5Q for Cigarettes After Sex – Neon Desert Artist

Cigarettes After Sex is Greg Gonzalez, Adrian Esparza, Steve Herrada, Phillip Tubbs, and Mundo Terrazas.  Greg Gonzalez is repping CAS (not censorship, simply abbreviating; see Interesting Fact) for the purposes of this interview.  They are one of the 29+ bands playing one of four stages at the inaugural Neon Desert Music Festival in El Paso on Saturday, April 30, 2011. 

CAS is the second band of our El Paso Week of Neon Desert interviews that is actually based in EP.  They’re a band  that seems to be cloaked in some mystery.  When I was researching them for the purposes of this interview I couldn’t find much of an online presence for them.  That’s because they were on a bit of a musical hiatus and are coming back just for Neon Desert (more in Question 3).  I think that’s pretty exciting stuff.

Listen to “I Can See You” from CAS available at BandCamp.

Click the first pic to go to Cigarettes After Sex’s official site.

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Interesting Fact:  The Cigarettes After Sex name has been censored around El Paso,  in certain instances being abbreviated to the acronym CAS.

1. I’m asking most of the Neon Desert Artists about their names. Explain why you chose the band name, Cigarettes After Sex. The name was literally brought about from a situation involving the content of the name…thought it might be a good name for a group when it sprang to mind in the moments afterwards.

2. Your press materials indicate your dance group is based around material written by you that was inspired by Madonna’s ‘80s singles, groups like New Order, and the poetry of Richard Brautigan and Bill Knott.  That seems pretty specific.  Did you come up with the list and write around those parameters or did you realize those were your influences after you had written for the group for awhile? It was definitely something I noticed in retrospect.  I had been rediscovering a love for Madonna’s ‘80s to early ‘90s material, “Borderline,” “Angel,” “Who’s That Girl”; as well listening to and thinking about things like “Temptation” by New Order, “Money Changes Everything” by Cyndi Lauper, “A Little Respect” by Erasure, and sort of trying to get farther with some of the stuff I had started lyrically before the group began, which was influenced by books like Auto-Necrophilia by Bill Knott and Loading Mercury With a Pitchfork by Richard Brautigan.  Those influences seemed to begin the writing period that the group was created out of.

3. Cigarettes After Sex was on hiatus and is coming out of it specifically to play the Neon Desert Music Festival.  How does it feel that your reputation preceded you enough to be invited to perform even when you weren’t active? It feels great to be asked to play Neon Desert, to be a part of something special like this and something people seem very enthusiastic about, and it’s very nice that we were noticed when we weren’t really playing for keeps anymore.  We were sort of just doing a few shows strictly for fun towards the end.  We’re very lucky and grateful to have been asked.

4. Does this mean that your fans can look forward to more music and more shows in the not too distant future?  What’s next for the individual members of the band? I’m extraordinarily happy with the lineup of the group right now and the mix of material we’re doing from the last while, so if we can keep it together and keep everybody having fun and happy, I don’t see why we won’t come out every so often to play or release a record.

In the meantime, we all have things we’re working on individually that we’re each pushing for.  I’ve begun performing solo with a backing group including Steve Herrada and should be releasing an EP by the end of summer.  Phillip Tubbs is a local songwriter working on a full length record and playing shows around town at the moment.  Adrian Esparza has two original groups he’s performing with, Aztec Zodiac and Midnite Duel.  Mundo Terrazas is trying to organize a festival-type show that features all of the groups him and I have played in together through the years just for a good time and a laugh.

5. What do you think this music festival means for El Paso as a city and as a music scene and for El Paso bands like yourselves? It’s an excellent thing to be happening in El Paso.  The enthusiasm being created by it is nothing short of remarkable and it will only continue to create interest for all the local groups and out-of-towners.  And, of course, for the city itself by hosting such a unique and colorful music festival.

5Q for The Lusitania – Neon Desert Artist

The Lusitania is brothers, Michael and Blake Duncan, Charles Berry, Adi Kanlick, and Will Daugherty.  Adi Kanlick is repping The Lusitania for the purposes of this interview.  They are one of the 29+ bands playing one of four stages at the inaugural Neon Desert Music Festival in El Paso on Saturday, April 30, 2011. 

The Lusitania is the first band of our El Paso Week of Neon Desert interviews that is actually based in EP.  Five strong, I’d say they’re holding things down on the border with their singular brand of rock & roll.

Listen to “Your Existential Hero” from The Lusitania’s debut release, Rain and Rivers, available at Tembloroso Creative Lab.

Click the first pic to go to The Lusitania’s Facebook Page and second, at the end of the interview, to get to their MySpace Page.

*** 
Interesting Fact:  If you get an out-of-town The Lusitania show early, you’ll most likely catch them playing Frisbee in the parking lot. According to the band, no tour van is complete without an orange Frisbee.

1. I asked another Neon Desert Artist what their name meant and I have to ask you the same thing.  Where did The Lusitania come from?  Mike said he always wanted to name the band after a shipwreck, so The Lusitania was the name that came to mind.  A few years ago he said that some people may think that naming the band The Lusitania would mean that our career would sink, but he said he saw it as a catalyst for war.

