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Take a drum teacher, add songwriting, arranging and divide between an eclectic marching band and a duo that does looping, bass lines vocally and rocks as full band would.  Keeping true to the beat of his drum, Hershyl Edwards is a powerhouse, performing with Macca Pazza, whose Wikipedia page describes as "an interdisciplinary instrumental music and performance ensemble."  As part of a group that can number 30 players, Edwards has written pieces for the group, such as "Stupid Icarus" that flares with energy drums, vocal bass, loops, vox and Jesse Crydeman playing guitar, loops, and vox as well. It is a rich auditory concoction that explores different genres of music and sound.  Both groups perform regularly in Chicago and throughout the world.  But, there's also Edwards the instructor, mentoring students as he himself had been mentored at the University of Illinois.  He teaches at Musical Expressions of Naperville on the kit as well as instruction in voice.  This first interview delves into his background, growing up and how he ended up pursuing a musical path.  Another strong example that independent musicians can create their journey, make a living from it and deserve recognition and respect for being artisans in a world (especially in the US) that dismisses such ingenuity.  

For Edward's teaching, go to:
https://www.ensembleschools.com/musicalexpressions/staff/hershyl-edwards/ 

https://www.facebook.com/hershyl.edwards.2025/
https://bifunkal.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/muccapazza

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Nic Nepomiachi (aka DoctorStarcrumbs) in his second interview, lifts the curtain on his creative process in making a song.  Nepomiachi is a great songwriter, arranger and performer.  The song takes front seat when it comes to how to present it.  Therefore, one can hear various influences in service to the lyrics and mood Nepomiachi wants the listener to hear.  He also creates with a great sensitivity to the artists who have come before him.  It is one thing to write a song in the style of Dr. Hook or Leon Redbone.  It's an entirely different thing to record in New Orleans to deliberately channel the energy of that town into the music. 
Nepomiachi's story is intriguing as his music is eclectic:  Running a club in Telluride, Colorado with his dad.  Playing drums in different bands in Colorado. Opening a club in Chicago. Closing that club in Chicago. Playing in bands in Chicago. Collaborating on albums.  Writing solo albums.  He is a quiet, reticent individual that when first talking to him, you would have no idea of where he has been and where next he wants to go. And in between songs and gigs he and his wife are raising a family.  A great example of what it takes to be an independent musician.  Don’t let his soft-spoken demeanor fool you.  He is definitely one of the more authentically lived artistic lives I have had the pleasure of hearing about in a long time. His latest album on his Spotify page (there are five featured offerings to pick from there) Horse Shirt has an Americana slant to it.  He is not afraid to channel Dr. Hook or Leon Redbone for a New Orleans-style song, like Winds in China on his self-titled Starcrumbs album (which you can hear on his YouTube channel) and his lyrics are witty and self-reflecting. 
His Facebook page is where you can track the comings and goings of this artist.  Where his next show will be and who he will be with. Or it may just be a picture of him being a dad.  Whatever you do, take the time to listen to his music and enjoy an authentic craftsman who is not afraid to experiment, borrow, improvise and call Chicago home.

https://www.facebook.com/nicolas.nepomiachi

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Nic Nepomiachi (aka Dr. Starcrumbs) is leading a creative life journey to various galaxies in which he explores musical realms most people wouldn’t or couldn’t experience.  Running a club in Telluride, Colorado with his dad.  Playing drums in different bands in Colorado. Opening a club in Chicago. Closing that club in Chicago. Playing in bands in Chicago. Collaborating on albums.  Writing solo albums.  He is a quiet, reticent individual that when first talking to him, you would have no idea of where he has been and where next he wants to go. And in between songs and gigs he and his wife are raising a family.  A great example of what it takes to be an independent musician.  Don’t let his soft-spoken demeanor fool you.  He is definitely reaching for stars with one of the more authentically lived artistic lives I have had the pleasure of hearing about in a long time. His latest album on his Spotify page (there are five featured offerings to pick from there) Horse Shirt has an Americana slant to it.  He is not afraid to channel Dr. Hook or Leon Redbone for a New Orleans-style song, like Winds in China on his self-titled Starcrumbs album (which you can hear on his YouTube channel) and his lyrics are witty and self-reflecting. 
His Facebook page is where you can track the comings and goings of this artist.  Where his next show will be and who he will be with. Or it may just be a picture of him being a dad.  Whatever you do, take the time to listen to his music and enjoy an authentic craftsman who is not afraid to experiment, borrow, improvise and call Chicago home.

