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Duck, Little Brother, Duck! Interview/Music

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A sick band, with some amazing parts, and one that is not by far unheard of! If you dance at their shows you are in love, if they capture your hearts, they won't let go, and if you're there in the morning, you'll know it's so. I don't know why I said that, it serves no purpose, but Duck, Little Brother, Duck! Is sick and you should support and get a shirt to sleep in.

1. Where did the name Duck, Little Brother, Duck!, come from?

It’s from the book “The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair. Jon was reading the book at the time, and it is an all time favorite book of mine (Kyle Souder) as well. We needed a name, and particularly liked the part of the book that line was a part of, so we went with it. We changed the punctuation though like a bunch of nerds.

2. How long has the band been together? When did it start up, and how long have you guys all known each other? Who are the members and what do they bring to the group?

We started the band in March 2009, so I guess that means it’s been about three and a half years now. Three of the four of us (Myself, Jon Scheid and Kyle Parisi) have known each other for a long time; probably since we were around 10 or 11 years old. We grew up for the most part, in the same shitty suburb outside of Portland, went to the same schools, had the same friends etc...

Jon and Phil were in a band together that started probably around 2005-2006. It was called the Jezebel Spirit (it was REALLY good, you should check it out). Kyle Parisi was briefly in that band as well.

The members are Myself (Kyle Souder), Jon Scheid, Kyle Parisi, and Phil Cleary. I play bass, Jon plays guitar and does vocals, Kyle plays guitar and does vocals, Phil plays the drums. In terms of what each of us bring outside of the instruments we play, that is kind of hard to describe.

3. What do you have in the works right now as in new music, or maybe a tour?

We are currently working on some new music. We actually have a ton of “new” music even since the recording of Don’t Take Our Filth Away. We had a lot of material that didn’t get used for that record, but that we still would like to use. We have also been working on getting back into the swing of writing since we returned from our U.S. tour in July. We have a six way split in the works as well with some other really awesome bands. Hopefully that ends up panning out if all continues accordingly. I don’t want to say any more on that really though, in fear of jynxing it.

We don’t have any concrete plans to tour in the near future. We just got back from a pretty long excursion, and we are hoping to devote our energy to writing for a new record. There are some tentative plans for a tour next summer, that one will be a pretty big deal if it all works out. There are also some plans to maybe do some smaller things between now and then also, but none absolutely concrete as well (Washington trips, SXSW). Again though, I don’t want to jynx anything, so I am not going to divulge too much.

There’s also new music from members of this band performing in other bands. Kyle and Phil have a band called Soft Skills, and it’s absolutely incredible. It’s other members are Keith McGraw who recorded Don’t Take Our Filth Away and Pat Dougherty who was in the Jezebel Spirit. There isn’t much from it floating around online, aside from a few videos perhaps, but it’s worth trying to look for.. It’s genuinely really amazing.

Jon and Phil also have a band called U Sco, with Ryan Miller who was formerly in With Eyes Abstract. This band is pretty crazy, and if you want to have your face melted off, it’s definitely worth checking out.

4. How has the sound between records changed? Whether it just be the song writing, or how the songs are composed?

I think the sound between Survival Is Not A Workout and Don’t Take Our Filth Away has changed drastically. Our approach has changed since the first record, as well as the way we look at the band. Survival... was just us writing music, and playing together. The band wasn’t initially started with the intent to necessarily keep being a band. We played together for a year, and recorded everything we wrote. I recorded it, so we had the opportunity to do a lot of crazy production stuff, and mess around a lot. None of us really ever even thought people might hear that record.

Since Survival Is Not A Workout we also got rid of all of our pedals for the most part. Where a lot of the “noise” on that record is a bunch of nob turning, now we have gotten really into feedback. Now the only pedals that are used, are two Fuzz Factory’s.

The lyrics, and music itself has also taken a much more serious direction. The newer material is definitely influenced by a different aesthetic, that we feel like we don’t really see/hear. It’s our hopes to kind of try to bring that out a little in what we have been doing. Not to rehash something that’s already been done, but to borrow from things that we feel are pretty underrated.

