Giving music back to the musicians.
ASLUN MANN
Formed January 1st 2000, Aslun Mann consists of a whopping two members: Aslun Mann a.k.a. “Throb” and M.J. Harris (who sports the alias’ “Goose” and “Kinky Jim”) arguably the best band in the history of music, and widely heralded both as "the next Beatles" and "the voice of their generation," they have...
Formed January 1st 2000, Aslun Mann consists of a whopping two members: Aslun Mann a.k.a. “Throb” and M.J. Harris (who sports the alias’ “Goose” and “Kinky Jim”) arguably the best band in the history of music, and widely heralded both as "the next Beatles" and "the voice of their generation," they have already played like two shows. With a technical mastery of their instruments unrivaled by even the most skilled of classical virtuosos, and with more indie-cred than the most obscure of American Midwestern bands, Aslun Mann are basically going to save rock & roll. The band doesn't care about notoriety or personal glory (but they're going to be famous anyway) and are making music with only one goal in mind: to end world hunger. Aslun and M.J. are nice boys who like cats and love their mums, but they can still hold their own out on the street. If you haven't already experienced this rock & roll extravaganza firsthand, you should check out their music, which burns with the fury and intensity of a thousand suns. No mercy for rock and roll!!
ASLUN MANN--THE INTERVIEW WITH ARALIE....
First off, when did you guys first get together to jam? Do you remember it at all? Was there any particular moment you knew you had a sound that was unique?
A: I first met M.J in 1998. We really didn’t like each other. Still don’t. I remember the first song of mine that we recorded…it sounded pretty hot and we both knew we were onto something.
2. As many musicians know, spending time in a recording studio for any period of time can be a strenuous experience. Explain the recording process and how it effected the band.
A: We record everything at my house or M.J.’s house. When you work with fairly basic equipment it forces you to really hone your vision and musicianship, as flaws can really stand out.
3. How would you explain your writing process? Some bands take the communal route while others find it better to have an individual bring tunes to the table. What do you find easiest in the grand scheme of writing a song?
A: I write all the songs. Sometimes while I wouldn’t say it’s a breeze it's a pretty straightforward journey. At other times it’s very painful. In a sense to do this work at a very high level you have to been kind of crazy to begin with. It’s extremely demanding emotionally. You’re dealing with the language of sound which is emotion. Sometimes managing the emotions of what you discover is difficult in the context of living daily life. I think to write honest songs that really matter you have to be prepared to pay the price however painful-that’s part of the calling~Amen.
4. Have you seen your music change; mature if you will, as your band has grown?
A: Yea we’ve seen our music change…”but out early work was so much better.”
5. Any other favorite local artists we should know about?
A: No. Just me.
6. What are you feelings about music piracy? How would you feel if you clicked on to Limewire, Kazaa, Bittorrent, pick your poison, and found thousands of people downloading your music for free? Do you think your position on the issue will change as you become more popular?
A: It’s a bit late to be moaning about all that now-there’s no turning back is there? If I found myself on Torrent I’d be pretty flattered.
7. What do you think about bands like Radiohead and NIN allowing fans to pay what they want for their music? Do you think that model will be the future of music? Or, where do you see the music
industry in 20 years?
A: At this point I think Radiohead and NIN should pay their fans to listen to their songs.
8. What, in your opinion, are the most prevalent struggles of an independent musician in today's music industry? Any advice to aspiring artists who find it troublesome to ‘pay the bills’ doing what they’re most passionate about?
A: It should really be about the art-the music. Sacrifices are necessary (would it be meaningful otherwise?) The sacrifices you make as an artist are part of it-part of paying the price and not everyone can do this. John Lennon and Bob Dylan never got into music for the money. They did it because they needed it…but hey, I guess if you’re really broke then “rob from the rich ‘cuz the poor ain’t worth the effort.”
9. How do you think the pay-what-you-want model fits into the enormous and continually growing independent music scene? Would you recommend an independent musician to try it out?
A: Well, if the choice is either pay what you can or don’t pay-then pay…but I’d tell any musician: don’t expect to be wearing a top hat and driving a Lincoln any time soon.
10. What was it like first starting out? Any good stories from those days?
A: Remembering anything before yesterday is impossible for me. I think he smelled pretty good back then. Still does.
11. Who are some our your influences? What do you think best describes your sound? Who are some of your favorite artists?
A: Influences? Kenny G, Aaron Neville, and Yanni--c’mon it’s so obvious!
12. What do you guys say to the fans who make bootlegged footage available to the public?
A: They should be severely beaten …with a pillow.
13. What are some of the greatest things about playing a live show? Any preference as to how big the venue is? While playing live, do you prefer more of a small interactive atmosphere to a large sold out venue or vice versa? In your opinion, does preference to venues have relation to the type of music a band plays?
