Today I get the pleasure to share with all of you an interview I did with a very talented artist, Mr. Ron Moore.
Ron Moore is not just a talented artist, but an example for which others can follow, as well as an inspiration. You see, Mr. Moore suffers from Parkinson's disease, and yet, he refuses to allow this disease control his life. He refuses to make that an excuse to not follow his passion for the arts.
In case you may be wondering, Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system. It's the same disease in which actor Michael J. Fox suffers from. And just like Michael J. Fox refuses to it to prohibit him from continuing to live his life, so does Mr. Ron Moore prohibit it from taking away from his.
Mr. Moore struggles through his medical condition and continues to work on his art, demonstrating a will and a desire to do what he loves. A lesson we all can learn from and an example for all to follow.
Let's face it, life will give us all obstacles to overcome in our pursuit of our dreams. It's only those who dare to brave the storm and accept those challenges, taking them head on who will enjoy the internal riches of success. I'm not speaking of financial rewards, but of the emotional rewards that come with the determination we have inside of our spirits to accomplish our dreams and goals in life. To see those dreams come true at any level. I think Mr. Moore clearly epitomizes what courage is all about. We only have this one life to live, may as well make the best with what it gives you, and make it work to your demands. This is Mr. Moore's approach, and I commend him for his courage.
A Ron Moore Painting
So let's learn a little more about this man, and his art. Let's keep in mind his condition if his answers appear to be brief, and to the point.
He and I were planning on meeting up for a video interview however, I got side-tracked with another project and couldn't make our meeting. This may also be why his answers are brief. I think he was looking forward to further elaborate on his answers in the video interview which to him, I apologize for not being able to make our meeting.
So let's get right to the questions, shall we?
Carroll: At what age did you start painting?
Ron Moore: I was 15 years old when I first started to paint.
Carroll: That sounds a lot like me, somewhat of a late bloomer. So at that age, who (or what) was it that finally inspired you to start painting?
Ron Moore: My late grandparents. Perhaps they saw in me what I failed to see within myself. They were my biggest supporters.
Carroll: How many pieces do you think you have painted in your career? (Rough estimate)
Ron Moore: I would guess somewhere in the area of about 500.
Carroll: Wow, that's a lot of paintings. How long does it take for you (on average) to complete a painting from start to finish?
Ron Moore: I would say anywhere between 35 to 60 hours. It depends on what I am painting, and how much detail is required. Experience also helps to dictate how long a painting might take, knowing what is coming up, you are better prepared, and I have been doing this since 1984, so when inspiration hits me, I understand ahead of time all that is required to complete it.
Carroll: Practice makes perfect, and you're right, experience always makes a better teacher. So, what do you primarily paint? (Landscapes, people, animals, other?)
Ron Moore: It's a combination of everything. I hate to put limitations on myself. But I enjoy painting seascapes the most.
Carroll: I'm rather fond of lighthouses myself. Now let me ask you about your condition if I may, how long ago were you diagnosed with Parkisans disease?
Ron Moore: I was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2004, at the age of 34.
Carroll: And how has this discovery affected your painting, or has it affected your painting?
Ron Moore: It has affected my art a lot. I was unable to paint for 3+ years at one point because the symptoms got too bad. I had DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation), which helped me tremendously.
Carroll: For everyone who don't know, DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) is a surgical treatment involving the implantation of a medical device called a "brain pace-maker", which sends electrical impulses to specific parts of the brain. So now, back to your art. Do you participate in art shows, and if so, how many shows do you participate in during a year?
Ron Moore: Yes, I do participate in art shows. On average, I would say about five shows a year.
Carroll: Any shows on the horizon?
Ron Moore: I have one coming up, in fact, at the Butler Institute of Art, and I just had a recent show at the Pump House Art Gallery located in Yoctangee Park in Chillicothe, Ohio.
Carroll: Yes, I remember the Pump House show. That was where we were supposed to meet up at and I couldn't break free from another commitment. Again, I am very sorry about that. So, how many galleries show / display your work? Where can people go to buy them?
Ron Moore: Currently, you can find my work at the Pump House Art Gallery in Chillicothe. However, since my DBS treatment, I am aggressively pursuing to getting my work back into other galleries. I do sell my paintings through my Facebook page, and by word of mouth. My collectors, and fans, are very loyal, and a great source of future commissions. I just wanted to also add that my book, "Painting Through Struggles: A Parkinson's Journey" has just been released, and is available through myself, my publisher, Seneca-Secor Books, and soon to be in Amazon book stores, and other books stores across the nation. In it, I get more into detail about how I have dealt with Parkinson's.
Carroll: I'm sure we all look forward to reading it. It sounds like a very inspirational story in which we all could probably learn from.
Well, that's about it for now. I want to thank Mr. Ron Moore for taking some time out of his schedule to answer these questions, and we look forward to hearing from you in the future. You do some amazing work, and to consider what you have to battle on a day to day basis, well, it just makes it all that much more amazing. Thanks again Ron, and from all of us here at the Carroll Bryant blog, we wish you continued professional, and personal, success.
And so we have come to the last part of my interview with world renowned pen and ink artist, Ted William Fickisen.
In this part, Ted takes us on a tour of the Pump House Art Gallery where you get to see some wonderful paintings from local and not so local artists.
I realize, and so will you, that the video was inverted. You'll recognize this when we enter Wilbur B. Poole North Gallery. I suppose I was just so excited about the interview and everything that I forgot to reset my video settings. (I sometimes shoot videos inverted. I don't know why. I'm blonde that way I reckon.)
To this point, you may recall in our interview where Ted mentions the new addition planned for August 2016. The cafe' and educational building. The photo to the right gives you an idea of what that addition will look like.
In this portion, during the tour, Ted mentions some upcoming events, a fund raiser for the new addition of the Pump House, and for the historical Majestic Theater in downtown Chillicothe, Ohio, which will include 60's music, and highlights from the Broadway musical "Hair". The performing arts is no stranger to Chillicothe as we also have the world famous outdoor drama "Tecumseh" as one of Chillicothe's summertime attractions for tourists who flock to my hometown from all parts of the world just to see it. For residents who wish to showcase their acting skills, Chillicothe offers that opportunity. Many top credited Broadway performers have performed in the outdoor drama of "Tecumseh" through the many years. In fact, John Mellencamp used to be a resident here once upon a time, and has performed concerts in Chillicothe a time or two in the past.
Then on May 17th, 2014, The Pump House Art Gallery will be holding a 60's theme art show where all artists near and far are welcomed to submit any of their artwork that displays a theme from the 1960's. So if you're an artist and you wish to participate and display your artwork for this show, contact the Pump House for more information. Their phone number is (740) 772-5783.
For everyone (and anyone) else, if you ever find yourself in Chillicothe, Ohio, drop by the Pump House Art Gallery in Yoctangee Park, Enderlin Circle and say hello to Ted. Nothing would make him happier. You might even be able to get him to pose for a picture or two. Rest assured, you will have an enjoyable time, Carz promise. Now, back to Part Three of the Ted W. Fickisen interview.
