SONG OF THE DAY

Our song today is from the Okkervil River and their album The Stand Ins and the song is "Pop Lie."

SONG OF THE DAY

Our song for the day is from a former local artist who after Katrina ended up in the Mid-West and is there now. He's Mike West and this song "In Mississippi" is from his album Home.

SONG OF THE DAY

Today's song is from Malcolm Holcombe's 2008 album Wager and is "I Feel Like A Train."

Video Wednesday:

Our video this week is from the duo Dala and is their song "Levi Blues."

SONG OF THE DAY

We feature a local today with Lynn Drury from her album All You Need. The song is "Better Than The Radio."

SONG OF THE DAY

Today's song is from Caitlin Cary, who before she went solo was a member of the alt-country group Whiskeytown. This song "The Battle" is a duet with her former member from that group Ryan Adams and is from her album While You Weren't Looking.

SONG OF THE DAY

Today's song is from Butch Hancock, who besides putting out music under his own name records with the group The Flatlanders. The song is "If You Were A Bluebird" from his Own & Own album.

SIMPLY SIX: Bone Gunn

Bone Gunn is a group based out of New York City.

1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer. For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later. Is there such a defining moment for you?

I believe the moment for me was birth, as silly as that sounds. My father comes from a family of 11 brothers and sisters, each one of them plays traditional irish music. So right from birth i had that coursing through my existence.

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?

This is an odd question for me to answer, believe it or not i listen to very little music at all. When i do it tends to be either far out there strange music such as "GOD SPEED! YOU BLACK EMPEROR" or down to earth folk oriented material such as "RICHARD THOMPSON" or "JOHN DOYLE"

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?

The greatest moment I had as a musician was actually about 3 weeks ago on stage at the mercury lounge in N.Y.C.. We had just brought on 2 new musicians to our line up, of course I was a bit nervous for this first gig with them. We played the first song of the set "Is it fear " and it was the most together it had ever felt. there was an energy on stage that had not existed before that moment. As far as i'm concerned it was our first gig as a "real " band. All of us friends, all of us with the same goal.

4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?

Of course music can change the world! look around. I suppose it's easy for me having grown up with traditional irish music, to see the direct impact that a song can have on a group of people. It can provide commonality in places where none else is found, but that is not the only example. "RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE" incited more revolutionary ambition than any other group in the 90's or since. There is a reason songs are so often used in movies, they provide a deeper connection with a scene than what the cameras and actors can supply on their own.

5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?

Technology has changed the industry for the better and worse. For the better by increasing the amount of exposure opportunities for bands, but for the worse by increased theft and the dumbing down of music as an art. For example albums don't have the same impact that they once did. It's so easy to just get the song you heard once and liked, that the experience of truly soaking an artists message as a whole is too much to ask.

6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

I would be a pair of combat boots!

SONG OF THE DAY

Sunday's song is the title song from the Hearless Bastard's newest The Mountain.

SONG OF THE DAY

Saturday's song is from the singer Grey DeLisle who spends most of her time doing voice acting in cartoons instead of making music. The song is "Walking In A Line" from her 2004 The Grey Ghost.

SONG OF THE DAY

Today's song is the title song from The Gaslight Anthem's latest "The '59 Sound."

SONG OF THE DAY

Today's song is from Chris Stamey and his album Travels In The South. It's the title song from the album. Chris was a member of the group the dBs before his solo career.

Video Wednesday: Caroline Herring

Yes, I know, we're a day late. But we didn't want to miss posting a video this week so we're going to pretend it's Wednesday for the few minutes it takes to watch this video.

SIMPLY SIX: 8 Ball Aitken

8 Ball Aitken is a singer/songwriter from Australia.

1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer. For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later. Is there such a defining moment for you?

