Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: I was always called to music since I was a kid. Some of my earliest memories are changing the stations on my parents radio and my uncle Steven showing me music videos on MTV. I think you can hear those early impacts in Anti-Corn League’s music. I really had a large family of people who either played music or created art and they encouraged me a lot. My uncle Jimmy had a folk band, gave me a banjo, and showed me how to play guitar. A family friend named Tom had a band called Still Water that my family would always watch perform at local events. He gave me my first electric guitar, a sunburst Fender Lead III that I still play today and helped me get a Rickenbacker that I use frequently. It’s a big part of Anti-Corn League’s sound actually.
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “Anti-Corn League”?
A: By creating a visual experience that is engaging to our audience. We’ve been experimenting with creating different visuals and videos for our live shows that we project and play on old tvs during our performances and are going to get more experimental with that. Additionally we enjoy making music videos and find it to be a great way to share our music in a more meaningful way with our audience as it gives a better idea of who we are then just the music alone. For anyone who is about to discover Anti-Corn League I would say immerse yourself in our sound. We have four albums and some music videos that are all very different but together are an entire world that is easy to get lost in.
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: I’m really inspired by Shannon and the Clams right now. I really enjoy their music, videos, and image. We saw them play at Spirit in Pittsburgh last year and they have a great live show. They really connect with their listeners. I’m most inspired by other artists currently creating music like Shannon and the Clams and local artists in the Pittsburgh music scene. There is so much good music and cool stuff that comes out of Pittsburgh. It doesn’t get enough of the credit it deserves.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “It Won’t Stop.”?
A: The song is about the chaos of the current tumultuous times. The chaos we are experiencing in society and with politics seem never ending and is relentlessly played on television and our phones. The endless absorption without consideration takes a toll on our minds and who we are.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: Garage or maybe weirdo rock but I would run it together and say it real fast so it’s one word, weirdorock. Haha.
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “It Won’t Stop”?
A: “It Won’t Stop” is such a simple, fun, and straight forward song that honestly pretty much wrote itself. It came from jamming around as a band one day and just developed effortlessly on its own. We just had to add lyrics.
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: Have fun, be free, and think for yourself so you can be yourself. Our goal as a band is to change others minds to make them think more deeply about themselves and the world around them. We want to make people think like artists so that we have a more compassionate and understanding world.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: Michael Stipe of R.E.M. R.E.M has always been my favorite band and a source of my song writing style. Since the first time I heard Michael Stipe’s voice on Murmur, it called to me. It is unlike anyone else’s in rock music. I love on Murmur how he is incoherent, mumbles, and his lyrics are abstract. Contrast that against his later lyrics on albums like Out of Time or Automatic For the People where he is much more direct and more politically charged. He has an interesting and diverse output as a musical artist. Close second: David Berman of the Silver Jews. He had the best words and the best way of making the simple seem profound. Also, Roky Erickson(chef’s kiss).
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: I would tell them to always be true to themselves, number one. There is only one you so be authentic, we don’t need another someone else. Also just put your music out there and don’t be afraid to utilize social media to tell the world about it. It’s your greatest promotion tool and it has made some artists careers today so just be you and put yourself out there. AND, don’t let little dollar signs deter you. If you aren’t having fun first, no amount of money will make you want to keep doing it.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: Always believe in yourself and chase what you love because anything is possible if you believe in yourself. Have courage, be confident, be you, and let the good times roll.
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