Entertainment Interviews (28)
“Anytime someone chooses to record a song you've written it is a thrill and an honor,” Glen Burtnik.
So many people go to their local music shop to buy an instrument and within a year or so they are frustrated and try to sell it. They wind up in pawn shops, on e-bay, craigslist, or stuffed away in a corner of an attic or crawlspace left to be forgotten. Thank the lord almighty that the multi-instrumentalist Glen Burtnik didn’t give up. His talented creativity could’ve been stifled along the way.
His old instruments didn’t wind up going to a pawn shop either. “No way. I used to smash up my old guitars. I smashed up my first drum kit too. What an idiot!” Glen has learned not to smash up instruments and regrets doing it now, but he never stopped playing. He was asked what instruments he plays and he responded in a very humble way, “Guitar, bass, piano, some banjo. Drums a little, not so much anymore. I’m not really great at any of them, but I can get around on them all.” From his fans and musicians point of view he is very modest. The creative talent that lies within this man is incredible. He may not be on the cover of a virtuoso magazine anytime soon, but this guy can write great songs and has proven so to the masses.
When he was about ten years old Glen began taking drum lesson. A few years later he started goofing around on guitar and this stone started to roll. As he started to gather skill some early performances came his way, “with the school band at assemblies and stuff. Then a couple of little dances with some bands. My first singing guitarist gig? Wow. Maybe 1971 in Rutherford, NJ.”
Glen Burtnik is a musical workhorse. He has been a working musician with earliest releases going back to 1978. Glen wrote songs that appeared in movies like; “Bill And Ted's Excellent Adventure,” “Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead,” “Son In Law,” and “Armageddon.” He had experienced success within the 80’s and ended up joining Styx. They both appeared on A&M Records at the same time. In 1990, he started his first stint with Styx with writing and co-writing on some great songs for the album Edge of the Century. Styx toured for the album and went back on hiatus.
In 1992, Patty Smyth and Don Henley performed the song “Sometimes Love Just ain't Enough” that was co written by Smyth and Burtnik. The song reached gold status by RIAA standards and hit the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Obviously this kind of success was a great feeling for Glen. He continued with his skillful musical pen and co wrote on the Randy Travis hit “Spirit of a Boy, Wisdom of a Man.” Some people think he is lucky, but truly this man makes his own luck.
Glen’s success continued when he got the chance to tour with Styx again in 1999 with a completely different lineup. Doing a guitar and bass switch off he filled the shoes of Chuck Panozzo who will come out only for a few songs at shows. Burtnik revisited old songs from the first album they worked on and continued onward up until recording the album Cyclorama and the tours that followed. There has been a common misconception about a song on the album. “Kiss Your Ass Goodbye” at first listens could be misconstrued as a slam at the most recent departure of previous member, Dennis DeYoung. This is not true.
Glen responds, “As for “Kiss your ass goodbye”, the persistence of this rumor that the song was written about Dennis is an indication of; One, an inability to comprehend lyrics; Two an obsession with a certain Midwest rock band; Three, low intelligence.” He apologized for his response and continued with, “I think it’s very obvious what the song is really about,” and he is right. He did endless live shows and soon after decided to depart Styx to be closer to home.
Glen parted ways and continued to write and release his own music. He has appeared on several albums and no doubt will ever stop working. “I guess, at this point I don’t have a main instrument. I hover somewhere between the guitar, the piano, the bass and songwriting. I sing a little as well. I am okay at each and suck equally at each as well.” He has a way of putting things into perspective that is just not true. “I usually like to start on guitar and then go back and forth to the piano and guitar.” For guitar gear his equipment of choice or by chance is, “Probably an inexpensive Epiphone which somebody gave me is my most ‘friendly’ guitar. It doesn’t sound as good as my Martin, but it sure feels fun to play. My fave guitar amp is a tiny little Fender Pro Junior, 15 watts through a little 10" speaker!”
One of the biggest influences for a lot of bands and musicians still to date is the Beatles. What better band to influence any musician then the one that did it all. Glen is an artist. Give him a tuba and he will get you something out of it. “Well, my heroes aren’t always my influences. I adore Jimi Hendrix, but that isn’t my style of playing guitar. Influences? Everyone from Stevie Wonder to Regina Spektor.”
Glen was asked questions like; ‘who is your favorite Beatle?’ and ‘what’s your favorite Beatle song?’ “I love all four. Those cultural icons, when they worked together with George Martin, became like extended family to me. Older cousins or uncles I will always look up to. Naming a favorite Beatle song is difficult, as there are so many classics. I adore “She’s Leaving Home” and “Eleanor Rigby” for their lyrics. I love “Within You Without You” and “I Am The Walrus” as recordings, “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” and “Helter Skelter” rock so mightily. Just too many killer tracks.”
“I enjoyed meeting Paul McCartney and I loved being introduced to Ringo. I’ve had amazing fun and the list of working with musicians I admire is endless. Like producing a Brian Wilson vocal, for instance and working with Jan Hammer, Neal Schon, John Waite, Kenny Aronoff, Marshall Crenshaw, Sam Moore, Edgar Winter, Phoebe Snow. The list goes on.”
Glen plays in a Beatles cover band that is just phenomenal that appears annually in Chicago and New York. He appears at, “Beatles conventions, as a hired member of a band called Liverpool.” They have been known to make it out to Geneva, Ill. as well. He played for a little while in a Police cover band called Synchronicity II that unfortunately doesn’t exist anymore. “I am currently involved in a number of projects. Among other things, I write, record and release my own songs on iTunes, produce large revues; The British Invasion, The Summer Of Love. I perform with The Orchestra, a band featuring former members of ELO.” He just doesn’t stop!
