FEATURE
Spellbound Interview with Muzique Magazine
How did you come by your stage name?
Bobby: Paul and I were trying to brainstorm on ideas.. picking up books.. shouting out names as they came to us. Finally, I picked up a Funk & Wagnalls dictionary and Paul picked up a Smiths record pointed our fingers down at our respective chosen words. We both said, “Spellbound”
When did you discover your love for your craft and what made you realize you wanted to pursue a career in it?
Paul: Bobby and I were friends since high school. We were both huge record collectors and we bonded through music. I’d already been playing piano/keyboard and guitar and knew Bobby wrote poems, which I didn’t know anyone else doing. After high school, we both attended Dick Grove School of Music. I enrolled in a songwriting course and Bobby enrolled in a Studio Engineering course. We pretty much knew by then we wanted to pursue music.
To what or whom do you accredit your sense of style?
Bobby: One of Paul’s closest friends growing up was Jake Feldman whose father was the famous jazz, session musician Victor Feldman. He always encouraged us to study music. Reading and writing, composing, etc. And he was on the albums we were huge fans of like Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, Boz Scaggs, and so many others. All those early influences helped develop us as songwriters.
On your current project, how did you come up with the concept?
Spellbound, in the past, has stuck with subjects that personified our brand which is a fusion of Tropical and City (Funk and Latin grooves), and the lyrics reflected that party, dance, fun atmosphere. But with the recent events in the world, we couldn’t help but feel darker and less optimistic. The song’s subjects and mood reflected that. Thus the darkness after the sunsets. After Sunset.
What are some of your greatest challenges, and what is your greatest attribute when it comes to your work ethic?
The biggest challenge is in fighting the corporate machine. Since most news, entertainment, and media seen on tv and magazines are controlled by a few elites with their financial interests and personal agendas it’s difficult to get heard and exposed in the ways that corporate artists do. To break the hypnotism that controls the public through those media outlets.
Are you the best at what you do in your opinion?
After over 35 years.Yes!
What are your plans for the near future?
Keep writing, producing, and releasing great songs and albums. Advocating truth through our songs.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank, any shout-outs?
Special Thanks & Praises To GOD For This Album! Thanks & Gratitude To All The Incredible Musicians: Scott and Stan Martin, Candi Sosa, Jennie G., Anna Moore & Our Late, Great Friend & Drummer Blewfoot! Thanks, Hector Resendez @ Canto Tropical (KPFK 90.7fm) for his ongoing support. Marta Sosa @ Cubanarama.com For Her Support. Thanks, Bill Buckley @ www.soulandjazzandfunk.com, Thanks Eric Gonzalez @ www.herencialatina.com, Thanks Tom Schnabel Fellow Music Nut.
Thanks to Everyone involved in our music video for ‘When Skies Were Blue’ – Director Rhode Breaker, Editor Anton Kurza, Drone Operator Vitali Karovkin, Actor/Actresses Tim Whitford, Rebecca Goodrich, Brielle Calloway, Allyse Gibson, Kiana Sadres, and Makeup Don Hsiao. Most Of All Thanks To Our Super Fans & Supporters! This Album In Memory Of Jane Thomas and Blewfoot.
How can fans find you?
Please find us @
https://www.instagram.com/spellboundband/
https://m.facebook.com/spellboundband
What suggestions do you have for other artists like yourself?
Enjoy the Sunset!
