TEN Gossip

Posted: 24 Jan 2012 09:47 AM PST

One of my favorite songs has to be Bullet In My Hand. I had it as my ring tone for the longest time and people complained I didn’t pick up the phone fast enough, I told them, “I’m listening to my favorite song!” Redlight King shows how even though you can go to the deepest pit of despair..there can be that ‘someone or something’ that can save you. (That’s my interpretation.)

Kaz the singer-songwriter of the group is from Hamilton, Ontario. I grew up around there and I know how hard it is to make something of yourself in the States. Here is the interview I had with him.

If you could have someone over for dinner alive or dead who would it be? Judy Garland

Who are your biggest influences? Robert Johnson, John Lee Hooker, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Led Zeppelin, Queen, A Tribe Called Quest, The Pharcyde

Is there anyone you would like to collaborate with? All of the above

The video, “Bullet In My Hand” has a heavy airplane theme in it, where did that idea come from? It is an ode to my grandfather who was in the Polish Air Force, and in WW2 was a squadron leader flying over 40 missions in the Lancaster and Mosquito bombers.

Do you think there is certain qualities that are needed in a singer to be successful these days? A lot of successful singers in the world aren’t the most technical singers, however, they sing with soul and have an ability to capture the essence of a song.

What is your writing process like? Do you write the lyrics or melody first? There is no real formula when it comes to my writing. I start with whatever comes and try not to lose the moment. Sometimes thats a lyric or poetry, sometimes I play a drum groove or a guitar lick that inspires an entire song.

Being a Canadian in America…how does it affect your daily life? Or is it second nature now? There are no Tim Hortons and its hard to find a good pickup hockey game, but what I didn’t expect was going through MSW — better known as Maple Syrup Withdrawal. I’ve adjusted now and consider the U.S. my home.

What was it like to tour with Everlast? It was a great experience, i’m a fan and he has a great team around him. I made a joke to the audience every night that we had been touring with Everlast and so far he had killed seven people. Everyone got a kick out of it.

You say Something For The Pain is about the human condition and that we are the same. Does that mean that the dark songs on the album are something we can all relate to? I think we all take something different from music when we listen to it. Our music is deeper than the surface, so it’s possible for people to relate to the lyrics on different levels. I’ve made a lot of bad decisions in my life and been dealt some real shitty hands and perhaps thats something not everyone but a lot of people can relate too.

His album, Something For The Pain, has been released now and you can get it on iTunes here. Also find him on his official site, Facebook and Twitter.

Four Years Ago Yesterday We Lost Heath Ledger

Posted: 23 Jan 2012 01:27 PM PST

Can you believe that yesterday, (I know I’m a day late) it was four years since Heath Ledger died? I know that every year I try to reflect on Heath for at least a moment. I know that he had everything going for him and was taken too soon. He didn’t like to be in the spotlight much but it didn’t stop him from performing. The Joker has to be one of my favorite roles by him. To this day, I still watch in awe as he took on that role with vigor. He had so much potential.

I covered Heath’s death for the other site I worked for. The media was relentlessness in their assumptions of what they thought happened. I know that case upside down and sideways and I know what I would say. It’s what I believe. He was an amazing dad and he was sick. He was at the wrong place at the wrong time.

I saw this video that was made for Heath last year. I miss you Heath. You will never be forgotten.