Fronted by the powerful vocals of singer Meghan Murphy, Chicago band Everybody Says Yes will bring its infectious R&B/soul sound on Dec. 5 to Wire, 6815 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn.
The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $10, available at www.ticketweb.com.
I had the chance to talk to Murphy and songwriter John Fournier about the band. Q - Great to talk to you. I understand you guys plan to release your second EP soon, along with a live album and video. What should people expect from the new EP? In sitting down to make your first EP, what were your goals and do you think you accomplished them? John: The new EP is an extension of the first in every way and not a departure. It is a clearer picture of the sound and concept of the band, I think. The mix of influences (Muscle Shoals, Stax, Chicago Blues, Van Morrison and Dusty Springfield), are still in there but the more we work on the material and progress as a group, the more the sounds come together into something unique and all our own. The thrill for me of keeping a band together and working on original material and an original group sound is how it gels over time. As everyone figures out their unique role in the group and starts to master their part in the ensemble, it just gets better every time we play. http://everybodysaysyes.com/store It is a very exciting and rare thing to have and I've been around long enough to cherish it because it doesn't happen to every band. It also is vital to have a shooting star fronting the band and we have that in Meghan Murphy. Meghan: I think the new EP will be a little tighter musically as this is our second go at recording. We’ve had a number of songs ready to go for a couple years now, so we are trying to get them out to the people in ways that are accessible. The influences of soul, rock, R&B, and blues are all still there and we are fine tuning our unique sound of an old school throwback with a modern voice. It’s familiar, but unlike anything you’ve heard before. I think people are really going to dig the new tunes. Q - I understand that the two of met through mutual friends and quickly found out that you had a musical chemistry. Why do you think you fit so well together musically? John: I think Meghan and I hear music in the same way. When I bring her a new song, we generally learn it first as a duo before we bring it to the band. I never have to coach Meghan on how the song could be interpreted, she learns it very quickly and realizes its potential by the second or third time through as she simply understands the song and my intent instantly. It is a rare pleasure to have a partner like that when you are a songwriter and I love writing songs for Meg. http://www.reverbnation.com/everybodysaysyes Meghan: One of the first things I noticed about John was his musical integrity. John and I met after he’d seen me in my one-woman show and he asked me if I’d be interested in singing some of his original songs. So we met for the first time, he played me about 15 songs and I could really hear myself singing some of them right away. As for some others, he said to me “If you don’t like it, we won’t do it!” He didn’t want to waste my time by putting on heirs or stroking his own ego. He wanted to make really good, authentic music and I was definitely down for that. Not to mention the man can write ANYTHING, and always with his own unique style. I’ve always thought of myself more as an interpreter of a story when it comes to singing, so I think we make a great team. Q - Everybody Says Yes has grown to a seven-piece band. How did you go about picking the other members in the band and what do you think they bring to the table? John: All of the band members: Lee Taylor, Scott Tipping, John Abbey, Alex Beltran and Scott Stevenson are musical veterans who have been on the scene for years. They are also straight up virtuosos on their chosen instruments and have thousands of gigs under their belts. They all have a deep understanding of what the band is all about and are able to instantly make it come alive. We are honored that they have chosen to be in this band. Meghan: This band is crazy good. All veterans of the scene that John has either played with for years or knows simply through reputation. Lee Taylor (drums), Scott Tipping (guitar,) John Abbey (bass), Alex Beltran (sax), and Scott Stevenson (organ) are insane musicians who understand the style from the inside out. Since John has been in this scene for much longer than I have, he was the one who gathered this superb group of fellas together. I am so honored to play with them each and every time. Like I’ve said before, “I wear the dress, they do the rest.” Q - Meghan, I enjoyed your performance in "Rent" at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora. I understand that you will be playing the Acid Queen in "The Who's Tommy" at the Paramount Theatre. Tina Turner seemed to have been made for the role in the movie version of "Tommy." What do you hope to bring to the role? Meghan: Well, I couldn’t possibly begin to try and “fill the shoes” of one of the greatest live entertainers of all time, but I will certainly try and withhold the standard that has been set for me. I saw Tina when I was 15 years old, was blown away, and was instantly a life-long fan.