2. How would you describe the sound of the El Paso music scene? The music scene in El Paso has become much more diverse in the past few years.  The emo music scene was more predominant several years ago, like in the early 2000s, but it has certainly matured from that.  There is a lot of variety within the scene now with post punk bands, experimental/psychedelic, singer-songwriters, and rock and roll acts like us.

3. Where does The Lusitania fit within that? I think all the local bands within El Paso fit into their own niche, including us.  One of the great parts about having a diverse music scene is that you get variety when you go to shows.  So, we’re definitely comfortable with our place in the scene because we’re part of this diverse group of musicians.  I don’t think we’d have it any other way.

4. Since you’re from El Paso, do you feel pressure to rock harder than other Neon Desert Artists that aren’t?  Any healthy competition with the ones that are? 
We are really excited to be part of the Neon Desert Music Festival and to be able to share the stage with all these different acts.  We definitely don’t feel like there is any competition with any of the other bands.  The point of the festival is to be able to see all kinds of different bands and listen to music you may have not been exposed to before. 

I think that many people who have seen us live would agree that we give it everything we’ve got when we’re on stage, whether it’s to five people or to a completely packed room.  We’re going to bring that same energy with us on the day of the festival.

5. How did you get hooked up with Neon Desert and what do you feel this means for El Paso? We were approached by the organizers of the festival to play several months ago.  Considering this is the first real music festival for El Paso, it’s very flattering that they came to us and asked us be a part of it.  As a musician and as a resident of El Paso, I think this is a huge step in the right direction.  El Paso has always had a very lively music scene and this is only going to bring more attention to it. 

The organizers of the festival have already done a really great job in booking some terrific bands and I think there’s nowhere to go but up.  Hopefully, this music festival will get to the point where it could be in competition with ACL, Coachella, and Lollapalooza.  We are definitely looking forward to the festival, seeing how it progresses in the future, and we hope that they’ll keep inviting us back.

5Q for Girl in a Coma – Neon Desert Artist

Girl in a Coma is Jenn Alva, Phanie Diaz, and Nina Diaz.  Phanie is repping GiaC for the purposes of this interview.  They are one of the 29+ bands playing one of four stages at the inaugural Neon Desert Music Festival in El Paso on Saturday, April 30, 2011. 

For those who don’t know, GiaC is a San Anto indie punk band that’s been making a lot of noise the last few years.  Not only in Texas, but beyond its borders.  So, if you don’t know, now you know.  It’s cool that Neon Desert is getting representation from other Texas cities and not only showcasing El Paso and Austin artists.  GiaC will, no doubt, represent San Anto very well.

Watch GiaC perform their cover of Selena’s “Si Una Vez” from their latest release, Adventures in Coverland, available at Amazon.com.

Click the first pic to go to Girl in a Coma’s official site and second, at the end of the interview, to get to their Facebook Page.

***

Interesting Fact: As you’ll read in Question 2, Girl in a Coma is signed to Joan Jett’s label, Blackheart Records.  That’s not the only heavy hitter they’re associated with.  ATX’s own, Robert Rodriguez, directed their music video for “As The World Turns.”

1. For those who don’t know Girl in a Coma, yet, what should they know about you? We are three Latinas from San Antonio, TX.  We’ve been together for 10 years.  We love all kinds of music and we love playing live.

2. You’re on Joan Jett’s label, Blackheart Records, and there was a recent film about the band she started with, The Runaways.  If you were to get to a point in your careers where a film would be made about Girl in a Coma, who would you want to play each of you and why? 

Jenn:  Natasha Lyonne  
Phanie:  Sara Gilbert
Nina:  That’s pretty open to discussion. 

The only reason I say the above for Jenn and I is because we’ve been told that’s who we resemble.  So, why not?

3. Why did you decide to play the inaugural Neon Desert Music Festival?
It’s pretty cool that El Paso is throwing this kind of a fest.  Austin has all kinds of things going on and, of course, there is Coachella.  I think it’s about time Texas had something different to offer.  There are also some good and diverse bands for the first year!

4. Is it taking a risk to play a new festival like or is it an automatic success because you will always go down in history as one of the bands that helped kick it off? I think it’s definitely a positive thing!  Just the idea behind it is great and if it takes off or not,  it’s cool to be a part of a great idea.

5. After this festival, what’s next for Girl in a Coma that your fans should keep an eye out for? We have a new record that is due out in fall and then lots and lots of touring!!

5Q for GOBI – Neon Desert Artist

GOBI is J. Dillon, D. Dunny, and Chuco Phil.  Chuco Phil is repping GOBI for the purposes of this interview.  They are one of the 29+ bands playing one of four stages at the inaugural Neon Desert Music Festival in El Paso on Saturday, April 30, 2011. 

Chuco Phil is definitely one of those Austin-El Paso people I mention here.  Not sure if  all of GOBI is.  But, they ARE playing Neon Desert and play El Paso often, so, at the least, they are in spirit. 

Listen to “Ain’t Gonna Die” from GOBI’s latest EP, The Late Night, available for name-your-price download at BandCamp.

Click the first pic to go to GOBI’s Facebook Page and second, at the end of the interview, to get to their MySpace Page.

***

Interesting Fact: GOBI’s logos, pictures, and overall persona fits perfectly with the neon aspect of the Neon Desert Music Festival.  Some interesting synchronicity, indeed.

