Band MembersPat Monahan: Songwriter, Bassist,
Vocals, And Acoustic Guitar
Joe Freed: Drummer, Percussionist, and
vocals
Al Owen: Songwriter, Guitar, and Vocals
Mike Hamad: Guitar, Bass
and Vocals
Junior’s Cave’s newest interview is with the dynamic four
piece band Soul Purpose. Although their roots are planted in Sarasota, Florida,
their musical presence is universal. With a nice blend of Rock and Reggae, Soul
Purpose is craving a nice niche in the music industry. Isaac-Joseph: Briefly
describe how you entered into the music industry.
Al Owen: Well, Pat and
Joe have been in a few bands together namely Havoc, a heavier band that had some
good success in Ohio and Fl. I came from a band called Zion. We were a Christian
Rock act more along the lines of Yes and Rush. Mike Hamad showed up with a music
degree and a great feel for what we were doing.
Isaac-Joseph: What is
the most rewarding aspect to making music currently for you?
Al Owen:
Lately, seeing people singing the words to our songs when we look out. It tells
me that they are moved in some fashion
Isaac-Joseph: What has
discouraged you the most about making music?
Al Owen: That it is
infinitely hard to make a living at just doing music. I have to be involved in
promotion, tours, budgets...musicians hate budgets.
Isaac-Joseph: Do you
have a personal philosophy about music? If so, what is it?
Al Owen: Yes,
Music is the inner communication with ones self. Sometimes it is hard to
recognize who we are as people, until we sing....Truly Gods gift.
Isaac-Joseph: When you are performing live in front of an audience, what
are the thoughts that are running through you head?
Al Owen: Just a
constant awareness to see if the crowd is being entertained, moved or in someway
interested.
Isaac-Joseph: Why is being an independent musician important
to you?
Al Owen: I would rather be independent than dependent.
Isaac-Joseph: Do you think the Internet has altered the path of music as
an industry? If so, how?
Al Owen: I am glad to see that the Internet and
technology is taking the wizardry out of "getting the record deal" On the other
hand, I don't see record companies developing an artist like previous; so
musical purity is hard to come by.
Isaac-Joseph: Any advice for other
musicians out there when it comes to using the Internet as a medium for getting
their music heard to the masses? What kind of recording software do you use?
Al Owen: I have sonar, Fruity loops and some great effects.
Isaac-Joseph: I know that everybody has his or her idea of a dream
artist, someone who for whatever reasons that person would just love to listen
to and admire. As an entertainer yourself, if you could play with one of your
"dream" musicians, anyone at all, who would it be and why?
Al Owen: For
me, it would be Larry Norman. He just passed away in Feb, but he is such an
enormous influence on me and many people. I think one of the greatest
songwriters that have ever lived. "I opened the mouth of love, and found a
wisdom tooth" You don't find that lyric down at the Wal-mart bin.
Isaac-Joseph: Amen!
Isaac-Joseph: What are you hoping to gain
from your experience of being a musician and making music?
Al Owen:
Personally, I am trying to make a good living to support my family. If people
are moved, influenced, so be it. Isaac-Joseph: What are you hopes for your music
in the year 2008? Al Owen: We would like our EP to have some radio airplay, and
Internet radio airplay, so we can come out with a new Full length CD.
Isaac-Joseph: This is our Shout Out time. Please give props to anyone
and everyone that matters the most to you.
Al Owen: I know we would love
to say thanks again to our families for their support. Thanks to our fans for
making all of this possible, and Thanks to God for making all of us possible.
Isaac-Joseph: This is Shameless Plug time: Give us some updates on new
releases and other projects in the works.
Al Owen: Well, we are in
preproduction of a new full length CD. We have some live cuts we have put up on
our MySpace...
(http://www.myspace.com/soiledporpoise)
so can here some preview of what is up and coming
Isaac-Joseph: Final
Thoughts:
Al Owen: Keep on Rockin in the free world!
By:
