2009 January » Flip Side to Music

JT Thario and Electric Sand Box

Jan 272009

Photo provided by JT Thario

Interview by Debbie Stevens

When I first spoke with John Thario of “Electric Sandbox” it was during a review of his work for another magazine. That was almost one year ago. I decided it was time we caught up!
Today, John “JT” Thario, lead guitarist of the band; Electric Sandbox and producer for Ruff Track productions, has much taking place, on and off the stage!

FSM: Hi John, great to finally hook up! Please share with our FSM readers, a little bit of your background, and how the music became such a big part of your life.

JT: Ahh, yes it is!…please call me JT, all my friends do!

WOW, Deb! First I want to thank you & your staff for the privilege to talk music shop with you guys and all the FSM readers..

I gotta tell you, a funny thing happened the other day. I went to our local grocery store, bought a handful of items and used my club card for a bit of a discount. Everything I purchased was random, you know…I’ll take that, and my son could use this. ANY way, true story, we scanned the stuff and swiped my club card. My discount was $7.77. No kidding!

Holy kit-n’-caboodle, I swear my cashier said “That doesn’t happen very often, You should buy a lottery ticket!” So I did! ‘Still haven’t check the numbers, but I’m sitting here talking to you, now how cool is that?!~

I would say the music bug hit me pretty young. Eventually I found the guitar and once I found my instrument that was it! I think I was about, maybe, 10 or so. Anyway, that summer a family friend by the name of Tom Jones, (no, not that one, hahahaha), he & his wife would play country music at a friend’s garage in Brighton, Michigan on Friday and Saturday nights, so I hung around to listen. ‘No way was I off running around with the other kids that summer, no way in hell. I was told earlier in life Tom had a promising career in Nashville and the bottle got him, he was a fantastic guitar player & singer.

So I would sit and listen, sometimes til’ 1-2 in morning. I was drawn to the music, even moved by it. Eventually, Tom noticed I was paying attention and showed me a few chords. From then on I couldn’t put it down. It didn’t come easy then and I still have to work at even today.

I’ve been very lucky to meet and work with some great people, I really mean that, very lucky. To name a few, I’ve opened for Lover Boy, Quiet Riot, Pat Travers, Molly Hatchet and Mocking Bird.

I would also on stage jam with “Friction” every time I went to the Philippine’s. I’ve performed, from my native Michigan to Northern California, Yokosuka & Tokyo, Japan, as well as the Philippines Islands. ‘Even spent a bit of time in Perth, Australia many moons ago. ‘Loved Perth by the way, awesome people!, awesome country!

FSM: What have you been up to since we last spoke?

JT: I’ve been working on getting my studio up and rolling, doing pre-production work with my band on our new album, which will include songs like “Southern Spell”, “Missing You”, “Don’t Tread on Me”, “Pack Your Bags” “Wailing women” and several others.

I’ve also been producing some local talent, like a metal band out of San Mateo, “Interseed”, & I’m doing a project later in the year with guitarist Jason Wolfe of “A Thousand Kingdoms”. Jason is an incredible guitarist.

In addition, I’m producing a sound bite for a local chiropractor’s health seminar with singer/songwriter Toby Zambetti. ‘Plus now and then I hit the clubs when I hear a buzz about a band…and I’m always writing.

I’m always looking for artists to produce and record! …And songs to publish. Oh, and I ran into an awesome songwriter Mike Kline at a New Year’s Eve party in the mountains of Santa Cruz. I was floored by a song about Freedom he wrote and performed with just an acoustic guitar and his voice over a fire. We started recording that one just the other day.

FSM: Who wrote the lyrics for songs such as “The Wizard”, “Over and Over”, and my personal favorite; “Soft Slow and Easy”?

JT: Well, a true story teller. ‘A former, sorry to say, band mate named Al VanDeVan, along with some minor tweaks and suggestions from me.