1. What does GOBI mean? When we first started playing we had a DJ in the group and he lived off of GOBI Drive down in South Austin off of Stassney.  The name looked good on the sign and more than anything we didn’t want a name that defined our music (like Cannibal Corpse or Spinal Tap), instead we wanted our music to give definition to the name.

2. You’re an electro-dance three piece.  What does each of you bring to the table? J. Dillon and I produce all the electronic elements of our sound.  We believe in locking ourselves in a room for hours until we are satisfied with what will be the backbone of our music.  Dunny is a crucial element in providing the complex hypnotic beats and up-tempo tom grooves which fuels the excitement when we play.  He’s one of the best drummers I’ve ever seen and may be the best drummer in electronic music.  Dillon adds guitar, I add vocals, and you have GOBI.

3. Since you thrive on live performance, how is that different than when you compose or produce your music?  Are you thinking about the live aspect when you are in the studio? Our live performance and songwriting go hand-in-hand.  At an early age, Dillon and I would go to tons of shows and the genres varied significantly from one show to the other.  We noticed that no matter what the genre was, whether we were in a club in Juarez listening to a DJ, at Red Rocks dancing to a Jam Band, or checking out Jay-Z at a huge stadium, the theme we needed in a good live show was a beat to dance to and energy from the stage. 

Dillon has always said that dancing is the biggest compliment a crowd can give a band, so when we write our songs, we definitely keep in mind how we want the crowd to feel.  We calculate how much energy we want to produce and at which points of the night we want to release that energy.  This has become a science for us and every night is an experiment.

4. What can El Paso look forward to for your Neon Desert Music Festival show? First of all, we love playing El Paso.  Every time we’ve played in EP the energy has been intense; the after parties, amazing.  We have an entire new album worth of material and I can’t wait for Chuco Town to hear it.  If the only GOBI shows you’ve seen have been in El Paso, you’ll see an entire new band at Neon Desert.

5. In addition to watching GOBI’s performance, why else should folks check out the Neon Desert Music Festival? Neon Desert is just good for El Paso.  The city has so much culture and a feel all its own, it’s time they have a festival all of their own that showcases that.  Neon Desert is the city’s chance to place themselves on the map and it’s an opportunity for people to check out music and bands that rarely play in El Paso.  I’ll definitely be at MSTRKRFT.

5Q for Zach Paul – Neon Desert Founder

Zach Paul is one of the three principles behind Splendid Sun Productions (SSP).  He along with his two partners, Gina Martinez and Brian Chavez, are the brain trust behind the Neon Desert Music Festival, a one-day multi-stage outdoor festival set to debut in El Paso, TX at the end of the month. 

SSP are El Pasoans based in Austin with the goal of creating a musical connection between the two cities that resonates with the masses and turns lucrative.  This festival, the first of its kind in the El Paso area, is the first step in that direction.  If it jumps off, they’ll do it again next year.

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SSP: Zach Paul, Gina Martinez & Brian Chavez

Interesting Fact:  Gina Martinez’s husband came up with the festival’s name.  The Desert part is obvious.  Neon comes from El Paso’s amazing vibrantly colored sunsets.

1. Tell us about SSP. SSP is a company that we started with the purpose of organizing and promoting Neon Desert Music Festival.  It all started in October of 2009, so we have been around a little more than a year-and-a-half. We hope that Neon Desert becomes a successful annual event and, hopefully, once it has, SSP can begin to look into other ideas and avenues and produce more events.

2. Why is the Austin-El Paso connection important to SSP?  Do you think more organizations, companies, and artists should exploit that connection?
It is a connection that is used by bands all the time whether they are traveling from Southern California and Arizona to Texas or vice-versa.  And, then, of course, the obvious fact that music is a way of life in Austin and we need to get more of those bands and continue to see more of that attitude and feeling grow in El Paso.

3. Why did you want to kick things off with this Neon Desert Musical Festival? We wanted to see something like this happen in El Paso.  We want to get lots of great bands together and have them play on the same day, which is something that normally wouldn’t happen in the Sun City.  Not only can this be big for El Paso, but it can be a regional event as the fest grows.  But, in order for that to happen we need to have support in Year One which is why we are working tirelessly right now.

4. Comparisons to SXSW are inevitable.  So what inspires you about SXSW and what about the Neon Desert Music Festival will be different? SXSW is something so unreal it is difficult to comprehend. SXSW is interactive, film, and music and all most of which happens in the Austin Convention Center, theaters, and clubs/bars.  We are not trying to model ourselves after that.  We are a multi-stage festival that will be happening in one day outdoors.  We are just trying to be a wannabe version of ACL or Lollapalooza, just on a much much smaller scale.

5. What’s next for Splendid Sun Productions and the Neon Desert Music Festival? Like I mentioned earlier, we are hoping to receive some strong support on April 30th.  If we can get the support that we are hoping for then we hope to get back to work immediately and begin planning a 2nd Annual Neon Desert for 2012.  This is something that can have an economic impact on our hometown so we hope that people understand that by supporting Neon Desert they will be supporting El Paso as well.  And, on top of that, we are giving $1 from every ticket sold to El Paso Parks & Recreation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

20Q for Stefani Vara Part 2 – H-Town

Editor’s Note:  This is a repost of my third interview as a contributing music & entertainment writer at Popular Hispanics, originally titled Stefani Vara:  Don’t Call It a Come-Up…I’ve Been Here for Years and originally posted here.  I’ll be posting it in 2 parts here at THE REAL popolio.

