Interview with Shallow Ground Guitarist and Lead Vocalist Keith Letourneau

By Mick Michaels

COSMICK VIEW: Hello Keith! Welcome to the Cosmick View. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to chat with me, it is greatly appreciated.

CV: What drives you to continue to create?

Keith Letourneau: It all just comes out. It’s what I / we do. So the drive is a natural thing.

CV: Was music your first love?

KL: Kiss / Black Sabbath. I was and still am a Kiss army member.

CV: Would you say music has made you the person you are today?

KL: Yes, yes I would. Music helps you thru a bad as well as a good time! 

CV: Could you see yourself doing something completely different other than music? If so, what would that be?

KL: LOL I do many things…can’t have all your apples in one barrel.

CV: Which artist has inspired you the most?

KL: Tony Iommi and Ace Frehley.

CV: Non artist…who has been your biggest influence?

KL: Wayne Gretzky is a hero of mine 

CV: Was/Is your family supportive with your musical pursuits?

KL: Yes, they are keep me motivated and grounded  

CV: What do you find inspires your music the most as a songwriter?

KL: Life, history, heart break, hate and anger.

CV: What's your go to album for motivation? Why that album?

KL: Screaming for Vengeance or Unleashed in the East by Judas Priest. They are both fun to play along to.

CV: Some of your favorite artists... past and present, who are they?

KL: Randy Rhoads was one and still is one of my favorites. There are just so many good and talented people out there it’s tough to narrow it down! 

CV: The one album you feel every Metalhead should own and why?

KL: Kiss - Alive 2 as it’s from the dawn of metal… and Black Sabbath - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. Both killer stuff!!! …just killer.

CV: What do you consider is a defining moment in Heavy Metal history and why is it significant… how did it impact the genre?

KL: Metallica being played at ball games and hockey games back in the 80's was a big step for metal and Ozzy biting the head off a bat. LOL

CV: Who would you like to work with if given the opportunity?

KL: Wow, too many to pick one. Sorry

CV: What do you feel are the top three things it takes to make it in the music business as an artist?

KL: Will, talent and a good agent.

CV: There has been a lot of remarks among established rockers these days regarding young, up and coming bands, that they don't stand a chance at making a career with music into today's industry... what do you think? 

KL: It’s true. Records use to sell millions of copies and make money. Now 1 copy can hit the internet and then any one can down load it for free. It’s great for the fan getting free stuff but the artist gets nothing but a nice CD.

CV: As an artist, what do you feel are your strengths?

 KL: Solid riffs and fast hands.

CV: What do you think separates bands of today from bands of the past?

 KL: The internet.

CV: With so many iconic women eligible for induction into the Rock n Roll Hall of fame, such as Cher, Stevie Nicks and Carly Simon many among others, why do you think they are being overlooked?

KL: Metal is overlooked. It’s a popularity contest with the people who pick. Take Judas Priest, they should have been a first ballot going in. But did they? No. It’s a joke. They need to ask the metal community not the hip hop community to vote.

CV: We hear so much negative commentary regarding today's overall music industry. What's your take on it? Is Rock really dead?

KL: It’s alive and well, just hard to find through all the BS and smoke.

CV: What’s next for you?

KL: Live, play and enjoy life. Get our next CD recorded and out to the label so it gets out to the fans.

CV: Thank you again Keith for spending some time talking and sharing with our readers. I wish you all the best and continued success with all your projects.

Check out Keith and Shallow Ground at:http://shallowground.moonfruit.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ShallowGround/