Interview with Washington D.C. Band Xero Project

Washington, D.C. resident Jamie Kashetta is a 25-year-old graphic designer from Maryland rockin' it up in the music world. The holder of a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Tyler School of Art in Philladelphia, Kashetta is also currently in a band called Xero Project, coincidentally the same name as his design firm. Go figure!

Carol: How was it that you decided to pick up playing guitar, and stuck with it?

Jamie: My freshman year of college my friend and I went to a concert with Tonic, the Refreshments and Dishwalla. My friend and I didn't want to see the latter, so we decided to chill outside. Tonic were just standing around outside their bus, so we decided to go up and talk to them--for almost an hour. They told us about an acoustic

C: What all bands have you been in?

J: The first band I was in was called Entrophy. The only reason I was in that band was because a co-worker of mine was the drummer. They really didn't want to practice, and the lead singer's lyrics were pretty lame, so I just quit because it wasn't fun for me anymore. The drummer decided to quit with me and we started our own band, Adorned. We went through about nine million bassists until we found one that we gelled with musically and that we got along with. We orginally intended to find a singer, but we couldn't find anyone who could really sing. I could kind of sing a little bit, and I was doing it at practice, just to fill in, but when we got offered a gig, we couldn't really turn it down, so I had to practice a lot so we didn't look like fools in front of everyone. Ever since then, I just kind of stuck as singer and lead guitarist, so we just settled for three people. That band broke up after college, and I'm in a different one now. I guess we call ourselves Xero Project.

C: What's the music scene like where you live? Is there a variety, or are they all "garage bands"?

J: There's a wide variety of music here in D.C., which is good because a lot of the clubs around here that allow bands to play want a variety, so they have original music. They don't always want to have to play covers. I really think there are a lot of garage bands everywhere. If people know how to plan an instrument and they find each other, you're gonna have a garage band.

C: I'm assuming you've had quite a few gigs, eh? What do you usually do to prep yourself for the stage?

J: Yeah, when I was with my band while I was in college, we played a gig almost every weekend. There's really no "ritual" that I do. You usually hear taht some people in bands are like, "I have to wear these socks," but there's usually nothing that I do. Sometimes I'll get kind of nervous, but once I get up on stage I'm usually fine.

C: Do you thinkt hat one day you'll be going to the Grammies witht he rest of 'em?

J: Sure, why not? Actually, I don't write music for the full purpose of getting an award. I'm going to write what I want to write and what comes out naturally. I do it because I like it, and I have fun with it.

C: How many guitars do you ahve? Did you pick them up all yourself? Or did you have to get a personal instructor like some of us?

J: I have a Fender '52 Reissue Telecaster, a Fender Jagstang, a Gibson 1965 reissue Les Paul Classic, a Gibson Gary Moore Les Paul, a Fender America Stratocaster and an Ovation Electric Acoustic. I picked up every single one of them myself. I learned ita ll myself. I'm smarted. [Much hilarity ensues.]

C: Where are you from orginally? And where do you reside now? Did your parents encourage you when you were little to be involved in music? When did you get highly involved with music and stuff?

J: "And stuff." [Smirks] I am orginally from Clark's Summit, Pennsylvania. Now I live in Gaithersburg, Maryland, which is righ outside D.C. My parents didn't really encourage me because I really wasn't involved in music until I won my guitar in college. I was in my first band about a year later. That's when I got highly involved.

C: How long do you plan on continuing your music career? Or is it something that's a side hobby?

J: I pretty much plan on continuing it as long as it continues to be fun. I do have a job now, but if there was an opportunity where I could make a living doing what I do now in the music industry, then I would be more than happy to be in a band, mainly because it's a lot of fun.

C: Have you any records out on the market that you've been involved in? if so, where could I pick one up?

J: I made a demo with Adorned that was available in the Philly area in the local stores. I don't think it's available anymore. And right now I don't think there's anything "on the shelves."

C: What kind of style would you say Xero Project has? Or is it just another one of those "whatever comes out" bands?

J: I guess it's one of those "whatever comes out" bands. We don't set ot to be like, "we need to sound like this band." We just write what comes out. I write all the lyrics. I pretty much know what the range of my voice is, so I know my limits.

C: Final comments?

J: Comment on what? I don't know what to comment on. Hello. [High pitched voice.] Heeelllooo. Final comments. What am I commenting on? Comments on politics? I want to open up a nightclub and name it Club Baby Seals. The end. [Ed: He's obviously kidding, people. Lighten the frig up.]