City Belt: DAY JOB: JOHN RANGO OF ECHOFISSION

printer friendly | add to del.icio.us | e-mail the author

For almost six years now, Echofission has been an exemplary Jersey workhorse band -- playing out a ton, recording, and gradually growing what has become a substantial fan base. 30-year-old John Rango plays guitar and provides some vocal duties in the Bergen County-based band, who's newest EP, Amplify The Sun, ranges from upbeat harmonic modern rock songs to funkier interludes.

Day job: Telecommunications engineer

What's the worst or most interesting thing that's happened to you at work?
It would have to be hearing our own song on the radio while flipping through the stations.

Does work ever conflict with your music?
No

Do you have health insurance?
Yes

Who are the three people you'd most like to have at one of your shows, in terms of helping your music career?
It would be nice to work with a great producer. Three names that come to mind are Steve Lillywhite, Butch Vig, and Bryce Goggin.

If Wal-Mart approached you about using your music in an ad, for a large sum, would you do it? Where do you draw the line, if anywhere?
I'm sure there would have to be a line drawn somewhere, but we're an unsigned original band from North New Jersey -- I doubt anyone in the band would mind them using a song of ours and us being compensated for it. Couldn't it be something cooler than Wal-Mart though?

Any additional thoughts on the conflicts and intersections of work/art?
It's unfortunate when great bands/musicians don't get the credit they deserve for their craft that they spend so much time and effort on. Musicians know what a hard business this is to be in and to be successful at it. As a musician, as long as you are enjoying playing music, you have "made it."