EV: Welcome to Entertainment Vine. Thank you all for taking the time to discuss your new album “After All”.

Emily, Randy, Brian: You’re welcome, glad we could do it!

EV: In less than a year you have formed Barley Station, recorded a full-length album, released four singles, and launched your own record label Barleyfields Records. Last week marked the release of your first album “After All”. Could you describe what this journey has been like for all of you? 

Brian: Unpredictable.

Emily: It’s all been happening very fast for me because I came in more recently.

Randy: Relentless midnight-oil-burning work! Building the foundation and organization for it was a lot of work. I’m a huge organization freak so it came naturally I guess. It’s been 9 months actually, from the first inception of this group until the full-length release date. Originally we wanted to do it on Valentines Day but we had added Emily to the band by then and wanted to make sure she was on this album. The next best release date (we wanted something memorable) was February 29^th. It occurred to me this is a leap year and I suppose you can say the album will only be a year old in four years when we have the next year with 29 days in February!  We thought that was kind of funny, and it’s not something anyone can do very easily for obvious reasons. (laughs) 

Barley Station

EV: The first single ‘Common Knowledge’ has a cool retro-alternative feel blending perfectly with your country/folk roots. How would you describe the general sound of this album?

Randy: Like a country living calico cat that wanders into town, gets lost in a city for a couple days, then makes his way back to town more savvy for the experience. What was the question again? Oh yeah … we have a more rural sound but with hints of urban. That song was kind of the oddball though and I almost cut it from the album, but everyone thought it would be good to have something a bit more “out there” than the rest. Once the background vocals got added on the album track version, it took a turn to what Brian called “cinematic”. There’s a lot going on when you listen close but it still has a lot of space and has a bit heavier sound, especially on the chorus where it is very driving. I’m glad you think it blends.

Brian: This album sounds like what your iPod playlist probably sounds like. A little bit of everything, yet tied together neatly because it’s your soundtrack. Some of it sounds like Johnny Cash’s band gets held hostage by the Rolling Stones. (laughter)

Emily: I would say the general sound … this is hard to describe … kind of a mixture of rootsy music and contemporary music, like Fleetwood Mac meets the Killers or The Beatles jammed with Feist. I mean the way the songs move around and mix genres and arrangements a lot.

EV: That’s what I loved the most about your album, there are so many different sounds but they all work so well together. With your song ‘Abilene’ you veer from the traditional route by using a ¾ time waltz. This is a perfect way to add an entirely different emotional layer to the song. Where in the songwriting process did you decide on the waltz?

Randy: It’s not something you think about, you just do it. It was more in the song “picking” process so I’ll defer to Brian. He wrote it. I produced it more or less and dressed it up.

Brian: It just came out that way. We’ve written a lot of waltzes. I think my thought pattern runs in a triplet. So many songs that I begin start out either in 3/4 or 6/8 (which is really just 3/4 after having 7 cups of coffee). (laughter) And reminiscent songs that take place in old Texas dance halls cry out for a waltz beat!

EV: When collaborating on songwriting how are you able to merge your work together, for instance does one person focus on lyrics while someone else creates the melodies?

Brian: Outside the studio, we all write independently. As for me, especially with what we’ll be recording for the next album, Casey (he’s not here today) and I do a lot of collaborating. I tend to be able to write verses but no choruses. Casey has the knack to come up with the anthemic choruses that my writing needs. In the studio, however, we might listen to the song we are sculpting and one of us may just say, “what if we try this idea on that bit?” All very spontaneous really.

Randy: We each write most of our songs independently, then help each other with small bits, like a word or phrase, sometimes a structure, or suggest an intro or outro, things like that. Usually after the song is taken to the band in bare bones form that’s when it gets worked up more into its final form. And in the studio. A lot of creativity is spontaneous in the studio. Any one of us could write any kind of song but I feel Brian is better with lyrics and I with melodies. He’s a word person. So is Casey. Emily and I like melody and harmony more but we’re all capable of anything. Brian and Casey have similar writing styles and Emily and I do as well, so we’re kind of two small teams within the big team but then put it all together. You’ll probably see more collaborations in the near future. Brian is working on a huge anthem (for maybe album 4 or 5) and Emily and I are working on a duet type-thing for the next which will be kind of how “I Found You” turned out but with more interactions within the song. All awesome stuff in the works!

