As mobile technology continues to advance, many people begin to rely more and more on their phone – for different reasons. For some, it may be strictly business related, while for others it’s to stay in touch with family and friends, or for entertainment value.
I am, as many of you know, a big fan of the rock band Shaimus. I went to high school with Cam, the drummer, and have had the privilege of getting to know the rest of the guys over the last few years. They’re super talented and have been featured in things like Rock Band, Guitar Hero, and the upcoming movie ‘The Roommate.’ They’re currently on tour, and after their last show, I began wondering how they use mobile technology (and technology in general) in their lives as on the go musicians. The band graciously agreed to answer a few of my questions (from their cell phone, on their way from SF to Portland, in between shows)! Check out what they had to say:
Stephanie: How does technology help drive your lives as musicians?
Shaimus: Technology has become incorporated into everything we do. For starters, it’s allowing us to answer these questions. We use a lot of online Google products for organization like Gmail, Docs, Calendar, etc. It keeps everyone on the same page and allows us to access our accounts from the road. We also do a lot of file sharing to get work done remotely.
Technology also allows us to be closer to fans with weekly online chats. It closes the gap between being a ‘rock band with mystique’ and just being people. Because that’s really who we are: we’re just people who like to spend time with other people.
Stephanie: What are some examples of how you use your mobile phone to stay in touch with your fans, friends and family while on tour?
Phil: Apps like Facebook and Twitter allow us to keep in touch with fans and friends in real time. If we couldn’t do that, we’d have to do everything from memory when we get home. It lets them in on the process. It allows us to share details of the trip in ways we couldn’t before. We can send reminders from the road, post pictures from the shows and to answer email questions for thelggirl.com!
Stephanie: Do you use your phone as an MP3 player, or do you keep the two separate? Why?
Johannes: I do. It’s a lot easier than carrying two devices around. However, it can get annoying if a call comes in while I’m listening to some tunes. The rest of the guys don’t because the mp3 players on their phones aren’t necessarily as easy to use as my phone’s mp3 player, but it seems that things are definitely improving on that front!
Stephanie: What is your favorite on the road snack? Random question, I know. But I love snacks.
Shaimus: Beef jerky, bananas and apples.
Stephanie: That’s very healthy of you! I usually go Cheez-Its and Red Vines. Okay, has your cell phone ever gotten any of you in trouble? (such as getting in an accident while driving, or accidentally texting the wrong person)
Johannes: Nothing too serious. A couple near accidents from looking at emails or the GPS.
Phil: I have everything on my phone from emails to IMs and texts. It canbecome a distraction from the people I’m hanging out with, which can get me into a bit of trouble.
Stephanie: How do you pass the time while on long road trips?
Shaimus: We have a TV screen in our van so we’ve been watching a lot of DVDs like ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.’ That makes the time go by pretty fast. Yesterday we discovered that the drive from San Francisco to Portland is exactly the same length as season 2 of Arrested Development.
Stephanie: When you meet someone new, what are you guidelines for if/when they get your cell phone number?
Shaimus: Usually it starts with email addresses. When people come to multiple shows fans start turning into friends. Luckily, we have really awesome fans that we want to hang out with so we do end up giving cell numbers out.
Stephanie: ‘Fess up…who is on their phone the most?
Shaimus: Cam is on his LG Rumor Touch the most, because he’s the most popular. He texts a lot, and sends emails and updates our Facebook and Twitter from the road.
Find out more about Shaimus at Shaimus.com, where you can check out their blog, listen to their songs (like one of my favorites, Turn the Other Way), and read more about the band and other band members Evan and Lou!






