Music Interview with Sunny Side Up

Music Now Artist/Band Spotlight Weekly Series


By: Isaac Davis Jr., BGS, MBA

Indie music comes full circle with this next fantastic band. Sunny Side Up is perfectly crafting a new sound of Pop music laced with an acoustical spin that makes them the indie Pop band to look out for in the near future. This two person group is made up of Jack Wells (Lead Vocals, Guitar) and Mel Tarter (Lead Vocals) who harmoniously blend nicely together when they are singing. In a recent interview with the band, Mel speaks to our Webzine about the band’s music and their quest to reach the masses.

Isaac: I just listened to one of your songs titled, "Don't Forget That You Love You". What was the inspiration for making this song and your new album?

Sunny Side Up: Don’t Forget That You Love Me" was basically just inspired by love; the idea of love, and wanting it so badly to last. The album in general was inspired by everything that surrounds us. Particularly nature and the feelings we have for our friends, family and each other.

Isaac: Who were your influences?

Sunny Side Up: To name a few; The Beatles, The Fleet Foxes, Regina Spektor, Breathe Owl Breathe, Jason Mraz, The Shins, and Band of Horses and picking that few was a challenge.

Isaac: What do you consider to have been the highlight(s) and lowpoint(s) of your career to date?

Sunny Side Up: One great highlight was when we got to perform on The Mitch Albom Show on Detroit’s WJR Radio. It was such an honor to be a part of something so well known.

It became a bit low when we booked over 30 gigs last summer and we hit a rough streak with small or no crowds for a few weeks. Performing is great, but it’s better when there is an audience to actually see you.

Isaac: Brief history about your background plus the style of music you play.

Sunny Side Up: We met in high school while Jack was the lead singer in a punk rock band and I (Mel) was starring in a school musical. After building a friendship, we realized we could put our talents together to make a band. After changing our style numerous times, and searching for other players, we’re getting closer and closer to finding our niche.

Isaac: How easy is it to gets gigs for you as an artist/band? What is the live music scene like in your area?

Sunny Side Up: Getting gigs is not a problem. Many places (bars, venues, etc.) will book anyone. The hard part is getting a gig that is fulfilling. The crowd and the ambiance is what counts and to get a great combination of those two is tough. The local scene is getting better and with all the gigs we’ve done we’ve begun finding other bands we enjoy playing with, but we can’t get the idea of bigger music capitals out of our minds (California, Chicago, Nashville, etc.) Would love to hit the road and tour!!!

Isaac: What do you think of the state of Indie music at the moment? Do you listen to radio much at all? Has the Internet helped music grow or hindered it in your opinion?

Sunny Side Up: The indie music scene is incredible right now! It’s so inspiring to see how much raw talent is really out there. Radio isn’t exactly at the top of our list as far as listening to music goes. Flipping through it makes us more and more disappointed each time. Thank God for iPods! The Internet has helped us personally as far as getting music out there goes. It’s amazing how quickly word can spread through the click of a mouse.

Isaac: If you could create a fantasy band - what would be the line-up and why?

Sunny Side Up:

~Robin Pecknold, lead singer of fleet foxes, on LEAD vocals.
~Jack Wells- Back up vocals, rhythm guitar.
~Melissa Tarter- Lead vocals.
~Breathe owl Breathe- Andréa Moreno-Beals, Female vocalist on cello and violin.
~Grizzly Bear- drummer.
~ Keys- Ben Folds.


Isaac: What CD's do you currently have available and where can they be purchased from?

Sunny Side Up: We have a 4 song E.P. and it is available on iTunes, Napster, and CDBaby. We’re currently in the studio working on a full length album.

Isaac: Where can fans access your music, videos, blogs, and anything else about you online?

Sunny Side Up: www.myspace.com/sunnysideuponline and sunnysideuponline.com Please hit us up on Twitter and FaceBook too!

Isaac: Message to your fans?

Sunny Side Up: Support local artists!

Hey Isaac; we also included our wish list for 2010…can’t hurt to dream!!!

Sunny Side Up's Top Ten Wish List for 2010
(We have a dream. will travel)
1 - "Our" BIG break.
2 - To have legit industry promoter or manager.
3 - Recording deal with a great label.
4 - To meet The Fleet Foxes.
5 - To perform/play with Breathe Owl Breathe.
6 - Perform at Blissfest 2010.
7 - Find a wonderful producer.
8 - Complete our first album.
9 - Make a little moola!
10 - Not to be starving artist.