mona d. band Interview

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I N T E R V I E W
June 2004
mona d.

Band email: mikeedawson@hotmail.com
Band contact number: 619.884.2798

RCN: Hello, we are here with mona d. a local band from Santa Barbara, and they're finishing a record (what is this, madlibs?), so we're going to find out a little more about what makes them tick. . .

1. RCN: What type of band are you? I like to say it's as if Waylon Jennings joined The Black Crowes. Southern Rock/Western Rock and Roll.

2. RCN: Tell us the brief history of your band.

It started when I (mike dawson) played a solo gig at a SB restaraunt. a rythm section was there, both named Bryan Smith and they said "can we back you up?" Since then we've been through 3 bass players and 2 guitarists, played shows with Dishwalla, Kenny Loggins, The Dirty Knobs (Heartbreaker Mike Campbell's band. Our biggest show was at The Majestic Ventura Theater but we've been up and down southern ca a couple times.
(include when you started and some shows you've played)

3. RCN: Who are your musical and non-musical influences?

Aside from Waylon and the Crowes, I'm a huge Jethro Tull fan. the Allman Bros, the Who, Rush, Ryan Adams, Alan Parsons.

4. RCN: What are your dreams and goals?

To sell enough records that my band can quit their day jobs, tour the world, party with Kid Rock, open for the Allman Brothers, headline to a sold out crowd at the Concord Pavilion and say "I grew up down the street."

5. RCN: Who writes the songs, what are they about?

Mike Dawson writes the songs. The good ones are about trains, women and alcohol. Not necessarily in that order.

6. RCN: What's your opinion of George Bush?

Really? wow. I didn't vote in the last election so I'm not entitled to an opinion, right? I will vote this time and not for Bush. Maybe Geddy Lee. Wait, he's Canadian.

7. RCN: How do you promote your band and shows?

email gig lists mainly. I've got a lot of friends in radio too and they help quite a bit. this summer we'll use www.umn.com too. I'm stoked to see how it helps.

8. RCN: Describe your show, visual and musically.

Visually there ain't much to it. We're not ugly dudes, but we ain't models either. There's a lot of energy, a lot of music, a lot of people dancing and some people even throw us the horns, which is really cool, considering we're not a death metal band.

9. RCN: What do you think about downloading music online?

I think its a fact of life. Get used to it. I mean it sucks for bands who would otherwise sell a ton of records but for us, I'd just be stoked people are listening. The more you outlaw something, the cooler it is for teenagers to do.

10. RCN: What's your outlook on the record industry today?

I'm not in the slightest bit jaded. I have no reason to be. I wouldn't however take a job with a label now. I'd rather sell dishwashers at Sears or something. Is albertsons hiring?

11. RCN: What's your claim to fame?

We're the triumphant return of Southern Rock and Roll. and we're from California, man.

12. RCN: Tell us a story about a day in your life.

A regular day? Or something special? I wake up when I want to, drink a pot of coffee and start solving world hunger.

13. RCN: What inspires you to do what you do?

those who don't think I can do it. doubt can be a great motivator. that and the fact that I never want to sell dishwashers at Sears. I promised myself that if I do an honest days work after I'm 25 then there's been some mistake. So far things are going well.

14. RCN: What advice would you give to fellow bands?

Get really really lucky and take us on tour with you when you make it big. We'll do the same.

15. RCN: What are some of your pet peeves?

Rock without Roll. and people who take themselves too seriously. ooh, and I hate sound guys who try to get experimental in the middle of your set. save it for the boybands. just give us lots of mids, lots of lows and lots of highs.

16. RCN: How does music affect you and the world around you?

I listen to music all the time. I work in radio, so its my day job, which is at night. and that kind of sucks because I have to take a vacation day for a weeknight gig. but i have no problem doing that.

17. RCN: What's new in the recording of your music?

we're wrapping up our first record. Alan Parsons co-produced 5 songs on it. We mixed and did some recording at his house. He sings back up on one song. said it was his "alfred hitchcock" It was the coolest thing that ever happened to me.

18. RCN: What are the biggest obstacles for bands?

Paying the band is probably the toughest for me. I'm out of pocket a lot, but I'd rather play with really good musicians than those who'll play for free. I still wish they'd play for free though.

19. RCN: What's the best and worst thing about playing clubs?

Just playing gigs is the best thing in the world. loading out when you're done sucks. That's why I don't play drums.

20. RCN: Tell us about your next shows and why we should be there.

We're playing TJ Charleyz in Hermosa Beach on June 26th. You should be there because we're playing for the chance to play there more (which is often the case) and the more people there the better. I'll buy you a beer. We're on at 8pm.

RCN: Thank you for your insight and time. We'll look forward to hearing your music and seeing your next live show . . . Later gator.

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