Interview with Benton Paul

Super talented solo artist Benton Paul has already released his first album and toured the country. I had the chance to see Benton at the Boston House of Blues back in 2009, and though that was my first time being introduced to his music, I have to say I became a fan after that night. Now as he works on his second album, I've been able to ask Benton about his music, songwriting and how he got his start at such a young age.


You’re working on your second album, what can fans look forward to on this album?
The new album will be more artsy and upbeat than the last.

Do you prefer live or recording? 
I prefer performing live and listening to recordings.

Where do you find the inspiration for your songs?
Great question, every month seems different! Some months are harder to find inspiration than others. I look to books, movies and other music a lot though.

What came first for you, singing, songwriting or playing an instrument?
Probably dancing! haha I used to dance around to Michael Jackson and Milli Vanilli when I was super young. Then took piano at 5, and started singing in public at 6!

You often play the guitar and piano, is there any other instrument you’ve ever wanted to play?
Yes, I always wanted to play the drums... but my mom said they were too loud... I'm still in awe when I see a great drummer.

Do you have any pre-show or backstage rituals?
Haha, a lot of the time we just make up some silly sentence and yell it from within the huddle; but more importantly, a prayer either out loud or in the heart is key to a long term career.

Benton performing at Boston
House of Blues in 2009.

 What place would you like to go to on tour that you haven’t been
 to/toured yet?
 Europe!

 If you could perform with anyone, living or non-living, who 
 would  you choose?
 The Beatles :) Cliche, but hey.

 What’s been the biggest moment in your life so far?
 I remember my first time playing a stadium stage to a sold out crowd, it
 was unreal, and one of the best feelings to have that much support as you
 sing.



Besides the new album, what else is coming up for you?
With a new album comes new merch, new tour dates and new videos!

Do you have a message to all of your fans? 
Yes, I couldn't be doing what I do without your love and support, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart!


Thanks Benton for the interview, and I can't wait for the new album! 

Interview with Guitarist Asaf Rodeh

Asaf Rodeh is a guitarist and music producer, playing for artists like Melinda Ortner and Mika Ben-Yami, and just added to the list is David Archuleta. Asaf just recently joined David's band, and took the time to do this interview with me. Get to know Asaf and get a glimpse of what he's going to bring to the "Archuband" while touring with David.






1. It was recently made known that you’ve been added to David Archuleta’s band, or the “Archuband”, as fans like to call it. How did this gig come about?
I auditioned for the band a few months ago, kept in touch with them and a few weeks ago got called to join the band.

Credit to I Be TinaB on flickr

2. How was your first full show with David at the Arizona concert?
The show was awesome!! It's really fun to play with David, he's an amazing artist and the nicest guy I've met. The band is great and the fans were amazing!

3. How long have you been playing the guitar?
Hard for me to believe but I started playing almost 19 years ago. I was 11 years old.

4. When was the first time you performed in front of an audience?
My first show was at some kind of a boy scout event. I was playing for probably a year at the time so I had to make it look like I knew what I was doing. Very soon after that I started playing with different bands.

5. What other gigs/projects have you had before playing for David?
Besides being a guitar player I'm also a music producer and recently finished working on an album for a cool new artist called Melinda Ortner (https://www.facebook.com/melindaortnermusic), Another great artist I play with is Mika Ben-Yami, http://mikabenyami.com, which also happens to be my beautiful girlfriend:)

6. How is working solo different from working with a band?
I always feel that working solo is more challenging and demanding both technically and as a performer, where It's your full responsibility and there's no band to "hide" behind. On the other hand it's always amazing to create something with other people, where each person brings something and you create something together.

7. Which do you prefer playing, acoustic or electric?
I love both! It would be really hard to choose if I had to. I love how warm and organic an acoustic guitar is, but then not a lot of things can beat plugging in the electric and rocking out!

8. What kind of music/musicians inspire you?
Too many to name... I find inspiration in many styles and musicians, regardless of the style, I'm always looking for that truth in music that is not easy to find yet you can't ignore.

