Published: December 18, 2008 6:58 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
Hot New Music Spotlight
Mother Earth & Sun Interview
Mother Earth & Sun
What makes this next group something that fans will remember is their fusion of rock and soul that easily captures the magical sound of the band. In this recent spotlight with Mother Earth & Sun, the members of the group took the time to complete this fantastic feature with me, Isaac.
Isaac: We are excited that the band has decided to complete this interview. Please take a moment to elaborate on how the band was formed.
Mikey: Musicians brought their talents to the room … and it was a harmonious blend of ideals.
Kind Doug: We were all drawn together by our soul's gravitational pull- on behalf of our sonic addictions.
Big AL: I answered an ad Doug had placed looking for a drummer; I also had an ad looking for a guitarist/band. So, we kind of found each other. Later, I left the band for a short period of time and during that time Mike had joined with Doug. When I returned, we found Twin and bass player, Tony.
Isaac: What I am enjoying about the band is the mixture of rock and soul. Was there any one musician or group that spoke to your heart so profoundly, you were inspired to do your own thing?
Mikey: For me … no.
TM - A friend and local musician, Slaus Paul-Brown, got me into playing cover songs and then introduced me to Kind Doug. This has been a most excellent experience and I don't want to look back. Move Forward. Grow.
Kind Doug: This is what we sound like together, when we write, record, and perform, it's a Natural Original, sum of all parts.
TwinSpirit: Rock & Soul are a natural fusion as they both come from the heart and both tap into the inner core of the listener.
Isaac: Which singer/group would you say the band would most like to work with?
Mikey: Someone local who's on the same path we are.
TM - I'd like to see Carlos Santanna and Rob Thomas sit in with us for a little music and mind expansion.....I heard they always got the good kind.
Kind Doug: Ben Harper/Rush/Mother's Finest.
TwinSpirit: Whoa! The list is long but to name a few: Stevie Wonder, Sting, The Roots, Jill Scott, Zapp Mama.
Isaac: What singer/songwriter do you guys most connect with?
Mikey: My band-mates are singer/songwriters. Right now, I'm connecting with them.
TM - We all come from really different backgrounds and experiences. I doubt my choices would fit with the rest of the band. I grew up with Elvis, Waylon Jennings, and Ted Nugent. I know where did that come from??? Anyway...I was a Hard Rocker stuck in the country until I was set free to explore and play ALL genre of music.
Kind Doug: I like strong female singers, Baby Jean Kennedy, Beyonce, Sheryl Crowe.
Isaac: Out of your entire song collection that you've written thus far, which song(s) would each of the members say is/are the most personal/meaningful to him/her?
Mikey: I'm a big fan of a song currently referred to as "Recognize," a work in progress. Not released yet.
TM - Leave Me !!! For Sure.....
Kind Doug- "Follo your Brother" Song I wrote about the pending birth of my daughter.
Big AL: Songs that are personal to me are Leave Me and September.
TwinSpirit: "Little Brother".
Isaac: I LOVE "Little Brother".
Isaac: Which singers/groups do you enjoy/like from some of today's music genres (each member)?
Mikey: Who are some of the bands from today's musical genres? I might've heard of them before. Wait, did they do that ONE song on the radio?
TM - I think the Foo Fighters have stretched the norms of today's music. Their songs have meaning, have a good beat, and have a hook. Plus, I just love to see drummers become guitar players/ front men.
Kind Doug: I like it all as long as it's good to the ears & kind to the soul.
Big AL: New groups I like are Death Cab for Cutie, 3, and Incubus.
Isaac: I love Incubus.
TwinSpirit: Good music is good music and it comes in many different packages & genres. There are many I am digging.
Isaac: What charities are you involved with or support and why should people get involved (each member)?
Mikey: ANYTHING GREEN!!! Anybody eco-friendly.
TM - The American Red Cross. I was involved in a terrible accident years ago and required MANY liters of blood. More than my body would hold. I was bleeding out.....They were there for me, their blood bank saved my life. I still give blood three times every year and have done so for years. PLUS - they are involved in almost every local and regional catastrophe for assistance with short term housing and basic needs. They have been around for a long time and I'm afraid people seem to take the Red Cross for granted these days.
