An Interview with a Musician: Gino Scalmato

Gino and I met back in 2001 when he and Dedication came down to Arlington, Virginia from their home base in New York City to play a fest for fans of the 70s super group the Bay City Rollers. They were a joy to work with and chat with, and I’m honored to have a special appearance on my blog by this talented professional rock/punk drummer!

LK:  Hi Gino! How about just jumping in and telling us a bit about yourself and your work?

GS: Hi Lorraine! Thanks for finding me. I’ve been a drummer for over 25 years & teaching for about 15 years or so. Currently I own a Drum & Guitar store In Middle Island, NY. I am currently playing & recording with a band out of NYC called THE SKEEVOTZ and doing a reunion with THE BEAUTY SCHOOL DROPOUTS.

LK: You have a long history of playing with different bands. What made you pick up the drumsticks?

GS: Yes, I’ve played in a lot of bands, all different styles of music: Punk, metal, thrash, blues & rock bands.I started playing drums after I heard KISS (The Destroyer album).

LK: Oh, how interesting! I’ve heard other musicians say it was a certain band that made them decide to go into music. It’s wonderful how inspiring other artists can be on us. Speaking of, what has been your biggest breakthrough moment so far?

GS:  My biggest breakthrough is being lucky enough to make a good living as a musician.I think a lot of musicians don’t realize that making it, is making a living.

LK:  A good thing for young musicians with musical plans to know. I’m sure behind that “luck” is a lot of very hard work and determination. Since we’re on that vein, I know a lot of musicians don’t actually read music; they learn to play by doing and by sound. Do you? Any thoughts on the difference?

GS: Yes, I read music. I believe reading music is very important & so is playing by ear.

LK: Nice to hear you say that. It’s similar to writers who study writing theory or not. Knowing the theory makes a difference. So, I see you’re currently in the studio. What do you like best about studio work? Is there anything you dislike about it?

GS: Working in the studio can be stressful & fun at the same time. Sometimes songs & your drum parts come out a lot different then you expected.

LK: I have to tell you, I was a school band drummer (snare, trip toms, timpani), but have never tried a drum set. I’ve often wondered how you go about writing music for the set. Any insights?

GS: Your drum parts should always be played from the heart & then transcribed into notation.

LK:  Ah, also like writing – first draft from the heart. ;-)  How about being on the road? Do you have any road stories you can share?

GS:  I’ve been lucky enough to play a lot great shows with a lot of great bands all over the country and have met a lot of great people. The Bay City Rollers fans always treated me great at all the festivals I was lucky enough to play.

LK: My son, a burgeoning drummer, is rather impressed that Beauty School Dropouts have played with Sum 41 and Rancid. How did that come about?

GS: We all played on the ’01 Warped Tour together.

LK:  Since I brought up family, my daughter, who gets annoyed with having to hear her brother practice, wonders if you drove your family crazy while learning.

GS: My family was always cool with it, the neighbor next door would always call the cops on me.

LK:  Oh, funny! Some people just can’t appreciate music! We’re lucky to have tolerant neighbors, I guess. Speaking of learning, I see you’re writing a drum book. That’s intriguing. Can you tell us about it?

GS:  It’s been in the works for a while now, should be finished soon. Contains all styles of drumming (Latin, Funk, Jazz, Rock, single & double bass with some heel toe ideas).

LK:  That sounds great, Gino! A nice addition to your store, also.  Because I ask everyone, just for fun, do you have a favorite color?

GS:  It changes a lot, but I just got a new silver drumset (LUDWIG), so I guess it’s silver for now.

LK:  Ha! Great answer. One I haven’t heard. How about a favorite artist, other than musical?

GS: Not really.

LK:  Gino, thank you so much for your time! Be sure to let me know when your book is out so I can pass word along to my readers. It may be a nice gift for my son, as well.

GS:  Anytime! I will send you a copy as soon as it’s finished. Thanks!

LK:  I’ll sure look forward to seeing it!

Anyone who would like to keep up with Gino and what he’s doing can find him on Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/ginodrums

If you have questions for comments for Gino, please post them here and I’ll see if I can get him to return to answer. ;-)
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Interview with a Musician: Vicki Blankenship

Vicki Blankenship is not only an Indie Singer/Songwriter, but she’s also president of IndieGrrl.com, a celebration of women in the independent arts. As a member of IndieGrrl, I’m glad to have Vicki here to talk with us about her music and her organization.

