://www.iheart.com/artist/pilot-haus-31999875/ albums/breaking-zora-54181277/

Photo by Dennis Gatchalian

7

KneeOn Sisters

Singer-Songwriters

When did you first get into music?

We started our band about 3 years ago. We had been playing guitar and bass for fun a couple years before then, but in late 2017, we decided to become more serious about our music.

Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

Aerial - “I guess sometimes things kind of click. Ever since I was little, I wanted to play music professionally. That decision was a little odd however, considering growing up, we didn’t know anyone that played music. We really picked everything up on our own. After we played our first show, we new it was what we wanted to do!”

How has your music evolved since you first began performing?

When we were just getting started, we played a lot of country music: Piston Annie’s, Miranda Lambert, etc. Now we’ve definitely turned to a more rock/blues kind of vibe! Although we do still keep a bit of country in our set! ;) I’m sure you have shared the stage with a lot of talented artists/celebrities along the way. Would you share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us?

In March 2018 we were the guest house band for the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center “Songs and Stories” showcase.

They were headlining Dave Pahanish, a Nashville writer who has written numerous hit songs including #1 hits for Keith Urban. We were still pretty new at the music game, and even though we were just playing instrumental, we were very nervous and awkward (as starting artist often are). However, Pahanish and his wife were so kind and encouraging! Then just a year later, we became the headliner for that very show! It was really cool to see the progress we were blessed to have in such little time!

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?

Skyler - “Well, for me, I think I’d choose passion. When I think of all the work that goes into our band, the only ‘justification’ of why I do it is because of the deep passion and love for it.”

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Aerial - “It’s a mixture of all the emotions for me. The joy that comes from performing, the passion and pride I have in our music, even sadness and anger play a roll and get incorporated into the songwriting. There’s a lot of emotional ups and downs in the business, but music has a way of making it all worth while!”

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in an industry overflowing with new faces and ideas?

Aerial - “Well, our tightly knit sister bond is one of the main ones. We like the feeling of close family connection to flow to our audiences. We laugh at each other, have this special sister link, and I think people enjoy seeing that bond.”

Skyler - “Also, having the same genes, definitely helps with our harmonies! It makes it a lot easier to have that natural sibling blend!”

What has been your biggest challenge as a singer-songwriter/musician? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

Aerial - “For me it’s making mistakes. I’m a perfectionist. Sometimes it’s hard to take a step back and realize that things won’t always go as planned, but that’s ok! Songs/lyrics/performances are going to have quirks; that just adds to what makes them special!”

Skyler - “The biggest challenge for me would be staying motivated to do the things that aren’t particularly fun to do in music. For instance, I don’t like the social media aspect of music. Since I can sometimes be a little shy and private, it made it difficult for me to want to post pictures, etc. But having a large internet presence/followers is a big part in the industry. We now realize that for many of our fans, social media is the only way for them to get to know us and to keep up with what we’re doing. So we want to make sure our social media stays updated! We’ve even learned to have fun with it, so it’s not a burden; but instead, it’s a way for us to express ourselves and stay connected with our followers!”

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?

Skyler - “Well, in a way yes, but also no, haha! No matter what occupation you’re in, if you want to be successful at it, you have to make sacrifices. But if you love what you do, I don’t think you would really consider it suffering. It’s more like putting in the hard work that comes with learning and developing any craft. And I think that in the end, the real ‘payment’ is the opportunity and talent you have to be able to do something you really love to do!”

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

It’s good and bad. It’s great because you can reach so many people you couldn’t normally reach! We have followers from different parts of the world that we would never be able to meet if it wasn’t for social media!

The bad thing however, is that there is just so much out there. There are so many great artist, but they can be harder to find because there are so many sites and accounts.

Have you done or plan on doing any Live-stream Concerts? If you have, how has the response been from your fans?

We have streamed some of our live shows, and the responses have always been positive! We haven’t yet done a Live-Stream Concert, however, but it’s definitely something we’ll look into for the future!

If you could change anything about the music industry.

What would it be?

The “clicks” that come with the industry. The old saying, “you gotta know the right person” is sometimes too true.

A lot of venues don’t book outside artist unless they have mutual relations that will recommend them. That’s why it’s great when you can find venues that open up to new artist and give them a chance to prove their worth!

What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why?

Miranda Lambert - Four the Record — Grew up with these songs! Some of the first songs we learned to sing!

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AC/DC - Back in Black — Helped us start developing a taste for classic rock’n roll!

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium — Got us to really deepen that mellow, rocker vibe throughout middle school and early high school as we listened to more modern and classic rock music.

Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - The Real Deal: Greatest Hits, Volume 1 — This was our first blues CD we bought. Probably listened to it in the car hundreds of times! ;) Definitely helped inspire our bluesy side, and gave (Aerial) lots of motivation to improve her guitar abilities.

Melanie Marinez - Cry Baby — Showed us an appreciation for a completely new sound - dark, indie, pop. Inspired us to experiment with different styles of lyrics and songwriting.

Tell us about your current project. Are you working on new music? An EP or Album?

We’re currently working on some home recordings! We’ve had time in a professional studio, and we learned a lot in that experience! Being in a studio has it’s advantages, however given the current environment, home recordings are more practical, at least for us right now. But we’re definitely using that studio knowledge to help us capture our music at home!

What is your baseball walk onto the field song?

Definitely our original Fast Pace! It’s an upbeat rock song and we always have so much fun playing it!

What’s next for you?

All depends on what’s thrown our way! We’ll continue to play live venues, write and record new originals, and jump on new opportunities!

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?

In the near future we will be releasing our music to platforms! As for right now, fans can find music on our YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook - @KneeOn_Sisters

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Leland Sklar

Legendary Bass Player

“Guitar is for the head, drums are for the chest, but bass gets you in the groin”.....Suzi Quatro “The bass, no matter what kind of music you’re playing, it just enhances the sound and makes everything sound more beautiful and full. When the base stops, the bottom kind of drops out of everything.”....Charlie Haden With his long, silky, fluorescent white beard, making him look like a holy figure or an ultimately thin Santa, Leland Sklar, one of the planet’s most iconic bass phenomenas, sat prepared to shed some sunshine, effervescence and humor on his legendary career and his highly anticipated coffee table book. Like fireworks plunging into the night sky and shattering the darkness, Sklar defied music and defined it at the same time. His career was orchestrated with a sophisticated anarchy while celebrating the threat of imagination.

Ever since the early 70’s Leland Sklar has been a discriminatory symbol amongst the Hollywood session Bass players and the L.A. rock music community having done over 2600 records. His signature bass style has been heard on hits by James Taylor, Phil Collins, Linda Ronstadt, Reba McEntire, George Strait, Willie Nelson, Jackson Browne, Hall & Oates, and many more. Not at all limited to music Sklar, has played on film soundtracks including Forrest Gump, Ghost, My Best Friends Wedding and television shows such as Hill Street Blues and Knight Rider. The name Leland Sklar appears on many album cover backs along with drummer Russ Kunkel, guitarist Dan Kortchmar, and keyboardist Craig Doerge, who would come to be known as the legendary band the “Section.”

