Month: April 2013

Movie Reviews, Movies and TV

Beside Her: Watch Now and Vote!

BesideHerYou’ve been hearing me rave about Director Carrie Carnevale’s short film Beside Her; a love story and fictional portrayal of the true human condition. Now here’s your chance to see the film for yourself.

‘Beside Her’ is part of the FirstGlance Short Online Contest powered by FESTIVAL GENIUS.  A competition where YOU get to choose the winner.

34 short films are in competition for over $2000 in prizes and the opportunity to premiere at FirstGlance Film Fest Philadelphia in October 2013! Anyone who registers on the FirstGlance website is eligible to watch and vote. The contest runs April 15th – May 14th. You are limited to only vote per day, per short film.

I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with Carrie as well as all of the actors from the film: Ashley Watkins, Erika Flores and Owen Conway. Check out my article below then head over to watch and vote for Beside Her!! Help support independent film making and the amazing cast and crew who did such a beautiful job on this short.

Click Here To Watch Beside Her

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While watching “Beside Her”, you quickly forget that the lovers you see on-screen are female and become more enthralled with the deep love and connection they both share with each other.

Along with the amazing talents of actors Ashley Watkins , Erika Flores and Owen Conway, director Carrie Carnevale delivers a film that contains all of the elements that make up a great story: there’s love, tension, drama, passion, suspense and even a twist in the end for good measure!

But Beside Her is much more than a love story between two women. It’s a beautiful film about the human condition and the deep connection we all share but are often oblivious to.

Beside Her tells the story of Dr. Rachel Moretti (Ashley Watkins) and Sofia Rios (Erika Flores) and how, in one brief moment in time, their love for each other is measured beyond the norms of their everyday lives.

Carrie Carnevale 

Tell me a little bit about the film’s origin.

CC: I wanted to write a story about the human connection; about the ways in which human beings connect with each other. Whether it be someone you’re dating, someone you’re married to, family, friends or even strangers; we’re all connected all the time. The problem is we tend to get distracted by the hustle and bustle of everyday life, that sometimes we forget that.

I wanted to concentrate this story on two people who are in a relationship because I think that type makes for a very complex and compelling situation. There’s an unspoken connection that two people in love share with each other that makes the connection a lot deeper.

Were you concerned at all about the content and subject matter of a love story between two women?

CC: No, not at all. Even when people initially read the script, they were glad to see that it was a story about love rather than a story about being gay. Showing that gay or not, love is love and we all have those same feelings of connectedness.

The musical score for the film is amazing. It perfectly complements the love scene and the ending as well.

CC: It really does. The song we chose for those scenes are an absolute match. Lyrically, it’s great and the mood it sets is just so powerful and amazing.

How did you get started in film making?

CC: I’ve always had a love for film making. I went to film school and spent time in the independent scene in the San Francisco Bay Area. Because of those years of work, I was able to learn so much about day-to-day production. I learned what to do and what not to do.

Along the way, I met some fellow artists who would hire me to work on their pieces, which I was honored and proud to do. In the past couple of years I felt it was time to start telling my own stories and producing my own projects and Beside Her was my first and I could not be more proud.

Ashley Watkins (Dr. Rachel Moretti)

It’s a project where it was the right time and the right place. Everything about it just felt natural!

ashleyHow would you describe Beside Her?

Ashley Watkins (AW): It’s a story about love and that intuitive connection we all have and listening to it.

We all go about our lives every day not really paying attention to that “little turn in your stomach” or the “ring in your ear”. It’s instinct.

What attracted you to this role?

AW: I’m very supportive and totally believe in equality for everyone. As an actress, there are no limits to the types of roles that I’ll play as long as I’m portrayed respectfully, and/or not exploited. If I can play something that emphasizes the common good for people and it’s something that I believe in, I love to do it. I was fortunate to get the opportunity to do that with this project and Carrie just has so much passion for the film.

Erika Flores (Sofia Rios)

It’s a story about two people who have a strong connection and in the end, there’s a twist. You don’t expect the ending at all.

erikaWere you concerned at all about the subject matter?

Erika Flores (EF): No, not at all. I like portraying raw, challenging characters. I loved the idea of being connected and really showing the relationship.

What was it like working with Carrie on her first short film?

EF: It honestly didn’t feel like it was her first film, because the entire process was professional and handled so well.

