Welcome to our Interviews and Podcasts page…

GigRight has a new series focusing on informational interviews with professionals in your area of talent. We will have ongoing text and audible podcast interviews with experts in the art, photography, music, acting and fashion industries. They will explore various levels of discussion including valuable advice, contacts, and current news.

These interviews were conducted by GigRight:
Copyright 2007–2011 GigRight


ART:

(Coming Soon)

MUSIC:

Email Interview #2 - 10/28/2010

John "JT" Thario - Music Producer / Musician
www.rufftrackpro.com
www.myspace.com/rufftrackpro
408-668-4924
rufftrackpro@yahoo.com

Interview Questions:

GigRight:
Hi John, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to share your valuable input with us.
First of all, would you mind telling us a little bit about what
you do?

John:
You bet, first thank you for inviting me, its an honor to be invited to
take part in gigright.com launching a new feature on your website;
I’m a music producer, and president of RUFF TRACK PRODUCTIONS & PUBLISHING in Santa Clara California. On the web at rufftrackpro.com
In addition to that I’m a songwriter, founding member & lead guitarist for the rock band “ELECTRIC SANDBOX”

GigRight:
How long have you been in the music business?

John:
I’m feeling older already (laughs) about 35 years as a guitarist and songwriter, I started my project studio in early 2008.
I’ve produced Michael Kline “ Freedom” Bob Brannan “ Do what you wanna do” “ Let it Rock”, “ Lost in emotion”, “Mine all mine” “ a demo for Ashley Nicole earlier this year including “Little white truck” “stay”, “ Cry” she’s great to work with, she has since tried out for American Idol. I’m sworn to secrecy on that outcome. Starting a project studio has been a dream of mine forever; in fact above my console is a carved sign that says “DREAM”. I’ve been interested in the recording process since I was kid. The devil is in the details, & I dig the details! My path as a guitarist has taken me from the suburbs of Detroit to
Tokyo & most of the Far East & Australia. Over the years I have shared the stage with “Quiet Riot”, “Molly Hatchet”, Pat Travers, Mockingbird, Misery, and “Lover Boy” as well as countless others. I settled in northern California in the early eighties eventually moving to the Silicon Valley.

GigRight:
What is your primary focus in your industry (specialty, preferred areas)?

John:
I’m a rock and roll junky; country is something I would like to branch into someday. I look for artists with songs that grab me. I’m always looking for bands that have realistic goals, and budgets. I’ve recorded rock, folk, R&B, even a bit of Jazz. If a song has melody, hooks, and great rhythm, I’m usually all in whatever the genre.
 
GigRight:
How did you begin? (Formal training? School? An Internship?)

John:
After a long break from everything I really wanted to play and record again, I missed being creative, my fiancé Carolyn Thorn was singing in a cover band called the Retro Rockets, we had talked about playing together for a long time, the spark was there so we started a playing together and writing together, she then left the Rockets and “ELECTRIC SANDBOX” was reformed with one thing in mind writing & recording an album. The studio was something we needed, a place to play, create and record… recording other artists just happened. With an eye on school from the gate, I settled on getting some formal training in Pro Tools at Future Rhythm in Santa Clara, including getting waves mix certified. I then attended workshops with music producers / engineers “Michael Rosen “ (Tesla) “Gabriel Shepard” (Cake), both have won and or been nominated for Grammy awards. Prior to that I worked with Music Producer Rob Beaton (Whitney Houston, Sammy Hagar, Journey, Mad Anthony, to name a few), Rob is now a mastering engineer at “The POD” in LA. He’s great to work with because he’s honest and great at what he does.  Anyway we worked together on a couple of projects including early Electric Sandbox demo’s and the “Cover Your Trax” Ep, also worked with him briefly on “Misery” album “the power of pain”, that was mid late 90’s, between gigs when time allowed I would go and record bands live on a two track machine anywhere they would allow me to do it, night clubs, rehearsal studios, it never feels like work to me. One night I recorded Lenard Haze best known as the original drummer for Y & T.

GigRight:
Would you recommend others to take the same steps you did?

John:
Maybe, depends on ones goals, today’s daw systems are powerful and deep, school gives the basic skills, but its not the real world… I think getting under the wing of someone who’s work you like, someone who has the same passion for recording and performing is always good. I find I learn much more just by watching & listening. Everyone learns
differently, you need to find what works best for you, for me its hands on and diving all in “listening”

GigRight:
Did anything side track you and if so, how did you get back on track?

John:
Yes, the economy, (laughs) I’m working smarter not harder these days, which reminds me we recently wrote a new song titled “You can kiss it” (laughs hard) Its about being knocked down and getting back up again! The pre production demos are done and we are recording it in November, planning for an early 2011 release, the working album title is actually “Back on track”
 
GigRight:
What would you change?

John:
I would have learned more about the music business early on.
 
GigRight:
When did you know that this was what you wanted to do for a career?

