Recently I got to sit down (exchange emails with) with half of the up-and-coming Anton Mink, a jammin' down-home hard rock/funk band who've got an interesting sound going on their self-titled record. If you feel compelled by their no-doubt friendly and easy-going personalities after reading, check out the links below and get a taste of what they're all about. 

Kevin: First off, since we're addressing a wider audience than you might be used to, let the Music Emissioneers know who Anton Mink is, where you're from and who plays what.

Chloa: Chloa Mardis-Bardstown,KY Singer I also play kazoo and cowbell occasionally and I played organ on the album.

Andy Jack-Geeetar Louisville,KY

Anton Z. Bass and he also played some of the guitar on the album

Gerome-Percussion

Anton Z: I think Chloa covered that pretty well.



Kevin: Furthermore, how did you all form up into the band you are now? What were your past projects, and what drove you all into Anton Mink?

Chloa: I answered an ad in the paper that was looking for some female vocals but before that I was just doing improv hooks with local djs and at hip-hop shows and lots of writing. It honestly didn’t matter to me what type of music I got into as long as I started to do something! I had always sat around talking about what I wanted to do but hadn’t taken any steps in that direction 6 years later Im in a band.

Anton Z: I was in punk bands and I just got sick of it musically.
I wanted to write some songs that I thought had a more jazz/blues vibe.    
After spending  a year of writing and just jamming I thought the music would sound good with a
female voice, so I placed an ad in a local alternative newspaper sorta as a joke.
I guess I really didn't expect much to come of it.
I think the ad read something like this "Wanna be a star, Wanna be on stage and have everybody check you
 out,
indie rock unit seeks a sexy and sultry female screamer"  A lot of really weird people answered the add and I think jammed with all of them.
Chloa was the very last person to answer the add. When she came out and I first saw her (she had really short hair then
and just didn't look the part)and I thought here we go again this is gonna suck. Then when the Drummer who I was jamming with at the time and I started
playing something, she jumped right in (the first to do it) and started wailing on it. I knew she was it from that moment.
We ended up writing a song that first night (Monster Trucks)which appears on the album. So looks can truly be deceiving.
I think we had less luck keeping a drummer than Spinal Tap.  So it seemed that we were always drummerless and decided to start playing as a vocal/bass duo and
we did that for two years with a few drummers thrown in here and there.  We met Gerome and 2006 and recorded the album at the end of 2006.
 After the Album was completed we actively searched for a guitar player  
and that is when we found Andy Jack.




Kevin: Totally music-unrelated question; what's Louisville like? I'm guessing there must be a Muhammad Ali museum there or something...also, the Kentucky Derby; thoughts? Probably not your scene, eh

Chloa: As long as there is fun to be had at an inexpensive rate, I will be there! Louisville for me is probably a little different as far as opinion goes because Im from Bardstown. I’ve always viewed it as a place to party and meet interesting people. Ive been hanging around for the past 8 years and have the closest friends in the world because of it.

Anton Z: Louisville is cool. I grew here and it seems not too many people ever leave. Growing up, like most other people,I wanted to get out of here and never come back.  But as you get older you appreciate it. Laid back, friendly and very inexpensive in comparison to
other cities. Yeah, the champ has a museum, I think it just opened I have never been to it, been by it a bunch times. Kentucky Derby is always fun.
I go to the infield where it is one big party.



Kevin: Do any of you have any formal musical training? I get a jam-band feel from your music, but Chloa, you sound as if you've had to have had singing lessons at some point...your voice is just too good for me to think otherwise.

Chloa: Thanks Kevin! Thats really flattering but aside from 2 classes I took in college I never really trained. I think the hardest part was to find my own voice and what I wanted to emote and say with my lyrics. The classes I took mainly concerned operatic approaches and consisted of pieces from musicals and old hymnals, nothing I felt that truly prepared me for this type of music.

Anton Z: The only person in the band that has any formal training is Andy Jack. He was a music major so he
is our little musical genius.


Kevin: You can lift zounds of influences from your music, from the classic rock and jam bands of the past to the modern groove-oriented rock bands. There are hints of r&b and jazz throughout. Who would you say are your biggest influences, and why?

Chloa: Ive listened to every type of music there is! I just went through a country western kick not too long ago where all I would listen to was early Hank, Loretta Lynn and Johnny Cash. Seriously though when it comes to vocals I usually just listen to the music and try to come up with something original even if thats impossible.

Anton Z: Thanks that is a very nice compliment. I grew up listening to punk and classic rock. Probably the Doors and Zeppelin
had the influence on my playing style. I'm self-taught so I just tried to emulate those guys.
As the songs are written around a bass line, I think that really adds to the groove. I always did like how old R&B and jazz
featured the bass and I guess that kinda subconsciously  seeps into our music. I think the new album is going to have more of that kinda vibe
as Andy Jack's style of playing has touches of soul and jazz.



Kevin: What's the Louisville scene like? Do you have any favorite bands in the area you'd like to give a shout out to, maybe let the readers know about so they can check 'em out?

Chloa: Funny enough the only scene I think I’m truly integrated into is the electronic dance and hip-hop scenes which both have their ups and downs. You’ve got your underground side and your mainstream seekers and they’re all moving towards that dream of hitting it big in whatever way. I would say check out my friends at 1205 Records, there is a lot of talent there.

Anton Z: Louisville has always had a good music scene and it is no diferent now. There is no distinct Louisville sound.
Everybody sounds very different. The Broken Spurs (good ole rock and roll) and
 People Noise (shoe gaze) are two my local favs.


