A HAPPY ACCIDENT WITH KEN SHARP

In May, Not Lame Recordings will release "Happy Accidents" the second album by Philadelphia's Ken Sharp. To those who do, will know Sharp as a high-profile music journalist, who has written books about The Raspberries, Cheap Trick, The Beatles and Power Pop. But, he's a musician as well, and Ken has always considered himself a musician first. His debut "1301 Highland Avenue", was released in 1994 on the Japanese M&M label. The record flopped, but that was mainly because not long after its release M&M folded and outside of Japan only a handful of people knew about the existence of "1301 Highland Avenue".  His debut consisted of some great tunes that have their roots in music of his musical heroes like The Raspberries, The Rubinoos, The Beatles, The Kinks and The Beach Boys. In an e-mail interview,  Patrick Beckers recently talked to Ken about the new album, his goals in music and lots more.

Unfortunately, not many people will know you or your music. And those who do, will only know you as the music journalist Ken Sharp. So, could you please introduce yourself a little to the readers of Pop Palace? Like, what is your musical background. Who are your musical heroes, your influences. How did you get into music?

Ken Sharp: Wow! That's a big one. I grew up listening to all kinds of music, ear permanently pinned to an AM radio. My first rock records were "Elvis-Golden Records Volume One" and "Meet The Beatles", not a bad start. I loved everything from The Beatles to Elvis Presley, Kiss to The Four Seasons, The Who, Motown, Todd Rungren, Raspberries, Bubblegum-you name it. A friend who lived on my block had an electric guitar. I fell in love with the sound, begged my Grandfather for the money and he bought me my first electric guitar, an Electra SG. From then on, I practiced diligently, mainly to Kiss and The Beatles actually, and began to write songs in the early 80's. Musical heroes and influences are many. The Beatles, toppermost of the poppermost, followed by The Beach Boys,The Who, Kiss, Stevie Wonder,Raspberries, Badfinger, Queen, The Monkees, Hall and Oates, Partridge Family/ David Cassidy, The Kinks, Motown, Jellyfish, The Move, ELO and on and on

How was the response to "1301 Highland Avenue" after it had been released?

KS: The response was very favorable, only problem was the record was only issued in Japan hence it was extremely difficult for people to find. Encouraging reviews did appear in several U.S. publications and newspapers. I'm pleased that my new CD, "Happy Accidents" doesn't require an airline ticket to obtain a copy.

I know that you have some fans in Japan, the country where your first album was released. Wasn't it a bit painful that the record only came out in Japan and didn't get much attention and recognition in your home country?

KS: Yes, it was discouraging that the record wasn't released in my homeland. I would have loved to have walked into a record shop and found it, but to be completely honest with you, I'm very appreciative to have found a home for the record... anywhere. Perhaps somewhere down the line I may release it myself or seek a U.S label releasing the CD stateside depends on if anyone buys my new CD and if enough interest would warrant its release.

How do you look back on "1301 Highland Avenue"?

KS: With mixed emotions. I am my worst critic so I cringe a bit when I hear some of it. I very rarely listen to any of my music after it's done. There are always things you wish you had done differently, that goes for any form of creative pursuit. Having said that, there are some songs on the record that I still really love, "Sitting On A Porch In L.A". "For The First Time", "Believe". "If You Ever Change Your Mind"., "Underground", "Lazy Day" and "Wash My Tears Away" to be specific. It was also a blast having The Rubinoos back me on two songs ("Magic" and "In My Dreams Tonight") They remain very good friends and are a wonderful group.

There is a time span between the two albums of more than 6 years. I know you have been working on an album for almost as many years, but why did it take so long before your new album, "Happy Accidents" which will be released in May?

KS: One word, money. When you're in a band and get set to record, expenses can be split between four, five, six people. In my case, there is no band, just me, so the expense of recording a record falls solely on my shoulders. It was very expensive to record "Happy Accidents", so I had to record a little at a time in accordance with earning extra green backs. In a perfect world, as I am a very prolific writer, I'd love to record an album each year. But what is happening now is, I've found some cool studios that are willing to work with me on providing more favorable studio rates, so here's hoping you'll see another CD from me sooner than later. I am in the studio now and have cut nine tracks thus far. One song, "So Simple Radio" features Chip Z'Nuff and Donnie Vie of Enuff Z'Nuff.

How did the contract with Not Lame Records come about?

KS: A while ago, I sent Bruce a CDR of the record and he liked it, but nothing concrete happened. I shopped the record around and found a few labels that were interested in releasing it. I called Bruce for some advice and he popped the CDR in again soon after our conversation. With a fresh ear, he told me that he really liked the record and believed in it and wanted to release it. I feel very fortunate that Bruce, the grand poobah of power pop, dug my record. I'm very happy to have found a home on Not Lame.

