“If there’s a better pure power pop album that’s been released in 2017, I’d like to hear it. In the meantime, I’d like to hear ‘The Stanleys’ four or five more times. Grade: A” – Goldmine Magazine (US)

Mark Di Renzo ‘explains it all’.

What was the biggest fun during the making of the last album?

There can be frustrating moments along the way when making an album but I do feel for me it’s pretty much all fun. The most rewarding aspect of making an album is being part of the journey of each song starting as just an idea, then slowly building all the solid foundations, then listening back writing and adding new parts, taking away things, trying ideas and sometimes accidentally and unintentionally adding awesome parts, then finally finishing a song that is ready to be released to the world!

WATCH and/or BUY

At what point, during writing, rehearsing, recording, did you know you were on to something special?

For me it was once we’d written and recorded the first half of the album. At that point I was so excited about that half and I knew we all wanted to write more songs we felt were just as good as the first half of the album or even better!   I think musicians like myself and others can be their own biggest critics.  Therefore, if you can get to a point where you are very excited about your own work and know that no matter what anyone else thinks you love it, that is a great place to be.

The music industry has changed a lot (or so they say). What did it bring you? And what not?

If we start with the “what nots” I feel the main thing is the lessening in value of music as a product.  Its obviously a lot harder to sell and make revenue from physical and digital music than it has been in the past.

However, the internet (via music blogs and social media) is a great medium for discovering new music from all over the world and it has made the world a much smaller place.  It has helped The Stanleys to connect with power pop lovers from all around the world to assist with releasing and promoting our music and organising tours overseas.  We’ve been lucky enough to play gigs in many places in Europe and USA as well as a few places in Asia and I hope we can visit some more places in this big world of ours!

She tells you she will decide on a 5-song-mixtape if there is going to be a second date. Which 5 would you put on?

That’s a tough one to answer without knowing the actual girl I’m dating but whomever she might be I’d like some variety in there so these 5 below might work well together:

Pavement – Stereo

Jet – Rollover DJ

The Stone Roses – Waterfall

The Smithereens – Too Much Passion

Prince – 1999

The meaning of ‘success’ has changed over the years. When will the new record be a success?

To me the record is already a success and I am very grateful. To have three labels in different parts of the world invest some money and their time and effort into releasing the album, many music journalists from different parts of the globe say lovely things about it, many people come watch us on tour and many radio DJs from all over the world play songs from the album on their shows makes us very happy.

And now at the end of the year to be included in some Best of 2017 lists, the album’s reception has really been way beyond our expectations. I hope we can get back on the road and tour again next year to meet some more lovely people around the globe.  It’s a wonderful thing to be able to share your music with people!

2017 was a punk rock year for Sweet Sweet Music.

01. Japandroids – Near to the Wild Heart of Life

02. The Menzingers – After The Party

03. The Lillingtons – Stella Sapiente

04. Together Pangea – Bulls and Roosters

05. Hot Water Music – Light it Up

06. Pacific Radio – Pretty, but killing me

07. The Front Bottoms – Going Grey

08. Citizen – As You Please

09. Brand New – Science Fiction

10. Acid Tongue – Babies

“Furious Mind follows on all that was great about Roadmap. The songs are beautifully constructed taking up the rockier space in Power Pop. Loads of hooks, soaring choruses, everything you need from an album.”…I Don’t Hear A Single 

“It is like an album of singles, all killer, no filler and with more hooks than a Chinese fishing fleet…get it!”… Ice Cream Man

“Pleasing melodies, weeping guitars. There’s something here for everybody”…POWERPOPNEWS.COM 

Furious Mind received some great reviews because it is a great record. It’s as simple as that.

It sounds like every now and then you like to play outside. Outside the Power Pop marketplace. Can you share your view on this?

I have very eclectic tastes in music and that informs what I like to write and play. I just like very strong melodies no matter the genre…I do prefer the harder rocking side of things and love a good guitar solo.

My first musical training was playing jazz drums and as an adult I went back to school to get my masters in musical composition, so I’m classically trained as well, but I love to rock!

My all-time favorite album is Buffalo Springfield Again…it includes everything from garage, folk, country, jazz, orchestral, psychedelia and a little power pop.

Variety keeps me from getting bored. Power pop is my favorite, but I have entire albums worth of more hard rock, prog pop and rootsy/acoustic songs in the can. Hopefully, it’s all good music no matter what it’s called!

