Thursday, February 25, 2010

Interview with Charlie Hardin!

A few weeks ago I featured a new artist named Charlie Hardin out of Nashville, TN. I often get little shout outs from the artists I feature through Twitter thanking me or even their dad commenting on the post, but this time the response I got nearly made me fall out of my chair. After featuring Charlie he sent an email thanking me for the feature, stating he was impressed I was able to pull something together about him considering there is hardly information on him online (I’m blushing at this point in the email). He then asked me if I would want to do an interview with him to help promote both his music and my blog. I’m pretty sure my coworkers all thought I was crazy when I started shouting out with glee. This is something I’ve wanted to bring to this blog and I hope this is the first of many interviews.

After sending Charlie a list of questions he graciously answered each one talking about his pursuit of his passion, his musical family, a slight obsession with the TV show Lost and bi-lingual women, Nashville and even his new music recommendations. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did. His responses left me laughing hysterically and feeling more enlightened and connected with the path of a new artist. I even discovered that we will both be 26 in April. Thank you Charlie for offering this up. I’m more excited than you can imagine.


Mary's Monday Musicology: So Charlie, when did you first start playing music?

Charlie Hardin: My family is a musical one, so I've been singing with them as long as I can remember. I started writing songs around the age of 10, but it wasn't until about 12 that I picked up a guitar and started putting things together. Around that time was when I first saw That Thing You Do and wanted to grow up to be Guy Patterson. My father gently suggested guitar instead of drums.

MMM: Do you play any instruments other than guitar?

CH: I have a functional knowledge of piano, but it's very rudimentary. I absolutely cannot play the drums at all. The brass and woodwind families are like a foreign language.

MMM: Is your family musical at all? If so, how was music present in your life as you grew up?

CH: My Family actually is musical. My parents met in a travelling singing group called Eternity in the 70's. If I'm not mistaken, Dad was the bass player, mom was the lead soprano. It was a choir with a band, kind of like Polyphonic Spree with more of a Jesus lean. Also, between '90 and '93, we were missionaries on the Navajo reservations in New Mexico. My parents were on staff with a summer camp named Broken Arrow Bible Ranch. In the off-season we sometimes traveled around singing in churches (mostly in the southern half of the U.S.) as a family band sort of thing to raise money. For several years when we lived in Starkville, MS, my dad would put together five-part arrangements of Christmas carols and we would go all around town to our friends and favorite businesses and perform them. So... the short answer is yes.

MMM: When did you decide you wanted to pursue a career in music? Has it always been your dream or did you ever want to do something else with your life?

CH: I remember very specifically when I knew I wanted to do music, and it was long before I had any reason to think I would be good at it. When we were living at the camp in New Mexico, the camp director was a guy named Steve Knox. My family was very conservative at that time, even by normal Christian culture standards, so my musical exposure was mostly limited to tapes of worship music by Maranatha and Vineyard. Steve introduced me to Petra, the Godfathers of Christian Rock. Their album Beyond Belief absolutely blew my 7-year-old mind. Then he showed their concert video. I'd never seen grown men wear such tight pants. I knew in my heart of hearts that one day I would wear tight pants in front of people who paid money to see it.

MMM: What other artists inspire you? (musicians, painters, poets, etc.)

CH: Musically, I tend to find a handful of folks that I really connect with and wear them out. I really love Wilco an abnormal amount. I can't get enough of Smashing Pumpkins first 3 albums. Wallflowers' Bringing down the Horse is probably a perfect album (definitely the best drum sounds of the era). Josh Ritter doesn't know how to write a bad song. The Jayhawks Rainy Day Music, Ryan Adams' Cold Roses, Pavement's Crooked Rain, Ben Folds' Songs for Silverman and Suburbs... I find that I am very album-specific with a lot of what I love musically. I have a big thing for the 90's. I don't know how much it works its way into my songwriting, but I love movies and long-form TV shows. I read Aintitcool.com every day. It's possible that I have a song about a character in Lost, but don't tell anyone.


MMM: What would you say to other hopeful artists wanting to move to Nashville and pursue music?