Currently Leland is playing with his band, “The Immediate Family” and awaiting the unveiling of his book which is an artistic collection of profound images that he’s photographed throughout the years of celebrities and other people flipping him the bird....so while every inch of heaven (California) was engulfed with smoke Sklar proceeded with our conversation....

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My first inquiry is how does someone start a YouTube page and the within 24 hours get over 100 thousand subscribers?

The people that do that are the people that go on YouTube and do a video of like eating boogers.

Well in this case I was talking about you.

When you really look at those kind of numbers, the ones who are getting five hundred thousand views are the ones with those weird jackass movies and things like that. As far as mine goes, I’’m totally blown away by the whole thing. I never thought I was doing a channel. I just thought I was putting up a couple of videos. The next thing I knew people were writing to me about how they loved my channel. I said, “what are you talking about?” Then suddenly there wasn’t a day I didn’t post something because I felt too guilty....It’s one of these things that when people are writing to you and telling you that you’re their oasis, and all of this madness.... all of a sudden I find myself sitting there and feeling a sense of obligation.

When did you decide during your life that it was your destiny to become an icon?

I never thought about any of it. I’ve always been very happy to be a working musician. That’s all I’ve ever cared about. I had real jobs before I met James Taylor. I had things that I did back in college, stuff to pay rent and things like that....

I’m wondering what kinds of rent paying jobs did you have?

I ran an off-set printing press at a place that made porno magazines. It was 2 blocks from the college and the guy told me he’d pay me $5 dollars an hour. I worked at a pool place that made pool filters... all kinds of shit that paid bills.

I had no expectation that music would ever be a career. I was playing in bands and we were playing in bars. It was one of these things that happened so fast. It was like driving a dragster, you went from 0 to 300 in five seconds. It was two- fold....it was because of James Taylor, because he was the perfect storm at that time for a new movement and music, and Peter Asher. He insisted that when we recorded with James that our names appear on the album.

That was smart.

It certainly was for us, because back in the Wrecking Crew and all of those people....people were listening to Sinatra, The Mamas and Papas , The Association and The Beach Boys without a clue that it was the same musicians on everything. So for us, it was really a godsend that Peter told us to put our names on it so that people like Jackson Browne and people that would be following in the wake that James Taylor created would know who we were. They would look at James’s album and they would see me and Russ Kunkel on the album and say, “ look what they did for James’ album.....and the next thing you know they’d be calling us. I had been in the studio without ever being in the studio before to do demos. Suddenly were like the A-list guys and having to figure out how it all works right on the job.

Can you recall a single moment in time that changed the trajectory of your life?

I really thank it was the first thing we did with James at the Troubadour, because we really didn’t know what to expect. We felt we were doing one gig and really I’m still on that gig 50 years later. It was a real pivotal moment for the whole band, Russ Kunkel, Danny Kortchmar and Carole King. Carole was our piano player then. We just kept trying to encourage her to step out and do some of her songs at the beginning of the show, And the next thing you know she goes into the studio and cuts “Tapestry.” All of a sudden we have a side person in the band that has the biggest record in the world. So, she had to move on at that point. We spent like a year and a half with Carol and then “Tapestry.”

I was doing and album with Tom Jens and Mimi Farińa who was Joan Baez’s younger sister. The keyboard player was this guy Craig Doerge and I called Peter Asher and I told him that I found a replacement for Carol. He came in and out of that “The Section“ formed. It’s kind of like knowing Kevin Bacon. There is six degrees out of all of this.

Do you remember the first time anyone ever asked you for your autograph?

Not really. You know the hard part of the career to me is in the beginning you don’t see where it’s going. So, you’re not really paying attention. You’re just happy to have that day. The one thing I regret is that I didn’t have a camera from the first day on, taking pictures of the artists, the producers, the studios and the musicians. Even if it was just an Instamatic. But I was just happy to have a gig for a day and the idea of it documented a half century later. Even if I was the only one who saw it to kind of relive, because the studios are gone, the people are gone. That’s my only real regret. So even things like autographs, it never even registered on me that somebody would come up. I remember one of the first reviews of James Taylor, they referred to me as Lewis Sonoma. On James’ English album, his very first album the bass player was named Louis Sonoma, so the people just assumed that I was the guy on that record because they didn’t know who I was. So, for a while everyone just kept on calling me Louis.

Have you had your ultimate stage fantasy?

Wow. One of the coolest things I remember was when Phil Collins was doing the music for “Tarzan.” We went back to

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New York to do the premier of “Tarzan.” One of the main songs on it was sung by Tina Turner. She flew in from Switzerland to do the show with us. I’ll tell you it was one of those things where...I had seen Ike and Tina back in the day but to actually see her come bopping on the stage, and how she took over the stage was incredible. It was just one of those things that because of the soundtrack we ended up with about 14 or 15 background singers, because it was a choir thing. She walked in immediately and organized all of the background singers around a couple of mics. I looked back at Phil and all he had to do that day was play drums. It was so beautiful because I looked over at him and he was a pig in shit that day because that’s all he ever really wants to do is play drums. Everything else that came to him was lower on his priority. If you bumped into him on the street not knowing who he was, and he started a conversation and asked him so what do you do, he would say “I’m a drummer.“ For him that’s what it is all about. So, I looked back on that and he was so thrilled, he didn’t even have to be out in front, and he just played drums. That was one of those moments. It isn’t so much that I had fantasies, but there has been some remarkable moments on stage. I feel fortunate that most of them I’m cognizant of and able to frame in my mind and I just don’t have to tell people what happened because they don’t remember. Not drinking and not doing drugs helped me stay cognizant of my life. There’s no virtue in it, it’s just for me what worked. I was around some pretty fucked up people at really young age and I saw how bad it could be. So for me I just knew from the get-go that I’m too much of a Type A personality to give up any control. I’ve been the designated driver since I was like 14.

Let’s talk about your coffee table book. Did the idea for the book or did the picture come first?

It’s about 300 pages and 6,000 photographs. There is some text in it. We are creating a website, and everything will be directed to the site. I’m also going to offer my artwork on it because I’m also an illustrator. It’s one of those things had it not been for the pandemic this would not have happened. Everybody’s searching for things to do.

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I feel like all people can do is watch, read, listen and be creative now.

Yeah...It’s an interesting space that we’re in. There’s a grotesque monster side of it all that’s playing on the detriment of so many elements in society. Especially that it’s going on month after month, you can just fall into a depression, a deep funk over it. Suddenly I look at it as a year of war completely vanished and I thought “what the fuck am I going to do?” People have been bugging me for this book for years. I started taking these pictures back in 2004. It’s just been hovering. I go to the NAMM show and people run over to me and flip me off and ask, “is that what I’m supposed to do?” It’s become an urban myth. So now fuck it, it’s time to commit and let’s just really do it. It’s turned out unbelievable. The hard part now is I’m going to take delivery of 10,000 books and I’m going to be doing it as of now by myself. I’m also going to have a different level of books that are signed so I would have to have X amount of books anyhow. There were no book signings anywhere because people just can’t get together. Also, my income stopped so this could be a nice payday. This is uncharted territory for me being an entrepreneur, I’m a fucking bass player. I’ve never had a website, I’ve never needed one. I’m one of those people that had enough work to satisfy what I needed to do. If I pay all my bills and I put a little dough in the bank I’m content. I’m not driving Ferraris or anything like that. All of a sudden I find myself in a funny place. Between the Youtube channel and the book I sometimes just look in the mirror and think to myself “what the fuck is going on?”

