Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: We all grew up in musical houses. Veronica’s mom was into everything from Alice In Chains for Opera and her dad was a fan of 80’s music like The Police, XTC and The Cure as well as classic bands like Led Zeppelin, The Black Crowes, The Black Key’s and other blues oriented guitar rock stuff. Needless to say, Veronica’s pallet is pretty eclectic.
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 “Don’t Tell John”?
A: We’re trying to grow our fans one at a time, by playing live, continuing to produce and publish new music, but also by connecting with fans across the social platforms. Making that connection to fans and other bands on the platforms is such a great way to find people and connect to them. We’ve had some great conversations with folks one on one via DM. Oh, and we’ve got tee shirts!
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: We love whoever is pushing boundaries. We like Tyler the creator for how theatrical he is, the show he puts on. And we love The Band Feel for authentic rock and roll. Our inspiration comes from all over the place, a bad day, a great trip to the mountains or the hope you might have for someone else’s success. It comes from everywhere.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “I Put A Spell On You.”?
A: We’ve always loved the jazz singers and we were looking for a cover to do at shows. We’d played with White Rabbit and Sometimes Salvation, but then Mark heard Screamin’ Jay Hawkins version on KEXP and thought, we should try that! And it just fit!
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: Authentic
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “I Put A Spell On You”?
A: We didn’t write it, so nothing from the writing side, the recording side we really wanted to make sure we had the sounds right. Our friend and Mark/Jack’s former band mate Ray put the fretless bass on Spell and once that was in there, the rest of the track fell into place.
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: Our message is probably about just being together and having fun. As a family band, we’re about supporting each other and getting the best out of each other. In the band and in life. Our goals really revolve around continuing to be able to write, record and play. We want to continue to find new audience and the folks who really get us and our sound – and since it’s not really what you hear all over, we know it’s not for everyone, but when we find the people the sound resonates with, they usually stick around – so we’re trying to find as many of them as possible!
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: Prince.
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: Write for you and only you. Don’t show it to anyone until you are happy with it no matter what anyone else says.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: Play every day and don’t care so much about what comes out. Just keep creating because it comes eventually!