Some great solo albums that show off his writing talents are Retrospectacle, Slaves of New Brunswick, and Solo (You Can Hardly Hear). His writing talents have a modern feel to it and show off a lot of good vocal harmonies and pure refined talent. He does work for charity at Christmas and shows his humanitarian side. Not a lot of musicians give back to the public, but this man sure does. He has gone to play some huge shows and never has forgotten where he came from. He is a truly a class act.
Glen Burtnik is a multi-instrumentalist that has played with great musicians. He had success within movies, songs, and has been able to stay in music for a number of years. As the man continues within music, he will continue to write and release songs. Musicians are a dime a dozen, but good ones are hard to find. This man from New Jersey is a great musician. Thankfully he didn’t give up music and his first guitars didn’t go to a pawn shop. It really would have been a waste of talent if he had chosen any other profession.
Interview with Marbin; Musical Masterminds Hard at Work
Written by Roger Reis
12-Year-Old Actor, Corey Reilly, Stars with Val Kilmer, Ving Rhames and Luke Goss in New Thriller “Seven Below”
Written by Kimberly Katz
There was a lot of seasoned talent on hand when I visited the set of Seven Below,
including Luke Goss (Hell Boy, Death Race) and Val Kilmer (The Doors, Tombstone), and the youngest actor on set, 12-year-old Corey Reilly, fit right in just like an experienced pro.
Shot in Goshen, Ohio, the story revolves around a group of strangers trapped in a farmhouse where a terrible event occurred exactly one hundred years before. The stranded travelers, stuck in a time warp, soon find out that this is not the type of 100-year anniversary they want to be celebrating.
Seven Below is Reilly’s second feature film lead. Last year he appeared in the
The Anniversary at Shallow Creek by Efish Entertainment, also a mystery/thriller.
When I asked Corey if he ever got frightened while working on such scary material he said, “Nah, the knives are made of rubber! I love horror movies, but my mom won’t let me watch them so I got to act in one instead!”
During downtime on the set Corey got a once in a lifetime chance to learn some fencing tricks directly from Hellboy’ action star, Luke Goss. Corey also had a great time on the set with co-star Matt Barr, who is now starring as Kevin Costner’s son in the film, The Hatfield’s and McCoy’s. The location grounds were sprawling and included a large pond, so when they would wrap up a scene and had time, the two would look at each other and declare, "Gone fishing!" and they really did catch some fish.
In addition, Corey made a friend and got a great laugh out of veteran actor, Ving Rhames, when they first met on the set. Ving said, "So you're the killer huh?" Corey responded with, "Uh huh... AND DON'T MAKE ME MAD!!”
Kevin Carraway, the director of Seven Below, had some nice things to say about Corey at AFM the American Film Festival. Carraway was impressed at Corey's awareness and professionalism during his scenes. Carraway mentioned that he would always ask Val and Ving during each scene what their perspective was and if they had an idea or a different look on it and he valued their input. He found himself conducting the same drill with Corey because he thought the young actor had great ideas. For example, when Courtney (Rebecca De La Costa) was alone in the haunted house bathroom Corey suggested that he be in the background so she could see him through the mirror and scream before he disappears. The director loved Corey's ability to take a scene, improvise and make that scene even better.
On a personal note, when I first met Corey it was in the hotel swimming pool the night before the shoot I observed for Buzz Magazine. I was using crutches from a recent knee surgery and even though Corey didn’t know I was a reporter from Chicago there to cover the movie, he was the only kid in the pool who jumped out to help me.
Even at his young age, Corey Reilly is a handsome, mature, talented young actor with an old soul. In addition to Seven Below, due out in 2012, I expect we’ll see much more of him on the big screen very soon.
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Henry McCullough is a classic rock music legend. He has the ability to handle a six string as well as any of the other guitar masters from his era. He has appeared on classic rock hits with Joe Cocker and Paul McCartney and is a very cool guy to converse with. He himself is a tough act to follow and definitely didn’t let it go to his head.
Henry recently talked with Buzz and shared some interesting stories and laughs. He had his first band at 14 years old as a three piece with an accordion player that could only play in “B”. His first guitar was a no name model that was black and had f holes. As he traded up, each one that he went to after that started to get better. He got an ES355 at one point that ended up having problems with the neck. He didn’t know about the truss rod in it which is used to adjust a neck. He traded it off to get a Fender Telecaster which later he regretted doing.
In 1999, one of his precious guitars, a cherry red Gibson ES335 went missing after a plane trip. “The guitar was never more than six feet away from me. I played it for thirty – two years. Go to pick it up. The suitcases came through, but no guitar.” He did get an insurance reimbursement check for a low-balled amount for this vintage piece.
He described his lost guitar as if he was talking about his first born. The guitar had been given some custom detailing to make it unique. There was a painting on the guitar of the inside cover of a Grease Band album, some shamrocks, and it would not be complete without a semi naked lady. “Tried to find another one. Got one and had it re-fretted, but it wasn’t quite right.” On one journey, “I busted the headstock on it. Had it fixed and then it played better than ever before.”
After over a decade, he and the guitar are soon to be reunited. They found the guitar for sale and are negotiating to buy it back. As the guitar is a vintage piece he has to buy back his own property for an inflated amount, but is happy to be able to see it again. Playing an ES335 is amazing; it’s such a sweet guitar that you can’t blame him for loving it so much. It’s not like a Les Paul which, “is like riding a bucking bronco if you don’t hold it right” explains Henry. For amps he goes back and forth between two Marshall Combos, a 40 and a 50 watt. “I don’t use any pedals,” he just plugs straight into the amps. The tones he gets are very nice.
Everyone has different influences. “I don’t have a guitar influence. I was more influenced by the sounds of rock ‘n roll. We were mostly influenced by skiffle. It was the punk of the day. It just took someone that could play in D, G, and A. Skiffle lit the fuse for rock ‘n roll.”
During the recording sessions for Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, the guys in Floyd had been interviewing people asking questions looking for something spontaneous. As they tried to get Paul McCartney to come and do it, he was busy at the time and looked at Henry and said, “Go see what they want.” Henry went across the hall and they started to ask the questions. Henry being a funny guy answered all the questions the same way stating, "I don't know, I was really drunk at the time!" and history was made.
