Questions w/ JJ Heller (part two)

Here is part two of “Questions” w/ JJ Heller. Enjoy the interview and be sure to visit the links below to learn more about JJ and pick up some of her music.



StSL – Let’s talk a bit about your songwriting process. Do you have any specific methods or places you go to for inspiration?

JJ – I often get inspired by a word or phrase I hear (or read) as I walk through my every-day life. I usually try to explore that concept and what it means before I start strumming a guitar, but sometimes the chords and the beginnings of a melody come before the idea of the song is worked out. I almost always write the words and melody simultaneously so that it all flows together. I've never been very successful at putting preexisting lyrics to music.

I really dislike writing when I know people can hear me. If others are in the room (or the next room for that matter) I won't sing loudly enough for them to hear the lyrics. To me, writing is such a private thing and I don't want anyone to hear until I'm ready to share. If I'm honest, most of this if probably pride.

If I'm having trouble gaining perspective on a song by myself, I frequently ask Dave's opinion after I've spent some time writing a few lines. Much like an editor or producer, he offers his input on chord structure, rhythm and lyric. He's very task driven, so he also often helps me push the song through to the end. He actually wants to write songs way more often than I do. It takes so much emotional energy for me to write that I rarely feel up to the challenge. I'm starting to feel the stirrings of songs again, though.

Co-writing is incredibly personal, so it's been something that we've had to grow into. It's tough to put an idea out there knowing that I could get shot down. Dave's really good at taking those risks, but my perfectionistic nature makes it really difficult for me to make myself vulnerable like that. I want every line I write to be my best line ever, but I'm trying to give myself permission to just express myself without expectations of greatness. I'm definitely still learning more about what it means to be a songwriter.

StSL – Something I really appreciate about your songwriting is your vulnerability. Why is that element so important to you?

JJ – I've found that the more honest I am when I'm songwriting, the more people can relate to the song. In the end, I write songs to connect with people and remind them that they're not alone. I hope to communicate God's message of hope and peace to the people he loves, and as a result, bring honor to his name.

StSL – One of my favorites of your songs is “Have Mercy On Me” from “The Pretty & The Plain”. Can you share the story behind that song?

JJ – Sure. As I mentioned before, I've had a history of anxiety and panic attacks. It's not something I ever thought I would have to deal with, and I certainly never prayed for it to be a part of my life, and yet I know that the Lord has used it to make me stronger. Because of the darkness I experienced, I know first-hand that God tells the truth when he says that he's near to the broken-hearted. It's made me a more compassionate person, and therefore more like Christ. It's still an area where God is at work in my heart, and I know I have much more room to grow. I'm trusting that he will give me the faith I need to believe that he will set all things right.

On a side note - I never actually want to sing "Have Mercy On Me" during a concert (because it's SO vulnerable), but just about every time I do, at least one person will approach me after the show and thank me for singing it. They'll often tell me of their struggle with anxiety, and how God used my song to encourage them.

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

JJ – I'll have to go with a mushy chick flick quote from "Sleepless in Seattle" when Tom Hanks' character said, "I was just taking her hand to help her out of a car, and I knew. It was like... magic."

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

JJ – Oh, I'm so bad at favorites! Dave always teases me by saying that my best meal is a fork-full of everything on the menu. I think this applies to music as well. With that said, I'm not sure that it qualifies as the best song ever written, but I love "When It Don't Come Easy," by Patty Griffin. It stirs up my emotions every time I hear it.

Thanks so much to JJ Heller for taking the time to talk with us. Please check out the links below and be sure to join us back here next week for a special 3-part "Questions" w/ Andrew Peterson!

JJ Heller Official Site
JJ Heller on MySpace
JJ Heller on iTunes
JJ’s Blog

Questions w/ JJ Heller (part one)

What you get when you listen to a JJ Heller song is an unabashedly honest expression sung by one of the sweetest voices you’ve ever heard. She doesn’t shy away from vulnerability in songwriting, but rather makes it her standard and delivers music that you can’t help but connect with. For reasons you’ll discover in the interview, her songs are especially important to me personally. With four studio albums to her credit, another one on the way, and lots of recent excitement building around her music, JJ is enjoying more success than ever. I’m thrilled to bring you part one of “Questions” w/ JJ Heller…

StSL – “Your Hands”, a song from your 2008 album, “Painted Red”, has been receiving some great radio and television exposure lately. It’s also been an encouragement to me personally as someone who struggles with anxiety. What was your inspiration for that song?