Let's talk about the new album. Do you consider it a faithful follow up to "1301 Highland Avenue" or are there traces of a more mature artist? How do you see "Happy Accidents" in comparison with "1301"?

KS: To be fair, "Happy Accidents" has elements of power pop but so much more that I think it would be a disservice to pigeon hole it. A better term would be melodic pop, I think. The new CD is much different from any debut CD as it was not a collection of various tracks recorded at different studios (8-track, 16-track, 24 -track). It holds together much better as it was recorded mainly at one studio. And I think the songwriting, performances and arrangements are a big improvement too.

On a few songs the cello is a prominent instrument. This adds ELO to the bands that draw comparison. Especially in the song "You Said You'd Love Me" the cello arrangement is great. Why the prominent cello use?

KS: I love the sound of the cello, it provides a grand, stately feel. And on this CD many of the songs benefited from its use.

My favorite tracks on your new record are the aforementioned "You Said You'd Love Me" (with a great guitar!!) and "See Through My Eyes", which I consider your most catchy song written to date. What are your favorites among the 13 tracks on the album?

KS: I love the psychedlic songs, "Wrecking Ball' and "Floating On A Cornflake". I really like "Mr Sun", "Beautiful". "Brand New Day" (dig the clavinet!). The ballad, "You Said You'd Love Me' is a big fav, as well. My wife Terri, whom I wrote the song for, particularly loves that one. She gets very teary eyed every time she listens to it. It's a very emotional song for me. I wrote some of the lyrics to "You Said You'd Love Me" while in my favorite place in the world (besides the recording studio), Maui, Hawaii. I love all the songs on the record for different reasons.

What's the story behind the title of the album, "Happy Accidents"?

KS: Whenever you come up with an idea for a song, I view it as a 'happy accident'. You could be playing your guitar for hours and nothing is coming and then you go
to an unexpected chord which leads to the initial creation of an idea. So all the songs on the new CD are 'happy accidents', hence the title.

I know you are a great Raspberries fan. Did any of the members play on your album? Any other artists playing on the album?

KS: No, no Raspberries appear on my CD. That would be a dream. I sent Eric Carmen a CDR of the record and he very kindly gave me a wonderful quote, said he really loved it. Here's the quote: "Fans of 60's British pop rejoice, Ken Sharps's "Happy Accidents" is a breath of fresh air wafting across Strawberry Fields!". That was an amazing honor to have one of my heroes think highly of my work. Todd Rundgren's bandmate in The Nazz, Stewkey, a great guy, sang background on a song ("Beautiful") John Wicks and The Records helped me out on a few tunes. Members of the power pop group Wanderlust appear on the record. Jason Scheff, lead singer of Chicago sang background vocals on "You Said You'd Love Me". A wonderful friend and musician. Ritchie Rubini, drummer for now defunct band, The Caulfields, played on the record. We are currently working together on my next release.

I guess I can say that your trademark, besides writing great, catchy songs, is your soprano voice (though not as high on the first album), which is like a breath of fresh air in today's pop world. Have you always sung that way, or did you train your voice to sound like that?

KS: Well, I think on the new CD, my singing is in a lower range, but yes, my voice has always been high. You should hear some of my early 80's demos, my voice could break glass. I've always wondered why I sing the way I do and believe that it's genetic and also because I'm a Philly boy. I love Philly soul, Todd Rundgren, Hall & Oates, Motown, Smokey Robinson, Prince. No training, just a natural event.

What do you think of the current music scene?

KS: There's some current music I like, mainly melodic stuff.. Sloan, I love the new Beck CD "Midnight Vultures", Lenny Kravitz, Foo Fighters, Sheryl Crow, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Wondermints, Enuff Z'Nuff, Jason Falkner, David Grahame, The High Llamas, Jamiroquai, Owsley, The Merrymakers.. and a bunch more.......

So far in your career, how do people look at you? As the journalist who is a Power Pop singer/songwriter as well, or as an artist who does some journalism in order to make a living?

KS: I can't worry too much how people view me, but I can tell you how I view myself. First and foremost as a musician/songwriter, everything is done to support that, my work as a music writer, author, etc. I'd throw it all away for my music, that's what matters to me the most and that's how I define it myself.

What are your goals for the future?

KS: To build an audience who dig my stuff. Keep writing and recording, strive to keep improving as a writer/singer/musician. It would be wonderful to get some attention from publishers, love to collaborate, maybe a nibble from a major label. You can always dream...............



Thanks to Ken Sharp for his help.
Patrick Beckers, March 2000