I caught up with Colleen Curran from The Evokatones and The Firecrackers at Baltimore Soundstage on December 15th when The Evokatones opened for The Slackers. Colleen shines in her very first interview as she tell us about her songwriting process, her acupuncture practice, her influences, and much more. Hope you enjoy!

Ska has been going in cycles. From the original dancehall artists in Jamaica in the 60s, to Two-Tone in the UK in the 70s and 80s, to the third wave in the US and around the world, it’s inspired a lot of people. Where do you think it’s going now?

It’s really exciting, because I feel that Ska is experiencing a resurgence. The music can go anywhere; depends on the people making the music and their influences. I’m actually kinda new to the scene being that The Evokatones have been together for about a year and a half. But, I’ve been watching and listening to reggae/ska bands for a bit. It just seems like it’s the right time for a resurge.

How did you get involved with The Evokatones?

I actually answered an ad on Craigslist from Bobby (our manager/percussionist) looking for a lead vocalist for a new reggae/rocksteady/ska band. I’ve always loved reggae music so I answered the ad and it all started from there.

Were you already singing in The Firecrackers?

I was. I have been a Firecracker since 2008.

Bobby Bobson’s been organizing those Clash tribute shows at Sidebar for the past few years; did you meet him at one of those before you answered the ad?

No, I didn’t know him at all. I was just thinking one day about finding another creative outlet. Reggae/rocksteady is really close to my heart, so I was just like “let’s do this,” went onto Craigslist, answered the ad, and after talking with Bobby about our influences; I was in.

What are some of your biggest influences outside of ska?

Soul music, Big Band, R&B, Hip Hop, Jazz, Punk Rock. Our bassist, Frankie, likes to bring the funk and I dig that. It’s really important in our band for everyone to bring who they are and what they want to be into the Evokatones.

What does the band have in store for 2013?

We’re working on new songs and opportunities just seem to be popping up. We should have our debut album out in the Spring; which is super rad.

Are you the main songwriter or is it more of a collective process?

We all contribute. Patrick, has written a great amount of the songs, I've just added my harmonies or individual vocal parts to them. Devlin and I have written a few songs together also; either by me having a melody or he brings a riff and it just happens naturally. Frankie also adds to the mix. He came up with the bass riff for "New Reggae" while we were just playing around at practice and I caught that on tape. It turned into this great freestyle; a melody came to me instantly. So, I organized a structure for it, wrote lyrics on top of the melody and the song was born.

Is the process similar in The Firecrackers?

Sure! Everyone definitely contributes musically in that band and it creates a really great sound. I'm responsible for the lyrics and lead vocal melodies in that group.

Have you written anything besides song lyrics?

I’ve written poetry since I was young and some short stories, that’s where it all started.

Which poets have you been reading recently?

I haven’t read a whole lot of poetry recently; unless you consider song lyrics poetry, which I do. I always come back to Walt Whitman and Henry David Thoreau. Whenever I have the time, I just grab a book and see what random page I open up to. The Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu is a current favorite read.

Do you think that what the Transcendentalists like Whitman and Thoreau brought to America got you interested in the philosophy behind reflexology and acupuncture?

Yes. I’m a very spiritual person and I’m into energy work. I like positive energy; I feel like we need to heal each other. It all ties together, you read a lot of poetry and it makes you more aware of the world around you, more sensitive, intuitive and compassionate. So due to my awakened sensitivity through reading and writing poetry, it was a natural progression that I would be led to the medicine of Acupuncture for my occupation and certain forms of music to express myself. Reggae has a great spiritual, unifying message. It all works together very naturally, I feel.

Can you feel differences in your energy flow when you’re writing songs?

Yes. It’s really fun because I let the music tell me what’s going on. I feel what emotion it brings out in me, you know, I never just shove lyrics onto a song. The melody comes from soul, it comes from that deep place. You call upon something you’ve experienced before and you’re able to put it into words. It’s a wonderful union.

Have you done much touring with The Evokatones?

Over the summer we were really busy doing a bunch of shows every week. We mostly scoured Maryland, but had a few shows in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. We’re waiting for the album to come out before we commit to a longer, more extensive tour.

What happens to your acupuncture business when you go on tour?

I put it on hold. I mean, I’m my own boss, so I have the freedom to do my music thing when I want. My clients are super understanding and doing so well that they don't need an extensive amount of treatments a month so, no one suffers.

Do you find that it’s difficult to balance both bands with your practice?

I wouldn’t say that it’s difficult, I think it’s a process. It's all about balance. You have to constantly be checking yourself to see when you’re doing too much, then you know when to pull back a little bit or keep charging.

Do you find that melodies similar to songs that you love and cover come out sometimes when you write?

I’m really not sure. I take from all my influences, so it comes out how it comes out. Hopefully it doesn’t sound too derivative, but I just try to be myself.

You’ve got this really natural stage presence, were you performing from an early age?

Thank you! I was doing ballet, singing and performing at home and in school plays from the age of 4. My first performance was for my Dad and a bunch of his buddies in the basement to Michael Jackson's Thriller; original choreography and all! But it took me a long time to feel comfortable on stage.

What was the biggest hurdle that you had to get over?

Perfomance-wise? I think almost every show is a hurdle. This show was a big hurdle for me.

What does this show represent for you?

Just playing at this venue and opening for The Slackers is a huge honor. I felt like I had to really bring it! I get so nervous before I perform, so nervous.

Do you ever do acupuncture on yourself before a gig to relax?

No, I don’t really like to self-acupuncture. I love seeing my acupuncturist and having the experience of receiving a treatment. The thought of sticking myself with needles makes me cringe, although I have done it in the realms of self first-aid. I just try to meditate, feel through my nerves and do it.

What would be your dream show to play?

Right now, my dream show would be to open for Jimmy Cliff, Beres Hammond, Steel Pulse or The Aggrolites. There are also a lot of local and not so well known national bands that I’d love to play with. I’m open to everything. I just got into The Archives and just heard about The Lions. I’d love to open for Bad Brains too, that would be amazing! I went to see Steel Pulse this past Summer in Virginia Beach. The stage was huge and literally on the beach, right next to the ocean. The Evokatones playing in a venue like that would be dreamy.

How do you feel when people that you admire tell you that you did a great job onstage?

It really means a lot to me, it’s a truly special thing. I’m still working on taking feedback in, but it’s beyond encouraging when you receive support from those you look up to and respect.

If you weren’t playing music, how do you think you’d survive?

I would and do currently treasure my Acupuncture practice and am lucky to call the field of healing others an occupation. So I would continue on that journey, but music is my life force, it’s my heart. If I weren’t in a band, I’d have to be involved in the scene in some way. I’d be helping other bands book shows, supporting bands I loved or something along those lines. I'd survive if I wasn't playing music, but I wouldn't be doing my soul work, I feel.

Thanks for the interview, Colleen! Do you have any words of wisdom for our readers?

Thank you! If you are going to do something in life; put your soul into it. Everything is better with soul. Create positivity and you will be positive.