There is also currently a shift from how we approached Don’t Take Our Filth Away, to where we want to be now. We are kind of examining how we work together as a band, and what we’d like to do differently right now. We want to try to make the next record the best we can, and keep changing like we have thus far. We are trying to find out what is going to enable us to do that again.

5. One thing I love about your songs are the words, even though they can be few and far apart, not including the ahhh's and ohhh's which are in fact wonderful, but what is the comprising factor in the words going into the songs, whether it be past experiences or lost love?

Kyle and Jon mostly write all the words. The process is kind of interesting, they both have different approaches to what they want to say/convey. Occasionally they will agree with each other. “Calvin Young” is a good example, it was a collective lyric writing process, and it’s pretty much all about our Summer ‘11 tour.

Typically though, Kyle likes to write about more tangible experiences; his approach seems a bit more blunt, and to the point. Kyle would also be the one more likely to write about love. Jon seems more concerned with imagery. His lyrics are usually a lot more ambiguous. He writes a lot about ideas and feelings, things that aren’t really tangible or “real” in the physical sense. Jon usually draws more from past experiences and how they have shaped him (In Duck. Kyle does plenty of this in his other band).

Despite having pretty different approaches, and ideas, in the end they usually manage to come together and create something pretty cohesive.

6. What is something you want people to keep in mind about your music, or when they come out and see you guys play in a awesome small basement?

I am not sure what I’d want people to keep in mind when listening to the music. Everyone’s listening experience is different, and what they take away from each experience is different as well. I guess the only thing I could suggest is the reassurance that the people making it really love what they’re doing.

When people come to a show, have a good time, think about the music, don’t over think it.

7. Have you been keeping yourself real busy this year? What are some of your accomplishments that you have achieved in this band?

Definitely have been pretty busy this year. We put out a record on Topshelf Records. It was released this August. We had a real good mini-tour in Washington. We did a [mostly] full U.S. tour this summer, most of which we were joined by our friends in Octaves. That is pretty much it; we still have two more months of 2012 though, to try to do something really crazy.

Jon, Kyle and Phil’s other bands should also all have some recordings, or new recordings available before the year is over.

8. What is the best show you have played to date? Whether it be you got to play with some awesome friends, or just the atmoshpere was one on another level?

This is a really tough question actually. We’ve played A LOT of really awesome shows. From just this summer alone there were some super memorable ones. Our tour kickoff show with Zoogirl, and Lee Corey Oswald was pretty insane. Denton, TX was pretty awesome. It was in a barn... In Texas. We played with our friends in Innards and Father Figure, Slingshot Dakota played, we made new friends with Sohns, who are also amazing; it was just a pretty ideal show. Boston, MA was awesome also. There were no local bands on the show, and a really solid group of people still came out. We played with Adaje, who we had just done several dates with leading up to this show, Octaves, and our friends in Fugue(RIP) for the last show of 3 shows with them.

To The North Interview/Music

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To The North is one of my all time favorites, sadly they are not playing anymore and are on hiatus for any future endeavors, but read up on this and continue to support them, and any new music you should hear from their members in the future. One of the best interviews I've ever done, Cameron Gillard sat down and gave me all the details on what's been going on so many thank you's to him.

1. What inspired the name To The North?

We were called John Travolta for a small period of time because we had a lot of trouble all agreeing on a name! I think Josh suggested To the North at a jam and it was the only one we all didn't hate, so it stuck. Josh got the idea from a Settlefish song title if i recall correctly.

2. How long has To The North been a band? Where are you guys from, and who does the band consist of?

We were a band from December 2006 until February 2012, while not broken up officially we are on permanent hiatus. We are from Brisbane Australia. Simon plays drums, Errol guitar, Josh bass and myself, Cam on vocals.

3. During the time you were writing new records, from 06 up until 12, do you feel there was a specific time you were at the height of your popularity? Which record do you think got you there?

When "Lustre" (our only full length) came out we were touring quite alot, so i think if there was ever a peak it was just after that record was released in the summer of 2010/2011.