EV: It is rare to have a tri-fronted band. How do you make it work sharing the spotlight and decision making process?

Emily: Personally, I’m used to being the main focus coming straight from being a solo artist and then joining the band. I actually really prefer sharing the spotlight with Brian and Randy, I don’t like all the attention focused on me. I think we all mesh well and our on-stage personalities really compliment each other. We kind of feed off of each other, Brian could nod at me and then we’re both jumping while playing guitar. (laughs) There’s no selfishness or dominating persons in our group. 

Randy Belt

Randy: Just very interesting personalities, peculiarities, and idiosyncrasies! (laughter) We learned to share in Kindergarten! (laughter) And we all have a deep respect for each other’s talent. My background is musical theatre with a lot of people on stage together sharing the spotlight (and never forget the people running the spotlight!). It takes a team for a good production. It’s less pressure and more fun. Decisions are pretty democratic. Sometimes you need to lead, sometimes you need to follow. A good leader knows both, and knows how to delegate. Aggregation leads to frustration. I think triple-fronted is a huge strength. Even Casey sings some lead parts on “Can’t Sleep For Venus” though he mostly sings backup and harmonies.

Brian: We each carry different strengths for different sides of the band. Randy is master of behind the scenes stuff. He’s the one you talk to if you want to get a straight answer on what we’re doing. I am more the emcee, the stage performer, I think I’m just very comfortable being up there. Emily, we are finding out, is the more personable one who can mingle and schmooze the venues and crowds and not feel awkward. I think that’s why we are able to do this so well. Each of us is a fine songwriter in his or her own right. 

Emily: We all have our own jobs within the band, kind of like what Brian said, one is better than the other at certain things. It all evens out when we work together and it works out in the end.

Brian: Our decision making process is like our song writing process, we all come in with different decisions and then make different decisions. (laughter)

EV: Have you found that in playing your own instruments it gives you the flexibility to improvise the harmony in the moment of performing rather than relying on a set standard? 

Brian: What?? (All laugh at Brian)

Randy: Brian and I have been playing and singing together for many years so we know each other pretty well and can adapt in a live setting to any deviations from the standard. We get adventurous on occasions. You become a part of your instrument and vocal, I can’t imagine NOT playing and singing though I think it must be easier to be a singer/performer when you’re hands are more free and not wrapped around the neck of a guitar or bass.

Emily: Yeah I agree

Brian: I’m a fan of spontaneity. I understand that we all need to rehearse and I love the tightness we achieve by doing that. But when it comes to a show I like throwing curve balls. I can see changing some of the songs on After All sounding completely different 1 or 2 tours from now. We actually did work up a reggae version of “Kitty Kat” one night at rehearsal just for a giggle. Am I throwing out a spoiler? Maybe?

EV: Which musicians have inspired you?

Randy: First I just want to say that I think our most common thread between all of us, as songwriters at least, is The Beatles. And we all love harmonies.

(Everyone agrees)

Randy (continued): Since we are multi-instrumental this could be a long answer ha ha. For me personally though, I’d say for bass guitar – Geddy Lee, Paul McCartney, and Sting. They could all sing and play bass, which isn’t easy sometimes but they showed me it could be done. Also anything from 60s and 70s Motown. For my guitar influence (which is how I do a lot of my writing, though sometimes on Piano too) I’d say my first influence was Jimmy Page’s acoustic guitar work, those Led Zeppelin “B” sides were great! Then later guys like Michael Hedges and Alex De Grassi when I went through another altered- tuning phase.

Songwriting – I’ve always liked the melodic writing of Lerner and Lowe, Rogers and Hammerstein, Stephen Soundheim – the show tune writers you know. They really understood melody and counter melody, which is my big thing. I don’t remember lyrics very well (not even my own sometimes) but I remember melodies. And in more contemporary popular music of course, The Beatles, The Cure, Johnny Cash, John Mellencamp, Matraca Berg, Keith Urban, and Ron Sexsmith, just to name a few.

Emily: After consulting with my documents, I have concluded with the following report (laughs): my vocal influences are definitely Feist, Lykke Li, Rod Stewart, and Bonnie Tyler. My guitar playing influences begins with George Harrison, Pink Floyd, Van Morrison, and Miike Snow. Overall general influences include John Lennon (solo), Foster the People, Jethro Tull, The Killers, and The Beatles of course.