I’m also happy to announce that the lyrics of I’ve Waited For You, from her newest album, will be the music epilogue for Off The Moon, my fourth novel due out this month.

LK:  Hi Vicki! First, a public “thank you” for allowing use of your lyrics in my novel. It’s amazing when I was searching for indie songs that would fit with the story, just how well I’ve Waited For You fits. It’s nice to have you here chatting with us.

VB:  Thanks for using my song and promoting my music and lyrics.

LK:  First things first, how long have you been in the music business? When did you first pick up a guitar?

VB: I first started playing guitar and drums when I was 5 years old thanks to a grandfather and great grandfather who were both musicians. I’ve been in the music business off and on since college (1976 – 1981) but went full time in the music industry in 2003 with my first solo release “Don’t Forget To Breathe”.

LK:  It’s wonderful when young children get into the arts! Your music career echoes my writing career a bit – my first release was also in 2003. ;-)

So tell us a bit about your newest release, Blue Flame Trance.

VB:  My latest release Blue Flame Trance was originally slated to be called “Elements” because the songs selected for this project were different elements of my life and the songs were songs I had written from 19 years old to present. Many of my friends suggested that I consider using the name “Blue Flame Trance” as the title of the CD because they considered the song “Blue Flame Trance” an unforgettable song and the name would stand out more. The song itself is about Moonshine which is very prevalent in Franklin County Virginia the area where I grew up.

LK: Your music is reminiscent of 60s/70s folk rock, mixed with a touch of a country flair. At least that’s what I think of when I listen to it. Phoebe Snow comes to mind, but also Martina McBride; it’s both soulful and soothing. Who are your musical influences?

VB:  I grew up in the 60s/70s folk rock era so that is the music I know and love and the style in which I write. I loved bands like Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker, Steve Miller, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Crosby Still Nash & Young, and Fleetwood Mac. I am a HUGE Lindsey Buckingham fan. Three other songwriters that I love are Mary Chapin Carpenter, James Taylor and Carol King.

LK:  Ah, some of my favorite artists there, also.  I have to tell you I grinned when I went through your website and read about Kiva, your rescued Dalmation. I have a rescued lab mix who is also such a joy, and Off The Moon features a rescued dog. Would you like to share a bit about your Dalmation rescue mission?

VB: Dalmatians were over bred when the 101 Dalmatians movie came out. And Dalmatians tend to be very active dogs that need a lot of attention. So a lot of them got abandoned when they grew older. I have helped place many Dalmatians in good homes that will work with them and show them the attention they need. Kiva is one that I kept myself. She is deaf and is one of the smartest dogs I have ever owned. She understands a doggie sign language that I made up and is very obedient. She knows no strangers and is friendly to everyone so she makes a good travel companion on the road.

LK:  Just for fun and since I ask everyone, what is your favorite color? Do you have a favorite artist or art style?

VB: My favorite color(s) is a toss between royal blue and purple. I love Vincent Van Gogh and my favorite painting is The Starry Night. I also like Georgia O’Keeffe and Klimt. I also paint; mostly oils and acrylic, and most of my paintings would be classified in the contemporary abstract style.

LK:  How did you come up with the idea of founding IndieGrrl? Will you tell us about it?

VB:  Actually Holly Figueroa founded Indiegrrl as a networking forum for female singer songwriters in 1998. I joined the network in 2003. Later I founded Indie Music For Life in 2004, a non profit to raise money for cancer research and other programs. I took over Indiegrrl in October 2005 and brought it in under the umbrella of Indie Music For Life. Now the non profit has completed revamped as of this year and in February we officially changed the name to Indiegrrl Women in the Arts, Inc so that we could include all aspects of the arts into the non profit and build on other things among networking. Indiegrrl Women in the Arts, Inc. works to create networking, educational, and showcasing opportunities for women of all ages involved in the arts. We also produce several festival events to help raise funds for various charities and are working to raise funds to build an Indiegrrl Music and Arts Camp for children between the ages of 7 and 17. Indiegrrl also produces an annual conference as an educational and showcasing opportunity and we are working on other educational forums, workshops, and seminars to help with entrepreneurial development in music and other aspects of the arts. If you believe in what Indiegrrl is trying to develop please go to our website and make a contribution. http://www.indiegrrl.com

LK:  I better wind this up so I don’t take too much of your time, but before I let you go, I’d love to hear what you’re working on now.

