JustWannaPlay

Rap? Check.

Soul? Check.

Rhythm and Blues? Check, check and double-check?

Who are we checkin’ here, exactly?

This week, we’re checkin’ out Arteless, the rap, rhythm and soul group that launched into notoriety in 2008 in the Washington, DC music scene. Arteless combines steady grooves with a myriad of vocal melodies. The brainchild of bassist/calendar model Raymell “Manwich” Smith, Arteless covers the whole spectrum of hip hop entertainment. Manwich and his fellow musicians hold down the bottom while the vocal trio of Cratic, Myz Rae and  Sy deliver the band’s vocal message through singing, rapping and every flavor in between.  Manwich was cool enough to sit down and answer a few questions about the band, its unique sound, and the philosophy behind the music that defines Arteless.

nK: Thanks for letting our readers crack your schedule, bro.  I know you’re busy, so let’s dive right in.  Can you tell our readers about Arteless?  How did this evolve from a vision into the very real, very tight band that exists today?

RS: Thank you for having me, I definitely appreciate it. About Arteless, We have 3 fronts, all who can solo, duo or trio with the band. The band is guitar, bass & drums, we play original music & write our own songs.  We’re influenced by Rock, Classic Rock, Hip Hop, Soul & Rhythm & Blues. We have different musical backgrounds & stay true to who we are when composing, writing & performing. We have many facets & really are friends, that’s why we have 2 E’s, because we bring a lil extra.

Our love for music & wanting to play good music is pretty much what makes us who we are, the journey will be chronicled on the DVD documentary 1 day.  We take music very serious & thrive to generate a sound as well an experience that people will feel & enjoy.

nK: It isn’t every week that I choose to interview an R&B band, but you and I have a pretty special history together.  You want to share with our readers how we fell back into each other’s lives?  I’m sure I’ll chime in where I think I have something to say.

RS: Yes indeed my Didi, we reconnected earlier this year competing in a BotB in which your band Division won.  You & I genuinely were fans of each others set, we actually chatted it up, throughout the night. A week later, my sis asks is the Nick Kelly on my FB wall the same “Nicky Kelly” that we went to school with?  Looked through pics & confirmed it was lil Nicky, back from 20+ yrs ago.

nK: OK, so the cat’s outta the bag.  Manwich and I go back a way….a LONG way.  Still, our journeys were very, very different.  I took up bass at 14 and went through every experience you can log, from playing to an empty room, to playing for a few thousand of my closest friends with no rehearsal.  Tell our readers what it was like the first time you hit the stage as THE guy on bass.  What was it like?

RS: That’s awesome bro, I know you as a helluva front for Division & JWP but didn’t know you’re just as good as a bassist.  For me, the 1st time I hit the stage, I felt & still do feel like, I can’t wait for
Y’all to hear this.  I like to get a groove & make your head bob or foot tap. I love playing live & since 2008 we’ve been gaining momentum, becoming better & taking our dream to the next level.

nK:  Flash forward a few years.  Here it is, 2011.  Arteless has released its first full-length disc, “The Journal” is now available on CDBaby, ITunes, Amazon and more.  What makes you proud about this
release?

RS: The thing that makes Me most proud is the commitment by everyone involved.  There are so many behind the scene circumstances that go into making a good Cd.  We stayed the course & collaborated to make what we feel is a good way to introduce the sound of Arteless. Our cd, “The Journal” gives listeners a sample of we are, with so much more to come.

nK: We talked a bit about the talent involved in Arteless.  Can you introduce the band to our readers?

RS: Oh yea, there is Cratic, MC originally from Texas who’s flow, style & vibe make him our man.  His ability to do what he does so well make it so fun to do what we do.  Myz Rae, is a songbird from Indiana. She is so smooth with her voice & style.  She can flat out perform. Sy, our other songbird from Tenn, is a soul singer who can rock or funk it out.  She brings a balance as well as versatility.  R&B, is homegrown & his lead guitar provides his signature sound on the cd & our live sets.  His classic rock influence is apparent on the 1st song on the cd, he pays homage to Led Zeppelin’s 1st album.

nK: Okay, “The Journal” opens with “One Rhyme”. Cratic is the opening voice for the band. I think he reps the group well.  The groove is established early and the guitar riff draws listeners in with an easy
counterpoint to the vocals.  What made you guys decide this was the right opening song?

