Many of our readers will be familiar from hearing your song “Sleeper” in the premiere of the final season for the CW series “One Tree Hill”. But let’s introduce them to the band! Can you tell us a bit about your history?

Well, we’re a group of friends from all over the country that met at school in Southern California. There’s Natalie, who you all heard sing so beautifully on “Sleeper”, Jacob, Mitchell, Mike, Tyler, and me, the other Tyler. Two years back, we started playing music together in a living room in the suburbs of LA. When we realized how fun it was, we figured we should probably just call it what it was and make it official. So with only a handful of songs and no real idea of what we were doing, we became Branches.

Where did the named “Branches” stem from?

In the Spring of 2010, we played our first show under the name “Tyler + Natalie”…which, apparently was the most creative band name we could come up with..the show was a lot of fun and people seemed to really like it, so we realized we needed something a little more inspired than “Tyler + Natalie”. So we locked ourselves in to Mitch’s apartment and started talking about band names. As unromantic and uninspired as it sounds, we basically just shouted words and phrases at each other for a few hours until we had a few that we really liked. “Branches” was the one that seemed to make the most sense. We liked the picture it painted, we liked the way it made us feel, and we liked the symbolism…what it suggested about how all of us could come together to be a part of something bigger than ourselves – a branch by itself isn’t much, but together, branches can become a tree.

Who are some of your musical influences as a band or individually?

Lyrically, my writing is most inspired by Aaron Weiss of mewithoutYou (in fact, some of the symbolism in our band name is inspired by a similar concept from their song “Torches Together”). David Bazan, Jon Foreman, and Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie) have also had big influences on me. Other than that, I’ve always been drawn to the old hymns of the Christian church. Those poets understood the power of words, and the magic of good symbolism. Their determination to paint a picture of God through creationistic imagery gives me a target to aim for in writing about life and love and creation and everything.

Musically, we look up to guys like Sufjan Stevens, gals like Lisa Hannigan, and groups like Death Cab For Cutie, Arcade Fire, Mumford and Sons, and Noah and the Whale. If you’re not familiar with their stuff, check it out! I promise you won’t be disappointed.

There’s something so sweet about the sound of “Sleeper” but also very haunting. It has such a poetic element about it. With songs like these I always like to know how they come about — what’s the story here?

I mentioned earlier my love for old hymns…this one is actually inspired by the story of Elijah from the Bible. Elijah, doubtful about God, is in a cave on the side of a mountain. It says that a strong wind blew, and a fire came, and the earth shook..but God wasn’t in any of those things…and then He hears God in a whisper, and you’d think he would get the symbolism, but it’s totally over his head and he carries on without recognizing the beauty in what just happened. We’ve all had moments where we’ve missed out on what’s really going on..but there’s always hope: “Rise, o sleeper, and see the dawn! And the darkness in our skin is now fading with the sun.” That’s really what we want people to get from our music – there’s always hope.

The music that plays during “One Tree Hill” are often played behind heavy dialogue so you have to really pay attention sometimes. “Sleeper” got this great montage where no words were spoken and it was all about the music. How did you feel when you saw the episode and found out your song got so much attention?

Awesome. We were just so happy to have our song on the show in the first place, so to see how long it was featured for, especially in the moments without dialogue was just really honoring. Such a crazy and fun experience!

It wasn’t the first time your music was played on the show; we heard the cool “Maps of Wars” last season. Did you generate a following of OTH fans?

Ya! And it was just as fun the second time around. It was fun to see the affect that having our song aired had on our fan-base. We’ve since had people email us, message us on Facebook, and even submit cover videos on YouTube- all because they are fans of the show and heard our music from it.

Had you watched the show before? Were you familiar with it?

I can’t speak for the rest of the band, but in High School, all the girls in my school were obsessed with OTH, so I attended my fair share of Season Premier/Finale parties. That said, those girls were usually just as excited as we were about our songs getting placed on OTH

I love your use of sound — especially the beats of your song “In the Morning”. Do these spark from random jam sessions or do you seek out a specific sound for each song?

I’d say it’s a little of both..We tend to err on the side of less traditional sounds and instrumentation, especially in the recording process. Between stomped feet, clapped hands, slammed shower doors, flicked bottles, clicked spoons, and shaken legos, we’ve gone out of our way to have fun in the sound-making process. We usually have an idea of what sound we’re looking for, but some of our favorite sounds in the recording process have happened as total accidents. That’s definitely made the studio a fun place for us to be.

Is there a particular song you’ve written that has personal meaning to you or as a group?

One of the things I decided as Branches was beginning, was that we would never put out a song we didn’t believe it..whether that be lyrics that we couldn’t stand behind, or an arrangement that we didn’t think would be fun for us to play for years to come…but I guess when it comes down to it, there’s always room for bias..For instance, both “In The Morning” and “The Inventor’s Daughter” have both created some really fun and magical live moments for us, and are songs that we are always particularly excited about having people join in to sing with us. Other than that, every time we get to shout the final line of “Dust and Light”, singing “There’s hope for you yet!”, I feel like we’re doing what we set out to do as a band…to spread the Hope that we have.

What are the future plans for Branches? Your “Cabin” EP was released in 2010 — are there any plans for a full length record to be released on iTunes soon?

As a matter of fact, yes! This past year we’ve been working on thirteen new songs which we are releasing Feb 10th as our first full-length, titled “Thou Art The Dream”. We released the single, “Helicopter” earlier this week via NoiseTrade, and we couldn’t be happier about the final product. So this next season is an exciting one for us…lots of traveling and singing and making new friends. And we’re crossing our fingers in hope that we’ll be able to make it out to your side of the states sometime soon

FOR MORE ON BRANCHES CHECK OUT:

· Official Site
· Facebook

These days the 23-year-old singer is back to working on his music and helping out with causes close to his heart. Check out what Aaron had to say when we caught up with him at a benefit show in New Jersey!

Tell us about the show tonight!
Yeah, absolutely. It’s just me performing by myself. It’s kind of like a one-man-band type of thing and there’s going to be all new songs.

What made you decide to do it…it’s a charity event, right?
Well, Four Years Go – what this concert is about is raising awareness about what we can do to prevent like crazy stuff happening. It’s all about the next four years, there will be an introductory video to everybody out there [watch the video here]. This video is a concert to benefit Four Years Go, which means the next four years we have is a time where we can do something to make a difference of how everything goes in the world, you know. The population, economics, and just world crisis stuff. There’s a lot more to it and a lot more than everyone is still learning and everyone is still participating. It’s more of an economic, crisis type of thing, you know?

And you have another show in New York?
Yeah, it’s in New York and it’s more of a smaller, intimate type show. It’s for Audrianna, this little girl who has Neuroblastoma Cancer. Anytime there’s a charity or something that I can be a part of to raise money, to help this girl and her family pay for the expenses…

She’s very young!
She’s like five years old.

That’s so sad, but she’s a fighter for someone so small she’s really strong. I don’t know if I could take on something like that, but it’s the hand you’re dealt.
Yeah, especially put yourself in the parents’ situation. It’s their child and it means a lot to them that I help them out. Anything that I can do and anything that everyone else can do. [Help Audrianna's family here]

You said that we’ll hear some new music tonight. What can we expect and when will we hear some new songs on iTunes?
Oh, wow! If you want to know when to expect new songs on iTunes, follow Johnny Wright.. WEG (@wegmusic) and ask him. [Laughs] He’s my manger and he’ll tell you. [Laughs] No, we’re just taking our time with the project right now, and just getting everybody back into it. I’m going to be doing more shows promoting some of the stuff that’s going to be on the new album before we release it. There’s going to be a lot more shows that come up before there’s any album out, but the album will be out soon. I’ve just been focusing on the music, that’s the most important part in who I am as a musician, who I am as an artist, and how it’s going to make any sense and be related in my life. It’s going to be who I am."

We’re excited! Honestly, I’ve been following your career since I was nine years-old.
[Laughs]

I’m not even kidding. [Laughs]
And how old are you now?

23 yrs old.
Oh, wow. Yes!

How would you say your musical style has changed since then? Because the first song I ever heard you sing was "Shake It".
Oh wow! [Laughs, looks at the camera] She’s really been following since she was nine. That’s fourteen years people! That’s a lot. That’s dedication. Well, how has it evolved since "Shake It"? [Laughs] It’s evolved a lot, I mean music has changed. A lot of music has gone through a whole bunch of changes, I mean there’s stuff out there that I listen to and I’m like "What the heck is this? This is terrible!" or "What is this? This is great." But my music in particular is more of an R&B-Pop crossover. I’m also leaning towards an Urban style because that’s kind of… like what’s in my heart. Like an Urban sound, you know big kicks, big 808′s, and big production. A lot of piano, a lot of strings, you know just a big overall sound with good top line melodies that are catchy, and where there’s actual subjects to talk about that are meaningful.

You’ve worked with a lot of artists over the years. Who is someone that you haven’t worked with that you’d like to?
Ah, somebody that I haven’t worked with. Um, let’s see…I would say…well, I was going to say Justin Timberlake, but I did work with Justin. He did- they did the background vocals on "Surfin’ U.S.A", him and ‘NSYNC. [Laughs] I don’t know if you guys know that.

I actually didn’t know that!
You didn’t know that? [Laughs] Yeah, on my first album. It’s funny because ‘NSYNC did the background vocals on "Surfin’ U.S.A" and then on "Swing It Out", the Backstreet Boys did the background vocals. [Laughs] I had both of them on my album and they were backup singers- that’s great.

You had Brian and Nick on one of your songs too, I think. I think I’m right about that.
No, I had Nick on one…well; Nick’s been on a couple of songs.

