|
|
Interview:
Midwest Dilemma
|
|
|
|
Page 2 |
|
Who is the band's musical influence?
|
|
Ben: I use rock, country, techno, jazz, and classical influences in my
playing. There is a bit of "The Ride of the Valkyries" in "General's Orderly".
|
|
Elizabeth: Everyone in the band has had a different musical background
and I think that diversity of influences really rounds us out.
|
|
Nicholai: All sound. Anything expressive really.
|
|
Justin: My father for his love of the guitar and passion for music.
|
|
How did the band get together?
|
|
Ben: I can only speak for myself. After I graduated, I played full-time
professionally for a while, but I got tired of it. I love music, playing music,
practicing music. But I hate the job of being a musician. So I quit. Then, one
week after I announced my retirement, a guy who sat next to me at work told me
that an Omaha band was looking for a tuba player. I thought it would be fun,
and I said hello to Justin. I recorded with the band, and a month ago I played
my 50th show with Midwest Dilemma.
|
|
Elizabeth: I met Justin when I was running an open mic/songwriter's
showcase in Benson, NE. There was a pretty steady group of talented writers and
musicians that would come in regularly. Justin just captivated me with the
honesty in his music. I lived above the venue at the time so I asked him to come
up and jam. I think we hit it off pretty well.
|
|
Nicholai: I helped Justin out by putting a couple of guys together for a
while. After that Liz and Justin began doing some stripped down things. The
idea of having the concept album I mentioned earlier comes into play. From there
people get opportunities. Some joined.
|
|
Justin: I sort of pulled this all together. It has since become a
full-time job with scheduling. Sometimes it's frustrating, but I wouldn't change
a thing. These band mates are the top of their game, musically speaking. I, with
nothing but the best for them all. We had 23 musicians on the album and 17
played our release show. We currently play live performances with anywhere
between 1 and 11...
|
|
What is your musical background like?
|
|
Ben: I have a master's in performance. I've played at Disney World with
a Broadway show, with a top British brass band, with a couple of rock bands,
and I sang in an acapella group called Purple Haze while I was an undergraduate.
|
|
Elizabeth: I started playing music around 6 when my mom put me in cello
classes at The University of Texas at Austin. I did that for a few years but
they kicked me out because they found out I was playing by ear and not reading
the music. Apparently they didn't like that. So, I took up clarinet at 11 and
fell in love. I went to music school for classical clarinet and woodwind
pedagogy but found that I didn't want to play someone else's music for the rest
of my life. And here I am.
|
|
Nicholai: I have been involved with music for my entire life. I am very
well rounded in music theory, arrangements, tone and sonic qualities, harmony,
voicings and coloring pictures. I am a guitar player and have taught guitar for
years; I worked selling guitars for years as well.
|
|
Justin: I was kicked out of organized band in middle school... I played
the saxophone. I started drinking and drugs and played punk music shortly
thereafter. Punk turned to rock, then blues, then jazz, then reggae, then folk.
Now, I really don't know what to call this... Indie Folk Americana Chamber Pop!
|
|
Any other members in your family that are musicians?
|
|
Ben: Most of my family are tone deaf.
|
|
Elizabeth: I remember my mother and father always singing to each other
when I was a kid.
|
|
Nicholai: One person. My brother is a new age piano player. He also makes
his living with his music only. He teaches and plays all over. This year he is
playing in England.
|
|
Justin: My sister played the cello and brother the saxophone (he is on
the record)... Both were/are amazing! Dad still plays the guitar in church and
sings old hippie songs... I love Dad!
|
|
What is the TOP reason why you want to play music?
|
|
Ben: I love it.
|
|
Elizabeth: Because I can't breathe without it.
|
|
Nicholai: It is the only thing in this world that makes me feel like
everything is going to be OK, and possibly even really good. Expression.
Emotion. Satisfaction. Et cetera, et cetera...
|
|
Justin: Something about the creation process. Taking an idea, thought or
story and making it available for others to enjoy or reject.
|
|
What has been your best show?
|
|
Ben: USD Vermillion. The band was having a great day, and the sound guy
was amazing.
|
|
Nicholai: I couldn't pick just one. The album release was a lot of fun
though.
|
|
Justin: My solo tour kick off party with the full band. It was just
amazing to see the support and love our city has for us...
|
