AN INTERVIEW WITH THE WICKS:
M.C.Selfridge and Barb Richardson

How would you describe your music?

M.C. I don't know what category it falls into. Barb and I have obviously been influenced by a wide variety of music and you can hear shades of rock, country, blues, gospel, and even an influence from the 50's. So, I don't know. I think it's a rather unique sound overall and yet familiar.

BARB: Yeah, it somehow crosses all the age barriers which we were really happy to see. We've had listeners in all age groups enjoying and singing along to our songs. It's cool.

How did you two hook up?

M.C.: We still laugh about that. We met at a street fair in Chicago where we had been introduced by mutual friends and were watching a local band perform. We struck up a conversation and discovered that both of us had been in bands before. So we got together one Sunday afternoon just for the heck of it. Thought we'd just knock around a few tunes. Next thing we knew, six hours had gone by and the sun was down. We were really shocked at how easy it all came to us...the music, the arrangements, the harmonies. Everything just fit.

BARB: It was almost spooky. We were just kinda looking at each other thinking, "Wow, these harmonies are right on...where can we take this?"

So where did that lead?

BARB: We concentrated on learning covers at first, and then just a couple months down line, we thought we should take a couple weeks off from practice to write our own songs. After the two weeks, we came back and, again, we were amazed. It just worked.

Who have been your greatest musical influences?

M.C.: My earliest one was my mom. There was always music floating through the house, especially the sound of the piano. My mom was in charge of our homecoming talent show each year, so we kids were always the first ones to throw on a wild costume and "volunteer' for the cause. I think my first time in front of a crowd, I was four. Wow, that was a long time ago! Beyond the home front, I love the work of Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Ray Charles, Stan Getz, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Chopin. I really run the gamut, I guess.

BARB: Let's see, my early influences would be Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon, Cat Stevens, Beatles, Eagles, and Heart. I listened to and played along with a lot of their music. More recent, Shawn Colvin, Jonatha Brooke, and Patty Larkin...incredible guitar-playing, singer-songwriters.

OK, I have a question that people keep asking.. how did you get the name, The Wicks?

M.C.: Barb, you want to take this one?

BARB: Oh sure, leave me with the hard questions. Only kidding. This is a simple one. We were singing at a lot of coffeehouses at the time, and it seemed no matter where we were, there were candles burning. Then, we started lighting a candle during practice. It just became kind of a tradition. So, when we started thinking of names, we just naturally said, "The Wicks". Yeah. There wasn't much discussion or analyzing. It just fit what we were all about.

Have any of your songs been published?

M.C.: Two songs, "You Remain Mine" and "Victim of Love" were picked up by Hilltop Records out in Hollywood and were part of a compilation CD produced by Hilltop for distribution nationwide.

You have a really nice touch with the guitar, Barb. How long have you been playing and why an Ovation Viper?

BARB: I was dying for a set of drums for Christmas when I was 7 years old. Can't really blame my parents. When I came down the stairs, I found a guitar instead. I was very disappointed, but the rest is history. Although it's not the best choice to use in the studio, I just love the sound and versatility of the Viper live and have no desire to use any other guitar on stage.

What are your immediate plans for promoting your new CD, "Girl Talk"?

BARB: Since we haven't been signed yet by a label, presently we're taking on the task of marketing ourselves and our music.

M.C.: We're staying open to new ideas, and we've enjoyed networking with other musicians. In fact, we're going to be backed by the Michael Heaton Band at our CD release party at Schubas Tavern in Chicago on August 25.