Brian Kious

Brian: Like Randy said, the Beatles. He and I also share admiration for the many faces of Neil Finn (Split Enz, Crowded House, Finn Brothers, Pajama Club). We like opposite sides of the same groups as well. We both like Fleetwood Mac: he likes the popular Buckingham-Nicks years whereas I’m more a fan of the Bob Welch years. He likes the Police, I like Sting (yes, Sting!). For me personally, Gordon Lightfoot has played the biggest role in giving me the image of the guitarist/singer/songwriter at the age of 3. Musically I love R.E.M. of all decades, primarily because they gave me more of, I think, more intelligent music than what else I was hearing growing up and into high school. Al Stewart also because of the more learned subjects he would tackle in his songs (great for the history major). From a guitar playing standpoint, Richard Thompson really is inspiring. Nick Drake also. If I could play even the smallest fraction as well as these guys I would really feel like I could do something with those 6 to 12 strings. Ha! I feel like I should be 30 or so years older than I am after hearing all these old school names I’m throwing out.

EV: What can we expect from you later on down the road? Have you already started scheduling shows for a tour?

Randy: Immediate future – shoot video and continue rehearsing for the live performances. We have to get Emily worked in all the way in the sets. And she has some great songs that will be on the next album that we will be playing live.

Tours are in the works, but no dates yet. I know Dallas/Fort Worth area is a must for us. Nashville also, where we have a lot of friends and some family. Mainly kind of medium region tours for now, but you never know what can happen. We love the studio but are itching to get back onstage. We intend to promote this album until autumn meanwhile getting tracks started for the next album on the in-betweens, and perhaps release a new single in the summer during that time. And hopefully get the next album done before the year is up. That’s the goal – two albums in one year!  It can be done easily if there are no surprises. We’ve already started selecting songs for it. Between the three of us we have over four or five hundred songs. We have high output, which is a good reason to have our own label. A bigger one couldn’t keep up. We love writing songs!

Emily: We’ve got cities in mind but nothing scheduled yet, but we are looking forward to getting on the road after I’ve been fully worked into all the songs. I’ve got some bugs to work out … some of Brian’s chord progressions get me mixed up. (laughs)

Brian: Film some videos, another album, children’s coloring book, action figures, our own fragrance …  (laughter and groans)

Emily: And my own clothing line! (dramatic pause) I’m just kidding! (laughs)

Randy: Down the road artistically though, I think we’ll always have roots. My own writing has always had a bit of pop influence in it, it just comes out that way, maybe ‘cause I grew up on top 40 stuff, but we like to experiment. Sound is our canvas, our voices and instruments are our paintbrushes. 

EV: Wow, that is the perfect metaphor. You have a very close relationship with your fans and even share sneak peaks of songs with your mailing list subscribers. How important is it for a band to personally connect with their fans in today’s social networking environment? 

Emily: We have a lot of fans following us on Twitter, I have great chats with them, I love being in contact with people that listen to our music. Literally everyone who has listened to Barley Station will tell me how much they like our sound, and I try to keep in contact with them. It’s a special bond, they like the “intimacy” and I like knowing what they think and I feel it keeps me grounded, like I’m constantly reminded of my roots. I never want to forget where I came from, when that happens that’s when you lose your fans because you can’t connect with them anymore.

Randy: I’ve always loved it when bands I like share sneak peaks so we try to do the same thing. Empathy is important. I think people connect with our music because it delves into all aspects of human existence. That connection thing is important. As for today’s social networking environment – hmmm – it’s definitely important but there’s still nothing like seeing a live concert!

EV: I wholeheartedly agree with that, live shows are the best way to connect with a band. What advice would you give to an aspiring musician?

Randy: Never give up. Find what you’re really good at and utilize your strengths and strengthen your weaknesses. And do what comes natural. I don’t pay attention to sound trends. Just do your own thing.

Emily Thomas

Emily: You need to be sure to surround yourself with people who can work together and lift each other up. Also, don’t try to be a certain “sound”. When you try too hard, you sound terrible. A lot of artists and bands never get far when they force themselves to be a certain way, just go with the flow.

EV: One last question, if a music themed restaurant based solely on this album opened in your hometown of O Fallon, Missouri, what would the signature dish be?

