STEFF KOEPPEN & THE ARTICLES-INTERVIEW
Lately, I’ve been hearing tons of great music coming out of River Jones Music Label, one of the bands being Steff Koeppen & The Articles.I’m so happy to have them on here and I really encourage everyone to check out the rest of the artists coming from RJM as well. When I started this interview the band had their album out for free on their bandcamp page for a short time, which I posted a link to on the Skeleton Me facebook page. The album is no longer available for free, but it is available for purchase on: http://www.riverjonesmusic.org
Listen to: Waltz (Of What’s Unsaid)
Check out: http://www.facebook.com/steffkoeppenandthearticles
1.So I read that you’ve been playing piano since you were 8 years old, was it one of those things that started out as your parents idea or has it always been something you wanted to do?
It was definitely my idea to start playing piano. I often listened to a family friend play piano, and decided I wanted to play that well someday.
2. Who were your first musical influences?
My first musical influences? Well, I wrote my first song in middle school, so I guess my FIRST musical influences were all those horrible bands/artists I listened to then.
3. Do you still consider your first musical influences as a big part of the music you create now?
Oh goodness, no. Well, it may be obvious the huge inspiration Greenday and Mariah Carrey bring to the music…I’m kidding.
4. Any guilty pleasures when it comes to music?
Some people would consider my love for Ben Folds a guilty pleasure. Chris (bass) has this thing for The Backstreet Boys, apparently.
5. When did you decide you wanted to create Steff Koeppen and The Articles? I guess what I’m trying to say is when did The Articles come in?
With the beginning of this project in 2008, I played with friends on drums, bass, and violins when I could. However, there was never a solid line up of musicians then, which was difficult for trying to perform well-rehearsed live sets. Nearing the end of 2009, I finally got The Articles together: Tom, Ruth, Chris, and Alex. What a catch!
6. Do you and the rest of the band share a lot of the same tastes in music?
Somewhat, but we all listen to our own things. There are bands and artists that we all know and love, but everyone seems to have their own tangent of musical interests, as well.
7. One random fact about each of you.
Steff loves cats, but hates corn syrup.
Tom says he is “a giraffe” whose guilty pleasure is Jersey Shore…
Alex is addicted to peanut butter.
Ruth has always wanted a pet White Siberian tiger.
Chris’s bass is named Rhonda.
8. Downloaded your album recently and it’s really great! What was the inspiration behind it?
I’m not sure if I can say there was a particular inspiration behind it; it’s just a compilation of some songs that were FINALLY released! Because the songs on the album were written throughout a stretch of a couple years, the lyrical content isn’t from just one point in my life. Some of it is just silly stuff I came up with in high school, some songs are expressions of the way I suppose I felt at some point, and others were inspired by observations of people in my life. The album definitely involved lot of experimentation with songwriting and bringing those songs to life with the band.
9. Tell us a little about your song “ Waltz” is it one of your older or newer songs?
“The Waltz of What’s Unsaid” is an older song. I believe it’s the 4th or 5th song I ever wrote for this project over two years ago now. Lyrically, it basically expresses avoidance of saying things I didn’t want to or might say in the wrong way.
10. What made you decide to have your album for free download?
As a new band, we need to get the word out! Let’s face it, people are more likely to take something that’s free, so if they listen and like, we’re hopeful that more people will tell their friends, want to purchase future releases, and find it worth their time to come out to shows! Playing music at our level cannot be about making much money; we’re hoping to build a fan base who’ll enjoy the music we enjoy making.
11. How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it?
Raging jazz pop?
12.Where was the first place you ever performed and what was that experience like?
The first place I personally performed was probably at talent shows in elementary school. I was really shy and nervous, but usually received encouraging feedback. I performed with a band for the first time in the 7th or 8th grade. It’s always less nerve-racking when I’m playing with a band, where I’m not singled out (If the performance sucks, we suck together. haha). This particular band’s first show with The Articles was at a venue in Tucson at the beginning of 2010. We had around 100 people there to hear what we’d been working on together. Though it was somewhat rough (monitor mix, aahhh!!), it was a great start to getting used to playing together.
13. Have you guys had any embarrassing on stage moments?
Of course! We’ve all forgotten parts at some point. I know I’ve spilled tea on myself attempting to drink it on stage. Chris makes embarrassing jokes. I say stupid things in general.
14. Do you have a favorite song to perform?
Everyone loves playing one of our new songs, “Change Like That.” I think we all like playing new songs because we havn’t gotten a chance to get sick of them yet. I like playing “This Place” because it’s easy, but fun. Haha. “Your Image” seems to be a popular song to play live.
15. Describe your ultimate dream show.
I’d love to play a big music festival, and I know the rest of the band would too. Any show with a good crowd with good energy….and GOOD sound!
16. Any shows coming up that you’d like readers to know about?
*We are playing November 5th at one of our favorite venues, UPSTAIRS in Phoenix (above Blue Water Grill, 16th/Camelback). It starts at 10pm and is free, with a suggested donation of $2.
*November 6th @ The University of Arizona (Catwalk)
*November 13th at The Olive Branch in Tempe for our friends’ (Stellacutta) EP release.
17. What made you decide that River Jones Music label was a good match for you?
It was an exciting opportunity to be a part of something in the southwest with so much potential to grow from the ground up. The label is full of friends, so it was also an easy welcome.
18. There are so many great musicians coming out of River Jones Music Label who are some of your favorites?
I don’t know who we can single out as our top favorites, we’re just so pleased to be a part of such a talented collective. It’s always exciting to hear what new songs everyone is crafting.
19. Are there any musicians that you feel more people should know of?
With all the underground music out there, there are way too many bands and artists worth mentioning! Check out our friends, The Diadem, Logan Greene and The Bricks, Stellacutta (Gita), Horsefinger, Faster Than Light, Captain Squeegee, Poem, any of the other RJM artists…..so much great music coming right out of Arizona!
20. Where can fans keep up with you and find more of your music online?
Myspace.com/steffandthearticles will always have our show schedule and mp3s of some of the songs to listen to. http://www.facebook.com/steffkoeppenandthearticles will also keep updated on what’s going on. You can download our album or individual tracks through itunes, Think Indie, CD Baby, and Amazon. You can also mail order the physical album by visiting riverjonesmusic.org.
21. Anything else you would like to add?
We’re hoping to get an official start on our second album toward the beginning of 2011. We can’t wait for everyone to hear the newer songs. Come see us live! We love playing music and love having lovely people to play it for.
Interview by: Amanda Rodriguez http://skeletonme.tumblr.com/
