In this interview spotlight, I chat with Venus Loves Mars about the latest music, AI, dream collabs, and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
AI (aka Artificial Intelligence aka Chat GPT 4.0)… How is it changing the music world? What are your thoughts about this new trend?
Bee- As long as we humans live on this planet , we will have music and new technology. We have to learn to adapt to changes as they come. We can decide whether we want to use certain technologies, unfortunately technological advances have already forced us into this new paradigm, hence the smartphone, social media, WiFi.
Mac- All speculation aside, how AI is used brings up ethical and economic concerns for artists. Perhaps a group of musicians playing instruments and singing live on a stage will seem primitive to audiences in a Future age. On the other hand – there are still many people who love to ride horses, write with a pencil on a page, read a printed book with a cover, or listen to vinyl records on speakers.
Bee- I’m one of those people. I am still a notebook person and we have a huge vinyl collection. 🙂
Can you choose a favorite song of all time? Or is this an impossible task? If yes, what’s the song? If no, what’s your current Top 3?
Bee- one of my favorite songs of all time is “Brandy”, because it’s my name. Hearing the song makes me feel a sense of love for my parents who named me, and also it makes me cringe because of the lyrics. It’s kind of like this relationship I have with music business.
Mac- I’ve never thought of any songs or even artists as my “favorites”. Yesterday I loved listening to WITCH, early Peter Gabriel, The Nude Party and Leon Bridges.
Bee- The band WITCH, (WE INTEND TO CAUSE HAVOC) show last night was DOPE!
What about this project makes you most proud?
Bee- it makes my Mama proud of me for sure! Lol! Specifically on this album VLM4EVER, the overall collaborative efforts with each other as a duo and the professionalism and camaraderie of working with Grammy award winner “Wizard” Beto Martinez in his Leche House studio.
Mac- we’ve both written many songs by ourselves – but the songs we write together in Venus Loves Mars have stretched my sensibilities and made me more generous and considerate as a collaborator, writer and musician. As an artist that’s both humbling and healthy place to find yourself.
Bee- aweeeeee
Was there a specific goal you were trying to accomplish with this release?
Bee- We want to be able to get as many ears on these songs as possible and let listeners know we exist.
Mac- Strangers asking us to take selfies w/them – LOL. Actually strangers who’ve seen our shows kept asking us for a record. So one of the goals was literally to share our music with strangers by being able to say “Yes” to that question.
What inspires you to create music?
Bee- songwriting and singing comes natural to me everyday, whether I’m running errands or making a home cooked meal, the songs keep coming out. If I can’t communicate them via guitar or keys, I usually sing the riffs out to Mac and he gets it.
Mac: usually come from some sort of narrative. A memory, a mood, a story, a joke, an inner monologue – any of these can get my motor running.
What motivates you to keep going?
Bee- The joy I have practicing, writing and collaborating with Mac and playing live shows. The smiles and joy we bring to the audience. Probably also my love/hate relationship with the music business. Lol
Mac- the next song. Always the next song. Even when there are no gigs, no audience, no studio, no press (lol) …there is always the next song.
If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why?
Bee- This is a tough question. I’m such an introvert and am super shy around new people especially famous people. (Throws her arms up in the air like Wayne and Garth from Wayne’s world ) “Im not worthy”. I would have to be able to meetup with the artist/collaborator and feel the connection to decide whether or not I want to work with them. One person I can think of that I might connect with is Rick Rubin. I’ve been listening to his new book on audible.
Mac- would love to sing lead and have any of the following artists backing band: Wilson Pickett, Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, Prince.
What was the last song you listened to?
Bee-The Kinks “Waterloo sunset” I ❤️The KINKS.
Mac- “Im Ready” by Black Pumas
What are your Favorite all-time bands/artists?
Bee- I have lots. Which decade? Well..Howling Wolf, The Kinks, The Stones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Spencer Blues Explosion, Sharon Jones, Alabama Shakes, Lucinda Williams
Mac- Buddy Holly, Muddy Waters, Johnny Cash, Otis Redding, The Animals, The Doors, Velvet Underground, Prince, Talking Heads, The Ramones, The Black Keys, Wilco, Shovels & Rope
Bee- ditto on all these artists
Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/vlm4ever/
Listen to new album VLM4EVER on Bandcamp : https://venuslovesmars.bandcamp.com
I appreciate Your time. Want to say or plug any other projects before we part ways?
Bee- We are working on the next album and deciding on the next studio collaboration to work with. We have a little tour booked for this October. Thanks Joshua for your time making this interview happen and supporting music.
