Right time for Wrongtown Productions to cultivate the growing community artist garden

It’s the right time for Wrongtown Productions to arrive on the music scene.

Started by local musicians Eric Ober, Brad Schneider, Micheal Crane, Corey Garland and Mark Trottier, the idea of the artist dissecting the artist is intriguing.  Generous even, considering both subject and interviewer are so entwined creatively within the majesty and anguish of being a musician.

Music is a hard business.  Hard to get recognized, hard to make money, hard not to spend money (especially when the trough is rusted out) on video and recording costs.

So, Wrongtown might ask, why go it alone?

Why not take advantage of this beautiful concept based solely on kindness? It’s not a business, Wrongtown will tell you, it’s simply a “garden of artists” helping each other to grow as one.

Need a video shot and an interview done but don’t have the tools, cash or connections to pull it off?  Call Wrongtown. They’ll shoot your video, edit it up and help you navigate your way toward your musical goals.

Need to get a few thoughts off your chest that only you and the bathroom mirror are privy too?  Call Wrongtown.  They’ll sit you down, lead you into the spectrum of truth, then let you air out all your hardened desires.

And the concept is so pure in nature, so full of selflessness and community, that I had to ask the men behind Wrongtown Productions a few questions about their new project.

Rob: Wrongtown Productions “is not an thing, its a concept, and it is an organism.”  Explain to me how this all came about. 

Michael Crane: Almost 20 years ago with my good friend Mechelle, the idea was born. We had all these artist friends who were working independently. Buying there own gear, with individual expenses that made little sense. Not much came of the idea formally until this project came along. We are trying to build a community “artist” garden, where we can all help each other grow together. Wrongtown shouldn’t be confused as a structural framework or as a business. It’s a network of artists with community projects.

Rob: You decided on shooting songwriter Will Hatch first in the series.  Why Will Hatch, and did you like how the final cut came out?

Eric Ober: I’ve been seeing Will Hatch perform for the last five years or so, and can say without a doubt he is one of the most talented people doin’ it. He played a gig with The Grebes on Halloween and after watching his set, it was obvious to me who the first feature should be.  As for how I think the first episode came out… Will killed it (all the songs we used he did in one take ). Production was a good, first try, and we are all excited to see how it evolves.

Rob: As a working musician, you – as you should be – are paid to play.  But why give this creative service away for free?

Brad Schnieder: None of us got paid to play shows when we began playing our instruments. This is the beginning of something we’re all learning how to do together. The music scene benefits from this and we benefit from the music scene. Plus, it’s fun.

Rob: How do you plan on developing the series?  Monthly installments?  Or randomly?

Corey Garland: Randomly. We all have to keep finding rising stars or hidden gems. Or even musicians you know that you want to see a more intimate side of. The only thing holding us back from doing it daily, is life. Careers, families, and our other projects.

Rob: Does working with other musicians on a series like this inspire you in your own music?

Brad Schneider: Absolutely. We learn about the songs they play, we watch them play in an intimate setting (no crowd aside from us). Personally, I’ve been writing a lot more music since we started this project.

Rob: You and your mates appear to be on a mission to enlighten the region on all the quality music being played in New Hampshire, visually and sonically.  How do you keep your eye on the prize and see this vision through without getting distracted by life’s finer things?