JJ – I wrote "Your Hands" with my husband, Dave, and singer/songwriter Katie Herzig during a time in my life when I was really struggling with anxiety and panic attacks. God has brought me so much healing since then, but fear is definitely one of my biggest adversaries. I'm the queen of "what-if." The song is a reminder to me that no matter what is happening in my life right now (or what could happen in the future), I can trust that God has it all taken care-of. He's not surprised by anything, and I can rest in his love and provision.

StSL – I know you’ve recently completed work on a new album. What can you tell us about that?

JJ – We're so excited about it! With sparse percussion, keys and acoustic guitars, it's the most acoustic album we've recorded so far. We used very old RCA mics to add some texture and character to the sound of the record. It's a very polarized collection of songs. Half of the songs touch on topics like self abuse, and tragedy, but the other half are whimsical and light-hearted. Because the songs reach to the depths of joy and pain, we decided to call the record "Deeper."

We also did something we've never done before and added a cover tune to the line-up. The song is called "The Very Thought of You," by Ray Noble, but I first fell in love with it when I heard it sung by Billie Holiday.

We were planning to release "Deeper" on Thanksgiving Day, but because of all of the unexpected excitement surrounding "Your Hands" (which was on our last record called "Painted Red"), we decided to wait to release it. We were advised by many wise friends in the industry to not have two records competing for attention. For the time being, the release date of "Deeper" is yet to be determined.

StSL – As you mentioned earlier, your songwriting partner and guitarist also happens to be your husband, Dave Heller. How has it been navigating your career together?

JJ – Dave is amazing. He has such a knack for business and administration (which is awesome because I'm definitely not skilled in those areas). He does all the planning so that I can be free to be a mom and to write a song or two on occasion. In recent days, I've actually done a lot less songwriting on my own, and a lot more writing with Dave. He's great at pushing me to keep writing even when I've hit a road block. It drives me crazy in the moment, but if he wasn't there to motivate me, I would rarely finish a song.

It's also really fun to be on stage together. We love to interact with each other and banter back and forth. People often tell Dave that his humor reminds them of the Smothers Brothers... he takes it as a HUGE compliment:)

StSL – You and Dave recently welcomed your daughter, Lucy, into the world. Has that created a whole new area of inspiration for you?

JJ – Definitely! She has stirred a love in me that didn't exist until she came. We just finished a new album this past September and there are several songs that were written just for her. I'm thinking that I need to write a new song about Lucy, though... one about being willing to hold her with an open hand. I get so worried about her!

StSL – Who are some your songwriting influences?

JJ – When I was in college (about 10 years ago) I heard Jennifer Knapp for the first time and was blown-away by the way she combined poetry with melody to express spiritual truth. She was a huge inspiration for me early-on. Currently, I'm a big fan of Patty Griffin. She has a way of painting such vivid pictures with her songs. I also enjoy Feist and Ray LaMontagne.

Visit JJHeller.com for more info and check back right here tomorrow for part two!

Remaining "Questions" for 2009

There won't be any new posts this week since I'll be out of town for Thanksgiving, but I do have some really exciting news before I go! We're ending the year in style with three more amazing "Questions" interviews! Check out what's coming up...

Questions w/ JJ Heller
Monday, November 30

Questions w/ Andrew Peterson
Monday, December 7

Questions w/ John Paul White (of The Civil Wars)
Monday, December 21

AOTW / John R. Williamson

John R. Williamson reminds of me sitting back in a coffeehouse and just listening to the creativity flow. His folk-infused songs are haunting and progressive. Couple that with his raw, intimate voice, and it all adds up to something wonderfully unconventional. Grammy Award-winning producer T Bone Burnett had this to say about John: "John R. Williamson is a music artist. He writes beautiful and haunting songs that come from a different place."