RS: Yup, One Rhyme opens the cd. A lil of the hook kinda sets it off, “Patiently waiting like I’m standing in the lunch line, it’s crunch time, I hope they feel 1 punch line, I’m tryin to shine but it’s gon
take more than 1 Rhyme”. We felt that would be a good introduction, it’s gonna take more than 1 Rhyme, 1 song, 1 show, 1 practice and so on. The Journal some what chronicals the journey of Arteless.

nK: I hate to pick favorites but if I had to, track 3 aka “Country Boy” might top my list. Can you give us some insight into how this song emerged from idea to finished product?  Cratic really seems in
the zone on this one.

RS: Thanx Bro, Country Boy is a crowd favorite live as well. Cratic being from Texas, this song resonates deep with him. R&B really put down some really good guitar before lyrics were put on it, I thought
the music was spot on for this song.  Sy lends her vocals on the hook & her being from Tenn. know a thing or two about Country Boys.  Cratic just heard the music & really just went to work on it live @ a
practice & finished it by the time it was time to go home.  It’s so fun playing Country Boy, having people feel your music is an awesome feeling.

nK: Speaking of in-the-zone, let’s talk about “If I Want To”.  You mentioned writing specifically from the perspective of a strong female voice for this one.  What was it like to escape your own perspective
and write for someone else?

RS: I had asked Sy what she thought about when hearing that track. Her answer was that of a bad chick that got her way.  So I wrote from the perspective of things that men ususally wouldn’t do unless this
bad chick has them just open.  Sy takes it there with soul & she wrote from the view of if i want to, this is what’s gonna happen. For me it was easy to co write this because of how strong & bad the female had to be to pull it off. Having a dude, at her crib doing chores, wiping down the counters, cleaning hard wood floors, just because she wants him to.

nK: Many of our readers aren’t pro musicians.  Give them a little insight into the studio experience.  What was one thing you learned, and one thing you wish you could have done better?

RS: As I stated earlier, so much behind the scene things that go into it. I learned first hand that you can’t rush the process of production, ensuring that everyone is invovled, that will take some time if all are to agree. What I could’ve done better was talk to cats like yourself regarding the nuances of the studio.  Even though they’re all different, there will be some similarities.  Since then you & I have done that on many occasions & I’ll continue to do so.

nK: Okay, big bro, you’re off the hook.  Tell our readers where they can come to check out Arteless in the next few weeks!

RS:  Thanks again my Didi.  Arteless will be playing Juanapalooza this upcoming Sat, Aug 27.  This is a annual Health Awareness Festival organized by our manager Dave Morgan. Check Juanapalooza.com for full details, this is a party no one should miss.  Then Fri, Sept 9, We’ll headline wk 2 of  The Herndon Jam Brew Beerfest. You can keep up with us on under Arteless on FB, Artelesslive.com, contact us Arteless@gmail.com. Nicky, my friend I enjoyed it, thank you.

nK: Special thanks to my good friend and fellow bassist, Raymell “Manwich” Smith. (Follow him on Twitter at @RayManwich)  Thanks for your time, and dedication to the beautiful language we call music.

Let’s make every excuse to get together soon.  Till then…

One love,
nK

Last Christmas, I had a number of biographies on my list, ranging from Vincent Price to Jack Daniel. I was surprised when a family member gave me a book titled “Heaven and Hell: My Life in the Eagles” by Don Felder (with Wendy Holden). I’ve been a bit of an Eagles disciple for as long as I’ve been playing music, and JWP hasn’t gone a gig without playing an Eagles tune for the last three years, at least.

If you don’t know the off-stage story of The Eagles, let’s just say it’s more than a little hectic. Felder wasn’t an original member of the band, but he wrote the music to one of the best-known rock songs of all time, “Hotel California.” Felder opens by recreating the feeling of standing on a stage in front of thousands of screaming fans, playing those signature chords on the 12-string guitar.

The Eagles may have one of the most storied, and convoluted, paths to success. The band was made up of insane amounts of instrumental and vocal talent, though turmoil was never far from tearing them apart. Felder does a great job of relaying both his personal experiences, and those of the band members who were in the Eagles before him. Randy Meisner was the original bassist, and the versatile Bernie Leadon was Felder’s predecessor on guitar, petal steel and other stringed instruments.

Felder was always close to the band. He discusses his early years teaching guitar in Florida before heading out to California for better opportunities. (Pay close attention to some of his students who you might have heard of!) Leadon bought him a chance to play for Jackson Browne, and Felder bluffed his way into success, for instance. Eventually, the Eagles became a segmented battle of players vs. singers, with Glen Frey and Don Henley really putting their stamp on the band’s sound. Meisner left, and was replaced by Timothy B. Schmidt, and Leadon quit, opening the door for Felder to become an official Eagle. He was joined by Joe Walsh on guitar, leading to the absolute climax of the Eagles’ success.

