Band Interview: Blush

Andrew Cushman - Guitars
Mary Cushman - Vocals
Matt Cushman - Drums
Jayson Benn - Bass
Gavin Cushman - Guitars

Brothers Andrew and Matt Cushman along with sister Mary Cushman, from Akron/Canton, OH, formed Blush in May of 2001. The band quickly gained regional attention and seem destined for extraordinary success.

Blush's latest CD, "From the Falls to the Paths" is of the highest quality. "From the Falls to the Paths" features unique vocal layering, harmonies and a strong crisp sound. It was recorded at Mars Studio in Cleveland, OH, and engineered by Mike Zirkel (Garbage).

I met with Mary, the singer of Blush, and Blush's manager Randy, from Extraordinary Talent Management, at the City Place Restaurant and Deli, in Lakewood, Ohio on March 21. Mary is a wonderful down to earth person with an infectious smile.

Q. What is a statement that totally describes your band?
A. Driving Pop.

Q. How did you come up with the name "Blush" for your band?
A. We (Andrew and Mary) were sitting in church, wondering what to call the band. We started riffling through the Bible and saw the word Blush and it stuck with us.

Q. The band has a new CD out called "From the Falls to the Paths", what are your thoughts about this CD?
A. This CD began during a dark time in my life and as it progressed, things started to really get better for me. The CD is a progression of this time, from negative to positive. "From the Falls to the Paths" refers to the place I lived and where I then moved.

Q. Who decided which songs would go onto the record?
A. I write the vocals (Mary), and Andrew writes the music, so it was Andrew and I who decided which songs would be recorded.

Q. What's your favorite song on the CD, and why?
A. January is my favorite song; it's very personal about my life. It also has a lot of layering and harmonies, which I just love.

Q. How do you promote your shows and band?
A. Word of mouth, myspace, ads in local Scene magazines. Someday we hope to have a Street Team as well.

Q. What was involved in getting signed to your current management?
A. Extraordinary Talent Manager Randy saw us at a show. He was there to check out another band that was playing, so it was really a fluke. He liked our performance and thought we had played all covers. After the show, he asked me if we had any originals and I told him they were all originals! He gave us a card and it went from there. We have the same vision for what direction we want the band to go, and it's working out great.

Q. Describe your show musically and visually.
A. We play about 45 minute sets. Andrew plays guitar and sings back up, so he doesn't move around too much. Jason, the bass player, moves around quite a bit and likes to entertain, we like to interact with the crowd and make sure everyone is having fun. We have a good set layout; we usually start off really strong to get people going, and then play some of the softer songs, and then end strong. We're really happy with how it's going.

Q. What advice would you give to other musicians that are just getting started?
A. I would tell them to stick with it and don't get discouraged. Don't let what other people say get them down. Believe in yourself and promote yourself.

Q. What are the best and worst things about playing at shows?
A. Attendance is both the best and worst thing. When there are a lot of people that are really getting into the show, it makes for an all around better experience.

Q. What is your most memorable show experience?
A. When we played with Default in Toledo. It was an incredible show and it was really cool to hang out with the other bands after the show.

Q. What do you do to kill time on the road?
A. Listen to music, act like idiots, joke around. When you're on the road you really have to make up your own fun. We've done some things that we probably shouldn't do, just having fun, but nothing we would get arrested for.

Q. If one of the readers, or your fans, want to email you (or other band members in Blush), how would they do it?
A. They can contact us at our website, blushrock.com, or at our myspace.com/blushrock site. At our blushrock site, there is an email address that is good to send emails to us at. They can buy our merch at fishheadstore.com/blush4.html.

Q. Is there anything you would like to tell the fans of Blush?
A. Buy the record, keep looking for a new ones. Join our email list to stay up to date on shows.

Blush's next show is at Peabody's in Cleveland, OH on April 7th. They also have plans to put out some new material, at least an EP soon and will be doing lots more shows.