As I have said many times Music is a huge part of my life, I mean I am Fatherhood in Stereo. Music evokes a huge passion in me and can change the mood I'm in, connect me with others and bring me to a place in my head that is needed sometimes. I have expressed before I do suffer from pretty severe Anxiety and I often times rely on music to get it under control.
I remember when I picked up my first copy of Rolling Stone magazine, I was enthralled with it. I mean a magazine all about music and culture. I was able to read interviews from many of my favorite musical artists, I was able to read lists of the best of the best and I got to get up close to many concerts that I never was able to attend. Let's not forget the covers come on I think we all have a favorite cover. There is the Janet Jackson cover (you know which one I am talking about), Kurt Cobain, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
The best part of the magazine were the interviews. I won't forget the first time I saw Almost Famous I was in awe. You could travel with bands, listen to music, become close with them and just talk about music? I mean what could be wrong about that. Here is the problem though you had to be able to be a quality writer. We have already covered that is not my strength however dreams do come true. While working on blog topics I reached out to Inaiah Lujan from The Haunted Windchimes (Check out my last post to read about their music) to see if he would do an interview. I didn't think I would hear anything from anyone but he responded, and he actually said yes! I couldn't believe it I got to interview a musician about music. Even though I am not working for a magazine i was able to mark off a bucket list item and fulfill a dream of mine. I am amazed by the music that that they create and the type of person that he is. So with all of that build up here is the interview!!!
How old were you when you started playing music?
I took to music at an early age with interest in the piano… To my parents amazement I learned the demo tune on a tiny Casio keyboard at the age of 3. They got me my first full sized keyboard that Christmas, I believe, which would have been '86 or ’87, I’ve been obsessed ever since.
Who were your musical influences as a child?
My dad raised me on classical music, Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin were amongst my first favorites. My mom was more into stuff like Dylan and the Beatles. Neil Young was also one of her favorites, it seemed like she always had music playing and I can remember looking at all of her LP’s as a child and attempting to recreate the artwork with my crayons.
Was music a big part within your family? How did your sister and you end up playing music together?
Yes like I said before, it seemed no matter what the activity, Mom had a record playing in the background… Classical or Flamenco music from Dad to put us to sleep. Chela would sing a long to all of her favorite Disney movies and it wasn’t long before we were singing together trying to recreate our favorite songs and eventually start to harmonize.
What is like playing in a band with your wife and your sister?
It is truly is a blessing, though challenging at times to have so much talent and creative personalities in one group. It is pure magic when we can tune-in to each other and blend our voices and ideas into song.
What is the most difficult thing for you being on the road playing music?
I don’t think most people realize how much work goes in to being a touring musician. I mean you are practically living in a van, out of a suitcase going from town to town, show to show and pouring your heart out each night. Nobody’s getting rich, in fact sometimes we return home and have to figure out how we’re going to make the rent. Some audiences don’t care at all… But the one’s that do, the one’s that really pay attention make it all worth while. I think the one thing that keeps us going is our love for the songs, and our passion to share them.
Do you have a favorite city or town to play music in? Why?
I wouldn’t say we have a favorite town, although many come to mind when thinking on this question… To us the best shows happen when we are in-tune with one another on stage, and the audience is in-tune with us and each other… It takes a lot of people holding each other up to make a successful show, and our biggest successes come when all these elements are working harmoniously towards a unity of mind and spirit.
Where do you get your inspiration from when writing your music?
Life experiences, love, loss… Feeling any emotion intensely enough that if you don’t get it out you might just burst, that’s what being a songwriter is all about.
How would you describe the music that The Haunted Windchimes make? What makes it different than traditional bluegrass, or folk?
I would describe our music as honest, heartfelt and soulful.
It’s hard to put any label on our music, but unfortunately to have success in this business you have to play the game, and that includes branding and labeling yourself something even if that something is broad and general in a sense. We make music. It comes out the way it does, we just try to step aside and let it happen organically and when the mood strikes, not by force. We are inspired by all types of music and a lot of non-musical things too. We are simply attempting to translate our experiences in to song and I suppose people relate that to the songs of old, like folk or Americana or Bluegrass… I have no problem personally with these labels, we love all types of music, and see it as a means for people to create a relationship to it, and that is fine by us.
Besides music do you have any other creative outlets or talents?
We all have other outlets but stay in that realm of creativity. For example my wife Desi is a painter and potter, Chela does beadwork and jewelry, Mike loves to build things, and is always up to some creative project and I do graphic design work, mostly for bands.
Pick one song that is your favorite that you have recorded? Why is that your favorite?
This changes from day to day, if I had to pick a current favorite it would be my wife’s song
"Bed of Roses,” she recorded it for a solo EP a few years back and the Chime’s have since picked it up and started playing it live and recorded it for our recent Daytrotter session. The song has an almost uncomfortable honesty but a feeling I believe all people can relate to. In the end we are telling stories from our live’s in hopes that someone, somewhere might relate to it in a positive way, and know that they are not alone in the universe.
Thank you to Inaiah for taking the time to answer my questions. I hope that this is the first of many interviews to come. I will continue to wokr at trying to live this small dream of mine! Please check out Inaiah and The Haunted Windchimes at www.inaiahlujan.com
