Recently we had the opportunity to speak with Russ Baum, from the Folk Rock duo Russ Baum and Huck Finn, about their music, stage show, and the impact their fans have on them.
Starving Artist: How would you describe your music and stage performance?
Russ Baum: We describe our music as folk-energy and mayhem. The live performance fits the same vein, it's a fast forward non-stop set of music that pops a new song out every three minutes. Acoustic sounds with a punk rock pump and a laid back vibe.
Starving Artist: You guys have been doing some really extensive touring, where has been your favorite place to play so far?
Russ Baum: We've got a few favorites out there but we've got to say Hard Rock Café in Key West was definitely at the top of the list. We were on our Brent Fricke "Key of Mayhem" tour and landed on DeVall st. in Key West just in time for spring break. The party was insane and we lived it to the fullest for sure! We love the Bluebird in Bloomington and other venues of that stature but we won't ever forget the honky tonks like The Desperation Depot in Amity,IN or Whits Inn in Whiteland,IN for giving us our start when nobody else would. We're very thankful to our venue owners.
Starving Artist: There are a lot of Russ Baum and Huck Finn fans out there, what kind of impact do your fans and their energy have on your performance?
Russ Baum: When they show up in large numbers it has a huge impact! It pumps us up and really feeds fuel to the fire. The show is always energetic whether there is one fan or a couple hundred fans and we appreciate our fans one at a time but when you have a group singing your words and/or dancing along it's a feeling that we can't describe in any way other than euphoric and amazing! It's the fans that are our driving force to succeed. Without them we are nothing but a couple of weirdo's dancing and singing to each other.
Starving Artist: Are there any musicians that have had a big influence on you?
Russ Baum: I have been influenced by artists my entire life. It's taken quite some time for me to understand how much impact they really had. Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day was huge for me, Willie Nelson was a childhood influence that came out of me as an adult, Jack Johnson was another big impact and Jason DeVore of Authority Zero had a huge impact on me being that he married my step-sister and became a great friend. He (Jason) has been part of a worldwide touring punk act for almost two decades and is a awesome guy to have on my side. I also love Townes VanZandt and his folk music writing.
Starving Artist: One of the biggest problems that musicians and artists have these days is promoting themselves and getting their work out to people. Do you have any tips for other musicians out there?
Russ Baum: First tip is to take every show seriously and act like a professional. That means treat it with respect and you will earn respect. Promoting can be done on so many levels and the sky is the limit. Think it through and make sure you're ready for the attention you are trying to gain. Study marketing to get a better grasp on what's happening in the business world. Forget that you're an artist when doing these things and try to think with logical thought instead of with your emotions. A well thought out plan will always get you further.
Starving Artist: Are there any upcoming shows or events that music fans should keep an eye out for?
Russ Baum: Thurs. March 20th at the Bluebird in Bloomington
Sat. March 22nd at NYX Nightclub in Broad Ripple for the Authority Zero after party
Sat. March 29th at Coldcock Whiskey's Cabin Fever Weekend - 3 day festival at the Clarion Waterfront Hotel and Resort in Indianapolis
All shows are posted on http://www.russbaumandhuckfinn.com/, and here's a link to hear our new song "Reign in the City" from our upcoming album
https://www.dropbox.com/s/k8ln024k132e6rn/REIGN%20IN%20THE%20CITY%201.5.mp3
A huge thank you goes out to Russ Baum for giving us his time for this interview. To check out Russ Baum and Huck Finn please visit http://www.russbaumandhuckfinn.com/
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