Here in part two, I get to share with you some of Mr. Fickisen's work. To the left, you will see the Carlisle Building located in downtown Chillicothe, Ohio. This building holds great historical significance, and is one of the oldest buildings in Chillicothe.
About ten years ago, it suffered a major fire, forcing shop owners inside to shut down most of their business for years until restoration and remodeling was completed.
It sits on the corner of Paint street and Main street, close to the law enforcement center.
"Casa Loma Castle" - Ted W. Fickisen
To the right is Casa Loma Castle which is located in Toronto, Canada.
Keep in mind that it takes Mr. Fickisen anywhere from 100 to 150 hours to complete one drawing, sometimes longer.
Mr. Fickisen's style is different from most other pen and ink artists. His method is the 'dot-dot-dot' method, meaning that no lines are drawn, everything is done with dots, kind of like a modern day computer ink printer.
I almost hate to think how long a drawing such as this might have taken to complete. One must exercise great patience and focus to draw by the dot method.
"Santa Maria" - Ted W. Fickisen
To the left is Ted's drawing of the famous ship, the Santa Maria.I am always amazed at Ted's "attention to detail", and to think that Mr. Fickisen is "legally" blind. Yet piece after piece and for each individual dot he makes, the end result is a magnificent picture. Truly stunning work. Wouldn't you agree?
In this portion of our interview, Mr. Fickisen displays stunning works of creation from Zimbabwe. The Pump House Art Gallery sells exclusive pieces of art to support The Zienzele Foundation - Dawning of Hope for Orphans and Their Caregivers in Rural Zimbabwe. They are collective baskets and and Chidudus (pots with covers). When you buy a Zienzele basket at the Pump House, every cent goes to pay school fees for orphans in Zimbabwe. Also, you are helping to preserve a traditional African craft that might otherwise die out. Finally - and this is hugely important - you are encouraging women and the orphans in their care to believe in themselves, to believe that through their own efforts, they can achieve a better life.
Zienzele baskets are made by 36 groups of women. They are created using fibers from the sisal plant. The fibers are twined and wrapped around a core of sweet grass. Most colors in the baskets are created by boiling the fibers with various tree barks, or flower blossoms, or in a few cases, by using the plastic string from fruit bags. The dark blue colors are created by boiling the fibers with carbon paper.
The baskets are generally bowl-shaped, but there are also canister-style baskets called "chidudus" that come with covers. All are hand-made, all represent hours of labor, and no two are alike. These baskets are all original expressions of their makers' taste and creativity, so they can not be ordered in pre-set patterns or color schemes. Prices are determined simply by approximate size.
It sits on the East side of Yoctangee Park, in the historical city of Chillicothe, Ohio with a population of 21,735 as of the 2012 US Census Bureau. It is the Pump House Art Gallery. A historical building that in 1982, was seemingly destined for destruction, like some other historical buildings during that time. Enter Ted William Fickisen, a young ambitious man with an extraordinary gift, the gift of foresight.
Ted W. Fickisen is a world renowned pen and ink artist, but before I can even begin to describe Ted Fickisen the artist, I first have to describe Ted Fickisen the man. You see, Ted Fickisen is not your average Joe, and yet, he would be the first to say that he's just a regular guy. When you meet him, you can tell right away that he is a very special human being. His warm smile, gentle eyes, and soft spoken voice immediately tells you that you are in the presence of humble greatness.
On the surface, one would think that with Ted Fickisen, and his amazing God given talent, everything would be about him and his art, but one would be mistaken. Ted Fickisen spends more time preserving not only the integrity of his field, but the history of the community he loves so much. I have never met an artist, or a man, more concerned about the world around him than the art itself in which he creates.
With his dear friend, Charles Queen, by his side, he was able to save the historic pump house from doom, and after eight years of fund raising, gave Chillicothe it's greatest gift, an art gallery, that in my opinion, is second to none anywhere on this planet.
It's not just the amazing art work you will discover when you enter the doors, there's amazing art work in every art gallery, but it's the atmosphere and the people, who volunteer their time to keep this gallery operating, that makes The Pump House Art Gallery so unique.
The foresight of Ted Fickisen, married with his passion for history, his love for his community, and his artistic ability, preserved the past of historic Chillicothe by capturing it in his artwork as they once stood. His activism also saved many historical buildings in Chillicothe from being torn down, and has helped to shape this small town into what it is today; rich in historical tradition.
His legacy is more than being known as one of the greatest pen and ink artists that ever lived, it is a legacy of the human being Ted Fickisen was born to become. A legacy of a man who gave back more than what he has ever received.
Ted Fickisen has spent most of his life dedicated to becoming not only the best artist that he could possibly be, but the best person as well. His charitable contributions are well known throughout this small community which includes, donating his artwork to the "Rock For Tots" organization to auction off, with all proceeds going to the children of needy families.
Even through the many tragedies of his life, Ted Fickisen has maintained his positive outlook on life, and his close relationship with God. He is always looking for the silver lining. He takes things in stride, and pushes through to accomplish his life goals. He never takes on a task with the attitude of "let's try and get it done", but rather, "let's just get it done". This would explain why he has succeeded more times in his life than failed. It's his perseverance that separates him from all the rest.
Pilot of the Highway - Ted W. Fickisen
On a personal level, I met Ted Fickisen in the year of 1995. His friendship, and kindness has left an eternal impression on me every since. I am more than proud to call him my friend, I am honored. For to know Ted Fickisen the man is to know what it was that my mother wanted for me as an adult when I was a young boy growing up. To be someone that everyone else could look up to. To lead by example. To be more than just the artist that resides within.
During a difficult time in my life, Ted Fickisen opened the doors of his Victorian Mansion to me, and helped to steer my thoughts in a more positive direction. In fact, it was his teachings that led me to discovering the artist inside that was dying to get out. Between him, and Charles Queen, they would lay down the foundation for which I could build my own dreams and turn them into the reality that they are now. I suppose one could say that had I never met Ted and Charlie, I doubt I would have ever written and recorded one song, much less the 23 songs I have written thus far in my own life, and be able to share on my Youtube Channel. Nor would I have ever written and published my books. This also means that there would have never been a Carroll Bryant Blog which ironically, I am now fortunate to write about the man who was the inspiration for it all. This is what I call karma coming back home to roost. This is the magic of Ted Fickisen the man.
Imagine my surprise when one fine day, not so long ago, I asked him if he would like to do an interview for my blog, and he said yes. I was very excited. To make things more interesting, he welcomed a video interview. Now, I have never done a video interview before so I wasn't quite sure how it would turn out. Even more frightful, my video camera had seen its last days so in order to pull this off, I had to rely on my trusty laptop. But Ted, he is a pro at giving interviews. He has had many interviews with the media. I was counting on his experience to get me through this new and uncharted territory. Over all, I think it turned out well. So, on December 5th, 2013, he and I got together, meeting at his home away from home, The Pump House Art Gallery and conducted an interview. An interview that I broken down into three parts. Today you get to see Part One. Tomorrow, Part Two, and the next day we end with Part Three which is a tour of the Pump House Gallery itself.
