Pretty Blackmore
Interview conducted on March 3, 2022
By Dan Locke
PRETTY BLACKMORE adornment to Rock n Roll has become a total VIBE. Conceived by the water in Sunny California circa 2020 PBM has been compared to A FORCE OF NATURE. Led by lead singer Minx, PBM blend of Rock n Roll, Funk Punk has filled a space for gritty lyrics, deliberate delivery with a high-energy musical blowback. “You Didn’t Call” is the first single release from their upcoming ep “The Awaking” …. PBM mantra ‘Where is it written Rock n Roll can’t be Loud &Conscious!
Minx- You have toured with Ricky Martin, danced for Prince and Michael Jackson, been a children book author and also a entrepreneur. What is your upbringing?
I grew up in Orange County. I got out of there as soon as I could. I moved to Hollywood to realize my dream of becoming a professional dancer. I was VERY suburban. I knew from a young age I was attracted to the city’s bright lights. O.C. life was typical, Mom, Dad siblings, dog, cat. I was obsessed movement and sound.
How did you discover music?
I discovered music by looking throw my father’s and grandmother’s record collection. I remember the first time I saw Tina Turner and was like WHAT??!!! Then heard Prince and it was all over! OBSESSED!
How did you start to write music?
I was always scribbling things down…I didn’t realize I was writing songs til someone mentioned it to me. I ALWAYS liked writing in school. It was very cathartic.
Minx- How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
I received my first guitar as a child. I got my new guitar 3 years ago…her name is pretty black. I was also gifted a guitar from David Gilmore (Pink Floyd) a friend of mine purchased it at an auction…her name is Ruby.
Do you play any guitar on the LP?
No.. Foxy(PMB Guitarist). is playing on the single You Didn’t Call, he killed it. We weren’t taking in chances on our first single LOL
How did your band form?
I started the band after the pandemic started. I believe if you are not doing what you want to do with your life right now you BETTER GET AT IT!
So, at first, I was working with Dr. Dre son Curtis then hooked up with Big Daddy X (KOTTONMOUTH KINGS) and Cameron Webb (MOTORHEAD) and we got to work and recorded You Didn’t Call. I knew when I started singing that song and making the music it was LIT!
How did you get your bands name?
I just thought of one of the most beautiful colors…I think black is one of them…My favorite movie is Wizard of Oz…I like when the witch said ” come here my pretty”….then you know if it’s good you always want more…..Pretty Blackmore.
Do people something think you have something to do with Ritchie Blackmore?
No, we haven’t come across any confusion. We love Ritchie Blackmore though!!!
Describe your music.
Pretty Blackmore is a total vibe…we blend Rock, Punk, Funk. It’s deliberate, relatable, loud, and fun. It makes you MOVE!
Royalties never appear like magic. Royalties are only sent to you through work undertaken by a PRO to ensure that their members are getting paid. If you’re not yet signed up to a Performing Right Organization like ASCAP, BMI or SESAC, you may not be receiving all the royalties you deserve.
Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP ?
We are with ASCAP
What makes a good songwriter?
A good songwriter is honest. With honest words a songwriter can tell the story where you believe the song, you can feel the song. Being able to have people relate to your music is key.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
Love You To The Back Of Your Heart. We haven’t recorded it yet. I am still re-arranging it. I have had it in my music vault for a while, we will be working on it in the near future.
What is the process of writing your music?
It just pops out. I start humming then words flow out. It’s like there is a pathway of sorts that comes to me and I write down the words or record it and start playing with it. It’s like a love story that unfolds…it can be good or bad LOL!
Tell me about “You didn’t Call”?
You Didn’t Call is the first song where I grabbed my guitar and just started singing at the same time. I stopped then pushed my recorder and was like hummmm. You Didn’t Call is an anthem of sorts. You put yourself out there to only wait for this person to call, sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t. I really like the part where she calls that person a liar! and just puts it in their face! Some time revenge is sweet. but good revenge…knowing you are worth.
