KickActs interviews Rick Elliot!
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Welcome to Kick Acts. Tell us a little about yourself and were you can be found online.
My name is Rick Elliot and I’m a no good, varmint shootin’, country singin’, redneck
from North San Diego County. You can find my music on iTunes.
Who are your musical heroes and influences? Why?
I have many musical heroes ranging from Merle Haggard to Jimmy Buffett to Django Reinhardt. My eclectic taste in music has led me into creating my own sound and expressing myself through music. I listen to music that I can identify with or can feel the emotions of the performer.
Do you have any advice for someone just getting started in the music business?
RUN! HIDE! No I would say be ready for anything, keep an open mind, stay true to yourself, and hold on tight because it’s a wild ride.
What piece of advice did you ignore that you wish you hadn’t?
I have learned that you should never ignore any advice regardless if you agree with it or not. Anytime someone is giving you their opinion it is crucial to spend time and give it a thorough evaluation. It may turn out to be quite useful.
Do you have a greatest gig story or worst gig horror story you’d like to share?
I can’t say I have a best or worst gig but there are a few good ones that stick in my memory. I will never forget opening up for the Marshall Tucker Band at the Coach House in Orange County, CA. We got a standing ovation and were able to hang out with the Marshall Tucker boys. After the show their lead singer Doug Gray came up to me and said “Ya’ll was cookin’ down there!”.
I enjoy playing music just about anywhere.
Some of the more “low profile” gigs were the most fun. I had the time of my life playing at the Silver Dollar Club in Elko, Nevada. The place was a complete dive bar and everyone in the place was hammered, but they were the nicest folks you could ever meet. Unfortunately they don’t all go as planned… We have only walked out on one show and I’ll spare you the details… Live music is a series of ups and downs, and the only thing you can do it ride the waves.
“CHECK OUT RICK”S LATEST VIDEO RELEASE “
“Dust in the Road”
Do you have any other hobbies other than playing music? Collect stamps? Collect hats from off the side of the road? Draw pictures of peckers or boobs? Make sock puppets? Sit in the dark and eat Cheetos?
Haha replace eat Cheetos with drink Whiskey and then we can talk. Actually I love playing darts, fishing, driving, and hanging out at the beach. Once Summer comes around, the only place anyone will be able to find me is at my favorite place on Earth, Downtown Oceanside. It’s my little slice of heaven.
What do you think about the current music scene or lack of? Care to address that?
It’s purely economics. It is much cheaper for a club to hire a DJ than it is to hire a LIVE band. It’s amazing to think that people can be so cheap but it is what it is. Bars that have live music tend to be more successful anyway, I think. I do see the light at the end of the tunnel now that live music is starting to become trendier.
Do you think reality shows like American Idol, X Factor and The Voice have helped or hurt the music industry as a whole?
They have done nothing in my opinion. The music industry is completely unaffected by these so called “talent contests.” They are completely rigged and in my opinion, they demonstrate a fictional view of the real music world.
What is your opinion of unauthorized music downloads?
Seems everyone is streaming music now and I’m not sure how the artist makes money. I say that if you like someone’s music then please pay the 99 cents to buy it and support them. Send us some love!
Tell us something about you/each of your band members that we wouldn’t expect to hear.
I just got my first smart phone last week and I’m technologically challenged. I have been described as an “iconoclastic anachronism.” I should have been born 60 years ago.
Hypothetical situation. You’re on Gilligan’s Island and you get to hook up with only one of the survivors… Which one and why?
I like the “girl next door” so Mary Ann!
Do you know what a vinyl album is and have your ever purchased one? If so, what was it?
I have many vinyl albums. The most recent one I purchased is Spectrum VIII by David Allan Coe. It is one of my current favorites.
You’re marooned on an island with Justin Bieber. Do you choke him out the first night in his sleep or what?
No comment… I’d hope that it’s a large island…
What is your opinion of Miley Cyrus?
Not a fan but to each their own. She certainly doesn’t let anyone censor her.
Which would you rather hear in concert? Lip-synching or real vocals?
Lip-synching is completely unacceptable. If you can’t sing live then don’t pretend to.
Who, or what, is the next big thing?
I wish I knew haha. It’s one of those things that has infinite possibilities. I think outlaw country is making a strong comeback but you never can tell for sure what will trend.
One artist you can’t get enough of and can’t live without is… Why?
