TEA Artist Interview Links

Honest, Experienced, Simple...

There's a very nice feeling involved when you base yourself as an artist with the most abstract of descriptions. Some artists revel and lavish themselves with elaborate tales from tours and sophisticated set ups that rival rocket science, and that sort of identity is well deserved in many instances.

But James Ashberry is the ultimate antonym to that sort of description. In fact, simplicity seems to be the core of his music, travelling to other places with just an acoustic guitar and a good voice. A wealth of experience seems to be a catalyst when it comes to telling his story as it is, at least with an instrument.

If only someone could explain the term "simplicity" to me because I presume that my introductions seem to be the exact opposite of trying to get to the heart of the matter. But that's another story...

PHIL: How did you get into music, in general?

JAMES: I grew up in a musical environment, My grandmother's brothers performed in a vaudeville act in the early 1900s complete with washboards and jugs.

She herself has a wonderful singing voice as does my father. My uncle taught me guitar at the age of 10 and I sang in the choir in public school. It's in my blood!

PHIL: You have performed along well known artists such as Kim Mitchell and April Wine. What is the best part of performing alongside fellow talent?

JAMES: Honestly, the best part of performing along side well known artists such as these is the validation you feel just being part of it. Oh, and being able to tell your friends and family that you met Kim Mitchell.

Read the rest of this interview at TEA on 148.ca or Fab Indie

Mixing Flavours of Music as a part of Life

This artist must have been a very curious connoisseur when it comes to tasting music - in fact, he's compared a good track to a "bit of fine wine" for the ears. What I find very nice about this comparison is that you don't really need to be an alcoholic to truly enjoy a fair bit of gluttony, and your liver doesn't need a transplant if you listen to too much music.

Regardless of the horrible poetic language that was found in the previous paragraph, Bain Anderson has somehow made music an integral part of his life, like an alcoholic with a bottle of gin.

What really touches my heart is the fact that Bain has reminded me that creating music isn't just a task for the ears, or a recipe for a chef... it can really inspire you in different ways.

PHIL: Your music has been called a "fine rock and roll wine". What do you do to make it such an enjoying vintage?

BAIN: I think first and foremost timing plays a factor, how long to mature and when to bring it to the public. My sound has been in the making for a few years now and any release pre-mature to this one honestly would have been sub-par to my standard. I have also brought in a "brew master" mixologist Sam Ryan of SOS Music. Sam was the first producer I have met to really "get me" musically. He has definitely brought in some extra "flavour".

PHIL: Tell me about "Place to Be". What inspired you to create this song?

BAIN: In the past I have been known to be sort of a serious songwriter. Not too long ago I turned a corner in my life by surviving some adversity. After that, I decided to write songs that are fun, upbeat and hopefully out there to help people forget (even for just 3 minutes and 5 seconds) the trials and tribulations that life can bring.

PHIL: Children must be a very important in your life. How did it feel to be called a "rock star" by your son's class?

BAIN: Having a son who has down syndrome has had a big impact in my life. Both musically and spiritually. Being treated like a "rock star" by my son's class meant so much to me because kids to me, are some of the best critics you can find. They listen to music in its simplest form, the song that it is.

The kids don't care who your producer is, if you're signed to a label or if you recorded the CD in your garage. Kids either like your tunes or they don't. They will however give you the kudos for trying your best and shooting for your dreams! My son Michael is a music nut (like his dad) and if I can stay in his MP3 player then I feel like I am on the right track.

Read the rest of this interview at TEA on 148.ca

James’ own songs have been described as an intimate and thought provoking, eclectic mix of melodies and harmonies, spanning topics ranging from the state of environment, the pursuit of enlightenment and the complexities of love. A naturally gifted multi-instrumentalist with a unique intensity, James Ashberry gives 110% of himself to every note, of every song he plays. You can purchase James' music at Indiepool and keep up to date with his live shows on his myspace page.

Listen to James Ashberry

A Great Sounding Nomad

She's a self described nomad who has incorporated elements of her travelling as well as other bits of life into a deep, exciting hodgepodge of songs. What is particularly homogeneous about this artist, which is quite rare for such a varied repetoire, is the fact that her music displays a unique voice that makes it enjoying to hear in many aspects.

It's pop without the scandal and superficial texture, with elements of rock that aren't built to kill your eardrums, combined with singing that is as delicate as classical music without the boredom or foreign colloquy.

Teresa Riley, or "T" as she likes to be called, has an eclectic set of answers to my mainly plain set of questions.

PHIL: You're a great singer and an equally great songwriter. Which part of your music is more enjoyable to do, and which is easier, in your opinion?

TERESA: Thank you very much for the compliment! That is a tough question to answer, but I think singing is more enjoyable, but songwriting is more like something that must be done or else I'll explode! An analogy might be that singing is like running along a beach or dancing, and songwriting is like going to the bathroom. And the high you get from writing a song that you like is unexplainable!

PHIL: Some say that your music "does not require fast forwarding to get to the good stuff, and gets better with each listen". Would you say that your material ages like a wine vintage, and do you believe that your fans out there will still owns technology that features "fast forwarding"?

