Each week we interview independent musicians about their career, the Music Business and their views of what is happening in their genre.
blues, indie Blues, making a Scene, Teresa James
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Teresa James Teresa James was born and raised in Houston, Texas where she was introduced to music at an early age by her father and grandfather, both guitar players in the old tradition. She started playing piano at five and hasn’t stopped since. Teresa has been […]
americana, Country, indie, John Surge and the Haymakers, making a Scene, roots
HOME PAGE Making A Scene Presents an Interview with John Surge Years before John Surge launched his songwriting career — first as a member of power-pop bands and later as the frontman of his own country-leaning solo band, John Surge and the Haymakers — the musician grew up outside of Los Angeles. It was the […]
blues, indie Blues, making a Scene, mike zito, Ruf Records
Home Page Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Mike Zito! He may be one of the most lauded artists in the contemporary blues arena today, and rightfully so, but for Mike Zito, the thing that counts the most is maintaining his honesty, authenticity and integrity. Those are the qualities that have steered Zito’s career […]
americana, Libby Koch, making a Scene, songwriter, Texas
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Libby Koch Texas Americana singer-songwriter Libby Koch (pronounced “coke”) is a “country meets soulful” (Free Press Houston), “feisty Texas songbird” (Country Music People) who “sings her story with a little twang, some slide guitar, and a lot of heart” (Texas Monthly). Libby is working on the follow up […]
blues, Heavydrunk, indie Blues, making a Scene, Rob Robinson
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Rob Robinson of Heavy Drunk! With a band name that’s evocative of the thick, dizzying vibes coursing through their latest album, Holywater, Nashville-based blues-soul outfit HeavyDrunk continues to solidify their reputation both on record and in their live shows, which bristle with kinetic, freewheeling energy. The nine-piece […]
americana, Christine Smith, making a Scene, singer-songwriter
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents An Interview with Christine Smith! Sometimes the greatest treasures are hiding in plain sight. Such is the case with Christine Smith. As a 20 year veteran of rock and roll’s inner circles, she is perhaps best known for her international touring and recording work with Crash Test Dummies, Jesse […]
blues, cd reviews, indie Blues, making a Scene
The Sensational Barnes Brothers Nobody’s Fault But My Own Bible & Tire Recording Co. The Sensational Barnes Brothers are vocalists Chris and Courtney and organist Calvin II. This is the first recording released on the new Memphis gospel label the Bible & Tire Recording Co. founded by Fat Possum Records and its producer Bruce Watson. […]
artist interview, blues, indie Blues, making a Scene, mike osborn
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Mike Osborn Michael W. Osborn was born in Illinois and grew up in the country on the bank of the Kankakee river, not unlike Huckleberry Finn hiking, hunting and fishing, enjoying the outdoors. His family listened to country music and “blue grass” often, He hated it […]
blues, indie Blues, making a Scene, wentus blues band
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with the Wentus Blues Band! While most people associate the blues with the steamy bayous of Louisiana and the cotton fields of Mississippi, lovers of the devil´s music may be surprised to hear that there is also a thriving scene in Scandinavia. At the heart of this […]
americana, Bill Scorzari, indie, making a Scene, songwriter
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an interview with Bill Scorzari! Bill Scorzari’s sound is gritty, raw and at times, downright sad. His songs transition through a multitude of emotions and themes centered on the experiences of the human condition. Of his music, some say it’s spoken word, and others, an amalgam of the voice […]
americana, Charlie hager, making a Scene, Singer, songwriter
HOME PAGE Making a Scene presents an Interview with Charlie Hager! Charlie Hager is a singer/songwriter from Nashville, Tn. He credits the majority of his musical abilities to his father, James Bernard, a longtime West Virginia bluegrass player from the 1940’s to his death in 1981. His writing styles and influences come mostly from Texas […]
blues, indie Blues, kenny wayne shepherd, making a Scene
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Kenny Wayne Shepherd! There are few artists whose names are synonymous with one instrument and how it’s played in service to an entire genre. Utter the phrase “young blues rock guitarist” within earshot of anyone with even a cursory knowledge of the modern musical vanguard and […]
americana, Indie Rock, Last Chance Riders, making a Scene, roots
