Name: The Blue StingRaye

Activity: Promoter and Reviewer

Interview by email on 12/27/07

1. How did you get your name, The Blue StingRaye? 

Mike Rosado of 9th Wave tagged me with it back in 1999.

When I joined 9th Wave as a go-go dancer, Mike Rosado decided I needed a "Name", something catchy and unique, much like the song titles. Actually, at my first show with the band he introduced me as "Neptuna". I thought that sounded too much like tuna, which isn't a good thing to call any woman. At my next show I became The Blue StingRaye.

2. How did you get interested in surf music?
 

I first recall hearing and truly listening to surf at the French Club in Windham, CT. It was April 1998. This was a 4-band line up, sponsored by The Willi Rock Collective and 9th Wave happened to be on the bill that night. I remember loving the sound and the way it made me feel - happy, giddy almost.
 
About 4 months later, in August 1998, I saw an ad for a 9th Wave show at a coffee bar called The Equator. I remembered the night like it was yesterday. I was there with 2 friends and we practically had the place to ourselves, a private show. I signed up on the mailing list and a few days later Mike Rosado sent me a mix tape of various surf artists, including the 9th Wave, the Ghastly Ones, Dick Dale, etc. I played that tape until it fell apart and I've been hooked ever since.
 

3. What music has influenced you the most?
 

Wow, I'll try to keep this brief. My biggest influence is live music, of any sort. To see and feel the music along with the musician is the greatest gift we can give ourselves. Live shows are the best. No question, no recording will ever be as good. That being said, I value live recordings and the engineers who create them. They have captured a moment in time that can't be replaced.
 
I first heard music performed live when I was 5 yrs. old and it was Jazz. I was going to the Monday night Summer Jazz Concerts in Bushnell Park (Hartford, CT) with my mother. (The shows are still happening to this day. I think the most well known musician I heard and met was Thelonius Monk. I was probably still in elementary school at the time.) What I remember most was watching the musicians interact and the way their expressions changed with the notes. The music made me want to dance and the air smelled sickly sweet all the time.
 
I went on to study music theory, played clarinet, tried the sax, and even tinkled the keys on the upright piano in our living room. By the time I was in high school I joined the choir and discovered lyrics. I performed everything from operatic (Carmina Burana) to musical theater (Jesus Christ Superstar, Bye Bye Birdie, etc).


4. In what ways does The Blue StingRaye promote surf music?

Simply put, I have the privilege of putting together surf/rockabilly/surfabilly shows where I get to pick the music I like and see it live!!! Right in front of me !!!! Yee-freakin' HAH! It's the best and when other people come and enjoy it too, I just get the biggest "high" from that. How many people can say that?
 
Occasionally I am honored by being asked to Emcee and review CDs or shows, but that occurs very rarely these days. (Note: The Blue StingRaye writes excellent show and CD reviews. She diligently posts them to various surf music lists, groups, and websites, to let the rest of the scene know what's happening on the east coast.)

5. What geographic region do you cover with your activities?
 

I pretty much stick to the Northeastern U.S. (CT & NYC), though I would travel if given the opportunity.

 

6. Can you describe the various promotional activities that you do?
 
There is a lot of competition (in the music business) these days and you must be creative. I am fortunate to know several DJs at college radio station which is by far one the best ways to promote a show, at least in CT. I also send out numerous press releases by FAX, e-mail and even snail mail. For a small investment of a .41 stamp and an envelope you can get the attention of a reporter. I also utilize small local town newsletters, the kind you get free in the mailbox or tucked inside your door. They are always looking for local shows and will normally print exactly what you send, with little or no editing or cutting.
 
I have a few more secret weapons, but I'm not giving those away...

 

7. Who are you in contact with that's important to your surf music activities (such as bands, other promoters, radio personalities, etc.)?
 

I talk to or e-mail Unsteady Freddie and Bobby D (promoter) at least once a week, sometimes more. These guys are so supportive and have given me the benefit of their years of experience. I am most grateful for their friendships. NESMA members, founders and friends are my extended family. Before I book any show I check the NESMA site for contacts, as well as conflicts and updates. The college DJs are my lifeline to the outside world. Rockabilly Willy (DF) & Michelle Terranova (www.gokatgo.com), WHUS, WWUH, WESU, WNHU (CT college radio stations), etc. - they play the music that makes life good and allow me to reach out through their shows.
 
And in case you couldn't tell from questions 1 & 2, Mike Rosado of 9th Wave. He brought this chaos to my life and for that I am most grateful.
 

8. Do you surf?

Um, no -but I do sit on the beach whenever possible.
 


9. What's with the white go-go boots? Where do you buy them?
 

I bought my first pair at the Salvation Army in Rockville, CT (1999). These were the real deal, vintage 1960's. I stupidly loaned them out to a "non-surf" person for Halloween (2002) and got them back 2 months later with holes, chew marks and a broken heel. I went without for several years until I located my current pair at a store in Yonkers, NY (2005). I was so excited I called Oceana from the store, found out her size and proceeded to buy 3 pairs, one for me & two for her & Magic Wanda (go-go dancers with surf band The Clams).
 
I also have fuzzy leopard print boots for those special occasions.



10. How do bands get on one of your shows?

Call me! E-mail me! I love giving new bands a chance and booking a band I have never heard live before! Someone gave me a chance a long time ago. I believe in karma, so pay it forward. I'm everywhere, come find me.
 

11. What percentage of covers vs. originals do you prefer to hear when listening to a live band?
 
Hmmm, I always prefer originals over covers, but a percentage - I couldn't give you. However, what I truly like is a band who takes a cover and makes it their own. Venice Beach Muscle Club does a fantastic rendition of "Paint It Black" that always blows me away. SPF-4's "Crystal T" is one of the most moving pieces they play and 9th Wave's "Apache" is more of a classic than the original.

 

12. What's your favorite food and/or beverage to fuel your surf music passion?

I love the glowing blue drinks at Otto's Shrunken Head in NYC (these are trademark secret recipe drinks called "Pang's Punch"). Big thanks to Unsteady Freddie for these concoctions, 'cause I wouldn't have ever strolled into Otto's if not for him. As for the beverage itself, I don't know what's in them. I don't want to either, but after two cocktails, I'm glowing too. I also like the photo booth at Otto's, but that's another story.

 

13. How did you discover NESMA?

Mike Rosado and I were chatting on the phone one day and he was annoyed at the way some bands competed for shows instead of collaborating and supporting one another. He started throwing around names and acronyms and ideas. Let's face it, we know that the surf genre has a limited audience and bands need to work together or they will kill the scene.
 
Fast forward - Mike, along with Sandy "Oceana" Brooks, takes the ball and runs with it and the next thing you know, NESMA has a name, a website, and we all had a place to call home.

 

14. What do you hope to get out of your NESMA affiliation?