Volume 2, Issue #13

Amber Rose

Don’t be fooled by Amber Rose’s age. The soon to be 18-year-old has been involved in the entertainment industry since most of her friends were riding big wheels. Rose, a California native, landed her first acting gig on a TV movie called “Face Of Love” when she was only four. Although she was nominated for a Youth In Film Award, Rose drifted toward poetry and music to satisfy her artistic cravings. By the age of 12 she was writing her own songs and playing guitar. Now, the recent high school graduate, is playing solo shows in the L.A. area including ones at 14 Below, The Accept and Respect Festival and The Rainbow Bar & Grill.


Five Questions for Amber Rose

1) At 11-years-old kids are usually playing tag, not writing poetry. What sparked your interest in that?
“I had just started at a new school and was taking an art class. My teacher knew I wasn’t able to draw so he suggested poetry might be a better artistic outlet. I had been through a lot by then emotionally and it was a great way for me to express my feelings.”

2) Tell us about your first solo gig that prepared you for the L.A. club circuit.
“I played in my H.S. auditorium in front of 150 people and scared to death. But I made it through. It was the most amazing experience I ever had. Now when I play, its in bars with people drinking and screaming. I still get nervous, but love to perform.”

3) What’s the story behind “Don’t let go”?
“It’s a song about a friend I had in middle-school that committed suicide. A very emotional song on a very sad topic. On my website I have links for suicide and drug prevention. It’s something I feel people need to start paying more attention to.”

4) You have a catalog of over 30 songs. Is there a sense of urgency to get into a studio and get them recorded? Definitely, that’s what I’m trying to do right now. I’m actually using Craigslist to find some bandmates that I can collaborate with. I would love the opportunity to play with some people and show another side of me.”

5) Currently, you’re using the internet as a second option to get your music across to the masses. Do you feel that is a good way for unsigned musicians to break into the industry?
“Definitely. Although I feel performing live does give you the best chances at getting noticed. It just gives you another option.”

----Joseph Barracato

Happy Anarchy

If you enjoy the average rock band, you’ll be blown away by Happy Anarchy. Literally. In addition to the norm, Happy Anarchy features a booming horn section filled with trombones, trumpets and saxes. For the past eight years, they’ve entertained crowds in the tri-city area including shows at the infamous CBGB’s and The Stone Pony. After introducing themselves in 1999 with “You: 0 and the World: 1” under the name “The Sweathogs”, they struck again earlier this year with their self-titled sophomore album. They deliver a unique and spirited live show, and have been compared to the Barenaked Ladies.

Five Questions for Happy Anarchy

1) Is it difficult to write songs with seven instruments being utilized?
“Yeah, it can be challenging. Usually, our singer brings in an idea and we start jamming to it. Sometimes we can come up with a song quickly. But there are times when it can take a few months.”

2) How do you settle on the melodies?
“Compromise. Someone might like a certain sound but then another guy will come over and say how about we do it like this. It’s a process all bands go through in order to get the best results. It’s like a democratic thing.”

3) Not too long ago you guys caught a pretty nice break and found yourselves on the radio. What happened?
“We entered a contest for the Ron & Fez Show that use to be on WNEW and were one of the five finalists. We had an on air interview and then got to perform at The Hard Rock Cafe in midtown, which was broadcasted. It was a huge ego boost. It was unbelievable to hear ourselves on the air.”

4) You have said in the past that you don’t care if you perform in front of five people or 500. Explain.
“When you’re an unsigned band you love to play for anyone. Of course we would love to play for thousands, but that isn’t the case every time out. So we go out and play with tons of energy for whoever is there. We play the same no matter what size the audience is.”

5) Despite the fact you just released an album earlier this year, the band already has some new material. What’s the plan for it?
“To play the songs live and get a sense of what the crowd thinks of them. We’ve been playing them during our recent shows at ‘Rare’ in the city. We’ve also started recording some of them.”


----Joseph Barracato

Pearl Jam Reward Fans Yet Again

As if they haven’t done enough the past few years, Pearl Jam have decided to celebrate their divorce with Epic after 12 years by releasing a double-disc, 33-track Greatest Hits collection November 16. “Rearviewmirror” will feature 16 of the bands top 10 hits including the No. 1s "Daughter," "Betterman" and "Given To Fly”. Unfortunately, there won’t be any new songs on either disc, mostly because that was taken care of last November when the band surprised fans with “Lost Dogs”, their double-disc rarity album. But there will be a few remixes. No, Funkmaster Flex wasn’t called in, but longtime producer Brendan O'Brien reshaped "Once," "Alive" and "Black" from the group’s raw and powerful debut album “Ten”.


There are such staples as "Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town," "Corduroy”, "Even Flow", “Wishlist” and “Jeremy”. A few surprises include “I Got ID”, “Off He Goes” and “Who You Are”, while non-Album gems "Yellow Ledbetter", “Last Kiss” and 2003’s "Man of the Hour," which was taken from the film "Big Fish", give fans a set list that would be an instant classic at any show.


The band just wrapped its up its Vote for Change Tour with Bruce Springsteen and co. this past week and gave audiences several memorable performances, including two high-powered shows in Boston to kick it off. Long setllists were accompanied by four or five cover songs a night including Bob Dylan’s “Masters of War”, which they played on a visit to The David Letterman Show. The tour only traveled to select cities across the US, so Pearl Jam lobbied for a show to be televised on the Sundance Channel last week so fans who weren’t able to check them out live still got a taste.


So, without a label and recent mini-tour just completed, one would think it’s time for a break. Think again. The band that fought Ticketmaster to lower their sales prices, released thousands of live albums from their two most recent tours and might play a lead role in forcing George Bush out of The White House is heading back into the studio next month to begin work on its eighth album. Instead of hiding from the spotlight as they did in the mid-90’s, Pearl Jam may finally be ready to embrace it.

----Joseph Barracato

Q: Is it easier for an artist to make it big in Europe?

-- A. Rubio

A: As we all know the music industry is a tough industry to make a living in. Superstar status is a rarity that requires the proper alignment of the stars, the moon and the planets. More accurately, attaining superstar status requires timing, talent, market demand and a little luck.

So many artists are signed to deals and don’t make it "Big" here in America and they give up. If your music is relevant and can transcend language and cultural barriers Europe and/or other markets (South Africa, South America and Asia) may prove to be viable options for you. There are plenty of American Hip Hop, Dance and Pop groups that successfully cross the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to make there mark in this game. And once you have built a following in another market the American market may just be ready to hear what you have to say.

Remember, however, success is not guaranteed just because you enter a different market. Therefore, do your research to determine 1) The vitality of your genre in your market of interest, 2) The size of the music industry in that market and 3) Your ability to adapt to your new home.

--- Adam P.

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