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with “The Last Chance Riders”! Fronted by a soulful powerhouse vocal, captivating guitar hooks and face melting leads, Last Chance Riders delivers a timeless rock ‘n roll, high-octane performance backed by an explosive rhythm section. Inspired by The Allman Brothers Band, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, […]
americana, indie, making a Scene, nick nace, singer-songwriter
HOMEPAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Nick Nace! Nick Nace’s path from Canada to New York City to Nashville has been one filled with music, but the acclaimed folk singer-songwriter admits his muse led him in a different direction throughout his younger days than it does presently. Even though he was raised on […]
blues, blues meets girl, indie Blues, making a Scene
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Mr. Downchild and Kasimira! Mr. Downchild and Kasimira met at a jam session when a mutual friend asked them to sit in. It was immediately evident that their musical styles worked well together. Later, Mr. D would invite Kassy to show up at his gigs and […]
americana, blues, chris eger, indie Blues
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Chris Eger Very few musicians are said to be extraordinary examples of excellence in any one genre of music. Even fewer can be described as exceptional across multiple. When considering Chris Eger fits into the latter category as both a guitarist AND vocalist, it is no […]
blues, indie Blues, janiva magness, making a Scene
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Present an Interview with Janiva Magness Janiva Magness has a brand new release out “Janiva Magness Sings John Fogerty Change in the Weather”! Grammy nominee, B.B. King Entertainer of the Year, Song of the Year, Contemporary Female Artist of the Year. As a 7x Blues Music Award winner, 28x BMA […]
blues, indie Blues, Jeff dale, making a Scene
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Jeff Dale! Jeff Dale is an award winning songwriter and performer, born and raised on the south side of Chicago. Having played all over the United States, he now reaches international audiences with shows from Belgium to Croatia. With over 40 years of performing and writing […]
americana, making a Scene, RANDY LEWIS BROWN, roots, singer-songwriter
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Randy Lewis Brown! Songwriter and poetic lyricist Randy Lewis Brown was born in Louisiana, spending his childhood in pre-civil rights Shreveport, immersed in the formative strictures and music of the church. He discovered a new world when, at twelve, his family moved to Houston. It was […]
Country, indie country, making a Scene, The Mavericks
The Mavericks Play The Hits Mono Mondo Recordings/Thirty Tigers The Mavericks were founded in 1989 in Miami, Florida. Their sound combines modern country music, Latino and rock n’ roll influences. Between 1991 and 2003 they recorded six studio albums including 1994’s “What A Crying Shame”. The title track from that album had been pre-released as […]
Indie Rock, making a Scene, Rock, stephen clair
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Stephen Clair! Stephen Clair first came to prominence when WFUV got behind the single ‘Jen In Her Underwear’ from his 2003 sophomore release Little Radio. Clair’s continuing making records, some singer-songwritery, some punk rock, some twangier. There are a few things that hold all of those […]
blues, indie Blues, interview with a pro, making a Scene, music for tv, production music library
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Present an interview with a Pro – B Christopher – Production Music Libraries! Production Music Libraries One of the best income streams for a musician can be having your music licensed for TV or movies. What many don’t realize there is a huge market for “Stock” music or “Production Music […]
andrea marr, blues, indie Blues, john mcnamara, making a Scene, McNaMarr
John McNamara Andrea Marr John McNamara Andrea Marr Making a Scene Presents an Interview with John McNamara of the McNaMarr Project! McNaMarr Project combine the powerhouse voices of multi-award winning blues artists John McNamara and Andrea Marr. From a mutual love of soulful blues they bring a sound evocative of old school soul, blues and […]
blues, indie Blues, jazz, making a Scene, pascal bokar
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Pascal Bokar! Pascal Bokar’s American Shores, in the “AfroBlueGrazz” style coined by the album’s producer Greg Landau, is an ambitious fusion of textures and styles that comes from Bokar’s unique cultural perspective. As an accomplished jazz guitarist and scholar of African music and jazz he consistently heard clear […]
Alice Peacock, americana, interview, making a Scene, roots
HOMEPAGE Making a Scene presents an interview with Alice Peacock! Much has changed for singer-songwriter Alice Peacock since her last solo studio album, 2009’s Love Remains. She’s had three kids, moved to Cincinnati and … gotten 10 years older. “Feel the weight of the world on my shoulders/ Am I wiser or am I just […]