What did you like most about the experience of filming Beside Her?

EF: Challenging myself with this role was fun. I also loved the location in Malibu where we shot my scene. That was beautiful.

If you had to briefly describe the story of Beside Her, what would it be?

EF: It’s a slice of life between two people and the relationship that they share. How their connection is so powerful that they can actually feel each other.

OwenConwayOwen Conway (Jeffrey)

What attracted you most to the role?

OC: It was a role that I really wanted to play. Jeffrey is a heavy character with a lot of desperation. It’s not something that you get to play very often.

Tell me a little bit more about Jeffrey.

OC: Jeffrey is a “street” person who definitely has some issues.

But the thing that struck me the most about him was the fact that he’s so young. For him, it’s just about survival.

What was the experience of filming Beside Her like?

OC: The entire shoot was fantastic. I remember seeing the final product for the first time at a screening a few months ago and being really moved by it. The whole thing came together beautifully.

For more info on Beside Her, check out 17films Facebook page.

Guitar World Interviews

Dave Amato Talks Les Pauls, Touring and REO Speedwagon

DaveAmato

If you’re a child of the ’80s and ’90s, chances are you’ve heard the work of guitarist Dave Amato.

Amato’s six-string prowess is a major part of songs by REO Speedwagon, and his impressive resume includes stints with Ted Nugent, Richie Sambora, Cher and Latoya Jackson.

Amato, a self-professed gear head, has amassed a collection of more than 100 guitars and a dozen Marshall stacks over the course of his career (most of them vintage).

I recently spoke to Amato, who’s now on tour with REO Speedwagon, Styx and Nugent, and got the scoop on his time with the band as well as his affinity for vintage gear and his forthcoming signature model Gibson Les Paul.

This is the second annual Midwest Rock and Roll Express. How has it been reuniting with Ted (Nugent) for these tours?

It’s fun. I was Ted’s understudy in the 80’s and we’re close friends. And Styx and REO are like family, so it’s a great bill.

You always play a lot beautiful guitars on stage.

I love guitars and like to show them off. When people come backstage after the show, we’ll talk about everything and that’s great. But if we start talking about guitars, I’ll keep them there all night. I’m a gear head first and foremost. [laughs]

Read the rest of my Guitar World interview with REO Speedwagon’s Dave Amato HERE

Life

Atlanta

AtlantaWelcomeMy job in information technology requires me to every so often take a trip out of state for a three-day educational class. Usually, the topic is something bland that would bore the average person to death; myself included. I mean let’s be honest, is there any sane person who would want to travel to a major city and then have to spend the better part of the next three days stuck inside some old stuffy classroom talking about databases and SQL queries?

I’m not a big fan of these excursions, and I’m what you call a last-minute person when it comes to preparing for these kind of trips. Call me a homebody or whatever but the truth is, I’m not one of those people who starts making plans and packing a week before leaving. I also don’t research the city I’m going to very much and always wait until the very last-minute before digging out the small suitcase that’s just small enough to be used as a carry-on (yeah, I’m cheap that way). Considering that the weather was going to be beautiful and that I would be making the trip to Atlanta solo this time around, it only made me lament having to go even more.

My arrival in at Atlanta on Monday was pretty uneventful. I rode the Marta from the airport to Dunwoody station with the biggest bunch of Louisville basketball fans I had ever seen in my life. These folks were on their way to the NCAA Championship game and were dressed all in red and whooping and hollering about how in just a few hours, their team would be crowned king. It was pretty cool to watch them.

It wasn’t long before I arrived at the hotel and took to my room. The first thing I noticed after dropping my baggage onto the bed was this giant device sitting next to the nightstand. It was a piece of technology that I had never seen before. An electrical, unplugged contraption that had more knobs and controls than the space shuttle. It didn’t take long for me to realize that this thing that was almost as big as a toaster oven was actually some new fangled, 21st century alarm clock. But rather than try to figure out how to work it, I thought it would be easier to just use my phone’s clock to wake me up each morning. I set the alarm for 6 am and used a song from my music collection as the alarm. I knew that I would probably never needed it though. I don’t sleep well these days and would most likely be up before the alarm sounded and turn it off.

The class itself was as you might have expected – dull and boring. I met some interesting people who worked at a hospital in Alabama, took long walks with our 90 minute lunch breaks and hung out in the outside gardens enjoying the crisp, spring Georgia weather in the late afternoon. It wasn’t until yesterday that things started going south.