Al also does the harmonica parts and sings lead vocals on those songs.

I almost always like to work with a singer/songwriter who can tell a story, paint a picture. You know, make you feel something, move ya! “Soft, Slow and Easy” is a favorite of mine as well. My Dad loved it!…and I miss him.

FSM: What other forces do you feel influenced the words and your music?

JT: World events, life events and emotions. It’s no secret, I’m a big fan of Paul Rodgers of Bad Co., as well Free, Brian May of Queen, Joe Perry, Brad Witford, Aerosmith, Ted Nugent, Alex Lifeson and early Rush. Also Southern rock like Skynard and Molly Hatchet…they have all influenced my playing.

And when you’re playing in a band, stuff happens!…drama, people getting together, breaking up, making up, life & death… “Hey Lord” is a about the status of the world today and what I would like to do to help make it better.

“Over and Over” is about love and how it’s never easy….the bad fight and making up, the guilt in your head you feel from a misunderstanding.

“The Wizard” is about a mystical man searching for love. The guitar gliss part(s) in that song are meant to reflect like lightning bolts in the horizon with a thunderous, almost tribal, sound in the turnaround. The guitar solo is one of my favorites. ‘Not sure where that one came from, it just showed up in the recording studio…..when we recorded it.

The story behind “Soft, Slow and Easy” is that there was a missing child reported one night, everyone was looking for her. We were on a break at our studio, we walked back into the room a bit bummed…we all have children. The chords, melody, lyrics all came pouring out as a band..

We wrote it in maybe 5-10 minutes. It’s about childhood innocence and remembering, …reflecting on being a kid growing up. I think we all have good and tough memories of our childhood. The kids in the background on the breakdown after the guitar solo are real, they’re Al’s kids!

FSM: There’s an immense quantity of talented artists surfacing all the time across the Internet, particularly MySpace. What method do you practice to remain active?

JT: Network, network, network. The talent pool is especially deep in the San Francisco Bay Area…I think it’s the weather, or in the water. Like many places around the world, it’s a magnet for talent.

MySpace, Sound click, ITunes and sites like them have completely changed the music business as we know it. The digital age of Pro Tools has done it, too. A very good project studio can be put together and produce incredible sounding music, if you work at it, for a lot less than a huge commercial studio. Although I think there will always be the demand for high-end studios, many have sadly fallen. With the software available today, the playing field is a lot more level. The trend now is for musicians and producers to build medium to high-end studios in their homes, here in my area, as well as in Nashville, LA etc. The internet allows you to work from anywhere in the world. You still need the background and knowledge, but with practice, you can do it.

FSM: As a musician and producer, have you had to set limits on the amount of time spent on each project? How do you balance this?

JT: Balance is tough for me, I must admit. Once I tear into something, get on that path, I like to finish the song’s parts planned for the day, then do a basic mix and live with it for a week or two on my IPod.

I find that when I leave the studio with something new, it’s a sense of accomplishment for the artist and myself. A couple of extra hours, sometimes, might yield you a surprise…what i like to call “studio magic”! ‘Getting something that wasn’t planned, but just happened, during the tracking session. I always like to push myself and the artist a bit

To be honest I don’t think most people really realize how much time can be involved in the recording process. Tracking is both demanding and rewarding, get that right! ‘Then you have all those sounds and textures to play with. The mixing is where the rest of the magic comes, and that’s the part I enjoy most!

On the flip side, I think you have to know when to say “when”. If things are not working, I take a break from it. ‘Move on and come back to it.

FSM: Looking back, would you say there is one pinnacle moment of your career, and how has it affected you?

JT: Ahh, wow. ‘To be honest it’s always been a leap of faith for me. A decision today reflects yesterday and hopefully brings something new and good tomorrow. The truth is there have been several pinnacle moments.