On your first album.
Yeah, "Ain’t That Cute". Brian and Nick, they wrote my song for me with Gary Carolla, I think it was. [watch the video]

Yeah!
That was fun, but you know times have changed. [Laughs]

Dancing with the Stars kicked off the new season this week, are you tuning in?
Yeah, actually I did.

Who did you like?
Oh, oh my gosh – who did I like? If I can be honest, let me go back and recap in my head.

I kind of liked Karina and Ralph, they were good.
Yeah! Karina is definitely…I hope she’s being nice to him. [Laughs]

She’s tough.
Yes, [Laughs] I know. I know she’s tough. Those Russian-Ukrainian’s man. Whoo- they’re tough ones. Let’s see…I actually did like Ralph and Karina. I thought they were great, I really did. I thought they were awesome.

Do you think he might take it?
I hope so! I mean, I know Karina really wants to win. [Laughs] I know that.

We honestly thought you could’ve gone further in the competition. You were one of our favorites of that season. What was your favorite performance? I know mine, but what was yours?
Thank you. My favorite performance was the Argentine Tango because I got to be really sexual with Karina. [Laughs] No, it was definitely my favorite one, the Argentine Tango. The Muppet one was good.

That’s the one! That’s my favorite, I love that one.
The Muppet dance was fun too. It seemed like it went by so quick, like all of a sudden I [makes kiss sound] kissed her on the shoulder, I smiled, and then it was over and I was like ‘wow’. But, I guess when something goes by quick like that.. We had fun; we did a great job together. It was awesome…it was a good competition. [watch the video]

There have been many times where you have actually been compared, and he has been called the ‘new Aaron Carter’ – Justin Bieber. How do you feel about that?
Well, I mean it’s flattering. He’s out there doing a great job, he’s got a good team around him, and hopefully he keeps in good spirits.

So, you’re cool with that?
Of course- absolutely; I mean there was a time that that happened too where um… [watch the video]

(We were then interrupted by the venue caterer with a plate full of fruit for Aaron.)

A few years ago you did a reality show with your brothers and you sisters, “House of Carters”. Now aside from reality competitions, would you do another reality show where they peek into your personal life like that?
Yeah, just as long as my brother wasn’t involved. [Laughs]

Did they really roll the entire time or did you ever a break away from it?
No, they pretty much rolled the entire time.

I don’t know how I could imagine a camera on me all the time.
Yeah, there was really nothing you could do. I remember my sister, my sister BJ, was like hiding in closets and stuff ’cause she couldn’t take it. [Laughs] Everybody was like ‘where did BJ go?!’ and I knew where she was and she was like sitting in the closet on her Sidekick or something like that just talking to people.

Oh, the Sidekick…
Yeah, [Laughs] back then the Sidekick was goin’ down.

You’re going to be an Uncle, are you excited?
I know! Any day now. I’m so happy for my sister, Leslie. You know, she’s been married for like six years now with her husband and he’s a great guy. I couldn’t be more proud of her. Leslie’s a very talented, a very, very talented artist. She’s very amazing at writing, very amazing at composing, and just amazing at being an overall good sister.

We wouldn’t mind seeing you guys perform.
Yeah, yeah we might do something!

You’re on Twitter and you communicate a lot with your friends which a lot of celebrities have Twitters, but they don’t all talk to their fans. Do you try to answer everybody or are there particular tweets that will catch your eye?
No, it’s definitely like particular tweets that catch my eye. I mean sometimes, you know, it just depends. At the same token, on the flipside of things I try to answer as many people as I can too. But, it’s weird though because sometimes when I start answering a lot of people, there are people that will stop following me. I don’t really care though because if you’re getting upset at me for communicating with my fans, then don’t follow me. I’ll end up blocking you anyway.

You can’t please everybody! I actually like Twitter; I think it’s really cool. I would’ve loved to have had it when I was a kid and wanted to talk to my favorite singers. That would’ve been awesome to have that.
Me too!

Twitter isn’t just for ‘tweeting’, I get addicted to those little hashtag games where you have to fill in those things that everybody catches onto.
Oh yeah, I do too!

Speaking of those fun things- have you ever heard of @LMAOTwitPics?
No…

Oh my gosh… it is the best Twitter ever! You know when you’re out there, you see people and you’re like ‘What the heck are they wearing?’ ‘What are they doing?’ You just see those random funny things. @LMAOTwitPics has them all and you won’t be able to stop laughing the entire time!
Really?

Yeah, you have to check it out.
I will! I’ll follow you @LMAOTwitPics. [Laughs]

Rebecca Black has been trending for an entire week. Japan isn’t trending anymore and yet Rebecca Black is. How do you feel about the song "Friday"? Have you heard it?
Oh, yes! I heard it last night and, you know, ‘no comment’. [Laughs] I have to say ‘no comment’ because if I… yeah, it’s crazy what the music is coming to.

It seems a little bit easier for artists to get out there with YouTube. Do you think kids have more of an advantage now with YouTube than what you had when you were younger?
Oh yeah, there wasn’t YouTube…there was barely internet.

There wasn’t really any marketing online.
There was barely internet when I first started. Actually I don’t even think there was internet, I mean what was it? AOL? IM? [Laughs] Yeah, and you know the Apple computers with the colored things, the colored backs. I mean the internet definitely takes over the whole industry. It can work to people’s advantage or it cannot work to their advantage.

Do you have any advice for young kids who are trying to get out there now?
My advice for young kids trying to get out there now, I mean…it’s hard. Continue to do what you love, if you love being a performer- do it. You can’t always please everybody, you know I can’t always expect to please everybody and I don’t try. I try to make sure that I’m happy, and not just content, I’m actually really happy. You know, jubilant. I actually have a good feeling about what I do and it’s not for everybody else. [watch the video]

Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us. I appreciate it, and like I said…it’s crazy! Nine years old and now… [laughs]
Yeah, you’re welcome. Thank you.

FOR MORE ON AARON CHECK OUT:
· Official Site
· Follow Aaron on Twitter
· Four Years. Go.

For more videos from our interview, visit our YouTube Channel.
 

photos: by Chanelle Justice – © 2011 Fanvasion. All Rights Reserved.

Read what Austin has to say about the show, his character, what’s ahead – and what was up with those "Turtle Races".

First off when did you decide that acting was what you wanted to do?
I always felt comfortable performing in front of people and making them laugh; even as a kid. My favorite holiday was Halloween, so I tried my best to make it last as long as possible. I used to have a "Costume Chest" that I’d collect masks, wigs, hats, glasses, make-up, and capes in. And when friends came over, we’d dress up and act stuff out on my front porch for our parents. I did some musical theater in sleep-away camp and performed in school plays, but it wasn’t until college that I decided to major in theater and fully commit to being an actor.

How did landing the role in Life Unexpected come about?
The usual way, I auditioned… I met with the casting directors Robin Lippin and Jeff Meshel, along with the executive producer Liz Tigelaar and the producer Mary Beth Basile. I had a work session with Gary Fleder. Then they decided to TEST me for the pilot- which means that I would audition for the studio [CBS] and then, if I made it past them, the network [The CW]. I originally auditioned with Kris [Polaha] and Shiri [Appleby] in December 2008, but had to wait until January 2009 to find out I got the part. Brit [Robertson] was already cast as "Lux"; Kris was cast in December; Shiri and I found out around the same time in January; and Kerr [Smith] and Reggie [Austin] were cast last.

For those who haven’t tuned into the show yet, can you tell me about your character "Math"?
Math, is Baze’s best friend and roommate. In the pilot, Baze’s biological daughter-he-never-knew-he-had [Lux] shows up at their apartment. It turns out she was conceived from a one-night-stand "Baze" had with Math’s high school crush, Cate. SO all these people are thrown back into this dysfunctional little world together. Math, is Baze’s loyal confidante and impassioned motivator. Together with Jamie, their other roommate, these three stooges provide the comic relief of Life Unexpected. Math now teaches at their alma mater, and has "Lux" as a student.

"Math" had a crush on "Cate" in high school – did you ever have your own Cate growing up?
Yeah… I had quite a FEW Cates! Most of which never amounted to much. I was really shy in high school when it came to girls. If I was lucky, the girl I liked pursued me; but more times than not I didn’t have the courage to make the first move! I used to write songs and poems for the girls I liked, and a couple times actually recited them. When I think about Math’s crush on Cate, I take elements of all of those traumatic "experiences" I had growing up and use them as needed… it’s also pretty easy to have a crush on Shiri Appleby!

I really enjoyed the episode with the "Turtle Races" — how did you guys have to shoot that? Did you have to work around the turtles and catch a shot every time they moved?
Allan Arkush directed that episode and did a "Turtle Screen-Test" with the animal wrangler before we ever started shooting. The fastest one was cast as "Bolt"- Math’s undefeated 3-legged turtle; who is actually a tortoise. The secret to make them go was just a matter of warming them up and tickling their tails. When we wanted them to stay in place, the wrangler would cool them down, so they’d hide in their shells. They were pretty easy to work with, but it was a little intimidating at first. The owner said that they may bite and that their shells may crack if we drop them. After a couple of takes, though, Bolt and I were like 2 peas in a pod. Now, he’s gonna be the Best Man at my wedding!

I also really love seeing your interaction with Kristoffer Polaha and Reggie Austin on the show, have there been any funny moments off set that you can tell us about?
Most of those moments were ON set, we just had so much fun working together that we were constantly being told to "reign it in". The show is after all a drama, but somehow, with us … it always came down to farting! Since we were all in a foreign city together, away from our loved ones, all we had was each other. So we bonded; we drank beers together, we went to movies together, we ate oysters together, we drank beers together! What you see on-screen is a real chemistry, friendship and mutual respect. It’s really difficult to fake that.

