MusicTree Fest will be taking place in Manchester, Tennessee – June 6-7, 9-10. We will be publishing interviews with the performing bands as we close in on the 3rd year of this festival. View the full line-up.

Let’s start with the basics, who are you? Where are you from? What style of music do you create?

Jules: I’m Jules lead guitarist / co -founder in FireBug. We are from Chicago and formed our band in the Wicker Park neighborhood. After a couple years we moved to Los Angeles where we recorded our last record ‘Season For Change’. We decided it was time for a ‘change’ and recently moved to New Orleans where we are now based. Our music is a blend of indie / rock / blues hinting at times a ‘classic rock’ vibe but also crossing over into the modern rock world. We have our own ‘signature’ sound which is rooted in rock / blues and we add our own vision as we go.

This is MusicTree Fest’s 3rd year. Is this your first time? If yes, how did you learn about MusicTree?

Yes this is our first time. We received an email from Ryan @ Music Tree who said he loves the band and expressed interest in booking FireBug for Music Tree Fest, we said ‘YES!’

Was there an “ah-ha moment” in your life when you knew you would pursue music?

Jules: It started with my older cousin Josh showing me his guitars, one was a Les Paul Custom and he was also building his own guitars too. I was around 13 years old and once he plugged into his Marshall stack and I heard that first chord ring out I was sold! My first taste were ‘heavy’ acts like Black Sabbath, Metallica, etc..Later on I got into Led Zeppelin and other ‘classic’ bands and from there to older ‘blues’ artists like Muddy Waters / Howlin’ Wolf / Johnny Lee Hooker, etc..My favorite bands now include Queens of The Stone Age and The Black Keys. Juliette was inspired by lots of soul / blues and rock growing up in Chicago. Her influences range from Aretha Franklin to RL Burnside / Queens Of The Stone Age/ Mark Lanegan/ The Black Keys. Also Juliette worked in a Chicago blues club which had a major impact on her musical ambitions!

Who (or what) motivates and inspires your writing and playing style(s)?

We’re inspired by many artists / styles mostly rock/blues but it’s as easy as walking down Frenchmen St. in New Orleans and absorbing the local sounds whether it’s an outdoor second line brass band or jazz / funk bands doin’ their thing in the clubs. We have definitely expanded our repertoire and writing skills since moving to New Orleans.

What can we expect from your performance at MusicTree Fest 2014?

A strong set with good songs and loads of energy!

Where can we connect with you online? Where can we listen or download your music?

We’re on social media sites like Facebook / Twitter etc..You can download our latest REMIX ‘Used To Be’ produced by Chris Goss (Queens Of The Stone Age) on our Facebook page. We will have a new full length release late Spring 2014. Also we’re releasing our first vinyl record with a release party @ One Eyed Jacks Friday May 16th in New Orleans.

• www.facebook.com/firebugmusic
• www.firebugmusic.com
• http://twitter.com/firebugmusic
• www.reverbnation.com/firebug

Do you have plans for Bonnaroo this year?

We’re definitely looking forward to seeing Jack White and also The Flaming Lips! Very excited!

Any closing thoughts? Shout outs?

Looking forward to connecting with new fans at Music Tree Fest! Shout out to our engineer Benjamin Mumphrey who did a great job mixing our new record! Also producer Chris Goss and Rancho De La Luna owner / Eagles Of Death Metal guitarist Dave Catching for their hospitality during our sessions. Big shout out to all our NOLA friends / musicians who work hard and of course WWOZ 90.7 FM! WHO DAT!