The ReadyMade Memories

This is an interview I gave with eBand and online music website.

eBand: Today we are with a new and up coming band from the Northwest. They are based out of Portland and Eugene Oregon. What’s the your name and the name of your band also your current cd?

Emerson: I am Emerson Star. My band is called ReadyMade Memories or the Readymade Memories. Our website is on the ReadyMade Memories. Our current cd is called, “Rebel without a Clause”. It should be out in May. The release day has been pushed back.

eBand: Where did the band name come from?

Emerson: I’m a big fan of Duchamp. He made these things called readymades. It was where he would find something in everyday life and call it art. Like a toilet.

eBand: Toilet?

Emerson: Yeah. Cool huh. He did one called the fountain.

eBand: Have you changed the band’s name before?

Emerson: We were called ReadyMade Moments but it just didn’t ring.

eBand: What do you play?

Emerson: I play guitar and other things but mainly guitar. I like to play strange things. Like one time I played a heater. There was this big heater duct in a place that we were recording and I just seemed like it should be played. I used it as percussion on a song called Static.

eBand: If you were going to tell someone about your music, how would you describe it?

Emerson: This is the question I always dread. Uhh.. I would say indie rock mixed with electro pop and experimental. That’s pretty broad. I hate to say it’s pop because it has a lot of rock influences. I always feel people get the wrong idea.

eBand: Okay Emerson…

Emerson: Just call me Em.

eBand: Okay Em, that leads into my next question really well.

Emerson: Awesome, I’m here to help. It’s like its scripted or something.

eBand: (laughing) I want to know about your influences. Who are they?

Emerson: I like the greats like the Beatles, CCR, Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd and Chuck Berry. I also like Death Cab, Transfer, PlayRadioPlay, State Radio, Postal Service, Dntel, Modest Mouse, Brand New, Thrice, Bilt to spill, Straylight Run, Brand new. Woops I already said them. Uhh… Bright Eyes. That’s just a short list.

eBand: Wow. Would you say all of them influenced you?

Emerson: Yeah. Bright Eyes, Brand New, PlayRadioPlay, Beatles, Bob Dylan big time.

eBand: What can you tell me about your instruments?

Emerson: Uhh. Right now I am using a 67 bassman head through a 2×12 green back cab for a rig. I have three standard guitars. I have a 90′s Epiphone sheraton that is stock and a DeArmond m-75 with a duncan 59 in the neck and a Sumr pick up in the bridge. I have a squire tele custom that I have tricked out. I got this guitar because at the time it was the only tele that I could find with a single coil at the neck and a humbucker at the bridge. I had the neck redone and put a Texas Special in the neck and a duncan JB in the bridge. It rocks but doesn’t give you any points for coolness among guitar players.

eBand: Thats kinda a strange set up what made you choose that.

Emerson: In the beginning it was money but now I just like taking strange guitars and tricking them out. You can kind of make your own guitar that way.


eBand: Do you write all your songs?

Emerson: I mostly write all the songs. On the records I play most of the instruments.

eBand: What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs?

Emerson: Love, hate, consumerism, the meaning of life (laughing) This current album has everything from quirky pop songs about love and a five and dime store to a song about postmodern society err something like that.

eBand: What’s your ultimate direction for your band? Are you seeking fame and fortune?


Emerson: I guess I want to be the next Bob Dylan. I want to be able to make music all my life. I want to be 90 and touring with my cane and depends.

eBand: That’s a pretty big wish. There hasn’t been many people to pull that off. What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?

Emerson: Never give up. Don’t listen to what people say because they will try and hold you back. Believe in your self. Even if you never make it just try and fail and try again. You will fail but not forever.

eBand: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website?

Emerson: Yeah you can check out out music at www.myspace.com/readymadememories
or www.thereadymadememories.com. Our cd will be available through cdbaby, Rhapsody, Itunes and our website. You can also get them at shows.

eBand: Any last words?

Emerson: That sounds a little scary. Any last words punk? I guess I just wanted to thank eBand for giving us an interview. A big thanks to our fans. Without you nothing would happen. Uhh.. check out our website and write us. We are always open to talk.

That was Emerson Star from ReadyMade Memories. He is the lead singer/songwriter/and the plays guitar. ReadyMade Memories has a new cd coming out in May called “Rebel with out a clause”.