CH: That really depends on what kind of music they are making. Nashville has a great singer/songwriter community, and if they want to do Country or Christian music, then this is the place to be. It is the capital of Christian and Country. It also has all the business functions of New York or L.A. for music, but is much smaller and much more affordable to live in, so that is a plus. The downside is that there are literally thousands people trying to get everybody to come to their shows, so it can be very tricky to draw a crowd, and even if people come, they may not be very enthusiastic. I've heard repeatedly that London and Nashville have very similarly jaded audiences. So there are positives and negatives, but I absolutely love Nashville and am so glad to be here.

MMM: Nashville seems to have a great community of artists who work together. Have you experienced that community and has it been beneficial to you?

CH: I actually have experienced that, and it is a really cool thing. For me it really keeps my ego in check. The two communities that I spend most of my time with end up being musicians and folks from my church, with a surprising amount of overlap. I have the privilege of knowing some amazing writers and performers who inspire me to not just write crap, some of whom you have previously featured (Crystal Thomas, Milktooth, Madi Diaz), and a slew of them that you really ought to check out, because they are sooooo damn good (yes, this is my gratuitous name-dropping segment).

* Natalie Prass: she's this tiny little sparrow of a girl with some badass rock and roll in her bloodstream. Also, her song "Violenty" may be the sexiest thing I've ever heard.

* Stephen Gordon - I've toured with Stephen a bunch, so I'm biased, but he has such an articulate way of speaking his heart, it is a constant encouragement. He is a songwriter's songwriter.

* Brooke Waggoner - She's gotten a lot of attention for her amazing skills as a pianist and arranger, but I think her bare-bones songwriting abilities are my favorite part of what she does. She wouldn't bill herself as a great lyricist, but that's rubbish. She is a really surprising writer and is always swinging for the fences. She also periodically has the most amazing she-mullet I've ever seen.

* Heypenny - Best Party Ever?

* Mikky Ekko- He's the most phenomenally gifted guy I've ever met. And Hooooottttt. Yes, ladies. It's true. Hearing him sing is like being touched by the very hand of God.

Another fun benefit of being in the community is sometimes getting to collaborate for special occasions or jump up on stage and sing background vocals for each other.

MMM: Have you been able to make a living thus far solely on music or do you have any other projects/jobs as well to help support you?

CH: I'm still in the day-job circuit. I do landscaping mostly, sometimes do load-out for shows around town. I also sold fragrances at Macy's for a while. That was an awesome job.

MMM: What does music do for you personally? For example, is writing a form of therapy for you?

CH: It certainly has been at various times. The downside of that is that I can get dependent on drama for songwriting, which is uber-unhealthy. There is this poem called "Poemectomy" I was assigned to read in the 10th grade that describes the writer as having this malignant growth of words inside them and if they didn't get it out it would consume them. I think I really identified with that at the age of 16 because I was hopped up on hormones and everything was urgent and dramatic. 10 years later I think of writing more like the ability to throw a baseball - I can do it better than some people, not as well as others, and if I stop doing it I won't be as good. I will tell you though, very few things are as satisfying as writing a song that says exactly what I mean.

MMM: When are you inspired to write music? Can you write at any time or do events in your life spark you creativity?

CH: Dramatic events make it easier, but when I rely on that I get rusty. All that to say, I had a really dry year, writing-wise. I probably started 30 songs and only finished 2. Here's to you 2010.

MMM: What do you do if you ever feel a creative block or experience discouragement in your career?

CH: Sometimes I just lie in bed all day and wallow in the blah. But when I not being stupid, I do something with my hands (like mow a lawn!) and spend some time praying or talking to myself. Sometimes I have to just try to write something or it isn't ever going to happen, kind of like asking a girl on a date - at some point a guy has to just pony up and ask her or it's probably not going to happen. Unless he tries to guy friend his way in, a method I have come to loathe. I'm not sure we're talking about songs anymore.

MMM: Do you have plans to release a new album or EP? If so, when?

CH: Yes, I hope to release a full length by the end of the year.


