The Jeff Carlson Band
An interview with Singer/Songwriter Jeff Carlson
by Tina Ayres
August 2018
The Jeff Carlson Band
Potomac Records newest artist The Jeff Carlson Band recently released their newest single, the power ballad Never Be Another You. Deeply influenced by the so-called glam and hair metal bands of the 1980’s the band likes to deliver up power ballads in the same tradition.
Maximum Ink: Can you tell us a little about what first peaked your interest in music?
Jeff Carlson: What peaked my first initial interest in music was my mother took me to see Kiss in 1975, as well as Black Oak Arkansas-and I got to meet Jim “Dandy” Mangrum - the singer. He was the guy that David Lee Roth took everything from as far as looks and stage moves go. That made a HUGE impact on me as a kid! Kiss made a HUGE impact on me as well…they were just the coolest!
MI: Who were some of your influences?
JC: My influences…let’s see…as a kid, like I just stated, definitely Kiss and Black Oak Arkansas, but the older I got, I really got into Elvis Presley. He started it all, and when I went to see his house in Memphis in 1984, it made a HUGE impact on me as far as influences go, for if it was not for him, I’m not sure we would’ve had Kiss, Black Oak Arkansas or anybody else, because Elvis was the world’s first rock star! I then went to see and met Bon-Jovi around 1985, when they opened for Ratt, and that made a huge impact on me as well! After that I was hooked on Bon-Jovi. Not so much anymore, because I won’t see them without Richie Sambora, but back then- they were cool as hell!
MI: How have your own musical tastes evolved over time?
JC: Well, my musical tastes hopefully have gotten more refined, and I’d like to think that you can never stop learning, no matter how old you are! My pitch has definitely gotten better, but that’s from years of doing it, and working with a really great producer, such as Brett Hansen!
MI: When did you first realize you wanted make music your profession?
JC: I first realized I wanted to make my living as a musician at the age of 14!
MI: As someone who likes to deliver up power ballads do you miss the days when they were the mainstream norm? Do you think that will ever happen again?
JC: I do miss the days when Power Ballads were the norm…as far as them ever coming back, I don’t think we’ll ever see an age like it was in 1987, but on saying that I would love to be on a major playlist on FM radio! Hopefully that’ll happen! I’ve been very fortunate to have Mike Bailey believe in me and what I’m doing, so hopefully eventually something big will happen. I’m the kind of guy who really tries to look at the glass as half full, as opposed to half empty!
MI: What do you think it is about power ballads that make them so endearing and appealing?
JC: I think that on a Power Ballad, it has to have feeling in not only the lyrics, but in the vibe of the vocals, and the music has to complement the vocal lines. People can relate to the words- especially, so once all of those components are done correctly, it really is felt by the audience.
MI: What are your thoughts on the music industry as it is at this time?
JC: I think that the music industry is very clicky as far as the big labels go…I mean it doesn’t seem that they’ll sign you if you’ve not already sold 100,000 copies of your music out of the trunk of your car! They don’t want to take any chances on talent, they just look for this weeks Adam Levine, or Justin Beiber to sign you. Personally, I’m not a fan of today’s scene…but, if you want to get anywhere, then you have to tour, so I’m all for touring, but the problem with that is, that unless you either buy your way on a tour, or are in tight with either the promoter of the show, or the headliner, that seems to be the only way you can get on a bigger show.
MI: What do you hope your listeners take away from your work?
JC: I really hope that the listener takes away the feeling of the song, because it’s all about the vibe of the song to me…I’m a huge fan of the big vocal sounds of Steve Perry, and just 70’s and 80’s arena rock in general, so if they can relate to that kind of vibe-(that’s what I’m striving for) then that’s cool with me!
MI: How do like working over at Potomac Records so far?
JC: I am very lucky to have Mike Bailey and his staff help me thus far, we’ve only released our first song Never Be Another You so far, but I am very happy to be with Potomac!
MI: What have you learned from that experience?
JC: What have I learned…well, honestly, it really is a building experience to get out there…it doesn’t happen overnight, and you have to be ready for anything. I’m just happy to have a label at this point!
MI: Can you tell us a little more about the other members in your band? What does it take to make a band that works?
JC: My guys are Robbie Wolfe-Lead Guitar and Harmony Vocals, Kyle Kelli on Drums, Cory Kay on Bass Guitar, and my Producer is Brett Hansen. It really does take a team to make it work, and I’ve got a great bunch of guys! I also have to give a shout out to Todd Turgeon, who played the drum tracks on the song in the studio, and Robbie Sherre - who played Bass on the video!
MI: What projects do you currently have in the works?
JC: I have 2 new songs, they are called So Long and Promise The Moon that are done being recorded, but are now currently being mixed down, as well as we shot a new full length video for my new song So Long that is going to be killer!
MI: Is there anything you’d like to say in closing?
JC: I would like to say a big thank-you to Mike Bailey, Brett Hansen, you-Tina, and most of all to the fans for their support, because without the fans, there would be no me! See you out on the road! Cheers!
Jeff Carlson Band
CD: Never Be Another You Record Label: Potomac Records
• Download Never Be Another You on Amazon