Kevin: I see on your myspace that you've got a show in Canada coming up on the 17th (of May). Will this be your first trip up north?

Chloa: Crapola! That show was cancelled due to lack of sponsorship lol I was supposed to delete it! Our show in Dewey Beach this weekend will be our first trip up there to Yankee territory.

Anton Z: It was going to be great trip, but the festival got canceled due to the lack of sponsorship. That sucks.
I don't know why it is still up on our myspace page.

Kevin: Let's hear about your most memorable on-stage moment. You ever get underwear or shit thrown onstage? I hear that's a sign that you've made it in the business, hahah.

Chloa: Hmm I’ve never gotten any underwear and that’s a really big disapointment. I’m always asking for people to show me their tits, male or female but no one obliges. Everyone does know that I do love Jager (interviewer's note: my kinda girl!) so shots are usually brought to me while singing. I have several memorable stage moments but I think the best that I can remember right now was a show in Boise where I took this dude’s brand new, white, stetson, cowboy hat and he kept getting on stage so I took it off and stomped on it. He tried one more time to get up there and I tried to do this run/tacle thing but I’m so small that he just put me back on the stage.

Anton Z: Hmm, let me think, you did say the most memorable and not favorite, because my most memorable on stage moment, had to be when we were play this show at a blues club in Louisville
and Chloa got so drunk that she could not sing and she just laid down on stage and just kinda yelled at people in the
 audience.  We (the rest of the band) played through the song and just left the stage and she was still laying there yelling at us
for leaving the stage. Not my favorite experience but definitely memorable.


Kevin: Do you feel Anton Mink is more of a live band or studio band? Does your music translate better live or is it made for the album format? I'd think the former was true, but everyone's got their opinions.

Chloa: You know I think that for everyone in the band this question applies differently. I feel like I’m better live because I can do different things vocally and you get more of a feel for what I’m saying lyrically but the boys might feel otherwise about themselves that is.

Anton Z: I think we are a better live band.  There is lot more we do more live musically than was on the album.
I always enjoyed jamming with people in my house. That is one my favorite things in life to do and
think if you take the house feel and put into live show then it is a pretty cool thing.
I also enjoy the challenge of recording in that you are creating a lasting piece of art
(whether or not if it is any good) and I want to get a good version of the song but at the
the same time I like to keep it open enough so that you can
 present in different ways live.  
We generally record everything live, including the vocals, then go back in and add any overdubs.


Kevin: What's the future looking like for Anton Mink? You've got a nice slate of local shows coming up, any plans for more out-of-state shows or maybe another album in the works?

Chloa: Were trying to get this 2nd album underway soon so hopefully that will happen and then we can go back to touring!

Anton Z: Working on a new album. Hopefully we'll have it done before the end of the summer, then if everything works out, we'll hit the road in the fall.


Kevin: Your lyrics are very down-to-earth, gritty and they match the music to a T. Who writes 'em, and where do you get the inspiration for such words?

Chloa: Well thanks again Kevin. Most of the songs on this first album were about dealing with meth problems and the friendships I lost because of people going to jail, getting cracked out or dissapearing. I think one, Blood Clots, is a disastrous night of drinking and Everything is a pissed off relationship song.


Kevin: Describe how Anton Mink goes about writing a song; who's the one usually starting the process, or is it always a group effort?

Chloa: Well everyone wries their own parts but Anton Z. usually comes up with a bassline first. If I like it then we give it a go.

Anton Z: I guess the writing process hasn't changed much since Chloa and I met. I usually come up with a bass line and
then if Chloa likes it then she and I will work out a basic song
 structure.  Then we just jam on it as a band.
Everybody comes up with their own parts at that point.

 
Kevin: Each of you can answer these, for fun:

-Favorite bands: The Misfits (Chloa), Doors, Parliament, The Replacements (Anton Z)

-Favorite songs (if you've each got one, go with one) Honky Tonk Girl _ Loretta Lynn (Chloa), Unsatisfied-The Replacements (Anton Z)

-Band you'd most want to go touring with: Amy Winehouse! (Chloa), RHCP (Anton Z)

-Hobbies?: I have sooo many lol,  Drinking, drugging, dancing, reading, listening to good music, gardening and just spending time with friends. (Chloa), Gardening, Camping, Fishing (Anton Z)

-Bad habits?: Taco Bell (Chloa)

-Favorite drink or drug of choice?: My absolute favorite beer is Blue Moon! I also like dirty martinis, absolute pear and sugar free red bull, jager bombs and American Honey whiskey. Im partial to marijuana and any other drug that is free and around. (Chloa), marijuana and PBR (Anton Z)
(Interviewers Note: My kinda people!)

-Do any of you have day-jobs or anything like that?: Not really Im pretty much the girl on the couch. (Chloa), Yes (Anton Z)

-Favorite foods?: I love sushi, mediterranean food, good old country cooking and basically anything else that is spicy. (Chloa), pizza, sushi, Cajun and BBQ (Anton Z)

Kevin: As a parting shot, let the fans know anything you feel is relevant that I didn't get to inquire about. Where they can find your CD, where you'll be playing next, shout-outs to family, whatever you'd like. Thanks from me and from the fans for taking the time out to answer a few questions, it's much appreciated.

Chloa: No. thank you for asking! I think CD Baby is the best place to find our cd, either that or order it through Paypal aside from that I think we’re mainly focused on getting this 2nd album out there! Other than that "Hi Mom!" and "Peace out!"

Anton Z: Thank you the opportunity. The CD is available on CD Baby

http://www.myspace.com/antonmink
http://www.sonicbids.com/antonmink

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