Interview with Rhythm Muscle

We have a new interview up on Marquix Global Network.

Check it out here or read it below:

“Brilliant R&B / soul group Rhythm Muscle Band taps into a strong vibe to create an original blend of R&B / soul music with an emotional twist. It’s little wonder why their new radio single ‘Tears Dry On Their Own’ is racing up the charts. Spartanburg, South Carolina resident Rhythm Muscle Band is a excellent example of a group that elegantly leverages their originality and compositional skills to the service of modern entertainment. Their new single ‘Tears Dry On Their Own’ demonstrates blazing musical stylings that are sure to appeal to mainstream audiences. This R&B / soul group with a performance flair has the right look and the right attitude to become a proper R&B / soul-magnet and audiences around the world are beginning to acknowledge the fact that a new creative force has arisen. Where will they take it from here? One critic wrote of their award-winning work: ‘Rhythm Muscle Band’s daring new album aggressively captures the energy of yesterday’s R&B, but summons edgy new sensibilities to the mix too; their eponymous EP is a impressive gathering of breakout singles.’ We suspect this group will navigate the future on their own terms, given their obvious passion and musical skills. Independent reporter Alexis Adams recently caught up with Rhythm Muscle Band to discuss their music and the interesting path by which they came to it.”

ALEXIS: Let’s just get this out in the open- What is the craziest thing that has happened to you in your music career?
RHYTHM MUSCLE BAND: We were playing a gig in High Point, NC at a hotel in 1986. Before our set, we were hanging out, practicing, when a waitress gave me a note saying Neal Schon wanted to sit in and watch us play. The band and I thought she must be joking but it turned out Journey was staying at the hotel on their Raised on Radio Tour. They were playing a show across the street. So we told her “of course” and it wound up Neal Schon did sit in and watch our set, and we got to hang out with Journey during the peak of their career.

ALEXIS: Your song ’Tears Dry On Their Own’ is receiving a positive listener response on radio. What was your initial reaction when you first heard your song playing on radio?
RHYTHM MUSCLE BAND: I’ve been playing music for a while; I also had a band in the 70s and 80s. We never had consistent radio play but we toured constantly. This time around I wanted to do things as professionally as possible and getting a track on the radio was a part of that. So hearing “Tears Dry on Their Own” on the radio now is very satisying, and it feels like my approach with Rhythm Muscle has potential.

ALEXIS: What was the inspiration behind your radio single?
RHYTHM MUSCLE BAND: We’re all big Amy Winehouse fans and our singer, Dana Bradley, has a similar vocal style to Amy so it was natural for us to wind up playing one of her songs. Amy Winehouse covered “Tears Dy on their Own” twice. The first cover we heard was a jazz cover and we liked it, but it didn’t jump out as a song we’d add to our own repertoire. Then we heard the second cover, a full fledged motown-style cover that really appealed to us and we immediately decided that this was going to be a song that we’d play.

ALEXIS: It is often said that great art arises from difficult experience. Is there something in your life experience thus far that you would describe as the ‘catalyst’ or ‘fuel’ for your desire to create music?
RHYTHM MUSCLE BAND: Music has been a lifelong project for me. My mom wasn’t a musician, but she was big into music. She had great records in the house, Otis Redding, Clarence Carter, classic R&B. I would sit in the car with my 8 track player and run the battery down. When I was 10 years old I got my first drum set and from that point I never really stopped.

ALEXIS: How would you characterize yourself as an artist/musician?
RHYTHM MUSCLE BAND: Rhythm Muscle is a band that focuses on classic R&B, soul, and rock music. We really look forward to live performances, and the chance to connect with people through our sound.

ALEXIS: What has your experience been like working with the other people on your team?
RHYTHM MUSCLE BAND: I’ve known a couple of the members of Rhythm Muscle for 30 years and I’ve worked with Dana for seven. The group as a whole has decades of musical experience. I can’t say enough about the benefits of working with veteran muscisians that you know and trust. Each member really has a deep understanding of R&B classics, our sound, and a comfort on stage that allows us to jam as a group.

ALEXIS: Did you come from a musical background? Are there other musicians in your family?
RHYTHM MUSCLE BAND: My mother was a music fan, and she introduced me to great artists and encouraged me to play the drums but when it came to actually playing the drums, I taught myself. And though I always hung out with other musicians, I didn’t really have an instructor until recently, just to learn how to read sheet music and music theory.

ALEXIS: What do you find most rewarding about being an artist? What do you find most challenging?
RHYTHM MUSCLE BAND: I find music rewarding because I see it as a universal language and being able to communicate in this transcendent way, to audiences of all ages, all backgrounds, can be like magic. When everything clicks, when the band gets on the level and the audience starts moving, it’s really special.

ALEXIS: Who are your role models in music?
RHYTHM MUSCLE BAND: One big role model for our band is Etta James. We’re actually planning a tribute show for her, which should be really fun. Some other inflences include Otis Redding and Clarence Carter.

ALEXIS: Describe your best or most memorable performance.
RHYTHM MUSCLE BAND: We recently had a great set at Downtown Alive in Greenville, SC. They block off a city street and set up a stage. It’s a unique opportunity because all types of people are out and about, eating dinner, checking out art and music. Getting a crowd of young people, old folks, people who maybe weren’t expecting to hear Rhythm Muscle all moving at once was a lot of fun. It felt like a block party.

ALEXIS: What advice would you give to young, aspiring artists out there who are unsure and need guidance?
RHYTHM MUSCLE BAND: For one, you have to study the industry. If you’re looking to go professional, you have to know how the industry works. A good way to get that perspective is to find a mentor. Try not to get caught up in the vices that follow musicians. Keep a clear head, set goals, and don’t get too caught up in the status quo.

ALEXIS: What’s next for you as an artist? Is there an album in the works? If so, what can you tell us about it?
RHYTHM MUSCLE BAND: We are working on an album of original songs with our friends, R&B and soul songwriters, Jeff Logan and Michael Blythe. We are excited to put out some new material and we trust both these songwriters with our sound. We’re also trying to get a music video off the ground.

ALEXIS: That’s wonderful! Thank you so much for letting us get to know you a little better. We wish you the best of luck and continued success.

 

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