During class, someone mentioned that there was a huge line of rain and thunderstorms that would arrive in the area on Thursday, just as class was getting over and I had to make my way back to the airport. Wonderful. Being the worry wart that I am when it comes to airline flights, I could already see that long delays at the airport were in my future and my 8:55pm flight home would be pushed back to well after midnight… or later.

Then on the walk back to my hotel after class, I began to have this weird feeling in my right foot and when I touched it, a sharp pain ran up my leg. I took off my sneaker and sock to discover that the pinky toe on my right foot had turned into a purply, blistered mess from all of the walking I had done the last two days. (Note to self: get better sneakers)

Remember when I said that I don’t sleep well most nights? Well, last night was one of the worst. I kept dreaming that I had left my wallet at the airport security checkpoint and when I went back to retrieve it, all of my money and credit cards were gone (hopefully not an omen of things to come).

This morning, I woke up in a daze and jumped out of bed at 4:45; nearly ninety minutes early. I decided to clear my head and take a walk to the local Starbucks before class. But just to be safe, I checked my wallet and confirmed that I still had money and a usable line of credit. All good.

As I’m leaving the hotel I start hearing music coming over the intercom. It’s Jimi Jamison’s song, “Never Too Late”, one from his recent solo album. “WOW”, I thought to myself. They actually have that song playing in the hotel mix in Georgia. Pretty cool. I continued my short walk to the coffee shop next door enjoying the music playing off in the distance.

It wasn’t until I walked up to the Barista that I noticed something wasn’t right. Everyone in Starbucks was staring at me. It was then that I finally felt the vibration in my pocket. I pulled out my phone and noticed that my alarm was going off and was playing (you guessed it): Never Too Late.

In all of my worrying about getting to the airport, having my wallet hocked and a delayed flight, I was oblivious to the alarm that had been going off in my pocket for the last ten minutes.

Yeah, I think it’s time to go home.

Interview, Music

Boney James Delivers ‘The Beat’

The BeatThere are so many different influences in musical style these days that artists sometimes find the need to blend them together in order to make music that’s sonically appealing. But saxophonist Boney James believes there are really just two kinds of music: good and bad. His latest album, “The Beat” falls into the former category by cleverly combining the elements of R&B and Latin, and is already my choice for album of the year, in any genre.

From the moment I first heard this album, it immediately became clear that it would become the default soundtrack in my car wherever I went. It has elements of sound that make you want to move your feet, while others are best absorbed in the evening twilight, perhaps with a fine glass of wine. From the fresh version of Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing” that kicks off the album to the smoothness of “You Can Count On Me” and everything in between, the album is nothing short of brilliant. Repeated listenings find you choosing a different favorite song, something unheard of for an album in the day and age of instant gratification.

James pulls no punches in bringing out the heavy hitters for “The Beat”, including Rick Braun (“Batucada, The Beat”), Raheem DeVaughn (“Maker of Love”) and U.K. poet/musician The Floacist on “The Midas (This Is Why).”

James once envisioned himself in another career role, even having achieved a degree in History from UCLA. But that was before he decided that music was going to become his life. After four gold albums, three Grammy nominations and sales totaling more than 3 million records, it’s hard to argue that he’s made the right choice. With “The Beat”, he is certain to add to that total.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Boney James about the new album and more.

What was the spark that ignited “The Beat”?

I’ve always played around with the idea of one day doing a full-on Latin record. I began by thinking about how I could pull it off and decided to try working on an arrangement of one of my favorite Latin songs, Batucada (The Beat); which Sergio Mendes recorded. I’ve always loved the song and as I was working on it, I decided to try and take out the samba beat and put on more of an R&B back beat. It was so fresh sounding that it became an a-ha moment where I discovered that if I combined the Latin with my R&B groove, it would become this whole new thing. That’s what sparked the whole record.

BoneyJames1Your fresh take on Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing” follows a similar formula.

Stevie had done a similar thing with his version by mixing the Latin with the R&B. He’s an R&B singer, but he incorporated a lot of Latin percussion into that song.  So I figured I would do my version of his version of that, and it became this whole third thing.

Tell me about how you connected with Raheem DeVaughn for the track “Maker of Love”.

