Categories: General Tags: advertising, facebook, kickacts, monthly, stats, web traffic
John Mellencamp’s life in 15 songs
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I really like this. Anytime an Artist will take time out of their life and give us “common” people a little insight on the songs and the way they came about I find highly interesting and soak it up like a sponge!
It reminds me of a campfire setting and everyone listening to the older wiser man telling the stories for some reason. Anyway, I didn’t write the article for the Rolling Stone so I can’t copy it all here but I encourage you to follow the link and read it. You really can’t beat a guy like John. He is open and honest and gives us small glimpses on how “brass” the record industry can be. He didn’t cover my favorite one though “I ain’t even done with the night”..:(
Here are a few quotes from the article to wet your whistle though 🙂 Chuck
On “Jack & Diane”
It was 1980, and I was down in Miami again, making a record. We had spent $3oo,ooo, and I had three songs done. The record company was not happy. Finally the president of the company came down and was like, “You’re spending money like crazy!” He went nuts. The three songs were “Jack & Diane,” “Hurts So Good” and “Hand to Hold On To.” He hated them. Hated them! He said, “We expect you to become the next Neil Diamond.
What is this shit?”
JM
On “I Need a Lover”
By the time of “I Need a Lover,” I had three albums out. They sold nothing. We were recording in Miami at the same time that the Eagles were finishing up Hotel California. I would walk by and hear “Life in the Fast Lane,” go back into my session and hear, ‘I need a lover that won’t…” I’d be like, ‘Oh, fuck. I don’t know what I’m doing here.”
JM
And “Peaceful World” (This quote speaks volumes of John’s integrity and what he believes in. I underlined his convictions and applaud him for it! :Editor KA)
I signed to Columbia at this point against my better judgment. On “Peaceful World,” I brought in India.Arie to sing on it. I won’t mention any names, but when this song was delivered to Columbia, one of the executives said, “Why does Mellencamp always have a fuckin’ nigger singing with him?” My manager came back and told me that, and I was like, “Get me of this fucking label. I don’t give a shit. Get me off Columbia right now.”
JM
For the rest of “His life in 15 songs, hit this link.
Categories: General Tags: 80's, 90's, Bloomington, farm aid, Indiana, john cougar, john mellencamp, reflecting, rolling stone magazine
Smoke them if you got them? Uh no…
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It’s your freedom to smoke. I gladly accept that and will defend your right to do it. But, you gotta ask yourself…why do it when this is what you are getting in return from doing it.
Categories: General Tags: bad habits, experiment, facebook, kickacts, results, right to smoke, smoking, tar, youtube
Ten questions with “Dynasty Electric”!
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Welcome to Kick Acts. Tell us a little about yourself and your band and where you can be found at on the web.
Jenny: Hello everyone J I love life- music, art, nature, beautiful people. Seth & I run an artist friendly community-centric label called NewSonic. I sing and play theremin in our band Dynasty Electric. http://www.dynastyelectric.net/
Seth: We’re an electronic duo from New York City. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, iTunes and SoundCloud.
Who are your musical heroes, influences & why?
Seth: The Beatles have been a major influence on both of us, both musically and spiritually. When we first started the project we were listening to artists like Bjork, Gang of Four, Radiohead, Talking Heads, and Gorillaz.
Jenny: I’ve always been so inspired by Bjork. She is a pure channel for cosmic creativity- always ahead of the curve and always genuine.
Do you have any advice for someone just getting started in playing music? Any pitfalls they should avoid?
Jenny: Believe in yourself. Develop your own unique gifts. Don’t compare yourself to others.
Seth: First of all, do it for the love. Secondly, don’t give up. Quitting won’t get you anywhere, just stick to it if you want to succeed.
Do you have a greatest gig story you’d like to share?
Jenny: Opening up for Girltalk at Summerfest, Milwaukee was an incredible experience. The energy was electrifying.
Seth: Recently we were performing at the Zeiterion Theater in New Bedford, Massachusetts at the Connecting For Change Conference. The crowd rushed on to the stage and started dancing like crazy during our set. I think we had about 50 people up on the stage, it was wild!
Do you have any other hobbies other than playing music? Collect stamps? Collect hats from off the side of the road? Draw pictures of boobs?
Jenny: I love photography and creating visual projections. I’ve also recently become a video editor. I’m thrilled about how “Supersonic” came out.
Seth: We practice yoga and mantra meditation. We have a growing collection of Tibetan singing bowls.
What do you think about the present music scene or lack of?
Seth: We have been focused on building our own label and musical community in New York City called NewSonic. We believe it’s important for musicians to come together and to expand opportunities rather than competing against each other for scarce resources.
Tell us something about each of your band members that we wouldn’t expect to hear… (Like their hobbies or something like that)
Jenny: I crochet hats and magic capes.
Seth: I love creative cooking. I want to start my own vegetarian restaurant chain.
Hypothetical situation. You’re stranded on Gilligan’s island and you get to hook up with only one of the girls. Is it Ginger, Mary Ann or Mrs. Howell and why?
Jenny: Ginger- Love the red hair and the leopard prints.
Our last question is called “Shout It Out Loud”. It’s where you get to talk about whatever you want to talk about. So go ahead and “SHOUT IT OUT LOUD”
Our new album “Euphoria” is out now. It was crowd-funded and co-produced with producers from the UK, France, Italy, Jamaica, Canada, India, Japan, and NYC. Check out the video for the new lead single “Supersonic”
Thank you!
Categories: General Tags: Amanda Blide, artist friendly community, Dynasty Electric, facebook, interview, itunes, LaFamos, music, New York City, video, youtube