John and his band, The C'est La Vies, released their latest album, "Portable Shrine", a few years back and it showcases the purity of their music perfectly. Head on over to CDBaby to purchase the album. Also, for all our SoCal readers, you can catch John and the band at Zephyr in Pasadena this Saturday night (11/21) at 7:00pm! Visit MySpace.com/JohnRWilliamsonandTheCestLaVies for more information.

Questions w/ Ben Shive (part two)

Here is part two of "Questions" w/ Ben Shive. Enjoy the interview and be sure to visit the links below for more info on Ben, and to purchase his album, "The Ill-Tempered Klavier".


StSL – As “The Captains Courageous”, you and Andy Gullahorn can often be found writing and touring with Andrew Peterson. How did that relationship (not to mention the name) come about?

Ben – Shortly after I moved to Nashville I met Andrew's old roommate who told me "Andrew Peterson is going to be the next Rich Mullins." To which I replied, "Sign me up." "Carried Along" came out a year or two later and I really liked it, so I wrote a string arrangement of the song Faith To Be Strong for a class project and sent it to AP. It just so happened that he needed someone (cheap) to arrange strings for this new thing he was doing called "Behold The Lamb Of God". And that was me. I wrote the arrangements while I should have been working on my senior recital. The performance was a day or two after I graduated, and Andrew asked me that night to come on the road with him in the spring. So I pretty much graduated from college with my perfect gig. AP already knew Gully (as we affectionately call him) at the time, but it wasn't till a couple of years later that he joined the band. AP named us the Captains Courageous after a story by Rudyard Kipling. I've never read it. I hope it's not about a piano player that annoys everybody and is eventually killed.

StSL – Some of your producing credits include artists such as Eric Peters, Sara Groves, and (of course) Andrew Peterson. Do you have any favorite experiences you can share as a producer?

Ben – We tracked the Sara Groves record at a studio on the outskirts of Franklin. It has sort of an outdoorsy vibe. Anyway, the band was staying in a big cabin attached to the studio. On their first night there they discovered that the place was positively infested with brown recluses. Like, they were falling from the ceiling and crawling out from behind the faucets. It was insane. And Tyler Burkum, the guitarist, just went all crocodile hunter and started kind of taunting them. I have a feeling that's not what you were looking for.

StSL – I’m a big fan of The Square Peg Alliance, and have had the pleasure of interviewing several of you guys so far. What’s it like for you to be a part of that community?

Ben – I'm very fond of my friends. I think they're the most remarkable people. Gullahorn has this new song he wrote for Jill (Phillips) where the clincher line is "I could be nobody as long as I'm someone to you." Professionally, that's kind of how I feel about the Square Pegs. By just about any measure of fame, we're obscure. Let's not kid ourselves. And none of us may ever really make a splash and maybe we're all just shooting ourselves in the foot making the kind of music we make. But it's reassuring to know that at least somebody else in the world wants to die on the same stupid hill I'm willing to die on.

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

Ben – "Sew, very old one! Sew like the WIND!!" - Three Amigos

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

Ben – On the production front, I'm in the middle of a record for a Chattanoogan named Chris Slaten. He's one brilliant guy. And I'm doing another record with my friend David Spencer, which promises to be chock full o' hooks. Also, we're starting a new AP record in January. And on the side I'm always whittling away at new Ben Shive songs. Slow and steady wins the race. I have maybe six songs now and I can't write much more than two or three a year, so it may be a while before I have another record. But I like what I have so far. "Patience, Miss Honeychurch! Patience and time!" Name THAT movie and I'll give you a candy bar.

Many thanks to Ben for a great interview! If anyone knows what movie that quote came from, let us know by making a comment below. No promises, but we'll see what we can do about that candy bar! Also be sure to join us back here on November 30 for "Questions" with JJ Heller!

Ben Shive Official Site
Ben Shive on Facebook
Ben Shive on iTunes
The Rabbit Room
The Square Peg Alliance

Questions w/ Ben Shive (part one)

Ben Shive is somebody that I've always had a huge amount of respect for as a singer/songwriter, producer, and musician. You may recognize his name from his September "Artist of the Week" post here on StSL, or as the producer of our friend Eric Peters' new album, "Chrome". In addition to being an exceptional artist on his own, Ben is also a member of the great "Square Peg Alliance", and has produced or played with a whole host of artists that I also count as favorites. His album, "The Ill-Tempered Klavier" is available now on iTunes or at The Rabbit Room, and it's one you really need to hear. I'm proud to bring you part one of "Questions" w/ Ben Shive...

