Robex Lundgren virkblogg.

What’s the name of your band? We areHonkyTonk StepChild

What made you call the band "HonkyTonk StepChild"?  There are many of reasons.  Honkytonk makes a musical sound when you say it, and stepchild can mean a kind of dancer. Also there is a saying here about the redheaded stepchild, the red hair underscores that the child is not related to the stepparent. He is the less-favored child, the underdog of the family.  That describes guitarist Casey Friedman. He is the HonkyTonk StepChild.  Conceived in a one-night stand at a dive bar, reviled by his family, that’s Casey.  True story.

We also use the alternate band name, Casey & Minna.  HonkyTonk StepChild is too harsh a name for some venues.  We also play at schools, weddings, old folks homes, churches, and swanky restaurants, not just bars.  This allows us to do that.  We have our safe Clark Kent persona, and when Batman is needed, we’re HonkyTonk StepChild.

Where are all band members from? Who does what in the band? We were both born and raised in Oklahoma City, USA, and live here currently, although we dream of someplace better. Casey Friedman plays rhythm guitar and bass.  I, Minna Biggs, play fiddle. We both sing.

How was the band formed? We became a couple before we became a band.  We both had other musical projects going on.  I was in Local Honey.  I met Casey when he started Acoustic Oklahoma and we recorded with him.  We became friends, then I joined his band, Burlap Tuxedo.  We fell in love, and decided to live together. Finally we dropped our other projects and took up the mantle of HonkyTonk StepChild.

What were your ambitions for the band when you started? In our first year we wanted to have name recognition in our city and play every weekend, which we have achieved.  Beyond that, having fun is very important to us. 

When we began in December 2012, we started out with lots of other band mates, and that was a lot of fun. After a while we committed to the simplicity of a duo, and it has been even more fun.  Keeping equipment down to the minimum saves us a lot of headaches.  We like to play un-plugged. This way we can move about a venue at will.  It is very freeing.

Could you explain your music to someone that hasn't heard you? We are instrumentalists who sing a little.  You would hear fiddle and guitar.  It’s folk music, a mix of music from around the world plus pop culture from an American perspective. It’s not complicated. It’s rhythmic, it’s happy, mostly.  It’s music for everyone.

Where was your first gig? Our first gig was at a new bar in Oklahoma City called Grandad’s.  It was December 2012. The place was shoulder to shoulder. We had breath-taking fun.  The bartender said it was the biggest night they’d had so far.  Everyone was glowing.  We played there a lot that December. 

Where was the latest gig? We recently made music for a New Years Eve 5K race.  This was a first.  Here’s what Casey said about it, “One of the most inspiring audiences ever! Almost brought me to tears a few times! The child with the superhuman strength keeping up with the pros in the first wave, the amputee effortlessly working the flex-foot cheetah, the grim-faced elder pushed to his limit and powering on. The human spirit was unveiled, beaming and sweating!! We've got to play more marathons!!! Happy 2014, friends!!!” 

Here’s a video of it. Chariots of Fire!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seN20wUW4S4&list=UU4L9y-znQW1lt5GBAVchjRg#t=13

Have you made any albums? In the works, it will be available early this year! You can here songs right now on

http://www.reverbnation.com/honkytonkstepchild

Do you have any clips on YouTube? Link to website video page? We have quite a few. We’d love for you to see them!  http://www.honkytonkstepchild.com/videos.html

What got you started in music? We both have long histories involving many bands, and experiences.  Mine has been documented in this video,Minna Biggs in Her Own Words.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoRQUehaEp8&feature=c4-overview&list=UU4L9y-znQW1lt5GBAVchjRg

Casey’s epic saga is coming soon to our website.  Stay tuned!

Have you been part of any other projects?  Yes! In spring 2013 we were part of the movie “Rudderless” filmed in Oklahoma directed by William H. Macy!!  It debuts at the Sundance film festival Jan. 2014. We wrote a blog about our experience, from getting the gig to filming.  

http://www.honkytonkstepchild.com/1/category/rudderlessa876c7ca11/1.html

Do you have any webpages? 

http://www.honkytonkstepchild.com/

http://instagram.com/honkytonkstepchild

https://www.facebook.com/HonkyTonkStepChildOKC

What’s your Pre-show ritual?  A shower.