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This is a valuable human peculiarity to be devoted a great deal all life. To be devoted to music format which loved in youth is a valuable human peculiarity especially because not many people can be oneself. There is always temptation to do good business in a rapidly changing world…
Today we wish to acquaint our readers with the talented guy sincerely loving that gives him daily pleasures.
Get acquainted – Jeff Shelton! He is talented musician and songwriter living in San Francisco and he has kindly agreed to answer our questions…
Powerpop.Ru: The 2008 year comes to an end, and what are preliminary results for you? Was last year successful for you?
Jeff Shelton: Well...aside from the world's economic worries and a tumultuous presidential election here in the U.S. it's been a pretty good year! I'm pleased with my album and so far – the reviews have been good!
Powerpop.Ru: Please tell our readers about the new album. How long did you compose and record the new album, and what inspired you during this period?
J. S.: "Jigsaw Days" came together fairly quickly. It was less than a year ago that I started writing most of the songs and working out arrangements. In the Spring I went into the studio with my old bandmate Nick Laquintano to lay down drum tracks, then over the summer I spent most of my days (between trips to the pool and the beach:) laying down the other tracks and mixing in my home studio. As for inspiration, I set out with a concerted effort to get back to the "basics" – with a disciplined focus on short, concise songs with sweet melodies and memorable hooks. All the songs were written on guitar and, as such, I have the first Well Wishers record with zero keyboard on it!
Powerpop.Ru: What do you think, what is percentage of the U.S. population loves the power-pop music and it related styles?
J. S.: That is a great question! It has been quite a long time since any kind of melodically driven rock and pop was popular on the record charts here. Power pop in the U.S is relegated to a small group of fans who seek it out...and are not necessarily getting their fix from commercial...or even college radio. Rock is virtually non-existent on U.S. album charts. It's mostly hip-hop, rap, and country. Indie rock is thriving...especially among college-age kids, but I would not consider much of it "power pop".
The closest the U.S has come to mainstream acceptance power pop is Fountains of Wayne....maybe Weezer.
Powerpop.Ru: Many musicians creating new music, trying to surprise the listener with brilliant songs and fresh sound. Do you often wonder the eventual result created you?
J. S.: Sorry, not sure I completely understand the question, but I'll try....
If the question is about wonder and surprise at the end of a finished song, then yes...often
I do feel that with certain songs. Usually it comes in the mixing process, when I put all the
arrangements and overdubs together in a cohesive mix. As they say..." the sum becomes greater than the whole of the parts"!
Powerpop.Ru: Which did bands, musicians, song inspired you to begin creating music?
Please call your Top 10 most favorite album.
J. S.: I love everything...from the Beach Boys to Black Sabbath; but as a musician and fan,
everything flows downhill from the Beatles. I get inspiration from just about every decade
...but probably the most influential would be the 80s and early 90s. I grew up listening
to 80s modern rock with the cornerstone bands of my youth being REM, The Smiths, Husker Du
The Cure, The Police. In the 90s it was pivotal power pop bands like The Posies, Sloan,
Redd Kross, Matthew Sweet, Teenage Fanclub, and many others. All those bands and genres
really shape my musical background. I love the dark moody post-punk of bands like the
Chameleons and Killing Joke as much as a cheery 3-minute pop song.
*** TOP 10 ALL-TIME FAVORITE ALBUMS ***
It's almost impossible to run a TOP 10, but I'll give it a shot. This is probably more a broad sampler of my favorites than a true Top 10....
Beatles – Revolver
Posies – Dear 23
The Who – Who's Next
Led Zeppelin – Houses Of The Holy
Cheap Trick – Heaven Tonight
The Smiths – The Queen Is Dead
Big Star – #1 Record/Radio City
The Chameleons – Strange Times
Husker Du – Flip Your Wig
Sloan – One Chord To Another
Powerpop.Ru: The songs are like every living thing. Some live long life, otherwise disappear from our lives early on. Some albums are kind of good and you like everything but there were nothing left in heart after listening. And sometimes its can be find the magical songs on the album, which change the world of everyone who heard them once.
Does Jeff Shelton knows the formula of preparation of magical song?
J. S.: That's the million dollar question!! I don't think I could ever adequately or objectively judge my own work, but I can tell you this....
I received two emails recently from two people I did not know who went out of their way to find me and tell me how much my music meant to them. When music becomes more than just background noise...but really reaches to people and makes them feel more than what is on a superficial level, that's the golden ticket. The fact that two random people conveyed this to me completely justifies everything I've ever done musically. And for that, I can be eternally grateful!
Powerpop.Ru: There are many talented musicians who try to survive in musical life in the world. And perhaps because of, economic crisis will become more difficult times. What would you advise young, musician beginners, who faced the first hardship, the first serious proving?
My advice is pretty basic...
Don't give up, don't let anyone tell you what you should do to your music, and most importantly.... don't give up your day job unless you get a million dollar tour and/or album advance!
Powerpop.Ru: San Francisco is well known in the world from many popular movies. We think, you are very acquainted with San Francisco's musical life. Please tell us about it.
J. S.: SF has had it's up and downs, but there has always been a steady flow of indie rock talent ...not so much in the power pop vein, but some great bands like Loquat, Rogue Wave, Minipop, Deerhoof, The Morning Benders, and others. When my old band (Spinning Jennies) played in the mid 90s there was a thriving local scene and it was easier to get people to come see you play. Now bands start here and become big through touring, industry buzz, MySpace, YouTube, etc. It's a very different scene than 10 or 15 years ago...but that's pretty much true in every big city.
Powerpop.Ru: Did you already write in your notebook the names of world cities where Jeff Shelton would like to sing his most favorite songs?
J. S.: Sadly, I have yet to perform outside of the United States. But I'd certainly love to get a band back together and travel to Europe. Maybe a live gig on the Great Wall of China! Has any band done that yet??
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Powerpop.Ru: Do you want to tell our readers something that I forget to ask you?
J. S.: Some odd trivial tidbits on "Jigsaw Days"…
- The last song … "Is" was written back in 1991…when I was 20 years old! This is the first time I ever recorded it. I guess you could call it my response to the Beatles' "Her Majesty"
– At about :36 into the song "Heroes" you can hear a faint clapping noise in the background. Not sure what this is from, but I couldn't get it out of the final mix!
- The outtro to the song "Love Lies" has no fewer than 10 vocal tracks…all running at once!
– For "Drunk on the Tilt-O-Wheel" I was going a for a Billy Bragg type song. Just reverbed vocals and electric guitar. There are a few extra guitar and vocal overdubs there…but that's about it.
- If anyone of your readers can name the American film actress speaking in the beginning of 'Moving Mountains" I will send them a f ree CD!
Powerpop.Ru: Thanks, Jeff, for wonderful interview! All the best! We wish you and all our friends to quickly find a unique formula of preparation of magical song.
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