StSL – Producer, Musician, Singer/Songwriter. You’ve done it all. What’s it like wearing so many different hats?

Ben – Man, I love it. I love the variety. If I had to do any one of my jobs exclusively I think I could get burnt out pretty quickly. But playing musical chairs (so to speak) like I do keeps me on my toes. Also, it's really a joy to get to look at music from these different vantage points. Each of them gives me a different perspective that helps me do all the other things better. Production is making me a better songwriter. Playing live is making me a better producer. And so on, ad nauseum.

StSL – After years of working and writing with other artists, you finally released your first solo album last year. What can you tell us about “The Ill-Tempered Klavier”?

Ben – I can tell you it was really hard to get it out there but I'm so glad I did. I'd been moonlighting as a writer for years with no outlet for my songs. For a while that was okay, but eventually I started going a little crazy. Getting the record out there was just what I needed. Records are sort of my love language and it's nice to have one with my name on it. The title is a reference to Bach's "Well-Tempered Klavier." It means "The poorly tuned piano." And the poorly tuned piano is, in turn, a reference to me and my clunky old heart. The great Cason Cooley produced it with me and together we were fearless and inventive. Like Princess Leah disguised as a bounty hunter. We had a blast.

StSL – My personal favorite from “The Ill-Tempered Klavier” has to be “Rise Up”. What’s the story behind that song?

Ben – It started when I turned on Republican talk radio in my car, which was a mistake. There was some scandal going on with a Republican senator at the time and of course Hannity or whoever was somehow spinning it to make the entire Democratic party the villain. I didn't have any idea what the real story was and it was really disorienting to know that I couldn't just change the channel to find out the truth because they'd just tell me a different lie on NPR. One that suited their agenda. Anyway, I started thinking about this whole tangled mess down here and how there's only one person who knows the ends from the beginnings. That gave me a little peace, knowing there's a day when Christ will set the record straight. Even though politics got me started on the song, Rise up isn't really a political commentary. It's more about oppression--social and spiritual oppression--and about the day of the Lord. The phrase "Rise Up" refers both to the resurrection of our bodies and to the day when Christ will "rise up" (ala the Psalms) and bring history to its right ending.

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

Ben – "God Only Knows" or maybe "Surf's Up" by The Beach Boys.

StSL – What’s your earliest memory of music and how do you think that helped shape who you are today?

Ben – I remember I was four or five and my dad was singing "Your love keeps lifting me higher" while he lifted me up to the ceiling. He's a clarinetist (but a chemist by day) and I remember him practicing Pete Fountain solos in his bedroom with a metronome while I went to sleep. I remember listening to "I Am The Walrus" while playing Super Mario Bros 3. Man, I don't know how all that has shaped me. I do know that when I'm eighty years old I want to think of music as an old, dear friend.

Visit BenShive.com for more info and be sure to check back here tomorrow for part two!

The Civil Wars / Poison & Wine

If you're a frequent StSL reader, you know that I'm a really big fan of The Civil Wars. The official music video for their brilliant single, "Poison & Wine", was just released and I had to share. Check out the video then head on over to iTunes or Amazon to buy the single!

AOTW / Rachael Cantu

It's always exciting to find a great new artist in my own backyard. SoCal based singer/songwriter Rachael Cantu is a name you're sure to hear more in the coming year. She's been attracting a lot of attention with two of her songs being featured on ABC's "Private Practice", and touring with the likes of B.B. King, Tegan and Sara, and Ben Lee. Her brand new album, "Far and Wide", will be relased on November 17th, and is a beautifully organic showcase of her indie/folk/rock sound.

For those of you in the SoCal area, you can catch Rachael on Friday, November 20, at a special in-store performance at the Santa Monica Apple Store. Visit MySpace.com/RachaelCantu for more info and get "Far And Wide" on November 17 on iTunes.

