Lily and the Tigers will be playing at the Grant Street Musicians Co-op tonight, April 28. I had the opportunity to talk to the Adam Mincey, the band's upright bassist before the show.
Can you explain what type of music you play?
It's funny we get asked this quite often. It seems people want to call it folk something. We often get folk-rock or folk-jazz or indie-folk. But to us, we play music from the heart for the people.
How did you all meet?
Casey and I met through mutual friends, at a pool hall in East Atlanta. I vividly remember us talking about guitar finger exercises and measuring our hands up against one another's. Several weeks later I heard her sing and immediately starting working out a ploy to get her to start a band with me, and it worked. Two years (and two other guitarists) later, Casey and I were playing around a bonfire when Jared took a seat. He didn't really say anything, and didn't really need to either, he just started to play along. After that night he got in contact with us about getting together to see if we would want to jam. We were honored and excited that he wanted to play with us, so we took him up on his offer and have been jamming ever since!
When did you all get involved with music?
Casey has been singing since she came out of the womb. After hearing Casey sing I encouraged her to play an open mic. She had been playing music for sometime before, but had never played on a stage. From that moment forward she was hooked. For me, I had a high school project that was suppose to be career driven. I was a procrastinator, and I figured learning to play an instrument would be an easy way to get through the project. So, I took to the bass. I soon found out that the project I had chosen wasn't as easy and clear cut as I had pictured, but now I'm very grateful I chose the instrument I did, especially at that time in my life. Jared however had a much different experience with music. He grew up with a musical brother and sister. He's always (and still) plays in countless bands. He'll play anything that puts off a vibration. He has a very deep root in music theory, and is constantly inspired and constantly inspiring -- using music as his catalyst for expression.
What other bands or musicians influence your music and your performances?
We love good music it doesn't have to be a certain style or genre. To name a few off of the top of my head I would say- Hank Sr., Carter Family, Mingus, Billie Holiday, Neil Young, Otis Redding, Ray Charles, Daptone anything, and Bessie Smith. Again these are just a few groups that inspire us.
What has been the best part of your tour so far?
We played a show at an artist land-trust called Snaggy Mountain (Burnsville, NC). The stage was on the top of the mountain overlooking a valley. The backdrop of the stage was the other side of the valley which lead up to what's known as Cee-Lo peak in the Appalachian Mountains. Just truly an amazing place to play folk music!
How did you come up with your band name?
Casey had always like the character Tiger Lily from Peter Pan. So I, knowing there was more than just one of us in the band, suggested Lily and the Tigers. We liked it, and the more we thought about it and the deeper we dug, we found the name is also about the balance in oneself. It's the Yin-Yang, the light and the dark, the balance between masculine and feminine. It fits well.
What would you consider the most rewarding aspect of making music?
Traveling and meeting new people. I thoroughly enjoy seeing how progressive people are all over of the United States. Our generation seems to have a sense of enlightenment that is going to be, and is already becoming very beneficial to all of humanity. It seems that our generation is all about asking those golden questions: why, how, who, what, and when, instead of relying on old prejudices. I just love meeting young folks who are "do-ers" and are all about community and outreach. Because they care.
If you could have any job in the world besides playing music, what would it be?
Well in this day and age music is hardly ever someone's only job. Art is now practically free, due to internet accessibility and torrents.... That being said I have always enjoyed cooking, and good wholesome food. I plan on opening a small market and deli that specializes in local organic produce. Also probably a couple farm to fork restaurants as well!
If there’s anything else you would like to add or would be important for our readers
Yes! To live life without fear, to love daily, to buy local, to gather in large groups and share progressive thoughts and support your community because at the end of the day there will be nothing but satisfaction and happiness!
