Jeni chats to Yogi

By Jeni Blue Proft, 22 october 2008

Before the show in Ventura, photographer Jeni had the opportunity to sit down for a chat with guitarist Yogi Lonich

phots by jeniblue of Moments in Time Photography

Jeni Blue- Could you tell me about how you and the other musicians met up with Chris Cornell?

Yogi- Well we all auditioned in LA, and there's a music agent out there that we all know. It wasn't like a cattle call, but it was a big audition. I was actually on a 10 day meditation retreat and when I was finished, I got the call that they were at the end of the auditions and I should come out and audition, so I did. That's where I met Jason and Corey. I'd met Peter the other guitarist before Chris founded the band. It was great.

Jeni Blue-Tell me what is it like to be playing with such a rock icon such as Chris Cornell.

Yogi-Its great, Like the first time hearing his voice doing "Black Hole Sun" in person, I was blown. I was like, that's the voice, the one I grew up listening to all through the 90's. Getting to experience it on an intimate level on stage was a big thrill. He's definitely been a vocal influence for me for a long time.

Jeni Blue-Over the past year or so touring with Chris Cornell, are there any memorable experiences on the road that you can share?

Yogi-Iceland, we all went swimming in these sacred waters, like hot springs. It was fun and interesting, nothing crazy. We're not like Motley Crue, wild and crazy.

JeniBlue-What words of wisdom would you share to aspiring musicians?

Yogi- I would really say, learn your craft become really skilled with whatever instrument, or songwriting, and there's kind of a pre-requisite to be good. The rest is being professional and showing up on time. Being conscious to the vibe. You need to follow the part or your pretty much going to get fired.

Jeni Blue-Tell me about your other band 'Run Through The Desert'.

Yogi- I had the band idea, a couple of years ago, started out with songs and a lot of ideas with Rock and Roll, sort of more like what Chris Cornell did in the 90's, the original band members had other projects and were busy, then I met Corey and Jason when we all joined the Chris Cornell band. I asked if they wanted be a part of RTTD (Run Through the Desert). They thought it was great and now we are all writing together and have a record coming out in January. We hope. We still have a little remixing and the printing to finish. We are all pretty excited about it. Its more of a heavy brand of music. Were ready to hit the rock scene!

Jeni Blue- Have you done any shows together yet?

Yogi- We've done a few LA shows but for the most part we are on the road with Chris Cornell for the next couple of months, we will probably take the holidays off. By the new year we will playing shows. Check out Run Through The Desert on www.myspace.com/runthroughthedesert

Jeni Blue- One last Question for you, Yogi, and it's a little off the wall, in your opinion, what is the meaning of life?

Yogi-The meaning of life,…well, for sure I know what the meaning of life is, and it means being present at every moment and not living for the 'end result', you know? All that will make you happy and fulfilled.

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Chris Cornell Fan Page © Clare O'Brien 2007