Adam Bishop is a Turlock native, California State University, Stanislaus student, and musician extraordinaire. He’s played nearly every venue in Turlock and Modesto, and been touted as one of the area’s most talented musicians. Because I rarely keep my mouth shut in class, I was able to score a personal interview. Enjoy.
Last semester there was word about a new album. How is that going?
Pretty well. I have written almost half of the album, and the writing is usually the part that takes the longest. We are going to start tracking songs in the next few weeks, and do the more intense parts of the recording process over the summer.

“I mostly write about what I feel strongly about, and my faith happens to be one of those things.”

 I hear a lot of gospel influence in your work. Does your faith strongly influence your music, or is it more about the sound/genre?
My faith definitely influences my work to a certain extent. I learned to sing in church with my sisters and my mother, so my earliest memories of creating music myself were in a church setting. I also think that most good music has its origin somewhere along the way in church music. Country and bluegrass certainly wouldn’t be what they are without religious influence. As far as writing about my faith goes, it is not something that I shy away from. I mostly write about what I feel strongly about, and my faith happens to be one of those things.
 You’ve been in the music scene for quite a while. Who are some of your favorite local bands?
As of right now, my two favorite local bands are Indian Runner and The World Fairs. Indian Runner has some of the best writing, and raw energy in the scene. The World Fairs are a younger band, but are quickly working their way into my heart. They are a little bit more on the pop side. I am a huge fan of both of these bands because of their attention to the details, and the priority that solid songwriting takes. I have always said that I do not like local music because it is local. I like the local bands that I like because they are good.
We hear you talking to “Maria” in your music. Is this in reference to your girlfriend Mary Rowan?
Yes. (Author’s note: How sweet!)
You’re majoring in music. What are your plans after graduation?
My plan after graduation is to enter the credential program, and hopefully direct a high school orchestra. I do know, however, that I will continue to play shows and record music. I don’t compartmentalize teaching and performing in any way. To me, the two are not mutually exclusive.