MMM: Do enjoy performing live? Do you get nervous or stage fright? If so, how do you get past it?

CH: I love performing live. I love telling my stories and really letting folks in to the inside of the songs. I get nervous very rarely, but it does still happen occasionally. I don't really have a calm-down method, I just get out there and make it happen.

MMM: Who is your favorite musician? What is playing on your iPod right now?

CH: I'm terrible at this question. I love Wilco a lot. They are always on the iPod.

MMM: What is the hardest thing about pursuing a music career?

CH: Presently for me, it's making a living at it. The great thing about the Internet is how everybody can hear me, the bad thing about the Internet is that there are so many dudes with guitars playing mid-tempo folk rock that it is quite a challenge to get noticed. On a more theoretical level, it is very difficult to maintain relationships. I'm a pretty family-oriented man and have a great desire to raise a family of my own, but I don't know how those things will be compatible. I don't want my potential family to starve to death because I am not making enough money to feed them, but I also don't want to never see them because I'm out on the road for 6 months at a time. I have a friend who is married to a relatively successful artist and who is also a pretty successful artist in her own right. I asked her how she handled all that separation and having kids. She said she hated it.


MMM: What is your ultimate goal with this career?

CH: On a superficial level? Here in Nashville we have the Mother Church of Country Music - the Ryman Auditorium. I've Seen Wilco, Keane, Iron and Wine, Brian Wilson, Sufjan Stevens, Ben Folds, the Hold Steady and a ton of other folks there. I want to headline a show at the Ryman. On a personal level? I want to have a discography that I am proud of, full of songs that I love because I mean them and because I worked hard to write them, full of good, true things.


MMM: How do your friends and family support you in your music?

CH: They listen to all my baby songs and tell me what they think. My grandmother recently got forty people from her church to come to my performance in Lexington, SC, by the sheer force of her will. It was amazing. My dad has always been behind me to do this because I love it, and he's never given me the "get a real job" talk. I'm very blessed in that way.


MMM: Would you want to sign to a label or go at your career as many new artist are doing these days and stay unsigned?

CH: I would sign with label if they gave me a deal I could live with, but labels are increasingly unnecessary for folks in my genre. If I were putting together a boy band, I'd definitely want a label, but the grassroots thing usually works better for songwriters because it establishes credibility with listeners and it lets the artist keep larger percentages of their profit streams. Still, I'm not anti-label, but the record isn't the holy grail it was in the 80's and 90's because listeners are spending less and less money on buying music and more time finding artists without the help of a label paying for promo. My roommate Isaiah says folks have finally figured out they don't have to worship at the foot of mount Rocklympus where the labels sit on top and toss down things they hope will please the masses. So I guess I would be open to signing with a label, but I'd have to be really impressed with what they could do for me and convinced by the contract that they would in fact try to do it. I would prefer to stay label-less if I continue to gain momentum on my own, thanks to people like yourself.

MMM: What activity, place, person, etc. brings you joy?

CH:
1. Lost - I have an unhealthy love for Lost. Thanks APJ. Sure it's not perfect, sure there are more "literary" shows out there (I'm looking at you, The Wire), but who cares? Lost is a six-season opus of all of the nerdy things that I love. It's as if J.J. Abrams, Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof got together and said "Hey, let's make 130-something hours of sci-fi soap opera that will make Charlie happy."
2. Thai Food - Coconut AND Curry? Delicious!
3. 90's music - it was a magical time when guitars were loud.
4. Bi-lingual women (so hot) - I'm not sure how this has happened, but every girl I've ever dated has been bi-lingual. It's not intentional, it just happens.
5. Time-travel, with specific technological limitations. - I have a special affinity for the Tipler cylinder. Also, everyone should watch Primer. It's the best time travel movie ever.


I hope you all enjoyed this insight into the life of an artist. Thank you for reading. Please show your support for Charlie by checking out his music and leave a comment below. You can read the original feature on Charlie here. Thanks Charlie for sharing!

