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JESSICA KING

When Jessica King sings she sings from the soul. At an age when most gals are consumed with shopping and getting ready for their learners permit King was already a fixture on the Atlanta music scene. A tryout for Lilith Fair and a relocation later this singer-songwriter is belting out for Augusta music fans.


LL-For those unfamiliar with Jessica King how about a history lesson.
JK - Born in a small, farm town in southwest Georgia. Started playing piano at age 2 and got really bored with that at 12. Found a guitar at age 12 and just started playing. Began playing "professionally" at 15 and was touring the Atlanta scene before I could even drive myself to gigs. Took a detour to Hollins University for 4 years to do the college thing, and then came here to Augusta. Music is in my core and always has been. I discovered in college that computer programming was also hiding in there - handy since music doesn't pay very well.


LL-I was reading on your website about tryouts that you performed at for Lilith Fair. How did that come about?
JK - [laughs] Lots of memories with that one... I was a finalist out of about 20k submissions for the Atlanta shows. It was a really fun experience, and I ended up being selected as the runner up. There were 2 winners since there were 2 shows in Atlanta. The winners got to play at Lilith Fair and hang out backstage with all of the major artists. The runner up got some lawn tickets and a t-shirt. Nice, right? It was awesome though. I learned a lot through that experience, especially about a certain lead singer of a certain winning band.


LL-So how was that whole experience? What was the vibe like with the other performers?
JK - Oh, so you want the juicy details? [laughs] Well, most of the artists were great and there was great sense of camaraderie there. Some of the other artists weren't so friendly, but that's life. I was a true fan of Soul Miner's Daughter (Jennifer Nettles and Cory Jones), one of the two winning bands. When we were up on stage (the winners & runner-up), we were all congratulating each other. Well, not everyone; instead of congratulating me, Jennifer thanked me for coming to see her show. wow.


LL-So you released a CD entitled Tequila Mockingbird a while back. Any particular meaning behind the title?
JK - Not really. I mean, maybe, somewhere? But really, it was just hard to come up with a title to sum everything up. When that happens, you just pull something out of the air. That particular title wasn't even my idea.


LL-How do you feel you have changed between that CD release and now?
JK - Wow. There are probably 20 albums worth of material to write about between then and now. I was in a totally different place then. Since that release, I've done a lot and gone through a lot...I could probably write a whole album just about college. [laughs]


LL-Now I know many, including myself, have been asking when you're gonna release another CD. Any hope for that happening anytime soon?
JK - I know, I know. I need to get something put together. I'm thinking I may do a live album, actually. I absolutely love performing live, and audiences are so much more fun and interesting to look at than a sound engineer. So, yeah, I'll get to work on that.


LL-So it seems like you've had many bright musical moments the past few years. Anything stand out as the top moment of them all?
JK - That's a hard one. A big one for me was winning an open mic night at Eddie's Attic in Atlanta. Eddie's is legendary, and getting to come back with my name (albeit with 2 others) on the bill was awesome. Performing is such an integral part of who I am, though, that every performance is important to me. I love it!!


LL-Some folks have also noticed that in addition to your originals you play a pleasantly untypical mix of covers. Any reason why those particular songs?
JK - I play solo, acoustic, pop/folk/rock. I'll admit - it can be boring at times. I like to shake things up and play some things you might not expect, like Gnarls Barkley, Bon Jovi, or Michael Jackson. I think you can take any good song and make it your own - play it in your own style. I have a Janet Jackson cover on my cd, actually. Its really fun for me, challenging, and people seem to enjoy it.


LL-Any of those artists direct influences on Jessica King?
JK - I have so many influences it's crazy. Around my house growing up, I heard everything from Allman Brothers to Mary Chapin Carpenter to Fats Domino. I think my early influences were the most important - some rock combined with some country with a little blues thrown in. Other artists like Shawn Colvin and Mike Doughty have made big impressions as well, but the core of my sound has stayed true to those roots.


LL-As we head into the close of 2007, what can we expect from Jessica King in 2008?
JK - Dude, I don't even know what to expect. Life flies by so fast, I'm just looking forward to enjoying it. What am I expecting? Lots of fun, some surprises, and hopefully more live shows. I'll see what I can do about recording some things as well.