I had written the music for that song and needed a vocal. Raheem was someone who was on the top of my list of artists I was hoping to work with someday. So just as I’m having that thought, I get an email from Twitter saying that Raheem DeVaughn had started following me. Out of the blue, he  just followed me. I emailed him and asked if he’d like to do a collaboration. I wound up sending him the track and a few days later, he sends me back this whole finished thing. I thought I was just going to get a demo, but he wrote and sang it it all in one night. It was pretty awesome.

What’s your process for songwriting?

It happens in many different ways. Usually though, I’ll be sitting in my studio practicing my saxophone when I’ll get an idea. A little shred of melody or rhythm will pop into my head and I’ll go over to the keyboard and pound out a few measures of the idea. I’ll put it down and save the file and then later on, I’ll go back to it and it starts me on this incredible journey of taking a little nugget of an idea and turning it into a song. It’s a great experience and one of the best parts of what I do. Taking something that once didn’t exist and turning it into something real. I love it.

Where do you get your song titles?

What I like to do is listen to the song many times, close my eyes and try to imagine what kind of feeling I’m getting from it and then see if there’s some kind of poetic, clever way I can communicate that in a song title. ‘Mari’s Song’ is named for my wife. Her real name is Lily, but the family calls her Mari. It’s an old nickname she has.

For ‘Sunset Boulevard’ I was thinking about driving. It’s a great street in LA that goes from downtown all the way to the beach and I thought that was an apt title.

For “Acalento (Lullaby)”, I was already thinking lullaby, but since the album had a Latin element I thought to myself, “How do you say “Lullaby” in Portuguese?” I looked it up online and luckily, it was poetic sounding. [laughs]

How would you classify your style of music?

I don’t feel like I belong to any certain style of music. I just try to do my own thing and people respond to it. It’s really gratifying.

BoneyJames2Growing up, you started out playing clarinet and then switched over to sax. What prompted the change?

There were so many clarinets in the band at the time and the teacher needed a sax player. I was one of the better clarinet players and my teacher thought it would be easier for me to transition over, so he sort of leaned on me to do it. Right away I loved it. It opened up more of a Pop and R&B repertoire for me, as opposed to the classical style that the clarinet had been.

Who were some of your influences?

I grew up listening to a lot of Motown: Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield. As I picked up the horn, I started listening to more fusion like Grover Washington Jr., Weather Report and Chick Corea.

You have a history degree from UCLA. Was there a time where you considered pursuing another career?

I was very interested in history and originally thought I was going to be a lawyer. I thought it would be a good pre-law degree to have. About a year into college was when I discovered that music was my true love and decided to pursue it as a living.  But since I had already started college, I figured I’d finish it.

What’s next for you?

I’m so proud of this new record that I’m going to dedicate the next 18 months of my life to getting out there and letting people know that it exists and making some noise.

For more on Boney James check out his official website by clicking here.

Guitar World Interviews, Music

Guitar World Interview: Gunnar Nelson discusses father’s legacy, James Burton and Scrap Metal

NelsonConsider a world where Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and The Eagles were all regular visitors to your house. A world where George Harrison was literally “Uncle George” who lived next door, and one where Mama Cass Elliott was your babysitter. Now consider guitarist Gunnar Nelson and his brother Matthew, for that was the world they grew up in.  Where most fans could only dream of meeting their musical heroes, the sons of the legendary Ricky Nelson were privy to music royalty nearly every single day of their childhood.

Ricky Nelson’s music (and particularly the guitar prowess of James Burton) has been cited as a major influence for such players as Brian May and Jimmy Page. Proving that the apple doesn’t fall from the tree, the brother’s own 1990 debut album went multi-platinum and spawned the #1 hit, “Love and Affection”.

The Nelson Brothers are currently involved in several different projects. Their recent album; “Lightning Strikes Twice” is a follow-up of sorts to the hugely successful “After the Rain”. They’re also involved in a traveling road show called “Ricky Nelson Remembered” which pays tribute to their late father and his music.

In addition, the brothers are also performing as part of “Scrap Metal”, a show which features the lead singers of popular 80’s bands doing nothing but their biggest hits. Finally, Gunnar and Matthew are working on a brand new Brothers Nelson experience that’s been five years in the making and promises to showcase the duo as a modern day Everly Brothers.

