Chicken Again??
There are some in our classical world that say we should take our lead from Rock bands and arena performances as a model for how we can generate similar excitement and interest – especially in our quest to reach new (aka younger) audiences.
It’s apples and oranges, so I’ve never been a follower of that prescription. However, I offer this similarity.
My cousin Brit Lightning is the lead guitarist in the 80s band Vixen. She’s a guitar monster; that’s her on the far left above. I recently heard them play at the M3 Festival outside of Baltimore, and then got to hang out with my cousin back stage after their set. There was a post-concert press conference that I got to observe. The questions they were asked reminded me of some of the topics I talk about cover on this site.
“Who were your influences?”
“If you could bring one person back from the Rock n’ Roll dead, who would that be?”
My cousin has been with the band for three years, and each journalist asked “What is it like being one of the new members of the group?”
What impressed me is that they answered each question passionately, as if it was the first time they were being asked that question.
No groans, sighs, rolled eyes, sour faces or push back. Each delivered solid, substantial answers to questions they had been asked a hundred times or more.
In the interviews you will do today, tomorrow and over the next 25 years, you will be asked the same questions again and again, some of them dumb, lazy and uninspired, and some that will really push you to think. For the former, have your answers ready and deliver the response just like our sisters in Vixen. Then, see if you can quickly move the discussion on to something more interesting, entertaining, substantial and memorable. Something that is deeply important to you or your “Band.”
“How many hours do you practice a day?”
"Oh, I don't have a routine. My practice is investigative, and I see how I can make things better; how I can make this top note sweeter. This is what I do when I practice and when I practice scales - oh I love it. I can't imagine a day without practicing. Although I do have those days - yesterday was one of them." (Sir James Galway)