band - Mika Evans Project 5.2.07 interview w/Mika Evans

BP: First off, let's talk about the new album, "Based on a True Story." How long was

pre-production?

ME: Actually there wasn’t much real pre-production with this record which I know is odd,

but I had decided when I knew I was going to get the opportunity to make this record that I

wanted everything to be fresh and decided that I would write the songs and lay them down

as we needed them, when we would finish tracking one I would just write another and so

on. Having had written so many songs in the past I didn’t want to use anything that I had

done before and wanted to really just feed off the great vibe of the super talented guys that

were around me and create something from scratch.

BP: Tell me about the album design itself. It's definitely one of the best-looking cd

packages I've ever seen from a local band. Who helped with that?

ME: I give all the credit for that to Amanda Westerfield and my manager. I had something

very different in mind and can be very stubborn sometimes. I was reluctantly coursed by

my manager (who hated my idea) to check out some different ideas from Amanda. Needless

 to say I was wrong and was blown away when I saw what she had in mind. She was able

to incorporate all the crazy little things I wanted to say on one cover.

BP: I've met Malcom Springer, and the guy seems really sharp. What was it like working with a producer like him?

ME: To be honest, working with Malcolm has been the biggest honor I have had professionally. I have learned so much from the man and I feel so lucky to been able to watch him work. I have been blessed in my life of music having written in the major music cities and having had the opportunity to meet and work with so many talented people and I would not trade everything I ever learned from every “famous” songwriter/artist/producer for one hour of what I have been able to learn from Malcolm.

BP: Malcom told me personally that you're one of the best songwriters he's ever heard. How does that make you feel, considering he's heard some of the best?

ME: Man it feels really good. People will always pat you on the back and say "good job" no matter what you do if you try, and that is really nice, but what has always meant the most to me no matter what I was trying to do is receiving praise from the praiseworthy, there is no sense of accomplishment better than that. That makes it all worthwhile.

BP: Where do you get most of your inspiration from, when it comes to writing songs? 

ME: I guess I would have to say (insert overused cliché here---->) life. I just write about real experiences and emotions that I have or am having. Maybe it’s the self-righteous songwriter in me or something but I feel like I could always tell when a song was written to actually say something or just written to be written, I promised myself at 15 that I wouldn’t do that. Having that mindset has cost me a lot of good things in my life because I have chose experience over comfort, but with that said I am glad I did. To hear total strangers tell stories about how one of my lyrics or songs effected their life in some way is a feeling that very few get to experience, it’s like magic. I chose wisely I think.

BP: Tell us about some of the session players who helped out with recording the album.

ME: Man there are so many great people that help make this possible. First off Sambo and Jason Moncivaiz are two of the most unbelievably talented musicians I have ever met, and they are brothers! They also happen to be two of the coolest cats in this business or anywhere for that matter. They are from the band Reform the Resistance (formerly Justifide), they contributed so much. There are so many great things I could say about everyone involved but I won’t take up your whole day. On the record there are so many contributors I hope I don’t forget anyone. Johnny Neel (Allman Bros.) played some amazing B3 and piano tracks for us, Andy Dwiggins and Brandon Armstrong (Greenwheel) contributed a ton, Paul Crosby (Saliva) laid down a great drum track for “Hush”, “Rock” Davis (Modern Day Zero, Mesh StL) laid down some flat out fantastic guitars for us, not mention put me out of a poker tournament in Tunica, bastard. Not to forget some local talent that made a huge impact on the final sound - Bob Glastetter and a guy that I have so much respect for as a musician and a person, Nathan Day.

BP: Tell me about your regulars. Surely there's a few permanent members in the band right?

ME: Oh yeah, Nathan Day who I just mentioned plays with us and we are so lucky to have him. Most of the drum tracks on the record were his and he is the single most bad-ass drummer I have ever personally met. Scotty Austin (Supernova Syndicate) plays guitars like a champ. Max Pind is also on guitar. Justin Bolin is our groove specialist on the Bass, Matt Irwin is our piano guy and also a hell of a singer. We also have Bobby Lewis on electric fiddle and he sings as well. We have a pretty big group but we are lucky enough to have parts for everyone and we have so much fun together.

BP: With so many well-known musicians lending a hand, and alot of hard work on the album (not to mention a good deal of money spent I'm sure), it seems this cd could/should be shopped to some major labels. Was that your intention?

ME: Pretty simple really, get heard by any means necessary. The major label interest has been great, and fortunately we have been blessed enough to have some options which is more than I could have thought possible a few years ago. Although again with the stubbornness, I am going to try to choose what’s best for the record and the message rather than what puts money in my pocket fast. Whatever can get us heard the loudest is what I am trying to find. If that’s a major great, if not then that’s fine too. When I do decide to put my signature on paper you can be sure it's with a company that I think has the best chance of letting Jane Doe in Middle of Nowhere, USA hear the songs.

BP: There's a whole lot of competition out there. What do you think your chances are?

ME: I don’t really think much about what other bands or songwriters are doing and don’t really compare

myself much (mostly cause I don’t wanna be discouraged, I’m just kidding). The truth of the matter is in

a lot of ways I feel like I have already made it. Four ago I would have said that my chances of being

where I am now were about .01%, so anything from here is just extra.

BP: Favorite track off the album, and why?

ME: Yes I do for sure. “Listen" is a song that I really had to fight for to make the record. It doesn’t have a

cool hook or anything fancy about it. I believe though that song will be overlooked by most but there are some out there that need to hear it and hopefully they will. I have heard a lot of songs that deal with the subject matter and try to make it sound glamorous or romantic in some way, but I have never heard a song that actually dealt with the real experience and that’s what I feel like it does. Most people have felt that way at one point or another if only for a minute, so it is my way of letting people know first hand that it’s not just them. To be honest the song is more for the people that are around people that are in that mind space and can hopefully see it a little clearer.

BP: Any plans for a new cd in the near future?

ME: I always wanna make a new CD. Everytime I write a song I think man I can’t wait till I record this! To tell the truth, right now I just wanna focus on this album and use it to connect with as many people as possible before I throw some more depressing crap at them. jk

BP: What do you guys have planned in the coming months? Any tour dates or special announcements you'd like to make?

ME: We are in the process of setting up a summer tour now, so I am not sure of any dates yet but you can check myspace.com/mikaevansproject very soon and we’ll have it all lined out.

BP: Ok, anything else you want to mention? Here's your chance to rant..... 

ME: Yeah there is! I wanna thank you for taking the time to listen to the album and give your honest thoughts on it! I wanna thank everyone who has been so supportive of us and what we are trying to accomplish. Everyone remember to eat your vegetables, get plenty of sleep, believe in yourself, and watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer as much as possible! Thanks Randy!

BP: Thanks so much for the interview Mika, and best of luck to you and your musical endeavours!

-Randy Mallett, BANNEDPROMOTIONS.com

Read a review of Mika's new cd at www.bannedpromotions.com/mepreview

Visit the Mika Evans Project online at www.myspace.com/mikaevansproject 

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