I sat down with Gunnar Nelson to get the scoop on these projects as well as what it was like growing up in a musical household and performing alongside legendary guitarist, James Burton.

What was it like growing up in such a unique musical environment?

I was born too late for my Dad’s first go around in music, but when Matthew and I were becoming musically conscious, it was vintage garden party Stone Canyon Band. I remember my Dad rehearsing in the pool house that was right down the hall. Bob Dylan would stop by the house and George Harrison lived next door; always encouraging him to write his own songs. When Matthew and I were growing up, this stuff was in our house all the time. I mean, these guys were doing what the Eagles wound up doing four years later, but in MY house. [laughs]

Read more of my Guitar World interview with Gunnar Nelson here.

Guitar World Interviews, Music

KRUSH: Bassist Billy Sheehan Discusses New NIACIN Album

NIACIN-CRUSHFrom his early days with Talas and David Lee Roth, to his time spent with Mr. Big and Steve Vai, bassist Billy Sheehan’s has worked alongside some of the giants in music. But, perhaps there’s no better outlet that allows Sheehan to flex his bass muscle than when he’s working on a NIACIN project. After a seven-year hiatus, Sheehan has once again reunited with acclaimed keyboardist John Novello (Chick Corea, Ritchie Cole) and world-renowned drummer Dennis Chambers (Santana, Parliament) to release KRUSH; a tour de force of sonic blues goodness. Combining exceptional musicianship combined with the rich vocabulary of Hammond B3, it’s a sound that also delves into the territories of jazz and rock without being limited by the boundaries of either.

I spoke with Sheehan about the new NIACIN album as well as his days performing with David Lee Roth. He also reminisces about his very first concert experience: seeing Jimi Hendrix.

How did the Krush project come together?

All of us have been busy working on other project, but our schedules finally worked together and allowed us to get together and do some writing. Our writing process is casual and allows us to dig deep into our past. John and I went to his house, sat around and told stories and played and came up with ideas that over time morphed and evolved into songs. Next, we’ll make a demo with simple drums (just to keep time) and then send it off to Dennis and ask him to wave his magic wand on them. Dennis is the greatest musician I know, on any instrument.

How would you describe NIACIN?

We refer to it as “Bluesion”; like fusion only blues based. Whereas normal fusion is either a combination of jazz and rock or funk, this is more blues based fusion with elements of jazz. The B3 is what takes it down that blues road automatically, just because it’s such an essential instrument. I remember there was a time when I was younger where having a B3 in the band was even more important than having a guitar player.

You can read the rest of my Guitar World interview with Billy Sheehan by clicking here.

Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

Guitar World Interview: Joe Bonamassa Discusses The Guitar Center Blues Masters Challenge

bluesmastersGuitar Center’s Blues Masters, through a partnership with Joe Bonamassa, is offering ten musicians the chance to perform in Los Angeles backed by Bonamassa’s band as well as provide one undiscovered blues guitarist with a career-altering opportunity for development and exposure under the tutelage of one of the biggest names in blues rock.

Now through the end of April, guitarists can submit videos of their best lead guitar performance to one of ten official Joe Bonamassa backing tracks. The videos will then be judged through a series of selection processes by both industry professionals and eventually, Bonamassa himself.

The grand prize winner will receive an opening slot at Bonamassa’s headlining show in Los Angeles this fall as well as a cash prize and gear from Gibson, Ernie Ball, Marshall Amplification and Dunlop. In addition, the winner will also receive an in studio mentor session with Bonamassa and producer Kevin Shirley, who has worked with the likes of Journey, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden and more.

I spoke with Bonamassa about Blues Masters as well as some of his latest projects.

GUITAR WORLD: Tell me a little about your involvement with Guitar Center and Blues Masters.

I’ve been involved in Guitar Center’s King of The Blues Competition for the past several years and it’s been a lot of fun. Everyone is playing so well that it makes me wish I was 18 again. These guys are so unbridled and enthusiastic. The Blues Masters is a chance for aspiring blues guitarists from across the U.S. to submit their best lead guitar performance to one of my tracks. There‘s a submission and selection process and I’ll be getting involved more towards the end of the year when they finalize the selection, and then we’ll pick a winner.

Check out the rest of my Guitar World interview with Joe Bonamassa Here.

For  official rules and other information concerning Guitar Center’s Blues Masters, please visit: http://www.guitarcenter.com/bluesmasters.