You might have heard of these guys yet, but trust me--you will in the future. We had the opportunity to catch up with the lead singer, Scott, of Cavashawn. Check them out at myspace.com/cavashawn .


1) How did the band form?

Ben(bass), Jesse(drums), and Chris (guitar) have been playing music together for about 7 years now. We all went to the same high school and I joined them in college at Miami University where we formed Marking Twain. We lasted in that band for a few years and reformed into cavashawn about a year and a half ago.



2) How did you guys come up with the name Cavashawn?

Cavashawn is one of the band member's mother's maiden names combined with our four favorite consonants. I'll let you try and figure out the name...


3) You guys mainly rely on fans to help spread the word of the band. How important are the fans, and being connected to them?

When they stop, we'll stop. We talk with them on myspace everyday, we talk to them before our shows after our shows, at other band's shows. They are the ones we're trying to win over day in and day out. Besides, it might look a bit self-indulgent of us if you saw our live performance without an audience.



4) You've played in packed venues, in Chicago. What's the feeling like, playing in front of such a large crowd, knowing they're there for you as a band?

It's a constant reminder that we didn't get there on our own. We don't have label support, we don't have radio, and we're all dead broke. The only way we make it from show to show is because of the fans we have. They are proof that our music isn't complete shit and we are not doing it all in vain. Growing up in the midwest, I was always taught "if you're going to pay for a live performance, be sure it's worth your dollar." There are so many kids out there who haven't seen a rock show, and I think the reason we have been able to gain so many new fans is because we put on a good live show. We play our own instruments, we write our own songs and fans understand and appreciate that, it is not lost on them. 



5) As a band, do you have a favorite song to perform?

I would say "Thrill" is one of the most exciting songs in the set. There is a bit in the middle that shows the band can play well together. It also makes me laugh really hard everytime we play it because Chris is pounding so hard on his guitar and he looks angry but I know he is just having a happy little solo for himself.



6) Have you had any memorable performances yet, or a memorable venue/city to play at?

Chicago is always special because we started from scratch here. We played Beat Kitchen about 9 months ago for literally 10 people. We played Beat Kitchen last week and 260 people showed up. It was one of the most vindicating moments in our short careers. Cincinnati is good too because we grew up there and played as Marking Twain frequently there. Those fans have stuck with us and to be able to bring out over 200 people in a few different cities as a completely independent band is quite rewarding...that I know.


7) Between myspace & facebook, cyber space has helped your fan base grow so much. How much, do you think all of that has helped you connect with your fans and help your fanbase increase?

Chris Hellmann, our guitar player, has played the biggest role in connecting with our fans on myspace. He has communicated to fans non stop and without him doing that, we would be 9 months behind where we are now. Having time for your fans is and will always be the catalyst behind keeping your band relevant. Myspace has connected us with fans that we never would have met otherwise...which in turn has given us a reason to get good at playing our instruments.



8) You have been working with producer Jim WIrth, who has worked with bands like Incubus and Jack's Mannequin. What has that experience been like?

It's always important to feel like you're not going to make a complete idiot out of yourself when suggesting an idea in the studio and Jim Wirt welcomes every idea floating around and then some. He has been the fuel in the tank for recording these new songs and inspiring me to write better songs by the day. He doesn't have any desire to make you sound like something you aren't. He embraces what we have to offer and he improves on it which makes him such a great producer.



9) As a band, what is your ultimate goal in the music industry?

We're not building a platform or aiming to promote any kind of personal agenda. We are playing songs for the audience and putting on a show for those who want to see one. To do that for many years to come would be a simple goal worth achieving.



10) What can the fans expect in 2009?

New music, more shows.


11) Thanks So Much for doing this!!

Of course, my pleasure. Get well soon and hopefully you can catch a show coming up!!

 

A List Music Promotions had the chance to catch up with Singer/Songwriter Jimmy Robbins (myspace.com/jimmyrobbins). Check the interview out below!


