Welcome to the pond

Andrea offered to interview readers of her blog, and I played along. So this post will be her questions and my answers!! If you want to be interviewed, leave a comment, email address and a link to your blog and I'll come up with some questions to ask you!

1. What's the significance of your username and blog title?

I was trying to think of a good internet name for myself a few years ago and rfduck is what I came up with. The "duck" part comes from the mascot of my alma mater, the University of Oregon Ducks. "rf" are my initials. Since then, I've been very much thought of as "the duck" by my online friends. The blog title is Welcome To The Pond because I'm the duck, and this is my "pond" and I'm welcoming you to it!

2. Music is obviously an important part of your life, what was the first band you really liked and do you still listen to them today?

This depends on the definition of "band." I really don't know what rock band I first liked, although I remember secretly enjoying bands like Guns n Roses and Nirvana and all the other bands I saw on MTV. However, I wasn't a true rock fan until about 2001 or so. Most of my childhood I was into hip hop, so the first hip hop group I remember enjoying was DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. That's Will Smith, just so everyone knows. I don't really listen to him a whole lot now, but I do enjoy his new single "Switch."

3. BeauSoleil is obviously a favorite of yours, tell us what there appeal is to you and how you got into their music.

The first time I heard of BeauSoleil was when they came here to perform at a Cajun music festival and the local newspaper ran an article about them. Lead fiddler/singer Michael Doucet was heavily quoted in articles about the festival, and I remember reading them and being curious about Cajun music. It sounded so exotic to me.

I didn't actually listen to it until I was in college (1999-2003). My freshman year I started getting into music with lots of fiddle in it, especially Scandinavian folk. I remember sitting at my computer one night and remembering that Cajun band I had heard of so many years ago, BeauSoleil. I thought I'd see what they were all about and so I did a web search for their music. I found a page with sound clips from their album "L'Amour ou La Folie" and took a listen. I loved what I heard! A week or so later, I decided to buy that album if I could find it at the closest record store. Sure enough, they had it. I bought it, took it back to the dorm, and fell in love. Seven albums later, they're one of my favorite bands.

What's the appeal? Well, Cajun music is just plain good stuff. It can be very energetic and danceable, something that audiences at BeauSoleil concerts all know very well. Of course, there's fiddle playing in the music so I love that a lot. I suppose I just love the folkiness of it, the fact that it's music played out of tradition and love. And it's very different from all other kinds of music. Most of all, the band appeals to me because they kick butt and make life fun!

4. How many concerts have you attended and which ones did you enjoy the most?

After trying to figure out how many concerts I have been to, I've come up with a total of nine. That does not include things like the folk festival on campus or bands that I stumbled upon while playing without going to see them specifically. I'm counting only the bands that I had a ticket to see. I actually didn't really attend concerts until I was in college. I suppose there were a few times before that when I saw some live music, but nothing I remember very well. The first concert I attended was a Scandinavian folk concert in Portland. I was very lucky to see that, because these bands don't tour this part of the U.S. very much.

My favorite concerts? I really enjoyed both BeauSoleil concerts I saw and those are my favorites. Especially the last one, when I got to meet some of the band members! I also really loved seeing Natalie MacMaster twice. And the last concert I went to, Jonny Lang with Keri Noble, was a blast.

5. You have a dedication on your blog, tell us about the people you dedicate your blog to.

The dedication to "The Doctor" of WHJY-FM in Rhode Island is for Mike "The Doctor" Gonsalves. He was a popular rock DJ in Rhode Island and unfortunately died in the Station fire at the Great White concert in Rhode Island a couple years ago. I dedicated my blog to him spontaneously because my friend Beth, who lives in RI herself, told me all about him and how much he was loved by the listeners. I don't live there, and never knew or heard The Doctor, but I figured a guy that cool deserves a dedication.

My other dedication, Ty Eppley, is a guy I knew in high school who died of Hepatitis C in January of 2002. He was a good friend, although not real close - one of those people you always say hi to in the hallway even if you never really "hang out" with them. What I remember most about him is that he was nice to just about EVERYONE. When I was a freshman in HS, he took the time to get to know us and make us feel welcome. He was a junior then, and most upperclassmen didn't make time for the freshman. Not Ty, he accepted everyone no matter how popular or unpopular. He was always there to lift your spirits and put a smile on your face. He had TREMENDOUS school spirit. He had his own demons to face, but his ability to make everyone feel like his buddy overshadows everything else. I'll never forget him.


Does that answer your questions, Andrea??