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| Artist Statistics |
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Artistopia Rank : 565
Member Since : 5/2004
Last Login : 10/13/2004
Views : 4,997
Songs : 2
Events : 0
Alliances : 0
Releases : 1
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Artistopia URL :
http://www.artistopia.com/strangecloud |
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| Latest Music By StrangeCloud |
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Psychedelectric Orange
Published Date : 04/2004
Total Downloads : 27
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Browse Artist Music |
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News Article |
Artist News Home |
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Interview with Fred Wheeler of StrangeCloud |
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| Published on 5/31/2004 |
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| By Artistopia |
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Q. At what age did you realize you wanted to become a music artist and why?
Probably when I was about 14 or 15. I had played piano and organ for several years and had taken up the guitar. Started playing in local bands and found that it gave me great pleasure to make music. I played in a band called Magellan for many years, performing live and releasing DIY cassette tapes and later CDs. By the time I formed StrangeCloud in 1998 I had a driving passion to make music in a professional way.
Q. Most music artists have that special someone or thing that influenced their decision to do music. Did anyone or something in your life play a major role in influencing you to go into the music business?
Actually there were probably a lot of people and things. If I had to name just one, it would be The Beatles.
Q. In terms of the music, which major artist(s) influenced your style and why?
The Beatles – writing style, musicianship, sense of adventure; Pink Floyd – sound and sonic quality; Bob Dylan – lyrics and ability to connect with people through words. My partner Jeff would also add The Beach Boys and The Bee Gees for their harmonies.
Q. With so many independent artists trying to make it, what makes you stand out from the competition?
We have created songs that people will enjoy hearing over and over. Catchy melodies and hooks and intense use of harmony, which is something you don’t hear a lot of these days other than in certain pop and country music. We have intentionally combined styles and genres into something that does not easily fit into a recognized category. Most artists these days are easily fit into one and only one style of music. It’s truly a shame. We don’t see versatile artists anymore like The Beatles, or Bob Dylan, or Neil Young or Dan Fogelberg or Elvis.
Q. Music industry professionals are quick to say that being an artist means to gracefully fit a marketable niche in the industry. If you were offered an opportunity that asked you to be something you are not, would you do it to get your foot in the door?
No. Been there and done that. It serves no purpose we seek. We have intentionally written music that does not easily fit into what industry professionals would see as a marketable niche. However, we do believe that there are many people (fans) who seek music such as ours that combines elements of rock, country, pop and folk into one recognizable but different style. The crossover market is one that does not make the average industry pro jump up and down for joy. We realize that. But changing our sound simply to satisfy a trend would be unacceptable.
Q. Making music is one thing, selling it is another. What types of strategies do you use in promoting your artistic work and getting it heard by the proper professionals?
We have just begun with this new project. The CD “Psychedelectric Orange” was released on May 4, 2004 and we have just begun to get it out to the public and to the industry. There are many online sites where it is being promoted. We are in the process of seeking reviews from recognized publications. We are submitting press releases and contacting various people we know through prior associations. Both members of StrangeCloud have many years in the music business.
Q. In regards to wheeling and dealing, how important do you feel business knowledge is to making it in an industry filled with much heartache?
It’s extremely important. Both of us have made mistakes in the past because we did not understand the industry and how it works. But we’ve learned many lessons over the past several years and are fully prepared to take it on.
Q. Let's fast forward to 5 years from now. What advice would you offer to struggling independent artists?
Get out and play, build a fan base, sell CDs, be relentless in the promotion of your material.
Q. Most successful artists are involved in charitable organizations that stand for a cause that hits close to home. In that regard, once you reach success, what charitable cause(s) would you like to be involved in and why?
We played several showcases that raised money for the Minnesota Childrens’ Home Society. In fact, I organized several of those showcases, and also coordinated donations from CD sales from about 20 artists. Those donations were helpful to the Childrens Home Society, an organization which provides shelter relief for battered and homeless women and children and adoption services.
Well, we thank you for taking the time to interview with us and certainly wish you the best in your music career endeavors. There you have it ladies and gentlemen, an inside look into the mind of an independent artist struggling to bring their hard work to fruition in an industry where perseverance and thick skin means survival. No one said it would be easy.
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| Article Credits and References |
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| No Credits or References were provided by publisher |
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