AOTW / Steven Wesley Guiles

This week's artist is my new friend, singer/songwriter Steven Wesley Guiles. Having spent more than a decade bouncing back and forth between a solo career and his bands, Pushstart Wagon and Friction Bailey, Steven is as diverse as he is unique. You can find traces of acoustic folk, indie rock, and even alt country in his songs, but the best thing about Steven is that you just can't categorize him. His new album, "We Will All Be Lifted", is a beautifully organic collection of songs that leave you feeling like you've just experienced pure creativity. His passion for songwriting shows through, not only in his own music, but in his music label, "New Cool Now", and his many efforts to encourage others to write songs.

Steven has provided us with a look at his truly creative video for "May He Keep You As You Go". The new album, "We Will All Be Lifted", is available now on iTunes, along with recordings from Pushstart Wagon and Friction Bailey. Check out the video and be sure to visit the links below to learn more about Steven Wesley Guiles.

Steven's Offical Site
New Cool Now Official Site
Steven on MySpace
Pushstart Wagon on MySpace
Friction Bailey on MySpace

Questions w/ Chris Paul Overall

In this installment of “Questions”, I have the pleasure of introducing you to another long time friend of mine. Chris Paul Overall has been a fixture in the southern California indie scene for years whether as a solo artist or the frontman for his band, Wonderlove. One of the things I’ve always loved about Chris’s songs is his seemingly perfect grasp of melody. It’s just some of the catchiest stuff I’ve heard. All of his solo albums, as well as Wonderlove’s albums, are available on iTunes. Enjoy the interview and be sure to check out the links below to learn more about Chris Paul Overall.

StSL – Your band, Wonderlove, reunited late last year after a four year absence. How has it been for you to play that music with those guys again?

CPO - It's been amazing playing with those guys again, but that music is from 5-6 years ago. It's fun and nostalgic and all but we are ready to do a bunch of new tunes. We're itching to create some new music together.

StSL – You’ve said before that you believe Wonderlove’s sound, though arguably unique and timeless, is what held the band back from industry success during it’s first run. Given today’s musical climate, are you starting to see those walls come down?

CPO – Well that was probably an ignorant thing for me to say in the past. So much of success in the music industry has to do with timing and mostly luck. There is no winning formula these days. In my opinion its all about creating what you think is great and listening to that inner voice. If you gain success, awesome! If not, at least you still have your dignity.

StSL – One of my favorite songs of yours is “New York City”, which I know you actually wrote several years before recording it for your solo album, “The Bruiser”. What’s the story behind that song and what made you wait so long to release it?

CPO – An old friend of mine, was working with a producer at the time. She wanted me to write a tune for her to sing and so I kind of wrote it from her perspective. She had always felt misunderstood and out of place here and thought that if she could just move to NYC, she'd be among her peeps. She loved the song but it didn't really work for her so I just wound up masculinizing it and singing it myself. I actually wound up rewriting it a few years later with my dad and sister because I always felt like it wasn't quite right. The result is what you hear on "The Bruiser"...Now if I could just get it to sound right :-)

StSL – In 2007, you and singer/songwriter AJ DeGrasse released “AJ+CPO: The Hymns Collaboration”. How did that project come about and do you and AJ still work together?

CPO – AJ and I were sharing the Tues night residency for a while over at the Gypsy Lounge. We kind of ran out of material one night because we had continued to play after the bar had closed. I looked over at AJ and asked him if he knew any hymns and we sang hymns for 2 more hours. It was fitting since a lot of the old old hymns were actually pub melodies with a spiritual message. I completely like that old school feel of theology mixed with pub-ology. "Let's talk about God and life over a pint!"

StSL – As a songwriter you’re able to bounce back and forth between aggressive rock songs and more laid back folk songs very effectively. Is that deliberate or are there just two natural sides to CPO?

CPO – First of all Thank you, haha. But, I guess the best way to explain that is to tell you I love all kinds of music and am influenced by all of it...and I'm slightly manic :-)

StSL – What have you been listening to lately?

CPO – The Beatles, Kings of Leon, Spoon, Otis Redding and Mutemath. I always listen to Mutemath when I'm at the gym.

StSL – A stranger comes up to you and says, “Play me the best song ever written.” What do you play?

CPO – "Something" by The Beatles

StSL – Let’s step away from music for a second. What’s your favorite movie quote?

CPO – "Obviously you're not a golfer." -The Dude(Jeff Bridges), The Big Lebowski.

StSL – Can you tell us about what you’re focusing on right now, and what we can expect in the near future from CPO?

