Category: Interviews

Musicians Are Natural Entrepreneurs

June 17, 2013 Off

Berklee Today, the journal for alumni of Berklee College of Music, recently gave me the opportunity to explore the relationship between musical training and the skills of entrepreneurs. I interviewed several Berklee alumni who have gone on to create groundbreaking music technology companies serving independent artists. Derek Sivers – founder of CD Baby Panos Panay…

By Eric Jensen

Career Tracks: Chi McClean, Part 3

November 3, 2010 Off

Photo by Andrew Keller Chi McClean is an independent singer-songwriter currently touring in support of his 2009 release, Something Out There. In Part 3 of our conversation Chi discusses music publishing, endorsements, branding, and his next release. Read Part 1 Read Part 2 How are you handling your music publishing? CM: I set up McClean…

By Eric Jensen

Career Tracks: Chi McClean, Part 2

October 2, 2010 Off

In Part Two of my conversation with indie singer-songwriter Chi McClean we discuss the importance of building personal relationships with fans and industry partners and the challenges of doing it all yourself…Chi is currently recording his second record. You can find out more about Chi on his website: www.chimcclean.com and pick up his music at…

By Eric Jensen

Musician Profile: Putter and VR Smith

September 21, 2010 Off

Thelonious Monk, James Bond, and a life of music… Jazz bassist Putter Smith and his wife, singer VR Smith, have devoted their lives to music and the arts. The music room in their South Pasadena home is filled with instruments, original artwork, and oriental rugs; a welcoming refuge from the hustle and bustle of Los…

By Eric Jensen

Career Tracks: Chi McClean, Part 1

September 3, 2010 Off

Photo by Andrew Keller This is Part 1 of an interview with indie artist, Chi McClean, the latest installment in the occasional Career Tracks series of interviews. You can read Part Two of our conversation here. Chi McClean is a singer-songwriter with an intimate, down-home style and classic California good looks. Originally from New York,…

By Eric Jensen

Part 6: SLGQ Interview – Ken explains ‘Parallels’ and demos wild and crazy Ebow techniques…

February 20, 2010 Off

OK, Ebow fans…this is the clip you’ve been waiting for. At about 1:10 Ken demonstrates the prepared guitar techniques involved in Rob Wannamaker’s piece, ‘Parallels’…slides, Ebow, hair scrunchies, and BBQ skewers…I love it! Heading into the clip I had asked Ken about the meter and tempo of the piece. To the listener it appears to…

By Eric Jensen

Part 5: Shadow Language Guitar Quartet interview

February 19, 2010 Off

In Part 5 of our conversation Ken Rosser describes each of the pieces from the Shadow Language Guitar Quartet debut performance… Follow Me by Paul Lansky American Thighs by Betsey Biggs Time Enough by Mick Goodrick Parallels by Rob Wannamaker and finally… Motormouth by Fred Frith Ken describes the musical character of each composition and…

By Eric Jensen