Hydrovibe Interview- April 2010

Heather St. Marie:

First of all I would like to say WOW! Heather, you look electrifying with straight hair.

THANK YOU!!!

How did the signing to the Japanese record label SPINNING come about?

Mat actually got us that deal!  We knew we wanted to join forces with a Japanese label to release “Nothing Left To Lose” in Japan in 2010, so when Mat got word that he was going to be in Tokyo doing a promo tour this past August with our friend – actress/singer/songwriter Schuyler Fisk – for her album release in Japan, we began researching labels immediately.  We narrowed the search down to the 3 labels we wanted and reached out to them.  Though Mat did 8 shows in only 3 days in Tokyo with Schuyler, he somehow managed to squeeze in meetings with all three labels and scored Hydrovibe a deal with the very top label we wanted!

Who heard of whom first?

Heather:  I’m not exactly sure, really.  Mat said that when he met with the President of International A&R for SPINNING in Tokyo, he had clearly done his research on Hydrovibe… He knew all about us.  They apparently didn’t really spend much time talking about our band, they just got right down to what SPINNING was going to do for our band’s release in Japan!

One thing I was not expecting to see under their artists section was a band I would recognize, but The Exies are on this label as well.  Have you played shows together?

We have not, actually.  I’d LOVE to, though.  We are with the same booking agency as The Exies in the US.

What do you think the attraction to Hydrovibe is in Japan?

Japan has always been a champion of rock music in general, and now it seems that they have been paying special attention to female-fronted rock bands.  That works well for us, obviously!  The Japanese fans are also are widely-known for being guitar enthusiasts, so Mat has been getting a lot of attention for Hydrovibe in Japan for his strong guitar riffs and shreddery as well!

What was your first thought when the record signing made headlines on Yahoo there?

We were obviously very excited and proud.  That also turned into an interview with Yahoo in Japan by the way.  Pretty cool!

I did try to translate some of the comments by the way.

Yeah, there’s always plenty that gets lost in translation with those online translators.  Makes for some very amusing translated dialogue though!

Mat Dauzat:

Ok so you move from Louisiana to Los Angeles.  Within 2 weeks you are on the road with Kelly Osbourne. How did you find out about the audition?

Long story!  I was kinda discovered by the top talent scout / musician referral guy out here in Hollywood while I was still in Louisiana.  A very, very large band in Los Angeles set their sights on having me play guitar in their band when their guitar player quit, and they hired the #1 musician referral guy to find me.  He somehow contacted me when I was still living in Louisiana.  I was highly conflicted about auditioning for the band for many reasons, but my dad kinda pushed me to at least explore the opportunity.  The band flew me to Los Angeles, but due to miscommunication between band and management, some of the band members were not in town for my audition.  They were apologetic and insistent that I return to audition for their band.  But my heart just wasn’t in it and I politely declined.

In the meantime, the talent scout kept calling me for other major opportunities. The problem was, they were always spur-of-the-moment auditions in Hollywood… and I lived 2,000 miles away in Louisiana!  So, the very day I moved to Los Angeles, I called the talent scout to let him know that I was finally – physically – IN TOWN and could appear for any auditions he had going on.  I auditioned for Kelly Osbourne 3 days later.

Were you nervous?

HELL YES!!!  I had never auditioned for anything in my entire life and all of the sudden, I’m auditioning for rock royalty with two MTV cameras on either side of me filming for MTV’s “The Osbournes”… to say I was nervous would have been the understatement of 2002!

Do you still keep in contact with anyone else who auditioned?

It was a semi-private audition, so there weren’t very many of us at all.  I certainly am still very close with the three that were in the band with me.  (Kelly’s bass player – Josh Paul – is playing for Daughtry now, the rhythm guitar player – Devin Bronson – is now playing for Avril Lavigne, and the drummer – Alicia Warrington – is playing for Lillix and debuting her own band The All-Girls Boys Choir).

Summarize Sharon Osbourne in 3 words.

Mother, Manager, Mogul

Has she given you advice that motivates you? Or keeps you grounded?

Absolutely!  She is very motherly and treated us all as though we were family from day one, and she has been very supportive and helpful in my career.  I admire her business acumen and have learned a lot by watching her dealings in the music business over the years.   She’s always been forthcoming with advice and assistance as well.  I can’t say enough good things about her.

Have you met Ozzy?

Of course!  They are a close family and they very much treated us like family as well… We spent a lot of time together.  I always especially enjoy talking to Ozzy… He’s a very interesting guy with a lot of great stories and plenty of wisdom to offer to an up-and-comer in the music business.  I’ve remained close with the entire Osbourne family through, though I don’t get to see them as frequently as I’d like with all our busy schedules.  I usually see them a few times a year at least.

What do you put in your orange juice other than ice?

Cranberry juice. Oh, and vodka.  Is that bad?

