ME: I have been following your blog since the beginning of this year. I drew interests because my instructor wanted us to start a blog as a class project and we also had to look at other blogs within the music industry. I came across yours because I enjoy and support the local music scene. I see that you write for Chicago Music Guide, how did you get involved with CMG? If you don't mind me asking.
I, myself have started a blog on music education and how it is important in a person's life. If I could pick your brain for a moment, I'd like to ask you a few questions about the music industry.
SSide: Wow, never been interviewed before. My first with well-thought out
questions. Of course I will reply back with my answers.
ME? How did you get involved with CMG?
SSide: Started with CMG back in 2007 or 2008 when I first met a photographer named Beth Shandles who spotted me reviewing bands during MOB Fest at Elbo Room. She was the one who recommended my name to Dennis Kelly who in turned asked me to join as contributor to the site. From time to time I write and/or cover shows for CMG when I'm not busy with my schedule.
ME: Are you a musician yourself?
If so, what do you play?
SSide: Yes - I know how to do my scales on piano but truly flunked out on the clarinet lessons when I was younger. Never really caught on with that instrument. However, I do sing but not professionally. I was part of my high school girls' chorus and church choir (both youth and adult).
ME: How long have you been involved in the music industry?
SSide: Seems like forever! LOL I've been involved way back in the days when underground house music was the rage here in Chicago. I used to date a DJ named James "Jack Rabbit" Martin before his death in 1990. That's when I sort of dropped out of it until 2005 when I discovered a music site called dMusic. At first it started out as a hobby - reviewing and interviewing artists and bands on that site for an internet radio station called Fearless Radio where I was an avid listener to The New Music Binge. Then host - Rocco gave me the moniker SouthSide since I was calling from the Southside of Chicago. My first review as SouthSide happened on Sept 12 2006 at SubT. Can't remember the bands that played yet I never knew what would transpire after posting it.
ME: When you were growing up did you have a music program in your school?
SSide: Yes - we had music classes at both elementary and high school level (which was an elective)
ME: Do you feel that it is important for children these days to be involved in some type of music program?
SSide: Yes, I do. How are kids today suppose to know that Mozart was the original "rock hard and die young" rock star of his time? Or that Brahms' and Bach's compositions can be heard in modern music today. Music no matter the genre whether it's rock to hip hop to classical and even neo/modern jazz exposes them to a world were sound, lyrics, tempo, harmonies and melodies are formed to create something new and refreshing each and every day. Without it, I see a dull uncultured world for this generation and others.
ME: Do you have any advice for those parents who would like to have their children involved in music, as to, where they could go?
SSide: My advice - start when they're in the womb or even while they're babies. I exposed both o my daughters (now 20 and 11) to classical (Mozart, Bach, Handel, et al) to classic rock (Led Zeppelin, The Who, Beatles, Pink Floyd - my youngest loved track 4 "Great Gig In The Sky" to Dark Side of the Moon) to modern jazz (Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, Johnny Mathis, Ella, Duke Ellington) and more as well as theatric musicals when they were young. Kids, believe or not, are exposed to music every single day whether it's commercials to the shows on PBS and even cartoons. Take them to see a Broadway show like the Lion King or Beauty and the Beast ...also check out The Old Town School of Music. They have classes for kids as young as babies and toddlers as well as classes if you want your chlid to learn an instrument.
ME: How do you feel about learning music off the internet?
SSide: Learning off the net I think is a wonderful idea and good way of connecting with others around the world when it's impossible to meet face to face for lessons. I have a friend in LA (Dan Sindel) who does guitar lessons on the net via Skype to connect with his students.
ME: How do you feel about learning music off the internet?
So everyone has different experiences in the music world. How do you so your self years from now?
Nice interview, first time too haha always a plus
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