Volume 2, Issue #25

Two Violins

Who said music doesn’t bring people together? Take for example Justin O’Neill, who grew up in the state of Washington, and North Carolina native Magdalena Szczesniak. Both began playing violin as youngsters and as fate would have it they would meet at the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music. Now, after graduating and tying the knot last year, the couple finds itself performing with the Symphony of Southeast Texas in Beaumont, as well as entertaining crowds with their traditional classical, Spanish dance and ethnic pieces as a duo at numerous venues in the Dallas and Fort Worth area. With a few demos already creating a buzz, the couple are now working on their debut album.

Five Questions for Two Violins

1)What drew the two you to classical music?
“Both of our parents listened to and played it. And we both started playing the violin early on. It became our passion. An important part of our lives.”

2) It must be special to perform together now as a married couple.
“It’s nice to have support coming from someone sitting right next to you. It’s also a lot of fun. Besides the actual performances, we get to practice together as well. Playing as a couple has also helped us land a few gigs.”

3)Which do you prefer—playing as part of an orchestra or as a duo?
“They’re so different. When you’re playing with an orchestra there is a little less pressure, but it’s hard to stand out unless you make a mistake. When we play together there is more of an opportunity to be creative. You can take chances. It’s probably more fun.”

4) Who would you say are the musicians who’ve influenced you the most?
“We’d have to go with Beethoven, Mozart, Joshua Bell, Bond, The Eroica Trio and Vanessa Mae.”

5) Instead of pressing for an opportunity to play with the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra or any major symphony for that matter, you’ve made a joint decision to work on creating an album. That’s not the usual path for classical musician is it?
“We’re trying to break the mold. We’ve recorded some demos and people have really responded to them. We have a little studio in our house and are able to do a lot of stuff from home. It’s also a lot easier to record songs when it’s just the two of us rather than an entire orchestra.”

----Joseph Barracato

Slam Allen

At 5 years old, most kids are figuring out how to read and spell. Harrison “Slam” Allen was learning how to sing the blues. Slam, a Monticello, NY native, spent parts of his childhood visiting his father in Alabama, where he watched Harrison Sr. and his two brothers entertain crowds with their unique jazz/blues stylings. Once Slam started maturing, he would join his family on stage and in turn begin his musical career. To his credit, Slam has released two studio albums and a live record and is currently playing shows with his band in the upstate New York area as well as gigs in Chicago with James Cotton, the legendary harmonicat who played with Muddy Waters.

Five Questions for Slam Allen

1) Ok, how did you come up with “Slam”?
“There’s two versions to how I got that name. One, is the nickname I got when I was a teenager trying to be a professional wrestler. The other just stands for what I am—Smooth Like A Mother#%&*$!

2) Most people depict blues music as gloomy and remorseful, yet you view it is as uplifting. Explain why?
“In theory, blues music is sad. But when you sing it, you’re in effect making yourself feel better inside. It’s music for the soul. Every note I sing is personal and that makes me feel happy. That’s why I always have a smile on when I play.”

3) During your shows, you always make an effort to connect with the crowd. Is that something you’ve always been good at?
“A long time ago my father pulled me aside and told me I wasn’t entertaining anyone. I was like what are you talking about? Then I realized performing the music wasn’t the entire job. It took me a while, but I finally learned how to.”

4) You got to open for the “Godfather of Soul” James Brown a few years back. That must have blown your mind, right?
“It was just a beautiful experience. I grew up watching him play. So opening for him was unbelievable. It was just a great night.”

5) While in Chicago, you hooked up with Cotton. Are you still jamming with him?
“Oh, yeah. We’ve been playing all over the place. We’re a traveling band. I couldn’t even imagine playing with him years back, but look what happened. We’re having a great time touring and now there’s talk of recording an album.”

----Joseph Barracato

SMITH ‘WILLS’ HIS WAY BACK ON TOP”

Every few years rapper/actor Will Smith reemerges and takes control of the entertainment world with a one-two movie/album punch that reminds everyone just how talented and likable the former Prince of Bel-Air really is. And this time around is no different. Smith, who is currently starring in the film "Hitch” which opened at No. 1 last weekend at the U.S. box office while grossing $43.1 million, is finishing up work on his newest LP “Lost and Found” that is due out on March 29. It will be the first album under his new label Interscope since his divorce with Columbia, which Smith released three studio albums and a best-of collection.

His follow-up to 2002’s “Born To Reign” is full of guest shots including All-World producer Timbaland, Snoop Dogg and Mary J. Blige. The new record’s first single, entitled "Switch," which was produced by Kwame, will include a remix featuring Elephant Man and a separate R&B remix with a special appearance by Robin Thicke. Snoop provides lyrics in “Pump Ya Brakes," while Blige joins in for a duet, that is yet to be titled. Besides Timbaland, production was handled by longtime collaborator and friend DJ Jazzy Jeff as well as Smith himself, who has over 50 recorded tracks to choose from in what he promises to be a personal and revealing album.


Smith’s third project this year may be his most fascinating and provocative one to date. The Philadelphia native joins director Jonathan Mostow to bring the superhero drama "Tonight He Comes" to the big screen and are in early negotiations with Columbia Pictures. Despite “Tonight’s" dark script, many A-list actors have shown interest. The baseline of the story is the life of a unhappy superhero who indulges in alcohol and one-night stands.


Smith and his Overbrook Entertainment company will pair up with Mostow, who directed such films as "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines," "U-571" and "Breakdown,” and take part of a new wave of projects that features superheroes that aren’t based on existing comic book-based characters. His company, which is based at Columbia, has enjoyed much success recently over the past few years with the "Bad Boys" and "Men in Black” films, with “Hitch” about to follow in their footsteps.

----Joseph Barracato

Q: Which is better a Major Label or an Indie (independent) Label?

-- Dee Buzz, Wrecking Crew

Quite frankly, the two are very similar. In fact, in many cases Indie labels are smaller subsidiaries owned by larger labels. However these two entities have distinct qualities, characteristics and personalities. Understanding these differences are the key to determining which is type of label is right for you.

Indie labels tend to focus on very specific genres and sounds. They leverage their expertise to help push that sound at the college and/or street level. This in turn is a great method to generate initial buzz for a new group or artists. Indie labels also have smaller staffs and some groups like the attention of being the number 1 item at their label. However, Indie labels don't have financial muscle of their large more established breathen.

The larger labels have the financial clout to market and sell millions of albums before they're off the press. They also have huge, influential staffs that can turn around tasks in a significantly shorter time span. However, what the majors offer in terms of financial capability can be compromised if your group isn't ready to move mountains. In other words, if your one of your goals is a sustained music career, moving a mountain in the short term may turn out a 1 hit wonder. And well you know the rest...

--- Adam P.

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