If you listen to Roadmap and Furious Mind you can say you have a style of your own. How would you describe it?

On the musical side of things, my music is melodic but hard rocking for the most part. I love the juxtaposition of a catchy melody over a band sound with the attack of The Who or Humble Pie with a Beck/Ronson type lead guitar.

Lyrically a little dark but hopefully with a sense of humor. Another huge influence is the Glam era of the early seventies and art pop like John Cale, Kevin Ayers, Peter Gabriel etc. So…catchy, rocking and a little dark!

How many Pink Floyd records did you play before you recorded the guitar solos on Take Me Home 😊?

Ha! Actually, Gilmour live in Gdansk is a touchstone. I love emotional, dramatic blues-based solos that never lose their sense of melody. So that was definitely in the back of my mind while recording!

Rocket Ship is my favorite song. After a year of extremely hard work at the office, this can easily become my 2018 theme song. People like this one a lot, do they?

Yeah, that seems to get to people. I wrote it in about 30 minutes and recorded most of it the same day. I mistakenly didn’t release that as the first single since it doesn’t actually have a proper chorus!

In my case, the Rocket Ship represents my home studio…everyone needs a place to escape to and that’s mine! I have to say that the whole album, and that song, in particular, benefited greatly from the drumming of Christopher Ryan of The Anderson Council!

What will 2018 look like?

In 2018 I’m looking forward to having both Roadmap and Furious Mind available on cd’s through Ray Gianchetti at KoolKatMusik.

Beyond that I already have demos of the next album happening. A friend of mine said, boy, you’re really churning them out. Though he didn’t mean it as an insult I felt like…churning them out? I don’t think so. I only now have the technology to record but I’ve been writing music for decades.

Furious Mind was all new material but I have a fairly vast back catalog of good tunes. I know if you put out too much, people de-value you…or get sick of you.

That being said, when guys that I respect that were around my age, like Tommy Keene and Pat DiNizio pass I think…I better get cracking. So…maybe another album by the end of 2018.

I could never do a Pollard and release three a year, but once a year could happen! I’m very grateful for the support of the podcasters and bloggers who have helped to give me an audience.

TWO RECOVERING PUNKS AND AN INDIE ROCKER WALK INTO A BAR.

And Chris (guitar/vocals) answered the questions about Not Here to Make Friends.

Talk Show Host is an indie punk trio from Toronto, Canada. The band has been playing together since 2015 and has two EPs under their belt. Their 2016 release, Perfectly Competent, earned a 7/10 review from Exclaim! magazine and drew comparisons to Green Day, Against Me! and Bob Mould.

Chris Catalyst talks about his new record Life Is Often Brilliant.

Read and find out what he has to say about ‘fame and fortune’, recording drums, managers, guitar techs, Bowie and The Tubes.

But if you haven’t heard the record yet, you better do some listening first because it is just great.

Especially if you like Elvis Costello, XTC, Oasis … you will be in for a treat.

What was the biggest fun during the making of the last album?

Finishing it. I loved every second of making it, but it was a long, laborious task, which got a little lonely at times due to it being a solo pursuit (along with my intrepid producer pal Andy Hawkins).

Recording the drums was pretty special, though – I’d always wanted to play drums on a record, and it was a great way to get out of my comfort zone, which (as we all know) is where the fun stuff happens.

At what point, during writing, rehearsing, recording, did you knew you were on to something special?

Honestly? These days I just write, and record, and have faith that it’s going to turn out okay. I’ve never written a song that I’m not proud of in some way, and I feel if I continue to apply the same quality control and meticulous standards that I’ve always done, then it will prove to be good. Or, at least, good enough.

The special bit came later when a small but perfectly formed bunch of people shelled out to buy it, and seemed to enjoy it.

Actually, I tell a lie, there was a point when we were mixing the song ‘Far’. We were looking at the second verse, and producer Andy and I came across a bunch of sampled drum loops (which was how I’d always imagined the album having a load of). We distorted the shit out of it and cut all the vocals up in that section… that was a real ‘that was the sound in my head’ moment.

The music industry has changed a lot (or so they say). What did it bring you? And what not?

