The Peverett Phile Interviews: Bradley Barnes From Stone Avenue

Hi there, kids, welcome to another entry of the Peverett Phile Interviews. Today's interview is with the lead singer of a very cool, hip band called Stone Avenue. Sit back and enjoy.

Me: Welcome to the Phile. So, you think this is free press? Nope, it's gonna cost you a CD. LOL. How are you?

Bradley: I'm doing great!

Me: I looked for a bio of the band, but couldn't find any, so I am flying solo here. Where exactly is Stone Avenue?

Bradley: Stone Avenue has become a metaphor for a creative collaboration between a few friends and myself, which we now share with others. Imagine getting lost down some side street in a place you don't know, and there's music in the air. I've always been a bookworm, and had many books in storage at my childhood home in Florida. After Hurricane Ivan in 2004, I was the first one on the scene and everywhere I looked were waterlogged books, acres and acres covered in them. Right in the middle of them was a giant street sign with "STONE AVENUE" in big shiny letters. I took it home and it became an institution. Later it became the band name.


Me: You guys have a new CD out called "Live In Nashville." Was it really done live, and in Nashville?

Bradley: Yes, it was really recorded live, and in Nashville. It does a pretty good job of capturing our live sound and presence during our Summer '08 tour.

Me: Where in Nashville was it recorded?

Bradley: Probably one of the nicest venues we've played in that region, the CD was recorded at a club called The Limelight. Great sound engineers and a wonderful facility.

Me: How many albums has the band released altogether?

Bradley: In addition to "Live in Nashville," we've also released an EP called "The Milltown Madness." We have plans for a full-length studio release in early 2009.

Me: Okay, Brad, who else is in Stone Avenue? Don't you have a cute chick in the band?

Bradley: No, our "cute chick" factor is sadly lacking. We've worked with some great people in the past though, and have intentions to collaborate with a few great singers for our upcoming release. Right now we are a traditional four-piece band in the sense of basic arrangement. Allen Kent, Harris Smith, and Jon O'Neil provide a great foundation for our songs on bass, lead guitar, and drums, respectively. We all pull double duty on other instruments when we feel it's necessary. That allows us a mercurial method of instrumentation. We know and love our songs, and can support them in a number of ways, with a number of instruments.

Me: Are you planning on putting any of your music on iTunes? Readers of the Phile know I love me some iTunes.

Bradley: Yes, we will probably distribute our upcoming release on iTunes. If the process isn't too painful, we will try to get our other albums on as well.

Me: What are some of your influences? What bands have Stone Avenue opened for?

Bradley: Classic influences include The Beatles, The Stones, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and The Who. I'm all over the board with my influences. I love Hank Williams and Bob Dylan. Townes van Zandt and John Fogerty. Nowadays there is so much available music that I can't imagine not being influenced by it. We've played with the Allman Brothers, which was amazing. We've got a show in the works with Dexter Romweber, who fronted the Flat Duo Jets. He's a hell of a player and his stage presence is incredible. His live shows have so much charisma and power.


Me: Where in Florida are you based? I live by Clermont, which is like 45 minutes from Orlando. Do you get to Orlando much to play? Coming down here soon?

Bradley: We are in the Pensacola area at the moment. We will definitely be down that way during the summer. Expect to see us in Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, Orlando, and maybe a few others cities. We appreciate all of our home-state fans and love to see other Florida bands. We've got a culture all our own down here.

Me: I ask this to everybody I interview... what is your favorite Foghat song?

Bradley: How about "Eight Days on the Road"?

Me: You have a song called "Reading Is Sexy".  Is reading really sexy?

Bradley: Hell yes it is.

Me: When the band is not working, what do you do Brad?

Bradley: I'm a music instructor at our local music store. I teach the guitar, bass, mandolin, and occasionally other instruments according to the demand. It's making music all-day long for a guy like me.

Me: Okay, and finally, do you have any last comments you would like to tell the readers of the Phile? If they wanted to purchase your music, what should they do?

Bradley: Thank you for all the support. If you are interested in getting your own Stone Avenue CD, we will have them available online in the near future. Keep an eye out for us in your town.

Thanks, Brad. Man, looking back, that interview was way to short, so I hope I can interview Brad again with a bigger and better interview. Anyway, go to myspace.com/stoneavenue and check out their music. Tomorrow the P.P.I. will be back with an interview with Liana, a singer from England. So, until then, spread the word, not the turd.