#livefrommtcrestedbutte

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Live! From Mt. Crested Free Concert Series Featuring: Zongo Junction

Zongo Junction rolls into Crested Butte tonight when they perform at the Live! From Mt. Crested Butte Free Concert Series!  Their 9-piece instrumental Afrobeat band from Brooklyn, New York will have you moving and grooving.  Learn how their band took off in the Big Apple in during our conversation below!

1. How did the band start?

The band was started in 2009 after Charles returned from a trip to Ghana.  He had been a big fan of Afrobeat for years, and wanted to start the band before he left, but never got it going.  When Charles got back, he felt inspired and got a crew of people together to play some of the music in his basement studio in Brooklyn.  After a few rehearsals, we had a band!  We started playing in clubs around NYC, and slowly started making our way around the East Coast (Boston, DC, Philly, Burlington etc..), and then to the West Coast.

2. What has been your biggest accomplishment as a band?

The sheer fact that we've been able to stay together as a band, record 2 full length albums, and tour multiple times across the country is our biggest accomplishment!  It's not easy to do that as a 3 piece band, let alone a 9 piece band. 

3. What was the inspiration in traveling to Ghana?

Growing up in the Bay Area, I was exposed to a ton of music from all over the world.  A lot of the music Charles listened to and is interested in, has roots in West Africa.  When the opportunity presented itself to spend some time in Africa, Charles jumped on it.  Charles is the drummer, and the drumming tradition in Ghana in particular, is one of the oldest and richest in the world.  

4. What did you do while you were in Africa?

Charles spent a lot of time traveling.  The country is rich with different cultures, languages, music, landscapes and more, so there are endless things to do and see.  He studied with a xylophonist (there they are called gyil's) for the majority of his time there, named SK Kakraba Lobi, who is the son of one of the most renown musicians in the country.  It was an incredible experience to study with someone like that, in a setting like that.  

5. Where has been your favorite place to perform while on tour?

Colorado!  No joke!  It's the most beautiful state, and the people there have been so receptive to us and our music.  We hope we can come back more often than once a year!

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Tonight’s Live! From Mt. Crested Butte Free Concert Series Featuring: Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real

Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real have recently finished touring and recording with the legendary Neil Young.  We are lucky to have him play here at the Live! From Mt. Crested Butte Free Concert Series tomorrow!  From a young age, Lukas has been around legendary musical artists that have helped shape his path as a musician.  His genuine personality and passion to create inspiring music will have you smiling and dancing.  Here is what he had to say!

 When did you pick up the guitar?

I am not exactly sure when I picked up the guitar, but I do remember when I went to ask my Dad what he wanted for his birthday, and he told me that if I learn to pay the guitar, that would be the best present I could give him, so I did.

 What was the first song you wrote?

I was 12 when I wrote my first song “You Were It” and it was put on my Dad’s record “It Always Will Be.

Can you tell me a little about your songwriting process?

I try to write a song as If I was having a conversation with someone while trying to be as honest as possible with what I am trying to say.  Writing down real conversational topics that people can relate to and that they think about. 

 Can you tell me a little about your decision to drop out of college and pursue music, what influenced that?

Other people who have interviewed me have stated that I was financially cut off from my parents when I decided to drop out of college, but that really is not the case.  I cut myself off because I wanted to make my own way.  My parents have been supportive of my decision to play music and if I ever needed something, they would help me out, but that idea that my parents cut me off after I dropped out is not true.

 When did you know you wanted to pursue music as a career?

I had a lot of confidence as a musician as a kid.  I played guitar and wrong songs all day long as I honed in on my craft.  While people were out partying, I was at home spending time on my guitar trying to get better and better.  The goal for me has always been to get better.  It similar to continually beating your best score on one of your favorite video games.  The more you practice the better your get and it creates a ball of increasing momentum.  From there, opportunities have continued to open up.  It’s all about putting in the hard work!  When I play shows, I want people to be happy, let loose and have fun. 

  You say your dad has been a great mentor to you growing, what advice has he given you that has really stuck with you?

The biggest advice my Dad told me was to keep breathing.  When things seem like they are closing in on you to just keep breathing to throw those negative thoughts out the window.

 What was it like working with Neil Young?

It was one of the most amazing experiences we have had as a band.  Neil is such an amazing person and touring with him was so much fun.

 How do you challenge yourself as an artist?

The best way to learn is to play with others that are better than you.  The more you play with others the more you learn.  Theory is great, but playing with feel and energy with other is a creative experience.

