Aaron Zimmer is a New York City based musician. I’ve included his original song, “Therapy” in my short film, “Off Key”, and decided to kick off my series of musician interviews with Aaron, since he is about to begin a US tour and our film is screening on Saturday, June 6 at the Cantor Film Center in New York. I originally met Aaron at a random bar in the city while attending the birthday party of a mutual friend. He immediately grabbed my attention by suggesting I go talk to someone who was offering free beer. Once we got past that, he handed me his card to check out his tunes, and I did. Now, this:
Colleen: What made you decide to become a musician and come to new york… and what is your process?
Aaron: I’ve always been a musician of some sort. Music has always been a big part of my family, so it was an easy thing to get into. I moved to NYC in 2003. I had been on tour with my band from Nebraska, and when it ended, I knew I needed a big change. NYC seemed like a more drastic change then LA, so I came here.
C: Is it true that you’re a huge lover of birds?
A: The bigger the better.
Aaron Zimmer
C: If you have one musicial inspiration, and really can only choose one, who or what would it be?
A: Birds
C: Also, who would be your favorite chef?
A: Jared, the Subway guy.
C: What style would you say your music is, and is it inspired by new york in some fashion? Or maybe by new york fashions.
A: Its a mix of Pop & Rock. I wrote all the music for my latest record while living in NYC, so I guess its probably inspired by the city in some ways. New York is a big part of my life, and I write about my life…so…..ummmm…..Yes.
C: Which is your instrument? (circle one): Guitar, bass, drums, vocals, keys, violin, tambourine, cowbell
A: Mostly, I play guitar.
C: If you could (or had to) live in another city, which would it be? Do you think you would continue to be as inspired musically?
A: Dunno. Hoboken?
C: If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?
A: Nuclear Physicist was my 2nd choice.
C: I believe that everyone is destined to leave their mark on the world one way or another. What do you believe?
A: I believe thats only true if one WANTS to leave their mark on the world. There are plenty of uninspired, undetermined, TV addicts that won’t leave their mark on anything, except the cushions of their couch.
C: How would you say best describes your musical styles?
A: I entered this “elevator pitch” contest for musicians, and out of 10,000 entries, I was in the top 15 for best pitches. Mine went like this:
“The sensibility of Pop music w/ the raw energy of Rock. If Layne Staley gave Gavin DeGraw a lesson in Rock & Roll”.
C: Describe a typical day for you.
A: I spend entirely too much time in front of the computer.
C: What is your favorite kind of bird?
A: Terradactyl
C: Finally, if you’ve been on tour, tell me about the experience. If not, tell me what you’d like the experience to be. And would you have cats?
A: Yup, been on tour. Going out again this summer on a solo/acoustic tour. 30 cities. I’m hoping for good fortune mechanically (my van is old), lots of friendly faces to sing to, and a Subway in every town. $5 footlongs are the best deal in America. Its even better then the happy hour at The Magician cuz you need food to live whereas you only need booze to be happy.
C: Oh, yeah, and, if someone packed you into a suitcase, what kind of suitcase would it be? And what else would be in it with you?
A: Hopefully it would look like a Porsche. George Carlin would be in the passenger seat.
C: I have more questions. Have you collaborated with other filmmakers before?
A: Nope.
Thanks Aaron. It was great working with you! I’m not sure if I agree with your love of Subway, but I do think your music complemented our project quite nicely.