Brian: I don’t know, I got nothing. I generally live on a steady diet of rice and sugarsnap peas. Last Nashville Roast Beef??? On barley bread??

Randy: Casey is the food expert. Brian, call Casey!  (Brian calls Casey on his cell phone – but no answer)

Brian: Ok, just answer for him then.

Randy: Ok. Hmm. A sandwich on barley bread! (defensively) that’s what he would say, I’m sure – maybe a BLT …

Emily: No no no no no, it would be … um …. well, definitely bar-b-que. It’d have to be something like a beef brisket with a sweet and smoky sauce, on barley-wheat bread. Now I’m hungry …

Randy: Well, we agree on the bread at least. Next song! (laughter) And that’s how we roll!

EV: (laughs) Now that’s funny! Thank you all so much for sharing with us today.

All: You’re welcome and thank you so much for taking your time with us. It’s been fun!

*Be sure to visit Barley Station’s official site www.barleystationmusic.com to purchase “After All” and see future tour details. You can also find them on Twitter, Facebook, iTunes and ReverbNation.

Barley Station Takes a Leap And Makes Debut With Genre Blending and Defying Album “AFTER ALL” on FEBRUARY, 29, 2012

The St Louis, MO based musical group Barley Station is proud to announce the release of their first album, “After All,” under their new label: Barleyfields Records. The album will be available via major digital outlets such as iTunes, Amazon, Verizon, Napster, etc. Physical copies will be made available via CDBaby.com. The album contains the critcally favored single “I Found You,” which Eric De Fontenay of the Music Dish Journal described as “Rootsy alternative country at its best: catchy guitar riffs, driving rhythms, and a contagious harmony with simple but cool, happy go lucky lyrics [that] make this a likeable and great track that’s easy on the ears and warming to the heart.”

About Barley Station

Barley Station is a triple-fronted band (two male, one female) whose music combines the roots of Americana, Pop/Rock, Country, and Folk and puts them in a blender with a dash of amaretto pouring out a tasty glass of sound. The result is a distinctly alternative blend that draws deeply from its roots yet looks forward to the future. Reverb Nation artist David Namerow exclaims: “Barley Station cuts cleanly and crisply through the genre clutter with grooves that slice directly to the heart with honest power. Finally, music with teeth, heart and soul!”

Barley Station prides itself upon featuring two, three, and occasionally four-part harmonies, driving rhythms, and contagious melodies. The songwriting covers the gamut of emotions moving from upbeat bright material to darker or introspective moods. The sound is punctuated throughout with alternative country, bright pop/rock to progressive folk and alternative pop/rock sensibilities.

For more information please visit:

Official Website: http://barleystation.net

Official Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/barleystation

Official Twitter Page: http://www.twitter.com/barleystation

Robert Englund is a horror icon. We know him for playing one of the most famous movie monsters in American history, Freddy Krueger, but in reading his biography, Hollywood Monster, we learn that Robert indeed wears many masks and quite a few will surprise many of his long time fans.

The telling of Robert’s career is a fast and brisk one as we glimpse into early childhood and seeing how a early crush on a classmate led him into joining a semi-professional children’s drama class called the Teenage Drama Workshop where he wholeheartedly the acting bug. While Robert points out he did it as a way to meet girls,soon he finds that people really think he has great talent and away he goes.

Marrying very young, Englund recalls his days in Michigan going to class and acting in several stage plays. He has his moments, but when he sees a movie that several of his old classmates from California are working in Hollywood, he moves back home.

Robert worked very hard, landed some good character actor roles and every year his name got a little more out there. An amusing tidbit is the connection he has with Gary Busey and how their careers crossed many times.

After gaining fame and fans with his role on the hit mini-series and TV series of “V”, Englund talks about landing the role of Freddy and how it changed his life forever.

The one thing you get from reading Robert’s book is how nice and balanced he seems to be. He has nothing but respect for his co-workers, be it the big name stars like Henry Fonda to the lowest man/woman on the production staff, Robert always feels like they all part of a team. It’s what makes this book such a joy to read, that underneath the mask of a cold blooded supernatural killer, lies a man who is happy in his work.

An added bonus for die-hard Freddy fans is Robert’s five favorite Freddy kills and sharing that Johnny Depp perhaps didn’t really die in the first film. As far as actor’s biographies goes, this one is a thriller.