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Tomorrow’s Live! From Mt. Crested Butte Free Concert Series featuring Pokey LaFarge!

The traditional and talented Pokey LaFarge has been tearing up the airwaves with his unique style and charisma.  After performing earlier this year at Bonnaroo Music Festival and Byron Bay Music Festival, Pokey LaFarge is ready to bring his beautiful songs to you during tomorrow’s Live! From Mt. Crested Butte Free Concert Series.  We got the opportunity to interview him before his performance and here is what he had to say:

 When did you decide you wanted to pursue a career in music?

I would have to say about the age of 19 is when I decided I wanted to make this my career.

 What was the first song you composed?

I wrote my first song called Arkansas when I hitchhiked at the age of 17 across the country.

 How did hitchhiking and performing in the streets all across the country prepare you for where you are today?

It has totally prepared me for where I am today in all aspects.  Everything we have done has prepared us for where we are now.

 Your relentless work ethic is noted in your bio.  Can you explain how this translates to writing and performing?

I write as often as I can, and if I cannot write, I am talking to a digital recorder.

 You talk a lot about your relationship with your Grandparents as a child, how has that relationship shaped you as an artist and as a person?

It has opened the door for me to be interested and curious in exploration.

 How do you challenge yourself as a writer?

Never be satisfied with the first thing that comes to your mind.

 When was your first tour and how old were you?

My first tour was a month long and I was 19 years old.

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Tomorrow’s Live! From Mt. Crested Butte Free Concert Series featuring Samantha Fish!

I had a chance to speak with the talented Samantha Fish on her new album set to release on July 10, along with her growth and rise to fame as a singer/songwriter in the entertainment industry.  Samantha’s down to earth personality made our conversation fun and interesting as we talked about growing up in Kansas City to now touring the world with her soulful blues band! Samantha has played in some world renowned music festivals and we are lucky to have her play for us on tomorrow night during the Live! From Mt. Crested Butte Summer Concert Series.

What inspired you to be a singer/songwriter?

As a child, music was very much a part of our family.  My Dad played a little guitar and my sister also played music.  Friends would come over and we would just have fun jam sessions. Cheryl Crowe was the first concert I ever saw and from then on, I started to attend a lot of shows at the Knuckleheads Saloon in Kansas City, MO.  My first song I learned on the guitar was Cheryl Crowe’s classic hit “If it makes you happy.”

Who are you biggest influences?

I grew up listening to a lot of Rock N Roll such as Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, Tom Waits, Grace Potter, and Cheryl Crowe.

Tell me about the first time you played in front of people.

I started playing guitar when I was about 17 years old and I was at friend’s birthday party.   A friend of mine asked me to play so my first experience playing live was in front of about 200 people.  It was extremely nerve racking, but I loved it! I remember that day like it was yesterday.  After the party, I went back to work and told all my coworkers what I was going to do for the rest of my life.

What obstacles did you have to overcome when you first started playing live?

I had really bad stage fright early on, but I soon became okay with it the more I played live. However, I do still get jitters before I go on stage.  Also, I remember reading a negative comment that someone posted about me online when I was first starting out as a musician.  At first it was tough because it is so easy to take things personal in this industry, but in this business you quickly learn to develop a thick skin.

When did you start playing music?

I started playing guitar when I was 17 and started writing music when I was 18.

What do you like and dislike about being on the road?

I love going from city to city playing music for people all over the country.  I am always and in awe of the people who come to my shows to hear me play, it is very gratifying.  Also, interacting and playing for the different types of cultures and people we have in the United States, but the one that I really love is playing to an energetic crowd!

I really do not dislike much about touring, but on occasion I would love to be able to teleport. Long hours in a van is not so bad, but if I could teleport, man that would be cool.  That said, what I really hate about touring would have to be getting bed bugs because you have to burn every piece of clothing that you have and that is never fun!

Your new album is set to release on July 10th, what is different about this album then your previous albums?

Wild Heart has been so fun to work on.  I got the chance to work with some really great songwriters and feel this album showcases my songwriting ability. It is definitely a lot rockier then my previous albums, but my first albums were really a great showcase of what I could do and where I was at the time.  I along with my songs have grown and matured. Wild Heart has a classic rock feel to it featuring a trio.  We recorded and produced the album with in Shreveport, LA. I’m excited to release this record!  

What advice would you give to aspiring singer/songwriters trying to break into the industry?

Be yourself and be the best you can be!  The music industry is tough and you will face a lot of adversity, but keep believing in you.