Artist Interview: Jeff Tedtaotao, Drummer

Credit: facebook

Jeff Tedtaotao is a drummer from southern California.  Jeff has been making music for over seven years.  He has most recently toured with the band Forever Came Calling, but now is currently taking a break from music and working on an education.






1. How long have you been making music?


I've been a drummer for about 7 years. Will be 8 years next month. I actually started digging into dj recently. Been into this for about month.


2. 2. Do you find it easier to get your music out there with the introduction of the Internet? Do you think it’s more successful to post your music free on the Internet or to try to sign with a record label?


Honestly, with music, you have to be DIY (do it yourself) first. To grasp a hold of the feeling of putting yourself out there. Doing something as rash as sign right away is not smart. Do the work first.


3. How do you feel about illegal downloading?


Honestly, everyone does it. It's common. Trying to stop it would be pointless. That's less publicity, in a sense.


4. How do you feel about giving out free music?


I'm okay with it. Publicity, that's what music needs. For it to get out. 


5. Do you think sharing music is wrong? (hulkshare, mediafire, zippy)


It isn't. It's an inevitability. If someone has your stuff on these sharing sites, that means you're probably doing something right. Someone's paying attention to you - music thrives off of attention. Music won't go anywhere if people don't care.


6. What websites do you use?


Rather not say lol.


7. Do you think it’s easier now or ten years ago to make it in the music business?


Honestly, it's hard to judge. More so, our generation intertwines music with fashion harshly. Everyone in a sense falls victim. You can have a kid that gets his music illegally, but full show support for seeing them in concert and picking up their merch. Support is support no matter how you look at it. Some politics are just different back then than it is now. People are concerned with band shirts, back in the day it was bragging rights to have their CD. Some people still collect vinyl, even bands in present time push vinyl and even tape cassettes. A time frame really doesn't set the stone for making it and breaking it. Mainly the artist's determination. 


8. What do you think the Internet’s impact on the music industry is?


I personally think it has an amazing impact really. There are so many negative depictions, especially with the recent shut down of megaupload and even jailing the guy for 50 years. Wether the internet kills the "profit" of an artist, they should be grateful people are paying attention and people do bother to care. If successful artists have problems with their music being shared, that's probably a moral issue. Artists shouldn't see money as the issue, mainly there self worth. Personally, if I knew my music was being shared illegally, I would be flattered. People buy my music AND go out of their way to share it rapidly. I know it's not a 110% great feeling, but the internet is getting everyone famous. Obviously, the internet is the tool to find about unknown artists. Then their music spreads. You're doing your part for someone that supports music.




Interview by: Ashley Norquist