FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE
1. THE PONY INTERVIEW WITH APRIL SMITH
2. THURSDAY NIGHTS AT THE STONE PONY: LADIES NIGHT DANCE PARTY
3. CALENDAR OF EVENTS
This Week at The Stone Pony: John Valby (a/k/a "Dr. Dirty") (Friday), Stone Pony Anniversary Series with Soozie Tyrell (Saturday), The Break Contest Week 5 (Sunday)
New on the Pony Calendar: Black 47 (Feb. 24), Stone Pony Anniversary Series with Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers (Feb. 25), The Break Contest Week 6 (Feb. 26), Monster Magnet (Mar. 1), Days Awake (Mar. 3), Jazz Is Dead (Mar. 4), The Break Contest Week 7 (Mar. 5), Red Lyte District CD Release Party (Mar. 10), Bleeding Through (Mar. 11), Motion City Soundtrack (Mar. 25), Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers (Mar. 31), The Bamboozle Roadshow presents Saves The Day (Apr. 1), The Comic Book / Art and Music Armageddon (Apr. 29)
Visit The Stone Pony on MySpace.com at: http://www.myspace.com/ponyrock
APRIL SMITH DROPS SOME LOVELETTERBOMBS TO HELP CELEBRATE THE STONE PONY'S ANNIVERSARY
This month we're celebrating an anniversary! The Stone Pony rolls out two very special events Asbury-style to announce that we've made it though another year and we're riding on to many more. On Saturday, February 18, 90.5 the NIGHT presents the first show in the Stone Pony Anniversary Series when Soozie Tyrell, Lance Larson and April Smith take to the legendary Pony stage. Tyrell is a fabulous performer and a virtuoso on the violin who has often performed with Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. Larson was once called "the most talented singer/songwriter that this area produced," and has one of the great stores the Asbury Park music scene ever told. When the Pony throws a party, we don't mess around!
Opening up for the evening will be one of the rising stars of the scene, who recently had two memorable evenings herself here on Ocean Avenue. Last year, she won two Asbury Music Awards for Top Female Solo and Top Female Vocalist. Shortly thereafter, she had the CD release party for her latest album, "loveletterbombs." That fantastic show was notable for drawing the largest crowd we've had for a non-national touring act in years, and was clearly a high-point in April's career so far. But, there are definitely many, many more high points ahead and the Newsletter caught up with April to talk about all of the good things that have happened to her recently and what lies ahead.
The Stone Pony: Your last appearance at the Pony was the CD release party for "loveletterbombs," which drew the largest crowd for a non-national touring act we've had in years. Describe how that evening was for you and if there are any memorable moments that particularly stand out.
April Smith: The release party was absolutely stellar. We really couldn't have planned a better turnout. I'd have to say the best parts were the theatrics of the show. For "High School Memory," I asked Joanna Burns and Justina to be my back-up singers. So they dressed up as cheerleaders and we did this little routine during the guitar solo. I had no idea how it would go over, but the crowd loved it. My dad wrote that song for my mother 40 years ago, so to record it and then play it live with a reaction like that was unreal! I also did this sort of drum duel with Dave DeRiso, my drummer, at the end of "Something". I just dragged a floor tom out on the stage and beat the daylights out of it! My main concern was making people feel like their money was well spent. I wanted to let everyone know that, for the money they spent on their tickets, we worked really hard to give them the best show we could. At the end of the night, we knew we had achieved that.
The Stone Pony: How has the promotion for the CD gone since it was released in December? What's been the reaction that you've gotten, and have you had any interesting opportunities come your way since it came out?
AS: I have been working tirelessly to get promote the CD since the release party! I've been playing all over the place, and I think that's the best thing you can do. You have to get in front of people and show them, "this is what you're getting when you buy the CD". And I think that the music translates incredibly well at an acoustic show. I've had a lot of interesting opportunities, since then, but I don't want to jinx anything so mum's the word until they're official!
The Stone Pony: Two tracks off the new CD, "The Bells" and "Bright White Jackets," have earned radio airplay on New York City's Q104.3 and New Jersey's 106.3, respectively. Does it still excite you to hear your songs played on the radio, and can you remember the first time you had that experience?
AS: Back in 2004, 90.5 the NIGHT played "Dixie Boy" for the first time and it was so incredible to hear it! People were calling me and saying "you're on the radio!" Then, Upstage Radio was the first to play "High School Memory". On Christmas night in 2005, Q104.3 played "The Bells" for the first time. Then, Dave Wetmore from G106.3 had me in the studio for a live interview and performance. I've been so lucky to have these incredibly supportive stations behind me. I have to say, whether it's a college radio station, Internet or commercial radio, it's a great feeling to know these stations are giving you a couple of minutes to get into people's ears.
The Stone Pony: In a recent blog entry, you compared your two albums by making an analogy that if this album is a great breakfast, the first one might be a little undercooked. What did you learn after making the first album that you felt made the second one so much better and what would you say is the biggest difference between the two?