The rawness, the sexual prowess, the vulnerability, the pure liquid JOY she seems to be having on stage are all things I hope to bring to the role. I also plan to sing the living piss out of it. Q - John, you won a Jeff Award for writing the words and music to "The Madam Barker Show." Do you feel you need both in your life, theatre and music? John: Well I am a songwriter and I am happy to have my songs sung anywhere. Whether I am writing songs for theater projects or musical ensembles, it is a joy for me. I am very fortunate to be able to write songs and ridiculously fortunate to have them heard. And winning an award for songwriting was a cool experience. Q - What do you think of the Chicago music scene and how do you see the band fitting into it? John: I love the Chicago music scene. I grew up here so a lot of the sound of EVERYBODY SAYS YES is a distinctly Chicago sound, I think. People in Chicago are very smart listeners and have little patience for anything too pompous or self-important. Our sound is something people can latch onto right away, we sing songs about healing and joy and in these troubled times, we can try to help lift some spirits for an hour or so. I think Chicagoans appreciate that simple mission. Meghan: I love the Chicago music scene because there is room for everyone. It’s inclusive, not exclusive. It takes the greatest attributes from the greatest styles of music and puts them all in a big melting pot of Awesome. I think that’s what we are trying to do with Everybody Says Yes. I mean, it’s in our band NAME!! In a world where it’s so easy to say “no,” we are trying to spread the good word and say “Yes.” Yes to positivity, yes to mixing the old with the new, the past with the present, and yes to feeling BETTER after you leave our show. After all, isn’t that the whole point of music??
By ERIC SCHELKOPF Those who have been anxiously waiting for Chicago jazz/pop singer Elaine Dame to release new music will soon be rewarded. Dame will perform Dec. 1 at the Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago, in celebration of her sophomore album, "You're My Thrill." Dame will perform at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tickets are available at www.ticketfly.com. I had the chance to talk to Dame about her new album.
Q - Great
talking to you. Of course, you will perform at the Jazz Showcase on
Dec. 1 in celebration of your sophomore album, "You're My Thrill." In
sitting down to make the album, what were your goals and do you think
you accomplished them? Is there any meaning behind the album's name?
Great talking to you too! Thanks for the interview!
To answer your
question, my goal in making this album was to make a recording that any
person will like, not just the savvy jazz listeners, and to make a
musically interesting recording with great tunes that I like to sing
with phenomenal musicians and fun arrangements. http://elainedame.bandcamp.com/album/youre-my-thrill I hope I've reached my
goal. Based on the feedback of the folks who have listened to it
already, the response has been very positive.
There is no specific meaning to the album's name, except that it is
"catchy" and I thought it would make a good album title. The tune is
usually performed in a dreamy, moody ballad style, but I heard it as a
funky, swing tune and that's the way it's arranged and performed on the
recording.
Q - Your last album, "Comes Love," was released in 2005. Why so long between
albums? How do you think you have grown musically since the release of
"Comes Love?"
Lots of people have been asking me that question, and I think the short
answer is "money." I produced my first record, to the tune of $20,000,
and went into debt.
I spent the subsequent years working to reduce my
debt, while still trying to maintain my professional standing in
Chicago. It is a constant day-to-day challenge, albeit a good one, to
continue to grow as an artist and make a living. I'm so grateful that I
am able to make a living as a jazz singer.
A very generous friend of mine gave me $14,000 and I raised the rest of
the money through a crowd-funding platform called, Indigogo.com I'm
spending about $5000 of my own money, which is a far cry from $20,000.
I think I have grown so much as a singer since my first recording and that just comes from years and years and years of doing
it. There's no other way around it.
You cannot learn from a book, you
just have to practice, practice, practice. I think I have my own style
now, which is great, and I am a more relaxed and confident singer, which
comes from experience and from working with incredible musicians.
Q - How did you go about picking the musicians featured on "You're My Thrill" and what do you think they bring to the table?
It was actually a difficult process because I work with so many amazing
jazz musicians. I think I wanted to try something different (and not use
the same musicians as my first recording), so I chose people that I'd
worked with a lot over the last few years, people that I really like
personally and professionally and have a musical camaraderie with.