While there are very funny moments on the show, it’s also a serious drama about these two people reuniting with the daughter they gave up. How do you find a balance between the comedic scenes and the reality of what’s going on in these characters lives? How do you find the balance to make it believable?
Well, they say "laughter is the best medicine" and I think that rings true when faced with dramatic circumstances like these. Just as in life – a little levity could relieve even the most tense of moments. And the writers, supervised by Liz Tigelaar, created a balance that injects a little humor just as a scene is getting too serious, while still maintaining and never sacrificing the dramatic truth of every character. It’s my favorite type of material. Because it’s most like life. Soap operas have no comedy at all, and sitcoms have too much. The best sitcoms occasionally have a poignant moment to bring the audience back to reality. The trick in executing this believability is in the actors commitment to the truth of every situation. I think you get the best comedy when the moments are based in reality. Gary Fleder, director/executive producer, set the motto for our show early on when he said he wanted to see "Less Lucy and more Tootsie" … we were all willing to lose a laugh in order to gain a moment, and ultimately hold an audience’s attention.

Is there anything you can share with about what to expect in upcoming episodes?
If you’ve been watching the drama between Cate, Baze, Ryan, and Lux keeps escalating with each new episode. In the final few episodes, we’ll see their relationships come to a head. Lux confronts Cate about giving her up for adoption and makes amends with Bug; Ryan decides if he wants to make it work with Cate; Cate tries to balance her life and maintain her sanity; Baze questions his relationship with Abby, makes strides on fulfilling his dad role by confronting his own dad, and finally comes to grips with his possible feelings for Cate – while Math & Jamie try their best to keep him in check. The big questions are: Will there be a wedding? Who will get married, if anyone? Who will be there and who won’t? Well… I guess you’ll all have to keep watching and see. But trust me – you won’t be disappointed!

Life Unexpected airs Mondays @ 9/8 c on The CW.*

FOR MORE ON AUSTIN CHECK OUT:
· Official Site
· The CW – Life Unexpected

photos: Personal Propaganda Photography /
*Photo by Jack Rowand – © 2009 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Hey Thomas, how are you?
Doing excellent, how about you?

Doing good, It’s been about a year since we last talked, right?
I know. [Laughs] Oh my goodness.

Wow, I mean … of course you know I’m just going to jump right in there and talk about all this with you leaving the group [Varsity FanClub]. It’s been pretty crazy. I actually spoke with Jayk, Drew, and new member TC recently, and Jayk mentioned that they had known it was a possibility you could leave the group. Was this something you had been going back and forth with or something you just one day decided wasn’t for you anymore?
Well um, yeah it was probably a couple months before … before I actually left there was just so much drama going on. Not within the members, but just like outside of it. You know, when you’re on a level to where you’re almost there, almost made it everyone is trying to reach their hand into the cookie jar, you know. It just got to a point of where I couldn’t take it anymore. It wasn’t so much you know the members at all, but it was just something that … I don’t know. It got a bit crazy for me.

Wasn’t how you thought it would be?
Well we kind of reached a point to where we weren’t showing any progress for a couple months. I don’t know; I just felt like it wasn’t the right place for me.

Well, if you weren’t happy…
Yeah that’s the thing. I’ve always been one of those people where I gotta do what makes you happy and it was fun while it lasted, for sure. I got a lot out of it and we definitely worked hard for what we got.

Were you nervous about how the fans were going to react to it?
Yeah! It was … oh man that was honestly … definitely one of the hardest conversations I think I’ve ever had to do. Hopefully it will be the last time I ever have to have a conference like that. But yeah, we all just kind of sat down and talked it out. It was honestly like … you know they’re like family to me and it just had to be done. Just tie up loose knots with them and move on.

I know there are so who will say once they leave the group they’re all still close and keep in touch, but they don’t always. Do you still keep in touch with the guys?
Umm, we try – definitely try to, we haven’t really spoken in awhile. Drew and I usually chat a bit, but yea I don’t really talk to the other guys too much. I think it’s that we just have a lot on our plates right now.

So, then what have you been up to in the last few months?
I have been working on my tan, for one. [Laughs] I’ve been in the studio actually quite a bit; working on my new EP. Definitely going to be out before Christmas, we’re shooting for a date around Christmas actually. That is something that I’m just so happy about to be doing my own thing. This is a dream come true for me, to actually be playing music that I write. To do what I want and be in control of my life, it’s just been a blast so far.

Are you back in San Diego or LA? I know you always say San Diego is like your heart, that’s your home. So, are you going to stick around there or … ?
Oh, my heart will always belong to the beach of San Diego. But no I’m probably in LA more than I’m in San Diego. I try to get down here on the weekends; I’m actually down here right now for family stuff. I’ve been up in LA consistently past couple of months, for about five or six days out of the week.

Just working on your EP? You know tell me more about that.
Yeah, it’s definitely more of a pop rock vibe. I think everyone knows I was definitely born to have a guitar in my hands. [Laughs] It’s just something I love to do. I love playing the guitar, love playing piano … so the EP is basically based around songs that I’ve written in the past couple of years. Even from way, way long ago. I have a song on there that I wrote I think about six years ago. So, basically this first EP is going to be totally controlled by me. I definitely have a lot of help with it though; I’ve been doing a lot of production with Gabriel Lopez, who is a really great friend of mine and just a genius with pro tools and production. But yeah, I’m stoked on it.

Well this must be so much more personal for you. I mean if the songs or six or so years old like you said. Are you more nervous now to let the fans hear just you? Especially since it’s your music and with Varsity FanClub a lot of the music was just a studio thing or written for you? Since you’ve put more of yourself into this, are you at all worried about the reaction?
Umm, I don’t think so … I think with anything in life that you do; if you do it with your heart and if you do what makes you feel good I think it’s going to be the best outcome regardless. So far, I just put a song out a couple of days ago for Adisson actually, and that song I wrote … God I want to say like four or five years ago. Their reaction is that they love it, so I think as long as you put your heart into whatever you do the outcome is going to be great.

Speaking of Adisson [Apparel], why don’t you tell me more about that? I’ve been checking it out and the stuff looks pretty cool. I’ve heard from some that you own the line, and then from others that you’re just really involved with them. What’s the deal?
Oh yeah, totally. Adisson is a company that I’m in with a partner, Isaiah Vest, but we started that about two years ago and we run it completely. Anything from shipping to designs and marketing, it’s all us. It’s definitely … it’s a labor of love that’s for sure; it’s a lot of fun.

Well, it definitely looks like a very nice line of items.
You know we made it basically with teenage girls in mind. That is kind of my fanbase demographic, and we want to appeal to that. I just wanted to create designs that I would want a potential girlfriend to wear honestly. I got tired of seeing Abercrombie everywhere, and Hollister everywhere … I just got tired of that so I just wanted to kind of create my own thing for them to wear.

So you guys were just sitting around saying ‘oh I’m so tired of seeing girls wear the same old thing, I think we should do this’?
That’s honestly what it was [Laughs] as awkward as that sounds. But you know everything out there it’s cute, it’s flirty. It’s nothing like crazy sexy, you know … it’s totally SoCal. So, I think everyone can really appreciate that.

Oh definitely. But you know getting back to the music; we heard some rumors that you’re actually working on something with Tennman Records [Justin Timberlake’s label]. Are those just rumors?
Yeah, we’ll say those are rumors for now. [Laughs]

Okay *hint hint*.
[Laughs] There’s so many things honestly that I’m working on. The crazy thing is the EP is just like the first step, like you said and I said it’s really just something for me. But beyond that starting at the top of the year I’m gonna be hitting hard recording a full length album; the roster of producers I have is just ridiculous. It’s going to be a really good year for music I think.

Well I’m excited. I’ll be honest when I found out you left the group I was a bit bummed about it, but the fact that you’re still doing music and putting your own stuff out there I excited to hear it.
Thanks! Yeah it was crazy when I left, there were so many rumors floating around about what I was up to. I think a lot of people thought I just kind of dipped out and called it a day.

Yeah that’s how it looked. It seemed like you just left the group because your heart wasn’t in it, and you were just going back home. Everyone is going ‘Wait, what? No!’.
[Laughs] Yeah no, oh no way I couldn’t do that.

So, I know you’ve also worked on a music video last year and you write and produce for others. Is it easier to do it for yourself or other artists?
Oh man that is a great question; umm, it’s kind of a little bit of both. When you write for someone else, for me anyway I always try to put my best foot forward with anything. So, when I write for someone else and it turns out to be a great song, right when I’m done I always think ‘Oh crap, I wish I would have kept this for me’. But if it turns out that it could be a hit for someone else that’s always a good thing also. Yeah I don’t know it’s crazy, definitely different … both sides of it are different.

You know it’s honestly been a pleasure to catch up with you because it’s been way too long. We definitely want to keep watching what you’re doing and letting everyone know.
Right on.

Thank you so much for chatting and can’t wait to hear the new music.
Oh thank you honestly; you’ve been my first interview since I left. It’s been a lot of fun.

Really? Well, I’m glad we could get your side of what happened and now everyone doesn’t think it was some conspiracy that you left.
No so many rumors float around. But honestly it’s kind of funny to see that happen for awhile, like to see what people can come up with … whatever it’s all good now.

FOR MORE ON THOMAS FISS CHECK OUT:
· Official Site
· Official MySpace
· Official Twitter

First off, I want to get to know you guys a little better and I’m positive that Fanvasion readers would like to as well. Don’t be shy – who’s who and where are you from?
Alex: I’m Alex; I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. Let’s see I grew up in the suburbs, my musical influences range anything from Prince, Michael Jackson, all the way up to Madonna. I’ve been singing since I was about four, and …. yeah I think that’s it for right now. [Laughs]
Tim: My name is Tim Essary; I like long walks on the beach and occasional sunset. No I’m just kidding … kidding. I’m kind of from all over; my dad was in the military so traveled a lot and lived all over the place. I was born in Japan, lived in Turkey for several years and Germany.