4. Would you say in your own personal opinion that you have a favorite show played to date, rather it be for the performance or overall atmosphere?

There are so many it's quite hard to choose. The most memorable for me, would be the last time we played the Arthouse hotel in Melbourne. The crowd were phenomenal and we played with such passion and pride that it felt amazing.

5. What brought upon the hiatus? For such a prominent band as To The North to just stop one day is surely heartbreaking to more than just myself.

It was a culmination of a few things. Errol battled cancer which was very tough for him, we are very happy he is in remission now! We toured Australia quite a lot which put a strain on our bank accounts and sometimes our friendships. I wasn't interested in touring over here as much anymore as i want to travel the world in the next few years. In the end though i think it just came down to timing. We had done so much with To the North and we felt it was a good time to stop i guess. We are all great friends and i would like to do something in the future but for now it is good to be free!

6. Between records did the writing change at all? Rephrased, do you feel that in the time since your first release you improved or just the way of doing things changed in your music, or your sound changed? I have a live recording and it sounds just as good as the actual mixed releases, which can be a hard thing to acquire.

Yeah it did change a fair bit. Our first ep came together effortlessly and not a great deal of time went into it. We practiced and fleshed out a bunch of songs until they were ready then recorded "landscapes" with our friend Leigh under his house. That recording was pretty much live with the vocals overdubbed, for what it was i think it turned out great.

From that point on we took a little more time with the writing. Like most bands we wanted to produce something different and a step up. From the landscapes ep onward we started playing a lot so our next release ended up being a 1 song split with Ohana! We recorded this in Byron bay with our pal Dave Williams’ and were super happy with how it turned out.

From that point on we started working on what we thought would be the album! Quite a bit of time had passed without a release so we decided to do a 4 song ep "to work and not feed" until we had enough material to do an album. This release was recorder with Bryce Moorehead.

From that point onward we bunkered down to get "Lustre" finished. The nature of how we wrote songs changed drastically for the record. We wanted to produce something amazing so instead of just writing songs and being chilled about it, we were all hyper critical. We would pull apart the songs and re work them over and over until they were perfect to us. This was a mammoth task and meant that, even though we are very proud of the record it took a little bit of a toll on our sanity. Recording it was a great experience though as we tracked with Bryce Moorehead and got Dave Williams to mix so it was like recording with your family, both those guys understood what we wanted to achieve.

It's great there are a bunch of high quality live recordings of us kicking around and i am glad we sound live, like we do recorded. Nothing worse than an auto tuned bands that sounds nothing like the recording.

7. Can you say that you honestly miss the band? Just making music and having that experience with some of your best of friends. Do you think there is more you could have accomplished or more you wish you could have done?

Yes i miss it like crazy but i have my new band Little Shadow to fill the creative void. The best analogy i guess, is it's like breaking up with a girlfriend. There is always so much time and love invested but sometimes it's best for all involved to move on. We could have accomplished so much more, as we planned to tour America with La Dispute and we were working on a bunch of new songs when it fell apart. I would still like to rekindle the band at some point in the future, i guess we will have to wait and see how it all plays out.

8. Doing something like a band can be fun but sometimes stressful, but I think you'd say ultimately a very good experience. Is there something you'd say to people who hear your music and it inspires them to branch on their own and start a band? Just a small bit of advice from someone who has done it and done it well.

Thanks mate! Playing music is the most rewarding thing i have ever done in my life, and continues to be. It has no limits and is one of the very few human expressions, that can be as true as you want it to be.

I love finding new bands/music and tapping into someone’s mood and head space. To feel and understand what someone else feels, through music is a beautiful experience. My advice would be to find something you are passionate about and pursue it with as much vigour as you can give it.

Kittyhawk Interview/Music

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No music yet, recorded at least. But I was recommend so I serve, a supposed sick band out of Chicago, Kittyhawk will soon have music to fill your hair infested ears with sound waves that will trigger nerve responses that will tell your face muscles to smile, and your feet to dance. Read, and stay tuned.
Not, they now have music, well one song and they are working on more so stay in touch with all the butch dudes in this band. Mark Jaeschke is a lord of the underworld and his fate is trapped, but I still love him.