Henry recalls some of his fondest moments in performing live. Obviously a very good time for him was Woodstock. “Rain started during, “With a little help from me friends.” God was our light show. It was just a gig to us at the time. It was really something else. Holiday land about twenty miles out. We were flown in an hour before your gig and then flown out. It was really a short lived thing. It was a very strong performance which activated Joe’s career internationally. I was also the only Irishman to play Woodstock.” He said he likes to tell the story now and embellish on it a bit too with a few “Irish white lies” he says jokingly. During that time “it was the youth explosion in ’67 and ’68. Then you had Altamont, things went haywire and people got edgy.” Another favorite time was, “any given moment of Wings over France. All of it was something else. Took an old bus, painted it like Peppers” and they toured like that. As far as a favorite time, just too many times to mention.
Henry was asked about his favorite recording sessions. “That’s a hard one. “My Love” session maybe.” If you look at it from an outsider’s point of view, he stunned McCartney with the solo. “I didn’t have an idea what I was going to play. He asked me and I said I don’t know. It made him nervous.” Once Henry was done McCartney was quite happy with the work.
Henry doesn’t have any plans to go into the recording studios at any time soon. “Recording costs …. I don’t have that kind of money anymore. Things aren’t as easy today.” He talks about doing session work now, “with a recession going on and houses handed back, fees have gone down. What you were getting five years ago you aren’t getting today. I work with a guy up the road now when he has work for me. It’s nice because I don’t have to go far. I live in Ireland; there isn’t a lot of work here.”
McCullough has so many great solo masterpieces to listen to. Poor Man’s Moon and Unfinished Business are both some incredible and more recent works of art that deserve a listen. He does have plans to go to France in April and is doing a New Jersey Beatles convention. “I don’t have an agent anymore” which makes it hard.
The humble man that Henry is, he still has moments of being somewhat star struck by meeting a celebrity. “I recently got to meet Mike Tyson.” He talked about meeting Tyson and that he was very nice and cordial with him. “He shook my hand and it was like meeting Elvis.”
Henry is back in the position in which he started in during 1962, playing in pubs. Nowadays he “takes things as they come and deals with them.” He does enjoy a bit of the music coming out now. “Some of the blues guitar players that are coming in are great. I don’t listen to music anymore. Maybe something easy on the ears.” Nowadays Henry likes “to come sit and watch some T.V.” and who wouldn’t.
As it is quite obvious that Henry McCullough is an accomplished guitarist and a classic rock legend, he is also just a down to Earth man. He enjoys telling his stories, which draws you in making you concentrate on what he was saying. It gradually forces your ears to listen to every word. He enjoys making people laugh. He recently made the comment about Paul McCartney that, “He was a tough act to follow.” Mr. McCullough needs to know is he was part of the tough act to beat. Filling the role of guitar player for guys like Paul and Joe Cocker says a lot, but he isn’t just a regular guy. He is truly a class act.
Multi-Award-Winning Kely McClung, and his Killer Thriller ALTERED!
Written by Tracy Walsh
Kely McClung just has to be famous one day, since he is far too talented and fascinating to end up any other way. McClung is a "Jack of all trades," but also a master of many, I can honestly say.
Mr. Kely McClung is an actor, composer, award-winning director, editor, producer, champion stick-fighter, stuntman, writer, and also has credits in television and films for doing special/visual effects and stunt choreography!
But, McClung does not go walking around with his nose in the air and a stuck out derriere.
For instance, he is not afraid to take risks, otherwise, he surely would not have been so kind to give little ol' me a role in his movie "ALTERED," in which I am a woman who "turns tricks."
Furthermore, McClung put up the following bold, Facebook posting about something that really happened to him one evening: " Two [gang-bangers] told me I had to give them my shirt. I said 'no.' Then, they said 'I had to pay them.' I said 'no.' They just looked confused and wandered off, yelling I had to respect them, or they would have to come back and stab me. I said 'ok'.. It really wasn't as dramatic as it sounds...it was me just eating a hotdog...and I LIKE this shirt."
After having read that, I thought this guy has such balls I bet his entire movie "ALTERED" is amazingly gutsy, and will spark lots of controversy!
Also, with everything that has been said, I was psyched to the extreme to be able to interview Kely McClung, and to share the thoughts in his head.
1. What is your latest movie "ALTERED" about?
The premise is "Good and Evil and the way we look at it. The tag line pretty well says it all...'Change your Perception and You Change Your World... But Good Never Fades and Evil Never Dies.'"
Also, "I would have to say the whole movie is like that: Change your perception and you could easily change the labels." ALTERED" is "A hunt for a serial killer, an action film, and a thought provoking European style horror film. Even, a poignant love story. Of course, wrapped in a lot of blood and hopefully some genuine scares!"
2. What kind of reaction(s) do you hope to get from people after they have seen "ALTERED?"
"Hopefully, the movie works on several levels: a violent, scary horror film, a thought provoking treatise on human nature, an acting showcase for everyone in it, and to push the limits of what people think of as 'no budget' filmmaking. I hope people watch it, and walk out thinking about it.
And, then try to understand, and relate it to their own lives. Maybe, it will stimulate some interesting conversations! The goal of almost any art is to capture moments and emotions in time. In this case, we hope to capture the moments, but let you see they have multiple meanings, depending on what we bring to the table, both intellectually and emotionally."
3. Many kudos to you for winning Best Screenplay for "ALTERED!" How did it feel to win another award?
"Thanks so much! It's pretty cool!"
"I've been extremely lucky to win awards at quite a few film festivals, here and overseas. It's really exciting to win for a movie that is not even done, yet! Mostly, the wins and kudos we've received act as the fuel to keep you going. Even though I have been very lucky, it's also very humbling. [When] going to these festivals, you are constantly reminded how hard other people work, and the wealth of talent out there."
