Here is the first of our Interviews!EDWARD BARÁT1. What made you decide to become a musician?Because it's the only thing I feel like I could do, you can't fucking imagine someone looking like me working in a fast food joint could ya? Actually don't answer that.
2. What sort of influences do you have?I'm mainly inspired by that classic rock era of the 70's and 80's. When I discovered Appetite For Destruction, I just thought to myself, that's what I want, I wanna be able to get myself into all kinds of trouble and make some kick ass records along the way. Bands like GnR, Aerosmith, Zeppelin, The Eagles, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Doors, The Who, The Stones, Van Halen, Kiss, Queen, The Replacements, The Misfits and then the more commercial sounds of bands like, Depeche Mode and Cheap Trick. With current music, I'd say act's like Miss Vanity, Glamazon, those acts that are all very 80's esque. And then the rockers, like Infinite, Mind and Reckoner. It doesn't have to be one genre or another.
3. What are your ambitions within the music industry?Just to be able to perform in some of the biggest venue's in the world. Make records that matter and records that people still remember when I'm ten feet under.
4. What was it like growing up in a family where everyone is talented in performing arts?It was alright. My siblings they all played instruments, be it piano, guitar, bass and drums. I never really had a huge tolerance of learning. I guess those who can't learn an instrument just decide to be a frontman. It was all I was built for. But with me having so many siblings it meant I could do what the fuck I wanted because my mum couldn't handle all of this so she figured that I could look after myself, I couldn't, I got into all kinds of crazy situations.
5. Has it caused friction between you and your siblings that you have gone on to start a career in the entertainment industry?No because that's not their main focus. And they've got time to do it, they're all inbetween the ages of 16-20. So we'll see what happens. Also I haven't really started a career in the entertainment industry yet, once I have a label and a record out then I can say I've started.
6. What do you think about shows like AATW?It's complete shit. You look at shows like American Idol and X Factor and now All Around The World. It's all the same bullshit, and any artist who has had months of PR behind them on prime time TV is obviously gonna have this kind of success. I personally think it's better to get out there, play the shittiest little clubs because it helps you grow and it gives you something to fucking write about. So yeah to sum, I'm not a fan.
7. Do you have any material set for release?I've got a few stuff that I've written in the past but I haven't recorded it yet. But there's some pretty good stuff to work on.
8. Who do you think will be the (in game) stars of 2011?I can't really look past Glamazon. It seems that these R&B chicks are taking over, people like Alicia Lena and Cherise but Glamazon is very different. She's fucking crazy and she's not mainstream but she manages to have this kinda commercial success. That's one girl I'd like to work with.
9. What was your favourite (in game) album of 2010?I'm not too sure to be honest. I wouldn't say that 2010 was a productive year really. Demons by Glamazon was a stand out record, that Stacey Walton record was pretty decent, I think both Mind and Infinite had productive years but other than that, I'm struggling to find any more.
10. What are your opinions of the labels out there?I don't know very much about them, There's a couple of new labels, Shooting Aces and that Monk one. There's Shooting Star, Junction Records and Studio 60. I think Studio 60 with Eric and Jason on it is alright. And Junction Records with Glamazon. And Shooting Star with Joe Dayton they're all alright labels.
11. What would it mean to you for a mainstream label to approach you?It would mean I get to release an album, that's kind of a given. I dunno really, I guess I'd look at a smaller label, maybe a more new label. I don't know how I'd feel about signing to a major label but a label that's being developed and is slowly improving would be more interesting.