Interview with Crown Point

Who: Crown Point
What: Alt. rock / pop band in concert
Where: Portneuf Valley Brewing, s. 2nd Ave., Pocatello ID 83201 - map
When: Friday, May 7, 2010 at 8:30 p.m.

I've written about Crown Point before; two of their members have played solo shows in the area before. But this is the first time the entire band will make an appearance. I caught up with guitarist Russel Stafford to find out more about what we can expect from Crown Point.


SLG: Describe your genre of music in as much detail as you like. Maybe list your three best crowd-pleasing songs? Can you explain in what way do you most appeal to your fans?

RS: We're an alt/pop/rock band. Our typical show consists of three or four rockers, some midtempo pop/rock tracks, and a couple ballads. In the past year, we've played everything from 50-seat coffeehouses to 2000-person arenas and everything in between, and as a result enjoy playing acoustic sets as much as plugged-in shows. We've also lied to get an opening slot at a polka festival.

SLG: Hilarious! What are the band members' first and last names and what instruments do they play?

RS:
Russell Stafford--vocals, guitar
Jon Davidson--vocals, guitar
Robert Finn--bass
Tyler Chen--drums

SLG: Tell us where you're from and currently based in what town?

RS: We're from everywhere! I (Russ) am from New Zealand; Jon is from Michigan; Rob is from Nevada, and Tyler is from Oregon.

SLG: Past shows or venues you'd like to brag about? Past or future shows in the Pocatello area?

RS: Jon and I have played in Pocatello and Idaho Falls probably six or seven times by now, but this is our first time bringing the full band to the area!

We've played some fun shows with artists like Mat Kearney, Augustana, Puddle Of Mudd, We As Human, Russell Crowe, A Change Of Pace, and more, and played venues like the Knitting Factory and the Crystal Ballroom. All big shows and acts aside, we have a special place in our heart for smaller towns and smaller shows; getting the chance to meet and build relationships with fans is what it's all about!

SLG: Describe this particular show. What can people expect?

RS: We'll be at Portneuf Valley Brewing in Pocatello on Friday at 8:30. (map) It's a free show, all-ages, and it's all us, all night long!

Saturday, we'll be at Vino Rosso in Idaho Falls at 8. (map) This one is free as well, and it's 21+. Come to both shows, and we'll give you a special surprise.

SLG: (laughing) Ok. Any comments about the local live music scene, the music industry in general? What do you think is the best way to get your music out there?

RS: The best way to get your music out there? Play memorable shows, care about your fans, release quality material. The elusive 'big break' is rare; hard work will produce the same result.

SLG: Do you have any favorite videos of your band or your music on YouTube? If so, what is the url?

RS: We've got some goofy "Bedroom Sessions" videos out there. They're not as creepy as they sound. You can check 'em out at youtube.com/jondavidsonmusic.



SLG: Recordings? If so, where did you record? Who produced your recording? Will you have CD's or more for sale at the show?

RS: We're currently working on our debut release! Jeff Johnson (Jet Black Stare, Adelitas Way) produced three tracks, and we're most likely going to have the Grammy-nominated Travis Wyrick (P.O.D., 10 Years) produce the rest of the album.

SLG: How can fans contact you? Myspace? or another website?

RS: Fans can contact us via our MySpace, www.myspace.com/crownpointmusic, or our Facebook, www.facebook.com/crownpointband. They can also text us via Google Voice at 503-3-TEXTUS.

[The above interview was made possible via the offices of Mandy Krohn, PR Coordinator of Crown Point Entertainment, LLC. 503.267.7055. www.crownpointband.com]

Interview with Crown Point

Who: Crown Point
What: Pop / Rock band, in concert
Where: Portneuf Valley Brewing, Pocatello, Idaho - map
When: Saturday, March 13, 2010 8:30 p.m.

Crown Point, a pop / rock band from Portland, Oregon is scheduled to play the pub this weekend. I caught up with front man Jon Davidson to find out more about the band and their music.


SLG: Describe your genre of music in as much detail as you like. Maybe list your three best crowd-pleasing songs? Can you explain in what way do you most appeal to your fans?

JD: Crown Point plays memorable, meaningful, danceable pop/rock. We're a vocally driven band with an emphasis on harmony and lyrics. I think that the thing that appeals most to our fans is the fact that we love them. We all enjoy meeting and talking to people, and ultimately building friendships with many of them. It's not something we have to do; it's something we love to do.

SLG: Let's meet the band. Who plays what? And how long has this line-up been together?

JD: My new band Crown Point's lineup:

Jon Davidson--vocals, guitar, drums
Russell Stafford--vocals, guitar
Robert Finn--bass
Tyler Chen--drums, vocals

This lineup has been together for a little over three months.

SLG: Tell us where you're from and currently based in what town?

JD: We're from all over: Australia, Michigan, Nevada, and Oregon. We're currently based in Portland, OR.

SLG: Past shows or venues you'd like to brag about?

JD As a band, this is our first tour together, but we've all put together some decent resumes in past projects, opening for artists like Puddle Of Mudd, Saliva, Mat Kearney, Augustana, Powerman 5000, The Exies, Hurt, Russell Crowe, and more.

We've played venues like The Knitting Factory in Spokane, the Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Molly Malone's in LA and Key Arena in Seattle. In all honesty, though, we've had our best experiences playing smaller, more intimate shows; connecting with the audience, not just strictly entertaining, is our goal.

The coolest experience I've ever had at a show is when a fan came up to us after a concert and said that the lyrics to one of our songs had given her the courage to forgive her father and make amends with him. In the long run, those are the types of things that make shows matter, not the size or place.

SLG: Past or future shows in the Pocatello area?

JD: I have played five times in the Pocatello area, but this is our first Crown Point show in town.

SLG: Describe this particular show. What can people expect if they come to this show?

JD: This Saturday's show will take place at Portneuf Valley Brewing at 8 pm. It's all Crown Point, all night long. As far as I know, the show is all-ages, and it's free. Free is a good thing.

It's hard to describe what to expect. We tend to get a little goofy, and I usually have to translate so that the ladies can understand Russell's thick Aussie accent. We'll be playing some full-band material as well as some acoustic stuff.

SLG: Any comments about the local live music scene, the music industry in general? What do you think is the best way to get your music out there?

JD: I've always had an epic time playing in Pocatello. Penny Pink of Portneuf is arguably the nicest club owner in the Northwest, and our fans in the Poky/Idaho Falls area are second to none.

I think the best way to get one's music 'out there' is through repetition: touring to the same markets repeatedly, getting press and radio play in those markets, and building a fanbase one show at a time. Barring the 'big break' everyone seems to be waiting for, luck seems to happen to those who work the hardest.

SLG: Well said.Do you have any favorite videos of your band or your music on YouTube?

JD: Russell and I have been having fun taping "The Bedroom Sessions" every week. If it sounds creepy, it is. You can check them out on my YouTube page: youtube.com/jondavidsonmusic.



SLG: Recordings? Will you have CD's or more for sale at the show?

JD: Crown Point will be recording its first album in April at Opal Studios in Portland. However, you can get both Russell's and my latest solo albums at our shows. We're donating all the proceeds from album sales to Forward Edge, a Vancouver, WA-based charitable organization that is involved in ongoing relief and development efforts in needy areas such as Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and Managua, Nicaragua. Grab a disc and make a difference in someone's life!

SLG: Sweet! How can fans contact you? Myspace? or another website?

JD: You can contact Crown Point via MySpace (myspace.com/crownpointmusic) or email (info@crownpointband.com). You can even text us, thanks to our friends at Google Voice, at 503-3-TEXT-US.