I recall as a kid, my guitar teacher, Ken Miller, was teaching me Rush songs from “All The World’s A Stage”. The cool thing was he worked part time for Pyramid Guitars doing guitar set-ups & mods in Deerborn, Michigan. Rush were clients. Ken invited me to tour the place and they had a room with a wall of Marshall stacks. At the main guitar station on the floor were yellow guitar cases with “Rush” painted in red. I said to Ken, “Is that really what I think it is?”, and he said “Yes, would you like to see them?”. I said, “Wow, heck yeah! ‘Could I?”

Being a young kid, the excitement of seeing and holding Geddy Lee’s Custom Fender Precision “blue teardrop” bass and Alex’s custom Pyramid guitar with Pyramid pick-ups was a thrill of a lifetime for me. (I believe there is a photo on the album cover of “All The World’s A Stage” of that bass). That experience inspired me to push myself as a guitar player. And, by the way, I had Pyramid pick-ups installed in my Gibson ES 335 the very next week.

Another moment would come years later. The decision to wait 6 months, for Producer / Mixer

Rob Beaton to be available to record the “Cover Your Trax” sessions.

That decision to work on pre production and gig more made the band tight very tight!,…we knew ABOUT 95% of what was going on tape, the other 5% was “studio magic”.

I believe when you find someone of his caliber that you can work with, and you respect their work and input, it’s worth the wait! I don’t believe the record would have sounded like it does without

Rob Beaton’s talent, I consider him a mentor and a friend!

He did ESPN’s monday night football theam, and does alot of mastering today in LA.

Another pinnacle example was having to raise the capital to finish the record, which ran over budget. We found our Angel! Vicki Ayers from Virginia, I could write a short story on how that came about…

And then, again, the first time a friend called me to say congrads, I heard “Soft, Slow and Easy” on the radio and I loved it! Then later that week on the way to a gig in Monterey, we heard “Soft, Slow and Easy” on K-ROCK 92.7 radio in rotation promoting our show. We pulled over and jumped around on the side of the freeway, yelling at the top of our lungs, “Yes, YES!” I was high. We were all very high with emotion, very proud! For the first time I really realized what was possible. Hearing your music on the radio is validation!

FSM: What separates “Electric Sandbox” from other bands of similar genre?

JT: Wow, there is a lot of talent out there! I’m not sure that we are all that separate to be honest, we are a rock band. We have our sound, our style. Our songs are certainly different, we always been humble and approachable. I don’t like to impose rules on the music in the band. If the song does well live and we like playing it, we record it! When I think of the many popular songs today and yesterday that almost didn’t make the cut or get recorded, I’m reminded again “no rules”!

FSM: What do you think is the biggest hurdle for those just starting out, and what advice would you offer them?

JT: The bottom line is songs, you need great songs. Then getting noticed in a meaningful way. We have all heard it said…Every major city has hundreds, of bands all looking for the same thing…the big break!

Most never get it because they give up too soon.

If you’re good, selling a few thousand cd’s will make you better and much more marketable.. I recommend making the highest quality record you can afford and work it. Get your business-house in order. Johnny Cash did, Elvis did, many, many others did, you are not alone! That’s why I say songs, songs, songs. ‘And a tight, interesting live show. Oh, and never forget where you came from…you might have to go back!

FSM: The availability of downloading songs has changed the way in which many purchase their music today. How has this process worked for you as an artist and producer?

JT: It’s a complete game-changer. We are talking today because of the internet!

FSM: Any special events we should know about?

JT: “Guide Dogs ForThe Blind” in July for sure, plus TBA record release party when the new album is done, then will see what happens next….

FSM: Are you writing any new songs?

JT: Yes, all the time…

FSM: What’s next for “Electric Sandbox”? Any new albums and where can our FSM readers locate?

JT: ESB has evolved once again and we are in the process of recording now. The new album “release date TBA”, will feature Carolyn Thorn on lead vocals and will include songs like, “Southern Spell”, “Missing You”, “Don’t Tread On Me” and “Pack Your Bags”…plus several more surprises we are deciding on now. The new album will be driving blues-based rock & roll with smoking guitars, a touch of southern rock vibe and a few surprises.

