Women Rockers of Broward County - Part III

This week, I present the final interview of a three part series showcasing experienced female band members who have agreed to answer a few questions from yours truly.  This week, we feature Jen Boronico, lead guitarist of "Pandia".

WC: What is your full time job and what do you like to do when you’re not working or playing with the band?

JB: My full time job is the President of Boca Tanning Club, which is a National Franchise with 20 salons in Florida, Texas and New York.

I am also a commentator for Mixed Martial Arts. I am on FightZone, a television show that is broadcasted in 38 million homes on FSN. You can check out my demo reel @ www.jenboronico.com

WC: If you could give up your daytime job and make enough money to survive by playing with your band more often in more places, would you do it?

JB: My financial goals are extremely high… if I was able to earn $200,000+ a year I would do it though.

WC: How do you feel about working the late hours (and early morning) hours?

JB: Working late is tough sometimes because I have a 7 year old daughter who likes to wake up pretty early. Regardless what time I get home I am up by 9am to be with her.  (This weekend we play Ugly Mug till 4:30 am so I get home by 6am)!

It is all worth it though when I look out in the crowd and see the impact I am having on people as they jam to our tunes. Especially when I hear how inspirational I am to the women in the crowd. Almost every show a girl will tell me they are so inspired my be that they are going to start taking guitar lessons, or start lifting weights, or the best is when they find out I am sober for 9 years and say I am inspiring them to try to defeat an alcohol issue...these are the reasons why a little sleepiness throughout the day is well worth it! If I can impact one person it is well worth it :)

 WC: What advice would you give to other women who are interested in joining a band?

JB: Don’t give up and don’t be offended when people give you constructive criticism…have thick skin and remember you cannot please everyone, everytime.

WC: Jen, thank you for helping me put together this little series of interviews and share your thoughts with my blog readers.  Also, thank you for your honesty and being a great friend to all those who surround you everyday.

Find out where Jen Boronico and Pandia are playing next by checking the events calendar at www.WeekendBroward.com

Women Rockers of Broward County - Part II

This week, I present part two of a three part series showcasing experienced female band members who have agreed to answer a few questions from yours truly about what it's like to live the wild life in their shoes.  This week, we feature Maria Doty of the "The Double Standard".

WC: What is your day job and what do you like to do when you’re not working or playing with the band?

MD: I've been working in the managed care healthcare insurance field for about 20 years and am currently the Director of Enrollment for a company in Dade County. My department is responsible for the enrollment of Medicare, Medicaid and Commercial lines of business.
 
When I am not working during the week or playing out, I get to do some of my favorite things which are cooking, I happened to be pretty good at it, visiting with my family and grandkids who live on Florida's West Coast, going on cruises (I've been to more than 20 islands/countries in the Caribbean/South America) and the New Orleans Jazz festival.

WC: If you could give up your daytime job and make enough money to survive by playing with your band more often in more places, would you do it?

MD: Well, my immediate answer would be yes, except that when you say "enough to survive" makes me think twice before I answer. I can't tell you how much enjoyment I truly feel when I am up there singing and really belting one out. When you know you are reaching anyone that is listening because you "feel" what you are singing. Not to mention when someone comes up to you and says, "Wow, you gave me goose bumps!", or "Man, you can tell you were singing from your heart". That is when you know you did your job. That is really rewarding.

However, I do like my job and I worked very hard to get where I am and honestly enjoy the "perks" that it not only provides me but those that I love. That being said, if I somehow had the opportunity to do the music and make at least enough to survive and bit extra than yes, Let's Rock and Roll!

WC: What advice would you give to other women who are interested in joining a band?

MD: If you are single, there's not too much to think about. You will meet plenty of people of all types. I'd say make sure you like the people you are playing with. You will spend a lot of time with them. Make sure it's fun. For me it has to be fun. I know some of us do it to earn a living but like anything else you have to enjoy it.
If you are in a relationship it can become difficult, especially if your significant other isn't in the biz. Let's face it you have to "schmooze" and mingle and some men can't handle that attention on their significant other. For the record, it works the other way around too if you are a male in a band that is in a relationship. The jealousy monster isn't gender specific..lol!

In my band, my husband is my drummer and I am lucky in that we do not have any issues in this area. This arrangement works for us.  It can be tough for a woman in this business.  As I said I am lucky to have my husband Chuck as my drummer, a funny, nutty bass player Billy Bier who is like the obnoxious brother you love and my guitar player Joe Gatermann who has been my longtime musical partner in crime for more than 10 years.


WC: How do feel about the late hours?

Well that's pretty much the way it is. For me it has to be weekends. It's nice to have some days but the party is usually on at night. Fridays are especially difficult for me. I wake up for work at 5-5:30am and get home about 7pm, then "change hats" into rock and roll mode, get ready, go to set up which thankfully my drummer/husband Chuck takes care of with help from our Roadie in-training Alex, and of course Billy and Joe. Then it's do the sets, we do 3 one hour(+) sets, and have some fun. By the end of the night after breaking down and winding down, I get home around 4am. That makes it a 23 hour day so needless to say I am toast. Although at times it is hard to get going, once you are there the adrenaline kicks in and if you honestly, truly love it, you'll feel it was worth it. I do!

WC: Thank you Maria for sharing with us all today.  Keep on Rockin!

Find all the upcoming performances of Maria Doty and The Double Standard at www.WeekendBroward.com

Women Rockers of Broward County - Part 1

This week, I am starting a three-part series showcasing three experienced band members who have agreed to answer a few questions from yours truly about what it's like to be in their shoes.  This week's featured artist is Jesse Kussack who, up until last weekend, was the lead singer of local band, Love Honey.  Here, then, is my unedited interview which took place this past week:

WC: What is your  full time job and what do you like to do when you’re not working or playing with the band?

JK: I work in Property Management in Boca. In my free time, I love to dine out, I love trying new food. I love to cook and bake especially for the band, the boys really appreciate it. I really enjoy reading sappy romance novels... I am a hopeless romantic what can I say? I enjoy being active. I hit the gym or go for bike rides often. Besides my bed, I love to read on the beach and listen to the waves. When I go, I usually go alone - It puts me in my happy place :) 

WC: If you could give up your daytime job and make enough money to survive by playing with your band more often in more places, would you do it?

JK: HELL YES! I work in the corporate world, do you know how many bosses that means??? Someone is always up your ass. Besides, I love being barefoot and if you have ever seen me perform that is typically how I like to be.

WC: Now that you are no longer with Love Honey, what are your future plans for a singing career?

JK: I will never NOT be with LH. I consider them family and I plan to continue being part of their journey. They were my first band and we had so much fun together. I have stepped down as lead vocals but I do plan to support them as well as make guest appearances on stage. I am not certain what my future with singing entails but I love to sing and I will never stop. I hope to get an acoustic project together one day. Ohhhhh yeah....I should tell you the main reason I decided to pursue singing about 1 1/2yrs ago was to be a studio singer. That would be soooo great! I used to work in radio and do voice overs so I am comfortable in studios, we'll see what happens.

WC: What advice would you give to other women who are interested in joining a band?

JK: My best advice would be DO IT! It's scarey at first but ya gotta go for it. If you wanna know what it's like to fly without getting on a plane, sing your heart out on a stage. It is the best rush! I was given some great advice when I first started with the band from one of my bandmates and good friends, Shawn Jones, 'Ya' gotta feel it'. Meaning, if you are gonna sing-give it all you've got, sing with your soul.

WC: Thank you Jesse and best of luck to you!

Find out where you can see and hear the all new Love Honey at www.weekendbroward.com