Highly recommended.

While this book came out in 2009, check Amazon.com to see if they have any copies.

EV: Welcome to Entertainment Vine, Stacy. Thank you so much for sharing your music with us today. Congratulations on your Artists in Music nominations for Best Singer/Songwriter and Best Artist of the Year. These have to be extra special for you since your peers and fans vote during the nomination process. When did you find out you were a two time nominee?

SC: I am honored to be part of the Independent Music Awards. I was notified once they posted the nominations online. It is always nice to have your hard work recognized and to be part of something. It makes me feel like I am doing something right.

Stacy Clark

EV: You began writing and performing at a pretty young age basically learning the ins and outs of the business on your own. Do you feel that has helped you grow into the artist you are today?

SC: I do feel blessed that I started young because I have met the most interesting people. I have been fortunate enough to do lot of traveling which has really opened my eyes to how unique and diverse our world is. Those experiences have been very fulfilling to me. I have always known that I wanted to do music and always had a desire to travel. Like so many others, the struggle for me was how to be a musician while trying to make a living. It was all about the balance. I took a few breaks from music because the politics and business side burned me out. At the end of day, the love I have for music and creating is something I will do until the day I die. There is so much talent out in the world and it breaks my heart when dreams are broken. Life is too short to stop dreaming, it is important to do what you love.

EV: Some of the highest rated television shows are playing your songs. That has to be a surreal experience. Have you had a chance to sit down and really process that yet?

SC: If I really think about it, yes it is crazy. It makes me think of when I first started writing and how far I have come. It has been a long road and certainly not easy. I know that not all hard work or sacrifice pays off and I definitely appreciate what I have.  When I think of everything I have been through to get where I am now, I don’t think I could go through it all again. It’s been a roller coaster.  I think I was more fearless when I first started, now I have lowered my expectations. This way when something good like my song getting placed happens, well it’s like a cherry on a sundae.

EV: As a songwriter, when you’re writing something new do you visualize a scene that goes with the music or does it come to you more in the form of poetry?

SC: I don’t have one set way to write. Sometimes the idea of a song or thoughts will just rush in. I will jot the lyrics down and boom a song is born. Other times the guitar and music will come first.  Once I have my thoughts collected, then I can visualize what I would want the music video or performance to look like.

EV: You are paving the way for young female singer/songwriters. Which musicians have inspired you?

SC: There have been so many along the way as far as female singer/songwriters:  Stevie Nicks, The Cranberries, Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, Tori Amos, Fiona Apple, Bjork and Frente have influenced me. I also really enjoy Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Neil Young, Ottis Redding, Tom Petty, Rolling Stones, Jimmy Eat World, Death Cab For Cutie, Coldplay, Radiohead, The Format and the list goes on.

OC 2010 Music Awards 'Best Pop Artist'

EV: What advice would you give an aspiring musician that you wish someone would have told you when you were younger? 

SC: You can do anything you set your mind to.

EV: You offered fans the opportunity to be part of your new album, Patterns, by launching a music campaign. Was this album produced solely from the campaign?

SC: Yes. I am so grateful for the support of my fans. Without their support it would of taken me a lot longer to have released my album.

EV: How has it been different having the creative freedom to record your music exactly how you want it?

SC: I honestly have to say I have always felt in control of my records. I financed and hired a producer for ‘Apples & Oranges’.  Although ‘Connect the Dots’ was produced under a label, I was extremely happy with the production. I was in the studio more for that creation of CTD.  I became pretty close friends with my producer, Matt Appleton, and worked with him again when creating ‘Patterns’. The biggest difference is that I co-produced a few songs off ‘Patterns‘ which was a great experience for me. As far as production I can hear what I want. However, getting those instruments and sounds is another story. It helps to work with extremely talented engineers and producers. I had a lot of fun writing all three records and am very proud of them.

EV: Last year you had quite an extensive tour where fans from all parts of the globe were able to see your shows including special online performances. Are you able to describe the feeling of breaking the language barrier through the lyrics of your songs?

SC: Yes, I feel music is universal. Last year was an amazing year. I had the chance to perform all over the US and in Singapore. The online shows where something new that where a lot of fun. It is funny to be performing in front of a computer screen, my dogs would start barking. It made for a unique performance alright! Very intimate.