The Eagles are one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and they are an absolute case study in the music business during the 1970′s. Felder’s stories of cocaine, groupies, road trips, and recording studios provide great insight into what made the Eagles tick. (The Joe Walsh chainsaw stories are worth the read alone. The lyrics to “Life’s Been Good” definitely come from real experiences!)

Other highlights include the historic “Hell Freezes Over” concert performance, where Felder was tasked with writing a new introduction to “Hotel California” THE DAY BEFORE the concert, Frey’s birthday party, Walsh’s off-hand comment just before the band started “Hotel California”, and Felder’s final legal departure from his band mates. In all, the book is a terrific memoir from a very talented and often overlooked player who many of us know, but don’t know this deeply.

“Heaven and Hell” only offers Felder’s point of view, and there are probably a few portions where he won’t fully admit the extremes of his, or the band’s, behavior, but it’s a fantastic account of life on the roller coaster of highs and lows that the Eagles represented for decades. This is a must read for all die-hard, and most casual fans of the Eagles.

nK

As I wrote in a former blog, I have been a big Tears for Fears fan since high school. I can still sing every note of Roland Orzabal’s signature guitar solos in “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” and “Shout”. As a bassist, I still can’t figure out some of Curt Smith’s bass lines in “Mothers Talk” or “Start of the Breakdown”. My singing and bass playing has been influenced by this British duo for a long time. I followed Tears for Fears, even through the years without Curt, when Roland released the cerebral “Elemental” and the introverted “Raul and the Kings of Spain.”

However, I was never a Michael Wainwright fan until I had a chance to catch him a month ago in Washington, DC, opening for Tears for Fears at the 9:30 Club. Michael’s solo performance was just the epitome of confidence; one man on stage, playing one guitar and channeling one amazing voice with a range reserved for Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant or Coheed and Cambria’s Claudio Sanchez. Following his solo performance, Michael joined Roland and Curt, adding his voice to the vocal harmonies so integral to Tears For Fears’ identity.

Michael was kind enough to sit down and answer a few questions I had as a result of witnessing him live in concert, and checking out his debut, self-titled CD.

nK: Michael, welcome, and thanks for your time. I appreciate you taking the time, now that the tour is over, to share some of your thoughts. First of all, can you explain how you were approached about the opportunity to open for Tears for Fears on this North American team?

MW: This past Tears for Fears tour was actually my 3rd time touring with the band. I had a manager who loved their latest album, “Everybody Loves a Happy Ending”. He called to tell me I had to check it out and that i needed to work with their producer (Charlton Pettus).. We sent Charlton a copy of a bunch of my home demos and the next thing I knew I was in LA recording my record. After it’s release in ’09, TFF announced a tour of the west coast of the states.. I had the pleasure of meeting Curt Smith at the studio a few times and he actually sang backing vocals on a couple of my songs.. I sent Curt a message on Facebook asking if I could be their opening act. He said yes…. Coincidentally their background singer couldn’t make the tour so he asked if I could fill the spot since I was already going to be there.. Of course i was honored!

nK: How familiar were you with the TFF catalog, and the dynamics of the relationship as it has evolved between Curt and Roland? Did that factor in to your decision to join the tour?

MW: I definitely knew the hits.. Sowing the seeds.. Head over heels.. Etc but theres a difference between knowing those song and actually singing them in front of Curt and Roland.. They are the real deal!! I was a nervous wreck that first rehearsal. Luckily both Roland and Curt were very patient with me. I had a lot to absorb in a short amount of time.

nK: Let’s break from the Tears story for a few minutes and focus on your own. You released your self-titled CD in 2009 on A Town records. What would you say were the best and worst things about releasing a disc on an independent label?

MW: I’ve never been signed to a major label so its hard for me to compare. Being with an indie label is D.I.Y. The good news is No one takes your money but at the same time no one is doing the work for you.. Its up to you the artist to keep pushing, keep making headway..

nK: I’ve had rocky relationships with my past labels. You have a release coming up, so tell me how this differs from your last experience, and what your fans can expect from your new release.