Japan really? That’s so dope.
Tim: I was. I was born in Okinawa. It’s funny I don’t remember it much because we moved when I was really young. But I’m hoping that we’ll be on tour in Japan very soon, and then I can go back and holler at my peoples.

Well, that’s just cool to say, ‘oh yeah I was born in Japan’.
Tim: [Laughs] Oh yeah totally. Well actually I want to get a tattoo that says ‘Made in Japan’. So, yeah me and my best friend were talking about going to get tattoos sometime soon, I think that’s what I’m going to get; just because not everyone can do that.

But yeah, my parents are actually from the south, so they live in Alabama right now they’re both retired. So, I kind of call Alabama home just because it’s where all my family is at.

And, who would be next?
Kale: Alright cool, cool this is Kale … Kale Otis. I’m a Cali boy born and raised; been playing guitar since I was like eleven helping a lot with song writing and stuff like that. And uh I like to party … that’s what I do. [Laughs]
Tim: That’s what he does. [Laughs]
Kale: So, yeah I do a lot of writing, I use to rap actually real heavy.

Oh really?
Kale: Yeah I use to be real heavy.
Tim: He’s really good at free styling.

Why don’t you do a little bit?
Tim: Oh snap.
[Background ooh’s and uh oh’s]
Kale: What do you want me to rap about?

Whatever you want, putting you on the spot.
Tim: I don’t know you might not want him to he’s pretty intense.

Okay we can come back to that then. [Laughs]
Kale: Yeah, we’ll come back that will be cool. But yeah I mean that’s about it, Adam go ahead.
Adam: Hey, my names Adam Tyler I was born in Columbus, Missouri but I moved in and around Missouri … mostly like Kansas City area. Let’s see I started singing at a really early age, got in to gymnastics at I don’t even know five or something because flips and all that were really cool. But, I quit so then I can’t do anything anymore and yeah. I’m like the pop kid of the group, I grew up listening to all the boy bands and Britney and all that stuff. That’s pretty much me I think.
Tim: Wait, to go back to Adam we live together and he has the room right next to mine, and I just have to let you know when he says he loves pop music … he loves pop music.
Alex: Oh my gosh, the minute he wakes up, he bumps … it’s mostly like euro pop. But you know it’s pretty cool he’s got us all like into it.

Euro pop? That’s hard core pop music right there.
Alex: Yeah, Euro is like different than the pop from America; because America kinda like ventures into Urban sounds and stuff. European stuff kind of stays more in demand.
Tim: It’s very club music too.

I guess Jeremy’s not here, but we could definitely say a little something about him. He’s from San Diego, I think he grew up … Did he grow up in San Diego?
Alex: Yeah, he grew up in San Diego, I think he has a couple of sisters or something and he’s only been in LA for like a year.
Tim: Great songwriter.
Kale: And he knows everybody.
Alex: Yeah he’s pretty involved in the industry.
Kale: He’s a little hustler, but we all are you know.
Adam: He’s in a writing team right, like a writing group?
Tim: Yeah, yeah he’s a writer, he’s a big writer. He also has two dogs … two little dogs.
Alex: Oh yeah, Pugger and Jack.

Aww, what kind of dogs are they?
Tim: They’re little yappy dogs.
Alex: He’ll pick them up by their skin and he’ll just toss them like their little rag dolls.
Tim: W-w-w-wait, it’s because they’re puppies and they can handle it. We don’t want people to think he’s like a dog hater.

So you all have been into music and grown up with it since you were really young. How old are you now?
Alex: I’m twenty-two.
Tim: I’m nineteen; I’ll be twenty in September.
Kale: I’m twenty-one, my birthday is in October.

October, me too.
Kale: October what?

The twenty-third.
Kale: Twenty-fourth, mine is the twenty-fourth.
Tim: Wow, you guys are twins. [Laughs]
Kale: Almost. [Laughs]
Adam: Oh yeah, I just turned twenty-one on April 17th.
Tim: We went to Vegas on his birthday, it was amazing.

I feel like I should get this out of the way before fans who read this hold their breath the whole way through waiting for the question. – Are you single?
Kale: Yes. Yeah we’re all single at the moment.

Okay, well now that we know that we can move along.
All: [Laugh]
Tim: We’re so busy right now it’s sad to say, but yes we are.

Did you know each other before you started MADDHOUSE?
Tim: Um, no not really actually.
Adam: The band was put together through you know a nationwide talent search. So, we’re all pretty much strangers, but our personalities are so … like we click really well.
Tim: Yeah we were together for a few weeks and it was like we had been together forever. They were like brothers it was pretty cool.

You guys already have a very large and dedicated fan-base with street teams all over the US, actually overseas too. So, I want to know how MADDHOUSE came to be. You mentioned a nationwide search, how long ago was that?
Tim: Well I guess officially with this group now … we went through a couple different members just trying to figure out the exact, best mix. But officially with MySpace up and everything kind of going it’s not even five months yet; which is pretty cool because we’re almost at 15,000 fans and over 120,000 hits or something.
Adam: Yeah we officially made our MySpace on January 2nd and it’s not even June yet and we already, like we have so much momentum right now you know.
Tim: It’s definitely; it’s all word of mouth which is pretty cool too. Right now, we’re still in the dance studio working on our live show, we’re finishing up this album so. We slowly release tracks as we finish them, but each track that’s released it like grows … fan base grows even more. Hopefully, with the live show and the touring this summer it will only get bigger so we’re excited.
Adam: I think what adds to our appeal, and us having such a huge fan base is the fact that we are really connected with our fans and we reach out to them a lot.
Tim: Yeah definitely.
Oh so you have more of a personal kind of relationship?
Tim: Yeah, we talk to everybody.
Kale: We pretty much talk to…
Adam: We actually hung out with some last night, a couple of fans came out that were in town.
Kale: Yeah.
Tim: Especially if someone is in LA and their not from LA we definitely like to kind of hang out with them, and kind of fill them in on the process too and show them what it’s like to be recording.

You’ve been in the studio working hard on some new tracks but before we talk about those, I want t mention that I love “All Eyez on Me”. What other songs have you guys been recording that you can tell us a bit about?
Adam: Awesome, that’s one of our favorites as well. Umm, our newest one that our manager has actually been sending out the snippet of is called “Confident”, and it’s more of like a ballad, kind of like a mid-tempo. Have you heard it?

Yeah, yeah of course.
Adam: Awesome.
Tim: It’s a mid-tempo; it’s a pretty cool song and in fact we don’t have it on our MySpace but we’re kind of doing a little thing where if you shoot us a message, send us your email we’ll actually email you the track before it gets released on the album. You can check it out and listen to it, but that’s one of the songs we just finished literally. What do you guys say we just recorded that like…
Kale: Yeah, there’s a lot of songs. We have a cool, fun song called “Overtime”; it’s really our manager’s favorite song.
Tim: Yeah, our recording process is pretty quick you know we’re in the studio and we’re all writers as well but we do record some songs that other people wrote, and we record our own stuff. We’re just kind of in and out of the studio and then our engineers mix it, and we kind of go through … we record several songs, and then we kind of break it down into the actual eleven or twelve that are gonna make the album. But we have a lot of stuff recorded.
Alex: And we’re really involved in like picking out our songs, which ones that we really like. A lot of groups they don’t really get that opportunity; we’re really hands on with that as well.

You’re right a lot of groups don’t get to be that involved. It’s nice that you can get into everything and do what you want.
Kale: We know its fun, and we can put our stank on it you know. [Laughs]

Who have you been working with in the studio?
Alex: Predominately our main producer, we’ll writer actually, we work with a lot of producers overseas but we get the hook up through a really cool guy that’s based out of New York, his name is Diesel Berry. He’s in our top friends on MySpace and yeah predominately we work with him.
Tim: We also work with several other people as well, kind of all over and that’s sort of where our sound comes from; our sound kind of comes from all over.
Adam: Literally when we threw up the MySpace we got bombarded with so many people, like producers that wanted to work with us. So, we’re still that process, still trying to weed out who exactly we want to work with and scheduling all that kind of stuff. We’ve been blessed.
Alex: Yeah definitely.
Tim: We’re also writing a lot ourselves too for this album.
Kale: And we can’t forget to mention we uh … both produces overseas and our engineer who records most of our stuff, his name is Thomas Pine and he does a lot of work for us. He takes care of all of us.
Adam: Yeah he records us and he’s a dope producer as well.
Tim: It’s really fun too because he has a cool studio in his house and he’s got a dog that we play around with. We just basically get in the studio and kind of knock songs out, pretty much a couple times a week. We pick the song we want to record and then we go in there and we do it, it’s a really cool environment and he’s a pretty cool guy.

Sounds like a party.
Alex: It is a party.
Time: It’s always a party for Maddhouse.

Ha-ha, nice. So, going back to your song “Confident”, what makes you guys ‘confident’? I know everyone has their little quirks that perk up their confidence so what about each of you?
Alex: What makes me confident? I mean I don’t know, that’s a really tough question. I mean I don’t want to … you know like when people give you compliments and stuff, I don’t want to be like that type of person but it really does. It boosts your confidence when there are people that point out certain things, like ‘you look nice today’. It’s honestly the little things with me.
Tim: For me I guess what helps with my confidence is … I guess my friends and family can help me stay confident kind of in everything I do. I think having a solid foundation is really good to help anybody, wither you’re a musician or athlete or just getting through school. Having a good, solid foundation is something great you know that helps keep you confident. It works for me.

