He introduced himself to me as Jermaine, but when the podcast started, he became DJ Altra. I'm not sure how much of the conversation was edited, but Jermaine is a Baltimore Ravens fan, and the conversation began with banter about the Pittsburgh Steelers recent blowout loss to the Cleveland Browns.
It turned out to be a good conversation, I think. Maybe. I mean, I've been doing these interviews with people who treat me with respect but clearly know nothing about me except what they've read from a press-release or quickly gleaned from looking at the website. They haven't really listened to the music. Kind of like interviewing an author without having read the book.
That's the reality of being interviewed. Their words tell their audience you are important, but their unfamiliarity with your music tells something else. You are a product. A brand. And this is your big chance to promote yourself.
"Go ahead, sir. Speak right into the microphone and tell everybody why people should care about your music."
And I ramble on about this and that, hoping I'll say something that will give the listener a reason to want to hear the music.
Anyhow, here is the text of what appears at Jermaine's website:
Robert Wagner talks to DJ Altra
It looks like we had another great interview here on Music Promotion Pr. Our DJ (DJ Altra) spoke to Robert A. Wagner and had a fantastic conversation. These two talked about the music that he released and plans for the future. It also seems like Roberts fans are looking for more. Make sure to take a listen to get a little closer to Robert and what makes him a good musician.
As frontman and chief songwriter/lyricist for 80s/90s seminal Pittsburgh rock band, Little Wretches, Robert Wagner rode a wave of local notoriety that led the band to the forefront of the underground music scene. The Little Wretches were founded as a folk/punk band by Robert (guitar) and his brother, Chuckie (violin). The “classic” Mach 2 era of Little Wretches included Ed Heidel (bass), Chris Bruckhoff (percussion, wind instruments, backing vocals) and Bob Goetz (guitar), rounded out by Dave Mitchell (drums), Mike Michalski (bass) and Ellen Hildebrand (electric guitar.) This rock edition of the band performed regularly and helped the band build its massive following in Pittsburgh. Michalski, Mitchell and Chuckie Wagner left the band, effectively ending.
Mach 3 began with the addition of David Losi (keyboards) and Mike Madden (drums.) When Madden couldn’t tour, drum programmer Gregg Bielski took over. When Ellen switched to bass guitar, this version of The Little Wretches entered the studio. They recorded two albums, with Angelo George playing drums and Jon Paul Leone playing guitar on a third. National press, attorneys, managers, and publicists came calling, as did life’s obligations, and the Little Wretches disbanded in the late 90s.
Robert Wagner continues to perform at coffeehouses and small clubs. A Master’s Degree holder, Wagner also counsels abused, neglected, traumatized and court-adjudicated youth. He is the co-founder of The Calliope Acoustic Open Stage, an event that has lasted 15+ years. He has also recorded and released two new albums in 2020: Undesirables and Anarchists and Burning Lantern Dropped In Straw.