I used to work on a farm all week, then party all weekend. An Aboriginal elder was visiting my town, and we were talking on Sunday morning after he had been watching me play guitar all weekend. He sat me down and told me off sternly – ‘I will be really disappointed if I visit next year and see you still here drinking and smoking, just wasting your talent and your life away,”. That was the light bulb going on moment in my mind that made me pack my bags, grab my guitar, and hitch-hike south to the big city of Brisbane. It was a ‘time stands still’, life-changing experience. From that point on, I have stayed true, and followed my dream of making music and taking it out to the people.

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?

The roots of blues, bluegrass and country music as well as The Allman Brothers Band, Daddy Cool
Tony Joe White & Neil Young.

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?

‘Outback Booty Call’ is a song I wrote about regional romance and dating in the bush. I was touring in USA a few years back when I found out about the booty call phenomenon. I thought to myself, we have booty calls back in Australia, it is just that we have a lot further to travel between love interests because of our small population on a large island. This song is practically a documentary. You can see the clip at -- www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RYcXmuZqDY

4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?

I honestly believe that music can change the world. Songwriting is creative and can promote a positive outcome and cause listeners to take action. I have witnessed powerful movements start in peoples back yards first and then go on to great things. To me, a good song can bring light to the world whether it is played to twenty people in a bar or a million people on television.

5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?

I think that the access to affordable recording equipment for independent musicians and having the internet as a marketing tool has made it possible for more musicians and bands to find an audience than ever before. It is exciting times for me me, touring all over the world as an independent and making a living from playing music without a major record company running the show means freedom, fun and a career doing what I love to do the most... Play music.


6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

Probably red crocodile (or alligator for USA) skin cowboy boots with 8 Ball inlays.

SONG OF THE DAY

Today's song is from former American Idol runner up Bo Bice. Now I can hear the howls of protest already. What's anyone to do with American Idol doing on this site? Good music can come from anywhere and the tv show has introduced some worthy additions to the musical world. And even if they've been on A-I doesn't mean they're selling millions of records. Many of the runner ups and even a few or the winners have been dropped from their recording contract and have self released their own music. Such is the case with Bo Bice. His first album I wasn't that thrilled with, but his second one See The Light where out song "Witness" comes from, was pure Southern Rock genius. He is following in the footsteps of such greats as the Allman Brothers with his music.

SONG OF THE DAY

Today's song is from the album Dirt by Braden Land and is "Satan's Train Out of Nashville."

SONG OF THE DAY

Today's song isn't as old as the last few but it's still from last year's release by Alejandro Escovedo. The album was Real Animal and the song is "Chip N' Tony." A little background here, this album was a musical journey of Alejandro's life in music. This song is about Chip and Tony Kinman and their group Rank and File, which Alejandro was a member of.

Why My Music Is Better Than Yours

Well, not really.

You might be a rock guy. Or maybe a country girl. Or an alternative chick. Maybe a blues boy. Perhaps a bluegrass dude.

Punks don't like rock, rock doesn't think much of country, alternative thinks very highly of themselves.

Everyone has different tastes. Just because you don't care for something that doesn't make it worse than what you like. I've never been a big country fan, but I find that the more I explore music and listen to the past I've come to a grudging love of a lot of what would be considered country music. There's still some of it that I can't stand, but there's a lot more that I do like.

And just because a music critic thinks something is great, doesn't mean it's all that. Or by reverse, just because an album gets one star doesn't mean you should ignore it. If it's something you like, listen to it and don't worry about what others think of it. Early reviews of Led Zepplin from such leading rock journals as Rolling Stone called their music terrible, but try and find a bad review of that music in the magazine today. It just goes to show no one knows anything.

We've made it our mission statement on this site to be positive about what we write about here. We want to introduce our readers to some great music. Do we think you'll enjoy song of the day we feature, every artist that answers our Simply Six, every singer that we spotlight? Of course not, but hopefully there will be some that we mention that you will hear and want to investigate further, perhaps buy their album, go to one of their shows, support their music.

It gets harder and harder everyday to discover new music and at the same time it's never been easier. The internet puts a vast catalog of music at our fingertips, but sometimes it can be hard to find something new. We're here, hoping that we can help a little with that.