And it keeps you grounded.
Tim: It does indeed, it really does.
Kale: I’ve got to agree with Tim. A lot of it is who you surround yourself with and the encouragement that they give you. I also … I’m gonna sound like a tool, but uh I’m in the gym a lot. [Laughs]
Tim: I don’t know if you guys have seen Kale’s arms, but they’re huge. I just had to throw that out there.
Kale: I stay in the gym, I don’t do much else. But you always feel better after a workout, a little more confident.
Adam: Is it my turn? Oh shoot, umm … yeah I’d agree with the other guys in saying just who you surround yourself with. Because it really is, you have to drown the other people out that are like you know mean or insults or whatever. Start believing in yourself and all that, and so yeah it’s all about that.
Alex: That was a tough question; I do not want to go first anymore.
Tim: [Laughs] Alright, Alex so we’ll switch.

So, we’ve been talking about this album of yours… can we expect it soon?
Tim: We’re in the process of … I mean we are still recording now as we speak, we were in the studio yesterday recording. So um, the process takes awhile and it’s kind of more about getting the exact sound that we want. You know we all write we’re working on those songs, recording other people’s songs; but we’re really trying to find that perfect sound. At the end of the day we’re trying to put an album out there. We don’t have an exact time frame right now, but we’re looking at coinciding a major tour with an album release, so that would be somewhere in the near future. By near future I mean very near future.

And by near future, do you mean very near future.
Tim: Very near future. [Laughs]
Alex: Like yesterday. [Laughs]

I believe it was you Alex who said you grew up listening to Michael Jackson and Prince?
Alex: Yea, that was me.

What about the rest of you? Who are some of your favorite artists out there that you grew up listening to?
Tim: Um, well for me I play acoustic guitar, I’ve played for years and I play piano. I’ve sort of been influenced almost by you know kind of like the Jason Mraz, John Mayer; sort of laid back, acoustic sounding material. That’s really what I’ve always kind of been playing. It’s funny because what I play and what I listen to are completely different because like Alex I’ve gotten down to pop music and Michael, just soulful stuff too. With my parents living in Alabama, there’s a lot of gospel and soul music there as well. Yes, I love some gospel music, but I always go back to sort of Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson just kind of the uh hippie crowd I guess you could say. [Laughs]

Dave Matthews … I don’t think anyone has ever said that. I’ve always felt like Dave Matthews was under appreciated.
Tim: Really? Well you know what I am secretively and very publicly a huge Dave Matthews fan. I’ve been to several of his concerts and it’s a good time. You know Dave puts on a good show.
Alex: You know he’s so good live.

Well, I’m gonna take a guess and say Michael is pretty much an inspiration all the way around, right?
All: Yes.
Alex: Yea, that’s pretty much on everyone’s list. I mean he’s just like … just like the God of pop music.
Tim: He’s the King of Pop.
Alex: Yeah, exactly.

He’s in his own category … there’s Michael Jackson and then music.
All: Yeah.
Kale: I actually have someone above, William Hung. [Laughs]
Tim: He does trump Michael Jackson, and yes I use the word trump.
[Laughs]

Word is you have your own TV show airing on FOX this fall! Tell us more about that! Is it a reality show or scripted?
Tim: Yes, yes, yes that is the word. I don’t know if you guys have checked out MySpace lately, but we’ve been slowly leaking some ideas about that. Um, we’re basically still in the process of shooting it and
right now it’s scheduled for FOX in San Diego; there’s potential for other FOX affiliates to pick it up. What we’re hoping is that once it starts airing, people will be able to call their local FOX affiliates and get it on their FOX. So, we’re starting it out kinda small and hopefully spreading it really big. We can’t give away too many details right now because we are still in negotiations as far as material and stuff like that.

Can you tell us if it will be scripted or a reality show?
Alex: It’s definitely not reality, it’s scripted.
Tim: Yeah, it’s actually … we can’t tell you … it’s a scripted, uh it’s a comedy. What’s my, what’s my word here, it’s kind of like a … a … it’s a collection of short skits. I think that’s about as much as I can really say.
Alex: It’s kind of like an SNL, like Saturday Night Live but suited for much younger with a music element to it.
Tim: There you go. We’re saying if Maddhouse were to take over your TV for thirty minutes to an hour this is exactly what you would expect.
Alex: Random, Maddhouse random.
Tim: Because we’re all actors, I don’t know if you’ve seen some of our YouTube videos but we’re all pretty goofy, crazy. You should sit in the car with us for like one day, its ridiculous the stuff we come up with. So, we wanted to incorporate that with our music and somehow create a television series where we incorporate music and our skits, our humor … our Maddhouse humor.
Alex: This project also we had a lot of hands on, we wrote all of it pretty much along with our manager.
Tim: Yeah, we’re still in the process of writing the sketches and all that.

We have seen your YouTube. Is it not the greatest invention ever?
Tim: It’s amazing.
Alex: Yes, I know.

Aside from MySpace where you can connect with the fans, if we had this many years back think about what could have happened.
Tim: I tell people I don’t watch TV, I just watch YouTube really to be honest. [Laughs]

There’s cooking shows on YouTube, it has everything.
Alex: Everything is on YouTube, you can learn.
Tim: [Laughs] It’s a little how-to section.
Alex: Yea.

Yeah, get some exercise tips, learn to cook, do your hair, watch some comedy and then go check out Maddhouse.
Tim: Exactly! [Laughs]

You guys mentioned you wanted to be doing some touring after the album release. Will you be doing any shows this summer?
Tim: Definitely, I think we’re sort of in talks with a couple of different things. Right now it’s just sort of a matter of if we’re doing a major tour with several cities or are we doing just the big cities. We’re still in talks with promoters and stuff like that because I don’t know if everyone knows but we’re actually not signed. We’re kind of doing this all on our own, which is rare but it’s also kind of new age. A lot of bands aren’t going with major record companies; you know they’re doing it themselves. So as of now we’re not signed, so we’re doing it ourselves and we’re uh still in talks with different promoters and sponsors and what not. But, I mean definitely before the albums’ release we will be on tour, just to get our name our there and have some fun.

Well, hopefully we’ll get to see you guys out in New York that would be great.
Alex: Oh for sure, that will be one of the first stops.
Tim: I think we all want to personally go to New York for fun.
Alex: Yea, I’ve never been I mean how is it? Were you born and raised there?

No, born and raised in New Jersey. But it’s like a hop, skip, and a jump from the city.
Tim: Oh, okay.
Alex: Nice. I totally want to go though, I’ve never been and I’m super excited to go.

New York is definitely the experience.
Alex: You can be our chaperone. [Laughs]

This is a fun little game we like to do where we get to know a bit more about you that you probably wouldn’t reveal yourself. Could each of you describe the group member next to you?
Tim: Ohhh..
Alex: Oh my gosh, but we’re not next to each other.
Tim: No actually I am. Alex is outside, we’re watching a basketball game that’s why it’s kind of loud in here … he’s outside and I’m in here. But, um I’ll go first by describing Alex. Wa-wa-wait, I have to describe him but like how?

You know anything; throw in a few tidbits that no one who guess about each other… whatever you want.
Tim: Okay, you guys want to know something really funny about Alex? You’re going to kill me, but this is funny.

Of course.
Tim: Okay, we’ll just be sitting there … Alex is … first of all let me just give you some background information. Alex is one of the happiest people I know, I’ve never seen him get mad and when he is really mad he just breaks out laughing. And so the funny thing about Alex too is he breaks out laughing just sitting there thinking about something, like he can’t help himself he’ll just laugh out loud about everything. People type ‘lol’ on instant messenger, but they really don’t laugh; Alex is really laughing out loud when he writes the word ‘lol’ when he text you. [Laughs]
Alex: [Laughs]

So, he’s that person that will actually be laughing about something today that happened yesterday?
Tim: No, he really will. It’s so funny because like in fact ten minutes before we called you he was sitting on the couch and just started laughing. My buddy looked over at him and he’s like ‘what’s so funny’, and he goes ‘oh nothing I was just thinking about something’. He busted out laughing, it was so funny.
Alex: [Laughs]

I can actually identify with that. [Laughs]
Tim: [Laughs]
Alex: I know, but sometimes like it’s awkward because I feel crazy. But then I’m like oh well that’s me.
Tim: Yeah at least you bust out laughing, not bust out crying randomly right? [Laughs]
Alex: Right. [Laughs] Okay, cool so I guess it’s my turn. Since Tim is like right there, I’m sitting here waving at him.
Tim: I can see you through the window. [Laughs]
Alex: Um, I have to say Tim has such a really good fashion sense. He’s got a closet full of clothes but I mean … I don’t know, he’ll take these random items and he’ll make it look just like really cool.
Tim: Like I walk off the pages of GQ, aww.
Alex: Yeah, well I mean he’s got these bracelets that he literally made from a fork at a restaurant. It’s like everywhere we go everyone is like ‘oh my gosh, I like your bracelet’ and he’s like ‘yea I made it myself’. I mean it’s just, it’s pretty admirable.

Oh that’s pretty cool; you know they actually do sell bracelets made out of forks and spoons.
Tim: I know, I should make up like a silverware line. No pun intended, silver-wear.

Maddhouse clothing and jewelry line, hint hint.
Alex: Yeah, that’s a plan. That’s another thing we want to be like major moguls you know in this industry. We want to tap into everything.
Tim: Definitely. I’ll start selling silverware that you can wear around. So who’s left? We’ve got Kale and Adam. You guys are next to each other kind of.
Kale: Yeah okay see I was trying to find him, cause he’s at my house … and then I’m looking for him.
Adam: I lost you so I just started walking outside, shoot.
Kale: He was around the block.
Tim: Oh where are you guys? You’re at…
Kale: We’re at my house.
Tim: Oh cool.
Kale: Yeah, so anyways … Adam let’s see. Adam is a super junk food junkie. Oh my … like if you go into his backpack he has cookies, gummie bears, it’s ridiculous. It’s like Willy Wonka. [Laughs]
Tim: He is Willy Wonka.
Kale: Sorry. Well, it’s cool cause whenever we’re in the studio or something he just reaches into his bag.
Alex: He’s like the goody master. He always has a bag full of goodies.