When is the last time you shaved?

The last time I saw myself absolutely clean shaven was when they handed me my high school diploma in 1965. I’ve been with Maureen, this is our 50th anniversary in December and she’s never seen my upper lip. When I was in high school it was incredibly restrictive. I looked hippie but I was never a hippie, in fact Ozzie Nelson was freakier than me. My sister was taking acid and everybody was worried about me because I was the one that looked like a freak and she was the one that looked like Gidget. But it was an extremely restrictive time in high school where we had grooming guards, and where girls couldn’t wear patent leather shoes because they thought that maybe boys could see reflections under their skirts. So, the minute they handed me that diploma I was just “fuck you I’m out here.”

I’m excited for the release of your book!

The thing is I have between 11 and 12 thousand photos and we used 6,000. So, if this goes really good, I’ll do a volume 2. The thing that’s fun about the book is that there are all these different characters.

There is Joe Average person in the street and all the people like Gwyneth Paltrow or Jack Nicholson. I’ve got Jay Leno and Matthew McConaughey, Paula Deen. I would just go to people and say “flip me off” and they would agree. The thing is there’s like a half a million ways of doing this, but to me the thing I find the most intriguing is the faces. When people are giving you the finger their expressions are infinite. To me that’s the thing that I am intrigued by in the book. If you go through all these pictures every face is a different emotion. I mean there are many ways of giving the finger, but boy the faces are so fabulous. The pages of the book are really high quality too. The cover is padded so when you pick it up it feels really good to hold.

It’s about 320 pages, so it’s a substantial heavy book. It’s a really high quality art book and it isn’t expensive. I have a product and I just need a physical one to show and that will be in November. I will have them for Christmas. I’ve got a Santa suit and I’ll do a video.... I just want it to be fun. I just want people to have joy and to have a good time. I got on a flight once and Mary Wilson was sitting there reading this book the whole time. Then I saw what she was reading, and it was her autobiography. But the funniest one was...Dolly Parton has been a friend of mine forever. We’ve been really close friends. I got on a flight and there she was sitting there. I sat next to her and I looked over and she was reading Stephen Hawkins “A Brief History of Time.” I looked at her and said, “ that’s pretty good.” Then she opened the book and it was “Harry Potter.” She had put Stephen Hawkins as a cover just to fuck with people.....

What’s the name of your band?

The “Immediate Family” and it all came together because of Danny Korchmar. The thing is Danny, myself, Russ and Waddy have been together for 50 years and Steve Postell who I’ve known for 15 years ended up joining us. Danny had a record deal with a Japanese company called Vivid Records and had to fulfill an obligation and he called all of us to see if we wanted to do it and we said “absolutely.” He ended up calling the album “Danny Korchmar and The Immediate Family.” Then after that, everything just became the “Immediate Family” and we signed with a label called Quarto Valley Records. The American release will be with them, but that won’t be out until early next year, and Denny Tedesco from The Wrecking Crew is doing a documentary about us. Everything was going great until the pandemic.

It’s still really deep here and it’s adversarial. People are looking at this like it’s fucking gun rights. Even if you don’t believe in wearing a mask for yourself do it for the people you’re around so that they feel more comfortable. I remember there was a quote on Facebook, “ Fuck you, you don’t wanna wear a mask, try wearing a bra in August.”

Follow Leland Sklar and subscribe to his Youtube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs5yDeiOgkyRZGZGphlSbIw

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Kid Astronaut

Artist+Dreamer+Visionary+Creator When did you first get into music?

I started making music at a very early age, inspired by the greats like Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder and others - I took my influences and started making my own way in the music world and industry. I released my first record at the age of 7 years old and been going ever since.

Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

At the moment my biggest inspiration is my kids. I just want them to believe they can do anything and everything they set their minds to. I think also I’m inspired to keep going by my internal calling. Just wanting to follow my passions and see where it takes me.

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How has your music evolved since you first began performing?

Damn...that’s a great question. Music, like learning through life is a never-ending process. I constantly feel like I’m starting over. I guess the biggest thing that’s evolved is the risks I’ve taken. I was in a band called Air Dubai before my solo project Kid Astronaut and in that band, I had a lot of help. Kinda crutches on my creativity to be honest cause there were a lot of hands to do things. Since then, with starting my solo project, I still have help from my manager who’s amazing - but a lot of the drive and vision has to come from me first. I really like that. I’ve started producing, playing more instruments, just really trying and forcing myself to grow as an artist and individual.

I’m sure you have shared the stage with a lot of talented artists/celebrities along the way. Would you share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us?

My favorite shows were Vans Warped Tour and opening for Lupe Fiasco as a member of Air Dubai. Vans Warped Tour because I was into punk music and that genre but had never gone to a show. I loved how raw and “leave it all on the stage” some of the bands I watched were. I definitely began to add that into my performance style as Kid Astronaut. Also the Lupe Fiasco show cause to this day he’s one of my favorite artists. Being able to open the stage for him and his band was an amazing opportunity.

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?

Revenge. Have to get back at my haters!!! Nah just kidding, it’s definitely love. I love what I do and I love that I have the opportunity to do it. I don’t take the gift for granted and I try to push myself as much as possible to not get stuck in a habit or rut with it. Just endless creativity. It’s nice.

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in an industry overflowing with new faces and ideas?

I just wanna say authenticity. I think as an artist you HAVE to be yourself cause no one in the billions of people in the world will have your exact blueprint. I’ve always tried to ask myself in groups settings “what do I need from this situation?”, “what will make ME feel good here?” I do that because I don’t want to just fit into the crowd. I have no issue with walking alone, I find myself in really awesome places that way.

What has been your biggest challenge as a singer-songwriter/musician? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

I think the biggest challenge is just that phrase. Sometimes I don’t wanna do vocal stuff that I CAN do on a song because it’s just natural for me, I try and consider myself an artist. Like a painter. I love how artists later in their lives will just change up their art style because they wanna step out of their conditioned boxes. It’s a challenge in the studio sometimes cause my manager will suggest like, “Bro, you should kill the vocals here” and I’m just like, “I kinda wanna lay back take this section in a new direction”. I guess that’s been a challenge lately, Not following the “standard”.

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 think my biggest phase of suffering has come from needing to be patient. It takes time, years, to grow as an artist.

