Its time to get to know another member of Rockapella. This week we sat down with Jeff Thacher
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1. What's on your ipod these days?
Aside from the massive library I shuffle, some things I'm playing often are: Amos Lee- "Supply and Demand", Justin Caldwell- "Dog and Bird", John Mayer- "Continuum", Nik Kershaw- "You've Got to Laugh", Prince- "3121", Ben Folds- "Songs for Silverman", and Basement Jaxx- "Crazy Itch Radio".
2. What is your favorite city to travel to and why?
Currently Boston. Old friends, big shows, good food, clean streets.
3. What's your favorite song to perform?
No favorites. All must be approached equally.
4. What is special about Rockapella fans?
Many are fans out of understanding and respect for our efforts, not just superficial nutty fandom. And they sure get around...
5. What are you looking forward to in 2007?
Progress, melody, beat, love. And more Europe culinary adventures.
6. How does Rockapella bring the energy and sound of a full band to an a capella performance?
Like much good music, it's how you use the spaces in between the melody. And sing/drum like a man!
7. Do you play any instruments (besides voice)?
Eight years of classical piano lessons, 7 years of French horn.
8. How did you first start experimenting with percussive sounds and how did you develop such virtuosic ability?
As a kid, around the house or walking down the street. While playing with spaceships made of Legos. While driving and listening to the radio. Random moments like that, plus if there's a need for a specific sound in a song, I'll start building that up. It's all muscles...as any trumpet player or drummer will tell you... you've got to keep doing it to get better and more fluid. To get louder too.
9. What was your experience at Berklee like?
Lots of open-minded musicians always heading toward ways to live and make money as musicians. There were always people playing in little corners everywhere. People were rarely abstract. It was about making things happen. You'd have bands put together the day before in order to play tribute mini-concerts to some artist in the cafeteria every night. As a recording/production major, there were a lot of very very late nights in basement studios. Lots of DunkinDonuts and frozen burritos.
10. What is your favorite thing to do in New York City?
Eat out with friends. So many places...
Previous Q&As
Kevin Wright - February 8, 2007
George Baldi - January 30, 2007
John Brown - January 23, 2007