Stefani Vara is that Mexican-American around-the-way girl from H-Town, who also happens to be that pop star that’s been grinding for a decade.  That’s okay, because she’s been told it takes that long to become an “overnight success.” 

If she has anything to say about it, and I believe her, she will be hitting your radar faster than you can say, “Oye como va.”  She’s that Latin thang you should know about, but maybe haven’t heard about…quite just yet. 

The sexiness is a moot point; it’s her music that she wants you to care about.  With pop, dance, R&B, and, of course, Latin influences, she hopes to make music that, not only, makes you wanna’ dance, but that you’ll remember for years to come.

In [what was] this EXCLUSIVE no holds barred Popular Hispanics interview, Stefani Vara answered whatever we threw at her with grace, tact, and dignity.  

Listen to Stefani Vara’s new single, “Middle of the Night,” coming to iTunes and Napster for your downloading pleasure very soon.

Click the first pic to go to her Twitter account and second, at the end of the interview, to get to her Facebook Page.

Part 1

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11. When I think of Houston, I think of Destiny’s Child and that chopped and screwed music.  Will any of that be making its way into your music?  I would love and it would be an honor for one of my songs to be chopped and screwed.  You are pretty official in Houston when that happens!!

12. Some artists, who shall go nameless, seem more interested in being a “star” than being an “artist” and perfecting their craft. Obviously, you need to get out there so people know who you are, hear your music, and buy it, but you also should be creating and performing if you are truly an “artist.”  How do you toe the line between the artistry and the star-tistry? You can get lost in those high profile events and realize at the end of the day you still have nothing.  It is important to continue to have a face and be in the scene, but also know what you want to get out of it.  It’s important to have balance and continue to remind yourself why you are there!  Product makes a career not a red carpet.

13. If you had to describe the sound your going for on your new stuff in a sound bite, how would describe it?  And the sound of Storybook Diaries?

My sound now:  Live, Fun, and Moving
My past album, Storybook Diaries:  Soft, Sultry, and Deep

14. As Hispanics, we’re often seen as sexy and sensual people.  I’ve seen some of your photos and your sexiness was obviously being played up (see Part 1, Pic 2).  Is there a line where you fear the public may not take you seriously as an artist?  Or is it about authenticity in your artistry, sexiness, and just how you overall present yourself? It’s definitely about authenticity.  I am very comfortable and confident in me; therefore I don’t worry so much about what people think!  I enjoy artistry and being creative – Staying true to yourself and what makes you happy is what really matters.

15. Talk about the new single “Middle of the Night.”  What were you trying to do with it lyrically and sonically? With “Middle of the Night” I wanted to keep the sexiness and have a track where people would want to get up and dance and remember the lyrics.  I have had so many people say, “It sticks in my mind.”…That’s exactly what I wanted

16. Tell us about what we can expect from your next release. The next release is a work-in-progress.  It’s very raw, live, and I think you’re going to like [it]!  I am working with a producer here in Houston and I am excited to be recording again and working on a new project!

17. Your story of the artist whose first label home does not work out is not necessarily unique.  Any advice for up-and-coming artists who may find themselves on a similar path? I stay positive in all my situations; because for me to grow and become stronger God wants me to learn from my mistakes.  I feel my label deal was unique – every label deal with every artist is different!  It didn’t necessarily not work, it just wasn’t the outcome we had hoped for, but I wouldn’t have changed a thing.  To me, something not working would have been that I never had this opportunity to record an album.

My advice for all other emerging artists is to stay positive and keep moving. Think of each situation as a learning experience to be better or go another route!  If it is meant to be, believe me, it will be!!

18. Do you want to distinguish yourself from other artists?  Or is just about doing what you do well even if it’s been done before?  I just feel like me being me distinguishes myself from everyone else.  It’s about style and personality!  I would never want to be put in a category as oh, everyone does that.

19. Who are you diggin’ musically right now?  Along the same lines, of who is out now, if anybody, who is Stefani Vara’s competition? I am really diggin’ Bruno Mars, Aventura, Juanes, and Lady Gaga.  I don’t worry about competition because I am doing what I want and how I want; so, to me, I stay focused on creating and continuing on my own path.

20. Any last words for the purposes of this [Popular Hispanics] interview?  Thank you so much for this interview and [the] support!  I continue to work hard in the hopes of being a role model to young Hispanics who are pursuing their own careers. I look forward to sharing my music with you and shouting you out when I’m on a red carpet!!!  Gracias!!

THE END.

20Q for Stefani Vara Part 1 – H-Town

Editor’s Note: This is a repost of my third interview as a contributing music & entertainment writer at Popular Hispanics, originally titled Stefani Vara:  Don’t Call It a Come-Up…I’ve Been Here for Years and originally posted here.  I’ll be posting it in 2 parts here at THE REAL popolio.