Also in Part Two, I will be posting pictures of some of Ted's work. I think you will enjoy it. Through it all, you will come to know, and learn about this amazingly talented artist as well as amazing man, and the art gallery that his foresight, vision, and his long time efforts has produced for the community he loves, and the rest of the world to enjoy. A legacy that could only have been given to one man, and one man only, and that man was Ted William Fickisen.
Today I have an interview with author David England, author of the book, Mirian. Mirian is the debut novel from self published author, D.S. England. The book is centered around titular port city Mirian amidst it’s coldest winter since records began. However, rather than following the epic heroes we have come to love within the fantasy genre, this story is about the humble townsfolk.
A war is slowly brewing between the Watch, the law enforcement of the city and The Talon mercenaries hired by The Count as they compete for dominance over the city. Meanwhile, a mysterious force creeps through the catacombs below that is set to shake Mirian to it’s very core. From law enforcement to bar staff; and common criminals to doting housewives, no-one can escape the looming threat and mayhem that ensues.
The first in the ‘Mirian’ series, this is not your typical fantasy and truly is a must read for not only fans of the genre, but book-lovers everywhere.
Mirian is David Stephen England's debut novel after eight years of writing screenplays and short stories. Although usually sticking with horror and fantasy, D. S. England is currently working on the supernatural comedy Maklar and a second volume of Mirian.
Let's get this interview going, shall we?
Carroll: So tell us David, why did you write this book?
David: Something to do (laughs)...No, I wanted to write a story about people and how they cope in a urban fantasy setting.
Carroll: How did you become interested in the topic?
David: I’ve loved fantasy for as long as I can remember, but it’s always intrigued me to think about the everyday hard working people of these worlds instead of the champions in their glimmering armour standing over some slain beast.
Carroll: What did you hope to accomplish by publishing your book?
David: I hoped to ‘get my foot in the door’ of the industry and take a decent run at writing professionally.
Carroll: Who is your intended readership?
David: Young to not so young adults, fantasy fans and hopefully convert a few people that have decided that fantasy is not for them.
Carroll: When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
David: As long as I can remember, couldn’t say an age as every family member I speak to seems to recall an earlier instance of me announcing that one day I’d be an Author...although, they didn’t take four year old me very seriously... Could have been the Thundercats pajamas... Could have been my age..Who knows!
Carroll: How did you research your book?
David: I wrote only in dark rooms, by candlelight with no central heating, a few holes in my roof and a few intoxicating beverages I won’t mention......I joke, I only did three of those things.
Carroll: What surprised you about the process of writing your book?
David: How often I’d mumble to myself, trying to work out the next bit to type.
Carroll: . What do you like to do when you're not writing?
David: Spend time with my son, watch films, TV...Read! The usual stuff really.
Carroll: Are you working on another book?
David: I am! It’s a change of pace for me as I’ve decided to write a supernatural comedy instead of my usual horror or fantasy focus, and of course, I’m working on the follow up to Mirian as well so...Busy busy busy!
You can check out author David England at his FACEBOOK PAGE
After a one year hiatus from giving interviews, I finally broke down and decided to give one. When author Sharon Desruisseaux came to me and asked if I would give her one for her new blog, "SharonDNovels", how could I say no? After all, she was kind enough to let me interview her. LOL
So if you good people get a chance, please take a look. I mean, it has been over a year and a lot has been going on so, you might be surprised about what you learn. LOL
Oh, for crying out loud, go read it. Here, I'll leave a link. Ha-ha
It's no secret that I don't do many interviews. I thought I wanted to do more of them and in a way, I kind of do, but the thing is, it's a little harder than it looks. It takes a lot of time, and time is one thing that has been lacking recently. I do enjoy doing them though. The HoiTahPoiSha interview was really fun to put together and do. One of the hardest parts of doing interviews is trying to find someone interesting to interview. I have several interviews pending right now. One of those interviews pending is with a man who knew Elvis Presley. However, health problems has caused a major delay in that one. Another interview with a band on the top 40 charts in England has fizzled due to contractual issues with their manager. Then there is another musician I had lined up but he is being stubborn. LOL He just doesn't like giving interviews ever since he retired from the bizz. He's still thinking about it though. Still, there are others I have contacted and yet to hear back from.
Add all of this up and put into factor that my schedule hasn't exactly been clear itself and it's just one big mountain to climb to try and find these interesting people do interviews. It takes time to search for them too. However, there is a saying that talks about things being "right under your nose" and you just never seem to realize it. Lo and behold, here I was searching for someone interesting to interview and I didn't realize that someone interesting was already standing right in front of me. Someone who has done perhaps a hundred interviews of authors and even did a few with me. Someone who is already a very good poet too. Of course, I am talking about my blog partner, and perhaps best internet friend in the history of internet friends, Ira.
Ira and I met while I was a member of Goodreads back in the Fall of 2011. Our conversations led us to a friendship and then I made her a mod of my GR group. From there, it just grew and grew. She was the one who "forced" me to start a blog here on "Blogger". I wasn't very thrilled about it in the beginning, to blog that is, as I had a blog with Weebly and wasn't getting into it one bit. But thanks to her persistence and along with her help, I did start to enjoy blogging and now, just a hair over 1 and a half years later, here we are. But her and my friendship is going on 2 years strong now. She and I are about as close as two people can possibly be over the internet. She owns just about all of my passwords for almost all of my online accounts, with the exception of my emails. She has helped me out a lot when I go galloping off to California or wherever. She's been a tremendous help and an even more tremendous friend.
But it hasn't always been a one sided affair. I have opened a door for her too where blogging is concerned. In the beginning of us becoming blog partners, she wanted to do some author interviews so I brought her into my author group on GR and let her go at it. She began getting authors to interview. She, nor I, never knew how that would turn into such a huge thing. Probably more than half of her posts on her blog are author interviews. She's gotten quite good at it. She's the Larry King of blogging. Or perhaps a much more better comparison, the Barbara Walters of the blogging world. And she's still going strong to this day.
Don't think I haven't noticed. Okay, it took me a while to notice it, but better late than never. And now, because of her doing so many interviews with others, I thought it would be fun to interview her for a change. After some coaxing, I finally got her to agree. So let's get this interview going, shall we?
Carroll: First of all, Ira, thanks for finally agreeing to this interview. My first question is, why in the heck did you become my friend? LOL I mean, what did you see in me that made you think you wanted to become my friend?
Ira: Well, are you sure you want that answer? I'm going to leave you and everyone else in mystery for this. Keeping my reasons to myself.
Carroll: I already know the answer, but since you put it that way, I see you don't want to say, so ... moving right along. (LOL) How many author interviews do you think you have done so far?
Ira: At the moment I have done 95 and probably by the end of the month I'll have 105.
