Mike Ragogna: What was it like performing with Perry Farrell at Coachella? DJ Steve Porter: Performing with Perry was amazing! I had to pinch myself because I have so much respect for him and was into Jane’s Addiction when I was ten years old. We had a blast, I mixed between tracks he was performing […]
Continue reading[Note: This is taken from my first interview with Jonny Lang when I wasn’t yet asking the question, ‘What advice do you have for new artists.” But the following contains inspirational information that may be useful to new artists.] Mike Ragogna: Do you prefer playing live or working in the studio? You seem to do […]
Continue readingMike Ragogna: Hey Ben. Calling you from an Iowa rehearsal hall for the musical Hair. Ever think about getting into musical theater? Benjamin Taylor: It’s a completely different world. I was just talking to Yusaf Islam who was formerly known as Cat Stevens, he was trying to make his early songs into a musical. And we […]
Continue readingMike Ragogna: So? A new Toad tour? Glen Phillips: I think I said, “given long enough all bands become Spinal Tap.” We did just like every other band. We played a few and it was interesting; I feel like, last year, we finally ditched our history and we were finally able to just enjoy what […]
Continue reading[Note: This is a portion of my Glen Phillips interview that contains information new artists might find useful.] Mike Ragogna: Does it seem that with the most successful popular recordings auto-tuning, hyper-compressing, etc., it’s a challenging environment for a purer artist to try and find one’s own sound as well as big success. Glen Phillips: […]
Continue readingMike Ragogna: What is your overall vision of your professional purpose right now? Spencer Proffer: Goosebumps is always at the core of whatever I do. Being excited and motivated to break ground, trying new things in my world that build on what has influenced and moved me, keeps me totally pumped. I’ve always told my […]
Continue reading[Note: This is taken from my interview with Jonathan Tyler and perhaps contains inspirational information for new artists.] Mike Ragogna: In “Ladybird,” you’re talking about your creative muse. But what is your creative muse, what’s your process when writing music? Jonathan Tyler: It’s always different depending on what we’re going through or what I’m feeling […]
Continue readingMike Ragogna: Jonathan, what’s the age range of your band? Jonathan Tyler: We’re 24, 25, 26, and 27. MR: Yet your music evokes The Rolling Stones, The Black Crowes, and you’re going on tour with ZZ Top and AC/DC. What inspired you to make music that wasn’t as alternative as your contemporaries? JT: I think […]
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