They
all have had extensive experience in the recording studio as well, which
really helps, and they all sound absolutely incredible on the record.
Q - The album features jazz standards like Nat King Cole's "This Will Make
You Laugh," but also songs that are not jazz standards, such as Richard
Thompson's "Dimming of the Day." How did you go about choosing the songs
for the album?
Yes, that's right. I sang that one for my mom. She is no longer able to
see me perform, but when she was, she would always ask for that one, and
it was always when I was performing with Dennis Luxion, the pianist on
the recording.
It is by no means a jazz standard, but I'd heard Bonnie
Raitt cover it on one of her records and loved it, so I started
performing it at gigs. It also gave me the opportunity to work with my
friend and colleague, Paul Marinaro, who sings harmony on it quite
beautifully.
Q - You have been called one of the top Chicago jazz musicians. What is your
approach to jazz? What attracted you to jazz in the first place?
Thanks for the compliment! I never listened to jazz as a kid. I grew up
with a lot of music in the home, though.
My mom listened to classical
music ad nauseam and my Dad listened to soul and R & B. I took
voice, piano, and flute lessons growing up and attended college on a
classical voice and flute scholarship, and I wasn't exposed to jazz
until my mid thirties.
I was working in a restaurant and the manager
played jazz all the time and I really started liking it. Then, I read a
book called "The Artist's Way" and that book changed my life.
I decided I
wanted to become a jazz singer so I found a pianist, rehearsed and
learned the repertoire and became obsessed with the vocal jazz genre.
After a year of that, I started "pounding the pavement" to get work.
I
got very lucky early on as I was hired to sing regularly at The Fairmont
Hotel three to four nights a week. Now I have a few "steadies" around town, both
in East Lakeview (Macku Signature and Taverna 750) and I've had the
good fortune to have been offered regular appearances at New York's
legendary Rainbow Room.
I also perform for corporate events, weddings
and private parties which is where most of my income comes from.
"What is your approach to jazz?" That is such a huge question, I'm
actually not sure how to answer it.
I try to practice every day, get out
and hear other musicians for inspiration, listen to jazz singers and
instrumentalists, and I try to learn and grow as an artist by studying
theory and piano, so that I can have a more informed approach to
harmony.
It is a never-ending process of growth and discovery, both
daunting and thrilling.
Q - What do you think of the Chicago music scene and how do you think you fit into it?
I think the music scene here is amazing. Where else can you go and hear
all types of music any night of the week?
My community in particular is
very supportive and helpful, there is a lot of camaraderie and support
for other musicians and their creative endeavors, which is the way it
should be. I'm not sure how I fit into it.
I hope that people think of
me as a good musician who approaches this music from a place of
sincerity and integrity. I am also a jazz singing teacher and it really
makes me happy to know that I am helping people study and appreciate
this genre.
Q - Do you have any dream projects or collaborations?
Hmmm...on my next record, I'd love to collaborate with all of the great
guitarists in town. There are so many that I've had the privilege of
working with.
I'd love to travel the world performing and I'd love to
sing with a big band too. That is something I have never done.
By ERIC SCHELKOPF Those who come out to see Chicago singer-songwriter Linda Marie Smith's latest production, "Mearra - Selkie From the Sea," will experience a rich multimedia show.
The family-friendly performance features Smith's
adaptation of a classic Celtic tale told with original songs and
performed with a six piece orchestra playing along to projected
animation.
The story revolves around Mearra, a mythical seal as she makes use of her
magical ability to transform into a human being, marries Ian, a lonely
fisherman and eventually starts a family; knowing all the while she must
inevitably return to the sea as a seal, or perish.
Q - Great
talking to you. In sitting down to make "Mearra - Selkie From the Sea,"
was it your intent to always bring it to life visually? What was your
inspiration for the project?
Yes, it was always my intent to add a visual component to Mearra.
I’ve been drawn to folklore and fairy tales since I was a child. Years
ago, I watched a movie called “The Secret of Roan Innish.” I was
captivated by this unusual tale and began reading all that I could about
the subject. The idea of transforming from one being to another is
fascinating to me. And I think this tale is a metaphor for what we as
humans do throughout our lives…evolve and transform.