But remember just because you don't like that last artist we spotlighted it doesn't mean they were bad, they were just meant for someone else.

SIMPLY SIX: Trina Elle

Trina is a singer from Canada.

1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer. For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later. Is there such a defining moment for you?

Id have to say when people would hear me sing my songs and to hear that they enjoyed it every time, i felt like thats what i wanted to do, i wana make everyone hear me, just to hear My reality!!

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?

U know i like a bit of everything but i must say i have a strong liking to reggae and im addicted to Akon!!

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?

U see all my music is personal experiences, so one of my songs that we had just finished, a few days later i took a break and then listened to it again, and it made me cry! can u believe that?! i was i shock! i got to myself LOL

4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?

Oh my godness, i believe music can have a great influence, maybe not change the world though...i know its been said many times now but look at what Michael Jackson left behind... hes got people gathering dancing in metro stations, streets, schools...its crazy, that is literally music bringing people together, influencing harmony together!

5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?

Well u see i pretty much dont know anything else, its been quite technical since i've begun, but i can see how live music is slowly being tossed aside. well in my genre of music...i dont know the last wedding i went to where there was a band playing! its all dj's! thats just an example of what ive noticed on a small scale.

6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

Hot pink 5" stiletto heals!! : )

SONG OF THE DAY

Once more we enter the way-back machine and travel to the year 2005 and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival where we hear the Radiators do "Go Down, Hannah."

SONG OF THE DAY

Today's song is an older one from the talented Kelly Hogan and is from her album "Beneath the Country Underdog." Kelly tours and sings back up with Neko Case, but she is a very talented singer on her own.

SONG OF THE DAY

Our song for today is from Tift Merritt's recent live album Buckingham Solo. This song is "Good Hearted Man."

SONG OF THE DAY

Today we feature the group Stark with the song "Oh No!" from their album Put It In Your Head.

SONG OF THE DAY

Today's song is from New Orleans own Subdudes. It's "The Flower and the Fire" from their newest album Flower Petals.

Video Wednesday: David Wilcox

This is a video of a trailer for a documentary of David Wilcox.

SONG OF THE DAY

The Song for today is from Chris Kirby and his new album Vampire Hotel. It's "Heavy Rain."

SPOTLIGHT: Charmaine Neville

I first heard about Charmaine Neville years ago from a friend of mine. Of course I knew and loved the Neville Brothers, but this was when she was just getting started as a singer on her own. My friend worked downtown and had seen her perform in a few small clubs. His assessment of her talents was "She's better than the Neville Brothers." Now while I'm not going to compare fathers and daughters, both acts are great, I will say she is an amazing talent.

Charmaine is the third generation of the multi talented Neville family. She is the daughter of Charles Neville. Charmaine's music is usually called a fusion of jazz and funk. She doesn't like to pigeonhole her sound. "All music is good music,"she says firmly. "I try to cover the whole spectrum and do just everything. I don't want to be stagnated and stuck in a rut..."

She has assembled one of the tightest bands around. Fame saxophonist Reggie Houston plays regularly with her. Live Charmaine shines. Her shows are amazing. (There's that word again, but there is just no other way to describe her.) She sings, she talks, she dances, she whirls around the stage.

She's only released three albums, none since the start of the new decade. Her albums are good, but to fully appreciate her you must see her live. The song is from 2007 Jazz and Heritage Festival, "You Put A Spell On Me."

SIMPLY SIX: Jessie Murphy In The Woods

Jessie Murphy In The Woods is from New York City.

1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer. For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later. Is there such a defining moment for you?

Singing sort of found me through songwriting. There was no defining moment where I first wanted to sing however there very much was a moment like that when I realized that I wanted to play guitar. When I was a Senior in High School I was dating a kid who was already a gigging blues guitarist at 17. One night I went to one of his gigs at this crappy bar near the airport in Newark, NJ. I was utterly transfixed. I knew that I didn't want to be the girl out there watching - I wanted to be up onstage doing THAT. And so my torrid affair with the electric guitar began and some how I ended up an acoustic guitar playing songwriter...That said I think I hear my telecaster calling and will likely have to answer sometime soon. Telecasters are tempermental, if you don't take their calls they're prone to tantrums and fits of beating you over the head with their headstocks.

