Our RETROactive Eighties week kicks off with Mr. Big, who had a worldwide smash with their ballad “To Be With You” in 1992. After taking some time off, the band is back with a brand new album called What If… that is full of their signature blend of technical prowess and melodic sensibility. Icon Fetch talked with drummer Pat Torpey about the recording process, the story behind “To Be With You,” and getting to play with Robert Plant and the Knack.
Guitarist Ian Moore has just released his seventh studio album entitled El Sonido Nuevo, an album that finds him returning to the more guitar-driven music of his earlier records while maintaining the excellent melodic sensibility of his recent work. He’s chosen a back to basics approach, with just Moore on guitar accompanied by bass, drums, and Beach Boys’ like harmonies. Icon Fetch talks to Moore about what inspired the “power trio” approach, the inspiration behind many of the songs, and the breathtaking artwork that adorns the cover.
Jason Reeves co-wrote “Bubbly,” the 2007 smash from Colbie Caillat, as well as many of the songs from her first two albums. He’s also collaborated with country duo the Jane Dear Girls and former American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi. Reeves has recently unveiled “Sticks and Stones,” a single from his forthcoming album, The Lovesick, slated for a summer release. Icon Fetch talks with the young songwriter about leaving his small town in Iowa for the big city, how he met Caillat, and the lost art of the pop song.
John Waite is best known for a couple of #1 hits “Missing You,” and “When I See You Smile” (with Bad English) from the Eighties. He’s just released a brand new disc called Rough and Tumble, which returns him to the rock roots of his late Seventies band the Babys. Icon Fetch talks to Waite about the bare-bones approach he took with the new album, collaborating with Kyle Cook, guitarist for Matchbox Twenty, and the inspiration behind “Missing You.”
Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Handful of Luvin’s new CD is called Life In Between. The four-piece band’s secret weapon is Andrew Joslyn, who plays the violin with the fire of a guitar virtuoso. The band mixes elements of folk, reggae, and even Celtic influences into their rock sound. Icon Fetch talks with singer / guitarist David John about recording the new CD, the impressive artwork that adorns the disc cover, and including excerpts of English philosopher Allan Watts in a couple of their songs
The O’s have taken the do-it-yourself attitude and ran with it. Both members (Taylor Young and John Pedigo) play several instruments, often at the same time. The acoustic duo has just released their second album, Between the Two, a blend of cheerful bluegrass, twangy country, and stompin’ blues, sprinkled with some Louvin-Brothers-inspired harmonies. Both guys are veterans of several other bands (Young is still the drummer for the Polyphonic Spree). Young sums their sound the best: “Well, we sweat too much for a folk band, drink too much for a pop band, and rock too much for a country band. Our music lies somewhere in between.” Icon Fetch talks with both halves of the O’s about their new CD, having their tour van break down, and playing the opening of the Eight Track Museum.
Bucks Burnett has just opened an 8-Track Museum in Dallas, Texas. Along with Bell Bottoms and the Pinto automobile, nothing screams the 1970’s quite like the 8-track tape. For those who were old enough to remember them, those bulky cartridges provided the soundtrack for many a road trip or party. Titles like Saturday Night Fever and Frampton Comes Alive! just sound better when played on them. And, way before the mp3, the 8-track was the very first portable form of music. Unfortunately, their ill-fated design caused the tapes to often get mangled in the players, and they were soon supplanted by the smaller and more efficient, cassette tape. Burnett, who also managed Tiny Tim toward the end of his life, talks to Icon Fetch about how he started collecting 8-tracks, which ones are the rarest, and why he doesn’t actually play the tapes himself.
Big Joe & the Dynaflows have just released their brand new CD You Can’t Keep a Big Man Down. As we find out from lead singer & drummer Big Joe Maher, the title refers to an accident he had in North Carolina where he seriously injured his back. But, through rehab and perseverance, the big man was back on his feet. The new CD is an excellent mix of originals and obscure blues covers. Icon Fetch talks with Maher about his great sidemen in the band, chumming with Delbert McClinton, and tells some great stories of working with some legendary bluesmen.
Japanese pianist Keiko Matsui has sold over a million and a half albums, released 22 solo records, and has toured the world incessantly. Her latest effort is appropriately titled The Road…, and features guest appearances by Kirk Whalum and Richard Bona. The album is a mix of many different styles that the instrumentalist has tried over the years. Icon Fetch talks with Matsui about recording the new disc with some great sidemen, how she titles her instrumental songs, and how this is the beginning of her “new journey.”
Mitch Easter is best known as the co-producer for the first two REM albums, Murmur and Reckoning from the early Eighties. That exposure helped him land numerous other production gigs. At the same time, Easter was leading his own fine band, Let’s Active, who released four records for IRS. After that band’s breakup, it took him almost 20 years to release new material — 2007’s Dynamico was Easter’s first release under his own name. Icon Fetch talks to the influential producer about why it took him so long between releases, the story behind hooking up with REM, and how he feels about the state of the recording industry now.