TERESA: All of my favorite albums usually start out with me thinking it is just ok, with a couple stand out hits. Then after a few listens, other songs slowly grab me, and I am in love with the whole album and my old favourite songs are no longer my favourite songs. From what I am told, this is kind of the affect my album has had on some people. It had it on me too, but I am way too close to it to be objective about it.

Read the rest of the interview at TEA on 148.ca

In 2006 Malcolm opened his New York home studio to Sean for a weeklong recording session. Sean’s beautiful songs took on new depth and colour as Australian pop sensation Sandrine and Malcolm himself added background vocals and instrumentation.

Later that year, Sean came full circle as he made his way back to Nova Scotia where he chanced upon a vibrant musical community in the Annapolis Valley. Coincidently, Sean discovered that Andy Bowmer had moved there too, and was eager to get started on a project he could put his heart into. Sean has recently been featured on TEA Volume 14, Indie Love Radio, FM 102X song of the day, and CBC radio 3 breaking new sound. Sean’s new CD, Find Our Place, is now available.

Listen to Sean Peori

Released - Jan 14, 2010

TEA Volume 14 was released to radio, print, film and internet media contacts on Thursday January 14, 2010. How can you  help spread the awareness?

1)  Spread the word about TEA V 14 to any media contacts you may know from past successes or networking. If they are interested in copies of TEA V 14 when completed, please let us know and we will send them a copy.

2)  Post info on your website regarding TEA V 14. A small pic of the comp with a link can help bring more awareness. You can always add TEA V 14 to your discography as well to keep people informed of all your releases.

3)  Please link to our website if at all possible. It is always a good idea to link up with community, contacts and connections.

4)  Add yourself to the TEA myspace, TEAwitter and TEAbook social networking websites if you haven't done so already.

5)  Use the power of your social networking sites to spread awareness of this release.

If you have some time to spare, please help spread awareness of the TEA V 14 release. We will go a  long way as a unified team and community.

Many Thanks - TEA Staff

VERSUS THE NOTHING SONG FEATURED ON OFFICIAL VIDEO GAME OF THE OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES SOUNDTRACK

VANCOUVER, Tuesday, January 12, 2010 – Vancouver’s hard rock quintet VERSUS THE NOTHING’s single “Let It All Come Down” is featured on SEGA® Europe Ltd. ‘ soundtrack for Vancouver 2010™ - the Official Video Game of the Olympic Winter Games. "We are all big video game fanatics so when we found out that our song had been chosen, we were all crazily excited" explains Ande Otte, guitarist.

The soundtrack features a mix of well-known and unsigned bands who have been chosen to reflect the adrenaline and fast-paced nature of the events featured in the game. Out of the 21 artists featured on this soundtrack, VERSUS THE NOTHING are one of 16 Canadian bands chosen along with Gob, Mother Mother, TV Heart Attack and Sum 41.

Appearing on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®, the PlayStation®3 and PC, Vancouver 2010™ delivers a host of adrenaline-fuelled events. The first person mode puts players as close to experiencing the thrill and excitement of the Olympic Winter Games as possible.

Vancouver 2010™ will be released on January 12th in North America and January 15th, 2010 across Europe for the Xbox 360, PlayStation®3 and PC.

For more information please visit www.olympicvideogames.com

T Riley's track on TEA Volume 13 called "Hanging On"is just down and dirty with the greatest live sound we have heard at TEA for some time. The guitar work, vox and production is steller! Below is a quote from T as she talks a little about the origins of the track "Hanging On"...was inspired by general family dysfunction and the injustices of society!  It keeps trying to knock me down in defeat, but I keep hanging on! This song was recorded in Mushroom studios all in one take (even the vocals!  yay!), so it is quite pure and sounds the same live. It is our favorite song to play live by far. It has fondly developed two nicknames, one being the "Surf Tune", for obvious reasons, and the the other, the "Orgasm" song. The squeals of frustration have often been misinterpreted as squeals of, well, you know.  When a back up singer took my cd home to learn, she said she had to turn this song down so her mother couldn't hear it, because it was making her blush and she was scared her mother wouldn't let her sing in my band!  Just goes to show how things can be misunderstood. All in all, this is a "won't back down", "knock me down and I'll get back up again" , "never give up", type of song that I hope people can listen to when they feel like they are about to throw in the towel, get inspired, and think to themselves "f--k you!" and keep fighting the good fight.

Listen to T Riley

It has really been a fantastic couple of months for Columbia! They were #1 in the Supernova.com charts in 3 different categories! They have the number one song voted by fans with the song "My conscience Me", and also have the #1 song out of all the seeds contestants with their song "10 Out Of 10". Columbia are the #1 band on the whole Supernova site for the week of July 2009. Columbia are currently touring on the west coast of Canada and the US and will soon be coming east. We can't wait to see them here in Toronto and we look forward to an excellent live show. TEA is thrilled that Columbia will be on the TEA Volume 14 compilation CD which will be released on January 14, 2010. Columbia has just signed with Thorny Bleeder Records on Oct 14, 2009. Congrats guys!

Listen to Columbia