1. Your Name? Your Band Name?
My name is John Cranford, My Band name is John Cranford and The Motion Conspiracy.
2. What type of music/instrument do you play?
I would categorize my music as electro-folk. I use loop pedals, ableton live and different/interesting sounding guitars to get my sound across. My two favorite instruments I use are a Hohner Resonator and a 1946 Marvel Archtop Guitar.
3. When did you start making music?
I started really making music in the Westerlunds basement somwhere around 4th grade. I played in band through High School, but didnt seriously pursue music as my own thing until college.
4. Do you have other jobs, or do you do music as your full-time source of income?
I work as a chef full time and play about 4 shows a month as well as continually trying to record and write new music.
5. Where do you find inspiration for your songs?
My inspiration initially comes from my gut. Music is cheaper than therapy and I think its definitely helped my mental state to get things off my chest on out to the listening public.
6. Do you like playing live or recording music better?
There is a certain rush of being onstage and playing. Both communicating an idea or an emotion to an audience, but the accessibility of record makes it easy to craft a song or an idea until you find that true sound you heard in your head from the beginning.
7. What advice would you give to a new musician just starting their music career?
PLAY PLAY PLAY! As often as you can. Doing a show or even rehearsing your material will only make you better. Another thing I have really been working on is finding a voice or certain sound that is original and yours. Play for yourself and no one else is also a big rule of thumb. Yes being a rock-star would be awesome. And would be great to make millions and have stardom, but you’ll never communicate the honesty if your trying to be Nickelback.
8. What is your pro/con list for the way the music industry is changing?
The industry had changed a ton. I think that its great we out of the boy bands, polished bullshit of the nineties. Not to say that it doesn’t exist on the top 40 or radios everywhere, but the internet and the ease of technology has made it extremely accessible for anyone to get what they’re doing out there to be heard by the masses.
9. What are the normal venues that you play?
When I’m home in Eau Claire I always wind playing clancys. Its definitely my favorite venue ever! But since I have moved south I frequently play Tantra Lounge on Broughton Street in Savannah and also occasionally play Brick Oven on Hilton Head Island.
10. What is the craziest gig you’ve ever played?
I have played a lot of shows where there are only ten people in the audience, which is kind of crazy to play to no one. But recently I played a show where a bridal party showed up and by the maid of honors request I got to kiss the bride onstage a few days before she got married! Also, go see megafaun, they will blow your f*%#ing mind!
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