Interviews
By Amy Joan Harrington and Larry Crane
Possibly most recognized as the bassist for Lone Justice, the pioneering '80s country rock band, Marvin Etzioni had actually begun as their producer before joining the group and contributing his songs and expertise. He's since gone on to produce a number of artists, including Toad the Wet...
Interviews
Interviews
Interviews
On Temperance, a musical Reverb Formed in 1971, Eventide soon became one of the first companies to build digital delays and other future-shaping audio processers. Their H910 Harmonizer may have changed the sound of records forever. Their SP 2016 was the world’s first digital audio processor, introduced the concept of the plug-in, and its reverb algorithms remain popular to this day. I heard about Eventide's Temperance plug-in, an interesting new concept in reverbs, so Tony and I got on a call so I could learn more.
I have a lot of favorite rock bands, but one that always puts a smile on my face was the original lineup(s) of The Saints. This Australian band released the first non-US punk single, “(I’m) Stranded,” in September 1976, even preceding some well-known London combos. The core of the original band was Ed Kuepper on guitar, Chris Bailey on vocals, Ivor Hay on drums, and Kym Bradshaw on bass, and they recorded the awesome debut LP in 1976, also titled (I’m) Stranded. By 1978’s second album, Eternally Yours, Algy Ward joined on bass, and this lineup went on to record the third and final LP, Prehistoric Sounds, in ’78 as well before disbanding. Chris Bailey formed a new version of The Saints, making some great albums for sure, but this initial trio of LPs with Ed Kuepper is what diehard Saints fans adore. I was excited to meet Ed via Zoom, and pick his brain about how he had envisioned adding horn sections to these early records, and to discuss The Saints ’73-’78 – his touring Saints project with Ivor on drums, Mudhoney’s Mark Arm on vocals, and the legendary producer and Bad Seed Mick Harvey on guitar.
As a child of Nigerian immigrants, a queer Black person, and a proud advocate for social change, Joy Oladokun has been combating her “constant Little Sister Syndrome” to become a musical force in her adopted home of Nashville, Tennessee. With five studio albums to her name, including 2021’s in defense of my own happiness and 2023’s Proof of Life, she has risen to acclaim by weaving together folk instrumentation and avant-garde elements. Additionally, her albums have featured many guests, including Maren Morris, Chris Stapleton, and Noah Kahan. Oladokun self-produced her latest project, 2024’s Observations From a Crowded Room, highlighting her wide range of skills.
Sonny Smith, of Sonny & The Sunsets, has been called a "San Francisco garage rock hero" by Pitchfork and "an institution" by SF Weekly, who asked, "Is there a more iconic San Francisco album?" of Sonny's first with the Sunsets, Tomorrow is Alright. Sonny also founded Rocks In Your Head Records, where he releases music from a varied roster of artists. He has a burgeoning ceramic pet portrait business, writes comics, writes plays, produces records, and is an utter guitar hero. We have collaborated in numerous ways over several decades: I co-recorded and mixed a number of Sonny & The Sunsets' releases, including Tomorrow is Alright, Hit After Hit, Longtime Companion, 100 Records Vol. 1, Self Awareness Through Macrame, as well as several singles. In 2023, his label released the debut LP, Past Life, for my band, Nevāda Nevada. Sonny and I spoke about our collaborations, expressing creativity in different ways, and how our processes have changed over time. -AG
