A New Echo in the Old Town (Red Eye Weekly)(The Sitting Room, Featured interview column)

By Anne Brown


Hello Lamar, And welcome again to the Red Eye's Sitting Room.

Is that an echo you have heard? Well if you've been to Old Town lately it very well may have been. Nestled in the historic district is Lamar's newest neighbor. Eternal Echoes Recording Studios has set up shop and it looks like Lamar is gaining just a little more celebrity amongst its streets. A little birdie told me there was a new sound on the streets and I just had to come hear it for myself, and let me tell you, its worth the trip.

Tonight the Sitting Room has taken to wandering, and here I find myself, at the Eternal Echoes Studio with owner and proprietor, Michael C'Teau, who is also a celebrity in his own right, as the lead singer of the band "Dhalia's Muse". So lets get started with the obvious question; why Lamar? Why not Kansas City or St. Louis or Chicago?

"There's a quaint atmosphere to Lamar. The band drove through here on our way to Tulsa for a concert. The driver got lost and we just decided to stop for food. We had some time to kill and I wanted off the bus for an hour at least, so we walked around and I said to myself, I'm coming back here."


Well I hope you enjoy yourself here. So what exactly do you do in this place?

"Well aside from making music...well, thats pretty much it. We make it, produce it, track it. It's done here in house. I've been looking at some local bands and we're going to see if we cant give them a foot in the door of the business. We also do lessons for those so inclined to learn to rock."


So little Timmy and Susie's mummy and daddy can bring them down here for an hour lesson?

"Well, there are always ingenues in every facet of life, but typically our clientele is more at least a bit more mature. Your average music store is for the novice musician."


Well lets switch gears a bit and talk about the celebrity. Will we be seeing any concerts here in town?

"It's still a bit too cold outside but, Im sure if you check your local listings you'll find the "'muse" playing around town. As Spring and Summer roll around, you'll start seeing more and more concerts and music festivals."


So this is pretty much rock and roll all night and party every day? What about those who aren't into the "rocking" scene?

"Rock and Roll speaks to the young. It's about emotion and rebellion and feeling that vibe course through their veins. Giving them something to live for. However, just as much as I want Timmy and Susie to come see us, I'm sure their parents would love a night out on the town for some Opera. I've been classically trained in voice as well as strings."


Ladies and gentlemen, what followed simply cannot be put to paper, but my next question was "Could you sing for me now?" The answer, simply put, is yes. If the rumors are true, Lamar may have received a little slice of Heaven. And he's not hard on the eyes either. So keep your eyes out for "Dhalias Muse" this spring and summer. If you're lucky you may just catch them at your local rock bar.

I know I'll be watching,with you, my lovely readers, here in the Sitting Room.