CPO – Right now I'm actually focusing on school. I'm studying applied Math with an emphasis in Science and engineering. I'm really fascinated and interested in Quantum Physics and time and space. It boggles my mind how vast the universe is. Oh wait, you probly meant musically...new Wonderlove music.

Thanks to Chris Paul Overall for taking the time to talk with us! Please visit the links below to learn more about Chris, and join us right here in two weeks when "Questions" returns with Andrew Belle.

Chris Paul Overall’s Official Site
Chris on MySpace
Wonderlove on MySpace

AOTW / David Mead

As I’ve been following the many artists I like to keep up with over the past few years, I’ve noticed a trend among several of them. That trend is a common love of singer/songwriter David Mead. I see his name pop up constantly. So, obviously, I had to look into it, and I realized I’ve been completely missing out. David has been making great music for years. Where have I been??? He’s an amazing songwriter with music that you can sit back and relax to, but it still keeps you totally engaged. He's recorded several albums over the years and my collection of his music has only just begun. Thanks to everyone for talking about him so much so I could finally get on board! Check out the video below of David performing “Nashville” and be sure to visit DavidMead.com to learn more about David Mead.

Find More Music / Ten Out of Tenn

If you're a frequent StSL reader, you may have caught on to the fact that I am a big fan of the marriage of art and community. I've talked a lot about the Square Peg Alliance, Noisetrade, and Brite Revolution, and now I want to feature another shining example.



Ten Out of Tenn is a community of gifted singer/songwriters from Tennessee who have banded together to not only promote and inspire each other, but even to tour together. All ten artists share the stage at once, taking turns in the spotlight and playing each other's songs. The current Ten Out of Tenn tour kicks off in Knoxville, TN this week and features TOT founder Trent Dabbs, Kyle Andrews, Ashley Monroe, Mikky Ekko, Sarah Siskind, K.S. Rhoads, Jedd Hughes, Madi Diaz, and friends of the StSL family, Joy Williams and Andrew Belle. I asked Joy and Andrew for a couple quick thoughts on being part of the tour, and this is what they had to say...

"Traveling the country in a bus, playing each other's music each night, and banding together as independent artists is an unbelievable experience. I've never been a part of anything like TOT before." - Joy Williams

"TOT is such an incredibly special concept and I am so flatterred to be apart if it. Last year I was a spectator in Chicago and one year later I've been so blessed to find myself among these 9 other insanely talented artists - I am so excited for this tour!" - Andrew Belle

Visit 10outofTenn.com for the complete list of tour dates and take some time to check out each of the artists individually, including those from the previous two tours. I promise it's a wellspring of great music! The new Ten Out of Tenn compilation album is also available now at their website, on iTunes, or at Noisetrade.com. Check out the widget below for a sample.

AOTW / JJ Heller

Singer/songwriter JJ Heller is an artist you'll love immediately for her straight-to-the-heart lyrics and a voice that just melts you on the first listen. She has released several fantastic studio albums with her husband, David Heller, and the two are currently hard at work on a new acoustic album. If you're a fan of vulnerable songwriting and organic acoustic music, then JJ Heller is a must-listen.

Check out this video of her performing "Love Me" and be sure to visit JJHeller.com to learn more about JJ Heller and pick up some of her music for yourself. Also, keep an eye out here on StSL for a "Questions" interview with JJ coming in November.

Questions w/ Jill Phillips

The Square Peg Alliance invasion of Saving The Set List continues as we bring you “Questions” with Jill Phillips. I actually first heard Jill prior to learning about the SPA, and I’ve been a big fan ever since. She continues to turn out great record after great record along with her husband and fellow SPA member, singer/songwriter Andy Gullahorn. Her latest record, “The Good Things”, showcases insightfully encouraging lyrics and a beautiful folk/pop foundation augmented by some darker, americana-esque tones. She continues to tour in support of “The Good Things” and plans to begin work on her new record early next year. Enjoy the interview and please check out the links at the bottom to learn more about Jill Phillips.

StSL – You’ve described your latest album, “The Good Things”, as “very personal” to you. Can you share a bit about your journey on that album and what led you to write those songs?

JP – I realize that it is dumb to say my record is personal to me now that I am reading this back. They should always be personal to you if they are worth anything- it should just be assumed I suppose. I did try to intentionally write about things I had never tackled on previous records like a song about my marriage and a song about my kids. For some reason those things felt too private in the past to write about, or maybe it just wasn't the right time.

StSL – You’ve been able to balance being a working artist with being a wife and a mother of three. What’s your secret?