What is your favorite track on your album?
Don’t Call Her No Tramp…I am showing big respect to Betty Davis. The industry did her dirty and I want the world to hear her music she was the first female artist to put it in your face. I am so excited to be doing a cover of her original song.
Why did you decide to record “Overkill”?
OMG!!!! true story! The studio I was recording in was where Lemmy and Motorhead rehearsed and recorded. I kept rubbing this speaker not knowing it was one of Lemmy’s speakers! I had heard of Motorhead but wasn’t all in. After learning in-depth about the group and Lemmy, I was hooked. I felt like I fell in love with this guy! I looked up everything about him…Get this! After I rehearsed the song, I went to the LA Art Show and the last painting I saw was of Lemmy!!!!! I couldn’t believe it! There were so many paintings there and I had walked the whole venue and the last row I walked there he was! my bff said that could be confirmation he likes your version.
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
Streaming is cool but every Artist should really look into which services they want to use. I like the Indie vibe best. Own your Sh*t!
The symbol # is known as the number sign, hash, pound sign and a sharp sign in music. The symbol has historically been used for a wide range of purposes Since 2007, widespread usage of the symbol to introduce metadata tags on social media platforms has led to such tags being known as “hashtags”, and from that, the symbol itself is sometimes called a hashtag.
Are people forgetting that the # is a part of music?
People that really know about music know what # stands for. Those people also know REAL music. There is a reason why bands like Pink Floyd, Motorhead, Prince, MJ, even Sinatra sound good…they stand for REAL MUSIC.
Digital vs. vinyl?
Vinyl ALL DAY! I have this record store that I go to on Sundays and I sit and get lost for a couple of hours on the floor looking through some vinyl for good finds….scored Henry Mancini (Love Story) a while back! AMAZING!
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
Bambi by Prince is constantly playing in my mind. Bambi is the first song I heard from Prince. That riff is EVERYTHING!
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
I don’t think Covid 19 really affected the music industry. I mean concerts were canceled but people kept making music and A LOT of music was bought while on lockdown.
Do you think that Covid-19 has been a plus to an artist career?
Covid 19 should have been a plus to every artist! That was the best time to just lock in, reflect, resolve, plug out to plugin. Covid 19 like Bikram Yoga made you really look at yourself. That was such a good time to write.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
I did a lot of Yoga, wrote songs…just took it all in. Stayed close to the water.
How do you stay healthy during the lockdown?
I am a health nut so I do as much Yoga as I can. I am a conscious Rock n Roll Love Goddess. I mean that. I don’t train I can go off the rails.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
My new hobby could be plants. I just feel like I need more in my life lol!. Plants might be my new jam.
Recently the virus has come back with the Delta outbreak, then you Omicron, which as cause many people in the industry to worry about the future of live music.
How would you like live shows to be held and still keep you and fans safe.
I think live shows should be held. I think every venue has the right to see how they would arrange it so it is safe for everyone.
Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means thinks like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.
I don’t know much about pay-to-play.
The show Star Trek introduced people to the holodeck: an immersive, realistic 3D holographic projection of a complete environment that you could interact with.
Today holograms are already being used in a variety of way, such as medical systems, education, art, security and defense
Performers like Tupac, Michael Jackson, Roy Orbison, Frank Zappa, Elvis Presley, Amy Winehouse, Buddy Holly, Ronnie James Dio, Marylin Monroe, and Whitney Houston have done it already. The band ABBA just announced that they will be doing a comeback together after nearly 40 years as holograms on their next tour. With ABBA it was with the help of George Lucas .
If the cost was down to the point you could do it also, would you be willing to do Holographic concerts in our living room?
In the past if a musician stop doing music they find a new career. For example David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants.. If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing?
Sure, I would do a Holographic concert in my living room. I think that would be fun!
What is your happy place?
My happy place is the Yoga studio and working with children. I wouldn’t mind being a baby hugger! Baby huggers go to hospitals and hug newborns so they feel loved and safe.
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