Name: Aaron Simpson
Age: 21
Year: Senior
Major: Anthropology
Hometown: Chapel Hill, NC
Q: How did you all meet and how did the band eventually come to be?
A: In 2008 Andrew Jacobs and I were both on craigs list when they spotted a Cello-playing ginger on DISCOUNT. They took out a loan and bought him for $300,000 and then started The New River Boys in order to pay back that loan.
Real Answer: We were all part of an elite military task force that specialized in interpretive dance and musicals and we are currently on a mission.
No but really: I met Andrew and Everett at a knitting interest group that I started. We became best of friends and decided to start playing music in order to fund our knitting addiction
Seriously? On a snowy day in Boone, we all found ourselves in Frank Dorm for one reason or another. Andrew started playing us some of his music he had written and Everett and I joined in. We became instantly famous and started touring with Beyonce the next week.
Q: What roles does each person play within the group? Other than playing your respective instruments.
A: Andrew Jacobs serves as the president, secretary and over all responsible individual, without whom… nothing would get done. He also cooks a GREAT Chicken Thai Curry. (Andrew is the responsible one)
Everett is a Ginger magician who conjures up spells of good fortune for the band while also practicing some Voodoo on the side. (Everett is the expert musician)
I spend my time acquiring secondary forms of income by selling my prized origami figurines. (I charm the audience with my somewhat true tales.)
Q: What are some of your favorite things about performing on a college campus?
A: I think as a band we love the energy that only a college crowd can bring. People are really eager to come out and support us at local shows and it’s always encouraging. Personally, I love the Appalachian State women…
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Q: How would you define the sound and inspiration behind your music?
A: We draw our inspiration from many different musical arenas including Bluegrass, Alternative, Folk, and even classical, as well as bands like The Avett Brothers, Mumford and Sons, and John Forman
Q: What is the process like for the band when you’re writing and creating new songs?
A: A lot of our music we write individually at first, and then the whole band will contribute in polishing the final product for a performance. Our songs are like Gringotts Wizarding Bank; everyone makes a deposit. The songs don’t really take their true shape until each one of us has added something to it.
Q: What motivated the band to support Solar Project Peru?
A: Our purpose in making this group has never been for our own gain, and so when we were preparing to release our first EP “Heart for Sale,” we really wanted to find a way to give back.
( Here is the link to Solar Project Peru: http://www.incalink.net/solar_project_peru/home.html )
Q: Best show to date?
A: I think our most recent show at Legends might have been one of our favorites. We had a really easy-going crowd there and we were able to connect with them which was awesome. Although, nothing could ever beat that time we did a private acoustic show with Rebecca Black and Lil’ Wayne.
Q: What is your fan base like?
A: We actually have a pretty diverse fan base with old and young people alike. That being said, having a ginger in the band does result in a proclivity of female followers, and I’m ok with that.
Q: Did you ever expect that playing music with your friends would lead to recording studios and an EP? What brought the band to this point?
A: Not even for a second! We feel so blessed that we have been able to have success simply doing what we love. I think what keeps us going is the fact that we love what we do.
Q: What are some things that people might not already know about the guys in the group? Any unique habits or talents?
A: Andrew Jacobs is fluent in Spanish and is a FANTASTIC cook.
Everett is in the process of writing his first novel
And I spend my free time doing carpentry, and I teach yoga.
(none of these things are true but I think you should use them anyways)
But really, Andrew is a skilled artist, Everett writes eloquent poetry, I like to rock climb.
Q: What is your favorite thing about ASU now that you’ve been here so long?
A: I love the mountains, however, the inherent beauty of this place extends far beyond the scenery; it is a reflection of the people who live here as well. Also, as the only single person left in the group, I would also have to say the beautiful women are my favorite.
Q: What’s next for The New River Boys?
A: Right now we are working on planning our first tour, set to take place in early 2012. We are also working on recording our new song “Sail Away” and we are really excited about that.