Stefani Vara is that Mexican-American around-the-way girl from H-Town, who also happens to be that pop star that’s been grinding for a decade.  That’s okay, because she’s been told it takes that long to become an “overnight success.”

If she has anything to say about it, and I believe her, she will be hitting your radar faster than you can say, “Oye como va.”  She’s that Latin thang you should know about, but maybe haven’t heard about…quite just yet.

The sexiness is a moot point; it’s her music that she wants you to care about.  With pop, dance, R&B, and, of course, Latin influences, she hopes to make music that, not only, makes you wanna’ dance, but that you’ll remember for years to come.

In [what was] this EXCLUSIVE no holds barred Popular Hispanics interview, Stefani Vara answered whatever we threw at her with grace, tact, and dignity.

Listen to Stefani Vara’s new single, “Middle of the Night,” coming to iTunes and Napster, for your downloading pleasure, very soon.  So, check for it!

Click the first pic to go to her official site and second, at the end of the interview, to get to her Facebook Page.

Part 2

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1. Who is Stefani Vara? Stefani Vara is a determined woman who continues to create a path to her own destiny!

2. lt seemed like you were on your way in NYC having signed to indie label, Siri Music, with your debut release, Storybook Diaries, and all the fashion campaigns, red carpets, high profile events, and crazy media coverage.  What happened? Nothing happened.  I am here and still running!  You can still see me performing, supporting various events/charities, and walking the red carpets.  It was great experience working with a label, but we had creative differences and it was time for a new path.

3. During that time, you were in a lot of magazine features, but had not quite achieved cover girl status.  Is it about paying dues?  Do you want to be a cover girl one day? I’ve been told by many veterans in the entertainment industry that it takes ten years to really make it in the industry and have a name…I am currently in my 10th year!  The experience is different for everyone.  For some, fame and fortune comes quickly with no hard work, but that is not my destiny.  I feel the challenge of learning and understanding the business has taught me and shown me that there can be longevity in a career rather than easy come, easy go!  So, WHEN I finally become that cover girl, it’s going to mean much more to me than someone who didn’t pay their dues.

4. You were at one of Chris Brown’s release parties.  Was that before or after the Rihanna incident?  Any thoughts on that? The Chris Brown event I attended was before the incident.  The incidence of domestic abuse is always wrong and, unfortunately, this tarnished his career as a young pop star for awhile.  I am not here to judge anyone; people make mistakes.  Some small, some huge.  I know that he learned from his past mistakes and hopes to be a better person.

5. How did the 2008 Southpole Footwear and Azzure Denim campaigns come together? Are you still signed to them? Do you want to do more modeling and fashion campaigns? The Southpole and Azzure ads came through my [former] record label.  I am no longer signed to them, but I support them and thank them for all the support they gave me.  It was such a great experience to be the face of a brand and in the campaigns!  I am still modeling and auditioning for fashion campaigns, television, and films.  I recently had the opportunity to walk in my first NYC fashion week show last year which was exciting and fun!

6. If you could get everything out of your system regarding your debut release, Storybook Diaries, what would you say about that experience? I would say my experience was bittersweet.  If you know the music industry you know that just because you are with a label doesn’t mean you’ve necessarily “made it” and can just reap the rewards.  On one hand, I recorded an album and that is exactly what I went to NYC to do.  On the other hand, with the ever-changing industry, I never received a hard copy…I feel it could have gone a lot further if it wasn’t lost in the shuffle of the constant changes of the industry.  It has been a learning process and I know I had to go through it in order to know what I really want now and where I would like to go!

7. In a 2010 interview for another online publication you’re quoted as saying that your debut “…only slightly touches on who [you are] as an artist” and that, “There is tons more passion, culture, strength, and flavor that [you] want to give and show.”  Give me one example of each (passion, culture, strength, and flavor) and how you would bring that musically, lyrically, or otherwise.

• Passion:  My love for music and entertaining.
• Culture:  I want to bring in more of my Mexican roots and [a] live band sound.
• Strength:  My continuance to keep going in this business.
• Flavor:  My sexy style and fun personality.

All of these things are what I want you to get out of my music when you hear it.  I want you to be able to get a vision of who I really am.

8. That same article references your major influences to be Selena, Gloria Estefan, Shakira, and Alicia Keys. In the same way, give me one thing from each that you hope to emulate in your own music-making.

• Selena:   She is my idol.  I think about her lyrics in Spanish and English and how the Hispanic community loved her.  I want to make music that people will love.
• Gloria Estefan:  I want to bring in her vision of Miami Sound Machine.  A fun band that would bring in a live sound that can be heard anywhere.
• Shakira:  Her sexiness and hip-moving beats that make you want to get up and move.
• Alicia Keys:  Her strong lyrics and deep melodies.

9. Are there any other artists you are influenced by? Or genres? I am influenced by all types of music.  Growing up listening to country, R&B, and Tejano music has left me open-minded to artists from Portishead to Marvin Gaye.

10. Being a Houston girl, is it important for you to rep Houston and Texas?  How do you do that as an artist? It’s super important for Texas and me to rep Houston.  Most of my fans and supporters are from Texas.  My family and roots are from Texas and that has made me who I am.  Texas shows tons of love!!

