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In Greek, the phrase “buying out the opportune time” implies buying at the expense of something else. In his Expository Dictionary, W. E. Vine gives it the meaning of “making the most of every opportunity, turning each to the best advantage since none can be recalled if missed.”
This is an interesting topic for me. Because the phrase alone can apply to anything in life. Buying out the opportune time in the music industry is vital. Most artists have a tight window for making an impact before their opportunities are reduced. Ideally, the opportune time for most artist is when they are young. The window of time is between 12 – 14 years of age. Sometimes younger. However, the advantage that youth had can be misguided. During that time frame, there will be changes in the voice that take an artist in different directions. Even to the point of ending their career in the music industry. Yes, there are some things that they can do to help prevent that. Even a vocal coach can help. Though, there is no overcoming reality. Buying out the opportune time is essential for every artist. Take advantage of the time that you have. A special moment in your life could be missed.
There is no guarantee that your greatest advantage is time or youth. There are other factors that should be considered. Talent is a huge part of the equation. Ultimately you must decide when the window of opportunity exists. From experience, the window of time is two years. Though this is not written in stone. There are exceptions to the rule. Artists with that exception are unique and very special to take notice of. Because they are the ones that break the rules and demolish this editorial.
There is an artist that I have been found of for years. She always crushed songs live and in the studio. To this day, she is making a huge impact on the music scene. It isn’t a surprise that she commands attention with her huge voice and energetic performances. She continues to be an artist “to defy” the opportune time for creativity. Why is that? Hopefully today, we can find out. First, let’s talk review just some of Lacey Crowe of Bourbon House.
BOURBON HOUSE are a modern rock ‘n’ roll band whose music is just as timeless and infectious as their predecessors Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and Bad Company, to name a few. Lead by the powerful and unique vocals of Lacey Crowe, Jason Clark (lead guitar) Steve Lotharius (bass) and Alec Martin (drums) make up the Wisconsin based rock band. Crowe and Clark founded the band in 2017 and have been on an upward trajectory ever since the release of their debut self-titled EP. Following up their first album was Wild Abandon (2018), and most recently, Into the Red which was released in October 2021.
Following the release of their single "Resonate" in July 2022, Bourbon House made Classic Rock Magazine's "Hot List" with a full-page feature in their September issue and was named one of 15 Rising Rock Bands by acclaimed music journalist Matt Wake. The single is the third nomination for Bourbon House by Classic Rock Magazine (Devil on my Heels and Too High to Care were also nominated) for their fiercely competitive Track of the Week competition, for which they've taken home first and third place respectively.
Both "Resonate" and their following single "Out for Blood" were featured on Apple's New in Rock playlist. "Out for Blood" also made Matt Pinfield's Weekly Rock Countdown, Live One's #WCE: ROCK station, and Live One's New Rock Now playlist. Their latest singles, "High Road Gypsy" (September 2022) and "Blue Magic" (November 2022) have already become fan favorites.
Bourbon House's music has an uncompromising honesty to it that draws fans in from the beginning. The desire to create an escape within their music is the driving force behind their artistry. Their music pulls in influences that go beyond just sonic themes and ventures into broad and interesting topics within their lyrics, as both Crowe and Clark are gifted writers themselves. Bourbon House are poised to develop their signature sound and style even further with these next releases.
GT: It is our privilege to sit down with Lacey Crowe today. This will be the first time we have interviewed her. However, we had a conversation with her counterpart Jason Clarke earlier this year.
GT: Hello Lacey it is awesome that we get an opportunity to speak with you. As you know we are working on another edition of Guitar Thrills Magazine. It was important that we add you to the artist line up. I think your views on music related topics are important. As such, you can be considered a subject matter expert. Did you believe that you had a window of opportunity to make it big? If so, what was the timeline? If not, why?
Lacey: I think there is always an opportunity, especially with today’s social media. Anyone can go viral at anytime and that’s only one catalyst, but it’s a pretty huge one.
GT: Are you satisfied with what you achieved thus far? If not, why? What are the goals that you haven’t accomplished yet? Are there roadblocks for you that prevent you from reaching your goals?