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?

When I walk around the city and feel to tired to drag myself from Subway station to destination I like things like Chromeo, Michael Jackson, Jay Z... At home you can find me spinning Ray Charles, The Beatles and Joni Mitchell on Vinyl... Conor Oberst, Maria Taylor, and T Rex on CD...Recent MP3 purchases include Bon Iver, Ray LaMontaigne, Rosemary Clooney, and Midlake

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?

I think our most recent show was our best so far - at The Living Room in NYC - but we seem to be hitting a benchmark like that every 3 or 4 months. We keep growing and brightening as a band and every few months we kick it up a notch. Thanks for asking.

4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?

I think music has a profound effect on both the individual and the collective audience. In a complete and transcendent listening experience, the listener feels so sympathetic to the music, so resonant with it's frequency that the music seems to becoming from within them rather than from an external source, that it seems to be their own voice singing to them and not the voice of a distant other. I believe it is through each individual's awakening to a larger consiousness that real change will be manifested in the world. Music already has and will continue to play an important role in this awakening.

5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?

God Bless Garage Band.
MP3s are so fun and practical.
and as Gillian Welch put is so profoundly in her song...

"Everything is free now
That's what they say
Everything I ever done
Gonna give it away.
Someone hit the big score
They figured it out
They were gonna do it anyway
Even if doesn't pay."

6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

I"m going ot answer for all three of us woods on this one (that would be me, Jessie and Amy and Marcia)

Jessie: Nike Free
Amy: Prada Red
Marcia: Ballet Flat

SONG OF THE DAY

Today's song is something different. It's from Monkia Jalili, born in New York City to Dutch parents. Her new album is composed of Iranian songs. This song is "Ay Vatan (Oh, My Homeland)" from the album Elan.

Help Marina V Make Her Album

Marina V needs $12,000 to put her new album out. She's put up a site where she's raising the money for the album. Donate and you can get thanked on the CD insert, a call from Marina herself and even lunch. Donate enough and you can even get Marina to perform at your house for you and your friends. In today's tough economic times it's hard to raise the money to get your music out there. Help support Marina with whatever you can give. She's almost at her goal, let's help put her over. To donate go here.

SIMPLY SIX: Marina V

Marina V is a singer originally from Russia now living in California.

1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer. For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later. Is there such a defining moment for you?

I guess the defining moment for me was when I was my first year in college and entered into a talent competition. Until then,
I had never played my songs for anyone, but I performed the song I wrote in front of several hundred people and ended one

winning the first prize. That was the beginning of my career :) And then the next day, I got a few emails from students

and faculty saying how much my song moved them, a couple of them even had tears (it was a sad song)... I never thought

about my music touching others, because I always wrote for myself.. But those 2 days, I was so inspired by the reaction

of people to my song, that I decided to pursue music. Hope this answer makes sense:)

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?

I still love the Beatles. My favorite. And I have lots of songs from hundreds of artists on my iPod, and I

love to put it on shuffle. Anything from Willie Nelson to Rob Zombie to Howard Jones to Russian pop to Tori Amos to.... you name it:)

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?

I still hope for the greatest moment yet to come, but I've had so many amazing moments on stage

where I just felt elated... One very fun one was performing on the stage at the Kodak Theatre

and being in the dressing rooms. I was thinking - wow, every Oscar-nominated actor within last few

years has walked on this floor and sat in these green rooms... It was fun:)

4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?

I think music has the power to move people in different ways. So yes, changing the world too. Why not?

Artists throughout centuries have been at the forefront of big social and political movements, and I think it's exciting!
I'm trying to make my little difference too (with my song and music video for "HOPE", for example).