4. Has anyone treated you as though you are a "Royal Whack Job" for having the ability to create such an ingenious screenplay?
"Ingenious" is not the word I've heard very often! [Laughs]. My friends, and other filmmakers I've shared it with, think I'm more than a bit disturbed. Zeke Flatten, the distributor of my first movie 'Blood Ties,' asked to read it. I think he basically said, 'Wow. You have some really serious issues.'"
5. "ALTERED" has some shockingly, realistic hardcore-drug-usage scenes. How was it possible for you to have written about the everyday life of a junkie so accurately?
"Ha ha... not from experience! I watch a lot of movies, read a lot, and talk to a lot of people. As one of my characters in the movie says, 'People are a lot worse than anything they can make up.' That seems to be a theme in a lot of my writing, but we really take it up a few notches in 'ALTERED'"
6. Assistant Director and Producer of "ALTERED," Jessica Imoto Harney, also has smack-dab-in-your-face Einstein ways. What did you like the most about working with her? Do you have any plans to collaborate with each other after "ALTERED" is complete?
"Yeah, you hate to overuse the word 'amazing.' But, Imoto is just that in SO many ways! Very talented, very creative, very accomplished and driven to excellence. Imoto inspires me: so, being around her makes me push myself even harder. I have so many stories and images I'd like to work with her on, and to explore her ideas. I'm not sure how long she can put up with me, but we're pushing for many grand adventures in the future."
7. How has it been directing the stars of "ALTERED" so far?
"Humbling. I try to write showcase scenes, and parts that push actors to their limits, sometimes physically, sometimes emotionally, and many times both. One of the great joys in making movies, is sharing and exploring all the talent from everyone on the set, cast and crew. I've worked with Rob Pralgo and Stan Harrington before, in 'Blood Ties' and 'Kerberos'. You always try to go with your strongest talent, and these guys can play anything. Our lead actress, Amanda Dreschler, stunning, funny, and talented as hell, is destined for a truly great career. Why all three are not already huge stars is almost shocking. I'm really blessed to have their trust, their skills, and talents to tell my stories."
8. Did you thoroughly enjoy shooting for "ALTERED" in Chicago and Gary Indiana? Did you experience any eery happenings, given the nature of "ALTERED," and some of the locations you shot in?
"I came to Chicago last year for the first time, and fell in love with it! One of the great thrills I've had was to see these wonderful locations on those first visits, to dream about making a movie and filming in some of them, and then to work with Imoto on making it happen. Locations are a huge part of it all, becoming characters on their own, but the people of Chicago and Gary have embraced us and made it possible. Not just the actors and stuntmen, but also the film office of both cities welcomed us, even though we obviously weren't bringing any money to the table. It took a while, and a little effort for our neighbors in Gary to accept us, but now they wave and greet us by name. Hell, even the car thieves we've had meetings with, in both cities, have been nice. Scary, but nice!"
"I think we mostly scare ourselves, and many of the locations, and the scenes we create creep us out. Imoto and I have roamed and scouted a lot of abandoned buildings: churches and schools and hotels. Even an abandoned 5 story hospital. Since many of those excursions come up as we find them, some are done with just the light of our cell phones in the middle of the night. That can be pretty unsettling."
"We're all still trying to figure out why the broken, abandoned church where we filmed some of the more disturbing shots and scenes, has a basement that even when it's in the 90's outside, you can see your breath on the wide open staircase as you go down [it!] Not all the time, but sometimes... and the basement is sometimes hot, and sometimes freezing."
"And yeah, we may be crazy! Imoto and I camped out in a tent in the middle of the same church for four nights to guard our sets, and keep people away from what we were doing."
"We make films to share and explore our thoughts and ideas, and though we can't promise anyone is going to like them, that should give you some idea of the lengths we're going to make great movies!"
9. What is the #1 question you would like to be asked during an interview that you have not been asked, yet?
"How did it feel to win "Best Picture" at this year's Oscars?"
"Talking People and Doing People - I hope to do! Reality Changes in 2012"
Kely McClung
For more information about Kely McClung, "ALTERED," the other films he has written ("Blood Ties," "Kerberos" and "Stickfighter"), release dates and so on, please visit:
http://www.facebook.com/thealteredmovie
http://www.facebook.com/kelymcclung
http://twitter.com/kelymcclung
http://www.twitter.com/thealteredmovie
Imoto Harney http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2630120/
TheAlteredMovie.com
*Photos by Imoto Harney (Top - Kely McClung, Bottom - Amanda Dreschler)
Interview with Hollywood Actress Alicia Witt! Come See her Chicago debut at SPACE in Evanston!
Written by Kevin Pollack
You might know Alicia Witt from her body of work as an actor on shows including Friday Night Lights, Law and Order and Cybill, and from the films 88 Minutes, Two Weeks Notice, Last Holiday and Mr Hollands Opus to name a few. But she is also a classically trained pianist and accomplished singer/songwriter. for the last 3 years, she's been performing her original songs at venues across the country such as Hotel Cafe and Universal Citywalk in Los Angeles, and Joe's Cafe and The Living Room in New York. She will be performing May 29th at SPACE in Evanston. Ticket information below.
Her self-titled first EP is out on iTunes. Alicia's first music video, for the single 'Anyway', was played on MTVu and VH1.com. She also appeared as musical guest on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson in summer 2010, and is currently working on her next album.
