Quick Q and A with Adam Ezra
 by Kathy S-B  ·  14 February 2011

Adam Ezra Group is one of the most talked about bands in the greater Boston music scene. Music fans rave about their live shows . . . smart lyrics, tight instrumentation, and amazing energy and charisma. The AEG are not only musically driven but are passionate about changing the world one gig at a time. They are devoted to helping others and often give their time and energy to charity. This year’s partnership is with Feeding America. Check out Adam’s website to learn more about the band. Here’s a video that will give you a taste of what the band is like on stage!

How would you explain your music?

Acoustic stories and tattered rock n roll.

Where do you see yourselves in a year from now and 5 years from now?

1 year from now: Having just received a Grammy for best new artist, I will be working on developing a raging heroine addiction while dating Lady Gaga.

5 years from now: VH1’s “Where Are They Now.”

Serious Answer): So much of this business is about constantly striving for the next rung on the ladder . . . I made a pact with myself a while ago to do my best to enjoy the moments as they come, and be appreciative of the fact that I get to do what inspires me. Whether 1 year, 5 years, or 50 years from today, I will consider myself lucky if I’m still making music.

Was there a moment where you suddenly knew you just had to play music full time no matter what? Or was it gradual — like low tide / high tide?

I was working on a farm in Canada, and one night I made a deal with myself that no matter what happens, from that moment on I would live my life within music . . . SCARY NIGHT!! . . . never once regretted it.

When do you think you’ll know it’s the right time to quit your day jobs, believe in your music and hit the road?

No day jobs for us. We are already doing this full time . . . . and there is never a “right time” to make that decision, by the way. Whenever one decides to become a full time musician they are accepting the fact that, at least for a while, they will undoubtedly be poverty stricken . . . and of course, no matter how good an artist is, there are never any guarantees that things will get easier. For me though, poverty always seemed like a fair trade off in order to do what I love.

If you were a food, what kind of food would you be and why?

Hmmm . . . if I could choose, I think I’d like to be a garbanzo bean because I’d like people to smile when they said my name. . . . but in truth, I’m probably more like a beet, because I’m always staining things.

What’s been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

Many big challenges! I think being creative with five people is very hard. Can you imagine making five painters share one canvas? It’s important to find a balance, I’ve found, between letting my voice be heard and allowing others to steer the ship. This pertains to music arrangement as well as business decisions that we make as a group.

Oh yeah . . . and spending a month in a van with 4 other smelly guys . . . that’s hard too.

If you were to use your talents to create something to express the essence of the uprising in Egypt, what would it be, feel like and do?

Phew . . . finally an easy one! (har)

There are many incredible things one could focus on here, but for me, the “essence” of the latest events in Egypt stems from the power of community. When people come together with passion, vision, and respect, it shapes the world. This is true whether it’s on a momentous scale like the Egyptian revolution, or a small local scale, like a high school event I attended last Friday in which students brought together all of their friends for a night of performances and activism.

The things people can do when they connect with each other continues to fascinate me like nothing else in this world. As far as using our talents to express this, I think it’s something we constantly try to create within our fan base. Check out www.getrambled.com for our latest effort in empowering community.

Do you name your guitars? And if so, do you consider the strings children?

No names for the guitars, though if whoever wrote this question has any suggestions, I would be happy to hear them! We named our van, Daisy, on a radio show the other day in Chicago based on a caller’s suggestion. Maybe it’s time to give my guitars some names . . .

So . . . let it hereby stand that we will be taking all requests and guitar-naming suggestions at the me & thee Coffeehouse this Friday!