Published: March 19, 2008 9:22 AM EST
By: Isaac Joseph Davis Junior (Juniorscave.com)
Rock / Folk
Junior’s Cave is proud to present some great talent from our neck of the woods. Being a Georgia-Based Internet magazine it is nice to interview folks who are from this area. And what a treat Leadcar Holiday is to interview. Coming out of Woodstock, Georgia the band formed in the fall of 2003. Their easy to listen to tunes and catchy lyrics are what make this group a sure wins. Make sure to get a glimpse of their music on their Sonicbids’s EPK--http://www.sonicbids.com/leadcarholiday
Here is a recent spotlight that I am sure will make a fan of you of this group yet--
Leadcar Holiday:
Rick Bowers: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Doug Lavigne: Electric Guitar, Vocals
Chris Lowell: Bass Guitar, Vocals
Dave Knaub: Drums/Percussion, Vocals
Isaac-Joseph: Briefly describe how you entered into the music industry.
Rick Bowers: A couple friends of mine wanted to start a band and asked me if I’d sing. I said, “Sure, why not?” After all these years, I was the only one to keep playing music. When I started Walk to Run Records with a friend of mine, it added a whole new dimension of the industry to me.
Doug Lavinge: I saw a cool guitar in the Sears catalogue. I talked to some friends about it, and we decided that we would each purchase a different instrument and become rock stars. I was the only one who followed through with it. Started taking lessons from that point, and there you have it.
Dave Knaub: I haven’t really been anything more than a “dabbler” for a long time……I dabbled on my older brother’s drum kit growing up (I was playing trumpet at the time)……I bought a old drum kit while I was getting a Masters degree and dabbled with a group of friends on weekends to unwind from the rigors of grad school……and then I dabbled in hand drumming for a few years after I graduated, moved to the Atlanta area, and started working full time in 2001.
Fast forwarding to early 2006……
I have a friend who owns a small coffee shop in Acworth where the Leadcar guys had previously played as the Coprolites. One day while Rick was there getting coffee, he happened to mention that their drummer had decided to quit playing, and that they were having trouble finding a replacement. So my friend mentioned that she knew someone who played, and gave Rick my phone number. The guys invited me for an audition, and fortunately they liked me enough to ask me to join their group, even though they probably could have found someone more technically proficient and much more experienced.
Chris Lowell: I was playing in a cover band in the earlier part of the 90’s
Isaac-Joseph: What is the most rewarding aspect to making music currently for you?
Rick: Occasionally, someone will tell me that a song really affected them; that it really made them think or they could relate to a song because of some personal reason. I really love that. I once heard someone say that people use music as a sort of soundtrack to their lives. I really believe that’s true. I know that when I hear some songs or albums, I remember important times in my life. So when someone tells me that they can relate to one of our songs, I like to think that it is being added to their living soundtrack.
Doug: I love being able to express myself musically. Some people write poetry, some paint or sculpt. Music is my outlet.
Dave: I do it because I enjoy it……I can’t think of anything that I would rather be doing at any given point in time.
Chris: Having people like the music and be able to perform it for them…
Isaac-Joseph: What has discouraged you the most about making music?
Rick: I used to get discouraged by the difficulty in getting attention to our music. The cost in producing a good record with little return was also very frustrating; however, I’ve always enjoyed playing music and as long as I was able to do that, the experience was rewarding. I just feel really fortunate that I can make music.
Doug: I used to get discouraged by how hard it was to "make it big", but these days it isn't about that. It's about putting on a good show, writing new and better songs, and hopefully getting some good audience feedback to the stuff that I really like.
Dave: Probably the fact that at this point in my life, there’s not much of a chance that I’ll ever do it for a living....you know, who wouldn’t love to be rock star? But there’s a good side to the reality of it, too……professional musicians need to play in order to pay the mortgage, buy groceries, or whatever……and that’s not how I want it to be for me. I want to be able to play because I enjoy doing it and it makes me happy.
Chris: The slowness of getting material out there, the cost and the lack of cash back one’s pocket are the most discouraging parts I think. There is always another expense to pay and the evangelistic musical technology gods are always angry.
Isaac-Joseph: Do you have a personal philosophy about music? If so, what is it?
