7 Q w/ Homemade Genius

If you have anything to do with music in Greenwood, SC you probably know Ian and Sarah Morris.  In the last four years they have booked countless shows, organized the O.N.E. festival, created a music and production label and most importantly they provide music lessons, summer camps and workshops for the youth of Greenwood.  Their mission is simple.  To encourage, promote, and create independent musicians and artists through positive fine arts events and education.

Last month Ian invited Scene SC up to Greenwood to set up a table and check out some good bands.  It was really great to see how excited about the music everyone was and we very much appreciated getting to be a part of that.  This is only the beginning of a lasting relationship Scene SC and Homemade Genius will have together.

Where did the idea of creating Homemade Genius come from?

Ian has been creating music and art and helping put on events in Greenwood ever since he was 18 years old. This is a pretty small town, so there just isn’t a lot going on for musicians and artists or for young people. In 2005, he felt the call to start an organization that encourages young people to get into music and art just as he had. We currently offer music lessons, music and art workshops, summer camps, and music and art events.

What types of concerts do you usually put on?  Any plans for a venue?

Homemade Genius puts on about 35 shows a year. We host concerts all over Greenwood,there are no venues specifically for music in Greenwood, so we’ve made our own venues in local restaurants, coffee shops, the arts center and closed off streets downtown. Homemade Genius also founded the O.N.E. Music and Art Festival which was held at the Greenwood County Agricultural Fairgrounds. We welcome all types of music, from string ensembles, to rock, singer songwriter, indie, alternative, and spoken word. Often we will put a group of artists and 3 or 4 bands together to form a music and art show. Usually combining both music and art in a show brings more crowds and interest.

We are currently working on moving into a building in Greenwood which will house all of the lessons and events. We also plan on having a shop to sell CD’s and other merchandise as well as an art gallery and coffee shop. We should be able to start hosting events in our new building by June

Homemade Genius has currently started a production side.  What are your goals with Homemade Genius Productions?  Who are some of your bands so far?

During our time running Homemade Genius, we’ve met a lot of extremely talented artists who are limited by resources. The expense of putting out a quality album is really high, and we knew that we could find a way to help those artists get their music or art out their by forming a partnership. Homemade Genius Productions seeks out musicians and artists who use their craft to put out positive messages but who may not have the means to create a CD or book of their music or art.

We’ve currently released two  CD’s, one by Luke and Drew from Warner Robins, GA, the other by Arthur Alligood of Nashville, TN. Our next release comes out on May 22nd by Besides Daniel of Atlanta, GA. We have about 5 more CDs in the works for 2009, and several artists who are interested in getting their artwork printed up in books.

Homemade Genius Productions is really a way to get the word out about Homemade Genius and help artists at the same time.

We’re currently selling both CDs in our online shop at www.homemadegenius.org.

On your website it has a link to store/free MP3’s.  Is there a future plan to offer free music on this page?

We want to offer free downloadable mp3s to our page to promote all of the artists that we work with as well as help promote all of the Homemade Genius events that we put on. We have several artists who have agreed to donate mp3s to the shop — this is a way to both bring traffic to the website and interest to the featured bands.

Are there any plans for the O.N.E. music festival this year?

This year, our goals include getting into our new facility and building up our student base, volunteer base, and events schedule. The O.N.E. Music and Art Festival was a huge success, and we hope to bring it back once we are settled into our building.

What does the future hold for Y/our Sparkle Heart?  Some summer tour dates?  Maybe some new songs?

Y/our Sparkle Heart is in the midst of finishing up recording both a new EP and full length to be released this year. The EP will be finished within the next couple of months as a free online download. We also have some shows booked for June, but we are mainly focused on finishing up these two CD’s.

What is your favorite part about running Homemade Genius?

Definitely meeting all the bands and artists that come through Greenwood, and interacting with all of the kids that come out to the shows. We all grew up in this town when there was nothing like this going on, so its fun for us to be able to give these kids a chance get involved in something that we didn’t have.

UPDATE

Homemade Genius is currently getting their new venue ready for these shows.