Category: Music

Eric Hutchinson Interview — ‘Moving Up Living Down’

There’s a very valuable playlist in my music library entitled, “Music That Makes Me Happy,” and Eric Hutchinson has been on it for years. While playing his first album for the 500th time, I thought, “Wouldn’t it be great if he had a second album? Where’s he been? I want more Eric Hutchinson!” So I googled him, and my prayers were answered. He released his follow-up, Moving Up Living Down, on April 17th, and he achieved the rare feat of surpassing the quality of his debut. Because I’m The Dishmaster, and I have an insatiable need to pick the brain of everyone I admire, I requested an interview with the man himself — and he kindly agreed. Read below, and catch the video for his hit single, “Watching You Watch Him,” at the end.

I was a huge fan of your first record. I know you did the first record on your own and now you’re on a label. Do you have a preference?

I still consider myself an independent artist, but this way was a lot easier. I got to concentrate on the music and the writing and the singing a lot more, and I got paired up with some really great producers. I worked with Martin Terefe and lived in London for a month, and Mike Elizondo who I lived with in LA for a month.

Does the creative input from a producer ever create friction?

You have to find the right person. We had a few people that didn’t work out, but the most important part is the creative flow with the producer. Mike had pictures of The Beatles all over his studio, and The Beatles are probably my favorite of all time, so I had a feeling right off the bat that we would get along. It’s a really fun, creative vibe. Never for one second did it leave my head that here I am making an album for Warner Bros. Records, and how is this my life?

It’s been a few years since your first record. What’s the reason for the time-gap?

I toured for so long with the first record. It was sort of an unorthodox release, because it kind of came out on its own, and then it came out again when Perez Hilton sent it out, and then Warner Bros. picked it up. So I was just touring and touring. And then finally I came home to New York and got to process everything and started writing my record. I know from the outside it probably feels like a while, but I’ve been busy the whole time.

Did you know that Perez’s post would create such traction?

I was in LA and went to sleep, and the next morning I woke up, and my phone was blowing up. Within the day it was in the iTunes top five. It was a really great moment. Perez has been very supportive and continues to be very supportive.

I read that you went broke making your first record. Was there a definable moment where you thought, “I can make a living doing this.”

I had been making a living, but I went a little too far making that record. I feel a real privilege to be able to do this, but I got a lot of very lucky breaks.

One of my favorite songs on your record is “The People I Know.” It’s a really upbeat song with sad lyrics. Is that an intentional juxtaposition?

Yeah, it’s something I learned from The Beatles. It helps the medicine go down, if you will. I try to cram big ideas into a three-minute pop song, and if you do it with an upbeat feel it’s easier to process it all.

There’s a lyric, “I’ve got a sister who I barely see,” in “The People I Know.” Is that a literal lyric? Did she hear it and say anything to you about it?

I had a talk with her about it. It’s sort of true. My sister did live down the street from me, and I didn’t see her because I was on tour all the time. And then one day I ran into her on the street, and it was a weird moment. It’s a weird moment when you recognize someone that is that close to you and you see them on the street out of context. But I get along with my family really well, and they have been very supportive.

But you gave her the heads up before you released the song?

I did, yeah. She likes [the song]. The other thing that’s really cool about that song is I play it live and people come up to me afterwards and say, “I have an estranged relationship with somebody.” That’s when the music really feels special.

Do you ever have a revelation about your lyrics in hindsight and think, “Wow, I must have been really sad and not even known it?”

All the time. There are certain songs where I think, “I don’t even know what I’m writing,” and then I look back, and it’s so clear. That’s one of the good parts about the album. Having some time to release this album, I got a lot of perspective on it, and I could look at it clearly and think about which songs I like and what I wanted to say.

When you play live, do you have a venue preference? Do you prefer a smaller, intimate venue to a large stadium?

As long as the crowd is excited, that’s where the magic comes from. I could play to 50 people or 5,000 as long as they’re are excited about the tour.

You’ve performed on some really great late-night shows. Do you have a favorite performance?

The first time I played The Tonight Show. It was my first time on TV. It just felt really cool.

