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Artist: The Hot Toddies
Track: Photosynthesis
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Who is Erin Skidmore? Who are The Hot Toddies?
Erin Skidmore (that’s me!) is one of the two singers and guitar players of The Hot Toddies. Heidi and I were in Mexico on a week long vacation in 2004 and we were having fun playing guitar and singing with some musician friends that we were hanging out with. After a few beers someone made the suggestion that we should start a band. I guess we took it to heart ’cause the same day we sat down and wrote “Ocean” and later that week we wrote “Sugar Daddy” - the first and last song on our record. At the time it was just two of us and an acoustic guitar, but we loved singing together so much that we wanted to find a drummer and make it a “real band”. The idea of having an all-girl crew sounded like fun and we convinced our friends Sylvia and Jessica to learn drums and keyboard, respectively. That was when The Hot Toddies popped out of the musical womb of Oakland, CA.
Why do you create?
We like to write songs while we’re really happy, which usually involves sunshine, booze, and an acoustic guitar. Heidi and I had both played in more traditionally serious bands prior to The Hot Toddies and knew from the beginning that this band was going to be FUN more than anything else. We write songs that make us laugh and make people dance and giggle and that’s exactly how we want it. I guess that when it comes down to it, we create because we have a really good time doing it. It’s definitely not for the fame and fortune! Another reason that I love The Hot Toddies, is that I love traveling and meeting new people. Being in a band is an awesome way to do that because you bring something to the situation, something to share with your new acquaintances. And since I’m on the road with my best friends, we always have great time. I would go all over the world with these girls, and maybe one day I will! Getting to travel is a side effect of the creative process I suppose, but it still keeps me wanting to go on.
Your band’s name is doubly apt. A Hot Toddy is an alcoholic cocktail (you girls like to drink,) and you’re hot, or as your MySpace commentors would say, “both WHOAH and AWWWWW”, ” dammmmm!”, and, “giggity giggity FOR SURE!” When you mix a rock group of four vivacious pretty girls with booze, what happens?
Okay, the short answer to this question is FUN. We have a lot of good times together. Compared to the sea of jaded cynicism and emo music that currently abounds, the four of us may seem silly and innocent — if so, I promise that it’s not for lack of depth, but actually concious enjoyment of the present. I’ve noticed alcohol often helps achieve that state of mind. Have you ever noticed that happy drunk people are like kids again? We are pretty goofy on the road and we make each other laugh a lot.
Looking forward, how will you define success? Failure?
I think that success is defined by the impact that a person, a band, or a company has in the world. Money is a nice sideline which you hope is a result of that impact, but it certainly shouldn’t be the end goal in any creative endeavor. In the case of the music business, in the past I think it’s been easier to measure success in relation to money because a band’s impact and $$ were at a fairly equal ratio. However, now we’re at an interesting juncture because of digital sharing methods… for example, I just discovered Bit Torrent downloads — I don’t know if I even used that term correctly, but basically the new free music sharing device. And it’s interesting because tons of people have downloaded our debut album “Smell the Mitten”! I think that it’s great that people are enjoying it, because the album’s impact on people is what really proves its worth. It’s nice to feel like something you worked on is being appreciated. Of course, people have to realize that by not supporting indie bands financially, it makes it hard for us to do things like tour just because we can’t afford it. But if our music affects someone in a good way, I’m happy, I think that is a fundamental success for The Hot Toddies.
What issue is most important to you today, and how should it be addressed?
I recently watched the film “An Inconvenient Truth” for the first time and I really hope that everyone who has not already will rent this film! Irregardless of political party lines, we need to start paying attention to how we take care of the Earth. I think that watching that film could really help to educate people about the issue of global warming. If it was up to me, it would be required viewing in schools and the US government would immediately pass legislation imposing some heavy restrictions, fines, and taxes on people who are heavy contributors to this problem. For example, why can’t we just make Hummers illegal? How are they even remotely justifiable as a vehicle? The Hot Toddies give 8 thumbs down to people who drive Hummers.
If you would like to share your creativity, or you’d like to suggest someone for Required Listening, please send an e-mail to share@yorkrules.com.
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