That feeling of wanting to be on tour but being home instead, or that uncertainty of whether or not your music is going anywhere before a major breakthrough comes. Nowadays I’m a lot more allowing of those moments of silence because I know something is building. I now work to fill that time with educating myself, like I said, learning production or reading up on how I can be a better business/musician. I suppose another suffering is when you’re in between big payments. I think that’s for any entrepreneur though - we’re gonna go through hills and valleys when chasing our goals.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

In my opinion, it’s made music a lot easier. I realized I have an entire Kid Astronaut Channel that people can choose to tune in to. Now it’s just about fine tuning that content and really becoming a content creator that not only creates things of value, but also can reach as many people as possible. I’ve never shied away from wanting to be a major artist, It’s always just been about me doing it in a way that feels true to me and not compromising myself in the process.

Have you done or plan on doing any Live-stream Concerts? If you have, how has the response been from your fans?

We just did an amazing full band live stream show hosted at Dog House Music Studios here in Colorado. My band The Nebula and I were really looking forward to this year but when Covid hit the plans kinda got put on hold. That was disappointing but one of the things we like to say is “run the audible” like a football play. We tried to make the experience as close to a real concert as possible with lights, graphics and of course just rocking songs.

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If you could change anything about the music industry. What would it be?

Diversity and access. There’s still a major limit on what artists can do within the INDUSTRY. There’s still a majority of one type of face at the top, in ownership. I want to change that. Specifically for people of color because like it or not, we are such a major influence on music. We need to have more equity in the industry overall.

What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why?

Another great question.

1. Michael Jackson - Thriller: This album because to this day Michaels’ production and artistry are largely unmatched.

I think this album is timeless not just because of the music but also because in the 80s when the album dropped no one sounded like that project. Sonically, artistically or otherwise. I think it’s just a legendary project that deserves to be at the top of my list.

2. Common - One Day It’ll All Make Sense: I didn’t start listening to Hip Hop until about High School. Sometimes I think because of that, I’m not allowed to appreciate it cause I was “late’ (or maybe that’s just the Hip Hop snobbery). Anyways, a collection of Jazz, Rhymes, Beats, Storytelling - I love the dynamics of this record and I also think it shaped some formative years for me musically so within that and also expanding my knowledge of what was possible with music - I think this is definitely in my top five.

3. Cocaine 80s - The Pursuit EP: Before listening to Cocaine 80s I wouldn’t have considered myself a lyricist. James Fauntleroy (Cocaine 80s lead singer) helped open my mind to what was possible as a singer and a writer. The Cocaine 80s EP’s by James and Producer NO ID are intricate, layered, and poetic. They taught me a ton about songwriting that I definitely utilize today.

4. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix: I loved this record already but when I saw the band live, Thomas Mars (Phoenix’s lead Singer) moved across the stage like he owned it, climbing up the rafters with his red mic cable, the band was tight and LOUD and there was this low drone note they played for like 5 minutes before dropping into their next song. It made me want to take my writing, performing and everything to the next level - plus rockstars are just cool but I thought Phoenix did it in a way where it was about adding to the culture not just being obnoxious. Groundbreaking stuff really.

5. Kid Astronaut - Alchemy EP: Is it wrong to add myself to this list? My latest EP covered all of my genre loves (Hip Hop, Soul, Punk and more) and fit it all in on each track sometimes switching genres even on an individual song. After a really difficult 2019 - creating the Alchemy EP was a culmination of all those feelings, love, pain and turning it into something beautiful. I can’t wait to take those songs on the road (hopefully???) and see how they reach new audiences.

Tell us about your current project. Are you working on new music? An EP or Album?

We’re in the studio creating about 6 projects right now. I have 2 albums, 3 EPs, a music video, and something else (top secret) in the works. Quarantine has been a blessing in a lot of ways creatively. A lot of space to think, create, and grow.

What is the best advice you have received?

If you’re gonna go down, go down as yourself. Which means to me don’t compromise your vision for anyone.

What’s next for you?

Our music video should be out soon, maybe next month!

Not letting people know what song it’s for yet but we’re really stoked about all the footage we captured. We’re in the editing process now.

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? www.kidastronautuniverse.com should be the one-stop shop, if it’s not, my bad, hit me up and let me know! I’m also mostly on IG @kidastronavt

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IGNITE APPAREL’s focus is in fueling creative expression of designs and ideals from around the world.

“We IGNITE the fuel to Be different, Think different, Act different with passion and love for the art”.

Jimmy Kang, VP

Wu-Tang Management

I’m Jimmy Kang and I am the VP of Wu-Tang Management that facilitates the business of Protect ya neck records, Protect ya neck distribution, Wu worldwide DJ coalition, Wu world radio, and I personally manage Cappadonna from the Clan. I’m a CEO of a record label called Str8up entertainment music group in New England w Nathaniel Nelson, Billy Flynn, Michael Write, and Rob Terell. I also own A boutique called Exclusives w Heidy Liz Montanez “where music meets fashion” where we have exclusive custom wear and exclusive items such as skateboards, sunglasses, watches, make-up, vinyl records, masks and etc. I also own Miss Central Massachusetts w Iva Nicole (2009 Ms. Massachussets United States) for 10 years to empower young women. Got a full-on media center where we have a recording studio, live room, production room, and a media center. I’m also a co-owner of Fangs and Fins exotica with Tony Lombardo where we provide fish and reptiles for people that want them and set their tanks up. I own Exclusive consulting where we consult before you remodel your house. We specialize in cabinets, granite countertop, flooring, painting, and tiling. This year I will be opening up a social consumption lounge, juice, shakes, coffee, tea, and yogurt place. I will also be opening up a mini-mart and a custom tailoring store. You will also see Cappadonna’s New Marijuana Strain Gassadonna and Big Nate All-Stars line of Marijuana and CBD products. Cappadonna will release an album called Black is beautiful, Big Nate All-Star and Scott Isbell will be releasing their singles.

I was raised in Los Angeles and moved to Boston in 1998 to play Ice hockey for the Junior Bruins. After Junior Bruins, I went to college and worked as a club promoter for Club Red 1888. During that time I was so good at what I was doing they promoted me to be the General Manager. As a general manager, I started to bring shows to the club. This is where I met Jesse Hayes and Krumbsnatcha to start a label called Str8up Entertainment with my partners Derek Wilson and Vietnam Dang. After a while, both of my partners quit and I kept running it until today. We had Krumbsnatcha, Edo G, Jaysaun, Slaine, L da Head Toucha paving the wave for hip hop artists in New England.

On my downtime, I listen to 90’s hip hop, Boom Bap, and late-night w Motown..

I have been in the music business since 2000.

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I got into the music business because my friend V had asked me to help manage Jesse Hayes. Once we managing him, we got into a label situation where they were making me an executive in that label that was signing Jesse. after a couple of meetings, I realized we were going to screw Jesse over so I quit and stepped away. Later that week I decided to start our own label and be straight up with everyone.

I help facilitate the businesses in the umbrella. I’m pretty good at building the structure of the business.

Wu-Tang adopted the name for the group after the film Shaolin and Wu-Tang.

Witty Unpredictable Talent And Natural Game.

The pros of being in the music industry as an executive is that we get a lot of respect and extra perks from businesses...

