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White Apple Tree: more than just a band

2008-08-31T17:00:00.000-07:00

What do you think has contributed most to your success? Success is always subjective. My version of success is the ability to have my music and the stories my songs tell be heard by everyone and anyone who is willing to listen, for my thoughts and perspectives to be shared and appreciated, which is becoming more and more difficult. With that notion of success, I would have to thank the internet, Myspace.com specifically. Originally only 5 or 10 of my friends that I personally told who were my Myspace "Friends" knew my music, and thanks to the accessibility, a great deal more have given a listen and are still more are finding out about it.

Do you have any specific plans for the band?
Egh. Nothing that not every musician has not said in the past. Make music, play shows, sell records. Eat chili in Cincinnati. I am hoping to have my record fully completed, mixed and all that noise by late 2008, so I am hoping it will drop sometime Spring 09. Until then though I will be pounding the pavement the old fashioned way: internet conversations and consistent touring.

Which of your songs is a personal favorite, and why?
That is super duper tough. My personal favorite right now is hands down a song I recently wrote named "S.Q.U.E.K.Y. Clean" (on my upcoming LP). It has a groove that I have only recently been exploring, while the lyrics are very sarcastically cocky. But then again my favorite changes pretty frequently. A lot of my songs have fun cheeky lyrics (Zombies Can't Dance, The Celebration Song) whose real meanings are up for interpretation, with the main intent to make you laugh, but a good deal of my other songs are serious and at times I find those to be much more suitable to how I feel. Not everything I write is good, haha, some of it is down right shit. But for the most part, the songs that I keep, and that every artist keeps, are ones that they like, so yeah I have a few favorites.

What is the motivation to start your music career, White Apple Tree?
Sex, Drugs, Rock and Roll. Haha. And Jesus. And Little People, especially the ones on "Little People Big World", I love that show. I originally started W.A.T. as an outlet to a church group band I was in, and I had a few ideas of my own. It quickly changed and morphed into something much different.

Do you have any other aspirations if you had not become a musician?
I could not really tell you to be honest. Yeah I am sure we all have some here and there, but I really have not had one consistently. Actually, strike that. I am a big fat dirty liar. For years I wanted to be a basketball player, and I really wanted to wear the number 7. I played so much, my neighbors hated me, my coaches loved me, I always had black asphalt hands, and I really wasn't half bad. But things happen and paths change, and now I am writing funky fresh tunes for you!

What has been the single most exciting moment for you since the beginning of White Apple Tree?
Shoot son! That is way harder than the favorite song question. Hmm, I guess my favorite moment would have to be at every show when we play "Zombies Can't Dance" and the consistent singing, dancing, and punch dance fighting that we all do(Crowd included...). Every show it is just so much fun to look out and watch people doing a silly thing that my brother and I thought up one day as a joke back at home. Though it is silly, it is a great feeling to see first hand that people do understand what you are trying to portray, and that not all music needs to be completely serious to have value or musical credibility.

Describe your sound in three words or less.

White Apple Tree=Crazy Steam Machine

Listen to their tunes here!

Rising Legend: Interview with Mark Crisman

2008-08-08T15:57:00.000-07:00

When do you expect to release a full-length album?
I’ve been working on that for a few months now. It will hopefully be finished and released by the end of September. I do everything myself, so the whole process is very time consuming but incredibly rewarding.

Is there some other project you would like to take on, besides music?
Music has been taking up most of my free time lately, but I have a lot of other interests. As typical as it sounds, I’ve always been very interested in fashion. I remember around the third grade, I stopped letting my mom buying clothes for me because I wanted to choose everything myself. Some of my clothing choices back then are a tad embarrassing to look at now. I’ve actually started working at a high-end line called The Row and it’s been so much fun.

It's been a year since your music profile was launched on MySpace. What would you say about all the progress you've made so far?
I have been so grateful for the positive response that I’ve received so far. I love hearing the responses people have to my music, and have been truly touched. It’s really what’s kept me going.