Christmas Tours

Is it too soon to talk about Christmas? Well, grocery stores are selling candy canes, the Halloween costume shops are becoming Christmas shops, and television and radio are already over-commercializing the heck out of it, so I guess not! If you’re looking for a unique and valuable way to enjoy some Christmas festivities this year, here are a couple tours you won’t want to miss...

Ten Out of Tenn Christmas Tour

There’s been a lot of talk about the Ten Out of Tenn (TOT) community of artists on this site lately, and with good reason. It’s ten great artists making a lot of great music on-stage together. And, in this case, it’s a lot of great Christmas music. The TOT Christmas tour kicks off on November 27 in Baton Rouge, LA, and features a host of amazing artists including Erin McCarley, Andy Davis, Katie Herzig, K.S. Rhoads, Tyler James, Matthew Perryman Jones, Butterfly Boucher, Jeremy Lister, Andrew Belle, and TOT founder, Trent Dabbs. And, for all our California readers, they’re coming to Los Angeles! Visit 10OutofTenn.com for all the tour dates and, if you can’t catch the tour, you can at least pick up the excellent Ten Out of Tenn Christmas Album featuring many of the same artists!


Behold The Lamb of God Tour

Ten years ago, singer/songwriter Andrew Peterson released a Christmas album called, “Behold the Lamb of God – The true tall tale of the coming of Christ”, and he leads an annual tour of the same name featuring so many of my songwriting and musician heroes, I don’t even know where to begin. Artists that have been involved include Andrew Osenga, Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken, Jill Phillips, Randall Goodgame, Ben Shive, Andy Gullahorn, Phil Keaggy, Pierce Pettis, and the list just goes on. It’s a truly unique Christmas experience. The 2009 tour kicks off on December 3 in Elmhurst, IL, and the album as well as a live DVD version of the tour are available now. Also, Andrew Peterson is releasing a special 10th Anniversay Edition of the Behold The Lamb album which includes a remastered version as well as a second disc featuring a live performance. Visit Andrew-Peterson.com or RabbitRoom.com for all the tour dates and to order the albums or DVD.

Merry Christmas!

AOTW / Serena Ryder

This week’s artist is singer/songwriter Serena Ryder. Listening to her music, one word comes to mind...passion. Her folk/rock style and expert blues/rock infused voice create an intensity that comes through in even the quieter songs. Having achieved great success in Canada (including a certified Gold record) over the past several years, Serena releases her Atlantic Records debut, “Is It O.K.” this week in America. She recently wrapped up a tour with Needtobreathe and Matthew Mayfield, and released a music video for her new single, “All For Love”.

Visit SerenaRyder.com to learn more about Serena and hear her music for yourself!

Questions w/ Matthew Mayfield (part two)

Here is part two of “Questions” w/ Matthew Mayfield. Enjoy the interview and be sure to visit MySpace.com/MatthewMayfieldMusic to learn more about Matthew and pick up some of his music for yourself!

StSL – “Open Road” is wonderfully powerful song which is also now an equally powerful music video. What’s the story behind that song and how was the process of translating it to video?

MM – That's certainly my favorite song on the (“Five Chances Remain Hers”) record. I feel like it's a journey, but nothing about it bores me. There's a freedom that's not always present in this life and 'Open Road' is about longing for those locked doors fly forward and the frustration of not knowing when they will. I think there are certain freedoms that we yearn for that we'll never fully experience on this side of death. However, that's the beauty of it. I believe we'll find them in the next life.

StSL – Usually I try not to ask about more than one song in an interview, but I’m also fascinated by “Better”. Would you mind sharing a bit about that one also?

MM – I co-wrote that song with my good friend John Paul White (of The Civil Wars). Every time we get together, it's therapy. He's brilliant. He helps me take my baggage and turn it into songs. My favorite line in that song is 'I haven't found what you need...but don't think what you're after is more than I can be'. There's a lot of hope in that line. Some say I only write sad songs. But that one makes me hopeful.

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

MM – I could probably narrow it down to ten, depending on the day. But the one that jumps out at me at the moment is 'Running to Stand Still' by U2. 'You gotta cry without weeping, talk without speaking, scream without raising your voice.' It's one of those songs that stops me dead in my tracks every time I hear it.

