Wannabe Rock Stars are ten a penny. Real Rock Stars, that's artists with
actual talent and showmanship are a lot harder to come by these days.
Here we catch up with someone that we can definitely confirm falls into
the second category. Krys Baratto please stand up and take a bow!
MM - OK, Lets start with some basic stuff - who's in the band, what do they
actually do in the band, and where do you all hail from.
First off let me thank you for doing this interview. The band consists of:
Lance Stevens on lead vocals and guitar, Sean Sauder on drums, Jeff
Rutland on guitar and vocals, and yours truly on bass and vocals. We are
all from Minneapolis, MN.
MM -
The band's name is quite unusual, where did
that come from?
It came from one of the bands songs called 'From Mars To Mercury'. Oh ya,
and it was a line in a Queen song, great song too.
MM - Now for a brief history lesson on all you
chaps - how and when did you all meet and what swayed you into forming a
band?
Actually, I was planning on moving back to Minneapolis from Los Angeles
and I got an email from Sean asking if I'd like to join a band. He had
been bugging me about it for quite some time when I was living in L.A..
You see, he pirated my email from the Samantha 7 website and knew I was
from Minnesota. So I told him I was moving back and to send me some music
to listen to.
Well, I heard it and the hairs on my arms stood up. So the tables turned
and I started bugging him to let me play! He said he'd have to convince
the other guys first, so I sent him some 'bribe' money - not sure if he
kept it or if he actually gave it to them (he happened to get a really
expensive drum kit just before I arrived !?!). I got to Minneapolis and a
week later we did a gig and two days after that we were in the studio
doing demos for Maverick Records!!!!!!!!
MM - How would you best describe your music
and who do you think it would most appeal to? I must say the tracks I've
heard on MP3 are cracking little numbers, real laid back and sexy in a
moody kind of way.
I think it’s very “radio rock/pop”, in the vein of the Goo Goo Dolls,
Lifehouse, Wallflowers, that kind of style yet it has a style very much of
it’s own. I just think that the songwriting and players are really amazing
and very talented. Some of the music is laid back but there are quite a
few songs that are really upbeat as well. There are about 30 recorded now.
MM -
Would you like to tell all the readers what
your website address is so they can all check it out. Also when are you
going to update the information on it to help us get to know you all a
bit better?
The website is:
www.marstomercury.com . Hopefully it will be updated soon. The guy
that does it is into panda research and is really busy lately on that.
It’s being worked on right now. There will be updates soon. You can hear
some MP3’s on there too.
MM - What other bands have the band members
been involved with prior to Mars to Mercury?
The guys have been in previous bands here in Minneapolis. They have all
had quite a bit of experience in the studio and on stage.
MM - Is there anything you've brought along
with you from your previous bands to this new band?
Good beer and cider ! Kidding aside (not really), I think I brought in a
whole bunch of years in the “business” side of the music biz. I’ve spent
many of years in studios and stages all over the globe, dealt with tons of
lawyers, managers, agents and have a really good idea who’s tryin’ to
screw you and what to look out for.
MM - What bands did you grow up with and how
have they helped in creating the style of music you perform now?
Ya know, I listen to so much stuff. I’ve always loved Fleetwood Mac, Bob
Dylan, Elvis, and all the 50’s music. But, I love a lot of the pop music
out today. There is a lot of great music out there. I love old music,
great melodic bass lines, the Motown era was great for bass too.
MM - At what age did you decide you wanted to
be a musician/performer? Who did you want to be when you were younger?
Who was your idol?
I was young, too young too remember. Lost some brain cells over the years.
I’ll ask my mommy and get back to ya on that one.
MM - The band has recently finished recording
some tracks at the Terrarium. Do you have plans for when they will be
released for your fans to purchase?
No, actually we decided we don’t want anyone to hear it, it’s too good
!!!!!!!!!! We did a whole bunch of songs at the Terrarium in Minneapolis
with a great engineer named Jason Orris, and those were done mainly for
Maverick Records, but it will be out there soon. We have been back there
recently tracking more songs. Keep checking that website for all the
latest.
MM - So far the band seems to be keeping their
heads down a bit as far as the music press are involved. Why the shyness
to sing your own praises?
Well, there is quite a bit of press around here and a lot of high profile
concerts, great reviews and lots of critical praise. We are keeping it on
the down low though until we get a record deal sorted out-then let those
presses roll…..
MM - What is the band up to at
the moment or planning for the coming year?
We are continuing to record. We have finished a string of shows and will
continue to do a select few over the next couple of months. Mainly
focusing on securing a deal right now though.
MM - What's your favourite 'Mars to Mercury'
song so far and why?
Oh that’s too tough to say. There is a song called “Owe”; then there is
“Collide”, “Kite String”, “Crashing Down”, “After All”, “Mechanical
Failure”, actually to save time, I think they are all great - you’ll hear
what I mean.
MM - Is the band signed yet and if not has
there been any interest from the music industry execs?
Nothing official yet. There is a lot of interest from a lot of people.
We’ll see what happens from there.
MM - Who writes the songs that you perform, is
it the job of just one person or do you all just chip in?
Well up to this point, Lance, the singer, writes them all. He’s kind of
bullheaded like that, he won’t let anyone else chip in. A tyrant he is! He
doesn’t even show up to rehearsals – typical singer. NOOOO, just kidding.
But Lance does write everything and as far as I’m concerned he can keep
doing it - I think he’s great. Hands down one of the best song writers
I’ve ever heard.
MM - Is there a song written by someone else
that you love and wish you'd been the one to write it?
Ya know, there are sooooooo many of those. Whenever I listen to the radio
there is always one that I think “Damn I wish I wrote that”
MM - What concert have you attended, other
than your own, which has totally blown your mind?
I saw Lindsey Buckingham once in LA and just about lost my marbles. That
one blew my mind. I saw Poison last night, didn’t blow my mind but the
explosions from where I was standing onstage nearly blew my eardrum (:
MM - If you could perform/tour with any
band/artist, who would you choose and why?
I think Tom Jones would be fun to tour with.
MM - Does the band have any plans to gig/tour
outside of your local area in the next 12 months?
There are a few concerts coming up both in the area as well as out.
MM - In 3 words how would your best friend describe you?
Woof, Woof .... Woof
MM - Lastly, is there anything you
would like to say to all our readers out there?
Keep an eye and ear out for the band. I really think there are a ton of
great songs here and hopefully I'll see you all again on your side of the
pond ...
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