Post by diki03 on Dec 15, 2009 10:18:30 GMT -5
changeupmag.com/2009/12/qa-evan-taubenfeld/
Baltimore native, Evan Taubenfeld, has a lot of fingers in the music pot—formerly Avril Lavigne’s lead guitarist, record producer, song writer, and now solo artist, Taubenfeld is about to release his solo effort Welcome to the Blacklist Club.
By Jackie Cular
ChangeUp: “How has the economy affected your touring habits? How is it affecting your album and merch sales?”
Evan Tauberfield: “I have no idea. My job is to make great music, put on great shows. Lucky for me I have some very smart people around me who help me overcome any economic obstacles we’re potentially facing.”
CU: “What is one surefire way to save money on the road touring?”
ET: “Skip the bus, skip the big rider, keep a skeleton crew, and streamline production. That being said, I’m far different from many new artist because I don’t believe in touring if you can’t maintain a certain quality of life. I’d rather sit at home then subject myself to poverty-esque tours.”
CU: “How should ticket prices reflect the slumping economy?
ET: “I’m not sure that ticket prices should reflect the market right now, to me the biggest reflection should be the quality of music and performance you get for whatever price you’re paying for the show. We can’t take anyone for granted anymore.”
CU: “How has the economy affected you personally?”
ET: “I just got a much better interest rate on my mortgage!”
CU: “How have you had to cut back on this tour?”
ET: “Well, the record label wasn’t thrilled that I wanted to take a bus so they opted to not pay for all of it. Instead I came out of pocket and covered the difference, so I guess we didn’t cut back but it just hurt a lot harder. “
CU: “How do you treat yourself?”
ET: “Life is short, can’t bring any of your money to the grave so I make sure to eat well, live well, and do the things I want to do without feeling bad about it. “
CU: “How do you entertain yourselves cheaply?”
ET: “Movies, YouTube, and TV seem like they work pretty well. The internet is basically free and provides endless entertainment.”
CU: “What sets your band apart from others in the genre?”
ET: “In our band musicianship is not only a pre requisite, it’s a deal breaker. And though I’m in a genre where most of the competition aren’t concerned with how well they play (being able to use all backing tracks, or being studio made bands etc…) we refuse to not play the shit out of the songs every time, every night, over and over. “
CU: “What is one way you make your music more accessible to fans?”
ET: The Internet! It’s the best distribution channel. If I want something to get to the kids, I upload it to my server; give out the link and its GONE. I could take it down a minute later any it’s gonna get to everyone! I love that.”
CU: “What is one band outside your genre that you would like to collaborate with?
ET: “Stone Temple Pilots. Boyz II Men.”
CU: “How do you feel about fans that download your music from peer to peer sites?
ET: “I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t prefer they used iTunes but the truth is that if you like my music, I just want you to enjoy it, spread the love, come see a show!”
CU: “What social causes do you work with? How has the economy affected this work?”
ET: “I’m not one to be too outspoken for specific social causes. For every beneficiary of a specific cause may be a person who is disrupted or challenged by the same actions so I prefer to use my music to hopefully touch as many people as possible and let them use it as inspiration for their own causes.”
CU: “What is one life lesson you have learned on the road or wish you learned earlier?”
ET: “TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. No one else cares about you the way you do. No one knows your limits, no one will say “STOP” so you really have to be willing to put your foot down and create healthy conditions so you can continue to work forever. “
CU: “Merry Swiftmas” is making a huge buzz on the Internet, tell us a little
how it all came about?”
ET: “Basically it was written as a joke, just something fun I wanted to do.
I never thought Taylor (Taylor Swift) would tweet about it but hey! Love
the internet!!! It’s on iTunes now! A very fair and smart .99 purchase.”
Baltimore native, Evan Taubenfeld, has a lot of fingers in the music pot—formerly Avril Lavigne’s lead guitarist, record producer, song writer, and now solo artist, Taubenfeld is about to release his solo effort Welcome to the Blacklist Club.
By Jackie Cular
ChangeUp: “How has the economy affected your touring habits? How is it affecting your album and merch sales?”
Evan Tauberfield: “I have no idea. My job is to make great music, put on great shows. Lucky for me I have some very smart people around me who help me overcome any economic obstacles we’re potentially facing.”
CU: “What is one surefire way to save money on the road touring?”
ET: “Skip the bus, skip the big rider, keep a skeleton crew, and streamline production. That being said, I’m far different from many new artist because I don’t believe in touring if you can’t maintain a certain quality of life. I’d rather sit at home then subject myself to poverty-esque tours.”
CU: “How should ticket prices reflect the slumping economy?
ET: “I’m not sure that ticket prices should reflect the market right now, to me the biggest reflection should be the quality of music and performance you get for whatever price you’re paying for the show. We can’t take anyone for granted anymore.”
CU: “How has the economy affected you personally?”
ET: “I just got a much better interest rate on my mortgage!”
CU: “How have you had to cut back on this tour?”
ET: “Well, the record label wasn’t thrilled that I wanted to take a bus so they opted to not pay for all of it. Instead I came out of pocket and covered the difference, so I guess we didn’t cut back but it just hurt a lot harder. “
CU: “How do you treat yourself?”
ET: “Life is short, can’t bring any of your money to the grave so I make sure to eat well, live well, and do the things I want to do without feeling bad about it. “
CU: “How do you entertain yourselves cheaply?”
ET: “Movies, YouTube, and TV seem like they work pretty well. The internet is basically free and provides endless entertainment.”
CU: “What sets your band apart from others in the genre?”
ET: “In our band musicianship is not only a pre requisite, it’s a deal breaker. And though I’m in a genre where most of the competition aren’t concerned with how well they play (being able to use all backing tracks, or being studio made bands etc…) we refuse to not play the shit out of the songs every time, every night, over and over. “
CU: “What is one way you make your music more accessible to fans?”
ET: The Internet! It’s the best distribution channel. If I want something to get to the kids, I upload it to my server; give out the link and its GONE. I could take it down a minute later any it’s gonna get to everyone! I love that.”
CU: “What is one band outside your genre that you would like to collaborate with?
ET: “Stone Temple Pilots. Boyz II Men.”
CU: “How do you feel about fans that download your music from peer to peer sites?
ET: “I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t prefer they used iTunes but the truth is that if you like my music, I just want you to enjoy it, spread the love, come see a show!”
CU: “What social causes do you work with? How has the economy affected this work?”
ET: “I’m not one to be too outspoken for specific social causes. For every beneficiary of a specific cause may be a person who is disrupted or challenged by the same actions so I prefer to use my music to hopefully touch as many people as possible and let them use it as inspiration for their own causes.”
CU: “What is one life lesson you have learned on the road or wish you learned earlier?”
ET: “TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. No one else cares about you the way you do. No one knows your limits, no one will say “STOP” so you really have to be willing to put your foot down and create healthy conditions so you can continue to work forever. “
CU: “Merry Swiftmas” is making a huge buzz on the Internet, tell us a little
how it all came about?”
ET: “Basically it was written as a joke, just something fun I wanted to do.
I never thought Taylor (Taylor Swift) would tweet about it but hey! Love
the internet!!! It’s on iTunes now! A very fair and smart .99 purchase.”