Crosby Loggins is one of the most talented new artists out today.
Being the son of singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins has not stopped Croz from exemplifying his own style while blending funk, folk and r & b into his music.
Currently Crosby is busily in the process of completing his first full-length album as well as doing shows all around California.
He's a great singer with lyrics you can relate to and in true S & S.com fashion, it is only right that I introduce you all to someone you should know by now, Crosby Loggins.
Raina: What are you working on right now?
Crosby: I'm currently in the process of completing my first definitive full-length album.
Raina: How would you describe your new album?
Crosby: This album is particularly diverse. We infuse styles from Rock, Jazz, Country, Blues, Pop, Funk, 70's singer-songwriter and even R&B and Bluegrass.
It is honestly difficult to describe what my group is about in a few words or less. This is a common problem of ours when someone at the super-market or the bank asks, "So you're in a band, eh? What
kind of band?" Our default response for now is, "One where everyone can actually play".
Our rhythm section was born of a Funk Fusion project based out of Bakersfield, CA called "The Mother Funk Conspiracy". Honestly one of
the most exciting and simultaneously accessible funk fusion acts I've heard.
Our first lead chair is Violin, which separates our sound from other acts significantly right from the get-go, but our keyboardist (Dennis Hamm) and our guitarist (Jesse Siebenberg) are also fantastic lead players. Dennis is a monster. The greatest Jazz keyboardist I've ever met far and away.
Raina: What will be the first single release?
Crosby: Well, heh... That largely depends on what everyone else in the world likes. We don't have any throw-away cuts on this record. We feel strongly about every single song. If you asked the other guys what their favorite was, they'd probably have to take a minute to get back to you. Its all really different stuff.
I think there are a few straight ahead rock grooves that would be the most accessible for mass marketing and radio, and hence are more likely to be picked up as singles than the others.
One of those songs is actually called "Radio Song" and its chorus contains the line "'Cuz its hard times for the radio song..." We like to laugh about that one making it to radio.
Raina: Any future plans to perform in Fresno,CA?
Nothin on the books right now, but I'm hoping to be touring hard for the next two years so its likely that we'll make it soon. Check www.crosbyloggins.com for updates about spring and summer tours.
Raina: You are an AWESOME singer. Very soulful! Who influenced you to become a singer?
Crosby: Thank you. Early on I was very influenced by acts from my parents' era like James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne and of course the
Beatles.
Ironically, however, when I first opened my mouth I was singing Soundgarden, Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam. That stuff was what was cool at the time and it influenced me quite a bit.
I still love a lot of that stuff, especially Pearl Jam.
When I first began singing (at about 13), I had been writing instrumental music on my own for some time, 5 years or so. Singing songs was just the next natural progression. Its a good thing too, as
I never went on to become a particularly stunning guitar player.
Also, Bob Marley was a huge influence although I wouldn't really realize that until much later, and I doubt it overtly shows up anywhere. Crosby, Stills & Nash's crystalline harmonies were also something which struck a deep chord in me at an early age.
Raina: What influences your songwriting?
Crosby: Everything. There's a lot of folks who say they only write about love & relationships, or personal hardship, or robots or whatever. I'm not
like that.
I feel strongly that, as a songwriter, if you can easily sum up what your record is about lyrically in one sentence or less you're not doing your job. There are a lot of people who would
disagree with me, even forcefully at times, and say that I'm diluting something which could be more potent and focused. I don't see it that
way.
Life isn't about one thing, so songs shouldn't be about one thing. Music is like distilled emotion, second only to smell in its power to transport you instantaneously to another place and time
without you agreeing to go along. You know, like when you smell your ex's perfume in the mall and you spin around and get all upset and suddenly realize how ridiculous you're behaving?
I think it's a songwriter's job to invoke that experience in people in as many different ways as possible. It's a fantastic vehicle for extra-lyrical communication. To attempt my own pet-peeve, this record will contain songs about love, relationship, life, music, religion, politics, the music industry in general, personal sacrifice, loss and joy. And chocolate. Just kidding. I must take a moment, however, to give equal time to the truth. I HAVE deeply loved a few records which where wholly written about one topic. Ryan Adam's "Heartbreaker" comes to mind. Genius record.
That's the great thing about music, you just can't pin it down. But you asked, so I tried:-)...
Raina: What's in your CD player right now?
Crosby: Well, funny you should ask. It broke last week actually, and ate one
of my all-time favorite records, "Alison Krauss and Union Station - LIVE". That pissed me off, gotta get that thing fixed. I've been really into Nickel Creek mandolinist, Chris Thile's second solo album,
"Deceiver". Absolutely brilliant writing, playing and production. Not to mention he played EVERYTHING himself.
Raina: What do you think is missing in most of today's popular music?
Crosby: The music. Oh yeah, and the words.
Raina: If you could pick anyone to perform with, who would it be?
Crosby: Wow. That's a tough question, and a fantastical one, so I'm forced to give you a fantastical answer. I'd want to open for The Band in their heyday. At Winterland in SF, 1976. ...with fries and a strawberry shake, please.
Raina: Thanks alot for taking time out to answer these questions Croz!
Crosby: Your Welcome. Thank You!
***Photo credit on this page and the homepage goes to 'Rikka Zimmerman Photography'***
