Musicians of My Time~ Interview with Jake S. from Semisonic

2005-06-14T14:13:00.000-07:00

Dan Wilson from Semisonic and Stephan Jenkins from Third Eye Blind are two musicians that I admire. In my view they have some of the greatest music of this time. Their songs remind me of how life is and how it can be. Overall, they are two musicians that I think are great because of their similar qualities. However, they do have different accomplishments that, in my opinion, make one better than the other.
The two performers have similar qualities. Both are the lead singers in their groups. When they perform, they really let loose and throw themselves into their music. Both performers have came out with three albums. The bands came out around the same time. Semisonic came out in 1998. Third Eye Blind came out in 1997. They are in their late 30’s. They have figured out what is going on in the music now. They appeal to similar audiences, older teens and young adults. Some older adults also like their music. When Dan and Stephan are off-stage and being interviewed they are serious and they get to the point.
The thing that pops out the most about them is that they write their own music. Their music tells you to wait for true love. They do not talk about harming others or damaging yours ears. The songs describe the emotions of life. There is a song discouraging people from committing suicide. They want to send out messages through their music that connect with listeners. These are reasons why they are popular. The two singers do have differences.
The two performers are different. Dan Wilson wears glasses and has this likable, but down to earth look going on. You can tell he likes who he is. He is also married and has a daughter. He plays in a three-person group called Semisonic. You will never know what the music is going to sound like because they like to try new things. They have the Beatles sound/ 70’s rock. As for Dan Wilson and the rest of the guys, John and Jake, they are college graduates. Dan, the lead singer, and Jake, the drummer, went to Harvard University and John went to a college in Minneapolis, MN. They are smart guys.
As for Stephan Jenkins, he is unmarried and looks more like an extreme guy with edgy clothes. He also went to college, but the name is unknown. Since he was a little boy he had problems consorting on things like school and etc. . . . However, he worked hard through it and became someone who he wanted to be, a rock star. His group Third Eye Blind has more of a rock sound. Nice and hard, but softly done. I would of told more about the band mates, but their is not a lot of info about them that I can find. Just to close it up, he is a smart guy, but still has that childish vibe about him. It seems like he still needs to grow up mentally.
Going back to the group Semisonic. I was able to talk with Jake Slichter the drummer from the group. He has also written a book called “ So you wanna be a rock & roll star”, from his view of being a drummer in his group Semisonic. I e-mailed him, and asked him a few questin’s, so you can see why they are awesome. The first question that I asked him was: “How did you guys stick together so many year’s without any problems.” (I mean before Trip Shakespeare and on to Semisonic.) Like for an example, how some of the groups spit up or one person goes away because of problems. (Third Eye Blind, Ceed, Smashing Pumpkins) His reply, “We've been best friends ever since the beginning of the band. We told each other at the outset, "Life is more important than music." That was really important, because from the very start, we put the welfare of the individual band members ahead of any career objectives.
Another thing we did was agree on who the leader of the band was (Dan) and Dan in return split all of the royalties with John and me. That helped us avoid the power struggles and money fights that some bands get tangled up in.” Then I went on with other question’s.
1. Describe each of the Band mates the best you can?
Dan and John are both very hardworking, but in different ways. Dan takes on tasks in a very ordered way. His workspace wall is covered with various to-do lists, with check marks next to the tasks he has completed. John works in a more free form way. He's much more likely to try one thing, throw it out if it doesn't sound right, and move onto the next thing.
2.Describe each album, and what was it like.
Great Divide is a perky pop album, reflecting the enthusiasm of a newly signed band
Feeling Strangely Fine was made as kind of an art project. After the disappointing sales of "Great Divide," we figured we might as well indulge ourselves. Some of the songs, however, turned out to be hits. I thought of it as a French black and white film directed by Spielberg.
3. Is there anything you listen to just because it's fun?
I wouldn't listen to anything that wasn't fun or deeply satisfying.
4. Do you ever feel like you lose faith in new music?
Yes, through the end of the nineties onward.
5. What's the first record you ever bought?
"Dancing Machine" by the Jackson Five
6. What's your first musical memory?
When my older brothers would put on records, I would walk a giant square around the living room carpet. I also remember seeing the Beatles on Ed Sullivan and feeling embarrased.
7. What artist/album's you like to listen a lot? And is there someone you are a big fan of? (Like the way you guys are to me.)
Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, the Beatles.
8. How is life so far?
Great
9. How is it between you and the rest of the band mates?
Great.
10. I seen photos/shows on T.V. of the band before the show, and you are listen to music. Why do you listen to music before the show and what do you listen to?
I listen to music to get me in the mood and to remind myself of what, musically speaking, is important to me. I like to listen to R&B, because I grew up playing that kind of music, and it reminds me to sink down into the groove of the music.
Finally, you can see why Semisonic and Third Eye Blind are great bands. I’m not saying Semisonic is better then Third Eye Blind or Third Eye Blind is better than Semisonic, because they are both great band to listen too. I just wanted to show you what make’s them great, because most likely they will be around longer.