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

MM – Hmmm. I don't know. 'I'm dropping the hammer' – Cole Trickle That's legit, right? :)

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

MM – At the moment, I'm just focused on trying to get my voice back in shape. It's my instrument and it's not working properly. I know what I'm capable of and I'm not there at the moment. I'm ready to do whatever it takes to get it back. The near future holds new songs that came alive in dressing rooms across the Southeast, tending to some old wounds, tending to some new wounds, and making my way through the largest bag of gummy worms on the planet. :)

Thanks so much to our friend, Matthew Mayfield, for taking the time to talk with us! Join us again in two weeks when “Questions” returns with singer/songwriter/producer Ben Shive!

Questions w/ Matthew Mayfield (part one)

Our “Questions” double-feature continues. Through addictive melodies, a rock-infused singer/songwriter style, and a voice laced with a careful aggression, Matthew Mayfield makes music that hits you in all the right ways. He recently wrapped up a tour with Needtobreathe and Serena Ryder, and also produced a music video for his song, “Open Road”. Enjoy part one of “Questions” w/ Matthew Mayfield…

StSL – So, Matthew, I hear we’re lucky to even be talking with you today considering your recent brush with death. Ok…that’s an exaggeration…but you have had some interruptions for swine-related reasons lately, so we’ll start this interview off with the simplest of questions…How are you?

MM – Man, it's been a rough ride lately. I have been having vocal troubles for the last few months, which has made touring really tough. I went to see a few different ENTs who scoped out my larynx and said there are no nodes or polyps, just a little inflammation. But whatever it is has taken a major toll on my range. I've lost quite a few notes on the high end. But I'm doing everything I know to do. I quit smoking, started drinking tons of water, warming up and cooling down, doing all the right things. Nothing seems to be helping. Maybe I should just take the Tom Waits approach and throw all of that out the window. :) He sounds pretty great. And yes, while we were on the road, I got a pretty mean case of Influenza. It made for some long nights in the bunk and some rough sets, but I'm still here. Recovering at home is a luxury.

StSL – Swine flu aside, how was your recent experience out on the road with Needtobreathe and Serena Ryder?

MM – It was such a good time. Serena and her band are so solid. And her pipes are ridiculous. The Need guys have always been like family to me and they are always so accommodating and easy to work with/live with. I'm very lucky to have them as friends. I can't tell you how exciting it was to see those guys selling out every single place we played. I've watched them build it from the ground up and it's really starting to take off for them. I hope it just keeps getting bigger and better. They deserve it.

StSL – Tell us about your EP, “Five Chances Remain Hers”. Where does that title come from and what would you hope to communicate to the listener?

MM – The title comes from a lyric that isn't on the record, but it was still relevant to that particular collection of songs. 'One's locked in the chamber...but five chances remain hers'. There are all kinds of themes wrapped up in these songs, but I think the common thread is the sense of urgency and the desire to fight for something you believe in. Going to bat time and time again for someone you love is absolutely vital in order for the survival of any relationship. This record is the sound of me realizing that.

StSL – What’s it like being an independent artist in Birmingham? Is there a strong artist community in that area?

MM – I love it here. There's definitely a little budding scene here. It's not Nashville or Austin, but it's got it's own vibe. Birmingham has been supportive of my music for a long time. It's great to have a hometown that you're proud of.

StSL – Let us inside your head a little bit. Are you seeing any outstanding themes in your songwriting lately?

MM – I met two amazing little children a while back. Their sincerity and innocence refreshed and rejuvenated my spirit in a way nothing else ever has. They are making their way into more and more songs, completely unintentional. It just spills out.

Visit MySpace.com/MatthewMayfieldMusic for more information and be sure to check back here tomorrow for part two!

Questions w/ Andrew Belle (part two)

Here is part two of “Questions” w/ Andrew Belle. Enjoy the interview and be sure to visit the links at the bottom to learn more about Andrew and to find out where you can catch him on the Ten Out of Tenn Christmas Tour starting later this month!

StSL – You’ve become a member of the Ten Out of Tenn community and tour this year. What does that opportunity mean to you?