Q - For those who attend the show, what should they expect?
The live performance is a musical/multimedia experience that tells a
story about Mearra, a young Selkie maiden who falls in love with a
lonely fisherman named Ian. Ian is enchanted from the moment he sees
her.
So, Mearra bids farewell to her life in the sea, marries Ian and
eventually they have a family together. The instrumentation includes me
on piano and acoustic guitar, along with immensely talented musicians
who play electric guitar, violin, Irish tin whistle, drums and bass. I
sing lead on all the songs and I’m accompanied by rich vocal harmonies.
In addition to the music, moving animated illustrations accompany each
song, which is projected on a large screen above the musicians and
myself. Also there is a spoken narrative before some of the songs, which
also help tell the story too.
Q - What would you like for them to take away from the show?
This is a little long winded, but here ya go. Folklore and fairy tales
usually involve fantastic people or animals, but usually deal with
things we value most highly, fear most deeply and hope for most
ardently. "Mearra~Selkie From the Sea" is a love story about two people
who know from the beginning of their relationship that in seven years
Mearra will have to return to the sea. However, Mearra and Ian are so
overcome in love that they don’t let that inevitability change their
plans. They marry and have a family.
As the seven years pass, Mearra becomes ill, her life on the land has
taken it’s toll and now she must return to the sea. Her son Morlo is a
Selkie too and feels the strong pull to live in the sea with his mother. The father Ian and daughter Ffion are of the land. This family loves
one another so much that they accept the inevitable but know that their
love will be the everlasting thread that keeps them together forever.
Mearra's story is a relevant experience for all human beings. Love is
the most important thread in the human existence. We yearn for it, we
risk our lives for it, we succumb to it, we thrive in it. Shortly after I
finished the recording of "Mearra," my mother died. It was the most
devastating loss of my life but the story of Mearra really helped in my
grieving process because I do believe that if you love someone they are
always a part of you forever.
Q - The show will be presented at the Old Town School of Folk Music, where
you also teach. What do you try to convey to your students?
I teach in the adult guitar program. I think it’s important to remind
students to leave their stress at their jobs and have fun and enjoy the
process of learning something new. I find that teaching is a very
rewarding experience. I’ve been at The Old Town School of Folk Music for
14 years and I’ve loved every minute of it.
Q - Your last multimedia show, "Artemisia," debuted in January 2006. Was it
time to do another multimedia show? What were your goals for “
Artemisia” and do you think you achieved them?
Yes, it was time to do another multimedia show. My goals for "Artemisia"
were to educate an audience through the medium of music and visuals
about the enigmatic Italian painter Artemisia Gentileschi.
And I think I
have met my goals for this project with the exception of someday seeing
the live presentation of this work on public television!
Q - The renowned Michael Smith appeared on your first three albums and you have
worked with him on different projects. What you you take away from
working with a musician of such caliber?
He is a
master songwriter and his songs have been an inspiration to me since the
first time I heard “The Dutchman.” His songwriting style helped me
learn and understand the process of how to tell a story through music. The use of imagery and poetry are very strong aspects in Michael’s music
and he has inspired me to do the same within my own songs. I am forever
grateful for Michael’s influence in my life and in my music.
Q - What do you think of the Chicago music scene and where do you think you fit into it?
Hmmm…good questions. Chicago has an amazing music scene. Since I’ve
focused my attention on presenting my music in a story-telling,
multimedia format, I think it limits my opportunities to perform in many
music venues. My music requires a listening audience and frankly I
think “listening” venues are few and far between in Chicago. I mostly
focus on colleges, universities, performance art venues and libraries to
market my music. A cool thing that’s happening for "Mearra" is WYCC -
Channel 20 public television station is going to air my release concert
that I performed in March of this year. I’m hoping that this
opportunity will expose "Mearra~Selkie From the Sea" to a broader
audience! Keeping my fingers crossed.
Chicago band Smidgen is a band built upon years of friendship. Three of the band's members - bassist Steve Strauss, guitarist Fred Ephrem and drummer/keyboardist/vocalist
Alex Beblis, have known each other since the '80s, which helps contribute to Smidgen's muscular sound.
