NUSHU Interview:
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?
Our most recent release is HULA, our second full-length CD that was released in 2010. We are currently in the studio working on an EP of cover songs that is expected to be released by the end of 2011. The first song off the covers EP that we released for free via our website (nushumusic.com) in June 2011 is Precious to Me by Phil Seymour and we are super happy about the positive feedback that we’ve received especially considering Phil was such an icon in the power pop world. This song is also included on this year’s IPO compilation CD.
For our upcoming covers EP, narrowing down the long list of cover songs to a total of 6 was a bit challenging. The list has changed several times as we get more recording complete. We also don’t have the luxury of spending 12+ hours a day in the studio right now, since we both have little ones at home. That can be a bit challenging; in terms of making sure we keep the momentum going on the project even when may be away from the studio for a month or so.
Not really an individual song, but we hope people really enjoy the covers EP as a collection of songs we hand-picked because we love them so, they have inspired us for a long time, they fit our sound, and they conjure up vivid memories.
While we don’t really have any sympathy for the music ‘industry’ per se, in terms of loss of sales, there is a negative impact to artists when the general public may not necessarily place a value on music in that they now expect to get it for free. Then again, putting a price on music can be a bit weird too and counterintuitive to us in that we make music for people to enjoy. That said, it would be nice to cover our cost. What we’ve learned is that releasing some of the songs from our CDs, demos, & instrumentals on our website as free downloads is a good vehicle to get more people to hear our music.
Although we both still purchase physical CDs, over the last few years we have also migrated more towards purchasing music downloads. There are both pros and cons. On the downside, it definitely feels like something is missing when you can’t physically hold a CD in your hands and read the liner notes and look at the artwork, etc. On the plus side, having the ability to ‘instantly’ add music to your collection via downloads and not having to take up physical space to store CDs is pretty cool. In terms of future enjoyment, at some point we want to get on board with the trend of performing live and broadcasting the live performance in real-time over the Internet. We have a lot of fan-friends in areas where we will most likely never play a live show, so it would be cool to be able to play a show where they can ‘attend.’
Lisa: Personally I really appreciate magazines with reviews on music to give me a heads up since I don’t really have a lot of time to tune in to Internet Radio. I DO like to read Internet Radio playlists too, though. That tells me what the DJ’s like. I want to be able to go to a website that carries most of the bands/artists I like and do a Wish List from there.
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?
Our plan is to finish the covers EP and release it as a collection before the end of the year; although we have released the first song we recorded for the EP, Precious to Me, for free. As with our first two CDS, we plan on releasing our third CD in 2012 as a full-length, digital and physical release. That said, we reserve the right to change our minds as we haven’t finished writing all of the material yet and the songs themselves may dictate whether or not they work as a full-length or two EPs.
Lisa: Cee Lo (not sure how to spell his name). Don’t get me wrong, realistically (and artistically) there are a couple artists in our scene that I would freakin’ LOVE to work with…but you only asked for one so I reached as far up as I could…this guy appreciates female musicians, is tasteful in his love and making of music AND he has connections! How cool would it be to hear what he could do for Nushu…seriously, right? Damn!
Hillary: I get to collaborate with my best-friend on a regular basis, so I am pretty much spoiled.
8. 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”? (Pop Geeks really are interested in this, trust me!)
Lisa: Well my influences date back so far it would take too much time. As far as albums (and I’m going classic here-not local band/artists of now) here are the ones I probably played the most, just from the top of my head!
The Jam: In The City
Gene Pitney: This Is Gene Pitney (Columbia Record Club)
Petula Clark: Hit’s…My Way
Michael Jackson: Off The Wall
Nuggets -from the first Psychedelic Era
Hillary, going with Lisa’s ‘ones I’ve played the most’ – In no particular order:
The Go-Go’s : Beauty and the Beat
Blondie : Parallel Lines
Letters to Cleo : GO!
Patsy Cline : Greatest Hits
Luscious Jackson : Natural Ingredients
9. We’re always trying to find new music discover here at PGH – what are some of your favorite music releases of 2011?
Lisa: I so suck here. I have purchased absolutely no CD’s from 2011! Except The Handcuffs. So I will have to say that this is my favorite so far! It’s really good! Please check it out. J Believe me, I LOVE getting new music but have no clue where to begin!
Hillary: The IPO comp, vol 14 is pretty cool. Our friends Ingenue are working on a new EP to be titled ‘Super Swell’ and it is planned to be released in 2011 and from what I’ve heard of it so far, it will definitely be on the top of my list.
Hillary: Main gig at present is ‘Mommy.’ I also sometimes do some financial analysis type stuff.
Lisa: Haha well mine…I am a Care Coordinator in the medical field caring mostly for the Elderly. Although one time I sent a man to the wrong office-I sent him to where I scheduled his appt instead of where the Doctor actually was! But it’s funny that all my co-workers never seem to believe I do music on the side! People always seem so shocked after they see us play! It’s then I beam about thinking I truly AM a rockstar! Haha. Seriously, I sometimes feel sad about how lost I get in doing what I do, even though it helps people. In other jobs I had as a front desk office person, at least I could write songs in between answering phone calls. Just that one pays a lot more than the other!
Hillary: Don’t own one. Don’t want one. I’m a tactile kinda girl.
Lisa: I would SO get a kindle just for reading cookbooks/reference books…short books in general just on downtime….but I realize nothing beats the smell of a real book-AND not a lot of cool old books are on a Kindle. I like have a lot of one thing all in one place -the book version of an ipod…is that how a Kindle works? Sheeesh, I don’t even know! I just assumed that!
12. Okay, last question: Where can we learn more about your music and any other releases you have?
Go to: www.nushumusic.com
CD Baby – HERE
