Mike Lennon interview at Hardcoremix

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Mike Lennon is a multi-talented artist. He has a new CD coming out so we wanted to talk with him to get the details!

You grew up in NY but currently live in Arizona. How different are the local music scenes in both states?

There is a big differance. Arizona is mostly musicians born in Arizona where in New York it's musicians from all around the world. It took a while to get started in Phoenix there is an anti New York attitude, Arizona is a very conservative state. In New York its more Alt Country based and Phoenix is Modern Country.

You are a true working musician with a house band at a Saloon. Can you tell us more about that?

I audtioned at the Rusty Spur Saloon in Dec.1995 and have been playing there ever since. I play solo Wednesday and Sunday, and play bass with The Psychobilly Rodeo Band Thurs-Sat nights. Its mostly covers and Old Country, New Country and Southern Rock. We have made a few cds, Honky Tonk Till 3 was origianly recorded with the Psychobilly Rodeo band. There's a big advantage playing covers, you keep your chops up! Remember, being a performer is like being an athlete, you have to keep in shape mentally and physically but you have to avoid the pitfalls like drug and alcohol abuse which can and does happen.

At what age did you learn to play?

I started playing guitar when I was in the 8th grade, and started playing in bands when I was 15.

Through the years you have played in many bands. What is a good piece of advice you can give to indie musicians from your experience?

Play in front of people as much as possible. I started playing High School dances when I was 17 and clubs when I was 18 in Queens and Long Island. I moved to Manhatten in the early 80's and had a house gig at Mills Tavern on Bleeker Street. That's where I really learned how to perform. There was a great singer guitarist named Kenny Gwynne who worked there and Paul Butterfield and Jaco Pastorius were regulars.We used to call it Rock and Roll High School. I played on Bleeker Street this past summer at the Back Fence. Mills Tavern is now called the Village Lantern. I also used to play in the subway literally on the platform during the day. It was an awesome experiance.

Where do you generally record?

I record with differant players in differant studios and also record by myself in my apartment. I have written lots of songs and have been recording since the 80's so I have lots of recordings.

Besides the regular gig with your house band, do you have any other shows coming up?

Not at the moment.

Your single "Honky Tonk Til 3" is from a compilation CD of yours. Can you tell us more about that?

It is from my latest cd called "No Secrets". it is a compilation from the 90's -2000's and all tracks were recorded in the Phoenix area. Some have been released before and some are are just comming out now. I have 5 cds available at www.cdbaby.com

Besides Country, do you write and play other genres ever?

I write in lots of styles. If you listen to my music you can hear Rock, Psychobilly, Power Pop, Punk and Country. My first song I put up on hardcore mix was Too Many Psychos in 2008 that was #1 for four weeks and is a hard rocker.

Is selling downloads of your music easier than selling tradition CD's?

I find I'm selling lots of downloads on the internet and I sell cds at my shows.

What can we expect from you in the future?

Right now I'm working on a brand new project with Don Wilke. It is a return to my Psychobilly style that you can hear on my cd "N.Y. City In The 80's". The songs are brand new and it should be awesome!