Support the show

We are always grateful to have you listening to STRUNG OUT. Here are some important links:

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‪@MartinMcCormack‬ Strung Out Episode 259, Martin continues his interview with Charlie Otto, a Chicago singer-songwriter, who has been part of a myriad of bands such as This Must be the Band and DJ no DJ.  A seasoned performer, Otto has played alongside many amazingly talented people including some of his musical idols, like Umphrey’s McGee and members of King Crimson and Smashing Pumpkins.  Otto's means of serving the muse relies on many approaches to his songwriting and music crafting.  Part technical, part inspirational and part sheer determination. Otto has advice for aspiring independent musicians making their way in this challenging world of musical expression.  His website is www.charlieotto.com

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Strung Out Episode 258 interviews Charlie Otto, a Chicago singer-songwriter, who has been part of a myriad of bands such as This Must be the Band and DJ no DJ.  A seasoned performer, Otto has played alongside many amazingly talented people including some of his musical idols, like Umphrey’s McGee and members of King Crimson and Smashing Pumpkins.   What's intriguing about Otto is that he currently has set that aside in a quest for creating music as a solo musician.  Adept at the technology that is pushing music, "Charlie Otto and his gear" is not a one-man band, but a band of one man.  Complete songs that are instantly complimented by a visual video experience, it is Otto's desire to immerse the audience into his musical world as more than participants, but fellow travelers.  Otto describes how he came to this latest exploration of his talents in this interview. He and Martin talk about the complexities of being an independent musician in a rapidly changing world of audience, streaming, touring, creating and ultimately, surviving.  His website is www.charlieotto.com

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Jim Tashjian started out studying jazz guitar in university, which brought him into many different musical projects.  He drifted toward, pop and rock, drawn by the interest of songwriting.  Bands like District 97, Miss Remember, Storm Jameson are but a few of the music groups that Tashjian has had a commanding hand in.  Our second interview focuses on Tashjian's songwriting process. We also get a chance to hear his way around a guitar and some insights into the exercises he has for channeling the muse.  A great primer for those who want to better their songwriting skills from this young veteran of the independent musical stage.  You can follow Jim at https://www.facebook.com/jim.tashjian.

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In our media-saturated world, it is easy to overlook the many artists that thrive without labels, without big tours, without all the hoopla and soap opera intrigue that accompanies "success" these days.  These individuals thrive on their own terms, and such is the multi-talented songwriter, guitarist and band mate of several successful independent groups, Jim Tashjian.  Tashjian started out studying jazz guitar in university, which brought him into many different musical projects.  He drifted toward, pop and rock, drawn by the interest of songwriting.  Bands like District 97, Miss Remember, Storm Jameson are but a few of the music groups that Tashjian has had a commanding hand in.  This interview gave Jim a chance to showcase his talents, talk about his background and delve a bit into what he feels is success.  That success is firmly on his own terms, a good study for those of us who want to chart their own course in the music business.  You can follow Jim at https://www.facebook.com/jim.tashjian.

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Leslie Beukelman is an artist that draws on his rural upbringing, her college education into jazz and performance and her first-hand entrepreneurial experience as a full-time working musician to be an expert on how to make a living at music.  Her songs are honest, rooted in her experiences with growing up, facing life challenges and being joyful in her art.  A great source of wisdom on how to take control of one's career and define your own success.  A mental and spiritual "must-have" for the working musician.  Her website is www.lesliebeukelman.net.

Support the show

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Leslie Beukelman grew up in Sandwich, Illinois.  Her parents were musicians and perhaps her drummer mother (who was performing while 8 months pregnant with Lelsie) that instilled the desire to write and make music.  

After a degree in jazz performance/jazz studies from Roosevelt University, Beukelman had a choice of a myriad places to bring her many talents.  She chose to stay in Chicago and tap into the diverse musical scene.  

As a hummingbird is able to go from flower to flower, Beukelman can be found in many different musical venues and genres.  The Chicago Skyliners Big Band, fronting the rock band the Brite Lites or making beautiful harmonies in the three-piece woman's group the Oh Yeahs. Meet Leslie Beukelman, a songbird, a songwriter, a serious musician who is leaning into the working musician trade.  Her website is www.lesliebeukelman.net.

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Kelli Owens Hutton has had it all--and has had it as well.  A musician, once signed to Atlantic Records, Owens Hutton found herself: midlife, middle class, midwestern and in crisis.  Raising a family and wondering what to do with her rock n' roll, she founded MomCore--an exploration of the famous saying "all men lead lives of quiet desperation" but from the perspective of the 21st century, holding-it-all together woman.  Real life and real issues come to roost on the soccer field, the playground, the house and the job.  Owens Hutton has crafted songs that are punk, angry, frustrated and can elicit a knowing wry smile perhaps in the simplicity her take on everyday reality.  And that reality is a battleground for relevance and sanity.  She knows her way around a guitar and is masterful in her lyric writing as well.  For any aspiring musician who thinks that cool can't drive a minivan, study what Owens Hutton is all about.  Her website is www.kelliowenshutton.com.

Support the show

We are always grateful to have you listening to STRUNG OUT. Here are some important links:

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