Sweet Sweet Music Blog

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

RB: This record was a “prove it” album for me. I had all these songs and I knew I wanted to produce and play everything on the album myself. I said, “Ok then, Reno, show me what you got.” There was a learning curve involved in figuring out how to do it all myself and it certainly didn’t come without its struggles. I scrapped a lot of stuff along the way and started over again. But ultimately, I made the record I wanted to make. Every note and sound is exactly the way I wanted it to be. The most fun I had was proving to myself that I could do it and now I know that. Will the next one sound the same? Probably not because this album made me a better producer. But I’m excited for what’s next.

If we want to know you, which song do we have to listen to? And why?

RB: I think the song “Lessons From A Shooting Star” encapsulates where I was while making this album. It’s got a little bit of everything in it – love, angst, melody, not one but TWO guitar solos ha ha. It’s the most rock and roll thing on the album to me.

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

RB: I really tried to not think about that at all. I just wanted to focus on making the best album I possibly could and trusted that the rest would fall into place. The pro’s of having a large company behind you is the money for publicity, radio, the big push. Having that all go off at one time is ideal. However, doing it at the indie level like I am (with my little label Electric Western), folks discover you slower. And the ones that find you found you for a reason. So I know that the fans I do have were made organically and are genuinely into the music.

Who is the best musician in the world nobody has heard of yet? And why will this change very soon?

RB: One of my favorite bands in Nashville is filled with some of the best musicians in the world. They are called Steelism. The guys sit in with me on shows from time to time. Jon Radford is the best drummer I’ve ever played with. Jeremy Fetzer is one of the most precise and soulful young guitar players out there today. Spencer Cullum Jr does things with the pedal steel I’ve never heard before. And Jon Estes not only plays bass, but arranges horns and strings. Talented brood they are. Check them out. Their music is an instrumental amalgam of Booker T. And the MGs, Ennio Morricone and The Ventures.

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

RB: Hands down . . .

“I’d Have You Anytime” by George Harrison

“Until You Came Along” by Golden Smog

“Forever” by The Beach Boys (with Dennis Wilson on lead vocal)

“I Saw The Light” by Todd Rundgren

“Summer Wind” by Sinatra

What’s up for the next couple of months?

RB: I just finished up an LA run of shows. I’m in NY now, then head back to Nashville to start writing for the next album. I’ll also be putting out some singles and one offs in the next few months. Stay tuned at www.renobo.com!

Read the other Passports

Year: 2015

 Power Pop and: ‘60s Classic Pop and Modern Indie Rock

 To summarize: The Junior League is songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Joe Adragna, from New Orleans. With a little help from some famous friends he made Also Rans. And what a record he made! Something old, something new, something borrowed something blue and it all sounds so beautiful. Besides the quality of the songs it’s that sound that makes this one stand out.

Best Track(s): On/Off

Status: Really really good

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

There is a point in almost every recording, usually when you are doing the over dubs and my work is mostly done and I get to hear the tracks blasting back in the control room and it sounds great and you are just so excited with how the songs are turning out. On this record  it was when Jim was laying down the guitars on “Baby I Want You”, I was on cloud nine. I had been living with that song for so many years and to finally hear it in a big studio was awesome!

If we want to know you, which song do we have to listen to? And why?

I guess “I Need My Rock N Roll” because it talks about how I got into this whole thing of playing and writing rock n roll songs, been loving it since I was a kid!

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

Jeeze, the record business has changed a whole ton since I started (pre-internet!) Fortunately now I am totally DIY. That means I pretty much do everything myself. I like that because you get to do what you want and not what someone else tells you to do. I got a lot of benefits from the business when I was younger and we were signed to Sony Records and we had Bill Graham Management. They got my name out worldwide and that helped a lot but we weren’t really a major label kind of band, so in the end they didn’t know what to do with us! I had a lot of fun though being a young pop star!

 Who is the best musician in the world nobody has heard of yet? And why will this change very soon?

I don’t know but he or she better get out and start playing!

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

Twist & Shout – The Beatles

Just What I Needed – The Cars

Road Runner – Jonathan Richmond

In The City – The Jam

Come a Little Bit Closer – Jay and the Americans

What’s up for the next couple of months?

Just put together a rocking new band here in NY so I am going to play shows all over the east coast! Playing The Cake Shop with The Mean Jeans (Portland), hopefully going to Boston to play with The Lyres, stuff like that! Also writing songs for the next record! Keep on rocking folks!

Read the other Passports

Photo: Michael Carpenter

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

JH: Without a question, the best part was Living on Bondi Beach during the recording of “Joy Acid Pact”, after coming back from the studio deep inside Sydney, early in the morning, then getting to the Beach! Incredible!!

If we want to know you, which song do we have to listen to? And why?

JH: Good question, from the first album, “New Bondi Hippies”, “My Girls Random”, because all in all, I am power pop all the way, and this song soars, is intricate, and still rocks out, which is at the root of everything I do. I love my psychedelic tendencies, and even somber lyrical content now and then, but deep down as I express myself, I am a happy soul, and this song is a lifter.

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

JH: When I started out, the only way to get your music out was consignment in the record stores, or at live gigs. Now? I sell more records and merchandise via internet, then physical cd or vinyl product, 10 to 1. It amazes me, still. If there was a problem with this new frontier, it would be the near impossibility of standing out over the millions of other artists. So, I try to be a step ahead, but I’m always learning new tricks from younger artists coming up. Brilliant stuff!

Who is the best musician in the world nobody has heard of yet? And why will this change very soon?

JH: ‘Never heard of yet’ is doubtful, but the most amazing musician in my eyes is Mr. Michael Carpenter from Sydney Australia, a WORLD class drummer, a stylistic Bassist, a really fantastic Guitarist, and a hell of a piano player. I have never met anyone who can play EVERYTHING so well. MC blows me away, and…………..he’s a fantastic guy.

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

JH: Shelter Song TEMPLES /// Anemone BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE /// Here Without You BYRDS /// I Got You STONE TEMPLE PILOTS /// Summertime ZOMBIES

What’s up for the next couple of months?

JH: I am going to be starting the third Album in Mexico City, and shooting a video for the same project over the next few months, with trips to Orlando, and Los Angeles for the same purposes, all in all ending up in Sydney once more, because I can’t live without that beach!!