Maktub - Seattle, Washington
Usurper of Grunge
By Patrick Ferris

A vibrant live music scene attracting musicians from all over the world has made Seattle a musical melting pot for decades.  

Since the last 'big-bang' of the late '80s that spawned the careers of Nirvana and Pearl Jam among others, the Seattle music scene has remained dynamic.  An underground 'groove scene', overshadowed throughout most of the '90s by grunge, has finally come to fruition.  Voted 'Best Band of 2002' by The Seattle Weekly, the crowned prince of the Seattle music scene and usurper of grunge is Maktub.

Maktub (pronounced mock'-tube, Arabic for "it is written") represents a new generation of music in Seattle, bringing members from several notable Seattle bands together in a collaborative project that has reached international acclaim.  Combining soul and funk with elements of psychedelic rock and techno, Maktub's second release entitled Khronos, is a musical mantelpiece designed to display the amazing vocals of Reggie Watts.

Topping the Northwest Best Sellers List, Amazon's R&B list, and recent press coverage of Maktub by National Public Radio and MSN has thrust this Seattle quintet into the spotlight of the indie music movement.  I was grateful to be able to chat with bassist Kevin Goldman about their new found success and how the Internet has played a role in the Maktub story.

<HotBands> Hey Kevin

<Maktub> Hi there

<HotBands> The Maktub story began while I was on the road during the 90s so I missed what was going on in Seattle musically, but I heard about you from friends up here while I was living in Texas. From your view, how did Maktub come together musically and otherwise?

<Maktub> The Seattle music scene has always been rich in collaboration. The members of Maktub have played with each other in various forms prior to starting Maktub. However, with Maktub we all decided we wanted to start a group that meant something personal to us in that each person has equal creative input. Since we all have equal creative input we each also have to be willing to allow each individual voice to be heard. We have to play what we feel but also support each other's playing. Members of Maktub have played or recorded with Steve Fisk, Pigonhed, Dan the Automator (Gorillaz), Saul Williams, Brad, Pigeonhed, DJ Logic, DJ Z-Trip, Wayne Horvitz, Soul Pimps and others.

<HotBands> How did things happen for you here in Seattle? Were there some 'galvanizing moments' when you said "hey we sound like we have something that can really go a long way” and the crowd seemed to agree?

<Maktub> As I mentioned, Seattle has a very collaborative music scene. Most musicians know each other and support each other. I met Davis two days after arriving in Seattle. We've been playing with each other since. From Maktub's first rehearsal we thought something special may be happening. And we are still discovering what the special thing is, getting to know it more and learning how to cultivate it.

<HotBands> Where are you originally from?

<Maktub> I'm from Phoenix, AZ.

<HotBands> Do you prefer touring or recording?

<Maktub> The live show has always been a blast for us. We love recording, but love performing just as much. In these days of downloading MP3s without photos or liner notes of the band it’s even more important to have person to person contact with your audience.

<HotBands> When you were first playing live in Seattle, was crowd reaction immediately overwhelming? Would you say the buzz got around town because you were all coming from notable bands?

<Maktub> The development of Maktub has by no means been overnight. We received positive reaction from our first live shows in Seattle, but it has taken some time to bring the music to other parts of the country. Now things are starting to reach a tipping point in other cities far from Seattle.

When I say things have taken some time to develop, one thing to keep in mind as is that we've decided to release our first two CDs through our own label. This label has no offices or hired staff. We have been fulfilling orders from our web site out of Daniel's basement. When the National Public Radio story aired across the nation late last year we spent days in Daniel's basement fulfilling 1000+ orders from our web site.

<HotBands> You had an incredible write up at MSN regarding how you bypassed the traditional labels and used the Internet to leverage the national and international marketing of your band. A lot of what is published here is about giving indie artists a fair shake against the music industry cartel. I feel the Internet, both from a publicity/advertising AND the file trading perspective has given the indie artist (one not affiliated with the major labels) the ability for their music to be heard internationally, letting the listeners decide if they like them enough to buy their CDs and see their shows.

<Maktub> The MSN article (on MSN's home page) has helped to spread our music throughout the country. More than claiming to have some new viable business model that goes around the major labels, this article helped spread our music. That is what we're interested in, the music, spreading it, developing it, getting to people across the country and ultimately being able to support ourselves to a point where we don't have to worry about paying for health insurance or our rent. That is the dream - to play the music we have in our hearts and also to be able to pay our bills!

<HotBands> That's every musician's dream, but what needs to be laid out is the path you took so other musician's can understand what you did that they haven’t. What would you say are the things that are most important for a band to have a successful website, and how do you think the Internet has changed the music industry, for better or worse.

<Maktub> My advice to folks interested in using the Internet to their advantage is to copy what works for other bands. Really, there is not much that is proprietary when it comes to how bands can use the Internet to their advantage. My most specific advice would be for bands to spend 99% of their money and time on a web site and IT infrastructure that supports their business goals and only .01% of their money and time on graphics and animation for a web site.

<HotBands> What is your perspective with online music, file trading, etc

<Maktub> We have a poll on our site asking where people acquire their music. 30% of the people who responded so far download most of their music illegally, 9% copy from friends illegally. For now, Maktub's practice has been to offer 2 to 3 songs for free download. If people like what they hear they can buy the entire CD. Personally, I'm still formulating my opinion on file trading. Our manager and other members of the band have distinct opinions on the subject.

<HotBands> You're on a 5-week tour of the West Coast during February. How would you say the Internet plays into the marketing of this tour?

<Maktub> A priority for an indie band web site should be to develop a database of fan's email addresses and zip codes. Other priorities include: limit Flash use on the site, make the site easily updateable, update the site often, keep the site simple and easy to navigate, get a friend or family member that is a copy writer to write all text on your site, post your stage plot and promo photos on the site, respond to people's questions when they email you. If they email you to tell you they like the band, send them a reply and thank them, it's the least you can do.

<HotBands> In other-words, relate to your audience, courteous and polite and grateful. That's the attitude that I feel carries a band a long way

<Maktub Use a message board so people can leave messages for the band. See your web site as a tool not only for music fans but also for industry folks like - booking agents, club owners, promoters, press, etc. ask these people what features they would like to see on your web site that would make their job easier.

<HotBands> As far as the music goes, what do you recommend to musicians that are just getting started?

<Maktub> Musicians that are just starting a band for the first time or people starting an instrument for the first time?

<HotBands> Well...both. We have readers of all ages that read our articles. I love music and helping those that love music get the right start. This means getting somebody else's perspective on the same topic is important because what I say may be different than the next person, and what you say may influence somebody in a way that could change their whole life

<Maktub> I'd advise musicians to surround themselves with musicians that are better than they are. Learn from these more experienced musicians. Also, learn to recognize your own voice on your instrument as different from the voice of someone you are copying. It's correct to copy, but learn to develop your own voice so that in time it becomes paramount. It is your own voice that is the most rewarding to you and your listeners.

<HotBands> What's next for Maktub? When do you expect your next CD release, and is it going to be done independent again?

<Maktub> Khronos just came out 8 months ago. In indie or major label realms this is still very new. That said, we've started writing our next record. Until the next one releases probably sometime in 2004, we will continue to tour and support the release of Khronos. We are very excited about Khronos and hope to bring our music to many more people around he US (and we hope Europe and Japan) this year.

<HotBands> I want to thank you for your time and insights to the incredible success you’ve already achieved and wish you all the best on your tour.

<Maktub> Thank you for your time! - Kevin

For more information on Maktub CLICK HERE

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