The fabulous photos are from Kristyn Hogan.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Angus & Julia Stone

People have been asking me quite often lately how I find the artists featured on this blog. I don’t really have a simple answer for that as it comes from a myriad of sources. One, a favorite indeed, is through Amazon.com’s daily deals. Every day they have a new album priced incredibly low, often as little as $1.99!! Angus & Julia Stone was one of the many great discoveries through Amazon. This brother/sister duo released their first album, A Book Like This, in 2007 and I quickly purchased this amazing daily deal.

Angus & Julia hail from Newport, Australia just north of Sydney. Being half Australian myself I’m excited to post my first Aussie feature! The pair was pursuing solo careers while backing for each other until 2006 when they decided to work together. The two still write their own songs then pull them together resulting in a different feel, style and emotion throughout the album. After two years of touring for A Book Like This they have recorded their second album, Down The Way, to be released March 30th in the U.S. During that time Angus also released a solo album, Smoking Gun, in April 2009 under the name Lady of the Sunshine.

The new album due next month was self-produced by the siblings and recorded all over the world from a studio in Brooklyn, NY to an old sawmill in Cornwall, England to a water tank in Coolangatta, Australia. Intrigued? I know I am!

Australian and UK tour dates have been set but they have not released U.S. dates yet. Seeing Angus & Julia live is definitely on my list of must-sees. While searching through photos I found live tour shots where Julia is playing the guitar, bass, keyboard and trumpet. Yes, a trumpet.

I hope you have enjoyed this week’s featured duo! Please leave your comments on what you think as I love to hear from all of you. Also, make sure to check back later this week, as I will be posting my first exclusive artist interview!! I’m so very excited I might have to do a little dance.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Charlotte Sometimes

Before I pursued my passion for music I was a dancer. All throughout junior high and high school I took dance classes and competed on our dance team. It was something I was never able to truly excel at for a variety of reasons such as the demands financially and physically. I was tall with lanky, long arms and a woman’s body at fourteen. My instructors did not know what to do with me as they were used to the petite girls who never seemed to go through puberty. That world, so consumed by body image and staying as thin as possible, never appealed to me and I began to focus more on music where I was freer to be myself. This week’s artist had the same start in dance. Charlotte Sometimes was a dancer for thirteen years and left because of the pressure to be thin. She instead picked up a guitar and went about creating her own music. I know its the best decision I ever made and I think Charlotte just might feel the same.

Charlotte Sometimes is the stage name for Jessica Charlotte Poland from New Jersey who renamed herself after a book by Penelope Farmer. She released her first EP in March of 2008 and quickly followed it with a full-length album in May of 2008 titled, Waves And The Both Of Us. Charlotte is just 22 years old but has been writing music and playing guitar since she was fourteen. Before releasing her solo album Charlotte was part of a five-man band known and J. Poland and The Pilots. They self-released an album, I Promise I Won’t Be Released, which is also available on iTunes.

Charlotte’s sound reminds me a little of Natasha Bedingfield with a little Lily Allen thrown in to add uniqueness. Her personal style adds a vintage feel to her look which is even evident on her myspace page. Make sure to check it out because its probably the best myspace layout I’ve seen and if I could get this blog to look like that then I would be over the moon.

Charlotte has based herself in New York, New York and if you are nearby you can catch her playing several shows this March.



Photo 1 by Carolina Palmgren
Photo 2 by Robbie Michaels
Photo 3 by Jeremy Balderson

Monday, February 8, 2010

Charlie Hardin

This week’s artist may look more like a lumber Jack with his red beard and flannel shirts but don’t be fooled by appearances. Charlie Hardin is an amazing musician and passionate performer on the rise.

Charlie hails from Starkville, Mississippi and is trying his hand in the world of Nashville music hopefuls. His first EP, Hollywood Be Thy Name, was released February of 2009 which you can get on iTunes for just under $6. Charlie has also teamed up with Brite Revolution making his music available to Brite subscribers.