The con is that everyone I know wants me to help them blow up. If I don’t help I become the bad guy that doesn’t want to help anyone.

Artists I worked with before the Wu is Krumbsnatcha and Guru, L da Head Toucha, Special Teamz (Edo G, Jaysaun, Slaine), Junior Reid, Ricky Blaze, Breje.

A typical day is getting up and checking up on all the businesses. Just meetings all day unless I’m on the road.

The culture of today’s music is dumbed down HIP POP. (like telling girls to strip, telling people to take drugs, and snitch).

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Its sad because When RAP first came out it was supposed to be a phase of music. never ever did anyone think it will become HIP HOP and the way of life. We were listening to content, (respect girls, empower others, don’t do drugs and be a hustler, and Don’t ever Snitch. shits ‘’F’’’ed up right now.

I don’t listen to mumble rappers. I cant relate to nor understand some of the stuff they saying. But I give props for them succeeding just not my cup of tee. I just believe its not HIP HOP. they in another generation of HIP POP. People that survive in the music industry are the ones that are straight-up w people, don’t burn bridges, and be persistent, people that lose are the arrogant person that thinks they are better than everyone and know everything.

What do I love about working with the Wu-Tang brand is how the team works together and makes great decisions to keep Wu relevant and an ICON? What I love about working w the Wu-Tang Clan is that I grew listening to them but more than that every member has its own character and team.

Everyone can do what they want but the great ones always prepare things before they speak or go into the business meetings. Also got to learn to adapt to every situation like a chameleon.

To people that want to follow in my footsteps.. I want to tell all of you to never quit, be persistent, be prepared, and follow your vision. There’s always ups and downs. just make the best of it and use the time wisely while you are up to create more endeavors. Be You. Be Straight up w yourself and never lose yourself in the hype.

FB: Jimmy Kang IG: JimmyKang1

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Kenny Aronoff

“The Alchemy of Rhythmic Development” “The passion for techno is older than that now itself. The passion for drums is older than their invention. And the time will come when the reason for both surpasses them”....DAN Van Casteele An animated avalanche faster than God on a skateboard, loud is the tsunami with the power of a nuclear blast, but with the dazzle, blaze and sparkle of fireworks on the Fourth of July, master drummer Kenny Aronoff is the backbone of any band or artist he performs with....and there have been many.

Celebrated as one of the planet’s most influential rock drummers and dubbed one of the top hundred drummers by “Rolling Stone”, superstar Kenny Aronoff has enjoyed a riveting, larger than life orbit through the time and space of music. Recognized for providing John Mellencamp with 17 years of success, Aronoff has also been responsible for contributing his rhythms to more than 60 Grammy nominated recordings and over 300 million records sold worldwide. He has also worked with artists including: Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, Jon Bon Jovi, Neil Diamond, Stevie Nicks, Brian Wilson, Kelly Clarkson, Rod Stewart, Bob Dylan, Alicia Keys, John legend, Pharrell Williams, Stevie Wonder, David Grohl, Dionne Warwick, Johnny Cash, Celine Dion, Eddie Money, Mick Jagger, Smashing Pumpkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Lady Gaga, and countless others too vast to mention.

Aside from keeping the beat, Aronoff has also penned his best-selling book, “Sex, Drums, Rock n’ Roll! The Hardest Hitting Man in Show Business.” He is also a well- respected corporate inspirational speaker.

Providing integrity and sparkle to the global soundscape, Aronoff continues to relentlessly bedazzle audiences. He is a free spirit with a wild heart.......

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What inspired you to become the drummer and the person that you are?

First of all, the drums picked me. I was born a hyper, super energetic kid who was drawn to sports, drawn to action, drawn to adrenaline, serotonin, things that would make me feel good. I grew up in Boston Mass. in a beautiful little town with 2000 people. There was nothing on TV to watch, so my twin brother and I were always outside playing. On one particular day when we were outside playing my mom screamed from the porch, “boys you’ve got to come in right now.” We froze in our tracks. It sounded like we were in trouble, which was usually the case. We ran across our big lawn that looked like an NFL football field, and we get into the family room where my mother was pointing to our RCA, black-and-white TV set, with the rabbit ears. There were these four guys on TV with suits, long hair, guitars, bass,

drums and they happen to be playing music. The lead singer was singing “She loves you yeah, yeah, yeah”...WOW...who the hell were these guys? I was electrified! I’ve never seen anything like that before. At that very moment I realized what my purpose in life was going to be, before I even know what those words meant. I wanted to be a part of it. Not knowing how to do that I asked my mom who those guys were. She answered, “The Beatles.” I asked her to call them up and get me in that band.

Basically, I told her that I wasn’t going to play piano anymore, and I was going to play the drums. She didn’t call the Beatles up...I wonder why? She didn’t get me a drum set... so I decided to start my own band. Two weeks later I started my own band called “The Alley Cats”, and of course we played Beatles music.

The amazing thing about this is 50 years later I got called to do a CBS show called, “The Night That Changed America”, a show honoring The Beatles. I then got to perform with the two remaining Beatles, 50 years later, after that famous Ed Sullivan Show.

I played with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr along with many other amazing celebrities including Stevie Wonder, Joe Walsh, and on and on.

So, I can tell you that at that moment when I was 10 years old, I was smitten with passion, truth, and my deepest desires, and I followed my heart, not just my brain. That’s what has given me this amazing career where I record it over 300 million records. I’ve had four decades of recording and touring with everybody.

What was your most triumphant moment in your very decadent and extraordinary career?

I’ve had a lot, but I would say the biggest one was when I exploded John Mellencamp’s career and launched my own career which was when “Jack and Diane” (one of the most aired drum solos) went to number 1. That album “American Fool” won 2 Grammys. That was like hitting a homerun and winning the World Series.

I love that story.

My career is amazing, but nothing came easy. I want to be clear about something, you were not born successful. If you’re waiting for success to land in your lap, it isn’t going to happen. If you are waiting for it and I am around you, I’m going to take it. I am going after it. I’m not trying to take it from you, but if I see it and I want it I go after it.

What was the moment that changed the trajectory of your life?

At 10 years old I started a band and played in bands until I was 18 years old. I decided to go to college but there was no School of Rock back then. I spent the next five years studying classical music in the number one music school in the country, Indiana University School of Music. It was the number one school of classical music and very difficult to get in, and very difficult to stay in. One summer I went to the Aspen School of Music, run by Juilliard which I auditioned for. Then I spent four consecutive years trying to get into the number one student orchestra in America, if not the world, called Tanglewood, and it was run by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. It took me four consecutive auditions over four years and I eventually got in. I eventually graduated and then got into the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra.

My pivotal moment was when I turned it down! People’s mouths dropped including mine. Here I had been working and practicing 365 days a year, nonstop studying, working, conducting, playing the piano, learning music history, music literature, music theory, for four years. I was in recitals, orchestras, big bands, small ensembles, large ensembles, operas,....it was full on. I worked with Leonard Bernstein, one of the greatest conductors, Aaron Copeland, and to get into the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra was a big deal! What an honor...and I turned it down.