I’m blessed once again to have great musicians… Carolyn Thorn on vocals, Milt Verdakis with me on guitars adding a new dimension, and our rhythm section Bill Brisko on Bass, Brian Breckenridge on Drums.

I recently released the single from the freedom x sessions”Asylum of Nightmares” on soundclick. This song was never released and I thought SURE, put it out.

It’s from the very early days of the band and features Vince Carroza on vocals, Shawn Sharpe on bass, John Galvan on drums, who also plays on all the “Cover Your Trax” sessions, plus myself doing the guitar work. Check it out!

You can also get your favorite “Soft, Slow and Easy” plus “Satisfy” as singles from the “Cover Your Trax” album at http://www.soundclick.com/electricsandbox

I plan to re-release the whole album as a digital download on CD Baby and ITunes by the end of Febuary 09, along with other unreleased material.

FSM: Finally John, please share your website details.

http://www.myspace.com/rufftrackproductions is my studio.

The new line up is at:
http://www.myspace.com/electricsandbox

merchandise, follow the link to zazzle.

My Music production Direct email rufftrackpro@yahoo.com

Be sure to check out Electric Sand Box’s music at our Broadcasting Studio at:
http://www.mogulus.com/flipsidetomusic

VV SMITH -Alive and Kicking!

Interviews 1 Response »

Jan 232009

Photos provided by: V V Smith

Interview by Debbie Stevens

There’s no hiding the sexy smile beneath this cowboy’s hat, and when you listen to VV Smith’s songs, you just know you are witnessing another rock star in the making! VV Smith leads us like a true rock guru, but crosses with his own sound of ‘country’. Deb’s vocals blend in behind, a nice and smooth sultry tone, just a pinch of Stevie Nicks while holding onto her own style! Unreal percussion, all in the right place…”Thunderbolt” had struck a chord with me, but whoah, what’s that I can hear?? Sounds like Collective Soul just stepped in for a jam! Boston’s guitars definitely; “Not Far From Heaven”!The track;” I’m Alive” and many others remind us we’re alive AND really kicking.

FSM:VV Smith consists of four guys and one lass. [Please introduce] How did you all meet and what were each of you doing when you first hooked up?

VV: As crazy as it may sound… 4 of us go to the same church and I use to play in another band with the other one. I have played in quite a few bands throughout my career, been through a couple of record deals, toured all over the place and finally came to the spot where it was the right time to start the project that was festering in my heart all along. As I started to build this thing the perfect people were right under my nose. Things like that just don’t happen… ever.

Keith Singleton was playing drums in the church band at the time this madness was being born and I had the pleasure to jam with him on a few memorable occasions. He is one of the most creative, talented and easy to work with drummers I have had the honor to work with and he fits the position like a glove.

Debbie Shields was well known as an amazing vocalist in the same church. Having her accept my invitation to join this venture was a very exciting day for me. Adding her tasteful vocal style opened the way for limitless opportunities in the song writing process and her intuitive input has opened a plethora of musical directions. She is awesome to work with and an amazing compass in the storm.

Corbin Hill was another one of those “perfect person at the perfect place at the perfect time” things. I had a guitarist leave the band. We had a show on the books and two weeks to get the band ready. At this time a mutual friend had been trying to get Corbin and I to meet for a few weeks. Right after the other guitarist walked out of the rehearsal room door Corbin happened to walk in. Looking for another mutual friend, he introduced himself. And as it happened he had his amp and guitar in his car and the rest is history. Corbin has one of the freshest styles I have heard and his contribution to the band is massive. He is a privilege to work with and a blast to watch perform.