AB – It is such an honor. I saw the tour last august when they came through Chicago and the whole time I was thinking ‘ok, how can I possibly find a way to be a part of this thing’. And a year later I was so flattered when they asked me to be a part of the fall tour. I was incredibly excited and humbled to go on the road with such amazing talent – especially being the new guy in town. I was also just asked to be a part of the Christmas tour Nov. 27-Dec.13 – i can’t wait!

StSL – Obviously the life of an independent artist looks very different these days than it did even just a few years ago. What has your experience been like in that world so far?

AB – Being an independent artist can definitely be challenging at times but with the increasingly huge role the internet is playing with marketing and distribution as well as the tv/film world starting to open up a lot more – there are tons of ways to make a splash in the scene without the help of a major.

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

AB – “If you’re not first – you’re last.” (Talladega Nights)

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

AB – ‘Please Please Please let me get what I want’ – The Smiths

StSL – In addition to your upcoming album, “The Ladder”, what are you focusing on most right now and what can we expect in the near future from Andrew Belle?

AB – We’ve been working on this record for almost a year now – it’s hard to believe its just about to time release it and start promoting. Hm, you can definitely expect a lot of touring in the coming months and maybe even an EP in the spring/summer. Ive still got songs that didn’t make it onto ‘The Ladder’ so maybe ill do something with those.

Huge thanks to Andrew Belle! Please visit the links below and be sure to come back tomorrow when our "Questions" double-feature continues with Matthew Mayfield!

Andrew's Official Site
Andrew on MySpace
Andrew on Brite Revolution
Ten Out of Tenn Official Site

Questions w/ Andrew Belle (part one)

The best thing about running this site is all the great artists I've had the chance to learn about and work with. This week you'll get to hear from not one, but two of those artists; Andrew Belle and Matthew Mayfield. Both have been "Artist of the Week", both have becomes friends of StSL, and (most importantly) both are amazing singer/songwriters that you need to know about! So, keep checking back all week long because there will be a new post every day!

Andrew Belle has been a very busy man lately. His first full-length album, "The Ladder", is right around the corner, he was recently named MTV's Best Breakout Chicago Artist, he just finished up the Fall leg of the Ten Out of Tenn (TOT) tour, and he'll soon be hitting the road again for the TOT Christmas tour. Somewhere in the middle of all that, he still found time to answer some questions for us. So enjoy part one of "Questions" with Andrew Belle...

StSL – What can you tell us about your upcoming full length album, “The Ladder”?

AB – I’m really excited about this new record – it was recorded in Nashville with producer/engineer Thomas Doeve and mixed by Vance Powell (The Raconteurs, Kings of Leon). There are 10 songs on it and we feel it shows a much broader spectrum of songwriting compared to the EP. I was definitely influenced by fellow singer-songwriters Landon Pigg and Greg Laswell.

StSL – A song of yours that I really enjoy is “Signs of Life”, off your EP of the same name. Can you share a bit about the story behind that song?

AB – Someone close to me was going through a very hard time w/ some personal issues at the time and I wrote that song as sort of a response to it. Things are much better now, but it was a pretty dark time there for a bit.

StSL – What inspires you to write?

AB – Honestly, every time I hear a song that I think to myself ‘Gosh, I wish I wrote that.’ i get on my keyboard or guitar and start writing. Also, I love exploring new instruments – a year ago I bought a keyboard and 2 months later I had my entire new record written. Something about the adventure of a new instrument inspires me to write more. I wonder what instrument I’ll try next – who knows, harmonica or something.

StSL – Having spent time in both the Chicago and Nashville music scenes, what have you found to be the biggest differences between the two?

AB – There seems to be a much larger artist community in Nashville versus Chicago. Practically everyone you meet is involved with music or the business in someway so it is great for collaborating and growing from that standpoint. However, because it is such an industry town, Chicago is much better for playing around town and building a fan base.

StSL – What have you been listening to lately?

AB – Radiohead. I’ve owned all of their records for a long time because I knew that one of these days I would appreciate and understand their music. Not too long ago, it all clicked in my head and I can’t get enough of it.

Visit AndrewBelle.com for more info, and be sure to check back here tomorrow for part two!