5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?

I love the internet and the ability to connect to so many people. and I love being able to quickly find the song you want

on iTunes or elsewhere. I think it's a great benefit for musicians!

6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

I would be elegant yet sturdy fake-leather black boots:)

SONG OF THE DAY

We're going to try something different this week. Instead of just a Song of the Week, we're going to try and have a Song of the Day. We all need a new song to add to our day. We're not sure if we'll continue this past this week, it depends if we can keep up with it. If you like the idea let us know and it'll help give us the incentive to keep it going as a daily.

Our first Song of the Day is Caroline Herring's "A Little Bit of Mercy" from her forthcoming album Golden Apples of the Sun.

And The Winner Is....

If you think I've forgotten the contest "What Music Means to You" I haven't. While we didn't get anywhere near the amount of people writing to us, the few we received were well thought out and interesting. It was a hard decision but we're going with Vinnie Bond from Big Leather Couch. He writes a lot about music on his site and always has some interesting finds. It's definitely worth checking out. So congrats Vinnie!

The FTC and Us

Recently the FTC issued some new regulations that have created quite a stir in the blogging world. Basically it said:

The FTC will require that writers on the Web clearly disclose any freebies or payments they get from companies for reviewing their products. The commission also said advertisers featuring testimonials that claim dramatic results cannot hide behind disclaimers that the results aren't typical.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that some of the reviews of the albums on this site have been provided by either the artists in question or their publicity firm or someone else associated with the artist. Actually looking back on most of the reviews I've done so far and the truth is that the majority of these reviews have been on albums I have actually purchased. My last major review was Will Hoge's newest The Wreckage and I brought that album off of Amazon in vinyl form. Still I do have a stack of albums on the side of my desk that have been provided to me free in hopes of a review.

I understand where the FTC is coming from. Lots of sites on the internet talk about products or trips and you as the reader may think they're just talking about something they've recently experience and not have any idea that they are being paid to talk about said product or that trip they recently took. On my personal site altjiranga mitjina I've did Pay Posts, but I always went out of my way to label them as such. If I was getting paid to write about something I made sure that anyone reading the post knew such.

I'm not sure if I've stressed the fact that some of the music on this site comes from people trying to push said artists. I quess I always figured it was a given. But if not I want to make clear that I do recieve free albums and downloads from publicity firms hoping to get the word out on their artist.

Does getting a free album in the mail mean I'm going to feature them on this site or give them a good review? Of course not. If I don't like the artists' music than I'm not going to give them a good review. But you have to remember the point of this site is to help promote artists that need a little extra help, those singers and songwriters and groups that don't have a giant corporation behind them, that don't appear on the late night shows, that don't have the full page ads in the newest issue of Rolling Stone. We're trying to get the word out on these artists.

We made a promise when we started this site and if you go read our Mission statement you'll see it there:

We plan to be positive on this site. Our main goal is the weekly features that showcase a new artist. Inbetween these weekly features we’ll pass along news and tour information, maybe do some album reviews and even a concert review here and there. Our plan is to pass on the good and if we come across things we don’t like we’ll do what our Mom told us when we were kids, “if you can’t say something nice, than don’t say anything at all.”

So just because you don't see us bad mouthing an artist or giving someone's album a bad review doesn't mean we've been bought off. It just means that if we don't like someone's music we'd rather not talk about it on here.

For albums that we review that have been provided to us from an artist or their representative we'll put a disclaimer at the end of the review to let you know. But believe us when we say that it won't effect our words on the music.

But we want to point out that we couldn't do as good a job as we do without these publicists and friends of the artists providing us with their music. We seek out and find a lot of new music that gets passed by, but we've discovered a lot more with the help of these friends of the artists. We would never had discovered such great artists as Nathan Lane, Chris Smither, Nicholas Howard and so many more without the aid of such help. They provide a great help in our mission to discover new music and get the word out there about it.

SONG OF THE WEEK

Brad Hammonds is a singer/songwriter from New York City.