Spreading My Wings/ Thinking back

2005-06-14T14:10:00.000-07:00

On December 11, 2003, I took a trip to minneapolis, MN. This was the very first trip that I got to take all by myself. I was really excited about it. the two reasons I wanted to go to Minneapolis with all of my heart were to see what it was like and to see my favorite band in the whole entire world, Semisonic. I never thought going to a concert far away from home would give me so much confidence in myself, and I would gain so much more from others.
At the beginning, I wasn’t planning on going by myself. I asked my close friends if they would like to go along with me, but they were busy with important things in their own lives. I said to myself “I’m not going let that get in my way of having a great time at a concert that I’m dying to see.” My family and friends were surprised by my decision. I have never had the amount of confidence that I was feeling. I was planning a big event in my life with no one’s help. Almost everyone was surprised to see me plan it. Few people had faith in me. People believed that I was too young to know what I was doing.
When I was preparing for this life-altering event, I felt very determined to get everything done. The first thing I did was saving up the money to pay for everything. Then I went to the bus station to find out every piece of information that was needed (how much a round trip ticket to Minneapolis would cost and when the buses come and go). I had to purchase the concert ticket. Doing all of this shocked my parents. Some of my friends thought I was crazy, and I did not know what I was getting myself into. Most of all, I think everyone was surprised that I wa able to do something so great and out-going.
The departure day finally arrived. I said goodbye to my friends and family. My mother and brother took me to the bus station so I could catch my bus. While I was waiting for the bus to come, I hugged my mom and brother and said Gobi to them. When I was saying goodbye, I told them not to worry about me because I would be okay. I said that I would call as soon as I got there. The bus finally pulled into the station. Right then, a song called “Something, Someone, Someday” Stared to play on my CD player. The beginning of the lyrics were “You flew to Kansas City, to leave us all behind. Another life awaits you, to give you peace of mind.” It was weird because those lyrics stayed in my head the whole trip there.
Finally, the bus reached Minneapolis. I felt this fresh breeze and an overwhelming feeling. It did not take very long before everything came together like a Van Gogh painting. I went to my hotel room and sat on the bed to plan out what I was going to do and to figure our how I was going to get where when I needed to be. at the moment, I was so excited about how my day was going to end. I headed to the door so that I could try to explore as much as I possibly could.
The first place I went to was The Art Institute of Minneapolis. I was drawn into all of the art there, I tried really hard to inhale everything that was in every room. Finally, the time came to get into line, It didn’t feel like I had been in the city very long, but I knew I could not explore the city anymore. I rushed through out the streets or Minneapolis on a bus to get to the First Avenue Club, where the concert was being held. When I got to the club, the words “Finally! I’m here!” came out of my mouth.
While I was waiting for the doors to open, I met two of the singers. Outside, it was so inconceivable. Waiting in the cold in front of the doors was amazing. I even made two new friends that think like I do. The three of us were probably the biggest dorks that are fans of Semisonic. As soon as the doors opened, I ran inside so I could be as close as possible to the stage that I could enjoy one of the greatness experiences of my life so far. At the end, I got to meet the lead singer, Dan Wilson, of Semisonic. I have to admit that Dan seemed like he had a good guy vibe going on for him.
If I could do this all over again, I would’nt hesitate. I gained so much from this experience. I got to see what I can do. If I put my heart into something, I can do anything I want to do. I gained some respect from the nonbelievers. I got to have a great amount of fun while I got to build my self-image. For me, it was an unbelievable experience. I got to go to travel by myself, see a band that I love perform, and see more of this beautiful country, The building of my self-esteem had to start somewhere. After all, every new beginning comes from some other beginng’s end.

Living in the Moment

Musicians of My Time~ Interview with Jake S. from Semisonic

Spreading My Wings/ Thinking back