blues, indie Blues, live from the midnight circus, making a Scene, vaneese Thomas
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an interview with Vaneese Thomas! Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Vaneese is the daughter of Rufus Thomas, whose legendary career as a musician and entertainer began in Vaudeville and spanned more than half a century in rhythm-and-blues recording and radio. Her older siblings are the hit recording artist “Memphis Queen” […]
americana, blues, indie Blues, making a Scene, roots, Seth James
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Seth James! Authenticity and originality don’t always make for the most compatible bedfellows. Indeed, paying reverence to one’s roots sometimes moots the possibility of finding contemporary credence. Happily though, in the case of the Texas born and bred singer/songwriter Seth James, all those elements find equal […]
americana, blues, indie Blues, making a Scene, PRofessor Louie and the crowmatix, roots
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an interview with Professor Louie! Professor Louie has emerged over his five decades in the music industry as the torch bearer of the true spirit of American Roots music. Seasoned live performer, prolific recording artist and versatile multi-instrumentalist (Hammond B3 organ, piano/keyboards, accordion, vocals), Professor Louie also wears the […]
americana, Country, don Gallardo, making a Scene
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Don Gallardo! From the foot of Mount Tamalpais, just north of San Francisco and east of the Pacific shore, to East Nashville’s stubbornly independent community of young artists and musicians, singer/songwriter Don Gallardo’s path has always steered clear of the mainstream. Traces of his journey illuminate […]
blues, blues-rock, ghalia volt, indie Blues, interview, making a Scene, Rock
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Ghalia! You can’t miss Ghalia Volt. She’s the natural-born rock star with the leather jacket and wicked grin, leaning from her album sleeve to offer you a hit on her hip flask. But the real Southern blend ain’t in the bottle, it’s on the songs. Following […]
blues, Dudley Taft, indie Blues, making a Scene
HOMEPAGE Making a Scene Interviews Dudley Taft! Dudley Taft grew up in the American Midwest, where he learned the values of friendship, roots, blues, rock ‘n’ roll and a good ear of corn. With a background that includes Berklee College of Music as well as years touring with rock bands, Sweet Water and Second Coming, […]
americana, Country, Dallas Burrow, making a Scene, nashville, songwriter, Texas
HOMEPAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Dallas Burrow! By the time Dallas Burrow headed to Nashville in 2018 to record his career-defining Southern Wind, the Texas-born songwriter had already wandered across much of the free world, chasing his unique muse from New Braunfels to New Orleans, from Northern California to western Spain, from […]
blues, Carolyn Gaines, indie Blues, making a Scene
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Carolyn Gaines Carolyn Gaines was born into the blues as the daughter of the great guitarist-singer Roy Gaines who was superstar Diana Ross and Billie Holiday’s guitarist. In addition, her uncle is saxophonist Grady Gaines who worked with many top names including Diana Ross & The […]
blues, indie Blues, making a Scene, Moonshine society
HOME PAGE Making A Scene Presents an interview with Black Betty of Moonshine Society! Moonshine Society gives a big nod to Aesop’s theory that we’re known by the company we keep. So, while staking claim to lofty Music Land real estate of their own with a searing, cutting-edge blend of blues, soul, rock and R&B, […]
billy price, blues, indie Blues, making a Scene
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Talks with Billy Price! 2016 Blues Music Award Winner Billy Price first attracted national attention during his three-year association with guitarist Roy Buchanan. Price is the vocalist on two of Buchanan’s LPs, That’s What I’m Here For and Live Stock. Since then, with the Keystone Rhythm Band, the Billy Price […]
altered Five blues band, blues, indie Blues, making a Scene, ten thousand watts
HOMEPAGE Making a Scene Talks with Jeff Taylor of The Altered Five Blues Band! Altered Five Blues Band makes music with a swaggering stomp of bruising, barrelhouse grit. According to Downbeat magazine, frontman Jeff Taylor “sings powerfully” and “Jeff Schroedl’s live-wire guitar reaches the high bar of mixed invention and fluidity.” Blues Bytes magazine declares […]
blues, indie Blues, Jimbo Pap, making a Scene
HOME PAGE Making A Scene Talks with Jim Bowers of Jimbo Pap! Jimbo Pap’s members don’t wear rhinestoned Nudie suits like the Flying Burrito Brothers did, or like so many of their current peers continue to — in fact, they declare that right away, in the first verse of their debut LP’s first track— but […]
blues, eliza neals, indie Blues, making a Scene, songwriter
