Listen to the live interview Episode #477: A.V.A Live Radio Behind The Music with Jacqueline Jax : http://tobtr.com/10030555

Jacqueline Jax logo photoGETTING TO KNOW VELVET ROSE
by Jacqueline Jax host of A.V.A Live Radio

Koryn Mendez, Lead Vocal Brian Clark, Lead Guitar Jack Clark, Drums Emma Mangino, Keyboards, Backup Vocals and Rhythm Guitar Jacob DeBonnett, Bass
We definitely will be doing some experimenting with our sound as we push forward. We’re hoping to make the second EP longer and go above and beyond what we did previously. We’re hoping to shape and polish our sound, to reach a broader audience, shop it to record companies and hopefully generate some interest.

At this point we are all still in school so were putting education first and focusing on developing the band slowly.

 

As We Are…
Emma: This song is about not letting yourself be defined by your flaws or the challenges you face. After practice, Brian and Jack were playing around with one of their riffs and I started singing a melody line that came into my head using lyrics I had written a few weeks before. We left the song for a few months while we were working on other things. We actually forgot about it until we found the lyric sheet and decided to really develop the song. I finished the lyrics and all of us really worked to bring this song to life. The experience of hearing it all come together was amazing. It’s the first song I’ve written that I’m actually proud of.

“Closure” Brian: The idea for this song is a relationship gone wrong. It’s about the end of a relationship when the 2 people just drift apart, going their separate ways without any closure. This song was written from my personal experience. The song started from a riff I had written and the words seemed to fall around it.

 

We’re all from Morris County, New Jersey…
which is about 25 miles west of New York City. We all live in suburban and small towns, which isn’t what most people think when they hear you’re from New Jersey. Fortunately, there are a number of places to play that are about 1/2 to one hour away that don’t require the performers to be 21. A few of the places we’ve played have a real history in rock and blues like the Stone Pony in Asbury Park and The Stanhope House Rock and Blues Club in Stanhope. This month, we travel east to Mexicali Live and to the New Old Rock Deli in New York City. There are also music festivals throughout the state from Spring to Fall where you can play and listen to music.

We’re discovering how fast-paced and demanding the music business is….
We know it’s important to be dedicated and to love what you’re doing. This business takes a lot of hard work…the blood sweat and tears kind. But if it’s a passion, like it is for us, that kind of work is manageable. We’re aware of the obstacles we may come across and we look forward to the journey ahead and reaching the goals we have in mind.

Inspiration:

Koryn: Jenna McDougall of Tonight Alive…
Not only is she extremely talented but she sends out this powerful message of personal empowerment, of believing in yourself no matter the odds. She’s fun, fearless and shows her fans love because that’s who she is. I absolutely admire her for that. Sometimes before a show, I’ll listen to her song “To Be Free” and sing the part where she says “I’m limitless, I’m limitless, limitless” to myself for inspiration…to remind myself that nothing is impossible, and to give my all in every performance. Brian: Slash….I’ve admired and looked up to him as a musician for years and he’s been a real influence. He’s a big reason why I started to take guitar so seriously.

Jack: Jon Bonham….
He’s been a huge inspiration of mine along with Ginger Baker of Cream. I would ask him what inspired him to be one of the greatest drummers in rock history and to see if he would have any tips for me as a drummer or for this business. Emma: I would have to say Dave Grohl…He’s a great musician, but the main reason he’s inspired me is that whenever he performs, you can tell he’s constantly giving 110% of his effort and he’s throwing himself into the music.

You can tell how much he loves what he’s doing just by watching him, and to me, that’s more important than how well you play or sing. That’s what I want to be able to do with my music….I want to give it my all each and every time I get up on stage and I want to break that barrier that seems to be between the performer and the audience. You can tell he doesn’t acknowledge that barrier…that he’s a genuinely good person as well. In the music business, when you have a huge fan base of people, it seems as if it’s impossible to not let it go to your head…to remain genuine.

I think that happens a lot in all of entertainment. To be able to keep your head in that kind of situation where it’s so easy to develop an ego…that’s pretty admirable.

Jacob: I would choose Stevie Wonder and James Jamerson. They worked together during their time at Motown.

Everyone knows Stevie, but James is an industry legend and one of the legendary Funk Brothers. I would ask who inspired them and why they chose music or did music choose them?

I watched “Standing in the Shadows” with my dad and I was impressed with James Jamerson’s ability to play lying down. When my dad wants my brother and me to calm down, he plays Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions.

He says that no one can argue when Stevie’s singing. My favorite Stevie Wonder song is “Sir Duke” and my favorite James Jamerson bass-line is in “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” written by Ashford and Simpson.

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