Hippy Dye Cowboy
Hippy Dye Cowboy is an idea, a band, a dream, some music, some friends, and a recording project. It also stays crispy in milk and goes well with a nice, dark honey porter.The band, as such, is comprised of several people who have collaborated on both musical and lyrical content. These efforts are then collected by Todd; the work is distilled and coaxed into a final product. While not a band in the traditional sense, it doesn't truly fall into the category of "solo act". None of the music would exist without the contributions of the whole.
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
Hippy Dye Cowboy began in 1994 and has been writing and recording ever since.Todd has been writing, performing, and recording music since childhood. Over time he has collaborated with various artists and played in a variety of bands. David started playing guitar and reed instruments in grade school and has been writing lyrics and music since high school, which is where he first met Todd and began collaborating on both music and lyrics. Lisa met Todd and Dave on a computer bulletin board in 1993 and soon began adding her lyrical musings to the sound that the boys were developing, as well as studying bass guitar (her first foray into music performance). While attending classes at a local college, Lisa met a hippy artist/poet by the name of Sterling. His lyric and musical contributions (primarily hand drums and miscellaneous "noise toys" such as kazoo, jaw harp, shakers, etc.) have added a quirky, fun flavor to the music. For an all-too-brief period of time in the mid 90's, all four members lived in Reno and wrote/played music together; on stage, in the park, in a beauty salon...anywhere! Lisa and Todd married in 1998 and still make their home in Reno, NV. In 1996, David accepted a job in Spokane, WA and packed up his family to go live amongst the trees. Sterling and his lovely lady decided that a change of scenery was in order, and in 1998 headed off to the land beyond the Mississippi, where they create funky art, movies, scripts, and surreal audio recordings. Lisa, Sterling, Dave and Todd continue to collaborate on new music via the Internet.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
We have played live, both local and on tour. We have no current gigs planned, but we are working on new recordings!
Your musical influences
The Kingston Trio, Beck, The Rolling Stones, Kitaro, Yes, Metallica, Nirvana, Ozzy Osbourne, Kiss, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Art of Noise, Laurie Anderson, Woody Guthrie, Hank Williams, Beethoven, Carl Orff, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Led Zepellin, The Who, The Beatles, Van Halen, Pearl Jam, Gordon Lightfoot, Peter Paul & Mary, Heart, Vivaldi, Verdi, Wagner, Bach, Dio, UFO, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Pete Seeger, Eric Clapton, ad infinitum...
What equipment do you use?
Lots of stuff. Check out the "Tools of the Trade" section on our website. Vocal harmonies, various acoustic & electric guitars, bass guitar, keyboards, programmed rhythms, hand drums & other simple percussion, occasional freak instruments (kazoo, jaw harp, etc.)
Anything else?
Will sing for food.