What do you have in there?
Kale: Oh name something and he has it.
Tim: What did he has today? He had Oreos, but they weren’t Oreos they were like organic Oreos. They were really good.
Adam: Yeah, I wanted to be all healthy and everything so.

Hmm cool, I’ve never heard of them. Did they taste like regular Oreos?
Kale: I don’t think so.
Tim: Yeah, Kale didn’t think so. I don’t know, to me they were kind of good.
Alex: More like chocolaty I think.

Ohhh.
Alex: Yeah. [Laughs] She’s like ‘ohh’.

You know I’ve seen a special on how they actually make the crème on the inside. That was bizarre.
Tim: Ohh, I don’t think I want to know.

I forgot what it was.
Kale: I bet it’s like cake lard or something.
Alex: Did it make you not want to each them anymore?

Mhmm.
Alex: Uhh.
All: [Laugh]
Tim: So Adam’s left. Adam’s got to either say something really mean or really sweet about Kale, lets see what he does.
Adam: Hmm, tricky tricky let’s see. Umm let’s see, hmm. Oh gosh it’s so difficult; I don’t know what to say.
Tim: Duh, duh, dun, dun…
Adam: Well Kale is um a little bit, girl crazy I could say.
Tim: No, he’s a ladies’ man let’s put it that way.
Adam: Yeah, cause he’s always got people on his mind.
Tim: Twenty-four seven.
Adam: Yeah
Kale: All day.

And it ends there, right?
All: [Laugh]
Adam: Yeah, I don’t want to get him in trouble or anything. [Laughs]
Alex: Alright, well Jeremy’s not here. So let’s all say something about Jeremy. Hmm, let’s see he’s hilarious; he’s like really crazy and like spontaneous.
Tim: He’s spontaneous; yeah that’s a good word for Jeremy.

He’s hilarious, you mean funnier than you guys?
Kale: Oh yeah, Jeremy’s hilarious.
Tim: He’s pretty funny; I mean I don’t know about funnier than me.

I don’t know you guys have been kind of fun lately.
All: [Laugh]
Alex: I think he’s a mind reader too because he sent me a text earlier and like he wrote out the lyrics … cause we were all singing this song, we had a photo shoot earlier today … we were all singing this song by Jordin Sparks call “Battlefield”.
Tim: It was stuck in everyone’s head today.
Alex: Yeah and he texted me the ‘you better go getcha armor’, and I was just thinking that. That had just crossed my mind.

I was just singing that today, it was playing in my car and I cranked that part up. It’s the best part of the song.
Tim: You knew when we were singing it.
Alex: Yeah. [Laughs]
Tim: Jeremy has …what’s it called when you can read people’s minds?
Alex: ESP.
Tim: ESP … N. No ‘N’, just ESP.
Alex: Yeah, musical ESP. [Laughs]

Jeremy’s psychic.
Kale: He does this funny voice where he goes ‘just watch’ and then he sings.
Adam: Oh yeah that’s funny.
Tim: He goes ‘just watch, ahhh’. [Laughs]

Well, it’s been great talking with you guys tonight.
Tim: You too you’re so sweet for hollering at us, beautiful phone voice I might add.
Alex: Thanks for talking with us.

I hope we can do this again.
Kale: Yes, we should.
Alex: Yes, with Jeremy.

Yes with Jeremy. We wish you guys the best of luck with the album, can’t wait to see a live show; and when you come to the city … we’ll show you around.
Tim: Oh we will, definitely.
Alex: Awesome.
Tim: Thank you so much.
Alex: Have a good night Courtney.
Kale: Thank you.
Adam: Thank you Courtney.

————————————————————————–

PART II

Luckily we caught up with Jeremy the next night, so you could get to know him a bit too.

Hi Jeremy! How are you?
I’m doing amazing, and yourself?

Good, good. I was pretty bummed you weren’t able to be there when I spoke with the others yesterday. So, I’m glad we get to talk tonight.
I know I’m so sorry. Did they tell you what I was doing?

No, actually.
I was in another session that I had planned a long time ago, so sorry.

No, no it’s fine I’m just glad we get to talk now. You know the guys told me a bit about you, but I’d like to give you the chance to tell me a little bit about yourself.
Okay, well I’m from San Diego. I started singing … man I can’t even remember. I knew I wanted to go into the whole pop world when ‘N Sync and everybody was out and I remember learning how to dance watching their videos and stuff. You know and then Justin kind of went off to do his own thing and it just really inspired me; plus listening to like Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson. At that time when pop was such a big deal, just so inspiring and everything was brand new, everyone was buying records. I think the 90’s was such a big time for pop music that I think that’s why there’s so many people now trying to do it because everyone was inspired.

You know I’m just glad it’s back though. I think we’ve had a good five years since the Backstreet Boys and ‘N Sync days, where the punk phase came back and we had pop rock with Good Charlotte. All of them started it off, and now Kings of Leon are doing it now. But I think now is the perfect time for the “boy bands” to re-emerge.
Right, right totally. Then we went through the whole rap phase and stuff, and that was cool for awhile but…

It always comes full circle.
It always does, right? [Laughs]

So, how old are you now?
Um, I am nineteen now.

You’ve been singing since you were young?
Yes, I was really, really little. Probably about a couple of years ago, a couple of friends were at my house and I was singing in the bathroom I think, and they were just kind of like ‘What? You sound good. Why aren’t you going out and doing things?’ blah blah. So, it’s just kind of like one of those snowball effects, like one thing happened after the other and I’ve just been really blessed to find like what I want to do at such a young age.

Absolutely. So, how did you end up hearing about Maddhouse? The guys told me it was a nationwide search.
Yeah, yeah well I actually met the guys at a showcase that I wasn’t performing in, but the team who put it together had actually written for them a lot. So, I met the guys there and I think it must have been a few weeks after that, I forget really how we got in touch, but they were looking for a fifth member. We had just kind of met up and hung out, played music for each other and just kind of started getting a vibe. I got along with the guys right away and the same for them, like we have the same sense of humors which I think is like such a big part of it.

Yea, they told me you’re hilarious.
[Laughs] I try. Um, yea so I just always love to have a good time, with anyone I work with I think if you ask them they’ll say that you know if I’m not laughing in the studio then I’m not having fun.

That’s so important though. People look at the music business as such an easy thing, but it’s serious business and if you can’t keep your sense of humor…
Totally and then there’s the people who take themselves so seriously and you’re just kind of like ‘I thought we got in the music to have fun, and like be creative, lighten people up.’

That’s what it does for me.
Right? Like my goal is to bring it back. I’m not sure if you can do that, but just bring it back to the old days. I would love for it to be like that again.

Somebody needs to. I think music is going in a pretty good direction now though. I don’t think it was every at a really bad spot, but pop music has changed a little bit. But I certainly don’t think it’s been ruined.
Right, oh no.

I think it’s coming back in a huge way. You know now there’s MySpace and Twitter, things ‘N Sync didn’t have back in the day so…
You’ve got so many different flavors.

Yes, everything is confusing. It’s more Pop/R&B, and I’ve seen a lot of Power Pop.
Totally.

How would you describe Maddhouse?
You know what? I would describe Maddhouse as Maddhouse because that’s one of the things that drew me to them in that I’d hear the songs … I didn’t listen to the songs and hear a conformity. I definitely heard inspirations from everywhere. You know ‘N Sync, Backstreet Boys … if you want to go as early into as Varsity or whatever, but I think that there’s something about our group that sets the music apart from everything else. I think that’s why we have a good fighting chance; it’s what drew me to the project and what I think drew the other guys to the project as well.

Well, you have a good sound; I was telling the guys how I love “All Eyez On Me”. We were even talking about the song “Confident”, and I wanted to know … I’m going to ask you too, what gives you confidence? Because everyone has that little quirk that will perk them up, or something that kind of drives it out when they’re on stage.
Oh man, you’re stinging me.

Sorry. [Laughs]
No, I like it. You know what gives me a lot of confidence is the fans. Hearing messages on MySpace and stuff, just knowing I’m touching someone the same way someone touched me with their music kind of gives me that confidence to be like ‘get over yourself and your nerves and butterflies’. Like someone’s waiting for this, for you and I like to believe in that. That gives me a lot of confidence other than you know this is what I love to do and if you can’t be confident in what you want to do then maybe you shouldn’t be doing it.

Absolutely, and what you were saying about nerves and butterflies, I would think that doesn’t just apply to going on stage. Do you ever get nervous when you go in to record new music?
Oh going to record a new song, yeah you can get really nervous. Especially going in with new producers you never know who is going to want what, and what they’re going to expect of you. I mean it’s kind of with any profession; you just kind of go in there and do it and you usually end up with a good relationship at the end of the night.

Well, we hear there is an album in the works so does that mean you guys have been in the studio every day?
Umm, we have been in the studio … I haven’t been in the studio that much but we’re actually working on a lot of really good stuff. We’re writing a lot of stuff …

The guys mentioned you were in a writing group?
Yeah, I’m in a writing group with one of the girls from Trip. I don’t know if you’ve heard of them.

Are they a girl band?
Yea, they’re a girl group … they’re triplets. But I’m in a writing group with them so I do a ton of writing for a lot of people. I’ve kinda been encouraging the guys to do a little writing, they do a little bit. So, we’re going to get in the studio really soon, hopefully recording some of the songs we wrote together.

Oh awesome, and with the TV show you guys are on a roll.
Yeah, that’s really exciting … it’s going to be an amazing experience.