SIMPLY SIX: The Nadas

The Nadas are a folk rock group from Des Moines.

1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer. For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later. Is there such a defining moment for you?

I think I am still waiting for that defining moment. I never really set out to have a career in a band. It just continues to work. We are surprised and thankful that people keep listening, buying CDs and tickets and allowing us to play music for a living.

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?

I listen to a lot of singer songwriters. Old school country, new singer songwriters or folk. I also listen to a lot of our peer bands. People we play with around the country.

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?

Every new audience, every new song, every new town and venue is my greatest moment. I have a lot of fond memories, but I am most happy to move forward.

4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?

I believe it can change the world and influence current events, but all we try to do is make something that will touch people individually. Make them think, reflect, reminisce. Everyone responds to music differently. One song could mean 100 different things to 100 different people.

5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?

Well for one thing, we are doing an interview over email. I think it has changed things for the better and for the worse. It has allowed us to communicate more directly with our fans and build a community.

6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

flip flops, and i would probably be kicked off of someones feet. I hope so.

SONG OF THE WEEK

Our featured song is from The Avett Brothers' newest one. It's the title song "I and You and Love."

SIMPLY SIX: Sean Kershaw

Sean Kershaw is a singer/songwriter from Brooklyn New York.

1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer. For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later. Is there such a defining moment for you?

In 8th grade in a German school lin Heidelberg, hearing "Whole Lotta Rosie" by AC/DC on somebody's cheap cassette recorder

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?

Too many to list, but lately James Brown '67-'73, George Jones, early Blue Oyster Cult, Southern Culture on the Skids, Brian Eno, Peter Tosh, Willie Nelson

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?

here's a few, but lately our set at Brooklyn Country Music Festival '09 was pretty kickass if I do say so myself

4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?

It can be a canary in a coal mine, pleasant (or obnoxious) background noise, a call to arms, or it can lull into a sense of complacency or carefully marketed & directed rebellion. Another observation: Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young and all their friends couldn't get Bush defeated on '04 but they helped propel the sense of urgency that brought us Obama in '08

5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?

Would you like me to write a book? Put it this way: You can now record a demo in my bedroom by yourself in one evening without any instruments or (as I would do it) record it on Garageband w my acoustic guitar, convert to MP3 and email it to my bandmates to learn for the next show or recording session. Which, again, might be done in someone's living room on a laptop with some quality mics and sound great. You can cherrypick all of the technology of the last 50 (or 50000) years. The history of music is to a large extent the history of technology, and yet some simple constants remain. For instance, a good song is a good song, period.

6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

A workboot, a cowboy boot, and a flipflop. Up to your imagination where I'd wear 'em.

SIMPLY SIX: Sarah Tolar

Sarah Tolar is a jazz/folk singer from New York.

1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer. For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later. Is there such a defining moment for you?

My parents had a steady gig at a local hotel where I grew-up in Colorado. I remember going to hear them and sitting-in when I was 5 years old. I sang "Hey Good Lookin," a Hank Williams song. That moment felt so real and true and I knew this was exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?

It changes every week! This week I'm into Wilco, Nina Simone, and a CD of traditional French folk songs a friend gave me. I can't understand a word but its the most beautiful thing I have ever heard!

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?

Opening for Christopher Cross at the Birchmere near Washington D.C. Christopher's audience was incredibly open and willing to fall in love with new music.

4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?

I absolutely believe that music can change the world! It changes our human experience everyday. Music is the only universal language. It can heal the depest wounds, breakthrough the hardest walls, and unite us like nothing else.

5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?

I feel so lucky that I am able to have people in other parts of the world hear my music in an instant thanks to internet music sites like MySpace and iTunes. I am also lucky that I have access to a ton of artists and different kinds of music. And in regards to recording, we can all make records in our basement now! Again, lucky us to share our music so easily.

6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

Wow, a question so close to my heart! I would be a good-lookin' pair of cowboy boots: comfortable but sexy and super sassy.