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Juni’s Kitchen at Red River Tea Room  

After living in Bali for a year, Indonesian tops our list of great ethnic foods. However, outside of Indonesia, it’s a bit difficult to come by. Thankfully, Juni’s Kitchen has made the solution easier than a flight to Bali.

RRTR's 10 Questions with Angelo Barbera! Bassist for The Doors Of The 21st Century & Robbie Krieger.

When I recently found out that my old bud and former bandmate Angelo Barbera was relocating to Chicago via Los Angeles, I became instantaneously blissful as his energy is that much closer to all of us in Minnesota. Outside of being a world class bassist and human being, Angelo has taught all the musicians he has played with the importance of purity, integrity, and creative collaboration. Son of a well know 1950's & 1960's Los Angeles jazz saxophonist, Angelo was engulfed in the vibrant & diverse music world of Los Angeles at an early age. Having collaborated with producing/engineering giant Ken Scott ( Beatles, Bowie), & most notably The Doors of the 21st Century & Robbie Krieger's band, Angelo has always maintained a humble and peaceful persona and has let his ferocious & groove oriented bass playing speak for itself. Hats off to Angelo one of the best musicians I've ever known and what a great teacher he has been for so many. Thanks Angelo! Mike Michel RRTR/Founder & Director.

1. Since we all are human, musicians have creative peaks & valleys. What inspires you outside of Music to keep on creating and exploring your artistic side?  My fascination with vintage electro-mechanical devices such as pinball machines and jukeboxes from the 50's and 60's.  This seemed a dying art to me, so learning how to restore and repair them to bring them back to life is truly a rewarding experience. As musicians, we all need to put the instruments down from time to time.

2. What was the earliest most awe striking music moment you can recall that started your music journey? The moment you felt music was an internal force for you?  Definitely, the first time I heard Cream. Their music to me seemed to have no corners even though it was structured in a very melodic sense. Songs could go from a simple I IV progression to "free form " and then come back to the top still feeling like a cohesive composition.

3. Who was the first artist who inspired you and made you want to get a bass?Jack Bruce, his bass playing just seemed to go all over the place.  Being a kid, I was very attracted to that even if I didn't know what it was at the time.  I met Jack Bruce while touring with the Doors in 2002 and told him "Everything I am as a bass player I owe to him."  His reply was "I guess I did my job." Then there's John Paul Jones, John Deacon Gram & Robert Deleo of STP.

4. Name one band or artist that isn’t over exposed in the commercial that everyone should check out and discover. Richard Bona just blows me away every time I see him and may be known in the jazz world but can do stuff with great pop and sensibility.

5. You been involved with many deep and important music recording sessions in your career in Los Angeles. Where did you develop your ear and music production chops? As a kid starting in the studio scene I was always what you would call, the diaper.  Some of the top studio guys took me under their wing and taught me the importance of the dynamic of the songs rather than the chords. This really helped and is something that one develops over time because every bass player starting out will get what we call "Red Light Fever." The key to being a good musician in the studio is what your creativity is going to bring to the track and the attitude how you bring it.

6. Most musicians have a little nervous energy and adrenaline before a big gig. What legal and pro-active thing would you recommend a musician to do on his or her down time before a gig to eliminate some of that anxious energy?  I think the anxious energy is needed.  I still to this day get anxious before I go on stage, whether it's 2 people or 2,000 people.  As a bass player, we should always look at ourselves as character actors because you aren't the starring role in the movie.  You will always need a Joe Pesci to your Robert DeNiro.  At least that's what works for me.

  7. You’ve met many notable musicians in your travels. Was there one person who surprised you as an unexpected guru? Robby Krieger of the Doors because his knowledge of the guitar. He an amazing blues player with unique finger picking techniques that I've never heard before.  Not to mention he's a great surf guitar player which I didn't expect.

8. Getting good food on the road is a challenging endeavor. Name one of your favorite dives, restaurants on the US interstates or highway. When you get on I-40 going east in New Mexico going towards the Midwest, there's a Mexican fast food chain, Taco Cabana. They sprout up from New Mexico to the end of Oklahoma City.  Don't know if they are around anymore but they're great.

9. The USA is a young country and compared to many older countries we tend to under value the arts. What’s one thing the general public can do keep build the arts in America? The arts are so important, especially in today's society.  It seems to get a backseat as the U.S. government likes to cut fine arts funding first. Compared to other first world nations,the arts in America are under nourished but it's up to artists to educate the general public of it's value and also create art with substance.

  10. Do you recall any mentors or music teachers in your life that inspired you and changed the way you looked at music or helped you become a pro musician? Definitely my father.  He taught me how to play the right notes, how to handle myself at a gig and how to be a true professional with the least amount of words spoken. These traditions and lessons he taught me are extremely valuable to me.

11. BONUS QUESTION. Name a few other recording sessions you've done that you deem "monumental."  I played bass on the Marvin Gaye tribute' CD the song was " What's Going On." They did a dance mix of it and it featured Jay Z, Nas, Fred Durst and other fab musicians all singing and rapping on the track. When I started tracking the bass, the producer  said he wanted a disco feel like Bernard Edwards (Chic bassist). What I ended up doing was 2 tracks of the song. One was the Chic influenced line and then the other was a James Jamerson influenced line (like the original) over the loops of the tune. That was the one they ended up using and not to mention, all the money went to the aids foundation so that session was magical. Also you can goggle the band "i94" to hear all the songs I have written, produced, & co wrote with that band.

p.s. Photo features Angelo, Ray Manzarek & Stewart Copeland (The Police). Here is a cool clip of Angelo Barbera playing with THE DOORS! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zlLnKU-Ur4 Angelo Barbera on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/angelo.barbera?ref=ts&fref=ts Angelo's rock band, I-94 http://www.mtv.com/artists/i-94/ Angelo's long time friend, collaborator & producing giant Ken Scott http://sxsw.com/music/news/legendary-producer-ken-scott-speak-sxsw-music-2013

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