#ibotw2020

The Lonely Ones

Formed in the summer of 2019, The Lonely Ones are just waiting to pump your ears full four piece vocal-oriented hard rock band. These guys are no strangers to the music industry. The Lonely Ones know what they want and know how to get it. Satiate your inner stirrings with this interview by Jymmy Tolland and gorge your ears on their first singles “Eternal Sadness” and “The Lonely One” debuted in March of 2020. We are giddy beyond belief to have them as our very own INDIE BAND OF THE WEEK!

How do you rate your live performance ability?

I think that live performances of the thing that I’m best at. What other scenario can I be in where it’s appropriate for me to grab my dick at people, or flex on top of an amp? I’ve got no desire to stare at my hands, be still and play perfect. I’d rather act like a wrestler up there than a scientist.

Do you think that online presence is important for fans and critics to find your music to write about?

Yeah! Of course. If this were 1985 or 1969, I’d be limited to how many posters I could print off at Kinko’s and how many open telephone Poles I could staple ’em to! In this day and age, however, it’s just as easy for me to get my music to somebody in a different country as it is to get to my neighbor down the street. It really is kind of a Golden Age for promotion. Maybe that over-saturates the waters – maybe it doesn’t.

What’s your claim to fame?

I don’t know if that’s for me to say! The first thing that comes to mind, though, is that I was on Stormy Daniels’ bus when she was framed in Columbus, Ohio. It was a pretty fun laid back night with some friends until lo and behold I found myself locked up on her bus with the police outside saying that everybody was going to go to jail.

Well, I wouldn’t call that claim to fame, but it is something! What is your biggest pet peeve?

My biggest pet peeve is people who – when you tell them what you want to do or what your goals are – their 1st question is “why?” or they like to tell you why you shouldn’t do something. Kevin Smith once said that it’s much better to surround yourself by people that say “why not?”

The best thing you can do as an artist, or anybody I suppose, is to surround yourself with people who, at worst, cheer you on or, at best, find some way to help you. Anybody who asks you why you want to do something or tells you why you shouldn’t do it is not somebody you want around you.

Fair enough! How do you handle mistakes during your live show?

The best way to handle a mistake during the live shows to pretend like it never happened. Never let on that anything’s gone wrong. Rock and roll is all about confidence, swagger, bravado etc. Don’t look like you saw a mouse on the floor because you played a wrong note.

When and why did you start playing music?

I think I started playing music for the same reason that most young boys do. You’re trying to figure out who you are and who you want to be and you’re struck by somebody with long hair and a guitar and surrounded by chicks. That can definitely be a defining moment for a 15-year-old.

Besides the chicks, were you influenced by old records and tapes?

I grew up in that weird in between era where it was before record players were cool and vintage, but after they were the norm. I think it’s called the late “90s”. I have a distinct memory, though, of my dad picking me up from preschool in his ugly white and red Dodge truck with Aerosmith’s 1st album or GNR’S Appetite for Destruction playing way too loud. What he finally sold that truck and bought something with a CD player he gave me all of those old tapes. I used to hide cigarettes and joints in the Aerosmith cassette case. Sorry Dad!

Dad! Your son was a rebel! What was the first tune you learned?

I can’t really remember. It might have been “Smoke on the Water” or maybe “Train Kept a Rollin” by Aerosmith or maybe “TNT” by AC/DC. Not that I really “learned” any of them well.

Describe your first instrument.

My parents finally caved and bought me and Ibanez GIO that vaguely looked like a double cut Les Paul when I was about 11. I wasn’t smart and mature enough to apply myself to practice so it set by the wayside til I was 15. The 1st instrument that I really got into was trombone in middle school. I think I wanted to play drums but there were already too many kids who had gone to the schools with band programs and already had experience. So, I went with the instrument that had the funniest name. There’s nothing funnier for an 11-year-old and being allowed to say the word “Tromboner.”

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This week’s Indie Band of the Week is TRULY INDIE…We know, we know…not our standard fare of in-your-face, balls-to-the-wall, metal. Let’s turn over to expose the more sensitive nature of RockRevolt – and bring you Australian guitarist and singer/songwriter Robert Gaylard, The Nomadic!