Carroll: What is it about doing these author interviews that you like?
Ira: I never really thought about it...I think that I like doing this is cuz I feel like I'm helping authors and helping myself.
Carroll: Of all the interviews you have done with all of these amazing authors, talk about a few of your favorites.
Ira: Oh that's a tough one. I'm not sure to be honest, I have done so many that I cannot keep up with whose would be best. I think I say that all the interviews I've done have been different. Some were very to the point and then there are some authors who open up and give little details that intrigues the reader. I feel as if to enjoy a book, if you know what the author and their personality or their feelings are about the book, you enjoy it more.
Carroll: Why do you think you do so many interviews? What do you get out of it? Is it just simply the thrill of meeting these people and interacting with them? I know you're a big reader of books, so I would imagine there has to be some kind of excitement in thinking that one day, some of these authors will become best sellers and you can look back and say, "I interviewed that author." - is that one of the thrills of doing these interviews?
Ira: I say that even now! Lol, I've interviewed Nyrae Dawn,Kasie West,Katie McGarry,Jodi Medaows. These authors have written amazing books. I'm sure I could add more but the list would be long. Although I have not read any of her books, Erin Albert is a famous person on my blog. All these authors who write have something to give others; they give this certain type of hope to other aspiring authors and people in general. I am honored to have interviewed these authors and as soon as I can, I wish I can interview other authors who I love as well.
Carroll: It's no secret that you're a devoted Muslim. Could you talk a little bit about what it is like to be a Muslim? Perhaps shed some light on public misconceptions of what Muslims are all about? And stereo-types?
Ira: I love being a Muslim. I love wearing my hijab, my abaya, my niqaab. I love my religion and I am proud to be a Muslimah. However, when I go out and see the stares that once made me cringed, I now look at them straight in the eyes and roll my eyes. I live in a small posh town where it's mostly filled with Non-Muslims but the count of Muslims is rising. I haven't seen many praciting Muslims though I know they're out there. My father never forced me to wear the veil or hijaab. I wore it out of my own love and want. Not all Muslim families are idiots or illiterate and don't know how to speak English and, in the Canadian Charter of Rights, we have free will to practice religion; people shouldn't be telling me that I can't wear the veil just cuz I live in Canada. Sorry, but this is a passionate and hurtful topic. It hurts me to know that there are ignorant people who think we Muslims are terrorists when half us struggle to live in our daily life. It's a shame.
Carroll: Good enough. Besides being an active blogger and interviewing authors, you also like to write poetry. What is it about writing poetry that you enjoy the most? And how does that conflict with you being Muslim?
Ira: The poetry I write is more of a let out for me in different aspects and views. I tend to write poetry from my feelings. I take in the situation and atmosphere, the emotion and everything around it and then write the words that come. It conflicts in many ways, I however, have ceased on writing poetry because of the conflicts I've learned about poetry in Islam. I do not want to get into this though. My apologies.
Carroll: Apologies accepted. Besides writing poetry, do you aspire to become an author yourself someday?
Ira: Yes I do actually. I do hope, that some time in the later future, I will become an author.
Carroll: How many poems have you written so far in your life?
Ira: I counted them recently and I don't like to boast or openly tell people this. However, I have written about 300 and counting.
Carroll: Being friends with you has opened my eyes about the Muslim community. You have taught me many things about that religion and because of it, I have a greater respect for Muslims. For that I thank you, but, also because of this, I have noticed a lot more persecution of Muslims in the media and by American and Canadian government. How difficult is it for you to see this persecution going on? What kind of toll does it take on you personally?
Ira: As dramatic as I am, I'm not gonna go into the whole Americans and Canadians and all those people killing my fellow Muslims should die and burn like those other idiotic Muslims do. However, it pains me to see that Muslims in all these countries are getting persecuted. Their homes are being burned down, their families killed. It then behooves me when ignorant non-Muslims say that they deserve it. Tell me, if your father was brought out and killed in front of you; what would you do? Tell me, if your house was bombed and then the house of your friends and their friends and you had no where to go? No roof over you head? How would you feel? I don't think people understand that. They just think that Muslims are terrorist and that we should all be put behind bars. Did you know that there are Muslims all around the world who aren't violent? Who aren't extreme? Those people that Non-Muslims call terrorist aren't Muslim. They are terrorists but not Muslim for a Muslim would never be a terrorist. For a Muslim doesn't believe in harming others.
I suppose this becomes a touchy topic for me because while sitting here I can't do anything to help those in need. I just wish that the ignorant, self righteous and full of themselves Non-Muslims would see the truth. But they wont and that's what hurts most. I pray to God, to help those in need in Syria, Palestine, Afghanistan and all those other countries where hell is taking place.
Carroll: Have you ever considered getting into politics?
Ira: Hell no! I hate politics. They're so annoying and stupid. I sometimes have to sit with my parents and listen to the latest political arguments on the computer cuz my dad loves politics and I swear, I itch to get up and leave but I quietly listen, asking the questions that need to be asked and that's all.
Carroll: Do you own a pet? If not, do you think you ever will?
Ira: No, at the moment I don't. I did however, 10 years ago. It was a few fishes...They ended up dying for some reason...Later I found out that my sisters had been making them play...with their hands....Yeah no wonder they died. lol
Carroll: I know you're a big Tim Horton's fan. What's you favorite beverage you like to order from Tim Horton's?
Ira: lol, I can't believe you asked this! Yes, I love Tim Horton (the coffee shop) and my favourite beverage is Iced Cappuccino. And mostly in the winter I love to drink Hot Chocolate, sometimes the occasional French Vanilla but that's rare. I mostly opt for Iced Capp.
Carroll: Do you think you'll live your whole life in Canada? And have you ever considered moving to the states or anywhere else when you get married?
Ira: I don't know, I want to move and get away but at the same time the prospect of leaving this small town, the big city of Toronto kinda scares me. I don't know about when I get married but for now while I live with my parents, I'd like to live in Ontario.
Carroll: I know you can't wait to get married, but how many kids do you think you would want?
Ira: Well, lets see now...Maybe 5? Maybe more? lol I don't know. If it happens and I end up with 12 kids even, I'll be happy. I'm not saying I want 12 kids, just that I don't care for how many kids I have.
Carroll: As you begin your quest in chasing your dreams of becoming a writer, what hurdles do you face or do you think you might face in your pursuit?
Ira: I'm not really sure at this point. All I know is that I am not a devoted writer as I was before. I get distracted too easily and next thing I know, I've stopped writing. So I couldn't really answer that because I don't seem to be facing any right now.
Carroll: Because you're new to writing, what advice at this point early on would you give someone if they asked you for it?
Ira:Write what you want, when you want and how you want. You are your own
person and shouldn’t worry about what others will think.
Carroll: Hey, thanks a lot for doing this interview. I really appreciate it. Any final words or thoughts you wish to leave us all with?