They guys were telling me you’ve only been doing this for five months? It must be crazy for you with how much you already have of a dedicated fan base.
We’ve got some really dedicated fans already. I don’t know if the guys told you, but the other night two girls drove up to San Diego when we were just at a showcase … and it wasn’t even all of us. They just out of the blue showed up. It’s just stuff like that, that kind of makes you want to keep moving forward.

But I think that’s great though. It kind of goes back to what we were saying with MySpace and Facebook though, that now you can build relationships and keep in touch with the fans .. whereas that option wasn’t really available a few years ago.
I kind of think that’s what makes music now-a-days … it’s kind of a catch 22 because the internet is such a good thing for getting new and unsigned artists out. But it also does such horrible things for people who abuse it and kind of steal from the artist.

Well you also get a sort of different review of your music. It’s not just the magazine and television reports, but you get direct feedback from the fans themselves. I think that’s huge, I mean even album covers are such are being decided on by the fans.
Totally, and it gives us a chance as well to directly communicate with our fans; which is like so awesome. I know we’re really involved with giving it back to our fans.

Are you excited to get out there and do some performances this summer?
Oh man! You don’t even know! Every day we’re on the phone or together or whatever and are like ‘Dude, it’s too quiet. I want to be performing, let’s go, let’s go’. But, you know all good things must come in due time.

Well you know I asked each of the guys to describe one of the others, and each of them had a little bit of something about you. .. your dogs and your music ESP? You apparently are a music psychic because of your ability to text a few Jordin Sparks lyrics.
What, oh …oh my God.

So you must confirm or deny, are you a music psychic?
Oh I can’t believe they told you that. We’re going to have to come after you now. [Laughs]

Well now is your chance to say something about them? What are some things about Adam, Tim, Alex and Kale that people don’t know?
Oh Kale, he’s like the biggest teddy bear. He’s probably like the sweetest guy we’ve got, but don’t tell him I told you that.

Of course, I won’t tell anyone. [Laughs]
[Laughs] Put that under like Tim’s name or something, quoted by Tim. Then Adam, oh Lord where do I start with Adam? Oh Adam is just like one of the funniest guys to me, we will just go on for like ten minute periods and do the weirdest voices to each other. It’s really weird, just talk in weird voices … do weird things, be weird characters. It’s just weird. Umm then … I don’t know I should probably stop while I’m ahead. [Laughs]

It has been great talking with you, and I’m glad we were able to catch up.
Oh for sure, thank you so much.

FOR MORE ON MADDHOUSE CHECK OUT:
· Official MySpace
· Official Twitter

Inside the August/September 2009
Online Issue

photos: © 2009 Veasna Him Photography

Hi Kim! How are you?
Hi Courtney, I’m good.

How did you get involved with pursuing a career in music?
Yeah, I’ve been singing since I would say about nine or ten years old. I put my first single out in 2000 on the Dawson’s Creek soundtrack, called “Letting Go” and it was on Columbia Records. It’s been a long journey, I’ve been on several labels and finally with “Feel Your Love” having my first Top 40 hit.

Yeah, you mentioned Dawson’s Creek, that’s actually when I first became familiar with you.
Oh really?

Yes I was an avid fan of the show and the music. One thing I’ve noticed with Dawson’s Creek and shows like The OC, One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl they are pretty much an outlet for introducing new artists.
Absolutely.

What was it like for you at the time when your song was on the show?
Oh it was amazing. It happened so quickly when I got signed that you kind of don’t realize the impact. I guess I didn’t know how big it was, because now I feel like I’m working harder, harder now than I ever did. I guess being on a major label had its perks, but it lost its shuffle so.

Well I still think it was one of the best songs that played on Dawson’s Creek.
Oh thank you! It’s so funny; when people connect the dots … I have people that like live for that song. I’ve had fans or girls like crying that it helped with their relationship or whatever, but it’s pretty amazing the power of it.

Oh yeah those that say ‘oh it’s my break up song’.
Yeah, yes I know it’s crazy.

So between then and now how have things been going for you? We know you’ve gone between labels.
Releasing singles … I mean I’ve done many other things with that nine year span there. I’ve definitely had other dance singles on the charts. You know, been plugging away doing several other things, recorded and toured in Europe, Epic Records … had a couple of singles released there. So, like I said I’ve been in the game a long time, but just finally getting some more recognition … mainstream recognition.

Yeah, when I first heard your new song on the radio, they said “Kim Sozzi” … and I was thinking ‘wait I know her’.
Aww, I know I’ve been around. I’m telling you I’ve been around a long time. So I have fans from like you said Dawson’s Creek, Germany, from the dance world, you know all over. Hopefully they all just keep supporting me and helping me continue to build a fanbase.

You know “Letting Go” is so different from “Feel Your Love” so how would you say your sound has really changed?
My whole philosophy on life is you have to stay current, stick with the times. You know the world is different than it was nine years ago; music is different. How I am as a person is different … just everything is different. I don’t want to say stop doing what I was doing ten years ago, I love dance music.

“Just One Day” has been in the making for a bit and you just released it this summer. How does it feel to finally have it out there?
I am so happy, I am ecstatic. When I signed to Ultra Records I had three singles and then they called for an album; “Feel Your Love” is actually the first single off the album. Yeah, it’s been like since 2006 but finally my first debut … it’s great. There’s definitely some very personal songs on the album.

What’s your most personal?
I mean it doesn’t really … now that I’m in a much better place … “Secret Love” was like a very torturous song for me, something that I wrote. That one and what else … I mean I love the album or I wouldn’t have put all the songs on there. It’s really good, being really well received; the fans are loving it, great feedback so I can’t really complain.

And “Feel Your Love” has just been kicking butt on the radio.
I know! Yeah, it’s like a top 10, top 5 record in New York, my hometown. There’s nothing better than like your friends and family, everyone hearing it in the car, at the gym … wherever. It’s just like the best thing ever.

How do you follow that up? I mean do you have any plans for next single? Feeling the pressure?
Yeah, mhmm yeah … it’s funny because a couple of station had already added “Kiss Me Back”, which is number two on the album, and it’s doing well feedback has been really good. Then another station here in New York, a big station, has added “Secret Love” so I guess we’ll see what happens. They’re playing “Secret Love” already, they love it and I really have no control over what stations play. I mean there are other stations that have added “Open Up Your Heart”, I guess once you have an album out program directors can kind of do whatever they want. So, we’ll see what happens, I’m just happy that the album is selling well and that you can get it on iTunes.

Cascada did a remix to your song “Break Up”, and recently performed on the roster at KTU’s Beatstock with you. Any chance of you both collaborating again in the future?
You know what, I don’t know. I don’t want to feel like now we’re competition because back then we weren’t. I was happy that they wanted to collaborate a couple of years ago, but I really don’t know. I mean I’m friends with everybody, the two producers and with Natalie; it just hasn’t been talked about lately. I love Cascada don’t get me wrong but I’d love to work with David Guetta, yeah that would be like my next … Id’ have to stalk him or something.

That’s what’s so great about Twitter … you can. [Laughs]
I know! [Laughs] I have some of my own stalkers yeah.

And it’s legal.
It’s crazy, it’s crazy. [Laughs] But yeah that’s kind of who I’m hoping to collaborate with next.

Speaking of Beatstock, we heard there was over 20,000 people at both shows. How do you prepare yourself to perform in front of that big of a crowd?
Yeah, it was incredible! It’s funny because at the second night at Jones Beach my mic cut out, and I knew something was messing up but I didn’t know that I had shut out. What’s crazy is I just plugged along kept doing my thing because you never want to show the crowd that there’s a problem. I actually got a write up in the New York Times, the whole entire KTU event actually got a write up, but the whole opening paragraph was about how the sound went out and how well I handled it. How dance artists can really sing, and it was just a great article for people in my genre.

It’s funny you mention that because I was recently talking with someone about how with a lot of dance songs it’s hard to sing along because some tracks are basically remixed to give it that club sound. Makes you wonder how those are performed live, but dance artists do really sing.
Oh you mean the delay and stuff as far as production? I hear what you’re saying, but you can always find a way. That’s why the live version is sometimes different than the radio versions you know … make it work.

I was hoping to make it out to Beatstock, but unfortunately couldn’t.
It was really a good show. I think it was even sold out, I know it was at Jones Beach. I got to say they did a really, really spectacular job. Everything was really A+.

Any new shows you’ve got coming up?
Umm, I was just in Rochester which was a lot of fun doing a concert for PX Live. I know I have thing coming up, my manager is actually out of town for three days where gonna do a catch up once she gets back. But, I’ll be working the record selling the album.

Awesome, well thank you so much. I had a lot of fun speaking with you.
Thank you for doing the interview!

FOR MORE ON KIM CHECK OUT:
· Official Site
· Official MySpace
· Official Twitter

"FEEL YOUR LOVE"

AVAILABLE NOW ON ITUNES!

Hi Elio, how are you? Can you tell us a bit about yourself for those who don’t know?
I’m good thank you. Sure, I’m a singer originally from San Francisco of Latin and Asian descent currently living in Los Angeles.

When did you realize you wanted to be in entertainment?
I realized I first wanted to be in entertainment when I was about 8 years old. My church choir went to another church about an hour and a half away to perform in front of 100 people. I loved the feeling of traveling and performing in front of big crowds and was hooked ever since.

You’ve done both acting and singing. When did you decided to follow through more on music?
I decided to concentrate more on music when I joined a group 2 years ago. There’s a lot of compromise in a group and you can’t have too many distractions.

What would you say is the biggest difference between being a solo artist and singing in a group?
The biggest difference between the two is the creative freedom to do what you want versus butting heads and not coming up with a solution.

When writing a song do you have a certain process? Do you sit down and say okay I’m going to write a song about love today or…?
Not really because it’s always different. It just depends on what inspires me that day. It could be something I see or hear or even just a phrase that catches my ear.

