adrian varnam

If you’re new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!This post was originally published in encore magazine on June 2nd, 2010.
Most would think that being forever associated with a single, campy role in an artist’s career would frustrate a serious performer.  Not so for Randy Jones.  His three years [...]

This post was originally published in encore magazine on May 19th, 2010.
The story of Charlie Mars seems almost too cinematic to be true: Young musician from a small town in Mississippi scrapes together enough money during college to record an album. He tours relentlessly for the next several years, recording two more albums and building [...]

I’m lucky.  I started violin lessons at 5 years old and really didn’t have much to worry about when it came to making those tough and early decisions, like:  Where do we find the money for lessons?  Which teacher should we choose?  Where in the world do we find a violin for a 5-year old [...]

Originally published in encore magazine on April 14th, 2010.
For over 25 years, few in music have associated being from the South more than the band Southern Culture On the Skids (SCOTS). As their name would suggest, SCOTS has made a career out of highlighting the seedier, campier and more outrageous aspects of [...]

This article was originally published in encore magazine on April 14th, 2010.
The history of rock ‘n’ roll is paved with youthfulness. Aging rockers and legendary icons aside, rock music has always been a reflection of youth culture, and with it comes the familiar themes of rebellion, restlessness and angst. The trick for [...]

This post was originally published in encore magazine on April 7th, 2010.
Since the release of their fifth record, A Boy Named Goo in 1995, the Goo Goo Dolls have been mainstream pop/rock music icons. Their smash hit-single “Iris,” released three years later for the film City Of Angels, sent the band, and their [...]

This post was originally published in encore magazine on April 7th, 2010.
The story of the young rock ‘n’ roller who dedicates his or her life to music upon hearing The Beatles first perform on Ed Sullivan has become something of a legend nowadays. Countless recollections from performers of popular music have been [...]

Originally published in encore magazine on March 31st, 2010.
There’s something magical brewing at a certain beautiful renovated bungalow on Princess Street these days. Home to local label Winoca Records, it’s been ground zero for several recording projects, band practices and grassroots productions, from some of the area’s most dedicated and talented [...]

A Course In Miracles says that there are only two emotions: fear and love.  In the absence of one, there exists the other.  They’re opposites, antagonists, adversaries.
In a previous post I wrote about a similar relationship between fear and creativity.  In the absence of one, there exists the other.  They’re opposites, antagonists, adversaries.
Now, I’m sure [...]

Originally posted in encore magazine on March 24th, 2010.
Even the most celebrated of artists don’t always gravitate toward their calling on the first try. For world-renowned saxophonist Chris Potter, the discovery became an acquired taste. “I remember that before I heard jazz records, I didn’t really like the saxophone,” [...]