Lacey: We'll always be working toward new goals but I’m abundantly satisfied with the success we’ve managed to create so far, especially because we haven’t had much help. It’s a tough industry and most bands quit before they get to where we are. We don’t discuss it much and I think people would be surprised to learn how many agents, managers, band members and other industry team members we’ve parted ways with. As far as roadblocks go, I don’t think they exist. Any rags to riches story will tell you that persistence is key.
GT: What are your triumphs thus far in the music industry? What setbacks do you believe you experienced, if any?
Lacey: We've had a lot of recognition from people and entities that we admire and we're building relationships with people we never thought we'd have the opportunity to. Our latest triumph was getting on Classic Rock Magazine's Hot List this year. We've had touring setbacks from lineup issues and just a general lack of opportunity due to not having the right people on our team while living in a small town in Wisconsin.
GT: I don’t believe there is an artist out there that hasn’t experienced failure to a degree. However, they have learned to overcome it. How do you deal with challenges in an effective manner, that allows you to continue pursuing your dream?
Lacey: I think I just don't ever use the word failure. If something doesn't go as well as I think it should've, it just means something needs to be improved upon.
GT: Think back over the years that you have been performing. Is there a particular time when you thought you were at the top of your game? What has been the cause of that decline in your pursuits as an artist?
Lacey: No, I don't think I've ever been at the top of my game. I'm not sure there is a top. In any case, I certainly don't feel like I'm on any kind of decline. We're always trying to be better than we were last.
GT: Are there disadvantages living outside of the country and having to commute to other cities or countries to move forward in your music career? If so, what are they?
Lacey: Touring is tough everywhere. It's expensive, you spend a lot of time away from home, and it can get tiring. Luckily, we're in the US so we can travel pretty easily throughout the country. I can't speak to playing outside of the country because we haven't yet, but we are planning on getting overseas soon.
GT: When I first heard your music, I thought you were larger than life. Over the next several years, you have remained consistent. The energy seems to continue moving upward. What has enabled you to continue feeling the highs as an artist?
Lacey: Thanks! Well, the fans are what keep us going. They're everything.
GT: It takes a courageous individual to want to be an artist within the music industry. Despite your abilities and talent. There are always challenges to overcome. I think you have done a great job at that. What helps you to maintain a positive mind-set?
Lacey: I don't pay too much attention to negativity in general, but especially when it comes to our band and our music. I'm not the kind of person who closely reads through every comment or tries to find out what people are saying about us. It's not always easy to ignore negativity but most of the time it is. No one important has ever had anything negative to say yet.
GT: Well, that is really good information to share with others that are reaching out as an artist. It is important to keep it real, and to have honest expectations. It always helps to have a large crowd of supporters to keep you moving forward.
Lacey: Absolutely.
GT: What are you working on in the studio?
Lacey: Album number 5! Which will have a more creative title.I promise.
GT: I know you have a wide range of vocals and can sing any type of genre. Which genre at this point do you feel suits you well?
Lacey: I mean, I don't know if I can sing any genre. I think the three main genres that can be heard in my voice are rock, blues and soul.
GT: I know you are a performer as well as a vocalist. What is your “got to” brand of guitar and what other components do you incorporate in your live performances?
Lacey: I don't play guitar at our live shows, at least not yet. I'm working on my confidence there. I'm also working on getting more confident with harmonica and I plan on bringing that to our live shows soon.
GT: That is awesome. You certainly have a huge selection of instruments that will compliment anything that you do in studio or on stage.
GT: Keep up the excellent work and preparation that you do. Continue the path that you are on. Maintain your focus, and always weigh the benefits of advice given to you. We look forward to having you in the August issue of Guitar Thrills Magazine. Thanks again.
Lacey: Thank you so much for having me!
"Traveling the country and playing for different audiences over the years, I've learned that people respond to honest music, even if it's not in a standard blues format," he says. "That realization has freed me up to do whatever sounds natural. I love listening to old blues and country, but I also love hard rock. I love playing guitar and improvising onstage, but I also love writing songs that tap into a feeling. This album became a natural mix of all the things I'm into. I've found a way to bring everything together."