LL-Thanks so much for taking the time to answer these questions!
JK - No problem! Stop by jessicaking.com to get the latest updates and to find out where I'm playing next or just what I'm up to. Yikes - that sounded like a commercial. Sorry about that.


INNER CITY EXPRESS

Formed in August 2005 as a three-piece group Harrison Georgia band Inner City Express over the years has morphed into a solid rock quartet featuring Amber Carter (Lead Vocals), Brad Garner (Rhythm/Lead Guitar),Stan Garner (Bass Guitar) and Vince Tanner (Drums/Vocals). Lokal Loudness spoke to Tanner prior to the band making its Augusta debut.


LL-So first off, I understand that one of you has connections to the Augusta area.
VT - Yes, I guess that would be me. I know the guys from Impulse Ride and Sabo and the Scorchers. I try to support them when they are in our area. I've has even booked them to play at my own “backyard” club, The VIP Lounge.

LL-Will December 1st at Joe's Underground be Inner City Express' first time in Augusta?
VT - Yes, but we do have a few fans that live in Augusta now and are looking forward to playing for some new people and building a bigger fan base in this area.


LL-Judging from your myspace page you are listed as being a rock/indie/classic rock band but your influences are really all over the map. How do you contain all those different influences in one little band?
VT - In this group, there are almost no boundaries as to what style of music we may cover or how we want our original songs to sound. As Brad says: “We want to write & play songs that people will still be singing long after we are gone” We are all pretty open minded to the music and try to play the covers our own way but still show respect to the original artist/groups and have fun doing it!


LL-You guys are from Harrison and play a lot in Sandersville. What's it like to be a band in a small town and how often do you get out to the "big city"?
VT - Until recently, my backyard club was the largest venue in the county. It was convenient to have a show and never have to move equipment. But now there is bar/pool hall that has opened in Sandersville called Big Dogs Billiards and we have done several shows there. The owners have been really great to us and it’s cool to play for your family and friends in that small town atmosphere. We don’t get to the “Big City” much but all of us have been in previous bands that played in places like Dublin, Macon and Athens, to name a few plus out-of-state too and opened for some national level artists/groups in the past. We may be considered “small town” to some but we like to think of ‘Us’ so far, as just “undiscovered” to many.


LL-Now Inner City Express has been around for at least a little while. You recently added Amber on vocals. What has been the biggest difference from just being "the guys in the band" to now having a lady present?
VT - We have to remember to put the toilet seat down in the bathroom at band practice. (laughing!) But seriously, Amber joining the band has changed the selections of cover songs a bit and opened the band up to new possibilities as far as vocals and harmonies. In the future, we are planning to open with an acoustic set with Amber singing lead on a few songs and me doing back up vocals and vice versa. Amber has more of a Country/Mainstream style vocal and I have more of a Southern Rock/Blues style to my singing so that will offer even more to the crowd at a show.


LL-So what would you say a typical Inner City Express show is like?
VT - When you come to an Inner City Express show be ready to have a good time. Our friends and fans are amazing. They put on just as big a show as we do. We feed off of them, if they get into it, so do we!


LL-With a fun rock & roll band there's always gonna be crazy moments. Any great show stories?
VT - Sometimes one of us may show up in some crazy clothes or maybe a guitar will get thrown on the floor but as far as any great show stories….not yet. (laughing)


LL-On a more serious note, you guys play gigs that include covers, originals or both. Do your originals reflect your cover choices or vice versa in any way?
VT - Yes and No, We may play a Jimi Hendrix song. Follow it with some 4 Non Blondes, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Jewel and throw some originals in the mix too. We have been told some of our past originals sound like Marshall Tucker Band, Velvet Revolver, Deep Purple and some kind of Jazz. …so I guess you will have to form your own conclusion that being said.


LL-What's the one thing you'd like to accomplish as a band that you feel you may not have accomplished yet?
VT - I think every band’s ultimate goal is to “make it big” but we would settle for a little bit of fame at the local level, as a start. We just want to play good music and show our friends and fans that we are honored to have them come out and support us.


