FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE
1. THE PONY INTERVIEW WITH TOM BRISLIN OF SPIRALING
2. THURSDAY NIGHTS AT THE STONE PONY: LADIES NIGHT
3. CALENDAR OF EVENTS
This Week at The Stone Pony: Jersey Style Wednesday (Wednesday), They Might Be Giants (Friday), Porcupine Tree (Saturday), Lisa Marie Presley (Sunday)
New on the Stone Pony Calendar: Porcupine Tree (May 14), Kaiser Chiefs (May 25), Pinback (May 27), Asbury Celebrate 2005 with Neal McCoy (May 28). Old 97's (June 8), From First To Last (June 10), Max Music Showcase (June 12), Brothers Past (June 17), Shredfest 2005 with Streetlight Manifesto (June 18), Mountain (June 24), Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes (July 3), Bob Marley's Legendary Wailers (July 16), Craig Morgan (August 26)
SPIRALING RETURNS TO THE STONE PONY STAGE OPENING FOR THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS
There is so much talent on the New Jersey music scene, that often the opening acts for your favorite headliners have an equal amount of talent and experience. Often, it's just a matter of time before their name value increases to the point where they are out there on the marquee. New Jersey's own Spiraling gained national acclaim with their debut album, "Transmitter," and, on the strength of high-profile appearances at the top music festivals and gigs with OK Go, They Might Be Giants (more on them later) and the Violent Femmes, earned a reputation as a top independent act. The band has recently released a four-song EP, "Challenging Stage," which manages to create a very pop sound that's right at home in a smoky room in Manhattan (if there were still smoky rooms in Manhattan) or right here on the Jersey shore (where there are definitely still smoky rooms). The band will be returning to Ocean Avenue to open for They Might Be Giants, who gave them one of their early breaks and support early in their career, on Friday, May 13.
The four-piece is led by keyboardist and lead singer Tom Brislin, along with Marty O'Kane on guitar, Bob Hart on bass and Paul Wells at the kit. In the Newsletter's interview with Brislin, we discuss not only his work with Spiraling as they prepare for a national tour, but his experiences on stage with Yes, Meat Loaf and Glen Burtnik, whom he still performs with regularly. The talented and engaging front man also gave us a look into his growing collection of instruments and the band's plans for future recordings and touring.
The Stone Pony: Your upcoming appearance at The Stone Pony will be opening up for They Might Be Giants. Fans might not realize that you have a history with John Flansburgh from earlier in your career. Can you go through the story of how he's been supportive of you in the past?
Tom Brislin: We were able to get some demo tapes to John Flansburgh and They Might Be Giants years ago. Very early demos. He gave us a few opportunities to open for them, which was a big step for us. At that time, the earliest forms of our band (called You Were Spiraling then) had been playing in coffee houses and low-volume venues like that. It was when we opened for TMBG at places like the Tradewinds where we had to project our performance to a large audience. It definitely influenced the stylistic direction the band would take. After that, we produced a recording that he released as part of his Hello CD of The Month Club. We would continue to open for TMBG on various tours and local shows, and the upcoming show at the Stone Pony will be the first time we've played with them since two years ago, on the very same stage.
The Stone Pony: You've been fortunate throughout your career to have connected with a number of big names in the business; having toured with both Yes and Meat Loaf. Does seeing how those acts have managed to gain and maintain long-term success give you any insights that you put into practice as you develop this band and your own career?
TB: There are two big lessons I take from my experiences with Yes and Meat Loaf. The first would be to put a high value on the live performance. They took the concerts very seriously, and it made me want to set a higher standard on the way to sound live. The second lesson I took was a reminder to stay true to one's own vision. Both of those acts seemed to have the most success when they weren't concerned with the trends of the time. It definitely gives me inspiration in this business, where there is so much pressure to chase the flavor of the month. We just have to stay honest, and not let up.
The Stone Pony: You're also a regular member of Glen Burtnik's band, another well-known face to fans of Stone Pony history. How did you meet and start performing with Glen, and what it is like performing with someone with his level of experience?
TB: Glen Burtnik is a great guy, a consummate pro. I met him when I was finishing up college, and had inquired about teaching at The Groove Academy, a music studio run by Pat Petrillo, who was Glen's drummer at the time. Glen was about to release Palookaville and needed a keyboard player. I started playing gigs with him, and eventually got involved with his Xmas Xtravaganza shows. Here's a guy who has played with some great keyboard players, like Jan Hammer and Bruce Hornsby, and he was giving me a shot, so I'll never forget that.
The Stone Pony: Let's talk about your instruments for a bit. How many keyboards do you own, and what are your primary instruments for when you're on stage or recording? Do you endlessly search for vintage or rare instruments and is there one you own that you love but never leaves the house?