Rick: I play whatever music feels right to me. I don’t worry about whether others see any value in what I do. Make music because it is fun and it allows you to express what you are thinking and feeling inside.
Doug: Do it for fun. Music isn't the money maker in my life. I've known many professional musicians who scrape by from project to project. They play in three bands. They do studio work. They play covers on the side for money. I love the music, but I've found that it is only one aspect of my life.
Dave: Not really. I’m just a really big fan of all kinds of music……music is the soundtrack of my life. It’s really like a dream come true for me to be in a real band and make music.
Isaac-Joseph: When you are performing live in front of an audience, what are the thoughts that are running through you head?
Rick: I jump between worrying about the pitch and quality of my voice and whether I am where I should be in the song on the guitar. However, when everything is going well and the audience has that silence between songs that indicates they’re really into what were doing, I somehow feel complete. I just go with the groove of the song and give them my all.
Doug: Usually I am scrutinizing my own vocal sound. Rick has great pitch, but I really need a strong monitor or I can drift off key. Some clubs provide that, some don't. I've really got to get better about giving sound guys feedback...
Dave: Well, I'm still pretty green in the grand scheme of things……I don’t even need to take off my shoes to count the number of times I’ve actually drummed in public for a captive audience. So, I tend to really focus on the song, try to keep good steady time, and make sure I listen to the other players and get my cues right because our songs tend to have a lot of stops and starts.
Chris: I think of thinks like, “I hope I don’t look too stupid, but I can’t hear a thing!!”, “I think that light wasn’t there a minute ago...and now its really hot.”, “Crap I can’t see Rick.”, “Oh I think someone is really out of tune.”, “Well, that harmony was REALLY good!”
Isaac-Joseph: Why is being an independent musician important to you?
Rick: The great thing about being an independent musician is the freedom I have to express whatever I want without having someone tell me that I am not meeting some formula for how it’s done.
Doug: The chance to play original stuff live in front of folks is great. I'd do it if we only ever recorded and released MP3s, but playing live is a blast too.
Dave: Well, I feel that creating music is about expressing what you feel, not what someone else thinks will sell records……and it seems to me that’s really what the big record companies are more about. They don’t really care about making good music, and most of that canned crap they put out isn’t worth the ink they used to sign the contracts.
Isaac-Joseph: Do you think the Internet has altered the path of music as an industry? If so, how?
Rick: Yes the Internet has changed the whole business completely. Back in the day, it was hard to find independent artists. You relied on your friends and record labels to turn you on to new music. Today, I can find great music everywhere. The Internet has made it possible for people half-way across the world to hear your music and enjoy it.
Doug: Just from a standpoint of selling actual CDs (records, 8-tracks) it has really jacked up the market. I feel for the music industry and artists who make a living from this and bootleg kill their return. But from a marketing standpoint for the little guy... it has opened things up for us. We can direct people to several places to listen to and download our music. Hopefully, it brings us new fans, but it is hard to measure the direct impact for us at least. We shall see.
Dave: Absolutely…… it’s made it possible for anyone with access to a computer to put out their music and have it heard by people all over the world, and not have to be controlled by some record company schmuck looking to ‘discover’ the next flash-in-the-pan band so they can pad their own bulging pockets.
Chris: Yes, easy access to music from anywhere.
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?
Rick: Work hard and be self reliant. Too many musicians fall into the myth that a major record executive will discover you in a bar on a Saturday night and love you so much they’ll sign you on the spot. That happened in the 50’s. That doesn’t really happen anymore. A musician today has to be business savvy AND musically talented.
Doug: Put your best foot forward. Start with the people you know, and get them to push you out to there extended networks. If your stuff is worth listening to, people will find you.
Dave: Not really……they already probably know more than me.
Chris: Pay for a good website that is fully functional and get your music to a good online distributor.
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?
Rick: I would be a dream come true if I could open for Jeff Tweedy from Wilco or Frank Black from the Pixies. I admire these guys immensely for their independence and longevity. They have dedicated fans (of which I count myself) even though the general listening audience has no idea who they are.
Doug: Sting, because he is an artist who has really found the music that makes him happy. He doesn't apologize for where he goes musically, and people either love him or don't. Plus he was the front man for the Police, who are one of my favorite bands.
