Hugh Hamilton
|
4/3/2010 1:10:07 PM
My Answers to Rich Scotti's Q&A
Hi, All - I'm glad to see Rich fostering conversation with his Q&A blog, wanted to add my response here at my own page so anybody who stumbles onto my blog but misses Rich's could see it. I'll take this opportunity to remind everyone that I did a phone interview with the fab Steve Ison a few years back and the result is posted on a station on this site, interspersed with Steve's tunes. (I'll find a link and edit later).
Thank you, Rich!
==========================================
1) Describe the very first moment you knew you wanted to make music.
I was a toddler and the ladies in my family (mother, grandmother, great-grandmother) all played piano. I was absolutely fascinated and pecked away at those keys. At age 5 it was all over when my stepfather played me the Jerry Lee Lewis "Great Balls of Fire" 45. I stood with my nose practically to the turntable and watched and listened over...and over...and over..."How does he DO that?" was the motivating question and I've been working on that question ever since.
2) What are some of the concepts and messages in your lyrics?
I'm not a disciplined writer and in fact have trouble considering myself a writer. My lyrics are more introspective therapy, but they're usually addressed to people I love (or hate!). Since my writing didn't mature until I was pretty old and I have drawn inspiration from an intense desire to express myself (and the world) to my children, I try to be optimistic and inspirational to some extent - but I'm in a relatively dark place right now and that explains my recent silence and what is effectively retirement from music making for a spell. I self-edit the dark side, bigtime. There's a lot of unhappiness brewing and it will eventually boil over and spill out into song, some of it already has (Too Sad To Cry, Men of Religion, Some People). My happy and optimistic period was more fun (lol - Our Love, Time To Remember, At The Cavern, I Want Pizza (Right Now!), etc.).
3) What makes your music something that people should listen to and/or buy?
Try it, you'll like it!
4) What is the primary motivation for your musical aspirations?
Can't help it, it's a foolish, annoying, sick obsession and I friggin' hate it right now! Wanna buy my gear????
5) Are you presently selling a CD? If so, what is the title and where can it be purchased?
I burned my own CDs and sent a few to cdbaby but, aside from the warm welcome my tunes received on this site a couple of years back I've had no motivation to burn more. I have lots of friends in the biz and the way for we unknowns to sell CDs appears to be to get your tail on the road and sell the merch at shows. I'm told by folks who do this for a living that it's normal to shoot for a tour to break even and the "profit" comes from merchandise sales. I can't hit the road so there ain't no merch. Like everyone else on this site I'd be thrilled to sell some downloads...
6) What are you working on at the moment?
My family. My self. Very inwardly focused at present. Songs are trying to bubble up but I'm brandishing a cross and holding the damned things at bay right now...
7) Who are some of your main influences?
One listen and you'll know.
8) Is there a general theme or thread that runs through your present work?
Used to be love, optimism, sincerity, fun. Morphed into frustration, anger, sincerity, not so fun (lol).
9) Where do you find inspiration? What inspired your latest project?
What inspires my music writing is strong emotions and intense desire. My strongest inspiration has been from the people I love.
My latest project released was as a sideman to Dick Aven on three tunes on his fine "Everywherever" cd - that was inspired by love of the tune "Almost Every Day" which I heard here on IAC and immediately imagined banjo and backing vocals on it - Dick sent me the tune and voila, it was a natural fit. I was also inspired by my local Philly friend Joe Jack Talcum and recorded him and played live a couple of times to release the recording; it was even video'ed and may be available on dvd sometime (I hope!). At present I am NOT inspired because the lack of any commercial success for all the hard work has left me feeling as though I've selfishly committed myself and a significant amount of the family treasury to a fruitless effort.
10) Comment on the music scene in general and its future.
I've been out to three live shows this week, and at least a show or two a month for a while now. At each show I've encountered musicians who are totally committed and obsessed, it's clear from watching them and chatting them up after the show, which I always do when I admire someone's performance. There is a vibrant indie scene in the real world and I find it enjoyable. There does seem to me to be a general lack of a "fire in the belly" that existed in the '60s and I'm not sure why. I have it, I just have trouble expressing it. I believe most people have a thirst for creative artistry and there will always be an opportunity for artists to give it a shot. We just have to continually up our game. Give it from the heart and mind and there will be some hearts and minds that are receptive. As for the part of deriving financial gain from the process, that's where my efforts have failed...
Thanks for asking, rock on!
|
|