Ira: Everyone out there is different. They have their problems to deal with and the best way to deal with it is not to be alone, but to be united with those who you call family. If you close yourself off from people, you'll either become a recluse or die alone. I think that people should put their difference aside and suck it up to live life to their fullest. Thanks for interviewing me Carroll.
Carroll: That about wraps up this interview. Check Ira out at her Love Hate Poetry blog, and read her poetry, author interviews and learn a little bit more about being Muslim. The truth - versus mainstream media stereotypes - may surprise you. There's a lot going on over at Love Hate Poetry so check it out.
I don't consider myself a professional blogger by any means. Even though I have published four books and written 20 songs, I don't consider myself a professional writer. I'm just a guy. A regular guy who loves the magical and wonderful world of art.
While my artistic abilities reside in the written word of poetry, songs, and story telling in the form of books, I also have attempted expressing my creativity through oil paintings and photography. However, I fall a little short in that department - but at least I try.
To me, success isn't always in the outcome of what you try to do in the world of artistic expression, but more so, how much fun you had in the attempt. While many people in the world today see success as nothing more than dollars and fame, anyone who has participated in creating art knows, that is a sham. Real success comes in the form of how art makes you feel inside. It's either inside of you or it isn't. And you do it because it is inside of you and bellowing to be released. It's a passion plain and simple.
I also believe that, just as it is in sports where no athlete is bigger than the sport they participate in, so it goes that no artist is bigger than the world of art. Every artist contributes their part for the cause. Sure, some make it big. Some artists become huge and maybe in the process, they begin to think that they are bigger than the role they play. Later, after their time has passed and a generation of new artists begin taking over, reality seeps in and the one time great artist discovers that not even they are bigger than the world of art. They had their time, and as it goes for all things in life, they are replaced by young up and comers.
Some people get into art for the fame or the money and it's those people who just don't get it. Some people think that by being artistic or creative that they will experience overnight success. That just isn't the case either. In the world of artistic expression, everyone starts from the same starting point. It's just like when I was running track in high school. When you take your mark and wait for the gun to signal the start of the race, everyone is lined up evenly. It's only when the race is over does the separation become visibly known. Only those who can go the distance reap the rewards of their efforts. In the world of art, there is no such thing as overnight success. You have to stand the test of time if you want to be recognized in that world. Which leads me to two artists that is the focus of this interview today. Their names are Lor and Miz. They are visual artists that have caught my attention. They are a dynamic duo known as HoiTahPoiSha on Youtube.
Since the age of technology, everyday people such as myself now have the ability to express their artistic side. No better evidence of this exists than when you go onto Youtube where there are thousands upon thousands - maybe millions - of people who open up an account and showcase their artistic visual skills along side the professionals. Besides music videos, there are people out there in the world who put together videos of themselves doing all sorts of crazy and wild things. People of all ages showcasing their skills and their love for art. They play their musical instruments and sing, or perform in some form or fashion hoping to get recognized or discovered. This is how Justin Bieber got discovered, by posting videos of himself singing and performing. Youtube is also a place where young amateurs can hone their skills too. Practice makes perfect, right? The more you do it, the better you get. Such is the case with Lor and her friend, Miz. Together, they are HoiTahPoiSha. They have compiled 175 videos over the past several years on Youtube. In total, their videos have exceeded 1.7 million views.
Through all the videos that Lor and Miz put together, it was the video Lor did that spoke to me. It is called "The Show Must Go On" where Lor plays two clowns and lip syncs to a classic hit song performed by the legendary Three Dog Night that peaked on the American music charts at number 4 in 1974. Maybe it is my Joker fetish showing here, but that video spoke to me. But this is what art is all about, yes? And in fact, isn't that the main purpose of art, to inspire? Well, I think it is, and that's exactly what this particular piece that Lor put together did, it inspired me. It inspired me on many levels. So much so that I knew the moment I saw the video that I just simply had to interview her and Miz.
The day after I first saw her video and downloaded it, me and my trusty laptop met up with a friend of mine at a local eatery called Roosters. I took out my lappy and told him, "Dude, you have to check this out." I then proceeded to play the video. Before it even ended, I had a small crowd at our booth looking on, including our waitress. It became the topic of discussion for pretty much the remainder of our lunch. My friend and I both agreed, that if they ever do another Batman versus Joker movie, they should do it with a female Joker. And that female Joker should be played by Lor.
I'm not going to lie here, I could go on for a hundred pages praising the talents of these young artists and how mesmerized I am with their work. And you can tell just by watching their videos that art, like oxygen, resides in their lungs. It comes naturally to them. I don't think I have ever seen anyone smile and laugh as much as they do. Their high octane energy sprays out like a virus and infects anyone that is fortunate to stand close to their presence. Just by watching their videos and not knowing anything about them, I felt like I was watching my best friends or something. Even in some of the comments I read from their video posts, I knew I wasn't the only one who felt this way. Many people appeared to be clamoring for their attention. They just have that kind of appeal to them. That is what makes people great. To have that kind of effect on total strangers is an amazing quality to have. I chalk that up to the fact that they appear to enjoy life to the fullest. Their zest for it shows at every turn. They always looks like they are having fun. That kind of personality is infectious. More importantly, their camera presence is clearly noticeable as well. Even in the videos with their friends, your eye always seems to gravitate towards them. Clearly, without breaking a single bead of sweat, they are the star of the show.
Perhaps to the untrained eye, when you first watch their early works, there isn't much to recognize. But I have been told repeatedly throughout my years of life that I have the uncanny ability to spot the smallest things about people. That I can pick up on the tiniest of details about people's personality. Maybe it stems from myself being in touch with my artistic side, I don't know. But I try to look past the physical and zone in on what people project from within. Everybody projects a certain amount of light or karma, and this karma (or light) is energy. In my belief system of the universe, energy plays a huge role and therefor, maybe that explains why I can identify others energy, be it a sad energy, an evil energy, or in the case of Lor and Miz, a positive energy. Regardless, I'm just fortunate enough to have that ability. Oddly enough, my energy has always been attracted to those who participate or have opened themselves up to their artistic side. All of my most closest friends are involved in one way or another in the arts. Take for example my five best friends, starting with my blog partner, Ira. She is a poet, and an aspiring author. Then there is my friend David, my former manager who is now working on his first novel. Then there is Vincent Crowley, front man for the death metal band, "Acheron" who I think of as my brother. Then there is Mason Smith, a pen and ink artist now turned tattoo artist and owns his own tattoo shop. Then there is Mason's uncle, Ted Fickison, a world renowned pen and ink artist in his own right. The list goes on. From actors, singers, to ballet dancers, the people in my world are all extremely artistic by nature. Even the man who sings on my CD's, Mark Rinehart, also writes books. I have inadvertently surrounded myself with artistic people. And it's not like I go out of my way to meet them either. Just from the fate of life, our paths simply cross. Our energies pull us together.