VB:  I am working on developing many Indiegrrl Women in the Arts programs and opportunities. Personally I am starting to promote my new CD “Blue Flame Trance” which you can find at http://www.spottedkivaproductions.com

LK:  Vicki, thank you again! Please leave any links you’d like us to know about.

VB:  http://www.indiegrrl.com and http://www.spottedkivaproductions.com are the main links. There are also Myspace links http://www.myspace.com/indiegrrlrecords and http://www.myspace.com/vickiblankenship and the facebook link http://www.facebook.com/vicki.blankenship

A note to readers: A signed copy of Vicki’s CD, Blue Flame Trance, will be included as part of the release party give-away for Off The Moon. Stay tuned here or sign up for my newsletter for more info.

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My BLOG TOUR for Off The Moon, featuring Vicki’s lyrics, “I’ve Been Waiting For You” kicks off TODAY! 

Here’s the first link: http://judahraine.com/romancewriteup/?p=673

To follow the tour, find the schedule either at CRR Promotions:

http://www.classicromancerevival.com/blog/?p=1520

Or at Elucidate Publishing:
http://www.elucidatepublishing.net/events.html


Today is my Author Introduction. Leave a comment for a chance to win a so-far-unpublished prequel short story, signed and mailed!  On Tuesday, I’ll be talking about Artistic Vision And Creative Doubt, hosted by Jane Richardson, author of “A Different Kind of Honesty.”
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A Walk In The Garden

"I try to live what I consider a poetic existence. That means I take responsibility for the air I breathe and the space I take up. I try to be immediate, to be totally present for all my work."
Maya Angelou

As any gardener knows, a simple walk in the garden is never simple. The beauty others see upon viewing the results of her work cannot compare to the thoughts of the gardener while walking along her flowers. She sees not only the hours of work already put in, but also the hours yet to come and the details she is not quite happy with that she wonders how to improve.

In a way, her garden is more beautiful to her than to anyone viewing it in passing. In another way, it can never be quite as beautiful as others see.

Other artists understand her. Painters visit an art gallery and see the work lying behind each piece. They listen to compliments of their own work and burke the thoughts of knowing what could have been done better. Dancers feel the pulling of muscles and strains and fatigue while watching other dancers while the audience sees only the grace and beauty.

Writing is the same. We hold our books in our hands and read reviews, thrilled to see when a reader 'gets' what we are trying to say behind the words, humbled at the request for a signature, and thankful for each sale. At the same time, we don't see only a pretty (or scary or mysterious) cover and many pages full of a story. We see hours upon end of writing and rewriting, editing and pondering, deleting and redoing; and we especially relive the questions that plague us through the whole process. Are we accomplishing the beauty that is in our minds well enough? Will we affect readers enough to make some difference in their worlds?

Our walks through our books are filled with these questions as well as with thoughts of what we want to do better the next time, what weeds we would like to pluck off the printed page to replace with a rose or sunflower or carnation.

In the meantime, we focus on marketing, on finding readers who may enjoy our stories and our characters.

Much of my winter has been spent focusing on marketing. My website now offers a press kit for bookstores, a special offer for reading groups, and a brand new newsletter to offer information on happenings with my writing and in the indie arts. I'm quite glad to announce a new arts feature, as well: An Interview With A Musician. You'll find the first, a chat with Johnny Roxx,renowned guitarist, posted on the indie arts page.

I would also like to publicly say thank you to the two fans who are running Myspace pages for my three main characters from Rehearsal. Liz and Jan, I can't thank you enough for your support and assistance.

You'll find the first three chapters of A Different Drummer in the characters' blogs, one in each blog, beginning here: http://www.myspace.com/duncan_rehearsal
The prologue can be found on my site: http://www.lkhunsaker.com/DifferentDrummer/excerpt.htm

Spring has arrived, and with it, I am not only back to working in my flower garden, but also obsessive about furthering the second book of Rehearsal, entitled The Highest Aim. Does anyone know from which quote the title comes or the author of it?

Also with spring comes spring cleaning. As I'll be changing residences soon, I have been clearing out things I don't want to have to unpack and store in the new house. The fewer things to move the better, in most cases. So I am also going to start offering a "moving sale" on the copies of A Different Drummer I have in stock. I hope to publish The Highest Aim this fall and would like to make room to stock that one next.

Watch either Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/lkhunsaker) or my newsletter (http://www.lkhunsaker.com/newsletter) for details.

Wishing you all a poetic existence,
LK Hunsaker