Sniper Rifle Music

When is your next tour & with who?

I don’t have a specific tour mapped out yet, but I have a bunch of shows coming up, and I really want to do a college tour.

 

Which do you like more- Touring or Recording?

When I’ve been recording for a while, I long for the road and when I’ve been traveling too long I wish I was hauled up in the studio. It’s kind of like how you always miss summer during the winter, but wish it was snowing when you’re sweating your butt of in July.

 

Are you working on a new cd? Expected release date?

I guess I’m always working on a new CD, cause I’m always writing, but I’m not in the studio right now, too many shows!

 

Who are your musical influences?

Easy, I grew up on the Beatles, Beach Boys, and Rolling Stones.

 

Have you or will you ever play SXSW?

Every year, I end up being busy during SXSW. This year I’ll be playing a show in Bangkok the same week.

Are you still making your signature hats?

YUUUUUUP (http://www.junumusic.com/products.php)

If you weren’t a musician, what other career would you like to have?

An editor on a crappy reality show.

Where do you see yourself in 2 years?

Playing a whole bunch of music.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Hanging out with friends, going to see shows, I’ll go see any comedy/standup/music show that I can get to.

What is your process for songwriting? Lyrics first or melody?

I get this question a lot, and I never really want to tackle it because I feel like I could go on and on forever about how it all works in my head. The process is never the same, but the way I think about it is like a math problem. I’m trying to make all of these numbers and letters equal something. I just keep moving things around, and adding and subtracting until I get it all sorted out.

What is your favorite song to play live? Why?

It really depends on the crowd I think. Sometimes it’s awesome to just rock out with something like Short and Sweet, but with a crowd that’s totally silent, and really listening, I love playing one of the slower more vulnerable songs.

Of all your albums- which is your favorite and why?

The EP definitely has the best production, and I love all of the songs. I’m honestly most excited for the next album. The songs I’m writing now are my favorite so far.

What song from ‘I Think You Know’ has the most meaning to you and why?

The title track, it’s about my best friend, and a show of solidarity that I had a hard time expressing before I wrote it.

Questions From Fans:

@breathediana asks:

How has your music career effected your relationship with your parents?

Both of my parents are insanely cool and love helping with everything that they can help with. I’m severely indebted to them for all the support they’ve given me. I really have an amazing safety net in them.

 

@jamesyjables asks:

What got you into music?

I wasn’t ever not into music (double negative time!), so I donno what got me in.

 

@KatieGavs asks:
I would love it if you could ask Julia what her thought process is for deciding which covers to perform? If I like it, and I can bring something new to it. I want to be able to put a new spin on it, otherwise why wouldn’t people just listen to the original?

 

@fckyeahearplugs asks:
Are there any unfinished songs or covers you recorded, but got bored of and ditched? If so – which ones? Thousands, maybe even millions.

Unsigned artists are everywhere; whether it’s the diehard street performer/studio guru to the hobby of a Wall Street Shark. Music is forever a universal language that everyone enjoys. I’m scouring the internet looking for artist that few have heard of, hoping to bring more people to their music and let it be heard. Recently I was able to speak with Chris Torres, currently residing in Florida and putting out some great tracks. What started as a hobby turned into a passion and the responses to his music on purevolume, reverbnation and facebook are all positive. If you like acoustic folk with a little bit of pop thrown in, Chris Torres is someone to look up. Check out the interview!

Have you played any shows or are you just writing and recording?
Right now we have been mainly focusing on recording; we’re going to start playing shows though. We are based in Orlando and we have a show coming up, our first show on the 11th (of March, so that is this Friday folks) out in the central Florida area (Mount Dora High School) so that’s pretty exciting. [We] have just been practicing and getting ready for that

Are you going to be playing all your own songs or some covers as well?
Well, it’s all our own songs that are online right now. [We] are trying to work on some covers and I’m taking suggestions. Gotta fill in some space there I have only 6 songs so, I’m thinking of doing a folk cover of Forget you by Cee Lo Green’s.

That would be interesting!
Still have to work on the harmonic parts, haha.

Who are your Influences?
I grew up listening to a lot of Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, you know bands like that, so that’s where I get a lot of influence.

What is your favorite Bob Dylan song?
Tambourine Man I think is probably my favorite one, just a great catchy chorus and anything he plays he plays with the harmonica is great though too. He just played on the Grammy’s with a few other artists (Mumford and Sons & The Avett Brothers) and I was blown away, he killed it on harmonica.

Are you loyal to any brands with your guitar(s)?
Not really loyal to any brands, I buy whatever I like. Whatever sounds great, I play a Taylor 514 but my other guitar is a Martin and I thought I would never like the sound of a it. I can’t really keep my mind closed to musical instruments, because you never know; you might find something that just blows you away.

If you could travel anywhere in the world where would it be?
You know, funny enough I’m going to Paris and I wish I could bring my guitar to say I have played in Paris, but that would be the number 1 place I would want to go. I know I’m going to have a huge culture shock when I get there but it should be fun. Another place, if I ever get to go back, would be Spain. To see Barcelona, or run with the bulls or something crazy like that. Maybe go see a Matador fight, that country is just amazing.

Biggest challenge?
Getting the music out there, I’m not the savviest with social networking; I’m learning as I go and playing shows now will help. It can make my day sometimes when I see some of the messages, I’m blown away! You know I love my music but to hear that others love it and helps them through the day, that puts a smile on my face

What’s your favorite song on American Minds (first album of 6 songs)?
Carolina in the Eastern Coast. Just the finger picking arrangements I really think it is probably the most intricate I have ever written. And that song is just about a time I went on a road trip and you know making the whole song about something so small helped me realize it really is the small things in life that make up the special moments

He also gave a shout out to his backing guitarist Jordan Hymel, Happy 25th Birthday!! Chris plays with a back-up guitarist (Hymel) and drummer Jimmy McPaul. Please go to Chris Torres’ Facebook, ReverbNation or Purevolume pages to listen to his album American Minds and even download all six songs now. So what are you doing still reading this?!

We had the opportunity to talk with David Labrel the lead singer of Olin and The Moon recently and had a great interview. The band will be performing at SXSW and other venues across the US. Check the bands website or SXSW site for details. David was amazingly easy to talk with and we hope you enjoy our interview.

I really thought this post would never happen but it finally did. About 2 weeks ago I received and email asking if we’d like to attend a Super Bowl party. The party was a performance by LMFAO, Far East Movement and Dev. The great part of about this party was the opportunity to have a face to face interview with Dev. If you are in Dallas or came to Dallas for the Super Bowl it was Snowmageddon 2011. We decided to reschedule it for a later date over the phone and here is the audio. I’m a fan for life after having this and you will be too. You guys have to listen to how awesome Dev is in the interview.