How would you describe your music?
I would describe my music as Pop/R&B with a some different elements thrown in like rock guitars, trip-hop, and eve Spanish guitars.

What musical artist past or present do you admire the most?
The artist I admire most is Prince because he’s such an amazing songwriter, producer, and can play so many different musical instruments.

What is one song you can’t stand at all on the radio right now?
I’d have to say Lumidee because it stole the Sean Paul beat from "Get Busy".

Who is someone you would really like to work collaborate with if you could?
One person I’d like to collaborate with is the Neptunes. I love their hip-hop beats and rock stuff from their band N.E.R.D.

Where do you hope to see yourself this time next year?
A year from now I hope to be on tour and do some acting gigs on the side.

Before we let you go is there anything you’d like to say to the people reading this right now?
I’d like to say thank you for taking the time out to read this and if you’d like to keep up with my career or learn more about me and my music just go to www.elioacosta.com.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions, and good luck with everything you do.
Thank you for having me Fanvasion, it was my pleasure doing this interview.

If you don’t recognize his face, you’ve definitely seen his moves. He’s Darryl Blackman "DBlack" choreographer to the stars. He’s choreographed moves for O-Town, Aaron Carter, LFO, Take 5, and C-Note. Now he’s recording his own album, and taking on not only the dance world.

Hi DBlack, how are you doing?
I’m fine, just waiting for my time to shine….patiently.

How did you get started in dancing?
I started when I was about 14 dancing in musicals in Chicago.

What was your very first big job dancing?
I guess you could say my first big job was dancing and singing on a cruise ship. I had big jobs before that but this one got me to see more of the world and brought me to Orlando.

Where do you get inspiration to create your dances?
I actually go to clubs and watch the people that other people say can’t dance. I use their reckless abandonment to inspire me. I also get hyped over music too.

Who would you say is your biggest influence and why?
I get caught up with choreographers that have worked with Michael Jackson because you gotta come with it to work with him. I would love to have the chance to do at least one song for him. I would rock the heck outta that song. I think he would like it.

Do you ever travel with the acts you dance for? … what’s that like?
I have traveled with a few acts, but the most fun was with Aaron Carter. It was also the most traveling I have ever done.

Who would you say is your favorite artist that you’ve worked with?
Aaron, without a doubt. Lil’ J was cool too because it was all my choreography and it helped to get him signed.

What would you say is the hardest part about being a choreographer?
Being taken for less of a choreographer because I don’t come from LA. There are a lot of amazing choreographers in LA, but there are also a lot here too in Orlando. We are all doing our thing and should get the same respect, but we don’t. I still won’t let that get me down. I gotta do me.

If you had to choose between dancing and singing which would you stick with?
As much as I love dancing I would have to say singing because I have been waiting patiently to do it and I am ready now.

Is music something you’ve always wanted to do?
Yes, and have done, but not like this.

How different is it to record an album then to choreograph a dance?
For me it’s a lot different because Dancing is something that came easy and I could do it anywhere. Singing is more challenging and it’s hard as heck to get someone on the same page as you to finish a song.

Do you have any advice for someone who would someday like to be a choreographer?
Trust in your ability to create something new and never let any one tell you your not good. Someone will like your gift.

Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions, is there anything you’d like to add before we let you go?
I can do nothing but be real. I hope you follow me as I rise and fall, but never fail.

You’ve seen him as a finalist on the show ‘Making the Band’ and as one third of the group LMNT, now he’s branching off into his own solo career. Recently we got a chance to chat with him about what the experience has been like recording on his own, what his goals are, and more.

Hi Bryan, how are you? Doing good I hope.
I’m great..thanks for asking.

What made you decide to go solo after the break from LMNT?
I think we were all ready to spread our wings a little bit. We’ve been working, touring and recording together for over three years. We’ve all grown as musicians and our tastes have all kind of changed as well. This is going to give us all an opportunity to try something new.

How does recording on your own differ than being in the studio as part of a group?
Well you work a lot more that’s for sure….a song is now all you instead of being split up four ways. I love it though, being in the studio is where all the creativity happens and I get to make all the calls as to what type of music we do and what songs we choose to record. It’s a very liberating experience.

What can you tell us about your EP you have coming out?
Well it’s got five songs that kind of hit on a little bit of everything. The sound is very consistent…very live and organic…but they are all different from one another. You can get it on our website in March and I hope fans will listen to it and give me some feedback.

Out of all the songs you’ve recently recorded for your album, which would you say is your favorite? Why?
I’d say In My Head. It was the first song I wrote with our production team at The Red Room, and I guess there’s always something special about the first of anything.

Can you describe for us what the song writing process is like for you?
It’s different every time, some songs come fast and easy some take a lot longer, it depends on a lot of factors that I can’t even explain. Sometimes the stars just align and you come up with a hit song, sometimes their real stinkers.

How will you choose which songs will make the cut for your EP? What happens to the ones that won’t?
Well we actually wrote and recorded six songs specifically for the EP, along with looking at about a dozen songs I had wrote and worked on before I went to Nashville. In the end my manager and I decided that we would choose from the most recent songs and we would go with the 5 that made the most sense. The EP will have In My Head, I Want It All, So Beautiful, All I Know and Don’t Cry For Me.

If you could work with any artist on this album, who would it be? Why?
I’d love to write with Richard Marx – he’s written some of the most incredible ballads I have ever heard. He’s a great storyteller and I’d be honored to sing his throwaways.

How would you describe your sound to new fans?
It’s a cross between Hootie and the Blowfish and Matchbox 20. Very pop rock with an acoustic feel.

Now that you know the outcome of ‘Making the Band’, if given the chance would you do it over again? Why or why not?
Oh yeah…even though I had to wade through my ankles in BS I would have never ended up where I am without that experience. Everything is a lesson…the trick is to learn from them and pick yourself up every time something knocks you down.

What would you say is your most memorable performance?
My first gig in Nashville with a live band. I was singing with Sam Mizell’s band at the Franklin Mercantile and I can’t tell you what it’s like to have such talented musicians playing your songs behind you.

What are some goals you hope to reach in your solo career?
I hope that I can fill stadiums and have platinum albums on my walls…a Grammy would be nice, but you know…it’s an honor just to be nominated.

Bryan, thanks so much for your time. We wish you lots of luck on your album!
Thanks for taking the time to do the interview, all the best.

FOR MORE ON BRYAN CHECK OUT:
· Official Site

The Solo Sessions
buy online

We caught up with Brittney on-line, and got to chat for a little bit. We talked about fans, music, and more. So, read on and enjoy!

FV: So who are your musical influences?
Brittney Cleary: Well…I am really into the Rock genre right now! My brother got me into Sevendust, Sublime, Linkin Park but I really like Shakira and Michelle Branch! I also love Britney Spear’s performance and her style!
FV (Courtney T.): I actually was listening to Linkin Parks new CD today…its pretty good
FV (Chanelle): That’s awesome! Courtney J. and T. are also into Britney and Shakira.
BC: *hehe* That’s funny that you have two friends named Courtney because I have two friends name Brittany.
FV (Chanelle): LoL! Yea I call them Courtney x2.
BC: haha!
FV (Courtney T.): lol yea it’s easier to people….they get us confused a lot.
BC: We just say "do you mean me Brittney…or her Brittany?"
FV (Courtney J.): haha

FV: Your single "I.M. me" is about AOL, was that your idea?
BC: Yah actually it was!!! My Dad also co-wrote some of the lyrics in it with a close friend of the family, Valerie Delacruz and another musician Mark Oliverious.

FV: So do you go on-line a lot? lol
BC: Yah..If I’m not on I usually just leave an away message on…so I’m basically on the entire day.
FV (Chanelle): Sounds like Courtney J. LoL!
BC: lol

FV: Is there one song on your album that is special to you?
BC: Well…I really like the song "Feel". Connie Howard wrote it…she is my piano teacher.

FV: Did you write any songs in the album, or have help in their creation?
BC: No, I didn’t write anything on this album…but hopefully on the next one I’ll get the opportunity…but I did help a lot in the creation of this album.

FV: Really? What did you get to do?
BC: Well, I made sure that I had some say in the cd cover graphics, the songs, and all that kind of stuff! If I don’t like something we all try to compromise on something.

FV: Cool, cool! How does it feel to be as young as you are, and already have an album out? What other things do you want to accomplish now?
BC: Well, I really want to get into the acting part of the business. I think that could be a lot of fun!

FV (Courtney T.): Yea, I would love to become an actress! See my name in lights lol
BC: *hehe*

FV: If you could choose one artist to perform with, who would it be?
BC: I would have to say Michelle Branch because I think she is just an awesome musician all the way around!

FV: Have you met any memorable fans yet?
BC: Once I was doing a TV taping in Times Square and a girl scout troop came along, They recognized me and bombarded me for autographs! It was cool…but kind of scary at the same time.

FV: Like many artists out today, they tend to have a big influence on young girls, what are your thoughts on that?
BC: Hey…I’m 14 and I’m happy to be 14. I’m happy with who I am..and I’m never going to pretend to be something I’m not! I think all girls should grow up with that sense of self-confidence.
FV: That’s a great attitude!
BC: thank yah!

FV: Since your still young do you go to public school or have a tutor?
BC: I tried to stay in public school as long as possible but It became to much so now I am home-schooled. I have a computer program I have to follow and spend a few hours on everyday.
FV (Courtney T.): Chanelle, and Courtney J. are home-schooled

FV (Courtney J.): Home-schooled, so are we! How do you like it?
BC: It’s cool but there’s no one around to pass notes to.
FV (Courtney J.): We pass notes to each other lol
BC:

FV: Brittney we think that you are a talented new artist, and we wish you all the best in the future. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us.
BC: No thank you so much!

FV: Hope to see you soon! TTYL!
BC: Thanks again, nice talking to you!