Artist Interview: 1-on-1 with Four2Three

Today I am hanging out with a set of guys that deserve some attention. These guys have an upbeat tap your toes attitude and match that with incredible writing. Not to mention their ability to sound like they just walked off the stage at Warped Tour. A group that brings talent, education, and drive to their music and lyrics I am sitting with Four to Three today.

Where did the name come from?

We used to play in a band called Waiting for April from 2002-2004 and there were four members. When the three of us started this band we called it four to three because we went from four members to three members.

How did you guys meet?

We all went to the same elementary and high school together.

How long have you all known each other?

Rob and Greg have been friends since the age of seven and started hanging out with Matt, who is two years younger, when they were seventeen and he was fifteen.

When did you realize that music was something you wanted to pursue?

In high school, after learning to play instruments and playing in front of people for the first time at talent shows we realized it was something we wanted to do for the rest of our lives.

Do you guys have jobs outside of music?

Yes, we all have outside jobs to pay bills. Matt is a hair colorist at a salon. Greg works at a liquor store. And Rob is a substitute teacher.

Describe your genre in one word.

Energy.

Tell me the meaning behind that teddy bear.

The teddy bear has little to no significance to us. We asked our album artwork designer to create an album cover with a picture of us and some live shots. However, he completely ignored our wishes and took this awesome picture of a seemingly drunk teddy bear and we absolutely loved it.

Where are you guys originally from?

We are all from Franklin Square, Long Island.

Where can I get a copy of that album?

Our albums are available on our website (www. fourtothree. com), CDBaby. com, and iTunes.

What is the largest crowd that you have ever played for?

The largest crowd we’ve played for was about five hundred people.

The smallest?

At our first show, there were about 30 people there, although no one was paying attention to us. We also played a show where four people showed up.

Any tattoos in the band?

Matt and Rob have tattoos. Matt has a half sleeve of Link from The Legend of Zelda fighting Gannon on his right arm, and the TriForce in the middle of his upper back. Rob has the word DREAM on his lower back (tramp stamp), a cross on his right arm, the Chinese symbol for courage on his wrist, the Chinese symbol for Mother over his heart, the OM symbol on the inside of his left bicep, Rafael’s cherubs on his left arm with DESTINO under it, and a heart on his left ring finger.

Who has the most?

Rob.

Who designed your awesome MySpace page?

Aaron McCall, who also was the mastermind behind the teddy bear.

What is your favorite venue to play?

Ollie’s Point in Amityville, Long Island.

What would you be doing if not music?

The guy at Burger King with the little headset.

Let’s get some pizza. What toppings?

Plain. Maybe some sausage.

What was your favorite subject in school?

Recess.

If you could tour with anyone right now whom would it be?

Blink 182 reunion tour.

Let’s say you are about to headline at Madison Square Garden. Who is your opener?

The Beatles reborn.

What is your favorite song to play?

I’d Rather Eat Dirt off our new EP. And we cover the theme song from “Hey Dude.”

Ever forget the lyrics to your own tracks?

No.

Who is the ringleader of the group?

We all share the responsibilities of being in a band.

PC or Mac?

PC.

Any rituals you go through before a gig?

Just laughing a lot.

What did you have for breakfast this morning?

A bowl of Golden Grams. A sesame bagel.

Do you sleep with that teddy bear? (Laughs)

We have actually never seen the teddy bear in person. We one day hope to meet and caress him.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Living in a van down by the river.

What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?

Being an actual band. Who records songs that they can actually play live. And who doesn’t follow the current musical trends.

I always let the artist get the last word. Go.

Stop.

Artist Interview: 1-on-1 with Jascha

I am sitting here today with local singer songwriter Jascha. Having worked with him numerous times in the past I felt it was only fitting to have him tell you guys a little bit about what he is doing in the industry these days. Jascha brings a very distinct sound to the stage and you feel warm inside and feel that you need to be next to the fireplace with your soul mate when he is singing. His lyrics have meaning; they are deep thoughts that is hard to find in a musician these days. He has a lumberjack appearance but an industry standard voice. Let’s take a few moments to learn a little bit more about Jascha.

It has been a long time since you and I have talked. How are you doing these days?

At the moment, I'm just coming out of my winter hibernation. Releasing some new demos, starting to play shows around and out of town more. Still a little frozen, but warming up.

I see you have some shows coming up in New York. Are you trying to branch out of the city of Indianapolis and become a traveling musician?

You know, it's funny you put it that way. I actually got my start playing shows on the road - a few years ago I was working as a detective and sort of felt my life falling apart around me. I had a few songs, a demo CD recorded in a friend's living room, and two shows under my belt at United States of Mind in Indianapolis. I threw everything in my car and took off for California, playing at open mics or any show I could set up along the way. I didn't really have a plan, or a route, I was just doing it. On my way out there, I got an offer to play a show in Massachusetts at The Dreamaway Lodge; a venue Bob Dylan had played. I couldn't pass it up, so I added an East Coast leg to my travels. On my way back to California from there, the brakes on my car exploded in Ohio. I sort of crash landed back in Indianapolis. I've done a few tours around the country since then, but I always wind up back here. As a rule, I don't actually ever book any shows; if I'm asked to play, I do. I've performed out in Jamestown, New York a few times before, and they keep inviting me back. I guess they must like my music a little bit. It's one of my favorite cities.