Heather:

On the interview clip on Hydrovibe’s website , what I replayed and wrote down was the following: “…did what most bands do and start submitting our music to record labels hoping to get the big record deal…we realized that, that probably wasn’t going to be the right solution…we wanted to do things our way…sincere, powerful music…not quick singles that hit radio and fade out just as quickly..”

To be a ‘sucessful’ touring band, do you have to have radio play?

Not at all!  Don’t get me wrong, radio play is helpful and would be certainly welcomed by Hydrovibe, but we are not chasing solely after radio play like we’ve seen some bands do.  Radio is a tough game and costs a LOT of money to see success.  We’ve seen major labels dump lots of money into radio to blow a band up… but all it really does is blow the song up.  The perceived success is short-lived… when the song drops off the radio, the “fans” forget about the band quickly as the major labels are already feeding them the newest “it” song from the newest “it” band.  The only real way to have longevity is to build the success over time and form long-lasting relationships with fans through touring and making connections with the fans any way possible.

Is Columbia, SC or Headliners (now closed) in your Bento 3 (Apple subsidiary Filemaker database)?

I actually purged it from my database when I heard it had closed down.

You are into graphic design.  Do you have a website set up with examples of your work?  Or what is the best way to contact you concerning this?

Hydrovibe keeps me VERY busy, but I do personally take on a handful of graphic design projects every month or so.  I’m also part owner of design agency called New Level Graphics.  You can see some portfolio work at http://www.newlevelgraphics.com . Our site is almost never quite up-to-date because our designers are so consumed with client work, that our own site takes a bit of a back seat.   There is also a contact form to get in touch with us there.  I usually get involved mostly in the design jobs that are somehow music related… SURPRISE!

What is the hardest part thing being a female in a band, while on the road?

We’re usually on a tight schedule, so I’m forced to do my hair and makeup in the van.  I’ve gotten used to it, but it takes special coordination to apply liquid eyeliner while traveling down a bumpy highway!  The hairstyling is also a bit rough too since there is a major lack of mirrors in the touring rig!

Do females in bands have male groupies?

hmmm… I wouldn’t really call our male fans groupies – because that term, to me, brings to mind skimpily clad people throwing themselves at the musicians (or anyone associated with the band, for that matter).  I have yet to see a skimpily clad male fan at a Hydrovibe show – AND HOORAY FOR THAT! hahaha

Seriously, I think we have great fans.  Generally speaking, the guys who come to our shows are very laid-back and respectful, which is ALWAYS gonna get a better reception than the “Groupie Routine” in my book!

Why do you think Bobaflex has a twitter account if they never use it?

Because it’s Bobaflex, THAT’S WHY!  hahaha  Trust me, you don’t want to try to get inside the minds of the Bobaflex boys… you might get lost in there and never find your way back out again!  To know ‘em is to love ‘em, though!

If you could choose 3 bands past or present to tour alongside whom would they be and why?

Eliot:

1. Led Zeppelin (circa 1971) – For obvious reasons.
2. Red Hot Chili Peppers (with Frusciante in the band) – Because they were able to converse with each other so beautifully through music.
3. The Beatles – ‘Cause I LOVE The Beatles!

And if I could have 4 choices, Metallica’s “Ride The Lightning Tour” would have been nice as well!

Phil:

1. Iron Maiden – a big childhood influence of mine
2. Led Zeppelin – one of the most influential rock bands of all time…and amazing musicians
3. Deep Purple – another heavily influential rock band

Have you ever shared the stage with Uncrowned?

On at least a couple of occasions.  They’re a fun bunch!

Any messages to pass along to Joan Red?

(Heather)  Yes, actually…a very, very important message with deep sentiment:

Someday love will find you – break those chains that bind you.  One night will remind you how we touched and went our separate ways.  If he (or she) ever hurts you, true love won’t desert you.  You know I still love you though we touched and went our separate ways.  True story.

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I would like to thank Hydrovibe for many things including posting a link to this interview on their website.

Special Archived Edition- FiXeR- April 2009

I have decided that I am going to give some sort of an introduction to myself. This makes sense since this is the first article I am writing. Growing up I listened to what my dad did. I don’t like “genres”, I like good music! But if you are curious, it was 80’s hair bands. The one that I latched onto was Bon Jovi. I thought all songs by others such as Poison and I’ll throw Aerosmith in (I know not a “hair band”) but regardless, I thought they were all by Bon Jovi. I guess that I do good latching because they are one of the few “hair bands” to stand the test of time.

Now my father is somewhat narrow-minded. I didn’t discover the likes of Ozzy and Motley Crue till much later. I will never forget when I first heard “Crazy Train” at a high school basketball game. My point with this is look into Ozzfest, now Cruefest, and I am going to include Shinedown here. The bands and people associated with these bands believe in ‘artists helping artists’. In today’s world this is somewhat absent and you have to dig to find it. I just happened to find one of the best thanks to Tunelab and a comment left on their myspace page by the lead singer of this band from New York City concerning Brian Cade Photography.