“...what a voice. It comes from tender, intimate appeals, soaring to roof raising heights, as she all the while works the piano with ease and command...where Witt really excels is in her ballads, personal and universal poems of love, longing, and everyday girl issues. Her lyrics flow with a poetic polish, and her piano playing rivals that of rockers Billy Joel or Elton John.” - What Duvet Said, review, 12/09
To help raise awareness for Art of Elysium, Living Philanthropic will donate $1 and TicketWeb will match every $1 donation for every ticket sold for Alicia Witt’s performance to Art of Elysium. If you would like to participate and join the Living Philanthropic team or make a donation, please visit: http://www.crowdrise.com/lp-may
The show starts at 8PM - $12 in advance // $15 day-of // $20 reserved table seating (Links to purchase tickets) To hear more of Alicia Witt’s music, visit her at myspace.com/aliciawittmusic
(Source: www.evanstonspace.com)
I recently sat down and talked with Alicia about life on screen and off.
Buzz: Where did you grow up?
Alicia: I was born in Wooster, MA. But, I basically moved to LA when I was 14. So, I kind of feel like I grew up in LA. That's where all my formative experiences were.
Buzz: What made you go into acting?
Alicia: Well, I sort of accidentally became a part of Dune, which was my first movie, and I was 7 when that happened. If that hadn't come along, I'm not sure I would've become an actor. I think it was something I always wanted to do even when I was little. I just didn't know what it was called, if that makes sense. I loved watching old movies and reenacting the scenes. I would just pretend I was Julie Andrews, or, you know, those great women. It didn't really occur to me you could do that for a living. I ended up being asked to come to New York to audition for David Lynch. It was an incredible experience. Especially, because it was the biggest movie of that time, with all the special effects, and wardrobe. And all these very well established respected actors that have been doing this their entire lives, and making a living at it. And I think, not only for me, but for my parents, that was a big thing, because they always supported me in wanting to do this for a living. And I felt like that being such a great experience had a lot to do with that. Like my dad chatting with Jose Ferrer and that kind of thing. They were the best examples of what actors should be. And David is the nicest director. Literally, now that I've been doing this for most of my life, I look back and think how lucky I was that he was the first director that I got to work with. He's really such a good example.
Buzz: What was your favorite movie that you've done?
Alicia: It's so hard to pick one. I think one of my favorites is definitely The Boarding House, which hasn't come out yet. I've seen a little bit of it, and I really love it. What little I've seen. It's still being edited. It's with Nick Stahl. It's a very awkward love story between these people that are both a little stuck in their lives, and both really sheltered for different reasons. And they both want this, but don't quite know how to make it happen. It's just very complicated and very simple at the same time.
Buzz: Which movie that you've done means the most to you?
Alicia: That's again so hard to pick. Making 88 Minutes was an incredible experience, because I got to work with Al Pacino. I definitely put a lot into that movie. There were quite a few re-shoots on that. I had a great time making it though. It was amazing to watch. I mean Al put so much into it too. To say he's one of the greatest actors ever is just an understatement. And it was also hugely inspiring to get to work with him and to come away from the experience liking him even more than I had before, because he's such a good guy, and such a pleasure to be around. I felt very grateful to have gotten to know him. Another one of my favorites was Playing Mona Lisa. That one stands out for me because it was the closest to myself that a role has ever been in so many ways. Just everything I was going through at that time in my life. It was like the movie just reflected all of it, and it was a really tight-knit cast. It sparked lasting friendships for years afterward. It was shot in San Francisco, and I was going through a break-up at the time. But it was a good thing. The next chapter of my life was beginning. It was just one of those incredible experiences, and I got to play the piano in it. It was just really special.
Buzz: What made you transition from acting to songwriter?
Alicia: I've always wanted to do this. So, it's not so much a transition as it is finally, all of these years wanting to do it just culminated, going from it being a wish to being reality. It wasn't something I could have done any sooner, I just wasn't ready yet. For me, I always dabbled in it. I always wrote songs here and there. I sort of made a go at it around the time of Playing Mona Lisa actually. I met a few people who listened to my songs and saw some potential there, and did a little bit of work on it. But I just wasn't ready yet. I didn't think they were very good, and I think there was something there, but i wasn't very prolific at it. I wasn't inspired. Then I just got discouraged. I didn't really focus on it again until about four years ago. That's when it really started happening again. This time I found myself writing songs like once a week. Then suddenly I had a bunch of songs, and some of them I thought were pretty good. I was sitting in my living room with my best friend, after a girls night in, and I mentioned to her I was writing a few songs and she asked me to play them for her, and I did. I'll never forget how she just sat there in that chair and said, “You need to play these somewhere other than your living room.” It made me wanna cry. I thought, well, I always wanted to, so I started doing really small things. I played with other people, like I'd get up at someone else's show and do one song, and I would be so nervous. Then I started writing with some other people as well, and the more I did, the more people I met. I just started building this network of friends, who were amazing musicians and songwriters, and people who ran venues. Just, it all came together, and the more I did it, the more songs there were. It ran to the point where I can't stop writing, and at this moment, I have so many unfinished sets of lyrics in my blackberry at any given time. I just finished another song last night. I have a lot of demos laying around the house. I need to do full studio versions of them. I just gotta find the right ones to put on the next album. But you'll get to hear a lot of stuff you haven't heard before at the show.
Buzz: Who are your musical influences?
Alicia: I love Billy Joel and Elton John. Probably my biggest influences. I also love Sara Bareilles and Pink. I love Shawn Colvin also. Whenever I do songs that are written on the guitar, I think of her stuff. I just think she's amazing. I love Ben Folds also. I love Rufus Wainwright as well. Those are some of them. There's so many really. There's a lot of bands I like. There's a band called Everybody Else, they're an LA-based band. And I recently met the lead singer, and co-writer on a lot of those songs, and I think we're gonna write something together, but I really enjoyed their music. I like a lot of Train's stuff too. I also love Five for Fighting. I am obsessed with Tom Waits.
Buzz: What do you like to write about in your music?