Do you still get nervous for those performances?

Not really anymore. I’ve performed so much at this point that I’m kind of used to playing. I really want to play Saturday Night Live. Maybe I’d get nervous for that.

What music are you listening to now?

A band I got really into is Los Lobos. My plan is to get them to come play on my next record. I love Vampire Weekend, the new Black Keys record, and Kanye West.

Who chose “Watching You Watch Him” as the single for the record? Did you write it and think, “That’s the hit?”

A lot of times I’ll have to [do something] and stop writing, but every now and then I’ll write a song and I just can’t leave it. I was supposed to meet a bunch of friends to watch a football game, and about ten minutes into writing “Watching You Watch Him,” I just knew I couldn’t go anywhere, and I called them and told them that I couldn’t come. I really love that song. To me, I can just picture driving through the desert on a road trip and blaring that song really loud.

Quote of the Day: Heidi Klum’s Gay Friends’ Sexual Advice

“They are like this kaleidoscope of interesting thoughts and opinions. They teach you so many things about men that are useful.” “Like what?” our reporter asked. Klum paused, and then made the universal tounge-moving-rapidly-in-cheek motion that signifies blowies. She explained what she’s learned (off the record, of course), and our reporter said she discovered two things: 1) Everything sounds authoritative when said in a German accent, and 2) Seal was a lucky guy.” An excerpt of Heidi Klum’s interview with Allure Magazine, which confirmed the need for homosexuals in her life. As an aside, I too have a lot of gay friends, but unfortunately our conversations involved their unfulfilling sexual experiences with women, and it traumatized me for life.

Sharon Osbourne on Simon Cowell: “He Has Small Penis Syndrome”

You can call Sharon Osbourne a lot of things, but you can’t call her dishonest. She’s not afraid to speak her mind, which is refreshing in an industry where everyone bites their tongue. Her recent celebrity feud involves Simon Cowell, who Osbourne is angry at for bringing her name into his auto-biography, and for implying that she left X Factor because of Simon’s romantic relationship with Dannii Minogue. According to Osbourne, she left simply because she didn’t like living in England and she certainly didn’t like Minogue. The interesting thing about Osbourne’s attack on Cowell is that she still works for his show, America’s Got Talent. Translation? She some serious chutzpah (also know as “f*ck-you money”). Watch her address what she believes to be Cowell’s “small penis syndrome” and take a note of Julie Chen’s hilarious reaction.

The Dishmaster’s Radio Show — Weekly News Roundup


 

If you’re a loyal fan of The Dishmaster, then I’d like to welcome you to my first weekly radio show where I discuss all things pop-culture. If you’re not a loyal fan, then welcome to my site, and brace yourself for my superficial rants about endless irrelevant subjects. Sure there’s more important things going on in the world — but someone has to complain about nonsense — and it’s going to be me. Thank you to my friends at Brick & Mortar Recording for making this happen. Enjoy below.

American Idol Judges Save Jessica Sanchez — Pre-Planned Ambush

When Jennifer Lopez ambushed Jessica Sanchez’s performance on American Idol, I thought, “That had to be pre-planned. Usually the judges are shown convening during the performance, and I smell a rat. Then I came across this article on TMZ, which confirmed my suspicion. The judges new earlier that day that Jessica would be voted off, and the producers pressured them to save her. The entire debacle actually undercut the live aspect of the show, and the excitement of the save. Furthermore, the quality of this season’s performers have to the worst in the history of the show. In fact, I only watch to see Jennifer Lopez’s dresses. Watch the “save” below.


1 of 7 Voted Off (4) ~ American Idol 2012 by HumanSlinky

Dear Dixie Chicks — When’s Your Next Fu*King New Album?

As part of my job, I subscribe to the Facebook feeds of just about every band on the planet. One such band is the Dixie Chicks, who for some reason keep posting status updates despite the fact that they haven’t released new music in six years. Their last album, Taking the Long Way, was produced by the legendary Rick Rubin, and it was incredible. In memory of the band that used to make great music, I’m posting the video below.

