B.J Snowden's Interview

ATP

For the record, who's answering the interview, what is your band's name? How did you come up with that name?

B.J SNOWDEN

B.J Snowden I was actually born with this name. My full name is Bertha Jeanne Snowden so I decided to use the initials B.J instead.

ATP

So who's in the band and what's everyone's life story in 100 words more or less?

B.J SNOWDEN

I am a solo. I was born and live In Mass but got out of music for awhile and got into teaching music in public schools and also teaching private piano which I enjoyed but the only thing I didn't like about teaching was the administration,who are very two faced, not all of them, but most of them are. Composing is really what I really enjoy.

ATP

In a nutshell, please describe your sound.

B.J SNOWDEN

I am eclectic. I cover several types of music.

ATP

Why did you each of you start playing music and was there a turning point from becoming the dream child that every mother and father hopes their child will become before discovering music? Why did music become a career choice for you?

B.J SNOWDEN

I love music. I actually starting playing and composing at age 3 plus I was told that if I hear a song once. i can actually play it afterwards.

ATP

What instruments do you each play? How did you learn to play, self-taught or school?

B.J SNOWDEN

I play keyboards/piano and was self taught but later on took lessons and then attended Berklee College of Music where I received a Bachelors Degree in Applied(Performance) degree.

ATP

What bands have influenced each of you?

B.J SNOWDEN

Herbie Hancock, Bill Evans, Errol Garner, Natalie Cole, just to name a few.

ATP

What makes your band unique?

B.J SNOWDEN

I do not sound like anyone else but other people are trying to imitate and cover my songs.

ATP

Do you write your own music? If not, who writes the music?

B.J SNOWDEN

Yes I do.

ATP

What inspires the songs you write?

B.J SNOWDEN

I started writing about things that happened to me in my life, good and bad and also I am working in another subject area, Holiday songs.

ATP

How long does it take you to write a song that�s ready to record?

B.J SNOWDEN

It all depends, sometimes 5 minutes and sometimes a half an hour. It all depends.

ATP

How would you describe your local music scene? Likes, Dislikes. What would you change?

B.J SNOWDEN

The closer I am to home, I feel i am not appreciated as much as I should be but when I play 40 miles or more, I feel I am well appreciated. Local people take me for granted.

ATP

What is your favorite local venue? Why?

B.J SNOWDEN

I like the Middle East Restaurant and other Middle East establishments in Cambridge because it's right near the subway, in which makes it easier to get to the venue, the people who work here are very nice, the fans are great and there's no problem on getting paid.

ATP

What's the biggest problem you find when working with other bands, booking agents, promoters and venues when settting up a show or a tour?

B.J SNOWDEN

Money is not good. I feel I get ripped off by the booking agents, especially when they give some of the other bands more money, even though I am sometimes responsible for bringing the fans in.

ATP

How experienced are you on the stage, a virgin or whore?

B.J SNOWDEN

I am experienced but don't understand what virgin or whore applies to.