As you might have learned by now, Thomas Wynn and the Believers are opening the kick-off to Flying Dog’s Summer Sessions concert series this Saturday when they open for JJ Grey and Mofro. Earlier this week, Wynn, himself, was kind enough to exchange a few emails for a Q&A. And because it was mighty kind of him to do so, we thought it’d be mighty kind of us to let you know what he had to say. So, right after you go enter our contest, giving away two free tickets to the show, how about you cozy up and learn just a tad more about one of the artists set to appear this weekend? Sound good? Good.
You were voted Best Rock Band in Orlando for a handful of years recently. What’s the rock scene in Orlando like? Any great bands we should know about up north?
The rock scene in Orlando is actually pretty diverse and abundant. We have a number of great bands in most genres. We got The Legendary JC’s, Fat Night and The Sh’booms that hold down the soul and Gargamel and Junkie Rush are killer heavy bands. The Supervillains and Paddington Ambush are ska/raggae. The Attack and Flunks are great punk bands. Shak Nasti and Holy Miss Moly are excellent jam and funk outfits while Hannah Harber and Matthew Fowler are wonderful singer songwriters. Honestly, I could keep going and name more and more. Orlando loves live music.
Have you ever been to the Frederick area before? If so, what are your impressions of the DC/Baltimore metro music scene? If not, how much are you looking forward to checking it out?
We’ve been in the area a few times and have always had a lot of fun. We’ve played the Met in Annapolis, and a festival in Baltimore, as well as a cool spot in D.C. that escapes my mind at the moment. We also played on the Mall next to the Lincoln Memorial on July 4th one year. It was really hot, but a lotta fun for sure.
Your show here in Frederick is at the Flying Dog Brewery. Have you had Flying Dog before? Have you heard of it? What are your impressions of it?
Yes, and we are very excited! Very stoked to be playing at a killer venue with one of our favorite bands and a host of delicious brews.
Your sound is very Southern-rock influenced. Who were some of your biggest influences as you were just taking up music?
The Band, forever, will be one of our favorites to be sure. Cowboy, the band my dad helped start and played drums for in the late ’60s. The Beatles, Paul Simon, LittleFeat, Pink Floyd and countless others.
Was there any other plan for you outside of music? Any other career path you would have enjoyed taking?
Well, there still is. I enjoy doing lots of things. I’m thankful that I now get to pursue music, but if I weren’t able to play anymore I know my creative needs would be met in a multitude of other ways. But I guess if I’m honest as a younger man I always thought being a baseball player would be wonderful, too.
What can we expect from the set here in Frederick?
Well, I thinks it’s safe to say y’all will see some bad ass southern soul rock n’ roll.
Check out Thomas Wynn and the Believers when they kick off Flying Dog’s Summer Sessions concert series at 6:30 p.m. Saturday night. For those who might refuse to enter our tiny giveaway, tickets are still available.
