DJ Rossstar: The Bridge to Your Favorite Artist
Nine years ago, an American University student grew sick of watching bands interviewed by the same Average Joe and asked the same mundane questions on a cliché set. “Why would I need to watch Green Day do another interview when they’re going to be asked the same questions again?” says DJ Rossstar, now in his twenties. Then the light bulb went off. “I’m in college. I have a radio station. I’m going to do an Internet show,” he proclaimed.
Rossstar then began reaching out to local artists, all whom were rather receptive. “Almost immediately I started doing shows once or twice a week,” he says. However, this was in 2002. This was before YouTube, MySpace, Facebook or Skype. Most people were skeptical of his project, declaring that the Internet would soon die off and therefore put an end to his show. Despite criticism, he created DJ Rossstar’s Punk Rock Radio Show – an interactive radio show where fans could call in and directly ask the bands questions.
And now here he is – having recorded over 1,000 shows with some of his favorite artists and currently living in Los Angeles, California, DJ Rossstar found himself on the phone with me, recounting the tale of his slow but sure rise to Internet fame. Let’s just say I was a tad bit nervous reciting interview questions to a guy who abhors cliché interview questions. Check out some of our conversation below:
Check out the track Clarity by Nashville singer/songwriter Kassi Moe.
She frequently performs at Hotel Indigo, Nashville Palace, and the occasional coffee shop.
For fans of Feist, Billie Holiday and Brooke Fraser.
contact: kassimoe@yahoo.com
First appearing on Kings of A&R last year, A Lion Named Roar continues to build an industry buzz. In recent months the band has been featured on Ourstage.com, MTVmusic.com, as a featured “Needle in the Haystack” artist, and recently has gained some buzz via YouTube showing just how versatile they can be with their Bruno Mars cover of “Grenade”
The band is showcasing on March 28th in Nashville, TN for Word Records/Warner Bros. and they will be performing an open public showcase at Headliner’s Music Hall in their hometown of Louisville, KY on April 29th.
The band just debuted the video for the song You Need A Soul.
contact: johndwarren1@gmail.com
Check out the track Honestly by female fronted indie pop rock band What’s Fair.
Their songs have been featured on MTV’s The Jersey Shore and World of Jenks.
What’s Fair’s debut CD “Fill The Space” was produced by Sergio Chavez (Alien Ant Farm, Good Charlotte, P.O.D.) and was recently released on Cameron Webb (Weezer, Alkaline Trio, Social Distortion) co-owned label The Agency Records.
The band is planning an upcoming summer tour.
contact: sergquadrock@gmail.com
I like the story developing around unsigned indie artist Billy the Kid.
The Vancouver singer/songwriter self released an EP in 2009. Her new record will be funded by her fans.
She launched a fan funding campaign on her website www.billythekidonline.com to raise the money necessary to record her new album.
Her fund raising options are interesting including the option to buy publishing rights to half of one of her new songs for $5000, and finally for $10,000 you can own the publishing rights to any song of your choice.
You can view the video here for These City Lights that comes off her 2009 EP and here she does an excellent haunting cover of Gin Blossom’s Found Out About You.
contact: brian@thornybleeder.com
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