What do you hope to accomplish with your music in several years?
That’s hard for me to say. I will just continue to work hard and see where that takes me. If it gets big that would be great, but I’ve just had so much fun sharing my music with the people who listen now. Music has always been a huge part of my life and always will be.

How do you think your early exposure to music has influenced the music you make today?
I’ve listened to and studied all kinds of music since I was a kid, from Debussy to Bright Eyes. It’s impossible to separate all of the music I’ve been exposed to from influencing the music I create, however I never set out to specifically reference something in my music. What influences my music is more from within. I try to create a sound that reflects the feeling I want to create, and then write lyrics based on that. I do take influences from a lot of different music from different time periods. Lately I’ve been fascinated with different 80’s producers like Trevor Horn.

What is your motivation for doing what you do now?
My motivation is pretty much the same as it’s always been - a way to express my feelings, as trite as that sounds. My life has hit some of the highest highs and defiantly the lowest lows I’ve ever experienced over the past year. Whenever I hit these patches, I always end up sitting down at the piano and just playing – sometimes for hours. It’s a form of release. Most of my songs are born out of those sessions. Since my music has gained a bit of a following on MySpace, I do have that added motivation now. It helps me get things done - I’m the worst procrastinator you’ve ever met.

Your profile says that you hope to tour by this fall. Where would you most like to perform?
I’m so excited to start playing shows again! It may be closer to winter at this point, but I’d love to do a small North American tour. I think the place I would most like to perform eventually is Paris. I’d love to travel around France.

Where do you see yourself and your music ten years from now?
My music – playing on a billion people’s iPods.
Myself – I don’t know. I’ve always wanted life like a movie. I’ve done pretty well with that so far.

2008-08-05T22:03:00.000-07:00

Hey, we've just returned from a little expedition to San Diego last Sunday, so that'll explain the quiet around here. We hoped you enjoy the last interview with Chad Sugg from Backseat Goodbye. This week, Mark Crisman will be our guest with an all-new interview about his music and goals. Check that out this Friday, August 8th, at 3 Pm PST right here on DIBBs. After that, expect an exclusive Back-to-School Fall Fashion Guide later this month.

Also, for T.V. picks, don't miss out the second season of Million Dollar Listing on Bravo TV! Watch as Hollywood's youngest, hottest real estate brokers take the market by storm. Meet Chad, Josh, and Madison.

Interview with Chad Sugg

2008-07-24T03:00:00.000-07:00

How do you feel about releasing your debut full-length album this year? I'm pretty excited about it. It feels really good to finally release something I'm 100% proud of. Also, it's great knowing that it will finally be seeing actual retail store shelves this August, too!

Some of your songs have made it on to the Top 100, even Top 50 Folk Albums chart on iTunes. What do you think is the formula to your success? That's a good question, and I definitely wish I knew the answer, but I don't. However, I do think that constant touring and just staying true to myself and making music that's very real to me, has helped let others connect.

There is news that your poetry book, Monsters Under Your Head, is completed. Do you get inspiration for your music & poetry from the same source? How would you compare your poetry to your music? Yeah, my inspiration for all of my lyrical and poetic works come from just pretty much everything. By everything, I mean, other music, other poets, my life, others' lives, the sky, coffee tables, lost hopes & cherry Cokes,.... just everything (and actually, I don't like cherry Coke that much, I more of a plain Coca-Cola fan.)

It seems that you've had a very exciting year so far, with a debut full-length album and book released. Do you have any other projects that you hope to do, or any goals you want to achieve? I do, many many more goals, but those are all super top secret classified, right now.

How would you reflect upon the journey you've taken since the very beginning of Backseat Goodbye? Oh wow. It's been amazing. I've had some of the most awesome, as well as the most terrible things, happen to me since starting BG. The best part is that I've loved every second of it, and it all just keeps getting better and better.

Is there someone you'd like to share the stage with that haven't already? There are a ton of artists I'd love to share the stage with, but the first that comes to mind is definitely Bright Eyes.

What's the greatest joy you get from your music? Knowing it gives other people joy.