And now you ask, why RockRevolt why? We want to suffer in the wraith of massive metal!!! Well…we all need to be well rounded, and The Nomadic is our way of culturing your asses. The Nomadic promotes and advocates for issues of social action and innovation, human rights, support for minorities, as well as doing the next right thing, including the idea that it is never too late, including for people to follow their dreams and passions. AND THAT MY HEATHEN friends, is WHY we chose The Nomadic to be our INDIE BAND OF THE WEEK!

Why did you pick your band name?

I have always been a Nomadic person! My parents had international careers and I was taken as a 5-week old baby to Burma (now Myanmar) and then lived in 5 different countries before the age of 10! I used to play music with my cousin Maddie in Australia, and joked that I would form a band “Nomad” and there would be “no-mad” in the band! We got a good laugh out of that idea! My career in 2002-12 took me to Australia, Kenya, Somalia, the Sudan, U.S.A., Afghanistan, Indonesia, Israel, and Palestine. So, when I came to New York in Sept 2012, and was looking to further my songwriting and music, when looking for a band name, I was playing around with that idea of “the Nomad”;  theme of travel, adventure, movement, strength through diversity and exposure to different cultures. Then I thought of all my friends and people around me, and realized we are really just one big “Nomadic” tribe! 

Sounds accurate! Do you think that online presence is important for fans to find you and critics to find your music to write about?

Absolutely! I think it’s probably good to pick 2-3 and really focus on that rather than spreading yourself too thinly! For The Nomadic, it’s probably Facebook and Instagram and YouTube check out our last 2 releases “Drifting” and “Waiting”! 

What are your immediate music career goals? (Next 1 to 3 years.)

Focus on releasing great music! Keep releasing singles. Focus eventually on an album. Keep writing, playing live, and hopefully in the post-COVID-19 world, touring and playing festivals! 

How do you handle mistakes during a performance?

I learned early on just to ‘own any mistakes’ and keep on smiling! You are responsible for keeping the mood of the show positive, so the worst thing you could do is to stare/ glare at your bandmates or pull a negative face yourself!! Keep on going! You are in a very privileged position to have people watching your show, so just enjoy it and know that 9 times out of 10, the crowd will just think it was part of the song rather than a mistake! 

Do you get nervous at all before a performance? What advice would you give to beginners who are nervous?

Yes, I do! A bit of nerves is actually very healthy! It’s good to be on edge a little. The adrenaline helps you to focus! Sometimes I will write down “Go with God” and “Be of Service” so that you take the ego out of the situation! You are there to put on a good show and to be of service to the crowd, not to feed your own ego! Try to do your best and just leave the results up to the universe! 

Wise words! How would you define the word “success”?

Everyone has to define success for themselves. No-one can do that for you! For me, at the moment, it is about having the creative and independent freedom to express myself through the songs and lyrics! 

Since everyone was a startup once, can you give any smaller or local bands looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

Whatever your chosen art, (songwriting, instrumental expertise, production, graphic design, photography and videography, etc. etc.) do it for yourself and because it’s a part of you that needs to be respected, nurtured and honored. Be proactive, set short/ medium/ long term goals (creative and business) and do at least 3-5 things every day that contributes to those! These could be things like writing to 3 clubs about a gig, going to watch and introduce yourself to other bands; writing to a radio for an interview or to a reviewer/ blogger; writing a song; writing a video treatment for a song. Just keep going! Don’t give up! Believe in yourself and the power of momentum! Build a team around you that believes in what you are doing and wants to help you achieve your vision. 

How do you balance your music with other obligations – mate, children, job?

Like as before, it’s keeping everything in perspective and your priorities straight! Remember life as an independent musician is a marathon not a sprint! Believe in momentum! If you do 3-5 things every day to pursue your goals- that quickly adds up. Don’t do 40 things one week and then take a 2-month break, or worse still, give up on your project!

What are your songs about?

