Cinder Road and Shorelines End on The Next American Star (Interview)
HOT ZONE: What do you feel sets Shorelines End apart from the rest of the bands?
PATRICK ALAN: We stay true to playing music for the love of music. We’re not in it to be “rockstars” we just love playing.
Patrick Alan of Shorelines End
HOT ZONE: Why do you feel you should be The Next American Star?
PATRICK ALAN: I feel we should be the next american star because we’ve worked extremely hard to get our careers to this level and we bring to the table the right qualities an american star should have!!
HOT ZONE: What has been the most rewarding part of being involved with The Next American Star?
PATRICK ALAN: Honestly the entire experience has been extremely rewarding! We’ve had the opportunity to play some awesome shows with some very awesome people! plus the trip to chicago for the finals was amazing!!
HOT ZONE: If you win the title of The Next American Star what will you do with the prize money?
PATRICK ALAN: Its going straight into the Tour fund!! so we can upgrade from Ramon Noodles to Taco Bell haha!
HOT ZONE: Do you have any advice for next seasons The Next American Star contestants?
PATRICK ALAN: Get your fans involved!! Don’t just send out tons of bulletins saying “Vote for Us” that gets really annoying! You really have to talk to people one on one and get them to tell all their friends and start a domino effect!
HOT ZONE: Why are contest like The Next American Star are so important in advancing an artists career?
PATRICK ALAN: Because its all about exposure! Any way you can get your name or music out to people is a good idea!
HOT ZONE: We noticed you are managed by Tommy Quon and have worked with Kevin Beamish – having such respected industry people on your team obviously opens alot of doors. Do you feel that you still have the freedom to make your own career choices or are you at the mercy of your manager and others in the industry?
PATRICK ALAN: We do have an amazing team of people and honestly because of them we do get to keep a lot of the freedom to make choices because they fight for us to retain it! But since most of our team is comprised of veterans of the game we do listen to their advice all the time!!
HOT ZONE: Social networking sites like Myspace, Facebook, Twitter etc have changed the face of the music industry – how do you feel this helps or hinders an artist?
PATRICK ALAN: It definitely helps with reaching new audiences but it can hinder you also because there are a hundred million other “myspace” bands sending out invitations to the same people! So once again its extremely important to get your fans involved with promotions!
HOT ZONE: What can we expect to see from Shorelines End in the coming months?
PATRICK ALAN: Expect the unexpected with us haha!! Well just know that we’ve got some major plans in the works!!
Cinder Road (Interview with lead singer Mike Ruocco)
HOT ZONE: What do you feel sets Cinder Road apart from the rest of the bands?
MIKE RUOCCO: Cinder Road certainly has a lot of road and studio experience. Not to mention we have been involved in two other online competitions where fans votes determine the winner. We took home first place in both.
HOT ZONE: Why do you feel you should be The Next American Star?
MIKE RUOCCO: At the end of the day it comes down to people digging your songs. If the people like the tunes they will vote. Let the best band win!
Mike Ruocco of Cinder Road
HOT ZONE:
What has been the most rewarding part of being involved with The Next American Star?
MIKE RUOCCO: Getting to travel to NYC and Chicago for shows. We love to travel and playing shows on the road is our forte.
HOT ZONE: If you win the title of The Next American Star what will you do with the prize money?
MIKE RUOCCO: Record a new album!
HOT ZONE: Do you have any advice for next seasons The Next American Star contestants?
MIKE RUOCCO: Be prepared for a LONG contest… Just kidding. Stay active and vote, vote , vote.
HOT ZONE: Why are contest like The Next American Star are so important in advancing an artists career?
MIKE RUOCCO: Unfortunately getting to the next level in music takes money, this money can help bands record, promote and break into a very tough business.
HOT ZONE: Social networking sites like Myspace, Facebook, Twitter etc have changed the face of the music industry – how do you feel this helps or hinders an artist?
MIKE RUOCCO: Because of these sites music is now very easily accessable on a global level. A kid in China can check Cinder Road at the same time as someone here in the states, simply by surfing the internet. Downloads can always hurt bands but it’s part of today’s musical landscape so we have to deal the bets we can.
HOT ZONE: Cinder Road seems to have had success in past online contests as well as the current The Next American Star season. What is the secret to CR’s success?
MIKE RUOCCO: The fans.
HOT ZONE: Your manager is the same as Steven Tylers – having such a respected industry individual on your team obviously opens alot of doors. Do you feel that you still have the freedom to make your own career choices or are you at the mercy of your manager and others in the industry?
MIKE RUOCCO: Our management team is great and they let the artists make the calls. They are there to help and guide us in any way they can.
HOT ZONE: What can we expect to see from Cinder Road in the coming months?
MIKE RUOCCO: Recording and touring…. I hope.
Voting has concluded for The Next American Star finals; the winner will be announced later this month. Stay tuned to www.TheNextAmericanStar.com and www.HotZoneOnline.com for the announcement.
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I love Shorelines End =]
Patrick is such a sweetheart.
=]
Shorelines End Rocks! Way to keep your eye on the prize all these years! Keep up the good work, you’re an inspiration to all of us.
Japan loves Cinder Road!<3 We are waiting to see their show here in Japan!!! Bring them please!
Mike Roucco has put in as much work as some of the seasoned bands I have seen. He and this band have been involved with and have listened to their fans from the word “go.” He does this because he loves it and it’s what he was born to do. I have never met a more down to earth, committed band in my life as Cinder Road, and it doesn’t hurt that their music is incredible, they deserve this win!