Monday, December 29, 2014

Interview: Doug Briney

MW: Thank you so much for giving us your time today – I’m really looking forward to hearing more about your music!

DB: Thank you, it is my privilege to share and I look forward to it.



MW: Could you describe your music for the uninitiated out there?

DB: I tell folks it is Country, but to classify it further it is Positive Country.  I am more a traditional country artist.

MW: A lot of the readers of this blog are curious about the recording end of productions – could you let us know what your studio set up is like?

DB: Well, right now, I don’t have a studio set up regularly.  So my studio is very portable.  Here are the components of what I have and use when I’m set up.  I use a MacBook Pro with Pro-Logic, I use a great tube Mic by Apex (I’ve upgraded the tube and love the sound it captures),  Ultimate-Ear Headphones, Samson Reference Monitors and I use a Audio-One interface to go from mics and instruments into the computer.  When I set up, I use two rooms, one obviously for the recording and the other for the control and engineer.  I use blankets and quilts to deaden the sound and record in a small room (9x10) with wood floors.  So usually I’m able to get a great sound.  The main reason I don’t set up all the time now though is here in Nashville there are so many great studios with engineers who are fantastic.  I personally love Sweetwater Studio on Music Row, Dennis Money owns and operates it and he has been doing this for over 30 years.  He is top notch and is a real pleasure to work with.

MW: How old were you when you first started doing music? What was your first instrument?

DB: Well, my first solo was in church when I was 2 years old.  I started playing piano in about the 2nd grade and then trumpet in 4th grade.  I stayed very active singing in youth choirs, school band all the way through college where I was a music major and graduated with my degree in Music Performance. 

MW: Who do you think are some of your biggest influences?

DB: Kenny Rogers is always at the top of my list, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Lee Greenwood and Alabama are the main influences from my early years, some others that are maybe more current Toby Keith, Vince Gill, Sugarland, Ronnie Dunn and really the list goes on and on.  It seems every time I hear music I’m listening and thinking “That’s really cool, I’d like to try that.”  Sometimes I try it and it sounds terrible other times I begin using what I’ve heard, so when I say, “I am influenced by many” it really is true.   

MW: Were there any individuals that really helped you out in your journey? Who were they?

DB: I have to say my grad school band teacher Mr Shury was a big influence and help to my love for music.  In college I had a couple of fantastic professors that really helped me, Dr Sam Moore and Janet Bastin.  Since I’ve been doing this as a profession, my manager Michael Stover with MTS has been a great help.  Alan Shepherd with the ICoMA then Mr K with Nashville Universe has introduced me to a ton of folks and has been an incredible friend and support since moving here to Nashville.  I also have to mention Mick and Lacie Jay Womack who run VRadio Nashville.  They have been great friends and huge supporters of me.

MW: What was the craziest thing you ever encountered in a live scenario?

DB: Well, last week is what is stuck in my mind right now.  My band and I were playing a four hour show and about halfway through the show a nearly brand new pair of jeans I was wearing “Gave Out” in the crotch area.  I mean from the front to the back then ripped across my butt as well.  It got mighty breezy and all I could do was just keep on singing and having fun.  (I want to add that I contacted the jean manufacturer and they are sending me a replacement pair and said it had to be a defective pair.  All I know is although I do move around I don’t do any splits or kicks and I don’t wear my jeans that tight!  So ya… that’s what is in my mind right now about crazy things that can happen live.


MW: Could you tell us about your latest release?

DB: Super Country Cowboy is my latest CD and I’m really proud of it!  I’m so excited with the great reviews and the way people have been accepting it, it is awesome!  It is a 9 song CD and the way I describe it is by telling folks if you want to really know who Doug Briney is, listen to every song.  They all have special meaning to me and tell a bit of my life’s story.  From the title track “Super Country Cowboy” which is a real fun song to the very serious and swampy “Eugene Fuquay” each song I think stands on it’s own.  “Unknown Soldier” is a special song to me as it pays tribute to all the men and women who have served this great country and I’m vey proud of how it has been received by our troops.