The point is I turned down certainty for complete uncertainty. But I followed my heart to be a part of the rock ‘n’ roll music business. It goes back to realizing what your purpose in life is. That’s the magic...right there. My brain said go to Jerusalem, but my heart said play rock ‘n’ roll. I had nothing on the table. So I started studying. I went back to Boston and started studying with two real Drum teachers. At Indiana University there was no drum instructor. It was all classical, so I was on my own. This was the first time I really had lessons. I had been self-taught before this on the drum set.

I spent four years busting my ass and trying to make it until I got a break with John Mellencamp.

I was in that band for five weeks and then making a record after two days I got fired from the record. John fired me but the producer told him to. They needed a seasoned session drummer because they had to record the album in eight weeks. Back then there were no ProTools and you had to be able to play drums from beginning to end of a

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song with times, feel, sounds, parts. You had to be able to take instruction, all the skills that I had no experience in.

The producer knew it, so he asked for another session guy to play. So, John told me to go home, I think he’s firing me, so I told him, “No, I’m not going anywhere.” The band was in shock. That’s like your boss saying “you’re fired”, and you saying, “no I’m not.” I then said to John, “Am I still your drummer or not?” This was not calculated. This came from a place of fear and being overwhelmed, and feeling failure. I didn’t want to go home and tell everybody that I wasn’t going to be on the record after I told everybody that I was. I told everybody that I finally got my big break. John was trying to take away my purpose in life and there was no fucking way. So,I went to the studio and watched these guys play my drum parts. I was going to learn, observe and get better. And then I told John that he was going to get better because I was his drummer...and there was silence. It was the most awkward silence. Then I told him that he didn’t have to pay me and that I’d sleep on the couch. He said....”Well alright.”

That was a pivotal moment because if I had gone home who knows what would’ve happened. I did stay and I did learn. I had felt all these negative thoughts, but by the time I went home four weeks later with all the drum tracks I had already started to reshape my business model and how I was going to serve John Cougar’s music, how was I going to get songs on the radio, and what do I need to do to be a better drummer for his style of music. That was the beginning of 17 years making records and touring and being very instrumental in coming up with the direction and the beats that were impactful to everybody in the band and make those songs what they were.

What is your ultimate stage fantasy?

Me with a power trio including Sting, singing and playing bass, and Jeff Beck the guitar player. Look at all the power trios, Cream, Police, Hendrix.... all power trios.

Do you have an idol?

I have people that I look up to tremendously. Guys like Winston Churchill. He was the type of guy that could take diversity and make a negative thing into a positive thing. He was brilliant. He was an artist and a visionary.

You’re in the coffee business as well....

KA-BAM! So, I can stay awake when I play the drums. Someone sent me some coffee and it was great. They asked me if I wanted my own coffee. I told him if it was that one then yes. I thought it was a cool thing because I drink a lot of coffee. So, I am endorsing something that I drink every day. I was going to call it KA-BOOM, but it was already taken. It was a toilet bowl cleaner.

If you could help me ask you any question on the planet what would it be?

People ask “you played on 300 million records sold, you’ve broken all the rules of performing in different genres.... usually the rock drummer gets the rock gigs, the blues drummer gets the blues gigs....but I play all genres including Symphony Orchestra’s. I have my own studio where people send me music and files and I send it out, so what is my next step?

Well I’ve already started my next step. I’ve been an inspirational speaker. The reason that serves me well is that all I am doing is taking the things that I’ve learned from being a great communicator, a great connector, collaborator, creative person, team player, always trying to get better by working hard, adapting, adjusting, staying relevant in my career..... those skills are all action items that I have learned and then have made me successful.

Now I’m sharing those ideas with people and inspiring people.

The nugget that drives those action items is realizing what is your truth and what’s your purpose in life? Simply if you operate from a place in your heart and your passion and what you really want to be, you become unstoppable like me. You will be undeniable and authentic, because you are being what you are. That is the thing that I enjoy speaking about when I give my lectures to corporations because I believe in it. It’s what I’ve been doing, what I’m still doing, and I’m getting better at it. Now that I have a better understanding of it, I love sharing it and inspiring people.

The greatest compliment when I give a speech for a corporation is not man you played great but instead damn you’ve inspired me so much. That’s what I like. So, I perform and inspire people as a drummer with music, but now I inspire people with words and I love it.

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Mike Liorti

Rosedale

When did you first get into music?

Me and my brother were really into music at an early age, getting cassette tapes for our birthdays and Christmas. So we started piano lessons when I was seven. I wanted to play guitar but my mom made me get my grade 5 RCM for classical piano first and I’m glad she did. Guitar came a lot easier and I developed a good understanding of music and theory.

Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

It was a lot of things. I was a bit of a gamer when I was younger and the soundtracks on EA sports games and Tony Hawk Pro Skater games got me into punk bands like Sum 41, Gob, Goldfinger, Lagwagon etc. So when I finally got a guitar I became a powerchord junky. I also played a lot of hockey and skateboarded on my street with my neighbors and they’d bring out a boombox from time to time. They showed me Blink 182 and I became obsessed. I met other Blink fans and together we discovered that being in a band was a pretty realistic career.

How has your music evolved since you first began performing?

It is definitely better haha. I mean that can be subjective to a point but as far as quality goes, I guess you can say it is a lot closer to professional standards. I didn’t even know what mixing and mastering was when I first started a band. I just knew somehow computers could record sounds. So the production has come a long way from the first Rosedale demos. Writing wise, naturally, I channel a lot more influences than I used to. It isn’t just pop punk or emo anymore, there are a lot more genres mixed in there. And it is all more thought out and personal. Me and my old bandmates used to write lyrics that just sounded cool (we thought). Now I really try to dig deep. Even if it ends up being a silly song about wanting to date Taylor Swift, its still honest and transparent.

I’m sure you have shared the stage with a lot of talented artists/celebrities along the way. Would you share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us?

I have the worst luck with getting on big bills. Something always falls through. I was supposed to open for Everlast in Colorado Springs (direct support to a sold out show at one of my favorite venues; Black Sheep). Very long story short; he had to cancel due to a snow storm in Wyoming, so I put together a bill with all locals, it went really well, then I blew my transmission slipping up a slick mountain pass. The times I was in the presence of celebs it was kind of forced. I used to play in the parking lots of Warped Tours (RIP) with a very elaborate DIY setup. A lot of cool stories came from that. One time Anthony from Bayside and Ryan from All Time Low watched my set and bought 10 CDs. I’d get a lot

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of love from some big bands on that tour and eventually Warped gave me a place to set up my merch inside and played some stages.

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?

That’s a tough but good question. I guess I’d say passion.

I’ve always loved what music does. Its just sound and it can move emotions so drastically. I also like the challenge too.

Yeah, its a tough business. So when you work hard and have some success it feels so good. I guess that touches on joy too but its the passion that makes a far-from-joyful 16 hour day feel like 5 hours.

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in an industry overflowing with new faces and ideas?