I’ve never been a part of any music industry… luckily. The closest I’ve got is being a guitar tech for a couple of name bands, and seeing the schmoozing and bollocks first hand is equal parts boring and sickening.

A band I know recently sacked their sound guy because the manager told them to.

I couldn’t work in a world like that. I’ve been lucky to never had to sign a contract, never owed anyone a penny, but still managed to be self-sufficient, due to a combination of hard work and good fortune.

Not to mention that small but perfectly formed bunch of people I mentioned earlier.

She tells you she will decide on a 5-song-mix tape if there is going to be a second date. Which 5 would you put on?

This would change day to day but today it would be:

Kids In America – Kim Wilde

Electricity – Spiritualized

White Punks On Dope – The Tubes

Boys Keep Swinging – David Bowie

I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times – Beach Boys

I always like finishing with a ballad.

The meaning of ‘success’ has changed over the years. When will the new record be a success?

Success is defined and measured very differently by different people – and it seems my definition is at odds with a lot of my peers. I am not interested fame or fortune. So as long as I can get to bend my creative elbow, write some songs and enjoy myself with a bunch of my goodest friends, then that’ll do for me.

Power Pop perfection! John Murphy’s Sitcom Neighbor just released Shag, 11 songs that sound as fresh as they sound familiar. What a joy!

Murphy explains about the how and the why!

What was the biggest fun during the making of the last record?

The most fun I had was singing all the harmonies. There are a lot of lower harmonies so it was challenging. A close second would be watching Steve work on bass lines and the guitar solos. I’d put in my 2 cents of course but once it got going Steve was fun to watch!

At what point, during writing, rehearsing, recording, did you knew you were on to something special?

I think once you’ve written a song that you feel good enough about that you want to record it, you think you have something special. Regardless I think we all go through the same 5 stages: This is great, I don’t know, this might be crap, this is ok I guess, and finally this is great (again)!

The music industry has changed a lot (or so they say). What did it bring you? And what not?

A lot of people talk about the money part of the music business, losing revenue to the free digital streams, etc. But for me it’s about the artist / producer shift. These days in the big leagues especially it’s all about the producers. They can take almost anybody and make a hit record. Back in the heyday of the sixties and seventies the artist was the focus. They had to come to the table with something to produce, which I think gave us a wider variety of music.

Producers tend to do the same thing over and over with different artists so there’s not as much variety, at least on traditional radio.

(Traditional radio, a whole other interview!l)

There is also the internet where, it could be argued, there’s too much variety!

Either way the music business hasn’t personally helped or hurt me as far as I know.

She tells you she will decide on a 5-song-mix tape if there is going to be a second date. Which 5 would you put on?

With my current girl ( if I was a smart man and had been listening to her) it would have to be the following: 1.Q65- Get Out of My Life, Woman 2. Bob Dylan- Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat 3. Cramps- Goo Goo Muck 4. David Cassidy – Brown Eyes Your Beautiful 5. New York Dolls – Trash ( the new slower version to surprise her!)

The meaning of ‘success’ has changed over the years. When will the new record be a success?

Success? I can’t even spell that!

When I come up with a good song idea I feel successful, when I get a good recording of that song I feel successful, if I have enough songs that I can make a full record I feel successful and when I have the finished product in my hand, well lets be honest I’m exhausted and wiped out!!

Shag has felt successful to me do in large part to the response it has received from my fellow artists, many of whom I greatly admire. They’ve been very supportive and have helped me push this record a little bit, even setting up shows for me to play.

That support has led to more radio play and more reviews.

Of course everyone wants the traditional hit song and the money that comes with that.

Follow Sitcom Neighbor here

Buy here

Punch Punch Kick‘s debut is produced by Linus of Hollywood, released by Lolipop Records and contains 11 power pop punk anthems.

Phil McDonald explains what is happening.

What was the biggest fun during the making of the last album?

Phil – Getting to record the songs live, together in one room, was the most fun part to me! Working with Linus of Hollywood is always so much fun — he keeps us on our game while making sure everyone has a great time during the process.

At what point, during writing, rehearsing, recording, did you knew you were on to something special?

Phil – I never really thought about that until the songs started coming together in our rehearsals. They were so much fun to play — I think that’s when it started to hit me that we could make a really great record out of that material. It starts to take on a life of its own once we all begin to feel out our specific parts of the songs.

The music industry has changed a lot (or so they say). What did it bring you? And what not?