MW: my first release with Town records took about two years to record.. I’d take trips back and fourth from Canada to LA and slowly piece together the album. The problem with that is you change along the way so you end up with quite a few different sounding tracks.. Maybe it’s a good thing I dunno? This time we picked a crazy drummer from NYC (Brian Geltner) and spent 5 days recording live off the floor.. Old school. 16 songs writen by myself, Charlton and Roland Orzabal of TFF. The songs are more edgy and beat driven.. The whole thing has sort of a circus vibe. Sometimes wreckless and quirky. One of my favorites is “Heart Shaped Man” a song that Roland wrote about my head!

nK: Ok, if there’s a pre-order opt-in, I’m already signed up for the next release. I loved “Someone Just Like You” and “Searching for a Feeling”, which may be the most disparate songs on the disc. Is there a particular direction to your follow-up?

MW: the follow up working title is “circus is coming to town” it will be released on 01-11-11.. As far as a direction change, yeah it’s much more aggressive.. I mean it’s still me. I love melody.. Having a few tracks written by Charlton and Roland definitely round it out.. It’s maybe not as sappy and sad as my last??

nK: Ok, one last recall to the Tears for Fears tour. You sang the highest harmonies on “Sowing the Seeds of Love”, and most fans will remember your unbelievable performances on the hit song “Woman in Chains.” Can you explain rehearsing the female lines, and the response you got when you sang those lines on stage?

MW: I’d never heard “woman in chains” before.. I had about 4 weeks to learn their set.. I was panicked! The first time I sang “woman in chains” Roland actually stopped the band in laughter. He said “I’m gonna make you a fucking star mate”.. What a relief!

nK: Last thing. Tell our readers and listeners what to expect from Michael Wainwright next.

MW: I’m going to take over the world!!! Ha.. Well maybe?? Umm, look out for an animated video of “heart shaped man” coming soon.. I’m working on a new website where I’ll be offering free weekly downloads of live versions of my songs that I performed on the tears for fears tour.. Im making headway…The pushing continues!

nK: Thanks for your time, Michael. I look forward to hearing more!

When I was in high school, I listened to almost every type of music out there. My brother and I shared a love of old school rap, like Kurtis Blow, Kool Mo Dee, and Run DMC. I banged my head to Queensryche, Metallica and Savatage. And I had my quiet thoughtful side, which has somehow developed into “classic alternative.”

I liked some Depeche Mode, Siousxie, and my favorite, Tears for Fears. Before TFF got superstar status with “Shout” and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”, they released this delightfully painful album called “The Hurting.” I loved the introspection of that first disc as much as I loved the radio-friendly hits of “Songs from the Big Chair.” (Though as a kid, I couldn’t hit the bottom notes in “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.”)

So, some 25 years later, low and behold, founders Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith are touring, and they’re at the 9:30 club in DC, on a Monday night in August. I didn’t want to miss this show. I figured two decades of waiting was plenty…and this show was worth the wait.

What You Expected. TFF did a great job of mixing up the songs in the set. They played a great balance of songs from the first two albums, plus the big follow-up, “The Seeds of Love.” They played about half of their most recent CD, 2004′s “Everybody Loves a Happy Ending.” They played all the big hits, and the crowd sang every word. The only song they played off of a non-Curt disc was the one you’d expect, “Break it Down Again” (from the CD “Elemental”).

What You Hoped For. The best from the band’s founders. Curt is intense on stage and his crystal clear vocals match his stage presence. He’s very in the moment, delivering the sensitivity of “Seven of Sundays”, or the anti-industrial venom of “Mad World” with equal precision. Roland is very aloof and whimsical on stage, working the crowd very well. He crushed on songs like “Sowing the Seeds of Love” and “Head Over Heels.” The pair performed great, in two different, complimentary styles. The backup band was solid, mixing blues guitar, jazz drums, and synth EVERYTHING (like the sax line in “Memories Fade”) to fill out the band’s wildly complicated composition.

What Blindsided You. Two words: Michael Wainwright. Not only did this cat open for Tears for Fears with just his voice and a guitar, but he hopped on stage and sang half the set with TFF. One of the night’s highlights was watching Wainwright belt out Oleta Adams’ soulful lines in “Woman in Chains.” I kid you not. This guy is a vocal cannon. Roland has the broadest range. Curt has the most signature vocal delivery, and Wainwright tops it off perfectly.

I had the great privilege of chatting with Curt’s wife, Frances, since we were stage left right by the monitor guy. Curt’s family was along for the trip (he is an American citizen), and apparently learned a lot about American history while they were here. I made her a promise that my cover band would play some TFF in the near future. The other great generational thing is that I had two tickets, and my DAD came with me! What a fantastic way to start the week.

