Adam McHeffey a Rising Star
July 9th 2009
Photo Credit: Jessica Lehrman
Adam McHeffey is a perfect example of local talent who is filled with energy and ambition. Adam is just one of the many rising musicians found in our small town of Center Moriches. His music style is anything but the usual. His folk sound combines beautifully written lyrics with incredible harmonies that can be hummed by every generation. His lyrics are everything from magical to inspirational. Adam is currently attending SUNY Purchase, studying Liberal Arts with a focus in Arts Management and will be a senior in the fall. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to interview this extremely talented and interesting individual.
JH: Hi Adam. Welcome and thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions for Fine Art Magazine.
AM: My Pleasure.
JH: When did you first begin playing music and what made you stick with it?
AM: My family has been playing music together for as long as I can remember, but the first time I played with a band was in 7th grade, and that's when I was sold. It was just what my close-knit group of friends did. Nothing else excited us the same way making music did.
JH: Based on what you said how many bands have you played with, what were the names and who have you collaborated with?
AM: I’ve always played with Shaun Savage and Tom Elefante. Since day one, they were the foundation, electric bass and drums. 
There were too many band names to count, but the ones that we actually got serious with were Zmak, Hey Pluto (which featured Matt Smith on vocals), and the current Kick Fire Quartet, which includes Ashley Cooke on piano.
I also worked with my cousin Patrick McHeffey and Richard Edghill on a few different projects, and still keep in touch with them on future ones.
From Left: Adam McHeffey, Shaun Savage, Patrick McHeffey, Tom Elefante
JH: Do you mostly work with the Kick Fire Quartet or solo?
AM: Well when college came around, the quintessential band-split hit us pretty hard. Tom went to school to study jazz drums, and Shaun hit the road with pop-group Charlotte Sometimes (Geffen). Before then, I had never played solo, but Purchase was such a condoning atmosphere to the kind of music I was already crafting, so I made it into an act. During the summers we quickly book a lot of shows together, and that's where Ashley also comes in. So the Kick Fire Quartet is always my band in spirit, if not in flesh, but I do end up playing a lot by my lonesome.
JH: Have you been signed by any labels?
AM: No. So far everything we've put out has been DIY (Do-It-Yourself) under our own label, Overbite Record House.
JH: Do you plan on having your own label or are you hoping to be signed one day?
AM: Well right now it's so easy to do it yourself that there isn't nearly as much dependence on big labels as there once was. With enough grit you can gather a fan base using the web, and cut a record in your garage at fractions of what it used to cost.
In reality, you'll never reach the same number of people doing it by yourself, but the creative control is invaluable.
I guess my answer is "we'll see."
JH: How long have you been writing your own music?
AM: I wrote my first song in the Spring of 2001.
So eight years.
JH: You have extremely interesting and fun lyrics. Where do you find the inspiration for your songs and are there any songs you would like to mention in particular?
AM: The inspiration all comes from my environment. There have been a lot of changes in my life over the past few years with friends coming and going, new family members, and new scenery. Songwriting for me is like journaling in a way. Really difficult journaling. If something is on my mind, it's easier for me to deal with it once I've penned it down. Sort of like how Albus Dumbledore uses a pensive. If I need to say something, but can't just come out and do it, I feel like I'm safe behind my songs.
Wishful Thinking On Seagrass Shoal comes to mind.
Each part of the verses is a direct message towards someone whose actions were directly influencing my life during that late August.
JH: When did you write Wishful Thinking On Seagrass Shoal?
AM: Almost a year ago, when summer 2008 was coming to an end. Everyone was setting off to do their own things and I felt like the world was turning upside-down.
The words are really personal, and about things that no one can probably guess.
But I guess the words are interesting enough that people find their own relations.
Make their own connections.
JH: What else would you consider major musical influences for you? People or other musicians?
AM: Well everyone around me influences the words that come out, but there are a handful of musicians and writers and performers that have really changed the way I write my music.
When I saw Jason Anderson play for the first time, I completely changed the way I run my live show. Getting the audience involved.
He is a master of breaking down that invisible wall at every lame Indy-rock show one attends.
My Dad is really great at that too. He always did nature shows for kids on his guitar, and the audience participation was such an important part of his act.
So that's something I brought along to my performance.
JH: I have seen fans enjoy this with my own eyes.
AM: Lyrically, I strive to write like Springsteen, Dylan, Mitchell, and Joel.
But a few local performers have really been the ones that make me want to make music. Johnnie Lee Jordan comes to mind. myspace.com/johnnieleejordan
JH: So what would you say are some of your immediate goals when it comes to writing and performing your music?
AM: It would be nice to fill a season up with live shows, and to be able to support the Quartet on the road.
Right now everyone is really busy with their own other projects, myself included. But it has to happen; we are all working towards it.
JH: what about even further down the road?
AM: I would like to help as much as possible with the Creative Commons Organization.
They are this non-profit organization that is sort of changing the way a lot of people are handling their copyrights.
If you're not sure what they are all about, their website says it best: www.creativecommons.org
Let's Kick Fire is licensed with the CC, and because I'm willing to allow my music to be shared freely, a lot more people are hearing it than if I were to hoard it.
Copyright law is such a joke these days, and the CC Organization has some really great ideas. I hope to get involved.
JH: that's really cool
JH: So if you could define success, what would it mean to you?
AM: Oh jeez... Doing whatever makes you happy I suppose. I define success as playing a show for enough enthusiastic people that everyone starts singing the bridge to Dandelion Days. Those are my happiest moments; the ones that make me think I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. Seeing a crowd full of strangers mouthing your words.
JH: Awesome.
JH: So just a few questions to wrap things up. How many CD's have you released and where can fans buy your albums?
AM: I have gotten rid of a few hundred physical discs, but my digital downloads number a bit more. The album is available on iTunes, but that's just sort of like a tiger peeing in the forest to mark his territory. The high quality mp3s are available for free download off of my MySpace, blog and Facebook.... and here http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?nrkxnfgyktj
All I ask is that listeners come to shows and get involved.
BTW, a plug: Kaler's Pond - Friday the 17th of July. 6:00-8:00PM
Shannon & Natalie - Mother F'Nature - The Kick Fire Quartet
JH: I would love to list your upcoming shows I will put them on the event calendar on my page.
AM: I've been selling physical CDs at every show though, and they'll be available at the pond on Friday.
That's the only one booked right now. We had six shows throughout June of varying success.
JH: Do you have a website fans can view?
AM: No website, just the free social networking ones. ReverbNation is my favorite: www.reverbnation.com/adammcheffey
JH: I would like to list your myspace as well if thats ok?
AM: Surely.
JH: And do you mind if I pull a photo or two off of your Myspace?
AM: All of my photos are licensed through the Creative Commons as well, so you can do whatever you like with any of them.
JH: Is there anything else you would like to say?
AM: Get in touch, stay in touch. Support local music.
But not just cuz... it's got to be good local music.
JH: Well that will wrap it all up Adam. Thank you sooo much!! Good Luck and we will be listening!
AM: Thank YOU
Be sure to check out Adam McHeffey. You can listen to his music at:
http://www.myspace.com/adammcheffey
www.reverbnation.com/AMmcheffey
Help support Adam by purchasing his album on iTunes!
-Joan Himmelstein