Such is the way of my meeting Lor and Miz. Our artistic energy collided. Now, I have the honor to be able to share with all of you this gold nugget that I have stumbled upon. It is with the greatest of pleasure to introduce to you two very gifted artists that live in their own unique world and yet shares it with everyone who dares to stand and watch them perform. Two young ladies that are more than just an act, but people, who by their very nature, is one of those people of whom you tell to your friends that you wish someday you could meet. They are those people!
So, without any further blabbering from me, ladies and gentlemen - I give to you - this up close and personal interview with the very talented, and remarkable artists, Lor and Miz.
Carroll: First off, I want to thank you two again for doing this interview. Now, let me start the questioning with this: What is up with the name HoiTahPoiSha? What does it mean? Spill it!
Miz: In high-school I was telling Lor a Japanese horror story about this little girl who fed her family human meat (long story) and she asked what her name was, and I told her I don't know. So she randomly said we should call her HoiSha.(Or what sounded like it) And then some time later we were watching the movie "The Grudge" (I can't stand that movie) and we decided to call the little scary boy in that movie "PoiTah" because we thought he was the boy version of "HoiSha". We decided to mix up the names. Lor is "HoiTah" and I am "PoiSha". We're oddballs!
Carroll: When did you two start doing your videos? And, what was it that inspired you to do them?
Lor: February of 2006 was when Miz and I started HoiTahPoiSha Youtube Channel. I had been filming music videos a couple years before that with my parents old video camera, but those videos were one shot takes. They weren't really thought through or told a story of any kind. They were more of a warm up for the music videos that you see on our channel today. I remember watching the movie "Chicago" when it first came out and was blown away by the way all the musical numbers were filmed and edited. I wanted to be able to do that and that movie is really what inspired me to start making music videos. Once I got into video editing and thinking through what shots I wanted to portray different stories, that's when the videos really took off for me. I became obsessed with making videos and trying to improve the quality and storyline of them from that day forward.
Carroll: What is up with all the smiling? You two seem to be so happy all the time. Not just having fun doing what you're doing, but you project this amazing zest for life. What gives? Are you two really that happy all the time?
Lor: I would say I'm a pretty happy person, and I do smile quite a bit and I am very optimistic. We both have a very weird sense of humor and I think that is projected through our videos. A lot of our videos are "cheesy" pop songs or characters that really go over the top to be happy or ecstatic about something. We crack each other up with our jokes and I'm glad at least some people out there get our humor! We are a bit weird sometimes but as long as we entertain ourselves and hopefully a few others down the line I guess that's all we could hope for! Some of our videos are serious, because it's nice to change it up a bit. Plus, the serious videos tend to be more creative, but I would say the majority of our videos have that quirky/cheesy feeling to them.
Miz: We both love and have a passion for making music videos because we have such a blast making them, and there's nothing like seeing the final product. We have a blast not caring what anyone else thinks, letting loose and have the best time. And like anyone, we have our good days and bad, but we're usually in good spirits when we're making music videos. (Except Lor gets cranky sometimes. See the bloopers in "Let Me Borrow That Top....")
Carroll: How did you two meet? When did you two meet?
Miz: We first met in middle school at our mutal friends birthday party in 6th grade. We apparently have a picture together from back then that I have yet to see. But we became friends in 9th grade, we were in the same PE class and we were in marching band together.
Carroll: This next set of three questions goes to you, Lor. They pertain to the video that you did called "The Show Must Go On". And it is because of that video I was inspired to do this interview. First, this particular video is so different from all of your previous works and so far, I haven't seen another from you and or Miz that equals the creativity of this one. With that in mind, what prompted you to do it? Also, in this video you play two different clowns. Now, because of the song you chose, the music certainly gives the "circus" vibe so playing a clown isn't much of a surprise there, but you went the next step and played two clowns. Not only that, but you filmed them differently as well. With one, it looks more modern only in black and white. The other has color but you filmed it in a classic 70's distorted style - very grainy. Which I thought was brilliant. What inspired you to go in that direction? Take us through the creative thought process if you will. (And feel free to discuss the dog also. Is that your dog?) And third, while I love the song you picked for the video, why did you decide on that song? I mean, when you did the video some four years ago, that song was roughly 35 years old, well before your time. So yeah, why that particular song? Does it have some kind of meaning for you?
Lor: I've always been a big fan of Three Dog Night. My dad is a big classic rock fan so my sisters and I were always listening to bands like ELO, Super Tramp, Three Dog Night, etc. growing up. This song was always my favorite because of the circus aspect, but also, it had a pretty dark message behind it. Yes, I am a happy person, but dark/weird things intrigue me so much. I love playing characters like the two clowns in "The Show Must Go On" video because there are so many elements to them. The "two face" clown with the black make-up is probably the most favorite character I have played so far. There are some other music videos that have similar characters (i.e. "Saturday Night", "The Bird and the Worm", "Love Me Dead", etc) which are so much fun to play as well.
The reason I chose the direction I did in "The Show Must Go On" is to try and portray the dark qualities of a clown who, on the outside, looks like a normal everyday performer. The darker clown in the video is supposed to be the normal clowns evil alter ego in a way. If you watch the video clips of the normal clown, yes he is performing for a crowd, but his heart isn't into it, he's sad at times, and there's something going on behind-the-scenes that the normal viewer can't see. When the video cuts to the darker clown, it's kind of supposed to be a glimpse into the normal clown's psyche.
And as for the dog? Her name is Pancakes. I lived with my older sister while I was in college and that is her dog. So I'm kind of like her aunt I guess! She's a cutie, I love her and she makes a couple guest appearances in some other videos as well. :)
Carroll: What kind of support system do you get from family and friends? Do they enjoy watching your videos? Do they support what you do?
Miz: Well, they're used to seeing us film/watching our music videos so they don't really say much anymore and leave us alone ... lol. Our friends are very supportive of our hobby and many of our friends have done music videos/skits with us! We've heard only positive things from our friends and fans.
Lor: My parents have always been supportive of my videos. They got used to me running around in crazy outfits doing random things and have even been in a couple of the videos. When I graduated high school and moved away for college, my mom actually told me she missed all the shenanigans that I would get into while I was at home filming videos. My parents actually visit my channel a lot to keep up-to-date with the videos I've filmed and will call me and talk to me about them sometimes. All my friends are very supportive of my videos and are in the majority of the older ones. We grew up in a small town and we would make videos to pass the time. At first some of them were hesitant about it, but after they experienced how fun it is to be a part of these videos everyone was asking me when the next video was going to be and were all for it!
Carroll: How are the responsibilities distributed? For example, who does the filming, directing, producing and editing? And also, do you use scripts or do you just come up with a basic theme and wing it from there?
Miz: It really depends on the video/skit. I've filmed and edited videos myself in the past, but now that I don't have the equipment or the programs, I let Lor handle all of the filming and editing. We usually come up with ideas, direct and produce together.
Carroll: What can we expect in the future from HoiTahPoiSha? How long do you think you will continue to do these videos?
Miz: Hopefully, more videos and skits. I'd like to do another Jib Jab if we can think of any good ones to do. I'd love to continue doing these until we're grandmas! Lol It would be pretty neat to look back on the evolution of HTPS when we're walking around in hugos.