To be continued TOMORROW…

EXCLUSIVE: 20 Questions for Sophie B. Hawkins Part 2

Here’s Part 2 of my EXCLUSIVE 20Q interview with Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, Sophie B. Hawkins.  In addition to discussing her forthcoming release, Heart and Soul of a Woman, we also talk about the musical she’s been working on with some noteworthy folks.  Read more to find out who they are.

I got to preview five tracks from  the new project to pick one to stream with this interview.  I chose “Georgia.”  Listen now. 

Click on the pic to go to her official site.

Part 1

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First single, “Betchya Got a Cure,” Cover

11. Tell us about Heart and Soul of a Woman.  Heart and Soul of a Woman is so emotional and un-self-conscious.  The vocals are like the word Speakeasy.   I like the diversity of style and musicality, and yet, it’s not striving to be interesting or different.   The only real difference in the progression of my song cycles is the fear of being seen has lessened and is, perhaps, gone altogether. 

12. What do you want fans to take away from it?  In a sense, I’m saying to the listener, “Just come in already.”  The masking is over and it’s important in the first album to have fear and masks because people see through them and love you for it.  Then it becomes a game, with yourself.  So, this cycle of songs is without artifice of any kind.   For better or worse.  There is always a new level to get to.

13. Your press materials state, and I quote, “Heart and Soul of a Woman is in many ways the culmination of Sophie B. Hawkins’ life-long apprenticeship in creative transcendence.”  Define and talk about this “life-long apprenticeship” and “creative transcendence.”   Well, I spoke to the writer of that bio or review right after the album was mastered, so the word culmination seemed fitting.   I’m on to the next now and the transcendence is going beyond my identity and finding the truth, which is only relevant to the creative process, not the outcome. 

14. If that was “the culmination,” where do you go from there?  I am being forced to drop any and every old crutch and having to put myself out there as a new artist, basically, which seems to happen every time I’m wanting to get my work out there.  The challenge is about existing at all now, as an artist and, perhaps, for many of us, as humans.  The positive aspect of my career having always been such an uphill battle is that I’m fit!  I’m ready for anything.

15. I’d like to offer my condolences regarding your father’s recent death.  You state that your father’s death and working through that through this project allowed you to finally deal with your parents’ alcoholism.   What, if anything, do you want your fans to know regarding your father’s death and growing up with and finally coming to terms with your parents’ addictions?  Thank you for acknowledging my father’s death.  I have a feeling my fans get a lot from my songs in terms of the self-healing and self-transformation of surviving and creating a self out of an alcoholic-sexually-abusive-family-system.   Many people get more than I know I give, and in that sense, they give me more than I think I deserve.  So, I hope in getting this music out that there is another level of shared strength-building, of laughing and crying, and the sense that no one is really alone, when seeking the truth.

16. So, at the same time that you’ve been working on your latest release, you’ve been working on a musical, a first for you (Congrats!), with your longtime manager and acclaimed filmmaker, Gigi Gaston, Tony and Emmy Award Winner and, more recently, of Glee fame, Kristin Chenoweth, and Tony Award Winner and Broadway Legend, Thomas Meehan.  Tell me about this amazing project.  I am passionately in love with this Broadway musical.  The 29-hour reading was like Olympic training and it was also the intensity I long for, the challenge I live for.  The story is early American, takes place in Pennsylvania, it’s a cross between Pygmalion and Annie Get Your Gun, and yet, it’s an original.

17. Tell us more.  This musical deserves two questions.  It’s both classic and modern.  It’s not trying to be edgy and psychodrama-ish, there is simplicity and a heartfelt quality that may be out of fashion right this minute, although I believe it can be a classic.  It has funny moments, too.  I guess it’s a romantic comedy with balls.  We are climbing Mount Everest, as Thomas Meehan said this December in New York, together.

18. Okay, so the Chenoweth Connection begs the Glee question.  If asked, would you let creator, Ryan Murphy, use your music?  Maybe “DIWIWYL” or “AILMD.”  Would you do a cameo on the show?  Do you even like the show?  I love Glee and want them to use my songs, dammit!  I’d love to be on the show and maybe you can say something to someone so they’ll think of it.

Editor’s Note 1:  Not sure if Sophie is directing this to me.  I don’t have that kind of power and if I did, I’d get myself on the show.  Seriously though, maybe it’s a call out to her fans.  Betty White, anyone?  And Sophie – you’re the one working with the Chenoweth.  You have a direct connection to Glee and Ryan Murphy, himself!  Just sayin’.

19. Back to Heart and Soul of a Woman.  How’s it different than what’s come before and how is it a fine-tuning of it?  Will you listen to the new album and tell me what you think?  Isn’t that more important than what I think?

Editor’s Note 2:   I’d love to listen to the new album and tell you what I think.  Again, I think this is more globally addressed to what you SBH fans out there will think than to me.  I agree that it is more important what fans think.  That said, feel free to comment on Sophie’s new song, “Georgia.”

20.  Will there be videos for Heart and Soul of a Woman?  I’m releasing a video for “Sinnerman” very soon.

love, Sophie B

THE END.