AS: After making the "Revenge of the Brunette" EP, I realized that I need a producer who knows how to get into my head and extract the sound I want. The EP was self-produced and minimal instrumentation was used. I'm still very proud of it, but it wasn't exactly what I was hearing in my head. When I met Mark Mullane, I knew he was the producer I needed. He insisted on pre-production and we worked each song until we had it right where we wanted it. He has taught me so much about the whole recording process and I'm a better musician for it. The biggest difference between "Revenge of the Brunette" and "loveletterbombs" is the production. There was barely any on "Revenge of the Brunette" and just enough on "loveletterbombs." "loveletterbombs" encompasses everything that was in my head and my heart when I dreamed these songs up.
The Stone Pony: You recently posted on your website that you're starting production on a video for your song, "Bright White Jackets." Can you share any progress on that project or give us a preview of the concept and when you think fans will be able to see it?
AS: I'm not going to give too much away about the "Bright White Jackets" video. But if you know the song, you know it was inspired by several movies. The video is going to be more like a short film. It's set in the past and we're trying to keep everything true to the era. We're having a screening party when it's done and we're inviting all of the fans! I'm hoping it will be done around mid-April so look out for it!
The Stone Pony: At your last Pony show, you were playing a really cool brown guitar with a design over the pick guard that looks like it's a custom job. Where did you get that instrument and is it the one that you primarily use for performing and recording? Do you have a collection of guitars, or generally stick with a single one?
AS: That guitar is my dad's '69 Fender Strat. He carved out the body himself and it's the guitar he used when he played in his bands. I used my producer's Gretsch and my Taylor acoustic for recording. I like to use the Fender for performing, but I also have a vintage Gibson ES 330 and a Danelectro reissue that I plan on using at live shows. The Guitar Guy in Toms River, my hometown, is working on them at this very moment. He's setting them up for next week's show at the Pony!
The Stone Pony: A few months ago, you were honored with two Asbury Music Awards for Top Female Solo and Top Female Vocalist here at the club. What did it mean to you to be recognized by your peers and what is your view of the Asbury Park music scene in general?
AS: I am extremely grateful for the Asbury Music Awards I received! That night, I really felt like all of the work I'd done was well worth it. But I also realized that it takes radio stations like 90.5 FM and publications like Upstage Magazine and Chorus and Verse - and this very newsletter - to support musicians. Not to mention all of the fans that listen to the stations and read the magazines. We don't get recognized without all of your help so it's important for us to recognize that and make it known.
The Stone Pony: You've performed both as a solo artist and with a full backing band. Do you prefer one style to another and do you find that each has its own challenges and rewards? Do you find that your view on performing with a band has changed as you've gained more experience inside and outside the studio?
AS: I love playing, whether it's solo or with a band. I think there is more of a dynamic when I play full-band shows. We're all relying on each other to do our parts and there's a sense of unity in that. But I love to play solo because it's just me and a guitar. It's a more intimate performance and I feel like I'm really getting through to the audience. Playing with a band has made me a better performer for sure. It takes a great deal of control and concentration to create a dynamic as a group. We're constantly learning with every performance. But we have a blast playing together and I think you can see that when we're on stage.
The Stone Pony: Your upcoming appearance at the club is part of this month's Stone Pony Anniversary Series. What does the Stone Pony mean to you, both personally as an artist and as part of music history?
AS: The Stone Pony represents so much for me! It's where it all started. When we were planning the release party, I knew that I wanted the Stone Pony and I wouldn't stop until we got it. With the help of Tony from Max Cruise and Caroline and Kyle at the Pony, the record release was a huge success! I don't know how many people would have done what they did for an indie artist on an indie label. As far as music history goes, it's absolutely legendary. I've seen so many great bands here over the years. And it's known all over the world as one of the best music venues. So it's truly an honor to be celebrating the club's anniversary.
The Stone Pony: What can we expect from April Smith for the rest of 2006? What are some of your goals for the year, and what are some of your plans in terms or recording and performing over the next several months?
AS: You can expect that I will surpass all expectations. That's all I'm saying. (Laughs.)
April Smith's official website can be found at www.aprilsmithmusic.com.
The second show in the Stone Pony Anniversary Series comes up on Saturday, February 25 when Joe Grushecky and Houserockers, Matt O'Ree, LP and Jon Caspi take their turns in front of that famous Pony logo. Watch for an exclusive interview with Matt O'Ree coming soon where he talks about his latest CD release and recent tour of the West Coast.
Get your tickets now to these two very cool events to celebrate another year of great music at the legendary Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey, U.S.A.!
THURSDAY NIGHTS: LADIES NIGHT DANCE PARTY
18 for girls, 21 for guys - Ladies 21+: Free admission all night!
To enter, ID a must! - Reduced admission for guys 21 & up w/ valid college ID
Dress Code: Dress to impress, no headgear, no baggies, no t-shirts, no
athletic wear, clean sneakers & clean Timbee's OK - Crazy contests at midnight with MC BJ
DJ John Farruggio - $1 Coors Drafts all night - Doors open at 10 pm
Ladies Night on MySpace: www.myspace.com/ponythursday