MW: Sounds awesome, where can people go to hear more about you?

DB: The easiest place is at my website: www.dougbriney.com from there they can click the links to visit my Facebook fanpage, Twitter and Reverbnation pages.  They can also order a CD directly from me there or if they prefer they can click the link that takes them directly to my iTunes page. 

MW: Thanks again for taking this time to chat!


DB: Again, thank you for allowing me to be here.  Also thank you for the support and to the fans out there, thank you!  Ya’ll are incredible.

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Interview: Will Ovid

MW: Thanks for talking today. It's great to hear about new artists and how they are handling their careers. 

WO: Thank-you for having me!




MW: Could you describe your music for anyone who may not have heard it?

WO:  My musical passion is Rock with my genre being Modern Classic Rock.  My earliest inspirations have come from the music of all the great Classical Rock Bands.

MW: A lot of the readers of this blog are curious about the recording end of productions – could you let us know what your studio set up is like?

WO: Well right now in studio I record with a ProTools  HD rig with an Avalon pre amp set-up with a M audio interface.  

MW: How old were you when you first started doing music? What was your first instrument?

WO: Well I started playing the guitar when I was about 7 years old. I had gotten a really cool black and white  Squier Mini  for Christmas that year!

MW: Who do you think are some of your biggest influences?

WO:  Well some of my very early biggest influences were   AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Neil Young and all the classic rock from that era.

MW: Were there any individuals that really helped you out in your journey? Who were they?

WO: Yes very much so! Of course my family has been there for me all the way and I am very grateful to them for all their love and support . But I also have a couple of great producer s Chris “Captain Hooks” Doss and Rob McCann that are totally amazing. 

MW: What was the craziest thing you ever encountered in a live scenario?

WO:  Surprisingly so far the only crazy thing that has happened to me onstage has been almost dropping my favorite guitar in the middle of a song when the strap came off!



MW: Could you tell us about your latest release?

WO: Well my song “Coming Home” is based on those days we all have when you are trying to get home to family and friends after a long day and you feel like you can’t get to the ones you love fast enough. I had the song in my head for a long time and really wanted to record it and I finally found a great producer to record with. You can find “Coming Home” on soundcloud  and itunes, Spotify etc.

MW: Sounds awesome, where can people go to hear more about you?

WO:   You can find me everywhere @WillOvid
https://itun.es/i6Bh5Xc ‪#‎iTunes
      

MW: Thanks again for taking this time to chat!


MP:  It’s been really great talking to you!

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Rocking the Individualism: Bernie Journey

The pulse of electronics, the distinct organic instrumentation, and a silky-sultry tenor are all aspects of Bernie Journey’s sound, I guess as a native of Cleveland he probably couldn’t leave behind the sound of genuine Rock n’ Roll. Operating on the Phunk Junk label he’s got a new song out titled “Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking?” Well, if what you’re thinking is that it’s finely crafted melody sure to put people in the mood, then yeah, I’m thinking what you’re thinking.



It’s a very vital track. The song starts out sporting a subtle 70’s-ish disco beat with a distorted guitar overlay, there are elements of vintage drum machine samples which join Bernie’s reverbed voice – almost a “Taj Mahal” effect, but it really works! The song twists and turns between periods of energy and more relaxed phrases which really mimic the sexy vibe being created. The hook is very catchy with its nice surprise of irregular quicker rhythms and very attitude driven singing.


Bernie has a number of other tracks that are more than worth checking out. “Eye of the Beholder” is a really heartfelt number complete with a beautiful string/piano arrangement – of course, the catchy dance rhythms are present in this one as well. Likewise, “Everything” fits into that late-night vibe that Mr. Journey has so easily squared away. It will be very interesting to see what more we hear from this artist in the future - in the meantime, hop over to his website and enjoy the music!

To learn more about Bernie Journey, please visit his website here: http://berniejourney.com/