Alicia: So many things. There's sort of no boundaries. The song I wrote last night, for example was definitely inspired by a feeling I had, because I spoke with someone I haven't spoken to in at least a year or so. It was one of those odd things where we took a break from each other. Then we ended up talking for over an hour on the phone, and we had a nice conversation. The thing is almost an imagined thing. It's interesting. I have this idea that's floating around in my head. It's called “Is This What You Meant.” It's not about me or this person. It's about someone that walks away from another person. Then really regretting it. The song is basically saying, is this what you meant? It wasn't about the scenario that I was going through. It's almost like a “what if” idea that I ran with, about someone who's feeling really lonely, and regrets pushing someone out of their life. When I wrote the song “Blinds,” the lyrics were inspired by the end of my relationship that I was in, which was really about the time I started writing prolifically. That was just about the feeling that I knew it had to end. I was in this relationship for a long time. I'd known for quite a while. The thing was nothing was wrong. It just wasn't right. I came up with this explanation which was I had gone blind to him, because he was still as lovely as he had ever been. I wasn't seeing him anymore. The songwriting began after he moved out. I wrote a love song that's about the ultimate love. When you've had so many relationships, you get to a point where you finally meet somebody that you know you're gonna have the most meaningful relationship with before saying “I love you.”
Buzz: What message to hope people will take from listening to your music?
Alicia: Whatever message they want. I hope that if I can inspire people half as much as some of the great artists I've been inspired by, that have inspired me, then that would be incredible. Somebody, after one of my shows, said to me, that my music made her feel less lonely, and I though that was the most perfect thing to wish for, and the biggest compliment of all. The kinds of songs I strive to write are ones that can be interpreted however you want, and they don't have to mean what I meant when I wrote them. In fact, for me, when I play them, they don't mean what I meant when I wrote them.
Interview with "Next to Normal's" Jeremy Kushnier!
Written by Kevin Pollack
From the director of Rent comes the most talked about new show on Broadway, NEXT TO NORMAL, winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and three 2009 Tony Awards including Best Score. Alice Ripley who received the 2009 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, will reprise her acclaimed performance in Chicago. Having been chosen as "one of the year's ten best" by major critics around the country, NEXT TO NORMAL is an emotional powerhouse of a musical with a thrilling contemporary score about a family trying to take care of themselves and each other. The New York Times calls NEXT TO NORMAL "a brave, breathtaking musical. A work of muscular grace and power. It is much more than a feel-good musical; it is a feel-everything musical." Rolling Stone raves, "It is the best musical of the season by a mile. It'll pin you to your seat."
Source: www.broadwayinchicago.com
Jeremy Kushnier plays the role of Dr. Fine/Dr. Madden in the show, who helps Alice Ripley's character with her problems and medications. The doctor plays a key role in this show, as the subject matter is about mental illness. Jeremy has played many great roles on Broadway including Ren in the Original Broadway Cast of Footloose, Roger in RENT, and appeared in the Original Canadian cast of The Who's Tommy. I recently spoke with him about how he feels playing such a key role in a great show.
Buzz: What made you want to go into acting?
Jeremy: Well, when I was a kid, I used to just goof around a lot. I was lucky when I was growing up. There was a lot of opportunities for young kids for summer theater and regional theater and that kind of stuff. I just started doing it. It was just something to do. I played a lot of sports, and I was in the band, and in the choir, and it was just another thing to do.
Buzz: How did you get started in Footloose?
Jeremy: I actually was living in Toronto. I'm Canadian originally. I got a phone call from my agent telling me if you could be in New York by tomorrow, you can audition for this new show. So I scrounged some money together, got on a 12 hour bus, auditioned, and got the job. It was a blast, because it was my first lead role in a brand new show. It was very exciting. I was very blessed.
Buzz: Now that you're in Next to Normal, what do you think people should take from the show after seeing it?
Jeremy: I think they're gonna take whatever they want. I think it's such an interesting piece. It definitely starts conversations about the mental illness, the treatments, people dealing with loss. It definitely is a conversation starter. And I think if doesn't anything but make people stop and think, I think it's great.
Buzz: What was your favorite show you've ever done and why?
Jeremy: That's tough. Every show I have is a favorite for a reason. Footloose was probably my biggest favorites because it was my first big gig, as far as me moving to New York. I loved doing The Who's Tommy. It was my first big professional mega musical when I was living in Toronto with the Canadian company. Then I did RENT, which was also really special to me because I did that show off and on for over 8 years playing Roger.
Buzz: What made you interested in Next to Normal?
Jeremy: I mean, first off, it's a job. It's really exciting to be involved in a Pulitzer prize winning piece that's brand new. And having such a small cast. The music is really phenomenal. I have been a big fan of Tom Kitt's for a long time. And there's so many reasons. Getting to work with Michael Greiff again. There are a lot more reasons than not to as far as getting together trying to get with the show. It's been a really cool experience.
Buzz: What do you take from each role you perform, and how does it affect you as an actor?
Jeremy: Well, I think there's a piece you take with you, and there's a piece that you leave. I believe a little bit more than what I take with me, because with a show like this, it becomes too hard. You don't wanna carry around this stuff with you all the time. There's definitely something that stays with you after you do any of these kind of pieces. Shows like RENT and shows like this. It's hard, but you can take the hope from this.
Buzz: What message do you take from this show personally?
Jeremy: I think there's a great message of hope. There's a great line in the show that's, “You don't have to be happy to be happy you're alive.” I think it's a pretty deep message, to realize how precious what we have is. Regardless of how glad we are in the moment. I think that's something important to remember.
Aktar Aktar is four young men from Chicago who are exploring the boundaries of danceable rock music. They first released a self-titled album which pushed them out of the dingy dive bars where they found their original following. With a core group of high energy fans they had the privilege to play some of the greatest venues Chicago has to offer. Touring all throughout the Midwest at a feverish pace, recently headlining Chicago's legendary Metro last November, Aktar Aktar now brings their unique sound and high-energy stage show to Reggie’s Rock Club this Friday night, January 28th as the band battles for a spot in SXSW. In the meantime, they are also working on their next EP with high hopes of grabbing the attention of a manager/booking agent that will push their careers into deeper waters.