EXCLUSIVE: 20 Questions for Sophie B. Hawkins Part 1

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, Sophie B. Hawkins, may be most known for her pop hits, “Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover” and “As I Lay Me Down,” and, more recently, for courting some political controversy, but I’ve been a fan for quite some time.  Though I only own her debut release, Tongues and Tails, on tape and fourth and first independent release, Wilderness, on CD, I’ve wanted Whaler for years and just haven’t gotten off my duff to pick it up.  I love both those projects and have always been curious about her as an artist.  Here at THE REAL popolio, we’re going to keep it about the music and push the politics to the side.  (Though I do ask her about Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton because it’s no secret that Hawkins was a staunch supporter of her 2008 presidential campaign.)

Later this year, SBH will be releasing her first project of new music in seven years. Heart and Soul of a Woman is the proper follow-up to 2004’s Wilderness. 2006’s Live:  Bad Kitty Board Mix was a live release.  The first single of the set, “Betchya Got a Cure,” was released last Wednesday on iTunes.  I was allowed to preview five new tracks to choose one to stream with this EXCLUSIVE interview.  That song will accompany Part 2. 

Aside from the new music, she is also working on a musical. So, 2011 is shaping up to be quite a productive year for Ms. Hawkins.  More on that in Part 2.  Look for it on Monday!  For now, read Part 1 below.  

Click the first pic to go to her official site and second, at the end of Part 1 of the interview, to get to her Facebook Page.

Part 2

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1. I read in an interview many years ago that you identified as “omnisexual.” What does it mean? I like the “label” omnisexual because it’s creative, I thought of the term to define my feeling that my sexuality is an expression of my soul, not my gender, not my body parts.

2. Do you still identify as “omnisexual?”  Yes, omnisexual still works for me, in essence it’s saying that my lover doesn’t define my sexual universe, my creative soul does, and I follow that orbit.

3. I’ve had the privilege of getting to interview Meshell Ndegeocello.  I’ve always thought a collaboration between the two of you would be interesting.  Thoughts? 
I have been the hugest fan of hers since she began and I would love to write with her.

4. You worked on Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign and even reworked your first hit, “Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover” into a political commercial, “Damn We Wish You Were President” in her support.  Are you happy with her assigned post?  I adore Hillary Clinton and Bill, too.  I wish Hillary would run again, and if she does, she will be so utterly prepared after this job.  I do feel she’s underutilized, but what do I know?  Maybe Hillary will save the Middle East!

5. How do you think she is doing so far?  I think she’s doing exceptionally well and I think her low visibility approach shows she’s all about her work, not fame. Everyone I know in government, Democrats and Republicans, respect her immensely.

6.  Let’s play a little game!  Please go through your discography and assign one word to each project in relation to your musical evolution at the time.

Tongues and Tails – Private.

Whaler – Friend.

Timbre – Artist.

Wilderness – Courage.

Live:  Bad Kitty Board Mix – Acceptance.

Heart and Soul of a Woman – Love.

7. It’s been 19 years since, arguably, your biggest hit, “Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover.”  How do you feel about that song today?  I owe “Damn” my existence, to this day.  I love the music, the lyrics, the struggle, the passion, the warmth, the depth.  If I ever forget how blessed I am, I only have to remember God gave me “Damn,” “As I,” and Dashiell [her 2-year-old son].

8. And 16 years since “As I Lay Me Down,” arguably, your second most known hit, which has always been my personal favorite.  I love its lullaby quality, but then you mix in those African sounds that make for quite a beautiful song.  What about this hit?  I agree that “As I” is more classic or eternal.  And you picked out the key to me, or my soul… [combined with and continued in answer to Number 9]

9. Talk about the African influences in your music-making. …When I was 14 years old and a druggie bad student I turned to my aunt Nino and said, “I want to play African Drums.”  She didn’t bat an eye (of course we were both stoned), she said she knew Babatunde Olatunji’s godson and would hook me up for lessons.  That first session changed my life course, it began my real life.  That was my soul saying, “go here,” and I listened, and voila, my life is still propelled by Africa, creatively.

10. Any new artist that has come out in, say the last three years, who you would want to work with?  I just wrote a song with a young woman from South Africa named Paige Bach, I love the song, and again, Africa is the soul of the song…and it’s a lullaby!  We are writing again on Tuesday [of that week that has since passed], and I hope the songs get out there.  Glen Ballard is producing the album.

To be continued on MONDAY…

10 Questions for Shalee

Editor’s Note: This is a repost of my second interview as a contributing music & entertainment writer to Popular Hispanics, originally titled A River Grooves Through It and originally posted here. 

Ivana Gomez is the daughter of Spanish music legend, Paloma San Basilio.  Though no secret, she has decided to forge her own creative path and musical destiny.  In her own words, she is a new renaissance woman, who has nurtured natural artistic talents and tempered creative skills through higher education and practical experience in film scoring, music and video production, acting, and singing.  She has recast herself as Shalee, her solo musical persona, to lead her own personal musical renaissance and let the world come along with her as she explores. 

Learn more about Shalee in [what was] this EXCLUSIVE PopularHispanics.com interview. 

Click the first pic to go to her official site and second, at the end of the interview, to get to her Facebook Page.