Willie Nelson. He has done virtually every genre and exceeds at all of them. Definitely one of my heroes.
Confession time. Share a secret about yourself.
I don’t have any secrets 😉
Favorite movie of all time and why?
True Grit. John Wayne is the best. For some reason, that movie never gets old and always inspires me.
Our last question is called “Shout It Out Loud”. It’s where you get to talk about whatever you want to talk about. So go ahead and “SHOUT IT OUT LOUD”!
Didn’t KISS do a song titled that? Check out my new single, “West of the Rockies,” and let me know what you think…
Categories: General Tags: country, LaFamos PR, outlaw, progressive country, San Diego, youtube
KickActs interviews “Pullman Standard”!
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Recently James Lowe from Kickacts Magazine sat down with one of the very exciting artists on the scene. The following is a written interview we conducted with the artist!
Pullman Standard
Welcome to Kick Acts. Tell us a little about yourself and your band and were you can be found at on the web.
Austin: The First Pullman Standard show as a full band was in 2008, We have since played over 500 shows and self-released 2 E.P.’s and a full – length album. find our music everywhere but maybe start at our website www.PullmanStandard.com
Who are your musical heroes, influences & why?
Band: There is no one band that we look at and say thats who we want to sound like. We listen to everything, The Police, The Cure , Deftones , Jimmy Eat World , Anberlin , Explosions in the Sky , Smashing Pumpkins, Bruno Mars, Nine Inch Nails, The Offspring, No Doubt, Kings of Leon , Thrice, Neon Trees , The Killers , Queen … I love Pop it is a definate guilty pleasure … Pink , LMFAO , Kelly Clarkson , One Republic, Jason Derulo , Cher lloyde, Kesha
Do you have any advice for someone just getting started in playing music? Any pitfalls they should avoid?
Timmy: Stay focused , remember that this is something that you should love to do…. Nothing is achieved without hard work and tenacity. So work hard!
Do you have a greatest gig story you’d like to share?
Timmy: We got to perform for the great Don Was , look him up, he is a cool guy.
On the same token as the above question. How about a “worse gig” ever story.
Timmy: I think the only thing that can really make a gig crappy is a bad promoter. We have played in some pretty bad weather conditions and pretty unorthidox venues but we always make the best of the shows.
Austin : We performed at the Dallas TX Rock n Roll marathon in Mid march and it was 22 degrees on the stage and it was super windy… I couldnt feel my fingers as i tried to get through each song.
Do you have any other hobbies other than playing music? Collect stamps? Collect hats from off the side of the road? Draw pictures of boobs?
Timmy: All my friends use to make fun of me , but i like building miniature stuff… Model Trains, Model Cars, RC planes… But i love vintage Cars, would love to rebuild something from the 1950’s
Austin: Im a big fan of Vintage and Foreign films , Random Novels
What do you think about the present music scene or lack of? Care to address that?
Although three out of four of us are from San Diego we are based out of Los Angeles… North Hollywood to be exact. The scene here is over saturated to say the least and its hard to ever get any body out to a local show because most of the smaller venues have been taken over by pay to play promoters that dont really care about the scene and make you sell a whole bunch of tickets for a thirty minute time slot. But i guess thats one of the beauties about touring.
Tell us something about each of your band members that we wouldn’t expect to hear… Like their hobbies or something like that…
Timmy: I am an avid motorcycle enthusiast
Austin: I am into geology and cartography and land study
Gilly: I am a big big fan of the spiderman comic series
Core: I have a dog named Charlie its a german shepherd
Hypothetical situation. You’re stranded on Gilligan’s island and you get to hook up with only one of the girls… Is it Ginger, Mary Ann or Mrs. Howell and why?
Timmy: Mary Ann, so cute…I guess i have a thing for simple er low maintenance girls
Austin: Ginger?
Gilly: Mrs Howell… Cougar
Core: Did i mention I have a dog named Charlie and its a German shepherd???lol
Our last question is called “Shout it out Loud”. It’s were you get to say anything you would like to say, so go ahead and “SHOUT IT OUT LOUD!”
We are doing a lot of touring this year … Please come out and support us if you see that we are in your town… And on that note, support your local music scene.
Categories: General Tags: facebook, james lowe, jiggy jaguar, Los Angeles, North Hollywood, pullman standard, San Diego, youtube
Ten Questions with Belmont Lights!
