Music

Eddie White Awendaw, SC

Awendaw Green



What inspired you to start Awendaw Green?
There was no inspiration behind Awendaw Green, it was just my love of people.  In the 4th or 5th grade my son got involved with music and through a series mishaps and counter inspiration we started connecting people to good music 8 years ago.

What challenges did you face with Awendaw Green?
There was no challenge because we didn't know what we were doing and this is what we ended up doing, so if you don't do anything you can end up doing some really cool stuff.  What I realized from my relationships with other musicians in the area is that we really wanted to have good sound and musicians appreciate people listening to their music and the sound is really good!

What are some of the musicians that are doing some big things right now?
There are alot of bands on the cusp of doing some big things right now.  Bands like Shovels and Rope and Sol Driven Train are right there and bands like Royal Tin Foil, Old You, and Shinedown are making a strong push.  The biggest thing has happened in Charleston is that we have created a culture where original music is accepted and bands are performing.  We now have venues where bands can go in and play their music.  Original music is in vogue here in Charleston and that's the most important thing, and we are just a small part of it.

Where do you see Awendaw Green in the future?
First off, I hope we are still doing it and we have the same passion that we have now.  Every person here is a volunteer and it is a very passionate environment.  I hope we can continue to connect these musicians to each other.  I hope we can become more sophisticated and have the ability to enhance and help all of the philanthropic components.  Awendaw Green is a creative philantrhopic flame that burns every Wednesday night and we try to get better each and every week from the food we serve to the music we play to the people who come here.  The reason why it all works is because we all love doing this.

The biggest advice you would give to someone to pursuing a passion or dream?
Find something you really enjoy doing and do it better.  Find other people who enjoy it, find a mentor, and find out what is working or has worked for them.  There is so much you can do.  Find that creative spark, that passion.  It is what drives me and it is really fun, and it is so easy because I can be myself and I know exactly what I want to do.


Charles Carmody Charleston, SC

Charleston Music Hall

www.CharlestonMusicHall.com

What inspired you to work in the music industry?
I love music and I've been playing since I was a little kid.  I want my role in life to beautify the community in which I live in and I think Charleston is one of the best places to do that.  I think music is inherent in everyone and art is super important for community and all kinds of other things.  At bean night I realized that I could put on these events and do it naturally.  It's my passion

www.CharlestonMusicHall.com

What do you do now?
I am the only employee at the Charleston Music Hall.  I do the booking and marketing for bands, I also do social media and ahhh all that and I also manage all the shows. I basically do everything from cleaning toilets to fixing the roof, I do box office, I do everything.  It can be overwhelming at times, but I love it.

How did you get to work at the Music Hall?
I went to the owner Michael Bennett and asked him about working in one of his many hotels, but after I graduated from College of Charleston in 2011 I drove to Vancouver, BC to live and work, but I got denied entrance because they thought I was going to work illegally, which I wasn't.  Anyways, I ended up living in Seattle for a little bit, but couldn't find a job, so I came back and got an interview with Michael about working in hotels, but I quickly realized I didn't want to do that.  While I was in a meeting with Michael we started talking about the Charleston Music Hall and I mentioned I would love to work it.  I went home and wrote him a letter stating how much I wanted to run the music hall.  After that, I then wrote a detailed 10 page proposal, went through like three different interviews and now here I am running the Charleston Music Hall.  I had no idea what to do, so I started working and cold calling people trying to whoop this place into shape and so far so good.

www.CharlestonMusicHall.com

Musical inspirations?
Andrew Bird and Jeff Mangum.

Who are the up and coming artist?
I think those Hey Rocco kids are going to do great things, and I am super excited about the arts and plugs record label that is going on.  Rachel Kate was born to be on stage, so we will see good things from her.

What would you say to people who are wanting to work in the Music Industry?
It's not glamorous work.  You have to be willing to work your ass off.  You have to be straight up and honest with people because its about relationships and building trust in this industry.  Find out what you like about the industry and get involved.









Heyrocco.bandcamp.com
@WeAreHeyrocco

Heyrocco

From Charleston, SC Heyrocco is a group boys who get their heart broken every time there is a space between "Hey" and "rocco", however these things happen and sometimes you just gotta go with the flow! Nathan sings and plays guitar, Chris plays bass and sure drives the hell out of the van.  And then there's Tanner, he is beautiful, enjoys long walks on the beach, and bangs drums.

When did Heyrocco start playing?

Heyrocco played their first show in July 2010 opening for Chris' parent's band "The Cool" at R Pub in Charleston, SC.  I know, total dream come true am I right?! We've been slowly losing fans ever since!

What's the story behind the band name "Heyrocco"

Rumor has it when Tobey Maguire was on the set of Spiderman-2, a group of kids were walking by and accidently knocked over some of the film crew's gear. Tobey snapped at them "Hey Rocco, watch where you're going!" We took the space out and the name stuck ever since.

Heyrocco.bandcamp.com
@WeAreHeyrocco

What is you favorite venue to play in? city?

Hmm, for favorite venue I would have to say Mercury Lounge in NYC. 

As for favorite city, Charleston is definitely always special. There's nothing better than taking the stage in front of your first fan-base.

What has been the bands biggest challenge?

In September 2011 our manager and close friend Johnny Diamond died. He was the first person to really believe in what we are doing.  We kept at it though and received a lot of love and support from our families & fans. We hope to make him really proud one day.

Musical inspirations?

I can't speak for everyone in the band, but we all share a love for Radiohead, Local Natives, The Cure, Nada Surf, Ashley Simpson (early days).  Pedro the Lion // David Bazan is someone I am pretty attached to lately. It's hard not to be inspired by the guy.  If you haven't already, check him out.

What would be the dream show or festival to play in?

There's been many dreams/discussions of how great it would be supporting many of the bands I listed.  Opening for Local Natives is pretty up there though. I would say Radiohead, but I like to shoot for the stars, not another galaxy.  And definitely playing a tent slot at Bonnaroo. Yeah, that's a dream i've had several times.