Today we’d like to introduce you to John Schmarkey (of All The Locals).
John, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
John: Music for me started at a very young age. My neighborhood friends in stone mountain started a band when we were only seven, and I’ve honestly been in one ever since. Formally, I also joined a professional children’s choir with my sister and we got to travel and sing everywhere.
When I was ten I signed up for the school of rock at a local music school, and that’s where I met one of my best friends and music partners, Justin Bradford (All The Locals drummer). We played our first gig at a bar called Will Henry’s in metro ATL. My mother wouldn’t come because the place had a strange night time clientele and more neons than parking spots. By this early age, music was already my life passion.
All The Locals: ATL originated in 2012 when Ty Barksdale (ATL guitarist) decided to join musical forces and not be in competing bands. We quickly formulated the crew, wrote about seven songs and within two months played our first ‘All The Locals” show at Vinyl off West Peachtree. Four months after that show, we were wrapping up the production of our first self titled EP at Sonica Studios behind Atlantic Station, with producer John Briglevich. The journey has carried us to today; five tours, 400+ shows, 150+ radio stations, many festivals, multiple awards, and five records.
How did we get the band name ‘All The Locals’?
The acronym ATL is fitting because we are from Atlanta. Our sound embodies the amalgamation of music you here in the city and its metro areas. Plus, since we are a traveling band, we want to go eat and party where all the locals go.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s never a smooth road in the music industry, if it were, everyone would be doing it. However, true success and happiness in music often boil down to the little victories. Even if you sell out your first gig, write a popular single, or win an award… If you don’t have the fire to keep burning, then it’s not a true passion.
Also, if you haven’t had multiple managers, road flats, lack of funds or illness on stage, then you probably haven’t played the game enough. You need to learn from your hero’s and eat up your experiences to get our attention these days. Spontaneous life events fuel great songs.
ATL has played every sort of show you can think of; club gigs, restaurants, breweries, radio stations, festivals, schools, campsites, and charity events. We’ve seen it all! Our same core founding members have been together the whole journey. A few members have come and gone but our ATL vibe remains the same.
Please tell us about your music.
We are a band family! We specialize in all demographics and ages as you can easily hear in our music. It’s easy to book anywhere. We have toured all over the USA since 2013. We have been on over 150 radio stations, and in 2016 we won the best music group for the Ga Entertainment Awards, presented by the mayor of ATL. Furthermore, we were named TouchTunes (global jukeboxes) breakout band of the year and were presented in NYC. Beyond the music, we’re all best friends most importantly… Which helps!
All The Locals, hence the acronym ATL embodies the sounds of Atlanta. We have often been coined as Soulternative (buzzfeed) because of our influence in rock n roll, modern pop and RNB/gospel amalgamation. It’s hard to pin down, but we share the smooth soul of Atlanta mixed with the busy transit of its groove. Performer magazine once coined us as “soul food for the funk pop mind.” We create/produce all the particular sounds you hear, remaining organic even with modern production.
It’s also rare to see a band in Atlanta last more than five years, just saying. It’s been weird seeing a lot of our comrades fall apart to miscommunication and drama. That sets us apart. Another factor that sets us apart is our wide audience. We get booked for the most eclectic events because our music isn’t stuck in a particular niche or trend. We can make you think and dance.
ATL city likes: Our city has music for everyone, that’s why our band gets a little ADD with style. Growing up in Atlanta you hear everything from hip hop, soul, gospel, country, rock, metal, pop, Americana. So maybe that’s why they call us Soulternative.
The food is getting better and better every year too. See, besides the acronym ATL in our band name, All The Locals’ was coined after our love of finding the best local food, attractions and people when we travel these beautiful states. We’re huge foodies and party animals! Another big like would be the music venues… There is more awesome than boring for sure! Favorite venues: variety, smiths, terminal west, Centerstage.
ATL Dislikes: Traffic, although we’re experts at this point. There is also no water, ATL would be the biggest, popular city if we had a water front. But, then again, we are also full of residences! Lately, we have been tearing down landmarks for new apartment homes, not cool! It’s rare to find people in Atlanta that were born here. Lastly, we lost our love for happy hour around town.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If we had to start over with All The Locals, it probably wouldn’t change much! However, it would have helped to start even earlier, perhaps right out of high school. We were already playing music, but not as ATL. Ironically, if we were rich kids that might have helped too. In any business, band or startup, it helps to have a little cushion money to support your campaigns, travel and promotion. We had nothing and it keeps us humble to look back whenever we accomplish a small victory.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 4042743196
- Email: Rockbridgeband@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/allthelocals
- Facebook: facebook.com/allthelocalsmusic
- Twitter: @allthelocalsatl
Image Credit:
photo cred;
All The Locals
Wes Cardwell
Sean Keating
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