SZ: Do either of you play an instrument?
JR: We both are guitar players and sing. Carrie plays an Alvarez FF60WR, Mark plays a Taylor 614CE, Gibson ES135. We sing with Shure Beta 87 wireless mics.
SZ: Some songs have catchy tunes that you can just hum along with, while others have truly deep meanings that inspire and reach out to the masses, with that in mind tell us about each of your favorite inspirational song.
Mark: My favorite has to be Track #1 "Scream." It speaks about how absolutely NOTHING can separate us from God's love for us!!!! And the arrangements just kick my butt!
SZ: Ever since music television was introduced, do you think this has put radio on the back burner placing emphasis on artful video clips rather than vocals?
JR: Yes and no. In today's society, image is everything. The media puts such huge expectations on artists that we become the "flavor of the month." It is a never ending cycle. Many times, for the industry, it's all about what's going to sell more records — and videos will definitely do that for certain age groups. On the other hand, radio is a powerful animal in its own right, and I don't think it's on anyone's back burner. Radio is more accessible than music videos are. Radio can be successful without music videos--but I don't know how successful music videos would be without radio to back them
up.
SZ:
If 'yes' how much do you think this has altered true musical
authenticity?
JR: There are many artists that are great at "looking
good" and their videos are proof of that, but you can do a lot of
"doctoring" in the studio...Those artists will be around for their 15
minutes... but the "real stuff" always rises to the top. It's not hard
to spot artists with real musical talent. They're the ones who turn into
your "classic hits."
|
SZ: Do you think the
current music scene lacks potential for classic hits?
JR: There are some very good songs out there right now. But I
think that the term "classic hits" can be a bit relative. One could
consider a "classic" to be a song that hits them the very same way now
as it did when they first heard it. (i.e Faithfully, Journey) Or you can
look at whether or not it sold a million-plus. (i.e. What I Really,
Really Want, Spice Girls) So — if you're asking if the next "Eagles" or
"James Taylor" or "Madonna" are anywhere on the scene right now? It's
possible... but we just have to wait and see. The talent is there, yes.
We'll just cross our fingers and hope they go the right direction with
it!
SZ: As a team what quirky innuendo can you each tell us about the
other?
Carrie: Well, Mark has to be the one to drive everywhere. He
gets bored when he just rides along. Loading the truck is a challenging
game of "Tetris" to him too. It HAS to go in just right and nothing can
vibrate against anything else. His rule: no rattling sounds! It gets
on his nerves like fingernails on a chalkboard.
Mark: Carrie can't eat hotdog or hamburger buns or loaf bread
from the store. She choked on some bread as a kid, and now every time
she smells it, she gets choked up. It used to be ALL bread...but she's
worked it down to just what I mentioned above. But the weirdest thing
she does is with her hair, though. I've never seen someone put so many
different products on one head of hair... it's like this bizarre
layering process that has to be just right. It cracks! Me up, because if
she leaves on a trip with wet hair, it may be 300 miles before the
"process" is complete! Maybe that's a girl thing... I don't know.
SZ: Tell us a
little about each of your favorite track from your debut album.
Mark: As before, mine has to be "Scream." Carrie:
Mine changes all the time, but right now, it's "I Choose Trust."
That's a personal statement for me...so it's pretty special.
SZ: Fusion composition has been commonly seen since the late 90's,
do you as a band hope to try other genres of music?
JR: Well, our musical preferences are so all over the board that
I could see us mixing it up a LOT for our Sophomore project — it'd be a
fun change of scene.
|
|
SZ: Music is a beautiful expression, so before we wrap up please share
with our readers each of your thoughts on the importance of this art.
JR: Music is one of the most powerful forms of
communication in the world! There are things you can say through music
that can't be said any other way. Instrumentation has a way of soothing
your soul or arousing your senses in a way that moves your spirit, makes
you dance, and breaks your heart... Music is everywhere. It's a universal
language. It speaks to our HEARTS and then to our ears... without it?
Well, the world would be a pretty quiet place. =) |