Kind Doug: We support Partners Against Domestic Violence, National Kidney Foundation (Camp Independence) & many Local Charities. Charity is such a positive action, and soothes your humanity.
TwinSpirit: Domestic Violence & Women's/Human Rights are big ones for me.
Isaac: Have you (or would you ever consider) writing a song about any of today's particular world issues/problems? If so, what world issue would speak to you the most to write about (everyone)?
Mikey: I have not, and would not, as of yet.
TM - Alcoholism and drug addiction!!! It's a topic that some talk about and few take action. It ruins peoples lives, contributes to family violence and criminal activity and the overall decline of society. I'm not talking about casual users. I 'm talking about hard core abusers. These people need help and mostly don't know how or where to get that help. I think different people take different messages away from music; I can only hope that one of my songs will help one person ask for help.
Kind Doug: Yes, Terrorism- it's the one issue that doesn't have a resolve or meaning, except killing innocent people. You can't reason with terrorists they don't reason normally.
Big AL: I have not written a song about a world issue, but would not be opposed to it. I would like to tackle man's violence on man.
TwinSpirit: I have, the 1st that comes to mind is "The Freedom Song". It speaks on standing up for individuals freedom of choice- be it in areas of religion, politics, sexuality…simply put the freedom for individuals to "Be".
Isaac: What is the main reason why should people listen to the band's music (everyone)?
Mikey: It's melodic and fulfilling.
TM - It's different but not out of this world. When people think of "original music" bands - they usually think of Cheech and Chong and a moog Synthesizer. The studio may be smokey, but this music is not out of this world. The songs are consistent with "Bach's Rules" so they don't sound offbeat or unusual - there just new. You just never heard them before.......I promise they will rock your world.
Kind Doug: Because it's natural, real & contains inspiration, commentary on human emotion, within quality original arrangements.
Big AL: Our band blends rock, soul and r&b together which creates a different sound from what's out there.
TwinSpirit: Because it infuses so many different elements & flavors. It's like musical gumbo a little bit of this and a little bit of that, WARM & FILLING, and it taste so good going down!!
Isaac: How far into the creation of a song do you share any of it with anyone? Who would you play it for? Would it be a chorus, a verse and chorus, or a complete song?
Mikey: The creation of a song is just that, an idea that one band-mate shares with another … it builds from there. It's important that you do it together, though. The most fulfilling moment is when the band discovers it collectively.
TM - I usually play them acoustically for my kids first. If they immediately walk away - I start over. Depending on how long they stick around determines how much I re-work the melody. I usually get the lyrics pretty quickly, but without the right melody - it just does not work. Then I'll test it out with close friends and then finally - polish the orchestration and try it on a live audience.
Kind Doug: If it's a strong idea that comes together quickly, it goes to the front of the line if it's a slow cooker - we put it in the pool, and even lift pieces from these riffs, for current or stronger numbers. Usually try to get the band in on and up & running before we submit it to Twin, to make sure it's gonna roll & be worthy of her(our) time.
TwinSpirit: Songwriting is actually a very personal & private process for me. It's the equivalent of getting naked to me, so I actually don't share until the end of the process and then I am still very selective about whom I share with. I don't like getting naked with just anybody you know…LOL
Isaac: How much do you let others "mess around with" one of your new songs (anyone)?
Mikey: It's not a matter of "letting" someone mess with your song; you INVITE them into the creative process.
TM - So far - I have not really collaborated on the originals, but I expect that to change in the coming year. I think I'm too protective of the lyrics, but fairly open to changes in the melody or verse/chorus structure.
Kind Doug: Every song is a collaboration by the time it's on deck, everyone has to write their parts, if it lays down as is great, if it needs to be customized to fit a certain players' take or flow, even better. The more people within the band who are inspired by a piece we are working up, the better; it will contain more natural energy.
Isaac: Do you have to be a tortured soul to be a singer-songwriter (anyone)?
Mikey: YES!!!