A: When I do play live I usually play on an acoustic. A small intimate venue is better suited to the intimacy of the acoustic form.
14. What’s coming up next for you guys? Any big shows, album releases?
A: We’re putting the finishing touches on new songs which will take our listeners to a places they’ve never been before :)
15. Five year plans don’t typically apply to the profession of playing music. But just for fun, where do you see yourselves in five years?
A: Two of the happiest janitors working at McDonalds …Hold on, that question doesn’t apply to the profession of making music.
ASLUN MANN--THE INTERVIEW WITH ARALIE....
First off, when did you guys first get together to jam? Do you remember it at all? Was there any particular moment you knew you had a sound that was unique?
A: I first met M.J in 1998. We really didn’t like each other. Still don’t. I remember the first song of mine that we recorded…it sounded pretty hot and we both knew we were onto something.
2. As many musicians know, spending time in a recording studio for any period of time can be a strenuous experience. Explain the recording process and how it effected the band.
A: We record everything at my house or M.J.’s house. When you work with fairly basic equipment it forces you to really hone your vision and musicianship, as flaws can really stand out.
3. How would you explain your writing process? Some bands take the communal route while others find it better to have an individual bring tunes to the table. What do you find easiest in the grand scheme of writing a song?
A: I write all the songs. Sometimes while I wouldn’t say it’s a breeze it's a pretty straightforward journey. At other times it’s very painful. In a sense to do this work at a very high level you have to been kind of crazy to begin with. It’s extremely demanding emotionally. You’re dealing with the language of sound which is emotion. Sometimes managing the emotions of what you discover is difficult in the context of living daily life. I think to write honest songs that really matter you have to be prepared to pay the price however painful-that’s part of the calling~Amen.
4. Have you seen your music change; mature if you will, as your band has grown?
A: Yea we’ve seen our music change…”but out early work was so much better.”
5. Any other favorite local artists we should know about?
A: No. Just me.
6. What are you feelings about music piracy? How would you feel if you clicked on to Limewire, Kazaa, Bittorrent, pick your poison, and found thousands of people downloading your music for free? Do you think your position on the issue will change as you become more popular?
A: It’s a bit late to be moaning about all that now-there’s no turning back is there? If I found myself on Torrent I’d be pretty flattered.
7. What do you think about bands like Radiohead and NIN allowing fans to pay what they want for their music? Do you think that model will be the future of music? Or, where do you see the music
industry in 20 years?
A: At this point I think Radiohead and NIN should pay their fans to listen to their songs.
8. What, in your opinion, are the most prevalent struggles of an independent musician in today's music industry? Any advice to aspiring artists who find it troublesome to ‘pay the bills’ doing what they’re most passionate about?
A: It should really be about the art-the music. Sacrifices are necessary (would it be meaningful otherwise?) The sacrifices you make as an artist are part of it-part of paying the price and not everyone can do this. John Lennon and Bob Dylan never got into music for the money. They did it because they needed it…but hey, I guess if you’re really broke then “rob from the rich ‘cuz the poor ain’t worth the effort.”
9. How do you think the pay-what-you-want model fits into the enormous and continually growing independent music scene? Would you recommend an independent musician to try it out?
A: Well, if the choice is either pay what you can or don’t pay-then pay…but I’d tell any musician: don’t expect to be wearing a top hat and driving a Lincoln any time soon.
10. What was it like first starting out? Any good stories from those days?
A: Remembering anything before yesterday is impossible for me. I think he smelled pretty good back then. Still does.
11. Who are some our your influences? What do you think best describes your sound? Who are some of your favorite artists?
A: Influences? Kenny G, Aaron Neville, and Yanni--c’mon it’s so obvious!
12. What do you guys say to the fans who make bootlegged footage available to the public?
A: They should be severely beaten …with a pillow.
13. What are some of the greatest things about playing a live show? Any preference as to how big the venue is? While playing live, do you prefer more of a small interactive atmosphere to a large sold out venue or vice versa? In your opinion, does preference to venues have relation to the type of music a band plays?
A: When I do play live I usually play on an acoustic. A small intimate venue is better suited to the intimacy of the acoustic form.
14. What’s coming up next for you guys? Any big shows, album releases?
A: We’re putting the finishing touches on new songs which will take our listeners to a places they’ve never been before :)
15. Five year plans don’t typically apply to the profession of playing music. But just for fun, where do you see yourselves in five years?
A: Two of the happiest janitors working at McDonalds …Hold on, that question doesn’t apply to the profession of making music.
ALBUMS
ASLUN MANN
+ add album to cart
10 tracks
Mr. Conquiestador
(04:16)
This Guys Got A Problem
(04:19)
Too True To Be Good
(04:42)
We Are One
(02:53)
Nothing Hurts
(02:52)