EV: Do you have a favorite performance from this last tour? 

OC Music Awards @ the Grove Anaheim

SC: I would have to say when my band and I opened for the OC Music Awards at the Grove in Anaheim. We where the first band to play, kicking it off. It was a lot of fun. I love the energy of performing with a band.

EV: How do you pass the time when you’re on the road for an extended period of time between shows? 

SC: My iPhone (laughs). Honestly, time is passed driving and jamming out to music. If I do have a day off I try to enjoy the city I am in and see the sights.

EV: After performing in front of tens of thousands of people, do you prefer the big arena shows or the quiet more intimate shows as in coffee houses and radio/TV appearances?

SC: There is nothing like performing in front of a large audience. I love it!

EV: Do you have a dream venue where you have always wanted to perform?

SC: The Greek Theater.

EV: One last question, if you could pick any musician to add a score to your dreams, who would you choose and why? 

SC: Ben Gibbard from Death Cab For Cutie. I love his lyrics, voice and he is dreamy!

EV: Thank you for your time, Stacy. We look forward to seeing you on your next tour.

SC: Thank you!

You can find Stacy on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. If you are near Hollywood tickets for the Artists in Music Awards are still available, otherwise it will be streaming live this Friday (2/10/12). Red carpet coverage begins at 7:00PM (PST).

Just in time for Valentine’s Day – Stacy Clark’s video for “Matter of Time”

Click here to view the embedded video.

photo credit: The Boudoir Divas

For more information on Cata9Tales please visit their official site www.cata9tales.com.

We got to chat with Alex and this is what he had to say about the experience he had with his song Forever Yours and the events that followed its launch. Here’s what we got:

Alex Day

* You’ve been quite successful as a vlogger and musician for a while, but this is the first time you actually took on a mission as difficult as this (except reading Twilight). What brought this on? 

Alex: Well you should always aim high, I think. I didn’t actually expect the Christmas Number One – I said in my very first video about it, ‘we probably can’t do this’. But it’s fun to be part of the Christmas race, I miss that battle between all the top acts fighting for the top spot.

* Forever Yours is not what people would expect to come out around this time of the year and be so successful, how come you chose to do something other than songs involving love under the mistletoe and father Christmas? Why Forever Yours?

Alex: Yeah, I’ve seen people be a bit weird about that, saying “you should have released a Christmas song”. The whole point for me was that it isn’t a Christmas novelty thing, it’s just my first single, and I wanted to push it for success beyond just that one week. It was an investment move, I suppose.

* I have been following your timeline on twitter, you’re drawing in quite a crowd. Do you think it’s a reaction to the bad music we’re “graced” with on a daily basis or just love for the underdog? 

Alex: Thank you! I think it’s a couple things: interest in seeing how far an unsigned artist can go without any tricks except good music and a receptive audience, coupled with the fact that I’m very honest on Twitter and will continue to be so. But yes, most music is shit isn’t it?

*  There is a strong and strange phenomenon going on on twitter now, you actually got your followers to gift the song to people less fortunate and it’s actually working. How does it make you feel? It might sound like you should lie on the couch to answer this one.

Alex: It’s a shame, I think, that selfless generosity is referred to as a “strange phenomenon” in this day and age! It’s a wonderful thing, and it started because I was doing it – a couple people said their parents weren’t letting them buy the song because they didn’t ‘trust iTunes’ or something stupid like that, so I gifted it to them as gifting a song still helps for the chart. And from there I had people requesting the song but also a lot of people offering to gift it to others, so we set up a hashtag and they worked it out from there.

* There are several different version of Forever Yours going around and all of them have made the charts, do you have a favourite out of all of them? And why are there so many version?

Alex: Yes, the fifteen versions combined to one single chart place which is a useful little loophole in the UK charts, so that’s the reason for the number of them, but I didn’t release any that I wasn’t proud of as alternate versions in their own right. My favourite is the one that my friends Michael and Bill recorded – they did a dramatic reading of the song,  similar to William Shatner’s ‘Common People’ cover.

* The video…just the video. It’s quite different from what we see on TV, no flashy effects or big names directing it, but it’s still awesome. Who came up with the idea for it? And speaking of the video, how come it’s on Charlie’s channel and not yours?