JP – Ha! The secret is there is no secret. I am just muddling along like any other working mother. Some days I feel like I am so efficient and some days I feel like all I see is laundry and dishes. The truth is I love being a mother and I love being with my kids. I realize that my career has paid a price because of this. I don't release as many records as some artists, I don't write as much as I used to, but I know this season is very short. Two of my kids will be in school this year and very shortly my last one will go as well. I don't want to have any regrets about being there for them in the years they were home full-time. So I did a lot of recording around nap schedules, had Andy or friends watch them when I needed to write, etc. I know that more freedom is coming for me and I will be able to work more than I have but I put my kids first always. I feel like being a mother and having these experiences makes me a better musician and writer.

StSL – You’ve experienced working both with labels and as an independent artist. What have you found to be the pros and cons of each side?

JP – I have had great experiences with both and difficult experiences with both. Being independent gives you more freedom which is the best part, yet you are then responsible for all aspects of your small business. Most artists are not inclined to be managers and businessmen and that is where the difficulty usually lies. I am fortunate to be married to someone who can handle a lot of those elements and I am incredibly thankful for that. Being with a label can expose you to a wider audience and sets you up with a team working on your behalf. The downside can be that your music and vision are now formed and shaped by that team and you no longer possess sole control over how you are represented. I think as long as art and money are intertwined there will be tension, no matter how you choose to get the music out there.

StSL – What’s it like being a part of the Square Peg Alliance and working within that kind of community?

JP – It is wonderful. I absolutely love all of the people involved and their music. We played a few shows together earlier this summer and had a blast. I am so inspired by everyone's creativity, hard work, craftsmanship of their songs, and passion for what they do. We are all just trying to carve out a little niche in the big musical landscape for what we do and it is nice to have others alongside in the journey.

StSL – Whether a song is labeled as “Christian” or not, faith and art are certainly often intertwined. How does that dynamic play out for you?

JP – It has changed for me over time. I think when I was with a Christian record label I felt the need to stay on a few certain topics of my faith life. I feel a lot more freedom as an independent artist to write about all aspects of my life from family to relationships to heartache. I am firmly of the belief that the routine aspects of our life are incredibly sacred and important to God. That is not to say we don't need songs that are written directly to God, just that we have the freedom to write about what is on our mind. The Bible itself affirms this to me. You have a book like Psalms that is full of expression, emotion, prayers, cries of desperation, praise, all in one book. You have Old Testament books of genealogy and history. You have Ecclesiastes which is full of questions about life and faith. Proverbs is practical life application and observation. The gospels are about Jesus the man and who He was and what He taught. I could go on and on, but all of these things are in the Bible. I feel like this shows the need for different types of songs, different types of approaches in writing. We are all called to different things and my goal is just to be honest using the voice I have been given.

Thanks so much to Jill Phillips! Be sure to visit the links below and we’ll see you back here in two weeks when “Questions” returns with Chris Paul Overall.

Jill’s Official Site
Jill on Noisetrade
Square Peg Alliance Official Site

"Questions" is Going Strong

First of all, let me say thanks to everyone who has been so interested in the "Questions" series. It's a privilege for me to interract with these artists, and I'm excited that it's been so well received. I'd love to hear any thoughts or opinions you guys may want to share, so please let me know what you think by commenting below.

"Questions" has been going on for more than two months now, so it seems like a good time to look back at where we've been and where we're headed. If you haven't already read all the interviews, check out the full list below and then have a look at the fantastic line-up of artist coming up for the rest of the year!

Previous Interviews...
Andrew Osenga (part one) (part two)
Tyrone Wells (part one) (part two)
Sandra McCracken (part one) (part two)
Eric Peters (part one) (part two)

Upcoming Interviews...
Jill Phillips (9/7)
Chris Paul Overall (9/21)
Andrew Belle (10/5)
Joy Williams (10/19)
Matthew Mayfield (11/2)
Ben Shive (11/16)
JJ Heller (11/30)

AOTW / Ben Shive

There may not be anything Ben Shive can't do. Singer/songwriter. Producer. Musician. He even plays one of my favorite instruments, the hammered dulcimer. As a producer and musician, Ben has worked with a host of artists including Andrew Peterson, Randall Goodgame, Chris Tomlin, and many more. He also produced Eric Peters' new album, "Chrome". Check out last week's "Questions" post if you're not already in the know on that one.

Ben's album, "The Ill-Tempered Klavier", is a wonderfully organic, piano driven masterpiece that stands apart from a lot of what you hear today. It's full of great personal storytelling and unexpected melodies that make it so much fun to listen to. We'll hear more from him in the coming weeks in the form of a "Questions" interview. Until then, be sure to visit web.me.com/benshive to learn more about Ben Shive.