Phil – Everyday there’s a new streaming service or method of delivery. All I know is is that Lolipop Records has been the most supportive label, and I feel like our album has found a great home with them.

She tells you she will decide on a 5-song-mix tape if there is going to be a second date. Which 5 would you put on?

Phil –

Prince “I Would Die 4 U”,

Ozma “Natalie Portman”,

The Darkness “Friday Night”,

Jamiroquai “Cosmic Girl”,

Daft Punk “Digital Love”

The meaning of ‘success’ has changed over the years. When will the new record be a success?

Phil – when “Hell Yeah” is the hype song for the Los Angeles Lakers.

PowerPopNews.com writes about ‘In Between The Spaces’:

“THERE ISN’T A BAD SONG ON IN BETWEEN THE SPACES… DON’T BE SURPRISED IF IT ENDS UP ON THIS SITE’S BEST POWER POP ALBUMS LIST BY YEAR’S END.”

Sweet Sweet Music talked to Richard Turgeon about his new album, a power pop rock gem.

What was the biggest fun during the making of the last album?

I think just deciding to set a goal and make a full-length record again after a long absence from music, and actually promoting it instead of just letting it exist for a few friends and family. I love writing, recording, and audio production, so I found great joy in having a dedicated space nearby and not running a live band. I’m lucky in that I can write, record and produce myself, play almost all the parts, and even mix and master. It affords an enormous amount of creative freedom. It’s the first time I consistently did this cycle of writing and recording for about a year-and-a-half, and that continues today. Honestly if I could write and record my music all day, I would. I’ve written books and screenplays, and I’ve been a professional full-time writer for close to two decades, but I’m feeling very creatively fertile these days with my music. And it’s never felt better or more rewarding and fulfilling than it has in making this record.

At what point, during writing, rehearsing, recording, did you knew you were on to something special?

This whole album project began with the first song, “Bigfoot’s an Alien,” bubbling up after years spent working on a novel. I felt very out of practice and rusty on drums, guitars, and vocals (my main things), but I knew when I wrote this song, it was solid (this is rarely the case). Fortunately, I had enough experience to choose a local producer and studio that would be right for me—my friend Scott Llamas in San Rafael, CA. He basically took this song that was bottled up inside and, production-wise, turned it into the heaviest, most rocking song I’d put out to date. I was very grateful to have his guidance and experience on bringing that song to life. The result motivated me to put out an entire record building on where I was at musically, which was almost as if I’d never stopped. So I somehow progressed without doing anything haha.

The music industry has changed a lot (or so they say). What did it bring you? And what not?

Things are so different with promotion than it was when I was in my 20s, that I found more reward in that as well. The record continues to be very well received and I’ve loved connecting with all the DJs, bloggers (like yourself), and new fans so quickly. There’s no way I could grow a fanbase at this pace without the internet and social media. Even creating my website was much easier with the tools available today.

All that said, a part of me would like to get on a label, mostly to get my songs in movies and TV soundtracks, and basically just push the songs on the radio and any other channels to get more ears and increase my fanbase. In the old days, that meant regional touring and building fans with a live show, but I’m too old, busy (did I mention I have a full-time job and two young kids?), and solo-artist minded for that today. I’m fumbling my way through trying to make a dent with my music in today’s world with my particular approach to doing things (putting out recordings only, no live band, at least for now.) I guess a direct answer to the question is: The music industry hasn’t historically brought me jack-squat—I’ve always done everything myself: booking, promotion, and then eventually recording. I’ve actually been more rewarded by the indie press, bloggers, and DJs like you, who give indie artists like me a forum. So if the “indie” music industry counts, that has brought a lot to me over the years, even before the internet, and probably more so today than ever.

She tells you she will decide on a 5-song-mix tape if there is going to be a second date. Which 5 would you put on?

I would have to qualify that the tape is just my favorite songs to authentically share, not designed to impress her in any other way. I would also ask her to listen to both sides, since I couldn’t fit it all on one side (hence eight songs). I don’t think a girl has to like her guy’s music for it to work out, but it helps to have some common ground there (…he said as he types this next to his wife in bed.) Fortunately, my wife loves some of these songs, too. Or at least tolerates me playing them way too many times in her presence.

