Okay, this is crazy. This is my second interview this week, and next Monday I will be doing an interview with German deathcore band Hunting Area Brain County! Ahh, I think I could get used to this.
Anyway, this here is a interview with the amazing, Samuel Mountz! If you have not heard of him make sure to listen to his tunes below, and stalk him on Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace!
Q. How did you get started?
When I was a freshman in high school, one of my good friends asked me to sing for his band for a little, being that his old singer was kicked out of the band. At this point in my high school career, I wanted to work in the medical field, so singing and music was kind of vague from my perspective. I tried it out once, and from that very moment I fell in love with performing music.
Q. Where do you get your inspiration from?
To be honest, my musical inspirations don't really come from other musicians. There are the main musical inspirations such as the great chord progressions in any Ben Folds song, or the witty lyrics from OK Go, but other than that, I get most of my inspiration from kids in high school. Everyone in high school has something that they want, and they'll go for that one thing with no regrets. I find that to be amazing, and it drives me to do what I want in life.
Q. What has been your favorite venue so far? And what's your dream venue?
Favorite venue... Hmmmmm. I'd have to say the Journey Cafe in Hamburg PA. It's a small place that brings in a decent amount of people. The best part about this venue is the employees. They're not just there to get payed. They honestly love what they do and they work together to make any band sound great. The fans are amazing there too. They feed off of your music, and you feed off of their energy. As for my dream venue, I wouldn't be able to pick from the vast array of gigantic stadiums that have held concerts for U2, Muse, and others. So I'm just gonna pick a tour. I would love to play on the Bamboozle tour. All of the bands seem like so much fun to hangout with and the fans just love being there. They'll cheer for anyone playing a tune. All of this added with the great positives of summer time equal a great time.
Q. If you had a chance to interview a musician who would it be, and why?
If I had a chance to interview any artist it would easily be Jon Foreman from Switchfoot. He is one of the few in the music industry that really works hard with his lyrics. Everything he sings has amazing in depth meaning. His voice emphasizes these words with deep emotion. He basically has an amazing talent and knows how to use it. I'd love to get some tips.
Q. If you could thank somebody for helping you fulfill your dreams as a musician, who would it be? And why?
This is going to sound so cliche, haha, but I have to thank my mother. She has supported me from the very start, and support was all I needed to succeed. In fact, she was one of the few that stuck with me throughout this ongoing journey. And she doesn't just love my music because I'm her son haha.
Q. If you weren't involved in music, what would you be doing in life right now?
I'd be writing books. I have a lot of great ideas from dreams that I have, and I'm positive if i worked hard at my creative thinking in that aspect, I could really create something meaningful.
Q. If mom was going to make your favorite home-cooked meal, what would it be?
Oh man. So many choices, haha. My mom is such a good cook. It would have to be meatball subs with sauce smothered all across the top, and a light dash of cheddar cheese. Gotta love that Italian food!
Q. do you do in your down time?
I try to use it for music and writing new ideas out, but I usually get caught up with getting ready for college, working a part time job, or working at producing other shows with bands other than myself. I basically try to stay busy.
Q. Have you had any really embarrassing mishaps on stage?
Oh man, haha. This one time we were playing a show, there was a part in the song where I needed to keep a steady beat on the cow bell. The place was pretty packed and we decided as a band that during that part I was going to give the cowbell to a fan and get them to keep the beat. Well I ended up really screwing that part up. When it came time for this "genius idea," I ran to very back of the crowd and somehow found the biggest meanest guy in the audience. He definitely did not wanna be there. I literally threw it in his arms and acted out the "whacking of the cowbell..." He hit it three times and then quit. So I had to run back and get it. In the video, you see me run off and disappear with the cowbell all happy and such, and then I return with nothing in my hands, wearing an embarrassed expression. It looked like a ten year old kid was mugged by a high schooler for his lunch money.
Q. What positive message do you want to send through your music to your fans?
I want everyone one to know that there's something out there for you. There's something really cool that you're really really good at. It's your job to find that thing, master it, and make it your passion each and every day. There are too many kids in school these days that think they aren't worth anything because a football captain gets the girl instead of him. Or if the flute player doesn't make homecoming because of the cheerleader. None of that stuff matters. Don't worry about anyone else but yourself, and find that thing you love. Once you succeed in that thing, kids like the football player or the cheerleader will want to be a part of it, or they'll try and say they helped in it. Don't be the football player or the cheerleader. Boast about your own success.
Want to connect with Samuel Mountz?
Check out these links!
Want more of Samuel Mountz?
I know I do! I mean c'mon,
Have you seen those eyes?
Get more of his sweet tunes
at SmartPunk!
Thanks for looking at (and hopefully following!) my blog!
♥ABIGAILE
PS. If your band wants to be interviewed on this blog, email me at:
Also, is there a band you want me to talk about??
Email me what bands, and I will be sure to check them out! I love hearing about new bands! Just please no country or hip hop... :P
Abigaile, you rock. I can't stop reading this blog! It's so addicting, can't wait for your next post =D
ReplyDeleteHaha, ahw yaaaay! Thanks bud. :D
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