Jeff Zakany was the latest addition. Jeff and I had actually played together in another band for about 3 years, and sadly, we thereafter lost touch for a long while. After a few years and an amazing MySpace induced reunion we had just re-started contact when my bass player (who was an amazing musician and a great person BTW) informed me that he had to leave the band for personal reasons. As Jeff was one of the best bass players and performers that I had had the pleasure to work with in my career the decision to ask him to fill the position was obvious. To my delight he accepted the offer.

FSM: Musicians are drawn together for their own reasons or desires. What do you think attracted you guys to make music together?

VV: We are all reaching for the same star. It is hard to find two people who share the same dream that is leading in the same direction… let alone five. I am blessed to have 4 amazing folks wanting to travel the same road I am.

FSM: Are there any members who write their own material, or is it a joint effort?

VV: I write the majority of songs but my band plays an enormous roll in making them work. Corbin and I have co-written the music for two songs on this album (“Never Go Down and Roustabout”), Debbie contributed to the lyrical content and direction on “I’m Alive” and Jeff wrote “The Man”.

FSM: Do you share any particular moments that you feel have contributed to your music?

VV: Just life in general. I get a lot of inspiration from the friends I meet at shows or on MySpace. My family and my and 5 year old son are good examples as well. The music has to reflect what is real and in the heart.

FSM: From your performances so far, is there any that stand out more than the other? If so, how and why?

VV: At the risk of sounding cliché… Each show is exciting and unique in its own way. There is always something that stands out. It’s too hard to narrow it down to one when so many others would be neglected… Every show is special and you try to make it extraordinary no matter how many folks are in the audience or who you are sharing the stage with.

FSM: You’ve appeared on radio and in other magazines. What one impression would you hope has been captured from your interviews?

VV: That we are real people that love real people that love to have a real good time.

FSM: What inspired the lyrics for the song, ‘I’m Alive’? Who wrote them?

VV: I wrote “I’m Alive” with a great deal of encouragement from Debbie. She really helped pull the direction out while keeping the song grounded. It is a song about overcoming all obstacles and never giving up no matter what is thrown across your path. It’s about staying positive and not letting negative things influence your attitude or outlook on any and every situation that tries to get in your way.

The main underlying theme deals with my fight against the addictions that had ruined my life. I awoke one day and found that I was living in a tent behind someone’s house. I barely knew the people that lived there… I had only met them around 3 months before.

This had culminated from years of drug and alcohol abuse and I was pretty suicidal at the time. I had watched my musical career go down the toilet after loosing two record deals. This actually had nothing to do with the addictions except in the way that dealt with the discouragement by trying to kill myself with any substance I could get. I had lost everything including all of my music equipment, a place to live and most of my friends (and I was too embarrassed to contact the ones that I hadn’t lost yet).

To make a long story a little shorter; my life was saved and my world changed. I kept fighting and got another chance to start over. You see, anyone can win if ya just don’t give in to the temptation to quit. The rain does bring flowers… eventually.

FSM: You’ve just been informed that for one night only, your band have the pick of any venue [around the world] to perform. Where/what would it be and why?

VV: Probably the Super Bowl (and I promise not to show any spectacular wardrobe features ;^). It looks like a total blast and I like all the fireworks…

FSM: Do you have a record label?

VV: We are currently working with an independent label called “BlastWave Records” but we are staying “free agent” and not exclusive with anyone at this moment.

FSM: For Deb-What’s it like being the only female singer amongst the band? Any special memories/moments you can share?

Debbie: One of the cool things that happens is that I get to connect with a lot of the girls at the shows. With me there are no threats or barriers that must be crossed to just have a conversation. I love meeting new people and being “the chick” in the band helps to open a lot of doors…. But dressing rooms can be a bit of an issue sometimes Lol.
It is great to work with these guys. They are all fun, funny and very professional…. There’s never a dull moment!

FSM: Were there any New year resolutions? Any you’d like to share with our readers?
VV: Yep… 2009 is the year that the band is going all out and not worrying about taking chances.

