They have been wowing audiences for over 3 years
in the Charlotte music scene and with their debut
album, they have even gained international
recognition.  In the midst of line-up changes and a
sometimes rigorous schedule, Soulganic maintains
their focus on the music.  In some recent down time,
lead vocalist & bass player for the band, Anthony
Rodriguez, agreed to answer some questions for the
3rd Power Report:

1) You guys have had quite a run in Charlotte, NC the past few years, you are
getting international play of your album.  What is next for the band?
Yeah, it's been a great run here recently, and it's only because of the great
support we've received from the music-loving community. So we're grateful
for that. Now, we're focused on maintaining the buzz from "All Directions
Forward" while honing our craft. We're laying down tracks for our next
album and continuing to grow, continuing to experiment musically.

2) The new album, what should we expect?
Well, sometimes you'll hear artists try to classify a work in progress, even
we've done that before, and that's an easy way to paint yourself into a
corner, I think. And yes, it's a temptation to do that to keep the fans
interested, but that's not fair to the creative process, to the music. So what
I'll say is what you can expect with the next album is honesty. We're just
trying to let the music become what it wants to become, and wherever that
takes us, that's where we'll go. So, hopefully what the listener will hear is
our honest expression of where we are right now as human beings and as
musicians, and that's what's most important.

3) Speaking of CD’s, with the digital age so deeply rooted in our modern
world, do you feel it is still worth it financially to print CD’s or do you find the
majority of music buyers prefer to digitally download their music?
That's an interesting question. I can only speak from what we've
experienced, though, so what I think is that right now there is a market for
both, and the artist has to know how to make best use of both arenas to get
their music heard. What we've seen is great acceptance and financial
return from live shows with our physical CD, and great response in the
digital realm from our music being available digitally to anyone around the
world who may not ever see us live. I think that the digital market is
definitely the wave of the future, but we're not at the place in time where
that's all people want. I mean, right now the vinyl movement is still alive and
strong because of audiophiles and their insistence for a certain life and
warmth in the sounds they want to listen to, and that movement will not get
their fix via digital music. At the same time, the global culture is such that to
meet demands of technological advancements many, many people want
their music digitally, just like they want their weather, news, sports, gaming,
directions and so forth available at the push of a button. So, there is a
market for both, and I think all artists should invest in both mediums and let
their fanbase dictate where the need is for their particular distribution.
All Directions Forward
the debut album from Soulganic
featuring the jazzy soul groove
track 1:
Fordham & Walton (On My Way Up)
&
the psychedelic funk joint
track 5:
Identity Crisis
both co-composed by
ML Caldwell
Soulganic, f to b:
Anthony Rodriguez, Cory McClure,
Ryan McKeithan, Lucas Torres.
10 Questions with Anthony Rodriguez of Soulganic
4) Soulganic recently did an in-store performance.  What was
that like?  Which medium do you feel is most effective in
reaching the music loving community: CD’s or live
performances?
The in-store appearance at Manifest Records was really, really
awesome. It was a great opportunity afforded to us by the fine
folks at Manifest, who are at heart music geeks,
which is great for musicians. It was also a great and humbling
privilege to see people who have no context in
which to appreciate what we do stop, listen and buy our which
to appreciate what we do stop, listen and buy our music, then
stay and chat to us afterward. As far as reaching out to that
music-loving community, there are artists who have cultivated
worldwide followings via the internet and CDs only. Then there
are others who have garnered a following by being out on the
grind, sharing their music with those who will listen. But, even
with the ones who are on that grind, the fans still walk away
with a CD in their hands, and if they appreciate the music, they
turn other people on to the band via that CD. So, I guess when it
comes down to it, every artist needs something more tangible
than a memory to get and keep fans, and right now the most
accessible way to do that is through a CD.
"We're just trying to let
the music become what it
wants to become, and
wherever that takes us,
that's where we'll go."

- Anthony Rodriguez on Soulganic's sophomore
effort, currently being recorded
5) If you could tweak one thing about the band right now,
add to it, take away from it, etc., what would it be?
Nothing. I think the way we are now affords us the best
opportunity to musically converse and grow and create
beautiful things and have fun with it all.

6) What’s in your CD player?  Any other artists or bands you
are digging on the local scene right now?
In my CD player right now is Jack Johnson's new joint "Sleep
Through the Static", a Jimi Hendrix collection, Ben Harper's
"Both Sides of the Gun", Santana, Alice Smith, Thelonius
Monk's "Monk's Music" and Van Hunt's "On the Jungle Floor".
Locally, I think there are a few bands who are working hard
to develop their own identity and sound and are doing a
great job at musically expressing themselves, and at the
risk of offending any that I can't think of right now, I'll
just say kudos to all of you!
7) Many complain that the local music scene is waning.  Too many bands & artists not getting gigs, while more commercial
sounding cover bands take the stage regularly.  What is you take on this?
I think there may be a case for that, but I'm a believer in taking what you want. It would be all too easy for bands and artists to
cry about the lack of love and opportunity in Charlotte. But, if an artist is doing great original material and putting their soul into
that, then they should do the work to present themselves as professionally as possible and beat on every door until they get
paying gigs.  Then, they should network and make connections to get in front of concert promoters and venue owners to put
themselves in line to open for the established acts. This thing is a business. Passion and creativity alone isn't enough to get
yourself seen and heard. It many times comes down to who you know. And if who you know digs your stuff, then doors will
open. Of course, even that comes back to presenting a quality product in the music you perform. I mean, even if cover bands
are not your thing, one thing you can say about the cover bands that get the love and the opportunities is that their music is
tight. So perfecting your craft is job number one. And treating what you do like a business is job number two. Doing those
things will eventually bring returns.

8) Former Soulganic keyboardist, our boss, ML, says some really nice things about you guys.  What’s it like having other
artists appreciate what you do?
It's a very humbling experience and a great motivator to stay on top of your game to keep the respect of your peers.

9) Have you seen the MLC3 live, yet?
Not yet, but I've heard very positive reports and am looking forward to experiencing their groove live. I have heard recordings
of their material and it's very promising, so I know the live show will be just as pleasing to the senses.

10) What is the future of Soulganic?
The future of Soulganic is to build upon what we've established and continue to reach further into the realm of musical
expression.


don't forget to check out
Soulganic
&
the MLC3
putting it down live at
The Evening Muse
in Charlotte, NC's NoDa arts district
Saturday, 24 May 2008
10:30pm
Click on the CD cover above to cop the album