We often write about personal experiences, could be romantic, could be travel, political, cultural. I am interested in issues of social justice and social fairness, and telling the stories of people who are voiceless. 

Is your family musical?

 Yes! both my grandmothers were singers, my mother sings, my father was a very good guitarist in Australia. I found out very recently that as a young boy, 10 years old, my grandparents would take him to pubs in Brisbane, Australia, and he would make money by playing well know country music hits! I have cousins who are singer-songwriters, and now my niece in the UK, Libby, at 10-years old is starting to churn out some impressive guitar compositions! 

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Parts Per Million Paul McSweeney Vocals/Guitar S. Brian Bailey Guitar/Vocals Alex Marks Bass/Vocals David MacCauley

And here we are again – bringing you some incredible music from amazing bands that deserve your eyes and ears. This week’s Indie Band of the week is Parts Per Million, an independent rock band from the New England area. The band was founded by singer/songwriter Paul McSweeney and guitarist Brian Bailey, and rounded out with bassist Alex Mark’s and drummer David MacCaulay. They are bringing back that 90’s era heavy rock and grunge, paired with four part singing harmonies and soaring guitar solos.

Read on to get a little more acquainted with Parts Per Million and feast your ears on their music, because we know these guys are going to rock it like none-other.

Hi! It’s great to get a chance to talk to you about your band and your music. Let’s start off with whatever you feel we need to know about what you are up to right now.

We have a new EP releasing sometime this summer, depending on the current situation titled The Cycle. We just released “2020 VISION”, our fourth single from that EP, and an incredible video worth checking out.

We will definitely do that – how would you describe your band?

The vocal harmonies of AIC, the sonic assault of early Soundgarden, and the energy off the Foo Fighters.

Bold words my friend! I like it. Why did you decide to play the genre or genres you do?

I really miss good heavy rock music in the mainstream. We just want to believe we have something special and different, and just enough of what others miss to make a serious impact on the world.

Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

Inspiration usually comes from other musicians and songs. For me the writing process almost always starts on an acoustic guitar, followed by vocal humming. At this point it usually goes to the band and becomes a possibility of someone adding something to it. From there I usually go home and write lyrics on something that I already had determined somewhere along the line. Initially, it always starts in a quiet place.

What specific themes do your songs cover?

 Suicide, politics, societal pressure, abandonment, death…you know…all the happy stuff! (laughs). The newest EP is about cycles, whether of behavior, politics, or life. Some of the many repeating things that happen in our lives

Do you think that online presence is important for fans to find you and critics to find your music to write about?

Yes. especially now. We all have noticed a downward trend on crowds in venues as a whole. Any way to connect with people on any level is important, and we enjoy making videos and content. We also welcome critique of the band and our songs, whether good or bad to keep perspective.

How do you promote your band and shows?

Every way possible: social media promotion, direct messaging, going to other area shows and handing out flyers and tickets. This, still being the best way in my opinion. Putting faces to names and making friends in the scene is the best way to build a following in my opinion. To many bands do not get out and support others unless they are playing the show.

That’s a shame, especially now. What’s the best and worst thing about playing clubs?

The best thing about it is it can be an intimate packed house full of energy. The bad part is it can be completely dead.

Agreed. What are your immediate music career goals?

To tour, to get a little more recognition nationally, and to play in front of a festival or large crowd.

Those are great goals. Once you’ve achieved that, do you feel you would call it a success? What is your definition of “success”?

If I could make a living off of music with 3 other guys, I’d call that a success. If this ended today, I’d still feel the same way. We’ve put out some really good material, and I’m proud to have it in the world.

Most definitely. What advice would you give to fellow bands?

Just keep going. If you find the right people to make music with, just keep going. It takes time. We have been through so many ups and downs and sometimes when things looked like they were at their worst, we did our finest work.

How do you balance your music with other obligations – mate, children, job?

For me this was always a big deal, so it comes out on the table in the beginning with anyone who enters my life. It isn’t always easy, and usually takes a lot of my free time. I wouldn’t do it any other way though. I love playing and writing music more than anything in this world.

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