Smidgen will perform Nov. 14 at Reggies' Music Joint, 2105 S. State St., Chicago. Circleswitch and Skyway Stereo also are on the bill. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $8, available at www.ticketfly.com. I had the chance to talk to Strauss about the upcoming show.
Q - Great to talk to you. You, Fred and Alex - have known each other since the early '80s. Why do you think the three of you connect so well musically?
It's just years of fighting like brothers where you sonically have a trust and a respect for each other. We know our faults and our strengths in putting together music.
Most importantly we can talk honestly and direct with each other. And it will not bruise egos. We write for the song.
Q - In sitting down to make your self-titled EP, what were your goals and do you think you accomplished them?
The album is on iTunes and Spotify, plus a host of other Internet music outlets thanks to Tunecore and songs are playing on Internet radio. Still need to put EP to college radio. We plan to do that in February. We still need to generate more revenue to finance studio time for our next songs. Q - Tell me a little about the making of your song "Bring to Life" off the EP. I understand that your lead singer, Nick Chirikos, had not finished writing the lyrics to the song before you sat down to record it.
We recorded the track in L.A. when we attended the NAMM convention. Danny Naim is a great producer and engineer in LA, that we hang out with at NAMM. He suggested recording in his studio the Cave than fighting LA traffic going back to convention. Musically we had finished the song three weeks before. When the tracks and recording started to lay down easily Nick rushed upstairs with me and penned the lyrics.
Q - Nick really stretches his vocals on that song and he reminds me of Chris Cornell (Soundgarden) in his vocal range. How did you get together with him and what do you think he brings to the table?
Nick was found by the bassist in Alex and Fred's other musical project at a block party. He was singing covers.
What he brings to the table is a gifted voice. We can write decent songs but if you do not have a decent singer, you have squat. Nick's voice defines Smidgen.
Q - Another song, "Take My Throne," is featured in a short film, "iDig," which you act in. Do you think the song works well in the movie? How long have you been acting and do you need both acting and music in your life?
Speaking with the directors, it strangely does fit perfectly. We did not write "Take My Throne" for the film, but the song addresses a sense of regret to redo one's life go back in time. Those elements were in the film as the main character tries to reconnects with his old classmates to pull his life out of a downward spiral. I always have acted. I started in junior high, and had lead roles throughout high school, then college.
After college, I was in the Second City classes and was invited to become part of the troupe. When I heard the pitch for "iDig," I loved the role for Eric and tried out.
With improv, live stage, and film you have to listen and work with the other players just like music. If you grandstand the vibe goes bad.
I will do spot roles for Motion Source, which is also producing the video for "Bring to Life." But because of time constraints, I am focusing on music.
Q - What do you think of the Chicago music scene and how do you think the band fits into it?
We see a lot of bands and players from our generation still being a factor in the music scene. Wilco is Chicago's house band.
With Chicago's great original music venues and music fests it's a very vibrant scene. We are making some of our best music now and getting very positive response with great crowd turn out and website activity is up 600 percent from last year.
Our sound fits in that straight ahead, hooks, kinda grunge post modern groove.
Q - The music industry has changed a lot since you first started playing music. Is it easier or harder to be a musician these days? How are you using today's technology to get your music out to more people?
Great question. What is really great about present time is you do not need a record deal to make your music.
With Pro Tools, social media and the Internet, you can self-produce a high quality product. With Internet radio, we are getting plays over 45 countries globally. And our costs are manageable.
So in that respect, it's easier. Getting sustainable revenue for the music is an issue and labels help a lot in distribution.
We use Instagram, Facebook, and other social media. We use Tunecore for distribution. We are on Jango Internet radio. Bandzoogle is our vendor for maintaining our website.
All these technological advances really help bands like ours. Q - What are the band's short-term and long-term goals?
We want to play out at all great venues and music fests locally about eight to 10 times a year. We plan to send 300 copies of the EP to college radio stations next spring. We want 10k-20k downloads.
We want to hook up with a local studio and producer to produce our next eight songs. With "iDig," we want to play South by Southwest in March. We know a booking agent in Austin, who is a Smidgen fan.