That’s tough for me to pinpoint. I think most would say that its my height. I’m six foot nine so that stands out. But everyone looks closer to average on stage so a lot of times I hear that me being a one man show is the thing that stands out most. But I think its a subconscious thing; something about seeing and hearing an artist that has put in over 10,000 hours just hits different than the new buzz band. I get the same expressions and reactions when I’m playing with a backing band or when I’m acoustic sitting behind a piano and you can’t tell that I’m extremely tall. So I believe its just the confidence and authenticity that comes from doing this for over half my life and most people just point to the obvious visual things.

What has been your biggest challenge as a singer-songwriter/musician? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

My challenges are always changing. When I was touring 10 months a year the biggest challenge was time. I was filming myself recording all the backtracks, editing all the footage for my video graphics, programming my own light show, setting it up every night meant getting to the venue early and staying very late. And I was doing all the driving.

And handling new releases, merch, appointments, meetings, repairs all done in the 2-4 weeks I’d be home from tour.

So getting a good night’s rest was hard at home and on the road. I had to be very disciplined with my time and health.

So re branding, along with this pandemic, has kind of been a nice reset button for me to figure out what the next chapter is for me as a musician.

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 think its inevitable if you wanna be yourself as an artist. It’s a grind of sacrifice and roller coasters. Sometimes your relationships are gonna suffer, your mental health is gonna take a beating, flexibility doesn’t allow for routine, and people’s support is gonna be inconsistent. It’s easy to take things personally. I write about it a lot in my self titled album and the song Grey specifically has a video of me singing and laughing while getting shot by paintballs.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

The internet is quite the beast. Not only for the music industry but society in general. For all of its power and convenience there seems to be just as much harm from it. Obviously, it is much easier to get your music heard but it is a lot harder to get it cared about. That adds to the challenge though so I think it has created more great artists taking it to new levels. Also, file sharing is much easier so getting a project complete and released is much more possible.

And there are a lot more avenues to make money even though record sales are at an all time low. There is a lot that has flourished for music from the internet, specifically from giant platforms like Youtube, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, all the streaming platforms and now even TikTok. But part of me thinks it is too powerful for our own good for several reasons. And I still really miss where we were at in the MySpace days- Back when music was the most popular thing on the internet. Now it seems like its politics and booty pics- that should be the internet’s slogan - The Internet; politics and booty pics! We’ll see where it all goes though...I hope I don’t get cancelled for my brilliant slogan...

Have you done or plan on doing any Live-stream Concerts? If you have, how has the response been from your fans?

I did a few acoustic streams from my basement. Just with my piano and guitar on facebook and instagram. I got a

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pretty good response and it was nice connecting with people I haven’t seen in a while. I’ll probably start that back up on Sunday’s I’m just healing from a pec injury so singing has been tough this past month.

If you could change anything about the music industry. What would it be?

Definitely streaming royalties. At least 1 cent per stream as a start. The whole pay structure needs an adjustment. If you do the math, someone is making a lot of money and its not the artists.

What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why?

Oh man narrowing it down to just 5 is unfair but here’s a few: Blink 182 - Enema of the State to Self Titled (definitely including Boxcar Racer) Angels & Airwaves - Everything they’ve ever released Death Cab For Cutie - Transatlanticism The Ataris - So Long Astoria The Used - Self Titled to In Love and Death Tell us about your current project. Are you working on new music? An EP or Album?

I have a lot of songs in the works, some are almost ready to release, but I’m not sure exactly what I’m doing with them yet. I need a new name. There are just too many Rosedales and issues with that name.

What is your baseball walk onto the field song?

Angels & Airwaves - The War What’s next for you?

Make more music, releasing a series of podcasts I’ve been doing, finishing up an EP with Mainsail. I’m just getting the ducks in a row back in Canada during this pandemic pause. A day at a time.

How can fans-to-be gain access to your career? www.youtube.com/ROSEDALEexpresstv https://rosedale.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/ROSEDALEmusic/ https://www.instagram.com/rosedalemike/

Right Photo: Northern Wolf Photos by Mellyssa Woodward Left Photo: Shadow Fox Photography

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Nathaniel Krantz Country Artist on the Rise

When did you first get into music?

I started music at a young age, I started playing bass at my local church at the age of 13 in Albuquerque, NM. Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

I’ve always had a love for music, my grandfather “dad” David Krantz always played the guitar and I wanted to follow in his footsteps.

How has your music evolved since you first began performing?

After only performing professionally for a little over a year, the venues and shows and fans have grown tremendously! The momentum hasn’t stopped since my first show July 4, 2019 I’m sure you have shared the stage with a lot of talented artists/celebrities along the way. Would you share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us?

I’ve had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Bart Crow, who has always been one of my idols of country music. It’s really awesome when you meet someone famous you get to see and realize that they’re actual people like the rest of us.

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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?

Only one... hmm that’s pretty hard to do. I think I’d have to go with passion, I love being on a stage and singing. It is definitely my passion.

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in an industry overflowing with new faces and ideas?

Being from the south valley in Albuquerque NM and being a country artist I think that in itself makes me unique. Also all my tattoos haha.

What has been your biggest challenge as a singer-songwriter? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

I was always afraid to write songs, my biggest fear was writing something that wasn’t relatable to people. After writing and showing people your songs you realize that your life is relatable to lots of people.

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 would have to agree, I spent many late nights creating set list for shows. I would have to say time is something that is taken when you’re in the music business.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

The internet has definitely helped my country music career. With just one post you can connect with all your fans instantly.

Have you done or plan on doing any Live-stream Concerts? If you have, how has the response been from your fans?

A few months back we had done a live stream concert, it was definitely something mew to us. After a song at a regular show the crowd is clapping, it’s kind of unusual when we finished a song and there was silence lol. It was very successful though and got thousands of views.

If you could change anything about the music industry. What would it be?

Hmm… this is a hard one, I’m so new to the industry that everything about it so far I love.

What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why?

Garth Brooks - Ropin’ The Wind Kane Brown - Chapter 1 Cody Johnson - Gotta Be Me George Strait - Troubadour Brad Paisley - Mud On The Tires These albums have definitely influenced my music career, from the songs I write to the way I perform on stage.

What is the best advice you have received?

“You’ll never know until you try” Tell us about your current project. Are you working on new music? An EP or Album?

Yes! I am currently working on my debut single More Than A Ten which will release on all streaming platforms November 1st, 2020.

What’s next for you?

My biggest show yet! I will be opening for Chevel Shepherd October 24th in Albuquerque NM How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?

Y’all can find me on all social media platforms @nathanielkrantz

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Becky Raisman

Singer with Ambition

When did you first get into music?

I’ve been singing since elementary school. I went to Red Oak Elementary school, I loved doing the winter and spring sing. I also did choir as well. Music was my favorite subject. I loved my music teacher unfortunately I found out she passed away in 2019. I continued to sing in choir in middle school all the way through college. When I was in middle school i went to Sports Camp and i would sing and dance put on shows for the campers and counselors. My former camp counselor Vicki said I had talent and that I should persue it. When I was younger I would sing to my stuff animals and my brother would grade my performances. Back in 2009, I bumped into her at a bar and I told her what I have been up to and where I went to school and she said it was a great fit.I went to Columbia college Chicago.

Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

I took singing more seriously in high school (this was back in the 90s before soundcloud, reverbnation, iPods, smartphones, social media yes, I was a teenager in the 90s, things were simpler then) I took voice lessons and continued to do choir.

How has your music evolved since you first began performing/songwriting?

Well, I went to Columbia college Chicago, I did a lot of singing, took music theory, sightsinging, singing classes, performing in shows, took a keyboard class, collorbarated on some orginal songs, my favorite show was performing at Buddy Guy Legends. After college I was in some singing contests at a few restaurants, open mics. I do write lyrics and I love collaboration.

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Please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?

Well, going to college, trying out for The Voice, Idol, America’s Got Talent, open mics, singing contests at restaurants, I also just did some singing music contests online. I created a reverbnation.com/becky97 and soundcloud.com/ becky-raisman building a fanbase. When I lived in IL I took piano lessons at Family piano company and did adult band and voice lessons at School of Rock in Libertyville, IL 2018 I moved to south Carolina, I now take keyboard lessons with Bach to Rock very similar to School of Rock. I recorded vocals for some original songs at Charleston sound studios and Omnisound studios in Nashville.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about your city – what do you like the most and least?

I’m originally from Chicagoland area and Chicago has so much culture, diversity, great food, music scene, it’s a mini NYC but much cleaner, friendlier, prettier skyline, great beaches, I went to Columbia college Chicago great school for the arts. It’s an easy school to get into, SATs and ACTs are not required, the largest film school, no audition to get in, you don’t even need a portfolio to get in, all you need is an essay, application, $25 application fee, and one letter from a teacher, guidance counselor, or voice teacher. I loved my college. What I don’t like is the crime has gotten so bad in Chicago, high taxes, corruption, winters can be brutal, my family and I moved almost 3 years ago to Charleston, SC, great weather, cost of living is better, it has the southern charm. I hope to move to Atlanta. So many things to do, more diverse, culture, reminds me of Chicago.

I’m sure you have shared the stage with a lot of talented artists/celebrities along the way. Would you share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us?

Oh I never shared the stage with anyone famous but maybe one day.

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?

Passion because I love performing, getting myself out there.

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as an artist in an industry overflowing with new talent and ideas?

I like to beat box and write lyrics. Get myself out there.

What has been your biggest challenge as a performing artist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge?

If so, how?

Well, I used to get nervous when I would go on stage, but I got over that fear, by open mics and singing karaoke and contests.

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 mean it’s hard to make money, that’s why I have a job to pay bills, unless your a household name, selling millions of records, tours, winning Grammys, driving fancy cars, living in mansion, big famous star you wouldn’t be starving, and wouldn’t need a day time job.

Until I become a household name then i need a day job.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

Well, you can record on your phone, laptop, and post on reverbnation.com, soundcloud.com, the technology is amazing and getting better, during Covid people are live streaming, I think studio time is cheaper, I go to a professional studio to record vocals, and studio time has gotten so affordable, it’s amazing. A long time ago major labels would pay thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars for studio time. Also, collaborating online is so easy, you can ememail each other back and forth. TechTechnology is amamazing.

If you could change anything about the music industry. What would it be?

Have major labels give artists creative control, not have artartists go into debt, have major labels pay artists more money. Not have corporations make decisions and have radio stations play more new artists music, not play the same song every hour.

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What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why?

Oh ggosh too mmany to list.

Tell us about your current project?

I posted songs on my rereverbnation.com/becky97 and soundcloud.com/becky-raisman and I’m woworking on ananother song.

What is the best advice you have received?

Keep pupushing, take llessons, get youryourself out therethere, you are on the right track. Dont sign somsomething if you dont agree or ununderstand.

What’s next for you?

Well, i hope to record vocals, need to save up and i hhope to sing on tv.

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?

Reverbnation.com/becky97 SoundCloud.com/becky-raisman YouTube.com/sing19821

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James Branton Ashes to Omens

Hard Rock superstars Ashes to Omens are one of the hard rock anomalies to come out of Athens, Georgia. Headed by mastermind James Branton, their vision is inspiring and their music is a tantalizing mix of edgy lyrics and hard driving instrumentals. Certainly a faction destined to become a household name, “Ashes to Omens” might very well be 2020’s biggest surprise. Their highly anticipated new single, “War Cry” has just been released worldwide, and in celebration lead singer James Branton and I exchanged some questions and answers......

What inspired the birth of “Ashes to Omens” and how did you get the name?

We actually thought for a long time about the name for the band. We wanted something that represented who we are individually and where we came from. Our thoughts were, “We’ve all been in previous bands” and this is something newer so the name itself represents the ashes of previous bands coming together to create a new vision that honors the past.

What inspired the theme of your newest song?

I think a lot of our music that we have released in the past comes from a place of personal experience. This song specifically comes from a darker place. Two of our members struggle with depression, anxiety and PTSD. War Cry is a song that was built around those feelings to lift one another up and support one another in times of mental distress.

We think that the song finds a way to let people know that they’re not alone and if they’re struggling with that sort of thing, reaching out for help is what they should do. Ultimately, that there will be someone there for them.

Please introduce your band to the planet and what influences your music?

We are a 5 piece hard rock band from Athens, GA! Home of the Bulldogs, R.E.M. and the B52’s. We became a band in 2017 and are influenced by tons of mainstream rock bands like Breaking Benjamin, Shinedown, Nothing More, and Tool. We’ve went on several tours in the U.S and opened for numerous national acts like Tom Keifer of Cinderella, REHAB, Hallow Point, Demon in Me and Lullwater. Our music is influenced by everyday life, overcoming adversity, building relationships and standing up for what we believe in.

Do you recall a moment in time that changed the trajectory of your life?

For me at least, I can’t really speak for the rest of the band, but not long after I founded the band I was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer. It was a pretty scary time for me and really made me think about life and mortality and the time

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we have here. I decided then that was going to give everything I had to the music I was creating and everything I had to my family regardless of the outcome. That moment changed me. It made me stronger in my beliefs and who I am as an individual and the relationships I have, they’ve gotten stronger as a result.

What is your ultimate stage fantasy?

I used to say it would be to have fans sing our music back to us, but that’s already happened and it’s the greatest feeling in the world. So, it would probably be to be able to go on tour with some our influences. We’d love to tour with Breaking Benjamin or Nothing More or some bands that we’re huge fans of like Ice Nine Kills, Buck Cherry and tons more.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

110% touring the country and fingers crossed, getting a Grammy!

If you could send a message to the planet what would that be?

Music heals. It really does. It gives you a way to connect to other people during your happiest times and times where you’re ready to quit. Take care of one another and love one another and be there for each other.

If you could have me ask you any question on the planet what would it be and how would you answer?

Would you like to play a show with the Foo Fighters? Why yes, yes we would.

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