Alex: Thank you I’m very proud of the video. It was Charlie’s idea, after asking me what the song was about and trying to get that across. That’s the reason it’s on Charlie’s channel – it’s Charlie’s video, he made it himself so he deserves to showcase it on his page. It also means he gets as much out of it as me, because he gets the subscriber gain and I get the exposure of the music. It’s something I hope we’ll be able to do again with future singles.

Alex Day

* The money you’ll be making from selling the song will go to World Vision, is Karma keeping you on top? You’ve been involved in several other charity events, any particular reason you chose World Vision this time?

Alex: World Vision is always the charity I’m most loyal to because they flew me out to Zambia for two weeks last year to personally observe their work in the field. I made a few videos about it and loved the experience of being out there. And yes, I’m sure it does make people feel a little better about supporting me. I’m really not in this for fame or money, I just want my music to be heard and enjoyed.

* You are the first unsigned artist to get this far, considering the competition you’ve had, you’re doing great. Would you like to become a signed artist? Join a label? Or would you like to keep doing your thing with little to no outside involvement?

Thanks – I’d like to keep doing my thing my way, but it’d certainly be nice to have a team of people helping me to do it better and with more money. I’d sign to a label if I was sure that I could still make every decision about my career on my own, I’m not against it – as I said, my biggest joy is that people enjoy my music, and being with a label would certainly help more people to reach my work.

* Any advice to future artists who might be looking at you for inspiration? 

Alex: Yeah, get off your arse and get known! Most artists settle for just putting a song out, they put it on YouTube, they moan that it doesn’t get as much views as they like, but they’re not doing anything to help – for the last month I’ve been non-stop ringing press people, newspapers, TV shows, music websites, radio, all to try and bring exposure to Forever Yours, saying “this is my story, let’s talk about it”, and you have to do that stuff. Don’t wait for someone else to do it for you. And work out what your story is – for Forever Yours my story was “unsigned artist running for Christmas Number One”, which is a good story. You need to find something unique that will make people want to share your story with other people.

* Ok, question time over, what would you like to tell your fans? I’ve seen on the trending topics you went across the borders, people from all over the world are listening to you so what is the one thing you would like them to know?

Alex: I’d like them to know that I’m grateful, that I will keep them honestly informed on all the major decisions regarding my career and that you made my Christmas

Visit Alex Day’s Official Website and/or Official Twitter.

CHARACTERS: 10/10

The characters in the story are well fleshed out, given many human-relatable characteristics to where the audience can even feel the same emotions as a dragon. The two heroes of the story are Garrett Terago and Megan Crunk, two unique individuals thrust together after a near-tragic collision. A meeting filled with humor, romance and lust. The villains, as well are well crafted, with each being uniquely mapped out for the reader in an original and detailed fashion, but I’ll leave their descriptions out to leave you with some mystery.

PLOT: 10/10

Without ruining anything, this is a love story and a war novel. It is a great original piece of writing in a game-changing way as The Lord of the Rings was. Peaking my interest in reading and reigniting my joy for it after many years without being able to finish a book, this story is a grabber and it holds you until the end.

WRITING: 10/10

The mindset of the characters are well revealed to the reader and the writing is descriptive and informing. Beautifully written with great care and detail, Poindexter is a writer to look out for after this captivating and intriguing novel.

OVERALL: 10/10

The novel is filled with many elements for a mature audience to read. Those with a strong mind and grand humor will most enjoy this tale of war and love. The ultimate bests and worsts of our world. Be ready to eclipse your mind with many great dealings and emotions as you go on this grand adventure with Garrett and Megan as the story unfolds before your eyes and within your mind. The Shadow of Tiamat is the first in a grand scheme of novels and I can’t wait for the sequel.

Here are a few places to purchase the book.

Paperback from Amazon: http://amzn.to/tiamat-ppb
Paperback from B&N: http://bit.ly/voMy5Z
Kindle from Amazon: http://amzn.to/tiamat-kindle
Other ebook formats: http://bit.ly/utxfuB (this is where you can find a Nook compatible eBook edition)
Paperback from Books-A-Million: http://bit.ly/rMQ7fi
Paperback from Powell’s Books : http://bit.ly/uRJbpK
Paperback/ebook from Indiebound: http://bit.ly/vwKpcP

Review by Kale Slade