2008-07-22T09:51:00.000-07:00

We hoped you enjoyed last week's interview with The Age of Rockets. This week we'll be interviewing Chad Sugg from Backseat Goodbye! With a great sound, a new CD, and poetry book coming out, you'll surely want to check him out. So tune in this Thursday on July 24th at 3 PM PST to get the scoop on Backseat Goodbye.

The Age of Rockets: Interview with Andrew Futral

2008-07-16T18:00:00.000-07:00

Prior to this interview, Andrew had told us that he had not gotten much sleep or eaten yet, and also said "there are probably tons of grammatical mistakes here ... I need to pass out so i can't proof read ... also i think it's funnier if i don't." All responses are unedited.

Is there anything you and the band want to accomplish by the end of 2008?
we would like to finish a second USA tour which will probably happen with backseat goodbye in august. We are aiming to start work on a 3rd album soon. it takes us a while to make albums so it's best to start early. I am also probably going to do another mc chris album before the year is up and probably do a good amount of remixing and producing.

If you could open a show for any band, who would it be?
I think sufjan stevens would be amazing. I imagine his audience being very docile and appreciative of everything.

Was music something you wanted to get into when you were younger, or was there something else you had hoped to be?
all three of us met at music conservatory so we were all 100% positive music was going to be the focal point of our lives from very early on.

If you could only listen to one artists for the rest of your life, who would it be?
probably smashing pumpkins. They have a ton of songs and no 2 sound much a like. They do tons of really simple pop songs and over the top artsy pretentious things so they would be the one band that is most likely to fit any mood for me. Also his voice is like a sweet angel to my ears.

What's a message you would definitely want to convey to your fans through your music?
I wouldn't say I want to convey anything specific. The music is very personal and intended to be from only my perspective. I try and keep the lyrics vague so that any one can get anything they need from them. Our last album Hannah is primarily an anti-religion album but I also know that religion can be a source of good in peoples lives so i really don't want to come across all preachy and mean-spirited. I really like that a good amount of our fans are religious ... just because I am a hardcore atheist doesn't mean I can't pal around with people who are not of the same mind set i am.

What would be a super power you would want to have?
I really like the idea of time manipulation. Because pausing time would have so many real life applications and slowing time down would also make you the worlds most amazing fighter if you were into that kind of stuff because no matter how skilled someone is if their punches are coming at you ultra slow you can dodge anything! Though, i mean, who would really do much fighting? it would be cool to have more hours in the day and play crazy time-stopping practical jokes on people.

Is there anything you miss from before you got involved with your music?
I got involved pretty early so the only thing i can think of is legos.

Who do you look to for guidance, support, and inspiration? there are so many musical heros for all those things. support is also easy because I am nestled in a thicket of really amazing musical friends here in nyc who are all amazing and offer tons of support and welcoming arms when needed

http://www.myspace.com/theageofrockets

2008-07-14T21:17:00.000-07:00

We are relieved to say that there has been progress since the last post. Again, if you haven't already checked out the FAQ/Contacts and the Online Store, you can do so by clicking on the links at the right. The Online Store is not up yet because designers are still being recruited, so that won't be for a while. We also have a new page where you will soon find more of our banners, so promote us if you can! Building a fan base right now is extremely important, so we need all the help we can get. More banners will be coming soon. We already have some interviews conducted and scheduled, so be on the look out.

This week on Wednesday, July 16th, our first interview will be posted at 6:00 PM, PST. Be ready to welcome Andrew Futral of The Age of Rockets as he talks about his band & music.

DIBBs

2008-07-07T21:43:00.001-07:00

Hey all,

Our DIBBs blog is not fully functional as of yet. It's still under construction! But meanwhile, we're out gathering articles and requesting interviews, so sit tight. We'll be up and running soon.

Also, check out our new FAQ/Contact page! We're still fine-tuning everything, so thanks for waiting. Visit it by clicking on the link at the right.

In the future, we plan to open an online merch shop for DIBBs. The store has already been set up and you can check it out by clicking on the link to the right >> ONLINE STORE. We do not have any items in the shop as of yet, but if you are interested in designing and have vector/graphic skills, let us know!