TB: The 1913 Steinway Grand never leaves the house, until I move again, which happens more frequently than the piano probably likes. The piano is a long-term restoration project. It was in storage while I went on tour with Yes, and some mice got into it and wreaked havoc. I do have "the sickness" of acquiring many keyboards. I have 22 now. That's not bragging, it's more like a confession. I'm a big fan of anything Moog. I love the vintage sounds, but the instruments are generally heavy and not exactly road-worthy. For the Challenging Stage session, I used a Clavinet, which is an instrument I loved ever since hearing Stevie Wonder's "Superstition". For Spiraling's live shows, I use newer gear, like the new Moog, and the Nord Electro or, as people like to call it, "the red one".
The Stone Pony: On your most recent CD, "Challenging Stage," you included a Mellotron which you were able to find from a collector in Virginia. What is it about that particular instrument that makes it so special and gives it that warm, distinctive sound?
TB: The Mellotron is a mythical beast of an instrument. The way it makes sound is to play a tape of an instrument (or voice, orchestra, etc.) every time you play a key. So it has all the grunge, hiss, and warmth that tape has. So much of the music I grew up listening to, like The Beatles and Yes, used this instrument, so I've always been drawn to the sound. They're making them again, and yes, it will be mine someday. Oh yes, it will.
The Stone Pony: "Challenging Stage" is a four-track CD, an interlude to hold fans over while waiting for a full-album release to follow up "Transmitter". Where do your recording plans stand at this point, and you do have any idea when your next release will be available for fans to get their hands on?
TB: We're chomping at the bit to record our next album. The plans at this point are to continue with pre-production until we go on tour in late May, and when we get back in June, get in the studio. We're an independent act, so that means always striving to strike the balance between tour and recording schedules. I hope to have the album done this year.
The Stone Pony: Like so many other bands, Spiraling has set up space on Myspace.com. Do you think the dynamic of building a following in the digital age and on the Internet makes it easier to build a lasting connection with fans, or can fans just jump from one sound to another because of the incredible amount of material that's available?
TB: We love Myspace.com. We love iTunes too, because they both can make it a fair fight with the big-money acts. If you look at our page on myspace.com/spiraling, or on the iTunes music store, the page looks the same as that of the big stars. We can't bludgeon the public with advertising and pay-for-play on radio and TV like them, but we can make a personal connection. I think in order for it to really click, it has to be done in conjunction with some other opportunities, especially touring.
The Stone Pony: With the ability to connect to fans so directly, where does the importance of the major label stand these days? Do you think it's a matter of time before artists will be able to gain mainstream attention, or even a Grammy Award, without major label backing?
TB: It's come close. I believe Lisa Loeb had a number one hit, "Stay," and she was unsigned at the time. It was on a movie soundtrack, so that helped. I think anything is possible, but it might mean rethinking what "mainstream" is. It's costing more and more to get everyone into the same music, drinks, clothes, etc. So maybe the niches will just become bigger and bigger, and artists who are smart and creative can find a way to thrive there. I hope so, anyway.
The Stone Pony: How about Spiraling's own plans with regards to working with a label? Would be like to be able to sign with a major label? How about with an established indie label? Do you have any thoughts on the new trend of developing Internet-only labels that distribute their entire catalog digitally?
TB: CDs aren't dead yet. But I'm expecting things to change soon. Whatever that change will bring, I don't know. We may work with some labels in the future. As for majors vs. indies, we're open to either, provided that they give us a chance to have a good career doing this. There are a lot of artists we know who got major label deals, and their albums never came out. That's just scary.
The Stone Pony: Spiraling is in the process of setting up a tour of the Midwest, West Coast, Southwest, and South for May and June. Where do plans for this tour stand and what's the best way for fans around the country to keep track Of where you'll be playing and be a part of it?
TB: For a band like us, it's all about the websites. spiraling.net and myspace.com/spiraling will have all the tour dates, and we've already been reaching lots of people all over the country from this. We've even booked some of the gigs through connecting with people on Myspace. Being there, meeting other bands and music fans wherever we go, is the best part.
Spiraling's official website can be found at www.spiraling.net.
Now at AsburyPark.net:
Rain, red tape fail to deter fun: Despite rain
and red tape, the three-day Bamboozle festival brought a lot of music and a
considerable amount of fun to Asbury Park over the weekend.
THURSDAY NIGHTS AT THE STONE PONY: LADIES NIGHT
The hottest Thursday night continues with LADIES NIGHT at The Stone Pony.
The best in house, hip hop, reggae and trance with DJ John Farruggio. 18 for girls, 21 for guys. ID a must! Doors open at 9 pm. Dress to impress. $1 Miller Lite & MGD drafts all night. Beat the Clock Heineken bottles starting at $1.
Come see for yourself why Thursday nights are the hottest with Ladies Night at the Pony!