Having recently enjoyed the band’s music for the first time, I contacted bassist, Bradley Haptas, to find out more about the band.
Buzz - What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?
Bradley - I would say indie rock, but it’s really hard to try to categorize the music with one name. Every one of our songs has a life of its own and sometimes that means moving outside one genre and into another. We all have our own “loves” when it comes to influences; I would say right now that Motown is quickly stealing my heart.
Buzz - What can fans take home with them from your live show?
Bradley - Hopefully they buy a CD! You can really see our personalities come through in our live performance so people will get to know us a little better. You might wake up sore from all the dancing that goes on at our shows. We just want everyone to have a good time. We really enjoy bringing people together.
Buzz - When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?
Bradley - Aktar Aktar started about 3 years ago as a 2 piece with Jake Swearson and Jake hoefnagel. They were playing a lot of house parties and smaller bars when they started getting larger and larger crowds every show. I remember Swearson saying he wanted to have a fuller sound, that’s when Tim and I joined. We recently we got a new drummer, Mr. Wes Kosakowski, after Jake H’s departure. We all had the same idea of what we wanted to do musically and the more we did together and the better we became as musicians it just felt right. Now there’s no turning back.
Buzz - Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?
Bradley - We have played all over in Chicago from the Metro to Elbo Room. We did Summerfest in Milwaukee last summer, which was one hell of a time. I don’t know if I have a favorite or least favorite venue. They are just buildings with stages inside to me, what makes the show is the people and magic that happens inside. We are playing at Reggies Rock Club on Jan 28th, it’s a battle of the bands to get into SXSW. After that all we have lined up is time in the studio and hopefully we will be heading to Austin in March.
Buzz - Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?
Bradley - Jake and Wes have been building chord progressions and the basic outline of songs and then we all get together to finish them. I would say, if anything, freedom. Its so open ended we can really develop ideas from it. I’m sure it will change over time.
Buzz - How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?
Bradley - We are coming up with better concepts and ideas for our songs. When you have really good ideas you can really push yourself to see what’s behind all the doors. Every door you hit is a challenge you need to overcome, and by confronting these challenges, you evolve as musicians.
Buzz - How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?
Bradley - We have a Myspace, a Facebook, and our older music is on ITunes.
Buzz - Is there anyone you'd like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?
Bradley - We would love some financial support! We would thank the shit out of 'em. All our families rule. They are always at our shows doing whatever they can to help. It’s really nice to have people around you that know your dream and will do anything it takes to achieve that dream.
Buzz - Do you have a record label? Are you a member of any music organizations?
Bradley - We do not have a record label or any musical affiliations. We have had companies offer us some things but nothing that we felt would be beneficial at the time. We are going to be pushing to build a team once we finish this new record.
The band is:
Jacob Swearson – guitar/vocals
Timmy Maguire – lead guitar/vocals
Bradley Haptas – bass
Jake Hoefnagel – drums
To find out more about Aktar Aktar visit www.myspace.com/aktaraktar or look for them on Facebook.
James Apollo - An Interview With Someone You Should Want To Know
Written by Tracy Walsh
James Apollo's music is somewhat roots rock/Americana/folk with an, also, Old Wild Wild West sound that triggers individuals to partake in certifiable-maniac-looking dancing at his shows. The Art of James Apollo is additionally characterized as having more than several vastly relatable songs, regarding life's heavy blows and woes.
At The Underground Lounge in Chicago, I thought to myself "Oh, there's James Apollo appearing available to speak with before his show. But, I don't have any questions prepared for him in order to conduct the best interview possible! Plus, what if I ask him to do an interview and he says 'no?' Would I have to get on all fours and beg for him to do it?"
"What if he still turns me down? Then, I'd definitely have to make sure to keep my mouth shut and not blurt 'F*** you and the horse you rode in on!"
I took my chances, and when I introduced myself to James Apollo, he did not give off the vibe of being an arrogant, snout-in-the-air "a-hole." James Apollo kindly accepted to do an interview with me, and I found him to be an especially personable and intriguing personality.
The first thing my "peepers" fixated on when I sat down with James Apollo, besides his deep blue eyes, was a guitar case with squirts of white stuff all over it. Not being much of the shy type, I told him that's the most unique looking guitar case.
Buzz: What's on it and why?
Apollo: It's spray foam...I do that so the employees at the airport will remember me, and so I can have a better rapport with them. I used to work at an airport.
Buzz: For how long and how did the job end?
Apollo: I was there for 3-4 weeks, and I quit to go on tour. I tried to stay, but they wouldn't be flexible enough to enable me to go on the road.
Buzz: How do you like being on tour?
Apollo: Well, I took Chuck Berry's idea. He was very collaborative. I borrow instruments while I'm on tour from other musicians, and I often ask them to play with me while I'm in their city. I just met two musicians the other day when I was in Minneapolis, Minnesota and asked them to join Devon and I on tour.
He added, he doesn't really consider a tour a tour--it's more of a pilgrimage because shows aren't ever really gonna go the way you want them to. The sound is usually never going to be perfect and you can't play as long as you want. So, you have to look at the adventure in it, and the fun of meeting new people, playing with new people and reconnecting with old friends while on tour.
Buzz: I heard you only had one rehearsal with the Minnesotan musicians before you asked them to perform with you on tour.
Apollo: Yes.
Buzz: How long have you been performing?
Apollo: We would get into Canada [illegally] to play when we were fifteen.
Buzz: How did you and your friends maneuver that one?
Apollo: We learned of ways to get into Canada from guys in our area who had done it before. We used to use fake recording contracts to get in!
Buzz: Would you rather win a Grammy or a million dollars?
Apollo: I would want the million dollars, definitely.
Buzz: Why?