LL-Thanks again guys, we look forward to seeing you at Joe's Underground on December 1st!
VT - We would like to thank everyone for giving us a chance come out and be a part of the AMHFM fundraiser.


TARA SCHEYER

As part of celebrating Mother's Day Lokal Loudness has decided to talk to some "Mommy Rockers" on the Augusta Music scene. Despite a busy schedule with running a business and household Tara Scheyer, onetime frontwomen of Snapdragon and the Half Shirt Leroys, took the time to answer a few questions.

LL-So what have you been up to lately? Anything musical?
TS-We put out the kid's record, "HiFi Felix volume 1" last November and it's been doing really well. We're playing lots of day gigs to promote it. Dance Augusta's Peter Powlus choreographed a dance to a song of mine, "Rockin with you" and I played it live while the dancers danced all around me. I've never done anything like that before! It was on the stage at the Imperial. Ronnie Hill and Dewayne Wilson played with me. That was April 19. I'm also playing on a Moonlight Music Cruise with Augusta Canal for the first time- Fri May 11.

LL-What would you say has been the biggest difference between your pre-mommy days and now being a mommy.
TS-Tons of differences! I always said things wouldn't change, and although I haven't really consciously TRIED to change things, everything has. It's very organic, though, and each stage we go through feels like we're in exactly the right place. As I look back, I can tell the path has really deviated from my original intentions, BUT when I'm in it, it just seems like I'm chugging along as usual. It's kind of like I'm not really in control, anymore. Which is such a nice break from always being such a control freak. I'm really learning how to relax and just see what happens next.

LL-Has being a parent changed the way you look at or write and peform music?
TS-Oh yes. I never really wrote for my audience before. I just phrased things the way I wanted to and if somebody didn't like it or was offended by it, it didn't really matter to me. Now, it's always in the back of my mind that my child my hear this someday, and I want to make sure I'm clear and fair and, well, nice, about the way I say things. Not that any of my old stuff ever needed much censoring, but I definately feel a stronger responsibility to my listeners, now. Performing, um, I don't do much of that anymore. I could, but I just prefer to stay home. Since we put the kid's record out last year, most of my shows have been to pre-teen, afternoon crowds in the library or museum. So you could say my average venue has changed COMPLETELY!.

LL-What would you say to your son if somewhere down the road he develops a desire to become a musician?
TS-We let him play all our instruments, and encourage any interests he has in music. He's been putting on little concerts for us for over a year now. Ever since we first put him in the studio before he even turned 1 (to sing on HiFi Felix), he loves it. If he ever comes to me and says he wants to be a rock star, or whatever, I'll just tell him between me and his dad, we've got tons of contacts for him - with my Nashville years and Kevin's Columbia years we could really hook him up.

LL-Did your own parents have any musical tendencies?
TS-Yes, me and my parents all played (piano, trumpet, and violin) in school and church. My family reunions in Mississippi are still all about pulling out the fiddles and singing hymns all together. My Grandaddy used to take me to Gospel Sings before I could walk.

LL-Back in the day when you were touring and recording with Snapdragon did you ever think about one day settling down and becoming a parent? If so, what did you think?
TS- thought it would never happen. I got a little round moon tattoo on my stomach just to prove to my friends (and myself) that I didn't ever want to be pregnant. You should have seen that huge, stretched out moon when I was 9 months. It would really crack me up.

LL-You are actually married to a musician as well which seems to not be odd for most of the married female musicians in Augusta. Do you think this is an Augusta thing or the norm for married female musicians?
TS-Oh, I don't know about any norms. I just feel so lucky that it worked out that way for me. From the time I was really little and watched Sonny & Cher, I always wanted to be in a band with my husband. It's awesome to share something you love so much with someone you love so much.

LL-Do you ever play kiddy songs for your children? If so what?
TS-Since we're doing lots of kid shows these days, Felix has to sit through a good bit of rehearsing just around the house. He usually knows all the songs by the time the show comes along. He's actually pretty good about stirring up the crowd. He'll be running around up front singing "Hokey Pokey" or whatever, and pulling the little 2-yr-old girls up to dance. He's already got game.