It seems Charlie is getting his music career up and running with some grass roots efforts. He has been playing in coffee shops and people’s homes who request him. You could actually have Charlie come to your house and perform for all your friends! How cool is that! Here is the info should you want to do that:

“Want Me To Play At Your House?
Several good folks have recently asked me if I will come play a show at their house as a part of my upcoming tour schedule. If you live in the United States, then it's probably workable. Shoot me an email at charliehardinmusic@gmail.com and I will give you the particulars. See you soon, in your living room.
~Charlie”

Besides touring with Milktooth this fall there isn’t much news about what is in the works for Charlie. I know this, I can’t wait to hear more!


Photo1 - Ryan P Photos

Monday, February 1, 2010

Mindy Smith

What a week it has been. Since last Monday there have been several life changing events in the lives of those closest to me. This week I chose an artist who’s songs touched me and will now forever remind me of the what has happened this last week. Music is so important and purposeful to me and it seems only right for me to dedicate music to these moments. I have chosen the artist Mindy Smith and her beautiful music to share with all you. While Mindy has been around since 2003 her music is still relatively unknown to many. I first heard her track “Come To Jesus” at church, sung by one of our talented vocalist. I immediately fell in love with its old folk sound and looked into Mindy further. Not only is this posting very special to me but my music soul mate, Allegra, actually sent me an email on Saturday asking if I had heard of Mindy Smith because she thought I would like her!

It is that track, “Come To Jesus” that marks the first great moment of this week. On Friday my best friend, who is the closest thing to a sister I have, gave birth to her first child, Jackson Gregory. I drove up Thursday night to be there for her last minute c-section and waited with all the family and friends for baby Jack to be born. He has finally arrived and is absolutely perfect in every way. I am such a proud auntie and this song reminds me of how much we all pray for safety, protection and comfort for this little miracle and the comfort of the Lord in the many years ahead of him. Love and miss you Jack! Also my coworker and his wife gave birth to a beautiful baby boy on Saturday. The full moon was working hard!


The second life changing event of this last week is the engagement of one of my dearest and closest friends. After spending a month in Switzerland with her man she game back with a gorgeous vintage ring on her finger. For her and her love I picked Mindy’s song, “True Love of Mine.” This is a beautiful duet (I LOVE male/female duets!) and would be absolutely perfect for a first dance. Congratulations dear friend! I can’t wait for all that is to come!


Mindy Smith is a singer/songwriter from Long Island, New York who was put on the map after she was asked to sing one of my all time favorite songs, “Jolene” for the Dolly Parton tribute album in 2003. Dolly even joined in the recording during the last part of the track in a moment I can only describe as pure bliss for me. Just listen and see. Mindy released her first album in 2004 titled, One Moment More which includes “Jolene” and “Come To Jesus.” Since her debut album Mindy has released two other full-length albums and one Christmas album in which she wrote 6 original Christmas songs - something rarely done these days. Her recent album, Stupid Love was released last year after a two year break in which she wrote the songs for the album only when she felt inspired. As a result she released a great album with songs you can truly relate your biggest life moment to as I have.

Mindy Smith is a wonderful blend of all my favorite genres. A little, folk, country, bluegrass and pop to create a sound that is truly wonderful. Mindy has also had several of her tracks featured on the shows, "Grey's Anatomy," "Smallville," "Six Feet Under", and "So You Think You Can Dance." Also, you can download Stupid Love on Amazon.com for only $5!





I hope you enjoy this week’s featured artist and thank you for letting me share a little of my life with you all.

Would love to have your thoughts and comments!

Winner Winner!

Well it has been an eventful weekend for me (more info on that in today's feature) and in the midst of the all that was happening I was overjoyed to see all the emails flooding in with your comments.

Thank you all for entering!

The winner of the Lillian Ray Musical Note necklace is Natalie from Blond At Heart!

 

Using Random.org the 29th comment was chosen. Congrats Natalie!

Contact Beth for your new necklace! lillianraydesigns@gmail.com
(As I went to the Lillian Ray blog I noticed you won her giveaway too! Lucky girl!)

True Random Number Generator Min: 1 Max: 73 Result: 29 Powered by RANDOM.ORG