Apollo: Because the quality of music that Grammys are made of, now, is the kind I don't want to deal with. Plus, when you win a Grammy, your next record has to be just like it [the one you won the Golden???????Statue for]. And, a million dollars can make you a lot of music.
Buzz: Could you please tell us about your latest CD "Till Your Feet Bleed?"
Apollo: I got in a motorcycle accident--a really bad one when I was living in New York. And, I felt stuck there with all the people in the streets. And, I felt stuck in my relationships and other problems.
But, when I went to Utah, I loved all the open space and felt no more problems. The record is about liberation by wandering to be free of problems. It's the good side of walking away from your problems.
Oh, it looks like we're about to go onstage.
Buzz: Thanks for taking the time to do this interview, and I'm excited to hear you play!
Apollo: Thank you.
For info on James Apollo's CDs and tour dates, you can visit: www.JamesApollo.com
*Photos by Tracy Walsh
Runner Runner is a band who has a schedule just like their name. They are a promotional powerhouse and aren't ready to stop. From being signed to David Letterman's record to being on the latest *Now That's What I Call Music *compilation, they are ready to become the next best thing. Nick Boyle was able to some time out of their busy schedule to discuss, life, music and being in a rock band.
Buzz: You guys are the first artist on David Letterman’s record label. How do you guys anticipate living up to the hype of working with such a legend in the entertainment industry?
Nick: Wow, it’s a dream come true for us to be working with Letterman. Honestly, it’s been great. We feel very lucky about it and we are going to do everything we can. We are pouring our blood, sweat and tears into creating great songs. We want the world to hear them. Hopefully, being a part of Letterman’s amazing team will allow us to have a lot of fun together.
Buzz: Rumor has it your band mates know what it’s like to be in a band and how to make a band become famous. Can you elaborate on what it’s been like for you and your band mates, from going from one band to the next?
Nick: We all came from separate bands that toured with each other. That’s how we actually met. We were all in these other bands that met on the road, and we all gravitated toward each other as songwriters and musicians. Basically, we had a lot of experience with touring, being in the studio and all of the logistics of being in a band. It was definitely a catalyst for us as we started Runner Runner. We were able to hit the ground running—no pun intended. I feel really good about it. We came to a place where we envisioned and we have been to make the project come together.
Buzz: You guys are heavily promoting to make this project comes together stronger. The album hits stores December 7th and you guys have been touring non-stop. Has this tour been your busiest?
Nick: Absolutely. We’ve been on tour since we finished the record. The tour right now, we actually routed our way to play “The Late Show” in New York City last Monday night. It’s been crazy; we’ve done lots of fly-in shows. Lots of radio appearances, lots of press, but we love it. I say: the busier, the better. The more opportunities to have our music heard the better. We aren’t the kind of band that turns down a gig without hesitating. We are totally committed to just promoting our band and getting the word out. Anything it takes to do that, we will do; happily, with a smile of course.
Buzz: Along with your busy touring, you were recently selected to be on the latest compilation in the *Now That’s What I Call Music* series. How did you guys accomplish that?
Nick: Wow. It was a great opportunity that came to us through the label. Being a part of EMI is what helped push that through. We were so excited to hear about it. Our track, “It’s So Obvious,” was selected for up-and-coming artists. It’s just such a great thing to be a part of these compilations. They’ve put out all the great hits for the past 35 albums. So for us, to be even included is an awesome opportunity. We are really stoked to hear it. We love hearing that people found our music through that CD.
Buzz: You just recorded your first full-length album. What were your inspirations?
Nick: We like to look at this record as a joy ride through life. We have songs where people are able to feel good, and then there are songs that are more serious and thunderstorm-grey skies. We tried to take these experiences and be as positive as we could. The message is keep going, keep being positive and enjoy this ride. Taking that perspective on it really helped us use these experiences in our lives and hopefully help our fans through tough times and makes them want to dance.
Buzz: What are the tracks on this album that make you want to do dance?
Nick: I think the song “Unstoppable” is a song that hopefully people can hear and make it the soundtrack to a party or even a sports team getting ready for a game. I really love “So Obvious.” It’s our first single. That song is being pushed to radio now. It’s just amazing to have that opportunity to hear your song on the radio.
Buzz: What the best words that describes the feeling of when you hear your song on the radio?
Nick: Surreal. Awesome. Maybe it’s like the first time you go sky-diving or maybe the first time you catch a wave and get off some rides; somewhere between sky-diving and the best meal of your life.
Buzz: Speaking of your life, how are you able to take the surroundings of southern California—where you guys are from—and incorporate the essence of that area in your music?
Nick: We group up listening to a lot of great 80s bands like the Cars, Elvis Costello, The Clash and Cheap Trick. So we kind of took those sounds and mixed them up with modern-day bands on the radio that we love; for example, The Killers. I think influences like them really inspired us. Also, you get the experience of being on the road. That inspires you to write music. It kind of gives the inspiration of where creativity comes from. The songs are all experiences we’ve had, whether they were yesterday or years ago. It’s
still something that is effective and we want to write about it and hopefully people can relate to it and appreciate it.
Buzz: What’s the best praise you’ve heard about your music?
Nick: Probably when Audrina from "The Hills" said she loves Runner Runner, or when Perez Hilton was like, “it doesn’t suck.” For me, the best compliment is when someone says a song of ours helped them through a tough time in their life. We have a song of ours called “Dedicate,” which is about a cousin of mine who committed suicide. I used the song as a way to get over the experience and share a positive light with my family. Songs like that are just ways of assurance of me doing my job. That’s why I am playing music in the first place. When I was 16 years old, my best friend passed away. The only thing that helped me get through that experience was music. After I got over that loss, I realized that music was the only thing that helped me get back to my life. I want my music to give back to those people who may have been or are in trouble spots in their lives, and give back to something that can mean so much. We want to make you laugh; we want to make you cry.
Buzz: Just like the perfect movie, right?
Nick: Exactly.
