 
Published: March 09, 2008 6:23 PM EST
By: Isaac Joseph Davis Junior
(Juniorscave.com)
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Electric Swamp
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Junior’s Cave’s latest interview comes from the Blues/ Psychedelic / Rock Miami based group Electric Swamp. With a sound that captures the essence of this type of music, I am sure blues’ lovers all over will enjoy this fun spotlight.
Isaac-Joseph: Briefly describe how you entered into the music industry.
John: Well, I've been blowing harp since I was a kid (about 15). I used to perform on the corner in Brooklyn playing solo harmonica and singing. Surprisingly people seemed to have enjoyed it.
Isaac-Joseph: What is the most rewarding aspect to making music currently for you?
John: The most rewarding aspect? playing for people who enjoy the music. The 2nd most rewarding is having everybody in the band communicating and building. I suppose both aspects are needed.
Isaac-Joseph: What has discouraged you the most about making music?
John: It's tough getting people's interest.
Isaac-Joseph: Do you have a personal philosophy about music? If so, what is it?
John: I do have a philosophy (I think very deeply): If you feel it, it's musical.
Isaac-Joseph: When you are performing live in front of an audience, what are the thoughts that are running through you head?
John: Well it depends. Assuming everything is going right; my head should be solely focused on the music. If it isn't, then I pay attention to the problem and I how I can fix it - quickly.
Isaac-Joseph: Why is being an independent musician important to you?
John: Is "independence" important? The freedom's nice, but, then again, so would be being pampered. Of course, if I'm not going to get the right treatment might as well be independent.
Isaac-Joseph: Do you think the Internet has altered the path of music as an industry? If so, how?
John: Clearly it has; in some good ways and in some ways that are not so good. I love the diversity of musical approaches that are available on the Internet. Viacom/Vivendi had done a pretty good job controlling access to the public with radio, TV, record distribution, and videos. The Internet has leveled the playing field; All of that good.
I think the problem with the Internet is that it hasn't left a viable economic structure for musicians in its wake. We've all seen the numbers: CD sales are down dramatically, mp3 sales are up modestly. People are becoming unwilling to shell out money for music. A person paying 90 cents for an mp3 is putting less money forward than a person buying a CD for $17.
OK, so what does all this have to do with the Internet? Well let's do the math. The Internet has created an individual song based culture. Recording costs have dropped a little, but - again - emphasis has been placed on putting out individual songs and not albums. But recording individual songs as opposed to groups of songs isn't cost effective. Meanwhile, it takes a whole lot of 90 cent sales (actually it's less than 90 cents, but I'll leave that alone) to begin to recoup costs of a recording one song - let alone recording several songs. And with CD sales down, the possibility of selling CDs at performances has also declined.
Isaac-Joseph: Any advice for other musicians out there when it comes to using the Internet as a medium for getting their music heard to the masses?
John: Yeah - don't be as long winded as I am.
Isaac-Joseph: What kind of recording software do you use?
John: I go to a studio so that I can record the whole band, including drums.
Isaac-Joseph: I know that everybody has his or her idea of a dream artist, someone who for whatever reasons that person would just love to listen to and admire. As an entertainer yourself, if you could play with one of your "dream" musicians, anyone at all, who would it be and why?
John: I've worked with a few big names. And they are great. But, I didn't make my best music working with them. I learned from them but the work was always transitional. I think I'd prefer to play with folks who are on the same wavelength as I am.
Isaac-Joseph: What are you hoping to gain from your experience of being a musician and making music?
John: When I first became "serious" about playing music, it was with the intent of getting laid. I suppose that hasn't changed too much. (OK, that can't be the complete reason. If it were, I'd just be singing Marvin Gaye tunes in a Marvin Gaye like voice. I only do that occasionally.)
Isaac-Joseph: What are you hopes for your music in the year 2008?
John: World wide baby!!! World wide! Remember when the Wu were giving an interview on "Enter the Wu Tang..." Everything they were saying about their plans is true of mine.
Isaac-Joseph: This is our Shout Out time. Please give props to anyone and everyone that matters the most to you.
John: Let me thank my partner in crime - Billy Rodriguez. Left with just my instincts, my music would be barely palatable. His amazing guitar work and subtle arrangements demand the work be taken in directions I would not normally think of. (I would choke, for example, on the mere thought of bringing in Fleetwood Mac into my music before teaming up with Billy.)
Isaac-Joseph: This is Shameless Plug time: Give us some updates on new releases and other projects in the works.
John: Well we're in midst of a radio campaign as we speak. We got ourselves on a Blues show in Portugal. We're talking to company in Germany concerning European distribution. And our CDs can be purchased here: http://musicianmp3.com/CDstore.cfm?adinfoid=10112
Isaac-Joseph: Final Thoughts:
John: Got to get off my lap top before the power dies.
Websites:
http://www.myspace.com/electricswamp2
http://www.sonicbids.com/electricswamp
http://www.musicsubmit.com/electricswamp
And people are more than welcome to request Electric Swamp's music on the following Net Broadcasts:
http://www.Fredio.com
http://bluesmentefalando.bluesportugal.com
http://www.THEBANDHOUSELIVE.com (They're in Ga)
http://www.hounddogradio.net (They're in Ga too.)
http://www.wdyn.us/
http://www.waccradio.org
Electric Swamp
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