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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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