Some say being in a successful band is about harmoniously merging talents and personalities. Doesn't sound much different from being a parent, does it? So, we asked three local musician dads how being a rock star at home relates to, well, being an actual rock star.
// Dan Phillips of True Widow
Some may describe True Widow's sound as shoegaze, but a more appropriate term could be "zoner rock." The combination of drone, reverb and lulling harmonies doesn't incite a despondent look at the floor but rather rhythmic focus and a zoining-in. Dan Phillips, guitarist and vocalist for True Widow (check out some of their videos on YouTube while Dallas, Fort Worth and Denton look forward to more shows and new tunes), is also a cabinet and furniture maker of pieces many would call art. Oddly, dovetail joints and carved edges are terms that could apply to Phillips' music as well as his day job. And at home, kiddos Mugsy, 5, and Velena, 1, have the creativity gene just like their dad.
Are your kids musicians? Are you cool with that?
Mugsy is a good singer and pretty good at coming up with lyrics. Velena likes to bang on her little piano and on my guitar. She is also a great dancer.
A family and a band can have similar dynamics. Do you play the same role in each of yours?
I hope not.
What's on your current family-friendly playlist?
We listen to a lot of classical music at home. The iPod gets shuffled quite a bit as well. I don't do much skipping of songs unless something particularly crude comes on.
You're a musical role model for your kids now. Who was yours growing up?
My father played the piano and guitar a lot in the house. And his father played the steel guitar every time we went to visit. I started playing the guitar when I found one in the attic at ten years old.
What part of knowing how to deal with rock stars (or being one) helps you be a better parent?
I can draw no parallels.
// John Dufilho of The Deathray Davies, The Apples in Stereo, I Love Math & John Singer Sergeant
Multi-instrumentalist John Dufilho is a recognizable figure in the Dallas music scene, and not because of his shiny mop-top. The man is a member of long-time area favorites The Deathray Davies (playing the Barley House, April 6) and I Love Math (Granada Theater, April 19) as well as national indie darlings The Apples in Stereo. Most recently, Dufilho released his first full-length album since 2008 under the name John Singer Sergeant (Dan's Silverleaf in Denton, March 24). The collaborative effort features both local and national notables (Ben Kweller, Sir Earl Toon, Rhett Miller, Will Johnson, Sarah Jaffe and others) fronting the songs Dufilho wrote. Clearly, collaboration isn't new to John – and it's no less a focus when he's home in a different role with wife Danette and 2-year-old daughter June.
What part of knowing how to deal with rock stars (or being one) helps you be a better parent?
Sense of humor is imperative!
Is your kid a musician? Are you cool with that?
Budding piano player and songwriter. Absolutely.
What's on your current family-friendy playlist?
The Ramones, Robber Bobbert & The Bubble Machine, Stan Getz, Dave Brubeck
A family and a band can have similar dynamics. Do you play the same role in each of yours?
Definitely not. June rules our family. I generally run things musically (except for The Apples!).
// Michael Bleecker of Michael Bleecker Band & The Village Church
Some have dubbed it the Christian Grammy, but it's just a conveninent reference. The Dove Awards – more important, being nominated for two – is a bit of a big deal in the worsphip-music community. Especially for Michael Bleecker, worship pastor for The Village Church in Flower Mound. Song of the Year? Nominated. Worship Song of the Year? Yep, he was nominated for that one too. Of course, not only does the singer, guitarist and songwriter inspire the congregation of his fast-growing church, but Bleecker undoubtedly does more than a little inspiring as nominee for Dad of the Year at home to Evan, 6; Jude, 4; Beau, 2; and wife Faith.
Are your kids musicians? Are you cool with that?
My boys are all singers. I'm amazed that they can find the pitch of song without any training or guidance. My two oldest boys have also dabbled in piano and guitar. Jude is a pretty sweet dancer, but that's for another interview. Am I cool with it? Absolutely.
What part of knowing how to deal with rock stars (or being one) helps you be a better parent?
Though my experience with rock stars is limited, what I do know compels me to remind my boys often that there's much more to life than them. I try to teach that the world doesn't revolve around them, and that there's this really great responsibility on them to expend sweat, tears and sometimes blood for a world wrought with sin, sadness, poverty, etc.
I want them to know what pride and selfishness lead to; I have only to turn on an episode of Behind the Music.
You're a musical role model for your kids now. Who was yours growing up?
Vanilla Ice, of course. OK, he wasn't a role model, but i did go to his concert years ago. Shhh…
I've always been enamored by James Taylor and Eric Clapton. I saw James twice in concert when I was young and, though I didn't play guitar at the time, I just knew his skills were unmatched. I remember wanting my voice to sound just like John Popper's so I tried to emulate his voice tricks. Later on Steven Curtis Chapman's voice frustrated me. Because his range and tone were amazing. Growing up in Memphis, I was surrounded by the sounds of BB King and other blues guys, which led me to start listening to Stevie Ray Vaughan. Throw in some Beastie Boys, Grateful Dead, U2, Metallica, Chicago, Pearl Jam, and Dave Matthews Band.
