3/27/2010

My First Rodeo Interview with Michael Welsh and Hillary

Interview by Jorge Lara Santiago 

 

 

VIMMAG: What was your introduction into the Vegas music scene?

MW: We've never been properly introduced. As an LV native, I feel more like a product or spawn of the LV scene than someone who's discovering it.

HH: I'm hoping any day now.

 

 

VIMMAG:  I think you all make a great addition to the Arts District and your venue is always one of my points of destination when I go to First Friday. When I get to First Friday I tend to get a "neighborhood" feeling from your location and from your next door neighbors, 'Cottages Castles Closets.' Plus you both have the added bonus of a great location next to the ACE Gold Line transit system. What was the inherent purpose for such a venue?

MW: We needed a place for Hillary to do hair (legitimately) and we needed a good place to rehearse...

HH: ...and we LOVE downtown Las Vegas and we love being a part of the changes taking place.

MW: plus I made a decree some time ago to only play in non-smoking, preferably all age venues... and it seemed to be the only way to have an all ages, non-smoking place in the heart of Las Vegas that I could play at anytime I wanted. It just makes good sense, ya know.

 

 

VIMMAG: As creators and hosts of the recently launched S.O.A.P. Box (Society Of Anarchist Poets), you both seem to have a knowledge of past poetry venues such as Enigma and Espresso Roma. I just want to mention that your poetry venue at the moment is the only one with an actual stage and it brings to mind the stage that was once a key feature at Espresso Roma. What do you think S.O.A.P. Box will bring to the scene?

MW: Anarchist poets. I don't think we (mankind) are all out of ideas... or that there are no improvements yet be achieved. I think we can do better.

HH: Sunday Funday.!?

 

VIMMAG; Can you list three songs of yours and give a bit of history on each?

MW: Do I have to?

HH: Michael.

MW: Ugh. This is the part I hate. It always sounds so arrogant and self-serving to hear musicians, actors or artists talk about their "craft".

HH: Michael....

MW: (sigh) Ok, ok. I think they are all pretty self explanatory, save for a few tongue-in-cheek references.

"The Vicious Cycle" is about going through life in a seemingly endless cycle of volunteering your waking life to spend at a job that you hate getting up and going to everyday. I think a lot of people relate to it. I used to sing the words: "This Vicious Cycle" ad nauseum at the end to really drive the point home.

MW: "Tennessee" is a poem/song I used to sing when I was a solo act but when Hillary joined the group, she didn't like any song that seemed to be about other girls... but I like that poem so much that we decided that if Hillary sang it, it wouldn't be me singing about other women and it would make the audience curious and/or confused- and we both liked that aspect.

MW: "A Better Place". You know. Everyone fears death, yet when anyone dies they say that they have moved on to "a better place". Funny dichotomy, I think. Plus, I've known a lot people that have died. I also like the proclamation that I am here as an agent of gratitude and that we (humans) should not be so complacent to human suffering.

 

VIMMAG; And finally, what is next for Michael and Hillary?

HH: What's next? it's never ending, really... A hundred things. A tour, up the western coast..

MW: I'd like to open an espresso bar/produce market. Or somebody should. Wouldn't that be so cool? Plus, it would be amazing to be able to get fresh produce as easy as it is to get junk food in this neighborhood. There's an available spot where the old Iowa Cafe used to be, it has tables, chairs and even the espresso machine already in it.

 

 

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Society of  Anarchist Poets | Spoken Word / Mic

 

Come read and discuss poetry and share philosophy regarding our community and what we can do to create the change we wish to see in the world.

 

hillary art beauty music fashion

1104 S 3rd St

Las Vegas 18b Arts District. Have you seen us lately?

 

Every first Sunday of the month at 3pm