Dave: If I were to have a chance to play with one “dream” musician, it would be Warren Haynes. I have a lot of respect for him, and his music really speaks directly to my soul. He’s one of the hardest working musicians out there today, but also one of the most down to earth rock stars you could hope to meet, although I’ve never met him personally. As a personality trait, I tend not to have favorites, but I often say that any band he’s playing with is my favorite. He just plays and sings with so much emotion and so much soul……and he lays it out there every single time he’s on stage. I love his songs, his voice, and his guitar, and playing with him would certainly be another dream comes true for me.
Isaac-Joseph: What are you hoping to gain from your experience of being a musician and making music?
Rick: I think I’ve gained a lot from being a musician already. Music has become such a part of my identity, that every time I play, I feel great. If I’m feeling low, I can always count on music to bring me up.
Doug: While I'd love to say that I want exposure and more fans, I really want copious amounts of money (ha ha).
Dave: Everybody just wants to be happy……and that’s what making music does for me. If our music makes other people happy too, then that’s just icing on the cake.
Chris: Hoping to gain better music skills and experience giving great songs to many people.
Isaac-Joseph: What are you hopes for your music in the year 2008?
Rick: I’m looking forward to the release of the next album. My other goals for 2008 include increase record sales, radio play, and more and interesting shows. So far 2008 has not disappointed me. We are looking forward to some really great and interesting shows and Walk to Run Records has struck some really good deals that should translate into some increased album/ song sales.
Doug: Play more and better music. So far so good!
Dave: Well, we have a new record in process right now, and I hope that will be finished in the next couple of months (preferably before we write a whole new record’s worth of songs). We also have been booked for some gigs at venues that I go see bands play at, and that’s always been a dream of mine……I’d like to continue that trend, and continue to get more people interested in our music because that will lead to more opportunities for us to play.
Chris: Radio play and sales!!
Isaac-Joseph: This is our Shout Out time. Please give props to anyone and everyone that matters the most to you.
Rick: I want to thank my wife and children for being so understanding. They are my muse and inspiration. I want to thank my band mates for being so great. This is the best group of musicians I’ve ever had the pleasure of playing with. I want to thank my friends, family, and fans for continuing to come to shows and support us. I want to thank my business partner Travis Navarra of Walk to Run Records for helping me realize our crazy ideas. I want to thank Sunday Drive Bye, Cold Blue Magnet, The Sane, Slow Motion Crash, Phoenix for Saints, and The Jack Straws for being great bands that have always made it to our shows or played with us!!
Doug: I really should thank my friends and family who always support me when I perform.
Dave: Well, I need to thank my band mates for giving me a chance to make music and be in a real band, especially one that I’d absolutely pay to hear play as a music fan. I’d also like to thank my girlfriend Shanna for being so supportive of my musical endeavors. Finally, I’d like to thank my friend Annette from the Buzz-n-Brew coffee shop in Acworth for putting me in touch with such a great group of guys.
Chris: You mean besides friends, family and music supporters? Everyone who actually cares about independent music!!
Isaac-Joseph: This is Shameless Plug time: Give us some updates on new releases and other projects in the works.
Rick: I am looking forward to the New Leadcar Holiday album. Also, I am looking forward to another great year for Walk to Run Records (www.walktorunrecords.com). I am also looking forward to a good relationship with cyqomusic.com. They’ve been very good to Leadcar Holiday and Walk to Run Records.
Dave: I hope that the new Leadcar Holiday record will be ready for release early this summer……keep checking Walktorunrecords.com for information in that regard.
Isaac-Joseph: Final Thoughts:
Rick: Be true to who you are. Bring whatever positive energy you can to the world. There are plenty of reasons to believe that the world is unfixable; however, change can happen in the most unlike places. I’m not a religious man, but I do think the old parable about faith is correct. I’m probably totally messing it up, but here goes…… If you have but the faith of a mustard seed you can move mountains. Good things can happen in this world because people believe in something. If you believe, you can affect change. In the face of disappointment if you have some real faith in your goal, you will prevail; Even if it takes a life time.
Dave: I’m going to make a 180 degree turn, here…Don’t buy pets from animal breeders, and be sure to have your pets spayed or neutered. You’d be appalled to know just how many animals die in shelters every day just because people refuse to have their pets fixed, and insist on buying from breeders.
