A Popup Interview with Crystmynd/Scary Jerry

A Popup Interview with Crystmynd/Scary Jerry
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CK:
Can you name a few of you favorite places on the web for band promotions?

Crystmynd/Scary Jerry:
I'm actually just starting to look at more places on the web to promote us. We are currently just using our new site and Scary Entertainment. Metal Lab has been a great place, but I think it's days may be numbered... shame.

CK:
What is your favorite song on your current album?

Crystmynd/Scary Jerry:
Rise (Family Heirloom) is the one I enjoy most. It's one of the very few "slow songs" that we've ever done, and it's a far stretch from our other songs. Even though it doesn't really fit our typical sound, it has a very personal meaning to me. The story behind the lyrics is actually more interesting than the song itself... lol.

CK:
If you could put on a show anywhere were would it be?

Crystmynd/Scary Jerry:
At a Southern Baptist Convevtion meeting. I'd like to disrupt one of their events for a change, but only if we could have the Teletubbies as backup dancers.

CK:
Are you looking to get a record deal? Why?

Crystmynd/Scary Jerry:
Yes and no. If the right deal came along, we'd take it. I'm not going to sign my rights away for a few years of fame, though.

CK:
How did you/all learn to play, self or school?

Crystmynd/Scary Jerry:
Pretty much self. I grew up in a music-oriented family. It came natural.

CK:
Where do you practice as a band and how often?

Crystmynd/Scary Jerry:
In Myndset Studios, our own studio. We vary on our schedule. Sometimes two or three times a week. Sometimes every couple of weeks. It depends on our current projects.

CK:
What would you like to change about your city's local music scene?

Crystmynd/Scary Jerry:
I'd like to get rid of everyone in charge of it and most of the bands. It needs a facelift badly. There's too much attitude and not enough intelligent business practice.

CK:
If you could talk to anyone in the music business, who would it be?

Crystmynd/Scary Jerry:
David Bowie, without question. Like his music or not, he is a great artist and businessman. His advice would do anyone good.

CK:
Has the internet really been helpful to your promotion?

Crystmynd/Scary Jerry:
So far, yes. It got us out of our dead-end local scene and allowed us to start networking with some great artists and industry professionals in other cities around the world. Our press kit credits reflect that fact a great deal.

CK:
What are your plans for the future with your band?

Crystmynd/Scary Jerry:
To keep on keeping on! We already have a new album in the works and enough material for the next two. More live shows would be great, but we really need more crew members to do that with a two-man act. We are working on it though.

CK:
What made you want to pursue songwriting?

Crystmynd/Scary Jerry:
Writing was always my outlet from childhood. I received my first writing award in the first grade. Music became a forum to broadcast on in my teen years.

CK:
Are there any established artists with whom you would like to collaborate?

Crystmynd/Scary Jerry:
Again, David Bowie. It would also be cool to work with Reeves Gabrels. His guitar is inspirational. I'd also like to do a duet with Natalie Imbruglia. Her voice would sound great with some dark heavy tones behind it.

CK:
Who is your favorite unsigned Band?

Crystmynd/Scary Jerry:
That's a toss-up between Hate In The Box and PT Grimm. They're both great artists, and they've both been great supporters of us and Scary Entertainment. I also like Bobba Flex quite a bit, but they may be signed by now.

CK:
Most people will never know what it feels like to be on stage in front of a crowd, explain to them that feeling:

Crystmynd/Scary Jerry:
If you've ever done any bungee jumping or anything like that, it's exactly like the feeling right after the jump when you first stand to your feet.

CK:
Tell us about your website:

Crystmynd/Scary Jerry:
It's pretty new. I just rebuilt the whole thing (twice), and I have much more to add to it. Right now there's some new pics from our last shoot, some mp3 samples and lyrics (which are being upgraded soon), and a press kit download. The graphics and images are pretty cool if I do say so myself, and there's some new message boards up now. The content will grow alot over the next couple months.

CK:
Do you have a street or e-team system in place? Want one for your website?

Crystmynd/Scary Jerry:
No, we don't have one right now, but I really want to get one going. I am working on starting one for Scary Entertainment, but all of the projects I'm involved in right now are holding back the progress. I hope we can get one for Crystmynd in the next month before the live shows start.

CK:
How long does it take for an average song to go from a musical idea to a recordable song?

Crystmynd/Scary Jerry:
Most of our songs come together in about an hour or less, but we spend about a month or two going over it to see if any new additons pop into our heads before we start the recording process. The actual recording takes much longer. We are kind of backwards from most artists. Once I get a tune, the song just falls into place. If it doesn't feel natural, I scratch it. Once the song is together, we spend countless hours recording each part and fine tuning it.

CK:
How experienced are you or the band on the stage?

Crystmynd/Scary Jerry:
Too experienced. We have so many gig horror stories. Now live shows are done for need of exposure more than the joy of performing. Our out of town experiences haven't been bad though. Maybe we just shouldn't play in Cincinnati.

CK:
Describe your typical stage show performance. Give us a hint into what we might expect to see are your show.

Crystmynd/Scary Jerry:
Me looking like I'd rather be playing golf. Just kidding. When the preparation for the show goes well, you see alot of visual effects to go with the sound as well as props and theatrics. I like to dress and play the part. We are now training a "third member" just to control the visual and additional sound elements. There are also plans to bring in some special appearances by Scary Entertainment characters from the Janus the Jester stories. That should prove to be fun.

CK:
When did you first start singing, what made you choose music?

Crystmynd/Scary Jerry:
I started out as a guitarist and songwriter. I think I was about eighteen when the singer of the band I was with suggested that I take over as lead vocalist while I was showing him how to sing a song that I wrote. I didn't really want to, but I gave it a try anyway. Once I laid down the guitar and took the mic from the stand, I knew that was the spot for me.

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