JUNE 2012 ISSUE MMUSICMAG.COM SPOTLIGHT c hris risman k evin e strada

evercleAr life changes bring the inspiration for their sean winchester, Josh crawley, Art Alexakis, long-awaited new album freddy herrera, Dave french

eVercleAr fAns hAVe been wAiTing “it gave me the money and the studio time the new songs. “people who aren’t from l.A. for an album of new material since 2006’s to make the new record,” Alexakis says. “i look at it as this lotus-eating la-la land, but it’s Welcome to the Drama Club. now that the really wasn’t in a place where i wanted to not, man,” Alexakis says. “l.A. is very intense.” band has released its eighth studio record, re-record old songs, but when that offer The new songs sound like classic Invisible Stars, leader Art Alexakis explains came up, how could i say no?” The benefits everclear, with the addition of some well- that it simply took that long before he felt he weren’t only financial: revisiting songs he placed synthesizers on tunes like lead single had something new to say. “i wasn’t writing had written over the years also helped “be careful what you Ask for” and the songs for a while because i didn’t feel like shape Invisible Stars. “singing those songs loving homage “Jackie robinson.” “My early i had anything to write about,” Alexakis again brought me back to where i was when belief system was about Jackie robinson. he says. “i didn’t feel inspired. i think too many i made them,” he says. “it gave me that changed the world,” says Alexakis, who grew people try to write when they can’t, and fire in the belly again.” up in a housing project where robinson was it’s just not exciting.” Alexakis also experienced major life revered. “he opened the door for so many it’s not as if there were no new product changes over the past six years. his mother because he didn’t confront, he didn’t fight, in the intervening years. in 2009, the group died in 2006, he divorced, remarried and had he didn’t do any of those things that would released In a Different Light, an album of a baby, and his daughter graduated from have beaten him in the end, and he won. stripped-down reinterpretations of its songs, high school and went off to college. he also The power in that, the strength in that, the and recorded straight-ahead versions of moved from portland, ore., where he had restraint in that, it gives me chills. i wanted some of their best-known tunes (and a few lived for 20 years, back to l.A. where he to write a song about him for a long time.” covers) for 2011’s Return to Santa Monica. grew up—a relocation that helped inspire –Eric R. Danton

mindy smith taking chances is paying off for one of Americana’s most distinctive talents

“The risk is preTTy inTense, buT iT’s worTh iT.” Mindy smith is discussing the realities of navigating the music industry as an independent artist. her new self-titled album is her first after parting ways with Vanguard records in 2010. “The opportunity to go indie presented itself when my contract was up,” smith says, JUNE 2012“and it felt M right MUSIC to move forward & MUSICIANS and take ownership MAGAZINE of what i do. it’s been this buildup that’s happened in the last two years. i just needed more leverage in terms of my music.” An Americana Music Association winner, smith first earned praise for her version of Dolly parton’s “Jolene” on 2003’s parton

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