John:
So long ago it was the previous century (laughs) seriously forever… since I was a kid, I grew up listening to country music like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, then came The Eagles, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Bad Company, Rush, ZZ Top, Ted Nugent, on and on the list go’s! I’ve always been captivated by process of recording music, from both sides of the glass.

GigRight:
Who is your biggest influence in your industry?

John:
Too many, so many great engineers / producers …let me answer it this way. If I could hand pick the people I would like to work with on a session,.. the control room might look like this, “Eddie Kramer” “Jack Joseph Puig” “Rob Beaton” “Gabriel Shepard” “ Michael Rosen” all for very different reasons but what a day in school that would
be… musicians TBA (laughs hard).

GigRight:
What motivates you, what inspires you?

John:
Carolyn my fiancé and my sons motivate me!
Inspiration comes in many forms, jam session that turns into a song, a lyric that stirs the soul, a groove with a big hook that hits you in the chest! “ The way clients eyes light up when you help them capture their sound & bring their music to life… that wow moment, it makes all the work seem like play!
 
GigRight:
Do you have any suggestions for others just beginning the journey that you have taken? 

John:
What can you say that hasn’t all been said before? First back up
your work! I would record anything you can, take your time when you can, work with like minded people with passion for your genre, work outside your comfort zone now & then… open your mind, experiment! Slide a fader, turn a knob, see what happens, creating music is an art when it sounds good hit save as, (JJP talks about that!) then you can always go back if your not satisfied with the outcome!

GigRight:
What is up and coming for you next?

John:
My band “ELECTRIC SANDBOX” will be recording in mid November with engineer “Gabriel Shepard” we have been writing a lot lately and its time for this line up to put out an album, we are excited right
now, looking forward to announcing the drop date. I’m also finishing up some mixes for some local artists, looking forward AES San Francisco next month.
I’m always looking for interesting artists to produce and record. Thanks again for the opportunity!

GigRight:
John, we want to sincerely thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule and sharing your thoughts on the music industry with our viewers.
We wish you the best with your business and future projects.

FASHION DESIGN:

Email Interview #1 - 10/2/2010

Tiana Vega - Fashion Designer – www.tianavega.com

Some of her many credits include the Designing Dreams Fashion Runway Show at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium on 8-7-2010 in which Tiana was the featured designer.

Interview:

GigRight:
Hi Tiana, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to share your valuable input with us.
First of all, would you mind telling us a little bit about what
you do?

Tiana:
I am a clothing designer, I typically design the hottest new trends for my ready to wear collections and I make custom pieces for my clientele.

GigRight:
How long have you been in the fashion business?

Tiana:
I have been designing for three years but started my business one year ago.

GigRight:
What is your primary focus in your industry (specialty,
preferred areas)?

Tiana:
My primary focus in the industry is designing dress groups but I would love to eventually design wedding dress!

GigRight:
How did you begin? (Formal training? School? An
Internship?)

Tiana:
I started my journey in the fashion industry with schooling at FIDM in LA, Then
moved back to Sacramento about a year ago to start my partnership with Dave
Icarangal, my business partner and co-founder.

GigRight:
Would you recommend others to take the same steps you did?

Tiana:
Well, typically people would intern before they would try starting a business out of no where but I am a pretty daring person so I decided to go all in, so I would definitely recommend someone to take the same steps as me if they are ready to deal with any consequences that may be created through out the journey!

GigRight:
Did anything side track you and if so, how did you get back on track?

Tiana:
When I want to accomplish something I am very persistent so so far I have yet to get side tracked.

GigRight:
What would you change? When did you know that this was what you wanted
to do for a career?

Tiana:
When I was in high school I was convinced that I was going to be an attorney, so I
interned at a law firm for awhile, and it wasn't until I kept finding myself sketching on my off time at work that I realized that designing may be more of my niche.

GigRight:
What motivates you, what inspires you?

Tiana:
My inspiration is derived from many aspects. Whether its a person, a feeling, or
place. Lately I have found myself inspired by iconic women.

GigRight:
Do you have any suggestions for others just beginning the journey that you have taken?

Tiana:
I would just suggest to follow your intuitions, make sure you make the right decisions and avoid the wrong. Making the right decision could help your journey in the industry go a lot
smoother!

GigRight:
What is up and coming for you next?

Tiana:
The next thing on my plate is Sacramento Fashion Week in November! I’m pretty excited to be a part of the Sacramento design scene!

GigRight:
Tiana, I want to sincerely thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule and sharing your thoughts on the fashion industry with our viewers.
We wish you the best with your business and future projects.

MODELING:

(Coming Soon)

ACTING / FILM / THEATRICAL:

(Coming Soon)

PHOTOGRAPHY:

(Coming Soon)

VARIETY PERFORMING:

(Coming Soon)

PRODUCTION CREW:

(Coming Soon)

GENERAL VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS INDUSTRY DISCUSSION:

(Coming Soon)