1. How early did you know, that music was what you wanted to do?

Well, I found a guitar when I was about 8 and started trying to figure out how to play. It was basically love at first sight (in the least cheesy way possible haha). I picked it up and never really looked back./



2. Through rough times, such as everything with your mom, how has music helped you through these times? Do you hope to have the same affect to your fans (with your music helping them) ?

Well, when my mom was sick that was really when I started diving into song writing. Music was sort of like this thing I could hide behind to say everything I wasn't sure how to say otherwise. I would really love it if I could help even one fan. If you can genuinely affect one life then you've accomplished a whole lot.



3. You have such a strong online fan base (via myspace, pure volume, ect). With that, how important is fan connection to you?

I would say fan connection is huge to me. I'm very lucky and blessed to have such amazing people supporting me online so I try to talk to them as much as humanly possible.



4. Have you had a favorite venue/city to perform in? If so, which one?

My favorite venue that I've played is probably the church at my sister's wedding. Not really because of where I was playing but because everyone from our family and all of the people we loved were there. And it was just really cool to be playing the music that she walked down the aisle to haha./br>


5. Do you have a favorite song to perform?

My favorite song to play live right now is a new song called "Gonna get better". It's going to be on the new album coming out this year via Universal Motown records :-).



6. When you're recording, do the lyrics usually come first, or the melody?

Well what usually comes first for me is a concept. I figure out what it is that I'm writing about and then the lyrics and melody I usually write at the same time.



7. 2008 just ended recently, do you have a highlight of 08'?

It would definitely be the recording process. Making my new record up in New York was a long process but really one of the best things to ever happen to me. I learned so much and made something I'm so proud of.



8. What do you hope to accomplish in 2009?

In 2009 I plan on touring, touring and touring! haha and also my album comes out in stores and it would be amazing to see it do pretty well. I hope to accomplish a lot this year, but I'm also just really excited to see what happens.



9. As a musician, do you have an ultimate goal?

Though a little bit unrealistic, my ultimate goal is to never stop. I want to be doing this in 80 year (yeah...I'd be 109... But it'd be a good live show!). haha



10. If you were to give advice, for someone else trying to make it in the industry, what would you tell them?

Don't give up! a lot of people are too quick to give up and expect everything to happen over night. It takes a long time for some people, but the best things in life are the hardest to come by.

We had the chance, to do a quick catch-up with Push Play (myspace.com/pushplayrox). Check it out!

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1. You guys came a long way in 2008, what would you say was the highlight of it?
"We don't feel we have come a long way in 2008. We feel 2009 will be our year, but we would have to say the highlight of 2008 was Zootopia which was earlier in the year."

2. When you performed at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade--what would you say that experience was like (besides it being freezing of course) ?
" It was the greatest experience of all time being able to a part of history."

3. You were on the "Peace, Love, Push Play Tour", what was that whole experience like?
"It was fantastic because we had phenomenal musicians like Phil Bensen and The Love Willows and we got to feel parts of the country we have never been to before."

4. What is the best part of touring; the worst things?
"The worst was the shows that didn't sell out. It was depressing but we took the good with the bad. The best was being at a show that did sell out in a different state and knowing…hey we still got it."

5. You guys have "Push Play for a Purpose", can you explain exactly what that is? How important is giving back to all of you as a band?
"Giving back is the number one choice and obligation for us. We have all grown up in middle class families and their love and support of us and our band throughout this whole endeavor is beyond belief and in return we have feel it is important to give back to society and make a daily impact on people's lives. We feel it sets us apart from other bands."

We had the opportunity to ask some questions to The Maine's Drummer, Pat Kirch (myspace.com/themaine). Here's the interview!

A Music List Promotions had the opportunity to interview up & coming band, Article A! Check them out myspace.com/articlea

A List Music Promotions had the chance to interview Performer Chris Koon! He's toured with people such as The Jonas Brothers, Push Play, and Joey Page! myspace.com/chriskoon

We had the opportunity to interview the duo Mark & James (Myspace.com/markandjames)