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When describing this next artist, one can say that he is an one man arsenal; that is what you can find as a description of him in his bio. But like the transformers have always said, there is more to him than meets the eyes. In fact, this California native is an arsenal of raw talent ready to unleash his gift to the world. Check out a fun Q & A that Music Now had the pleasure of doing with PNG.
Q. What is your name? When and where were you born?
A. KC Shoen, Glendale, California, May 22, 1970
Artist Name: P.N.G.
Q. How did you learn to play (sing) this kind of music?
A. Completely self-taught. I was a poet and short-story writer as a child, but by the time I was fifteen, I felt limited in my expression, so I basically ‘willed’ myself to learn piano.
Q. When did you start to learn? (How old were you?)
A. At around sixteen, I had pretty much ‘figured out’ basic arrangement on the piano, but became more drawn by acoustic guitar (my primary instrument), and inside of a year, taught myself song composition and arrangement. NO one will hear those tracks, I assure you. They’re good for a laugh with your ‘boys at the local house party..!
I was also doing Hip-Hop mixtapes with a basic turn-table/tape set-up, and, because I had not the access to proper equipment, I created tape-to-tape looped beats to play over and perform at MC freestyle competitions during the 80’s, as well as to play guitar riffs for song arrangements at the same time. Hence, why my ‘schizophrenic’ nature in genre is so apparent and something I refuse to give up.
Q. Where did you live at the time?
A. I was living in the vast intellectual and cultural vacuum of 1980’s Salt Lake City, Utah. Choosing not to become part of the Mormon mainstream, I found myself at around 14 making close-knit ties to the African-American community was that quite large at the time there. Looking back, it was strange to be shunned by fellow whites who were Mormon, but finding comfortable common ground with people in the black community. I attribute that commonality to be the dynamic of being discriminated for not being ‘like everyone else’ behind the homogeneous of ‘The Great Zion Curtain’ of Salt Lake.
Q. How long have you been actively playing this kind of music?
A. I have always had disdain with format radio and music. This amalgamation was instituted in the late 70’s with the popularity of FM radio, and I never felt it natural to deem myself as ‘Hip-Hop’, ‘R&B’, or ‘Rock’. I was that dude who had mix tapes of various songs strung together in a continuous stream, going from Olivia Newton-John , Meli’sa Morgan, Metallica, Eric B. and Rakim, to Braums all in that type of order. Drove my roommates nuts..! This is also how I approach my muse..do whatever strikes..Rock, Hip-Hop, or anything else in between. Keeps it interesting.
Q. What is it about this kind of music that makes it different from other types?
A. The number one thing is, to be honest, is that it sounds like..well..me. That sounds a bit oversimplified and self-serving, but it’s true. When I released my first EP, “The Darkest August’, and had a bit of an impromptu listening party with some fellow co-workers a year ago, I remember distinctly the perplexed and awestruck looks on their faces. At first I blurted out, “Damn, y’all hate it THAT much?!” A resounding ‘No’ was the response; their perplexed appearance, as they told me individually, was from the fact they couldn’t ‘place’ me (i.e.’you sound like so-and-so’). That was a TREMENDOUS compliment.
It is difficult in this industry to sound unique, especially if you are heavily influenced by a specific style or group. You’re going to come off as a derivative of your influences. This is a blessing and a curse at the same time. The object is to stand out as yourself, with a sound that is uniquely yours and yours alone.
Q. Are there different styles of playing your type of music?
A. Song to song. All the time. It might start as a Go-Go joint, then turn into a rock track towards the end, such as was the case with “I Am The Air’, my new track. It really varies ALL the time.
Q. When and where do you usually play music?
A. In my one-man studio at the house, that’s where it all begins.
Q. Do you ever earn money by playing music?
A. Because I play 5 instruments now, and I multi-track record my material in layers, I’m officially a ‘band’. It makes going out live tricky at the moment. I have had some gains in sales, but not quite enough to by out Hefner place.. (laughs)
Q. Do you play alone or with others?
A. All alone at the moment. I would like a band to play in, but I’m kind of a control freak in that scenario. As I don’t want to be controlled by others, I don’t wish to control others as well. I’m better in a collaborative between other independent artists like myself than fronting a band; Keeps things equal.
Q. Are there others in this locale that plays the same kind of music? What are their names and types of musical instruments they play?
A. The first band that comes to mind is ‘The Peak Show’. This band at the time I met them in late 2002 were contracted under Atlantic Records, and were embarking on a world tour. The member of the band that I was most familiar with was Gabriel ‘Front-Row’ Roland, their drummer/producer, and songwriter who also had success with commercial licensing of his own music; Quite a character. For being around my age, he is quite youthful, and his band does draw primarily on the 18-25 crowds. I was influenced by his approach to his craft, and adopted a similar method. He’s a control freak as well..!
Q. Have you passed your tradition on to others, who and when? Why is this important to you?
A, My son is showing interest, but it’s flighty at the moment, as he is only 8. The only tradition that I think is worth passing down really isn’t just on the music end. What I like to leave as a ‘legacy’ is the dynamics of honesty and accountability, as I find these attributes to be sorely missing in contemporary society; ESPECIALLY in the music biz.
Q. What is your favorite song or tune to play?
A. A song I composed in 1999 called ‘Somber’. I might re-release it. Has a lot of feeling and good chord transition. It’s organic, even for an acoustic piece.
Q. What makes a performance/song good? How do you judge a performance/song?
A. Genuineness, and having something meaningful to say beyond just being ‘hooky’ or catchy. If you’re feelin’ it, so will everyone else.
Q. Do you have anything else you would like to add?
A. Am I getting paid for this…? (laughs)
http://www.reverbnation.com/png
http://pngmuisc.jcinternetradio.com/