In no particular order…

• The Police – “So Lonely”
• The Eagles – “Take It Easy”
• Foo Fighters – “The Pretender”
• Weezer – “Island in the Sun’
• Pavement – “Stereo”
• Juliana Hatfield – “My Sister”
• The Replacements – “Alex Chilton”
• The Cure – “Just Like Heaven”

The meaning of ‘success’ has changed over the years. When will the new record be a success?

It already is in my view. I put up my website hoping some friends and definitely family would take a listen and tell me they liked it, which they’ve been doing most of my adult life, god bless ‘em. But it went beyond that when I started connecting with people I’d never met before, including the indie rock and power pop community (see the “Buzz” tab on my website for my wall of fame tribute to everyone who’s helped get the word out so far). Friends and family helped me make a goofy music video we’re all really proud of. New folks continue to reach out for interviews and airplay. I’m very grateful for what’s happening with the record, since it’s gone beyond my expectations. If I could share it with the whole world, I would. I’m not one of those shy, insecure bedroom auteurs that wants to be obscure. I write rock songs but at their core, they’re pop. It’s what I like, and I always want more listeners and to connect with more people.

To that end, the best thing anyone can do for an indie artist like me is to visit my website (richardturgeon.com), like my social media pages, and share the sh*t out of my songs and video, and tell their friends to do the same. Refer me to friends in the music business. Reach out for interviews and spin the songs on your shows.

I think the next levels of success for an indie artist like me—if it’s what they want—is to get on a decent label and start making some money for the effort. I don’t think my time and art should be free, but I’ll probably continue giving away music until I get to that next level. Sorry if all that sounds crass, but it’s an honest answer to the question.

To your readers: thank you for supporting indie music (particularly mine)! And thank you for listening to the record, and the interview, Patrick!
Learn more about and listen to Rich’s new LP, In Between the Spaces, at his website, Richardturgeon.com

The James Clark Institute’s new full-length recording, ‘Yesterday’s Misadventures’ (official release date: October 24, 2016) was produced by iconic Canadian musician/producer Moe Berg (The Pursuit Of Happiness).

Clark talks about bed tracks, a Tornado Bubble Machine, Moe Berg, the explosion of social media and frozen facial expressions.

What was the biggest fun during the making of the last album?

This was the first James Clark Institute album to have the bed tracks recorded live off the floor with the live band (with the exception of me on drums). That was great fun indeed! Most of my acoustic guitar parts were played on a 1954 Gibson J-45…More fun! Also, the photo session for the album sleeve was super-duper fantastic, working with a Tornado Bubble Machine! Can it possibly get any more fun?

At what point, during writing, rehearsing, recording, did you knew you were on to something special?

The band had been playing the majority of the songs live for a year or more before the recording began so I was really confident that we had a strong collection of songs. When Moe Berg signed on as producer, I knew that the record would be magical. He had some brilliant arrangement ideas. Everyone played and sang their hearts out on this album. I feel blessed to have worked with such talented people.

Buy here

The music industry has changed a lot (or so they say). What did it bring you? And what not?

The explosion of social media has certainly helped with having my songs heard by a much larger audience than ever before. “Yesterday’s Misadventures” is my fourth independent release. The growth of the platform between my last release and this new one has been gigantic. But with all of the positivity and opportunities that the new industry offers, I have to say that I truly miss the mystery of the music artist during the days before the internet. Back when you had to wait until the new issue of “Creem” magazine arrived to read about your favourite pop stars.

She tells you she will decide on a 5-song-mix tape if there is going to be a second date. Which 5 would you put on?

The Beach Boys – God Only Knows

Glen Campbell – Wichita Lineman

George Harrison – What Is Life

The Kinks – Waterloo Sunset

The Zombies – Care Of Cell 44

Bonus Track! Harry Nilsson – You’re Breaking My Heart

How will 2017 look like?

The year began with the release of the third music video from “Yesterday’s Misadventures”. “Charlie Schulz Was Always In Love” was shot mostly outside on the coldest day in January, as you may be able to tell from some of the band’s frozen facial expressions.

Since then it’s been a steady stream of both solo and full band live shows around Toronto. Due to a family member’s health crisis, the tour isn’t going to happen this year. Hopefully next year! I’m currently in song writing mode and conjuring up the next album. Meanwhile, a fourth music video from “Yesterday’s Misadventures” is being discussed.