Lor: Hopefully, the production value will keep on increasing and improving. I look back on the first videos I posted on Youtube and I think "Wow, I have really come a long way from when I started out". There are always areas of improvement and I just strive to make people laugh and entertain them but also to do it in creative ways that hopefully they have never seen before. Like I said in my last answer, I don't think I will ever stop making music videos. It's just what I do, and I've been doing it for almost a decade now so why stop? Plus, it is really what got me into the career that I am in today. I don't think I would have even thought about going to film school if I hadn't had so much fun making these videos for Youtube. I might not see Miz on a regular basis like I used to, but whenever we see each other we always try to squeeze in time to make a video. It's one of the weird qualities about us that makes us such great friends. I know we'll be best friends for a long, long time, and making music videos is just a part of our relationship together.
Carroll: Will there be another video like "The Show Must Go On?" I mean, are there any plans to put together another one that is so creative and well thought out like that one with costumes and clips and such or was that video a one time thing? I ask because, "The Show Must Go On" is a prime example of how much potential you have in creating such great art, and I would love to see more video's in the future of that same type of creativity. I know your fans would probably love it too.
Lor: I really don't think about "topping" myself. I just come up with an idea and go with it. Some of them come out better than others and "The Show Must Go On" is a good example of that. It was a very simple music video but the characters in it were portrayed well and it was very stylized. I think that's one reason why it's one of my more popular videos on Youtube. It is definitely in my top 5 favorite videos I have shot. Another one that I think is pretty creative is "Guardian Angel", it was filmed the same year "The Show Must Go On" was and I think they are both on the same level of creativity.
Carroll: I love your answer to that question, Lor. Nobody should ever put that kind of pressure on themselves to "top" anything they have done. Have any of you two ladies studied acting? Or plan to in the future? I know for you, Lor, in the video "The Show Must Go On", you clearly demonstrate great acting ability. Your body movements, and facial expressions, that is 90 percent of what acting is all about - and you nailed it!
Miz: Nope. Lor has!
Lor: Acting was actually my minor in college. It's kind of a long story but, Freshman year of college I was studying animal science. My dad is a veterinarian and I used to work at his clinic and thought getting into the animal field would be where I would be happiest. I quickly found out that I really didn't want to get into that field so I took a couple of film and acting classes my second semester and fell in love with it. My older sister was attending Columbia College Chicago for set design and told me they had a really good film program so I transferred there after my first year of college. I majored in film and video (focusing mainly on editing) and minored in acting. Acting was fun, but I knew I more than likely couldn't make a career out of it so I focused more on my film studies. After I graduated in 2010 I got a job at an ad agency downtown doing videography and editing work for them. I've been with the same company for about 3 1/2 years and absolutely love it. I think it's funny that something that once was a hobby turned into a career for me. I still make videos for the HoiTahPoiSha channel when I have the time. I don't think I will ever stop making music videos. It is just so much fun and I love hearing all the feedback from viewers! I just feel blessed to be doing what I love for a living and being able to enjoy every minute of it. :)
And that's what it's all about. Enjoying every minute of it. While that wraps up the interview portion, there is still more left to do. For example: If you want to check out more of HoiTahPoiSha videos, just go to their HoiTahPoiSha Youtube Channel
You can also buy that one of a kind HoiTahPoiSha gift item from tee-shirts for men and women, to sweat-shirts and outerwear, even clothing for kids and babies. They also have nightwear, undergarments and pajamas. They have gym bags and beach totes, cases and covers for ipods, drink wares, home items, magnets and even Christmas stockings, stickers and signs and more at The Official HoiTahPoiSha Shop
I want to thank HoiTahPoiSha once again for taking time out of their busy schedule to do this interview. All of us here at the Carroll Bryant blog wishes you two ladies continued success with your videos and all the peace, love and fun that life has to offer. I hope we can do this again sometime in the future. You are now a part of the Carroll Bryant family and we have nothing but love for you girls.
For everyone else, how many times in the past have I encouraged you to go for your dreams? To never let anything get in the way of what you want to do? Being artistic is a state of passion for passion is all you need to create your art regardless of what that artistic passion is. Be it poetry, books, songs, music, visual arts, painting or whatever. If it's inside of you, then let it out. After that, it doesn't matter. As long as you love doing it, there will always be someone out there who will appreciate it. So don't be afraid to just be yourselves. Peace and love to all!
Vasey are a Nottingham based Rock band, fronted by the singer/songwriter Karl Vasey. After spending a year in the USA, Karl generated a following through his debut EP “Out of the Imaginary”, released purely under the moniker of his surname. The Stateside journey began when Karl was contacted by two successful producers whose musical credits between them included artists such as Bon Jovi, Bob Dylan and The Grateful Dead. After spending several months working on new material in New York, his contacts in Los Angeles were starting to wonder if he would ever make the journey across America. So with just a guitar and a backpack, he bought a one-way Greyhound ticket to L.A. where he began working under a management company and record label, playing shows in Beverley Hills and Hollywood. Returning to the UK armed with a handful of beautifully crafted acoustic songs and demos, Karl made a pact to record “The Perfect Album”.
Exposed to the American “Stadium Rock” sound of bands like The Goo Goo Dolls and 30 Seconds to Mars during his time in the US, Karl decided to take this influence and expand on it by recruiting UK musicians from different musical backgrounds. Bass player David Amar coming from a Soul/Latino/Jazz background added a groove usually missing from the AOR sound.
Guitarist Ben Perdue brought a distinctive playing style that would compliment any Punk Rock band, yet somehow molded his fast down stroke attacking rhythms to perfectly suit the band’s songs. Those huge power chords laced with intricate guitar hooks underpinned Karl’s melodic vocal sensibilities, and forged the band’s guitar sound.
Aidan Hunnisett completed the band lineup providing the edgy Punk influenced drumming that is the driving force behind the band. His unique approach to writing drum parts and laying down consistent time is key to the whole platform the songs are written on.
Along with some of Rock’s greatest bands (Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Winger… Well, maybe not Winger), the newly formed four piece kept the Vasey name and got straight to work on their debut album in Karl’s home studio. The meticulous attention to detail Karl has with his songwriting made the writing and recording process slightly longer than that of some bands, but the reward is an album that sounds timeless and could be hailed as a classic in years to come.
The band are due to release their debut single “The Otherside” and accompanying video on July 30th 2012, with the album to follow in late 2012/early 2013. They will then be hitting the road and hopefully playing in a town near you!
And now for the interview: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome VASEY!
1) So, where are you guys hanging out these days? (Somewhere in America? The studio?)
Well, you were right with one of your guesses! To be honest, we’ve pretty much spent every waking moment of the last few months camping at our studio in the UK pushing to get our debut album finished. We finally completed the final mix of the album last night (26th March) and it’ll be sent to the States for mastering next week – we really can’t wait to get the finished product in our hands! After that, we’ve got the task of trying to get it picked up by a label and into the public consciousness so we’ve not had much time to just hang out recently as it’s been all hands on deck for finishing the record… That counts as hanging out though right?