TM - Generally - YES. In my opinion, the best songs come from those experiences that have a definitive impact on your life - that means bad/hard/desperate times make for great song materials. I think that is why there are a thousand plus songs about a broken heart.
Kind Doug: Most definitely not. We are all Family style people, relatively happy collectively- we prefer to work in a positive environment. Even happy people have ups & downs of their human cycle, so there is plenty of anger, frustration, guilt etc. to fuel dark pieces within a relatively normal day to day existence.
Isaac: Are your songs strictly autobiographical or are they embroidered autobiography or something completely different (anyone)?
Mikey: Each of us connects to a meaning in each of our songs.
TM - The songs I tend to write seem to be about my life; those things going on around me......I need to grow and write more about general issues. Expand my horizons a little bit....Write about life through someone else's eyes.
Kind Doug: Not all, although everything is from the authors frame of reference, so their is always some of us within our songs. Though I try not to just write from the I or You, cause most writers do. I think of songs as short stories or essays, sometimes the most exciting themes are fiction.
Isaac: How long does it take you to process your emotions and turn them into songs (anyone)?
Mikey: Decades.
TM - Sometimes 5 minutes - sometimes days... I've got one song - been working on for 5 years - it's still not playable yet........ I think it goes back to how much an impact a certain emotion or event had on your life. One of my best songs (according to me) I wrote in a McD's drive through - literally on a napkin - on the dashboard.
TwinSpirit: For me, it usually flows very quickly. I actually do not write lyrics down. I typically record straight from the mind…I lay it down as it comes & then I go back and edit as needed.
Isaac: The best piece of advice you actually followed (each member)?
Mikey: Any advice my Mom gave me … that I actually followed.
TM - If you want to play music -DO IT. Every chance you get. With as many different musicians as you can.......Don't let anyone tell you different. Open Mics are a personal favorite of mine. It's a great chance to stretch your song legs without having to play a full 4 hour set.
Kind Doug: To use music (writing, recording, performing) to stimulate my soul, regardless of commercial success.
Big AL: The best piece of advice I've followed is being true to myself when it comes to song lyrics and creating drum parts.
TwinSpirit: Do what you love & love what you do…and the rest will always falls into place.
Isaac: Give Shutouts to your family and friends (each member).
Mikey: "Hi," everybody!
TM - My kids are my life! AJ and Kendel....I hope they grow into musicians - but a wise man once told me - "You can't make your kids love anything, but you can sure make them hate it".
Tim R. and Slaus - thanks boys.....Thanks for 1) getting me into the Open Mic scene and 2) Thanks for helping me grow out of the open mic and into the gig/performance environment. Plus** Slaus is a Master Luthier and keeps my gear in tip top shape!!!! Thanks
Kind Doug: Big luv to my Fam & bandmates, I got your back!
Big AL: Thanks to my wife, Jenny, for her support/understanding with my passion.
TwinSpirit: I could not begin to list everyone individually as this would fill volumes. My support system is massive. Family (my mom, little sisters Tesla & Tiffany, My daughter Taheerah) for always being my biggest cheerleaders and always catching me when I fall, Friends for always being there & being real, & Fans for accepting me as I am.
Isaac: Last but certainly not least, what are you working on, now (each member)?
Mikey: The potential lyrics to "Recognize," … and a wedding song for my cousin in July 2009.
TM - We are focused on recording and playing out that set list......I'm actually going back into the studio tonight to re-record some tracks.. ....hoping to get our name out.
I'd like to get that call to play the Superbowl Halftime show ........but until then - we'll keep on rocking !
Kind Doug: We are putting down tracks for our record, untitled at this point- any suggestions?
Thanks for including us - it's our pleasure.
Big AL: Recording our first CD as the New Line Up
TwinSpirit: Marketing & Promoting this wonderful band, writing & recording new material for the Mother Earth & Sun Project, did I say Marketing & Promoting? LOL!!
Instrumentation
TwinSpirit- Lead Vocals
Kind Doug- Guitar
Mikey Keyz- Keyboard
Tony Mack - Bass
Big Al- Drums