LL-Any advice for women wanting to try and balance music and family life?
TS-I've got no clue what I'm doing. I'm just so grateful to get through each day without causing too much damage (so far!) to me, my husband, or my son. We always sit together, all three of us, at the end of each day, and talk, tell stories, read a book, sing songs. When I get to that point, and we tell him goodnight and turn out the light, then I can exhale, and reflect, and be thankful. Whatever happened that day- good or bad- just washes away with his sweet innocence. Every day- good or bad- ends with me thinking, "man! that was a good day!".

ALLISON FOSTER

She has been praised by the likes of Big Al Beasley and American Skin's Bryan Panowich. Her songs are sometimes felt in the most gutteral of places. She's the furthest thing from an Augusta pop diva. Allison Foster is a rock chick through and through. Just ask any of the guys.

With just enough sass to toughen up the girls and the right amount of heart to soften up the guys, Augusta's Allison Foster has arrived to chip a new notch in the belt of Augusta female musical history!


LL-First off, you just seemed to drop out of nowhere last year, who exactly is this acoustic gal rocker known as Allison Foster?
AF-Wellllll im just me. I'm not sure if there is anyway to pin point the whole essence of Allison Foster [laughing]. Listen to the words in my songs and you'll get a pretty good idea.

LL-So who and what drove you to get into this singer-songwriter biz?
AF-Life. It's the craziest thing sometimes ! The good, the bad, the in between; that's what drives me to write.


LL-On the other hand, what did you ENJOY most about being away from home?
AF-So know that you've done it for a while, whatcha like best about about the world of the singer-songwriter?
AF-The free beer! [Laughing] I'm joking! I love the fact that I get to meet incredible musicians. Augusta is filled with them I learn so much from them.


LL-Singer-Songwriters in the area have been known to move away, try other area. People like Steven Jackson, Tara Scheyer, and even Josh Pierce. Any plans on ditchin' us Augusta folks anytime soon?
AF-I have no plans on leaving, but who knows where i will be 10 years from now. I've lived in Atlanta before and I ended up coming back. I love it here. Augusta will always be my home.


LL-What about just gigging out of town anytime soon?
AF-I'm working on something in Atlanta, and hopefully I'll luck up. and maybe even find somewhere in Athens. I would like to venture out a lil bit. no worries though Augusta is still my home


LL-So decribe the ultimate gig.
AF-opening for Ani Difranco and Melissa Etheridge!!!!!! I would freak out!


LL-There are a few, maybe not a ton, but a few women performers here in Augusta. What makes Allison Foster different than the rest of them?
AF-[Laughing] It's the hair! nah I think its my voice. It's kinda different, and I'd like to think my style of writing and playing as well. I just want to convey how I felt at the time of writing the song to the audience. I have a lot of emotion in my music


LL-Now I know you've been asked, and we're gonna ask as well, cuz Big Al (Beasley) REALLY wants to know, when is Augusta gonna get a new Allison Foster CD?
AF-Soon!! I talked to Mr. Rob Boggs a few days ago. Hopefully I will be in the studio again sometime in april.


LL-And when we get this new platter, what can we expect?
AF-There will be some new stuff as well as old. I am planning on getting some people to play behind me add some drums. Stuff like that. I have a little more control over my voice since the last time I recorded so I am going to concentrate more on my pitches this time around.


LL-Any duets?
AF-Not on my cd, I did practice a song with American Skin last year unfortunatley we were not given the oppertunity to show it to the world. It's cool the world wasn't ready biatches! [Laughing] I am up for anything musically, so if I had offers sure, why not.


LL-Sorry, just funnin ya...but seriously, any duets? Sorry! Any parting words or shots for the Augusta peeps before ya go?
AF-Yes. To all my guys that are working hard playing the music every weekend, keep it up I love it! There are some kick ass bands here in Augusta and I am really glad I can be apart of the music here! Am Skin, Josh, Dave, Mr. Al : Thank you for all of your support! You guys rock my world! And Stoney thank you so much for helping the LOKAL music scence to be what it is. You are amazing. muah


LL-Thanks Allison!
AF-No problem! Thanks for having me =0)

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