***

1. Your mother is Spanish legend, Paloma San Basilio – singer, songwriter, and musical theater star to name a few.  Can you speak on that legacy and how it has inspired you musically as a writer, producer, actress, and just as an overall artist? I love my mother very much and respect her tremendously, but I loved music since I can remember and I always had my special relationship with it, very individual and unique.  My mother never actually learned music, hasn’t written or produced music, but created some of the lyrics to her songs.  I always played piano and understood music in a very different way as a composer as well as interpreter.  My entire family was very musical.  My grandfather used to play classical music very often and my father played piano, so probably all of it has influenced me.

Likely, what had most influenced me and my music, in relation to my mother, as a renowned artist, is the pain, loneliness, and sadness that it has created in my life.  It inspired me to hold on to music as the only way to express myself and to keep going.

*Shalee’s mention of pain, loneliness, and sadness in relation to being the child of a renowned artist really struck me, so I followed up after the initial interview and asked her to elaborate.  She was very accommodating, forthcoming, open, and honest with her response. Here is what she had to say. When I was a baby, my parents got divorced and I lived with my mother, but she was always away and I hardly saw my father.  Basically, I was raised by my wonderful grandparents (Paloma’s parents).  However, my grandmother died of cancer when I was 6 and my grandfather died when I was 13, which left me, at a very young age…truly alone.  At that time, my life was totally different than my mother’s and we were not very close.  She was very busy with her life and I struggled very hard to cope and had a very difficult stretch in my life.  It was not unlike the struggle of many young people as they go from adolescence to adulthood, but for me it was especially hard.  I know it was also hard and painful for her, too, in a different way.  That being said, being an only child, music became my refuge, a true companion and one of the very few consistent things I’ve had to hold onto in my life and now I really want to share it with the world. 

2. Tell us about the name Shalee.  What does it mean?  Why did you choose it? Well, I think that when you are an artist you are channeling a very deep part of yourself that has its own identity.  In my case, this is my spiritual part. I meditate daily and in one of those meditations this name came to me, the sound of it resonates with my soul.

Later on I researched if that name actually existed and I found this:

The girl’s name Shalee \sh(a)-lee\ is a variant of Shaila (Hindi), and the meaning of Shalee is “river.”

So, I guess it made sense to me, since the river flows and that is kind of what I do with my music and my voice.

3. Is Ivana Gomez different from Shalee? How are they different?
I guess Ivana Gomez encompasses all the different aspects of my being while Shalee lives in a more ethereal dimension, a dimension of music, creativity, communication and spirit.

4. You write, score film, produce music and videos, act, and participate in musical ensembles in addition to being a solo musical artist. Sometimes it seems like an actor who sings, should have a bangin’ video, but it doesn’t always happen that way.  Why do you think that is?  Is it a matter of who’s in control?  With all the hats you wear, do you make sure to crossover the quality and experience you have from one role to another? It depends on many elements:  the budget, the team of people that you work with, and also if you can maintain any creative control.  Often, it’s not the artist who decides but other people whose main concern is making the video more “commercial” and sometimes for them this means overexposing the artist sexually and not creating a quality product.

I believe all humans are artists.  I would like to say I am a woman of a new renaissance.  I love music, film, painting, writing.  It is a matter of in what do you choose to invest most of your time.  I believe practice makes perfect and each day has 24 hours.  So, talent and practice is the best combination. 

I am very much a perfectionist, but also I learned to be flexible and spontaneous, so I enjoy what I do and do the best of my ability in that particular moment in time and I keep studying and learning.

I love learning new things.

5. With all your interests and experience, is Shalee, your solo project, your main focus and priority right now? Finally it is. I have made my choice.  I love all that I do, but my solo project comes first.  I owe it to myself. 

6. What are you hoping to achieve and bring to the masses with this project?
I want to give a portrait of myself expressed through my art.  To also bring my view of life, my understanding of it, and what I have learned.

I think that it is an act of sharing and connecting…a beautiful thing.

7. I read that because of your music video production background you come up with some interesting background videos for your live musical performances.  Tell us about that. I guess that when I perform I like to feel immersed in another dimension and also invite the audience to that space and I always felt music as something visual, so I create mostly abstract videos that connect with the music.  They are filled with colors, shapes and then synchronized to the rhythm of the music.  We live in a multimedia era and I incorporate that into my vision of music.

8. I grew up with MTV and music videos aren’t what they used to be.  I think Erykah Badu and Lady Gaga may have brought some renewed interest to the medium this year and may be helping to get it back to the level where it was.  Do you think the internet killed the music video star? I love technology and I think it is a wonderful thing that brings opportunities to more and more people.  It all depends on the way that you use your tools.  More people have the means to create and the appreciation of people’s creations and art are subjective, not absolute.  It is not so controlled by a few, but out there for everybody to share. We just have to adapt to the changes and make a good use of them.  

9. Your songs sound electro-dance-pop with some hip hop thrown in.  How would describe your sound? I definitely love electronic music, but I love many different styles of music.  My music is influenced by everything that I feel, hear, and see, so it’s always evolving and changing.  I guess I love computers and the intimacy of my studio allows me to create my own world through my art.

10. If you had to narrow your message to the world into one sound bite, what would it be and why? “Find peace inside of yourself and reconnect.” 

The most important thing in this life is to have peace and from that point of stillness you can learn who you are, learn about the world, the universe, create and share, feel joy, happiness, love and hope.