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1. Welcome to Kick Acts. Tell us a little about yourself, your band, and where you can be found on the web.
Hello Kick Acts, we are Belmont Lights, (Casey Peek, Isaiah Blas, Jed Peek, Oscar Gonzalez), an Alt/Pop/Rock band hailing from San Diego, CA. We’ve been together for about 2 years now and have been under the name Belmont Lights since June 2012 [originally The Pennant]. We can be found at our band website www.BelmontLightsMusic.com <http://www.BelmontLightsMusic.com> as well as on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/BelmontLightsMusic <http://www.Facebook.com/BelmontLightsMusic> .
2. Who are your musical heroes, influences & why?
Our influences change constantly, but a constant influence of ours is definitely Coldplay because they are always exploring new sounds and new ways to make great music, which keeps them relevant and inspiring. Casey: “Right now I am really into OneRepublic; they infuse great songwriting and production into to great pop songs – there are so many new influences everyday, though.”
Check out this super hot track called “Halfway”
3. Do you have any advice for someone just getting started in playing music? Any pitfalls they should avoid?
Play to a live crowd as much as possible and start with open mics, it’s the only way to get real feedback from your songs. And in your song writing, be as real and transparent as possible, people connect with authentic passion. Be sure to study the business side of music just as much as the art of songwriting and instrumentation – the more you know, the less someone can lie to you. And lastly, not only do you need to have a strong presence on the web, but be sure to have solid recordings of your songs so when someone is interested they can easily take you home with them.
4. Do you have a greatest gig story you’d like to share?
We’ve had some really awesome gigs, along with some not so awesome ones, but I think our favorite one so far has been the first time we played the Main Stage at the House of Blues San Diego. It was our first show together and I don’t think any of us have ever been more nervous and more excited all at once. Not to mention the show was packed out with people, so that was awesome for our first gig.
5. On the same token as the above question. How about a “worse gig” ever story.
We’d hate to call any gig “worse” or “terrible”, but we’ve had shows where we couldn’t hear ourselves or even where only 2 people were in the crowd, but even those shows can end up being fun. The only time a show is terrible is when we don’t play the way we expect ourselves to play. The shows where we didn’t kill it on stage or connect to the audience would be our worst shows thus far.
6. Do you have any other hobbies other than playing music? Collect stamps? Collect hats from off the side of the road? Draw pictures of boobs?
Isaiah: “I love sports and video games. Casey and I have been playing sports together for about 10 years. I also really enjoy watching stand up comedy. If I didn’t have such a beautiful voice, I’d be a comic (laugh).” Casey: “Other hobbies lets see…. most of us in the band enjoy playing basketball, soccer, and stickball”
7. What do you think about the present music scene or lack of?
€(Isaiah): “Music is constantly changing and evolving and that¹s what makes music so amazing. One year the scene could be totally electronic and the next year completely stripped down acoustic songs are popular. It’s all a matter of being inspired and how you interpret that inspiration to recreate your approach on music, so we love the music scene. We are really digging some of the bands that are hitting right now, for example, Imagine Dragons is an awesome band!
8. Tell us something about each of your band members that we wouldn’t expect to hear… (Like their hobbies or something like that)
Casey enjoys sports a lot and being outside. He played college soccer and didn¹t pick up a guitar until his Sophomore year in college when he was laid up with an injury. Isaiah finished high school with a 4.5 GPA and has only 11 units left for his degree in Psychology. He went to beauty school and cuts everyone in the band’s hair. Jed is an Anthropology major at UCLA and knows every lyric to every Kanye West song. Oscar use to be in metal bands until he was 18 and loves the ABC Family show Pretty Little Liars.
9. Hypothetical situation. You’re stranded on Gilligan’s island and you get to hook up with only one of the girls. Is it Ginger, Mary Ann or Mrs. Howell and why?
Mary Ann – love the dark hair and light eyes.
10. # 10 is called “Shout It Out Loud”. It’s where you get to talk about whatever you want to talk about. So go ahead and “SHOUT IT OUT LOUD”!
We want to take this opportunity to “Shout It Out Loud” about our recently released debut EP by the name of Telegraphs the album is available on both iTunes and in hard copy at our shows. We need EVERYONE to go get it and spread the word about us, Belmont Lights.
Categories: General Tags: belmont lights, CA, halfway, hot trax, indy, LaFamos PR, San Diego, youtube
