Bradford Loomis and Beth Whitney Interview – In this interview we talk about The Banner Days album.
Interview with Bradford Loomis and Beth Whitney
1. How is this summer coming along for the group?
Really busy. We have an aggressive schedule in terms of just shows, but with releasing this new record, it’s a lot. But we are very excited and can’t wait to share this album with the world.
2. How was it recording the album The Banner Days in the studio?
It was an absolute blast! Brandon Bee, our producer, Todd Robbins, our engineer, and Luke Peterson, are all such wonderful people to work with. They all have great senses of humor, and good natured. And they are truly amazing at what they do.
3. What equipment do you currently endorse, etc.?
Bradford plays Martin guitars, and Beth a Gretch Banjo, but we aren’t sponsored.
4. How would you describe the music scene in your area with the economy?
Incredibly vibrant. There is so much good music coming out of Seattle and Washington in general. Luckily, people up here truly value music.
5. Any interesting festivals and tour dates coming up?
We are playing Seattle Acoustic Fest on August 2nd, touring the West Coast in late Sept and the East Coast in Oct.
6. Would you say Social Media Online has changed the Music Industry for the good or the bad?
Definitely for the good. It’s never been easier for an artist, who is willing to work, to get their music heard.
7. What’s your vision on the Internet as a way to releasing Music Online now days?
You really have to find out who your music is appealing to and then go to where they are. Using social media requires having your finger on the pulse of where traffic is moving and how. We want to have our music in as many of those places as possible.
8. What could we find interesting in your music collection at home?
(Bradford) Oh man, I was raised on Abba, and Neil Diamond. So I have everything from them to Hip Hop (I’m a huge Fugees, and Q-Tip fan) to Johnny Cash, to the Foo Fighters. I have a huge collection reaching across most genres. I don’t own much new Country, Jazz or any Techno. But the rest is pretty well represented.
(Beth) I like choral music, especially John Rutter. Also, I love Gregorian chants. Then it jumps anywhere from 90’s hip hop, to Lorena Mc Kennitt, to Pink.
9. Could you describe what goes on in a day in your life as a musician?
(Bradford) A lot of emails. A lot. From scheduling and booking to project management and networking there are tons of emails. Ha! I also live by my To Do list and spreadsheets. I feel much better when I feel like I have a handle on what I am trying to do.
(Beth) Like many a new parent, my schedule is largely driven by a 22-pound giggling fireball. Aaron and I wake up between 5:30-7AM with our one-year-old son. I am an incredible grouch in the morning so my heroic Aaron takes a lot of these squinty-eyed shifts. Everything after that is a blur. Haha. Actually, I do most of the design and artsy stuff for The Banner Days. I have become incredibly efficient during nap times and after 8PM. We do most our writing sessions at night when my brain has quit and my soul wakes up…My life feels like a never ending waitressing shift right now, fast-paced, tiring, exciting.
10. Where do you see the future of music going in 100 years?
(Bradford) I don’t know about 100 years, but music as a commodity is still a fairly new concept (at least in comparison to the totality of it’s history) and I am not sure how much longer it will be able to be as such. I believe it’s becoming more experiential again.
(Beth) There is a piece by one of my favorite poets, Gustavo Adolfo Becquer, called “Habia Poesia.” Every artist should read that..I do know that my smart phone makes it incredibly harder to be awake to the muse. I hope future artists, with the ever increasing distractions, can be self-disciplined enough to make space for creative processing.
11. Any words for future musicians?
(Bradford) A career as a musician has never been more in the hands of the artist then it is right now. If you want it, go get it. It can be whatever you make it, and that can look like however you want. You don’t need the labels any more. It’s harder to be a mega pop star, but much easier to make a reasonable income as a musician. But you have to want it and pursue it vigorously and relentlessly.
(Beth) These will not sound romantic, but I would encourage artists to take business and communication courses, alongside music lessons. And also, to turn your phone off for big chunks of the day.