What is the biggest crowd you have ever played for?

Somewhere over 800 people is what I'm told. A Katrina benefit a few years ago with a national headliner.

The smallest?

Including myself? (Laughs) Probably 3.

If you were headlining at Verizon Wireless Music Center who would be opening for you?

As tempted as I am to name one of my favorite popular artists, I'd like to think if I make it that far and have anything to say about it, it'd be one of my friends that deserve some recognition - Paper Route, or Christian Taylor.

What do you put on your pizza?

Well, that depends on my mood. Ham and pineapple, or black olives usually. But always, always extra cheese. I love cheese.

What are you drinking on stage?

Am I getting paid? Whiskey. Preferably a golden Kentucky bourbon more than 10 years old. But I'm not picky.

Where does your inspiration come from when you sit down to write a song?

That's actually a trick question for me, and it's got a trick answer. I've only ever sat down and written one song. The normal process of songwriting for me generally involves a single line - from something I hear, read, see - being written down in a notebook. There's usually an immediate idea for the melody of it.

Sometime in the future; a week, a month, a year; another line or idea comes into my head. I add it. After that, it's usually only about five or ten minutes for me to finish the rest. I type it up on my typewriter, and play it with the music already in my mind. If it seems to go, it's a song. At this point, I've never really sat down and said "I'm going to write this song", although I've heard that's the way to do it. I'd like to try it sometime. I'm interested to see what comes out.

Are you a PC or Mac kind of a guy?

Mac. Unequivocally. Although I don't at this point in time own a computer. On tour in 2006, someone in St. Louis took a crowbar to my car window while I was playing a show and made off with my laptop, and a lot of pedals and other gear that I still sorely miss. I have habitually avoided St. Louis since then.

Do you think MySpace is good or bad for musicians?

For me, it's been good. Being as reluctant as I am to self-promote myself, or to book shows; it's been nice being able to just put something out there and have a medium for people to find me. I've gotten a lot of shows and fans through the site, and made a lot of friends. It puts me in touch with a lot of people who otherwise would have no clue who I am.

So is Jascha your real name?

It is.

Did you just want to be like Cher and Seal sticking with one name?

You know, I was thinking more like "Jesus", or "Charlemagne", but essentially, yes.

Who are your biggest influences?

I'm going to answer this in a more general sense than I assume you've asked it in, because I think that influences for a musician extend far beyond just what music you listen to.
My family is my biggest influence. My mom's side is extraordinarily musical. My cousins were the ones who got me playing guitar in the first place. My brothers serve as my filters and nonchalant managers.

I'm also extremely influenced by things I read - Jack Kerouac, Kurt Vonnegut, Tom Robbins, Ernest Hemingway, Douglas Adams - I'm a huge sucker for murder mysteries, like Agatha Christie, Dashiell Hammett, or Rex Stout.

Music I listen to is a list that never ends: Nick Drake, Bob Dylan, Elliott Smith, My Morning Jacket, a host of my friends that no one knows. I'm not even sure where to begin. Lately I can't stop listening to a song my friend Erik wrote.

If you could play only one cover song for the rest of your life what would it be?

Wow, that's probably the toughest question on here. I love playing "Lack of Color" by Death Cab; there are some Rocky Votolato songs I wish I'd written. I'm going to go with "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" by Bob Dylan. I don't think I'll ever get tired of that song. Cake's "Frank Sinatra" is a close second.

If you were offered a $250,000 record deal but you had to sing someone else’s lyrics and it was a country album would you do it?

No. Although, I admit being tempted. That kind of money would do a lot for me. But while it might be fun to stretch into another genre for a bit, ultimately I wouldn't be able to handle hearing myself sing someone else's words over and over again.

Let’s play word association. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you read these three words?

Animal Planet: Monkeys.
U2: Tyson.
Swordfish: Nero Wolfe.

What is your favorite color?

Green. Although my wardrobe contains a suspicious amount of baby blue t-shirts.

If you could live anywhere other than Indiana where would it be?

Somewhere warm year-round, but with mountains close. I'd like to die in Montana.

If you could meet one person, alive or dead, who would it be and why?

Someone who could shed some light on ancient human history. Someone from the Olmec tribe. I'm extremely curious about it.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you while on stage?

Well now, that's a tough one; so many to choose from! Last year, I started singing a song in a completely different key from the one I was playing it in. That was more personally disappointing than anything. I also played a show where a policeman came up to the stage and confiscated a flask that I was drinking from - unfortunately because of his accent, I couldn't understand what he was saying! It turned into a little bit of a hassle.

Have you ever forgotten your own lyrics?

Yes. Very recently. Fortunately there were so many people singing along, I don't think anyone noticed.

I always let the artist get the last word. Go.

First of all, thanks so much for the interview. The site looks great, and I hope I can steer some more people your way.

Second, I'd like to make everyone in Indy aware that Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday nights at the Red Eye cafe there is live music that shouldn't be missed - Christian Taylor, Lovely Houses, Kendall Ludwig, Jesse Lee - and those are just the local guys. I'm usually down there hanging out, having a beer, sometimes playing; I'd like to encourage people to come check it out.