Aaron Zimmer’s tour dates:
| June, 15 2009 08:00 PM - Bitter End |
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| 147 Bleecker Street (between Thompson and LaGuardia), New York, New York 10012 – $5
Summer Solo/Acoustic Tour: Performing at the New York Songwriter’s Circle. |
| June, 16 2009 10:00 PM - Tritone |
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| 1508 South Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19146 – FREE
Summer Solo/Acoustic Tour: Featured Performer at Tritone’s Open Mic Night. |
| June, 18 2009 10:30 PM - Finnigan’s Cove |
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| 30 West Water Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801 – FREE
Summer Solo/Acoustic Tour: FREE. Playing all night! |
| June, 19 2009 09:30 PM - Shamrock’s |
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| 2050 3rd Ave., Huntington, West Virginia 25703 – $5
Summer Solo/Acoustic Tour |
| June, 20 2009 07:00 PM - Greener Groundz |
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| 871 Broadway Avenue, Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101 – FREE
Summer Solo/Acoustic Tour |
| June, 22 2009 10:00 PM - The Buccaneer |
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| 1368 Monroe Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38104 -
Summer Solo/Acoustic Tour w/ Devil Train |
| June, 23 2009 08:00 PM - The Basement |
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| 1604 8th Ave S, Nashville, Tennessee 37203 – FREE
Summer Solo/Acoustic Tour: “New Faces Night” |
| June, 24 2009 10:00 PM - The Green Room |
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| 521 E Boston Street, Covington, Louisiana 70433 -
Summer Solo/Acoustic Tour. http://www.greenroomlive.net |
| June, 25 2009 10:00 PM - The Celtic |
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| 4901 Chicot Street, Pascagoula, Mississippi 39581 – FREE
Summer Solo/Acoustic Tour: Playing All Night! |
| June, 27 2009 04:30 PM - The Thirsty Nickel |
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| 325 E 6th Street, Austin, Texas 78701 – FREE |
| June, 28 2009 03:00 PM - Bohemeo’ |
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| 708 Telephone Road, Houston, Texas 77023 – $5
Summer Solo/Acoustic Tour: Afternoon show. More info soon! |
| June, 29 2009 07:30 PM - Opening Bell Coffeehouse |
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| 1409 S. Lamar Suite 012, Dallas, Texas 75215 – FREE
Summer Solo/Acoustic Tour: Featured Performer at Opening Bell Coffeehouse’s Songwriter’s in a round. |
| June, 30 2009 07:00 PM - Sticky Fingerz |
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| 300 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, Arkansas 77201 – FREE
Summer Solo/Acoustic Tour: Playing OUTSIDE on the Rumba Patio. 7-9pm. |
| July, 1 2009 10:00 PM - Danny’s Bar & Grill |
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| 13350 College Blvd, Kansas City, Kansas 66210 – FREE
Summer Solo/Acoustic Tour: Playing all night! 10pm-1am. |
| July, 2 2009 09:00 PM - Knickerbockers |
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| 901 O Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508 – $5
Summer Solo/Acoustic Tour: Hometown show! |
| July, 6 2009 09:00 PM - The Picador |
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| 330 E. Washington St, Iowa City, Iowa 52240 – TBA
Summer Solo/Acoustic Tour: Details TBA |
| July, 7 2009 09:00 PM - Uptown Bar |
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| 3018 Hennepin Ave South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55408 -
Summer Solo/Acoustic Tour: Details TBA |
| July, 8 2009 09:00 PM - Mars Cafe |
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| 2318 University Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50311 – FREE
Summer Solo/Acoustic Tour. FREE SHOW! |
| July, 9 2009 08:30 PM - Paradigm Coffee |
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| 1022 Michigan Ave, Sheboygan, Wisconsin 53801 – FREE
Summer Solo/Acoustic Tour. 8:30-10:30 |
| July, 10 2009 10:00 PM - Goose Island |
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| 3535 N Clark, Chicago, Illinois 60657 – $5
Summer Solo/Acoustic Tour: With The Groovin Louis & Planetary Blues. |
| July, 12 2009 06:00 PM - The Frequency |
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| 121 W. Main Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53703 – $5
Summer Solo/Acoustic Tour. |
| July, 14 2009 10:00 PM - The Verve |
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| 677 Wabash Ave., Terre Haute, Indiana 47807 – FREE
Summer Solo/Acoustic Tour: Details TBA |
| July, 15 2009 10:30 PM - Victorian’s Midnight Cafe |
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| 1801 Waltham Rd, Columbus, Ohio 43221 – $4
Summer Solo/Acoustic Tour: 10:30pm |
| July, 17 2009 08:00 PM - Boulder Coffee Company |
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| 100 Alexander Street, Rochester, New York 14620 – FREE
Summer Solo/Acoustic Tour: 8-10pm |
| July, 18 2009 10:00 PM - Knapps Underground |
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| 110 Rutter Road, Bennington, Vermont 05202 -
Summer Solo/Acoustic Tour: Details TBA |
| July, 20 2009 09:00 PM - Midway Cafe |
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| 3496 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts 02130 -
Summer Solo/Acoustic Tour: Details: TBA |
| July, 22 2009 10:00 PM - Brentwood Inn |
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| 73 Crotona Ave, Harrison, New York 10528 – $5
Summer Solo/Acoustic Tour |
| August, 11 2009 08:00 PM - Rockwood Music Hall |
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| 196 Allen Street, New York, New York 10002 – FREE |
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Summer Solo/Acoustic Tour: Happy Hour 4:30-7:30p.