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2006 was a big year for the harp in indie music circles -- Ms. Newsom and the fanfare surrounding her have brought new attention to the classic stringed instrument. However, unlike Ms. Newsom, New Jersey's double-breasted eschew traditional classical arrangements (and obscure linguistic storytelling) in favor of a more rockist approach, albeit with non-traditional instrumentation. Kristy Chmura's harp combines with Ardith Collins' cello to weave beautiful melodies, all with Josh Bicknell's drumming pushing the songs forward. double-breasted seamlessly go from moments of quiet, stark beauty to passionately urgent pleas, all tied together by brilliant musicianship and songwriting abilities.
Day job:
Josh: Editor
Ardith: Music teacher
Kristy: Office admin/accounts receivable; freelance harpist/harp teacher
What's the worst or most interesting thing that's happened to you at work?
Josh: The other day, we all thought the building had a gas leak and we were going to blow up. Turned out it was just some mysterious city stench and we sat around with terrible headaches all day.
Ardith: Life is always interesting when you teach middle school! My string students recently had their concert. My general music students seemed to absorb what we learned. I just hope my classes are interesting and exciting for students.
Kristy: The most interesting thing that happened to me at the office I work at is -- nothing interesting happens there. Well, one time I did get to drive around in a big dusty red pickup truck hauling plants, pipes, dirt and stones from job site to job site for a couple of weeks. I felt very in touch with my masculine side. However, when I played three nights a week in a hotel lobby, Mike Love from the Beach Boys came over to me and chit-chatted with me for a little while. Then I asked him if I could perform one of my own songs, so he pulled up a chair along with the rest of his band that was traveling with him and they all listened attentively. They even applauded after I ended the song. Ha! Mr. Love asked me to tell him the lyrics, and for some reason I couldn’t recite them back to him, I was all giddy. Anyway, it was awesome! I’ll never forget that night. Thanks Mike Love!
Does work ever conflict with your music?
Josh: I hate when I have ideas for songs at work. I have to constantly hum them to myself all day in hopes I will remember them when I get home.
Ardith: You would think being a music teacher I would have time to work on music, but I rarely do. I simply don’t have the space or time to create. I try to practice and write before my family comes home. I certainly feel more creative during summer.
Kristy: Working in a landscaping company’s office is the antithesis of music. Although the schedule doesn’t conflict too often, the energy that is drained from me in that office conflicts with where I would like to direct my energy. It’s like trying to push a big round ball through a small square hole. However, as a freelance harpist I’m either teaching the harp, or playing at some event, which is all music related. I feel anything I do musically can only help me grow as an artist -- I find inspiration from all musical avenues. The only conflicts that arise as a freelance harpist are I might have a wedding to play at the same night we might have a gig offered to us as a band. However, it’s all just a matter of knowing how to plan ahead and time-manage things properly.
Do you have health insurance?
Josh: Yes
Ardith: Yes -- thankfully, being a New Jersey public school teacher.
Kristy: Yes ... I do ask myself sometimes, do I really need it? The doctors I end up seeing I end paying out of pocket anyway. Oh health care ... blah!
Who are the three people you'd most like to have at one of your shows, in terms of helping your music career?
Josh: I'll defer to you two for this one.
Ardith: I’d love to have a room full of people who actually want to listen to music. That would be great. As for three people I would choose Marian McPartland, David Dye, and John Schaefer. I like NPR.
Kristy: I don’t know, just three people that could believe in my vision as an artist, who have an open mind, connections, and ... well ... financing.
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?
Josh: I don't think Wal-Mart would be knocking on our door, but if it were Target, hell yeah. That store rules.
Ardith: If asked, we would most likely be on a label, in a different position. If I really needed it, (say, if my family had medical bills and no heath insurance) I would at least consider it. I draw the line on paper, though I don’t draw much.
Kristy: Although I’m not a big fan of Wal-Mart, all I can say is people can make hasty decisions when large sums of money are present. I think it comes down to survival, and having money often aids in survival. I would love to have a large number of people hear our music. So I don’t know if there really is a line.
Any additional thoughts on the conflicts and intersections of work and art?
Ardith: My job is always on my mind -- I don’t want any endeavor to put my teaching career in jeopardy. For example, students at my school read our MySpace page. I try to take care to avoid conflicts between work and personal interests.
Kristy: Unless you are lucky enough to make a living from your art, work will always get in the way of art. It’s just a matter of balancing it all. It’s been said before -- you must take the good with the bad in every voyage you take.
Josh: Well put, Kristy. I agree.
double-breasted play at the Court Tavern this Friday, Feb. 16, with Right Foot Running, Sad Punk, and Tunnels to Holland.
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