Indy In-Tune #085: Color Icon Gray

So after the random chaos of the Precore interview last week, we figured we'd give you something a little more cerebral and thought-provoking this time around. Color Icon Gray (the nom de plume of maestro Eric Wasson), is a band you've not seen playing around town. In fact, you're not likely to have even heard of them before. Less a band, and more one artist's musical project, Color Icon Gray represents a type of performer that simply didn't exist even as recently as ten years ago. Armed with nothing more than a savvy knack for business and marketing, a passion for making music, and some easily accessible software, Eric practically taught himself the art of writing, playing, recording, producing, marketing, and distributing his musical vision. Certainly he doesn't yet command huge legions of fans, nor does support his family with CD sales, but what he does have is a model for organically growing a loyal and active fan base that habitually follows his musical endeavors -- often through all phases of the production process -- providing constant feedback and encouragement, which he discusses at length during this interview. Here is music being created for the love of music itself. There are no aspirations of playing to packed houses of screaming fans, impressing girls by the truckloads, or selling himself out in order to be able to quit a dead-end day job. Eric quickly impresses you as a very intelligent person who is doing this simply because he loves to do it. He shares his efforts with the world at large understanding that not everybody will get and appreciate it, but at the same knowing that there is an audience out there for him. His hook is his understanding of how to use the tools of new media and social networking to build a personal, interactive relationship with his audience -- which is the key to continued success. For me, the most exciting part of what he does is gaining that insight into the trials and tribulations of his creative process and hearing him continually evolve and refiine his craft, getting better and better with each new release. Links referenced in the show: Color Icon Gray can be found here: Web Site | Facebook | MySpace | YouTube | Twitter. His Over White CD is available here (iTunes | Amazon | Last.FM). He once dreamed of owning the Yamaha DX7, a classic 80's keyboard. Has has previously collaborated with Joy Beckler to do a combined art and music project. He lists Mannheim Steamroller as an unlikely influence.