If there’s a band coming to town you want to see, and your friends want to bail, Don’t! Find someone willing to go. Who knows? If you don’t, it might cost you 25 years.

All the best,

nK

(repost from www.NickKelly.com)

JWP had the opportunity tonight to play a show we’ve never played before. Tonight, we were blessed with the chance to play at the Dogfish Head Alehouse in Chantilly, VA (which, coincidentally is not Falls Church, VA). The show was a silent auction and concert to raise money for MS awareness and treatment.

The benefit was organized by an amazing group called Jacki’s Determined Soles. They’re a group of individuals dedicated to doing the right thing, and tonight’s right thing was working to help treat MS.

What’s MS? An explanation from Dr. Ray Strand, M.D.*

“Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects about 250,000 Americans and is about twice as common in women as in men. This disorder affects the myelin sheath (insulation around the nerve). The breakdown of the myelin, called demyelination, results in impairment of the function of the nerve with presenting clinical symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

Dr. LeVine first proposed a hypothesis in 1992 that multiple sclerosis was caused by the hydroxyl free radical found in excess within the myelin sheath. Other investigators have further documented that oxidative stress is very high during active progression of multiple sclerosis when compared to those individuals whose multiple sclerosis is in remission or when compared with normal controls. Several other studies have demonstrated strong evidence that the underlying cause of multiple sclerosis is oxidative stress.

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease. This means that the body is essentially attacking itself. One’s own immune system attacks the myelin sheath around the nerve and causes an inflammatory response. It is actually the oxidative stress caused by this reaction that is damaging the myelin sheath. The clinical course of MS is definitely varied. Some of my patients progress rapidly and are wheelchair bound or bed bound within a few short years. Other patients actually have a fairly normal life and will go years before they have any kind of a set back.”

MS is a disease, but it’s treatable, which is why raising awareness and research money is so critical. We were happy to be a part of tonight’s event.

Special thanks to John Goins and Mary (I did not get your last name) for a unique blend of acoustic tunes to open the night. Seriously, ever seen a duo cover Lady Gaga, Boston and The Presidents of the United States (with only one rehearsal!)

Next up…back to the beach! (cue the bongos)
We’ll be at Tim’s II at Fairview Beach this Saturday night. Join us.
Bring your Hawaiian shirt,

your boat,

and your spare liver!

Cheers!
JWP

Hey, friends!

Nick here from JWP.  We just wrapped up a very fun show at The Pirates’ Den in Fairview Beach, in King George, VA, and we’re far from finished this month.  Here’s the schedule as it stands:

Feb 10th – M&S Grill, Reston, VA

Feb 14th, MS Fundraiser, Falls Church, VA

Feb 18th, Tim’s II (our first time there!), King George, VA

We hope you can make it.

For those who missed the hilarity last week, check out the following videos from our brand new YouTube channel!

JWP @ Fairview Beach – Nick sings “I Will Survive”

“>“>

JWP @ Fairview Beach – Fire-breathing girls while the band jams

JWP@ Summer Solstice Festival – “What I Got/Steal My Kisses”

We look forward to dancing with you at the next gig!

All the best,

Nick, JWP

Hey all, Nick here.

First, we want to thank everyone who made it out for the overcast and ominous evening gig we had tonight at the Pfitzner Stadium, performing just before the Potomac Nationals took care of business against the Winston-Salem Dash.  This is our second time performing in support of our local Single A baseball pros, and we really enjoyed it!

Look for us again on May 22nd, Saturday night, at the Pirate’s Den on Colonial Beach, VA.  This is a great venue we played a few years ago when the place had a different name, and so did the band.  Park your boats, grab something alcoholic and fruity, and prepare to dance the night away.

One special note regarding this show.  We will be without our songbird, Malena Malone, who will be across the country, whipping people into shape (and getting paid for it.)  Since we do not have our feminine touch on this show, we have to omit some songs from our repertoire.  Do not expect to hear such classics as “You Make Me Feel like a Natural Woman”, “I Will Survive”, “I’m Every Woman”, “Sisters Are Doin’ it for Themselves”, or “It’s Rainin’ Men.”

(ok, maybe the last one if Danny sings it.)

Anyway, we hope you can join us for our triumphant return to a gig on the water with lots of partying.  Till then, keep your toes in the sand and your glasses filled to the brim!

See ya there,

nK,
Just Wanna Play