FSM: What’s planned for 2009?

VV: We have the new album coming out in early 2009 (“Rattlesnake Soup“). We are also starting a concert series called “The VVSmith Sidewinder Circus” that will feature different National Headlining Acts, VVSmith (of course), Rodeo Clowns, Cowboys doing rope tricks, a Cowboy on stilts handing out free stuff and Sean Able (an 8 year old prodigy that plays bass guitar) making cameo appearances. We even have a Line dancing horse on board for warmer weather as well as a lot of other cool stuff. We also have a TV show in the works that will be doing everything from skit comedy to interviews with National bands. There is a new video on the plate as well.

FSM: Where can our readers find VVSmith online, and any downloads?

VV: www.vvsmith.com and www.myspace.com/vanvechtensmith
The new album as well as single song/full album downloads will also be available (probably February ‘09) at CD Baby, Amazon, i-tunes, Napster and most other online stores. There is currently a pre-release of 3 songs from the new album as well as a couple other tunes available on Myspace as well as our main site.

FSM: Last thoughts/message for our readers????

VV: I Love you guys. Thank you for reading and listening to me. I don’t deserve it but I truly appreciate you. Please drop by one of the sites and say hi or email me at vv@vvsmith.com .

I’d love to hear from ya!

Be sure to check out VV Smith’s music at our Broadcasting Studio at:
http://www.livestream.com/flipsidetomusic

Brent Blount

Interviews 1 Response »

Jan 112009

Image courtesy of Brent Blount

Interview by Tracy Lewis

“Traditional American Indian flute with modern influence, Jazz, & Blues”

His many musical talents include: Tenor Sax, Clarinet, Blues and Jazz Guitar, and Native American Flute

Brent is an elementary school teacher and a devoted husband to his wife Kelli. And has been a foundational piece of the Oklahoma Jazz and Blues community for the last 21 years. He has performed with a variety of renowned artist’s from the Scott Keeton Band and Danny White to Smilin’ Vic and the Temptations.

FSM: Brent when did you first begin playing music, and who influenced you the most?

BRENT: I started playing saxophone at age eight when I lived for four years in Wichita Kansas, and the first song I learned was “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” The director said I jazzed it up too much and needed to slow down. The first song I learned on guitar was “Crazy Train” by Ozzy. Randy died a few months before I got my first guitar at Christmas at 12; and, he gave me the ideal role model by example. That was a musician on the road dedicated to the music and not dedicated to the vices of the road.

I started taking jazz lessons at 13 and my teacher, Paul Brewer, got me into Trane and Dexter. I got Dexter, but Trane eluded me until I heard Ernie Watts play in the soundtrack to “Fabulous Baker Boys” in the old Bianca’s jazz club. That movie and Ernie’s playing changed my life when I heard it in Bianca’s after having started playing in the blues jam sessions there at 16. The Bronston Blues Band used to hide me in the kitchen when they came around. I played in Terry McCann’s band years later for about 7 years. Before that, I was Doc Blue’s first guitarist and saxophonist.

I have several “musical step fathers,” and I grew up with them helping me and giving me chances to play. More specifically, they are Danny White, Gene Bell, as well as Terry. So, for me to answer the question of “Who influenced me the most?” I have to say heroes and my musical family, of which the list could go on and on: Paul Brewer, Bruce Kitzel, Joe Bob Nelson, Larry Hollis, Lee Rucker, Kent Kidwell, Brian Gorrell (my musical brother), and so on.

FSM: What made you want to become a musician?

BRENT: I always knew I was one.

FSM: What inspires the music the most?

BRENT: Native American music for me is inspired by the land, its beauty, and its mystery. Many of the songs on “Black Kettle’s Vision” and “Coyotes” were written on the land with her. I have much more of an active part in writing jazz, but let me pass on what Joe Davis, one of the greatest unknown tenor players, told me when I drove to Tahlequah, Oklahoma to take a lesson from him before he died. He said it, the music, comes into the heart as he pointed to his heart; then, the he said mind merely translates it. As to what it is that comes into the heart, I can only describe it as a spiritual power. It’s mystery.