9. What are words you live by?
Honesty, Integrity, Hard work

10. What are your plans for the future?
For the near future I hope to get to tour a lot with David and his band. Besides I hope to stay lucky and keep making a living producing and playing music for many years!

11. Where can people keep up with you? Website, Facebook, Twitter?
Website: http://asafrodeh.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=635037577
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/AsafRodeh
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Asafrog

12. Do you have a message to the Archie fans who are now supporting you?
Keep being awesome!


Thanks again to Asaf for taking the time to do this interview, and I look forward to seeing more of you in David's band, as well as your other projects!

Interview with Guitarist Brian Green

Brian Green has played for many popular artists such as Michael Bublé and David Foster, as well as his own band Montë Mar. Just recently added to his bio is being the newest guitarist for David Archuleta. 

Out of all the members of David’s new band, it’s safe to say that the one we unfortunately know the least about is Brian. So now here’s your chance to learn a little about him as he talks about his music interests, past gigs, pre-show rituals and his reaction when he found out he would now be playing with David Archuleta. 






1. When did you start playing the guitar? .

2. What made you choose the guitar? 
(To answer questions 1 and 2) I started playing guitar when I was eight years old. My dad plays as well (not professionally) so there were guitars around the house, which must have intrigued me from a young age. I also had a crush on a girl who played guitar and I figured that it could be my in.

3. What kind of music do you listen to? What other artists are you into?
I cast a wide net with the music I listen to and draw from many genres and moods. Here are a few of my all time favorites and artists that I am currently listening to: Deerhunter, Rufus Wainwright, The Beatles (of course), Fleetwood Mac, Johnny Marr, The Beach Boys, Radiohead, Bjork, Milton Nascimento, Brad Mehldau.

4. What was your first reaction when you found out you’d be getting to be a part of David Archuleta’s band?
I was really excited upon hearing the news that I would be playing with David! I always thought he had a terrific voice and presence to him.

5. What other gigs have you had before playing for David?
Some of the other artists I have played guitar for in the past include Michael Buble, Jessie Baylin, Julianna Raye (opening for Rufus Wainwright), Andrea Bocelli and David Foster.

6. The Archie fans have tagged you guys as the “Archuband”. What do you think of the response from the fans ever since you started playing for David?
What a great network of fans you all are. Everybody has been very welcoming and supportive. Thanks everybody!

7. So far you’ve done two shows with David, one acoustic and one with the full band. Which do you prefer?
I like playing acoustic shows but prefer playing with the band. Those guys are all killer musicians and great people to hang out with, so it makes the show a bit more lively for me.

8. What prepares you for each show? Any pre-performance rituals?
Pre show rituals, oh gosh... I'm pretty low maintenance and try and stay relaxed and positive before shows. I'm happy with a quiet room to unwind in and if Pringles (BBQ or original flavor) happen to be in that room, you are guaranteed a good show out of me.

9. When I interviewed Steven he said you do an “awesome guitar riff” during Elevator. What are some of your favorite songs to play with this new band?
Ahhhh, lets see. The competition for my favorite song to play with David would be between Crush, Complain, and a great cover we started doing of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears. I also love watching the other band members tear it up on "Gotta Get Through This". I think that Ben and Steven melted some faces during our last show.

10. What are some of your hobbies when you’re not doing music?
I love to surf, hike, travel, read and be around my friends who I can laugh with.

11. Where can people catch up with you? Website? Facebook?
The best place to keep up with me and what I'm doing is through my band website: www.montemarmusic.com. I put up blogs, music, shows, and everything I'm up to on there including links to twitter and facebook so you know what I'm up to.

12. Any message to all of the Archie fans who are now supporting you? 
My message to all of the Archie fans is to keep it up! We love the enthusiasm and support and it makes us want to rock even harder for you all! Thanks for being so warm to all of us.


So look forward to seeing a lot more of Brian in his band Montë Mar and also more upcoming concerts with David Archuleta! I want to thank Brian for an awesome interview and we can’t wait to see what the future holds!