5 Questions with...

MARGO GURYAN
www.pure-mint.com

1. If I knew absolutely nothing about Margo Guryan, how would you describe the group’s music to me?
-- Late 60s songwriter...songs recorded by Spanky and Our Gang ("Sunday Morning"), Claudine Longet, Jackie DeShannon, Harry Belafonte, Bobbie Gentry & Glen Campbell and others. Recorded one ablum, "Take A Picture" which has since been re-issued in Japan, Europe and the US and has become a collectors item in the original vinyl.

2. If I were to buy your new single 16 Words, what songs should I pay particular attention to and why?
-- "16 Words" is an `enhanced CD' single which contains the a-side title song, b-side "Yes I Am" and the "16 Words" video. The song is made up of 16 words from Bush's 2003 State of the Union address which I set to music. I'd pay particular attention to the video...a satirical romp a la Monty Python created by James Reitano. It's hilarious!

3. Where do you hail from, and when did you decide a career in music was
for you?
-- I was born and brought up in Far Rockaway, New York and studied piano from the age of 6. I loved "making up songs" and probably decided music was 'it' for me long before I went to Boston University to study composition...or the Lenox School of Jazz to rub shoulders with and learn from some of the 'greats'.

4. What was your worst on stage experience? What was your best?
-- No worst, no best...no perform!

5. Do you think that the Internet (whether it be Internet radio, legal downloading, MySpace, streaming audio, etc.) is a good tool for musicians or is it a bad thing because it hinders profits?
-- I think the Internet is a great tool for musicians: it allows your music (records, even demos) to be heard, lets you share ideas and feelings with other musicians and lets you 'spread the word' about music you like. It's a wonderful support system, and the little you lose in profits is probably made up for by the numbers of people who never heard of you - but will buy your released product in the future. It's also a great way to connect with record companies (like Pure Mint, who released "16 Words"), graphic artists (like Myke Adams, who did the cover for "16 Words"), DJs, reviewers, and other like-minded folks.