Axl Rose Rejects Guns N’ Roses Hall of Fame Induction — Massive Douchebag

Axl Rose has the most expensive grudge in the history of America. Despite media pressure and fan pleas, he has openly rejected the idea of appearing at the Guns N’ Roses Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Here’s what he had to say:

“I respectfully decline my induction as a member of Guns N’ Roses to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “I strongly request that I not be inducted in absentia and please know that no one is authorized nor may anyone be permitted to accept any induction for me or speak on my behalf. Neither former members, label representatives nor the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame should imply whether directly, indirectly or by omission that I am included in any purported induction of Guns N’ Roses.”

Here’s a translation for that ridiculous explanation: Axl Rose is a big baby. It’s absolutely astounding to me that Axl’s grudge toward his bandmates has basically cost him close to the billion dollars he stands to make on a reunion tour. Perhaps he should have a conversation with The Police or Simon and Garfunkel about burying the hatchet in the name of money. And in case you’re wondering about the history of Axl’s insanity, I’ll remind you of a very famous story for your reading pleasure. Once upon a time, Stephen Adler (the former drummer for the band) had a girlfriend named Adriana Smith. Axl wanted some sex noises on his song, “Rocket Queen,” so he invited Adler’s girlfriend to the studio and recorded himself having sex with her. Needless to say, when Adler found out — he wasn’t pleased. Listen below.

Madonna’s Record Tanks — World Scratches its Head

In case you haven’t heard, Madonna’s record tanked, and there’s a very important lesson to be learned here: No matter who you are, you can’t produce shit. The public will reject you, especially at a time when there are some really incredible musicians that are forging their way to the top through social media alone. And furthermore, I don’t feel sorry for the person charging over $300 per ticket for her concert. Here’s my advice: Don’t get bloated and surround yourself with “yes-men.” You will pay a creative price.

Music Spotlight On: Josh Jove Band — Blues at its Best

There’s no formula for what makes a performer uniquely great, but I sure do know it when I see it. And I see it in Josh Jove. He fronts a blues band in Los Angeles, and if my prediction is correct, they’re on their way to massive success. He started playing guitar at age 11, and he’s self-taught. If you see him perform live, you’ll understand just how impressive that last detail is. According to Jove, he practices an “embarrassing amount of hours per day,” which isn’t surprising. He’s damn good. Plus, he’s one of the nicest, most humble guys I know. Have I also mentioned he’s easy on the eyes? Listen below to hear a demo of his blues band cover JJ Cale’s “The Woman That Got Away.” The demo was recorded at Brick & Mortar Recording in Los Angeles.

Singer/Songwriter Aaron Barnhart Launches Kickstarter Campaign — Donate Now!

UPDATE: Aaron Barnhart made his goal! He’s currently making his record at Brick & Mortar Recording and will release it to his fans shortly.

UPDATE: Aaaron Barnhart is $770 short of his goal. He has until May 4th to make it happen! Click here to donate.

When I launched The Dishmaster, I had a dream of using it to highlight up-and-coming artists. And when those up-and-coming artists are also personal friends, the process is doubly joyful. Today’s highlight includes the very talented Aaron Barnhart, who is in the process of recording his second album, and he’s using Kickstarter to raise the funds. For those unfamiliar with Kickstarter, here’s how it works: The artist sets a monetary goal and a deadline of when he has to achieve that goal. If he doesn’t raise the funds by the deadline, all of the money is returned to the donors and the artist gets nothing. It’s a great way for underground musicians to raise money for a product they would otherwise never be able to create. And because I have a die-hard love of both music and Aaron Barnhart, it’s time to ask my readers to contribute to making his record happen. He’ll be recording it at Brick & Mortar Studios in Los Angeles, and he has so far raised $2,290. He has until May 4 to reach his $3,500 goal, and you can make it happen. Click the link below to contribute to his new album. Also, click the second link to listen to an interview with the artist himself, and click the third link to listen to a live recording from the new record.

CLICK HERE: CONTRIBUTE TO AARON BARNHART’S RECORD