2) Getting any tour dates set up? (When and where?)
Tour dates are a certainty and we can’t wait to get out and play the album to people although, when and where we’re going to tour hasn’t been arranged yet. We’ve been so busy with putting the record together that we’ve got nothing set in stone at the moment. The upcoming months will see us planning the release schedule for the album and the touring cycle will make up part of that plan. All we can say right now is; watch this space!
3) Are all of you guys single? Married? Girlfriends? (The female population might want to know)
I’m sure we’re going to get this question posed many times but it’s always going to be deflected. Being in a band does put you in the public spotlight to an extent so we like to keep our private lives separate to our musical life to protect ourselves, and the people we care about.
Carroll: Understood.
4) The song “A Throne that’s Nowhere” really hits home for me. It reminds me of someone. Could you tell me the story behind that song? (Or is it too personal?)
“A Throne that’s Nowhere” is a song about a specific person so it’s probably best to leave the details out but the main theme looks at people’s faith and the choices they have to make through their beliefs. Lyrically, some of our songs are biographical, others metaphorical. Having the listener interpret songs however they wish is one of the greatest tools a songwriter has so we’d be interested to hear the story behind what you took from the lyrics to that song.
Carroll: What I took was, a girl who wanted love so bad that she couldn't fall in love for looking for the perfect man, never realizing that there is no such thing as a perfect anything or anyone, so she is destined to live alone for all her days until she comes to the understanding that perfection is a myth and love is always a work in progress.
5) What age did you start writing music? How did that come about? What was it that made you realize that this is what you wanted to do?
The guys in the band pretty much started writing music around the same age (somewhere in our late teens) learning to play from about twelve or thirteen or so. It’s safe to say that any musician starts for the same reason. There is an emotion that music taps into which, once you’ve first felt it, is more powerful than anything you’ve felt before. It’s like an addiction that usually starts with a guitar riff, vocal line or drum fill that hooks its claws into you and compels you to learn more about what you’re hearing. From there you become a sponge taking influence from everything while you’re learning to play until, like most addictions, you start to look for an even bigger fix, which is where you start to write your own material. Having people dig something you’ve written is one of the most euphoric feelings you could ever have and when you’ve experienced that, you realize that is the only thing you want to do.
6) Does everybody in the band write songs?
Everyone in the band contributes to the song writing process though typically Karl writes the bulk of each song with the rest of the band shaping up the tracks afterwards. Benji adds his riffs and gives input on any structural changes then tracks demos of these with Karl at Karl’s home studio. From there, Aidan and David then track the rhythm section against the demos, dictating the feel of the song. Guitars are then re-tracked and any orchestral elements are composed by Aidan and added in the closing stages of each recording. While Karl writes the body of the material, each member of the band contributes to shaping the way the songs end up (often with several re-writes and the occasional tug of war along the way ;).
7)Tell us one good story about something funny that has happened with the band where fans are concerned. (Like has anyone snuck into your hotel room or something? Anyone jump on stage while you’re playing and do something?)
Not sure where to start with this one actually as looking back we, like every band, have had plenty of our own hilarious “Spinal Tap” moments. While not exactly our funniest story, the one tale that we think deserves a mention here is perhaps the coolest act of fan dedication we’ve witnessed so far. We have a couple of fans that, not only had the band name tattooed on them, but each band member’s name as well! I don’t think any of us ever thought our music would have such an impact on them that they would express this in such a permanent manner and that is totally awesome!
8)How did the video “The Other Side” come about? Who is the girl in the video?
The video for “The Otherside“ was a wonderful, organic artistic process for us all to go through and we had a blast making it. The idea for the shoot came from a YouTube clip Karl found – a short story called “The Broken”, directed by Michael Fernandez. Showing it to the rest of the band, the original intention was to take an influence from the style of Michael’s short film and inject it into our own video however we managed to get permission from Michael to use the footage from “The Broken” in our own video, which we were stoked about. Lyrically, the song is about there being two sides to each story and the concept was to reflect this through the juxtaposition of dark themes such as bulimia and self harm against a “Hollywood” style sheen to the filming. Michael’s short story conveyed the difficulties life can throw at you and we wanted the lighter feel of the band footage to imply there is always hope – always a solution to your problems even if the solution isn’t obvious.
9)What are the future plans for Vasey the band? Any more videos in the works?
There will definitely be more videos from the album – the intention is to release at least a further two singles from the album both with videos to accompany them. While we’re still undecided on which song will be used to accompany the album release, we’re keen to work with Jet productions again as they were the visual creative force behind the video for “The Otherside” and we have a great working relationship with them. It is also likely that the next video will follow a darker aesthetical style to that of “The Otherside”, but with a less bleak subject matter – quite the polar opposite really! We have plenty of ideas to work through so, artistically speaking, these really are exciting times for the band.
10 Being a songwriter myself, I started out writing poetry first which led me to the next stage. Not everyone who writes songs though writes poetry. Do you? Did you? Do you think song-lyrics is the new “poetry”?
While both Karl and Benji are lyricists, neither came from a poetry background. Although as the parallels between a song lyricist and a poet can so easily be made it is difficult to know where to draw the line between the two as both offer a means to express yourself through words. When read without context of a melody line or drum rhythm, song lyrics can so very easily be compared to poetry. With that in mind, perhaps it’s fair to say song writing is an extension of poetry?
Carroll: I think that's fair to say. Jim Morrison took his poetry and converted them into songs with The Doors. Great answer.
11) I know you state Goo Goo Dolls as an influence (and I can hear some of that in your music) but I think I also hear a little Daughtry in those chords. (Am I onto something here?) Who else has influenced your music. (Who did you listen to when you were young?)
Yeah, I think there is a little Daughtry in there although there is so much influence coming from all types of genres as well as each of us has come from very different musical backgrounds. Classic bands such as Led Zeppelin, The Police, Queen, Iron Maiden and Hendrix influenced us all at some point with each of us bringing some of our own personal influences to the table as well. Karl’s direct influences being Goo Goo Dolls and Hinder, Ben and Aidan’s being derived from heavier bands like AC/DC, Pearl Jam and Faith No More and David bringing a funk element from his influences through bands such as the Chilli Peppers. It’s hard to pin point a direct influence as it varies between the whole band but those are the main bands we grew up with.
12)Upcoming releases? CD’s?
Yes indeed!! As we’ve mentioned before, the debut album is now finished, we’re just waiting to get it mastered and should have a release date for you shortly!! Again – watch this space!!!
Carroll: I just want to thank Vasey for their valuable time and for doing this interview. It took a while but we finally got it done. In the end, I guess that is all that matters. Thanks Guys, and best of luck! Can't wait to hear you on the radio.
Today I get the pleasure to share with all of you an interview I did with a very talented artist, Mr. Ron Moore.
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