FSM: How many songs have you written and produced?

BRENT: I have written and produced about 46 songs on “After All These Years,” “Breakfast at Jim’s,” “Black Kettle’s Vision,” and “Coyotes.” The jazz songs were all done in the studio, while the Native American songs were all done at home.

FSM: Do you have any other or new projects coming up that you want people to know about?

BRENT: I’m currently in the process of recording three new jazz singles and will master the Native American flute music at the U.C.O. Jazz Lab. Drums have been added to four selections on “Coyotes;” I’m just saving up to finish it all a little at a time.

FSM: Where can people listen to your music, purchase it and even find out more about you?

BRENT: People can listen to my music, purchase it, and learn more about me including upcoming shows at www.brentblount.com

FSM: Outside of music, what other hobbies/interests do you have and how do those relate to what you would like the world to know about Native American culture?

BRENT: I have hobbies and interests outside of music that tie into what I want the world to know about Native American culture. I study American Indian history, exercise, and practice the specific American Indian culture that found me. I recently made a lifetime commitment to learn the Lakota language and well, I’m not as far along as I wish I were.

That aside, it’s not my place to say anything specific about any culture as one whose history was lost due to being adopted and my ancestors having been assimilated. What is my place is to say that languages have died and are dying. At the same time, American Indians, Native Alaskans, and First Nations are not vanished races, yet the effects of the genocide are still here and now. Lastly, the history is repeating, but that’s not all. John W. Campbell said, “Sometimes history doesn’t repeat herself. Sometimes she shouts ‘weren’t you listening?’ and let’s fly with a club.”

FSM: What advice would you offer to other musicians?

BRENT: Don’t take my advice, but I’ll share what changed me over to jazz from the “Fabulous Baker Boys” when I was 19. Consequently, the one person I’d like to meet would be Ernie Watts, who I heard play in the soundtrack to “Fabulous Baker Boys” in the old Bianca’s jazz club two decades ago now.

http://www.script-o-rama.com/movie_scripts/f/fabulous-baker-boys-script-transcript.html

FSM: How would you describe yourself to the world?

BRENT: I want to describe myself to the world by expressing my main intent and what I attempt to do with the music. Leonard Peltier is sure right when he says, “You are what you do,” yet with music; it’s the music that “does it.” My music, I hope, helps to make the world a better place. I hope someone can come hear me and feel better when they go home. I like the idea Johnny Griffin has that I read once, “Shoot them bullets of love,” Or the sentiment expressed by Herbie Hancock, “Jazz is about transforming pain into joy.”

Shostakovich said once about living under Stalin’s regime, that music is people’s last hope. Those are awful big shoes to try to fill, but how many times in people’s lives would the difference be made for the better if in a moment of vulnerability they listened to something that didn’t make them feel worse and maybe pushed them over the edge? If it can’t ever be about helping someone in those delicate moments, then what’s the point? Yes, I believe there’s an artistic responsibility to help the world by letting the music, a spiritual power, speak through you to others. I just hope mine does that.

FSM: Congratulations on your success so far! Do you feel you are where you planned on being at this time in your career?

BRENT: I’m not where I thought I’d be in my musical career; I’m where I chose to be.

FSM: Where do you see yourself, possibly five years from now?

BRENT: I don’t know, but I’ve got a date with destiny to keep.

Flip Side to Music wishes Brent Blount much success!

Be sure to check out Brent’s music at our Broadcasting Studio at:
http://www.mogulus.com/flipsidetomusic

JT Thario and Electric Sand Box

VV SMITH -Alive and Kicking!

Brent Blount

Recent Posts

Archives

Important Links