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Eliza Neals! Eliza Neals is a prolific songwriter, confident producer, arranger, bandleader, pianist, and one-of-a-kind live performer. Eliza sings with unearthly passion and velvety grit, effortlessly pushing air to new heights. Her operatically trained voice has been called both sexy and menacing. None of this is surprising, […]
blues, indie Blues, making a Scene, vince agwada
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Vince Agwada! Vince Agwada, ace guitarist, composer, producer, and recording artist got his start in music at the world-renown Blues havens Theresa’s and Buddy Guy’s Checkerboard Lounge, where he cut his teeth observing and backing journeymen players such as Buddy Guy, Magic Slim, Otis Rush, John […]
blues, indie Blues, making a Scene, Tokyo Tramps
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with The Tokyo Tramps! Hailing from the Land of Rising Sun (Japan), TOKYO TRAMPS is a group of American roots music fanatics. The musical journey started when Satoru left Japan to go to Louisiana searching for the spirit of Rock’n’Roll. Soon he found the key, Blues. Yukiko […]
americana, indie, making a Scene, songwriter, Susan Gibson
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Susan Gibson One of the reasons Susan Gibson always keeps a banjo close at hand, be it in the studio or at every show she plays, is because she likes the “lift” it brings to counterbalance a particularly heavy lyric: “Almost like it’s got a smile […]
americana, Helene Cronin, making a Scene, singer-songwriter
HOMEPAGE Making A Scene presents an interview with Helene Cronin! Helene Cronin is a Texas artist whose writing style combines elements of Americana and Country. Perhaps best described simply as an acoustic storyteller, she’s often compared to Lori McKenna, Nanci Griffith or Mary Chapin Carpenter, but her sound is uniquely her own. One reviewer called […]
blues, indie Blues, jersey swamp cats, making a Scene
Making A Scene Talks with The Jersey Swamp Cats! The Jersey Swamp Cats are a piano and guitar driven band entertaining crowds in North Jersey and beyond with their own brand of jump blues and vintage rock ’n’ roll. The Cats perform creative renditions of classics by favorites like Louis Prima, T-Bone Walker, Fats Domino, […]
blues, indie Blues, making a Scene, mark cameron
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Mark Cameron! Minnesota based singer, songwriter and guitarist Mark Cameron has been active in live music for over thirty years. Mark began his performing career in the rich folk-rock scene of the early 1970’s and brought this influence into several bands he founded during the 1980’s and […]
blues, indie Blues, JP Soars, making a Scene
Home Page Making A Scene Presents an Interview with JP Soars! J.P. Soars is soaring high, nominated for “Blues Rock Artist of the Year” in the 40th annual Blues Music Awards in 2019. Soars is nominated alongside blues music heavyweights Billy Gibbons, Eric Gales, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and Tinsley Ellis, rounding out the Blues Rock category. Soars […]
blues, indie Blues, making a Scene, scotty Dennis
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an interview with Scotty Dennis! Scotty Dennis is a Blues artist from Kansas City, Missouri. He comes from a talented musical family with a deep back ground in Gospel music. He has been addicted to the Blues since he was 4 years old, when his uncle would sneak him […]
blues, indie Blues, making a Scene, the 40 acre mule
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Isaiah Evans of “The 40 Acre Mule” “It used to be called boogie-woogie. It used to be called rhythm & blues. Now, they call it rock & roll” Chuck Berry’s words are at the very heart of Roots Rock & Roll 5-piece, THE 40 ACRE MULE! The […]
blues, indie Blues, making a Scene, zac harmon
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Zac Harmon! Zac Harmon is an award-winning guitarist, singer, and songwriter whose distinctive style continues the lineage of American Blues music. America’s classical music. Blues Revue called Harmon “a masterful musician and performer of the blues.” Blues journalist Don Wilcock referred to his “Bobby Blue Bland uptown […]
blues, indie Blues, making a Scene, Ray Fuller and the blues rockers
HOME PAGE Making A Scene Presents an Interview with Ray Fuller! RAY FULLER from New Albany Ohio, was given his first guitar at the age of 8, a Gibson Melody Maker. At an early age, Fuller was inspired by the British Invasion; Rolling Stones, Yardbirds and the Animals bands. Fuller’s first Blues album he ever heard […]
Alex Lopez, blues, indie Blues, making a Scene
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Alex Lopez! Alex Lopez is an acclaimed guitarist, prolific songwriter and emerging artist recognized for his electrifying live performances. Critics have said he is “capable of revitalizing the blues for a new generation” and he is quickly taking the blues/rock scene by storm. Alex was born […]