The name of this band is Fixer. And they will without a doubt be one of my generation’s greats. I know I’m not the first to utter kind words and I know I won’t be the last. They do things on their own terms, their management is located overseas. There are many hot rock bands on the rise and others making the money now, but what are they going to do when that major label drops them? Fixer embodies what fun and crazy ROCK N’ ROLL used to be, yet at the same time they are all very deep and balanced souls. By all means don’t feel obligated to take my word for it. Get out and go to a show! You will never get what I am trying to put into words unless you experience them live. It’s just impossible.


 Part 1: My Introduction to FIXER
The first time I saw Fixer was when they were opening on the Tunelab Music sponsored tour entitled “Horns Up, Tops Down”. The only reason I was there was because I had heard “So Long” by Stereoside on XM radio, looked them up online and saw they were going to be in Columbia, SC. Of course this date was nowhere to be found, not even on Headliners schedule of shows. I will get into further detail with this night when I do my write up on Stereoside.

So I got there late because I had a job interview and went shopping with my aunt. I had actually forgotten about the show and it was also during the week. I almost didn’t go because I was dragging. I had found out from a friend that they had already been thru town once before, something was telling me I HAD to suck it up and go. I did not see much of Fixer’s set. I remember the lead singer saying something about MTV’s “The Hills” and I thought to myself, why the hell would you mention that in Columbia, SC? I also thought he seemed a little odd.

This night was 09/25/08. It will forever and always be embedded in my mind. In fact it is probably fitting that I get it tattooed somewhere now that I think about it. A few days after the show I looked Fixer up online and I liked them a whole lot more, but I thought to myself, eh I’ll never see them again, they are from NYC and I live in South Carolina. I even mentioned them to my mom a few times and I included how I thought my first impression was completely wrong.

Well fast forward to 12/06/08, another date etched in my mind. Fixer was coming back and I was told they were headlining. I was uberexcited and Greedy White Citizens from Atlanta were playing the show as well. In the back of my mind I knew it wasn’t going to be a good turnout. Framing Hanley who had been getting some airplay had been in town 2 weeks prior with radio promo. I worked my booty off (free of charge, might I add) for that show as well.

PART 2: FIXER: Breaking My BoundariesI had already talked to J (the bass player at the time). He has this little project going on now J Brown Productions.

I was passing on a message from Nick at Tunelab about something from their show the night before. I also remember opening the tee tiny room that Headliners refers to as a green room. The door wasn’t locked and Evan (lead singer) was in there getting ready. He said something about me being all access and I said ‘yeah that’s right’.


So I am leaning against the bar. Evan comes up to me making small talk and then says hey do you mind if we crash at your place tonight? Ha! What? Well I said yes! We talked for some time before they hit the stage. This conversation included the little review of Fixer in The Free Times. I was shocked that they made it in there, but then utterly disappointed because all P. Wall did was bash Guns N Roses new CD. Bravo! Awesome Review! Oh! But so what does Evan say while on stage? That he has been made aware if the review and is looking at me! Lovely!
After the show the bands were not done packing up yet. This included Uncrowned from Atlanta who actually had played shows with Fixer and of course GWC. So they are all catching up. I hear dude at bar say something smart. I really have the urge to slap him in the face but because the “promoter” left it looks like I am responsible for things. But then Rev (Fixer’s drummer) decides to do the worm, so that alleviated all my worries.

By this time, Evan already had my number. Tommy (Fixer guitar) already had my address entered in his phone.


PART 3: FIXER: “The After Party”
We are at the “dance club” next door. We as in Fixer, Uncrowned, and myself. This inebrieated dude and Rev are having and in depth conversation. I have a Fixer sticker on me. I hear Rev say Fixer, so I model the sticker. This was not one of my brightest ideas because dude was really a weirdo. I have discovered since this time if I talk to Rev it equals weirdos. Tommy, J, and Uncrowned are catching up. I’m not sure where Evan is. Sticker weirdo keeps trying to hit on me. Rev and I just start dancing. This didn’t work. He wouldn’t go away. So we turn our backs and face the bar.

Last call 2 am. I already had one beer, the only one all night. At 2:10 am Element shuts all the lights on and start screaming for everyone to get out NOW! There were still people dancing. Bouncer singles me out and yells that I need to walk and drink. No one says anything. Rev chugs my beer. I’m trying to round all the guys up, knowing they have been in worse, they are from New York City and Atlanta. So they probably think I am the crazy one.

TO BE CONTINUED…

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This was the feature story in the short lived Soundmag (print distribution in SC, NC, GA, FL).

To my knowledge this was the first time Fixer had ever made the cover of anything and it was also the first time Brian Cade had a picture on the cover of a print publication. 

To date this has been viewed 352 times on my myspace page.  There were some grand comments that have all disappeared.  I also just realized I accidently deleted all of the photos.  Special thanks to Morgan Barton as well as Sassy Photography of Shock and Awe Productions.

All of this means if you have one of the print copies I'm sure it is now a limited edition item.

In honor of this occasion please head on over to http://www.evanrussellsaffer.com/. 

***EVIL GRIN***