International Pop Overthrow – The Interview Series continues with…
DAVE RAVE
1. PGH is all about helping artists highlight their most recent projects, so let us all know what your new project is – and tell us about how it come into the world. What has the initial feedback on it been like?
The project went expectations. Getting into the American Top 40 was a dream come true.
2. The Recording Process – there are so many interesting ways that music projects coming into being these days compared with what artists encountered years ago. Take us on the creative arc of how this project came into being and any wisdom that you learned along the way. Also, what were some of the obstacles or struggles that you encountered when you were working on the project?
I enjoyed recording in different locations and with different musicians around the world. It’s always important to have a great person mastering your project because they unify the sounds from studios all over and make it sound like it was all recorded together.
3. Are there any particular songs on this project that are special to you or communicate a message that you’d like to share here?
All of the songs are trying show hope in the face of doom and gloom that is being presented to the world.
4. As we all know, the music industry has been devastated for many reasons over the past 10 years, what are you thoughts on these changes and are you finding some of them helpful to you with getting more people to hear your music?
There are good things about this and there are some challenges of course. The good part of it is that now with the internet we can reach the world in a second but we have lost amazing record stores and the great record store people who would turn you on to a great piece of music. For example I never would have heard of REM and the Smithereens when they first made their Indie records if it weren’t for the great people working in record stores.
5. Along the lines of this discussion, it would be really interesting to get your thoughts on what you think the future of ‘music enjoyment’ might look like? How do you personally enjoy and ‘consume’ music? Any trends you’ve noticed with your own habits?
My prediction is already here. Vinyl has been recapturing the new fans and the old fans of music and this is a very positive thing. Can cassettes be far away? I still love them! The internet will still continue to bring music and music fans together in ways can’t even imagine.
6. So many artists are wrestling with different ways to approach the recording process now – I would love to hear what your plans on with your next project – Are you going to a full CD, an EP or just release songs as you finish them. Release them digital only or combine physical with the digital or what?
At this point now I will be doing all three.
7. What are you finding that is working well for your music right now that others may find interesting to hear about?
It’s so much easier to do niche marketing and it’s been working for me. I love doing 45’s and songs for compilations in addition to putting out my own albums and side projects.
8. Okay – time for some light humor: Spinal Tap Moment – dig deep. Locate. Relive. Share that special ‘trauma’ with all of us! 😀
One day I was with Paul Hyde of the Payolas and Rock and Hyde on tour on our way to a radio interview when our lovely record company A & R woman, Lisa Millar, tried to find the radio station that was supposed to be located at an airport. We were wandering around an airfield with our guitars looking for the station and Paul looked at me and said, “Crickey, is this the way it’s going to go”. We were lost and late with station saying “We’re expecting them any moment”. In the end, we did find the place, nowhere near where we were, and we laughed about this as our “Spinal Tap” moment for the rest of the tour.
9. Is there a particular musician you’d love to collaborate with – and why?
I’d love to collaborate with Peter Case because he’s always maintained such integrity in his work and he’s a true minstrel of our times.
10. Advance apologies: the ‘classic’ questions. What other artists and bands have influenced your music and any particular reason why? Also, push come to shove: “Your Top 5 Albums Of All Time”?
Badfinger: They paved the way for me in the 70s and kept the 60s great songwriting flame alive but they also had amazing heart and soul in what they did.
Flamin’ Groovies: When I saw the cover for Shake Some Action it was the coolest picture that I’ve ever seen on a record and the 14 songs on that record had an unbeatable combination of Stones, Beatles and covers that showed the power of rock and roll.
Rockpile: They showed me and my songwriting partner, Rick Andrew, that there was a place for us in the punk and rock and roll scene.
The Nerves: They did the same thing but from an American point of view.
Top 5 Records:
The Beach Boys: All Summer Long
Bob Dylan: Bring It All Back Home
Rolling Stones: Out of our Heads
Beatles: White Album
Dave Edmunds: Trax on Wax
11. We’re always trying to find new music discover here at PGH – what are some of your favorite music releases of 2012?
I like the new Jake Bug record, an English songwriter. The Trews from Canada are great.
12. Yes, it would be great if most indie musicians could work on music full-time but the reality rarely the case for most of them. I always am asked by music fans, what are the careers or full-time jobs that the musicians of the music they are listening to do…so ‘what’s yr main gig?!’ ;-P
I produce, write, perform and promote full time. All of my work is music related.
13. We’re taking an informal PGH poll of all musicians: Do you own a Kindle or Nook? Any thoughts on what reading books looks like to you?
Books come from a book story or a library. I don’t own any e-readers.
14. Okay, last question: Where can we learn more about your music and any other releases you have?
You can follow me on twitter @daverave or you can find me on Facebook. You can also check out my latest releases, both out this year, the first with Mark McCarron is called, Memphis Midnight on Innsbruck Records which you can find on iTunes or at http://www.innsbruckrecords.