1. Where did the name Kittyhawk come from?

we were sitting in erik's basement one afternoon at our "first practice" (really, erik and i had written one song a piece) trying to think of band names.  i wanted it to do with aviation, because i like flying, so eventually we came up with that.  it was originally kittyhawk, nc (north carolina), but it's just easier that way.  there's apparently a prog band from decades ago that has the same name.  oh well.

2. How long has the band been together? As well as who is in the band? And what is each persons contribution?

we've technically been a band for about a year, although we finally started getting the ball rolling about 4 months ago.  as far as the band goes, we have erik czaja one of the two guitar players, who also plays with dowsing, herzog and a few other projects.  evan loritsch plays drums for us, and also drums in the island of misfit toys, options, warren franklin, and plays with literally a million other people.  literally.  kate grube plays keyboards and writes the lyrics and she was in a band called walrus a while back and does backing vocals on a lot of into it. over it.'s material.  i'm mark jaeschke and i play guitar.  i'm also in the island of misfit toys, warren franklin, and i play horns with joie de vivre.

3. Considering it is a relatively new band how much longer do you see it lasting? Is it sometimes hard with all the other projects going on?

haha, i have no idea!  hopefully for a while.  i've been working on a few song ideas for a full-length record, but we'll take it as it comes.  all of our other projects are working on new releases for 2013, so it'll be a busy year for everyone.

4. So now you are finally fucking recording shit, how is that going so far? Would you tour with it just yet?

we're actually almost done.  we're gonna be working on two more songs tomorrow and then i have a few guitar things i wanna work on.  as far as touring goes, we'd totally go out with that ep!  we have hopes to try to go to the east coast in january, but it's really all tentative right now.

5. You spoke it! A tentative tour to the east, tell more. Would you be going with someone? Atleast give some people there a small shred of hope to hear you.

hm, i dunno really!  we really just talked about it today while we were recording, haha!   there are a few cities we'd definitely like to hit up in new jersey and pennsylvania to play with some friends.  erik wants to tour with brave bird, which would be super fun.  we'll keep you posted!

6. Have you played any shows yet? If so has the been a favorite one played so far, unless there are none or is just a single show played.

we haven't played any!  our first show is october 6th with my other band, the island of misfit toys, cherry cola champions, and unraveler.  it's at erik's house, so we have home field advantage!

7. Since you are a new band, what is some piece of advice you would give to an aspiring musician or someone who wants to start up a band?

haha, no sweat dude.  hang out with your friends, go to shows, and listen to records.  our band happened by complete happenstance, so there's nothing stopping other folks from doing the same.

Pardee Shorts Interview/Music

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Listen to the first song, and if your head doesn't start moving, and you feet are swaying, then you probably are so heartless. Just get into it, have a good time, move around to this sweet sex music. If Cyrus' drum beats don't make you move, if Reids' bass doesn't make you groove, and if Kevin's keys don't make you sneeze, then get out. But seriously, Reid on bass, Cyrus on drums, and Kevin on keys makes the perfect trio. Awesome guys, read up on this interview, and support!

1. Why the name Pardee Shorts?

Well there are a few reasons why we came to decide on this name, the original reason was a suggestion from an old friend Jonathan Reddick who said we should call are band Party Shorts, however we wanted it to be a little more meaningful to us and our lives. We took his suggestion and made it work with a street which was a block away from where we practiced called Pardee ST in Portland. Also it's kind of a play on words about our music in which it felt as which each part or "pardee" was drastically different then the next, which would change quickly, hence shorts. Think Tom and Jerry chasing eachother.

2. What do you guys have in the works right now? New songs or a tour?

Right now we are in the works of recording 3 songs for a 7 inch. We have talked about trying to play a few house shows out in South by Southwest, this is still rather tentative.

3. What made you want to start up the band? I fucking love it, my everything moves when I hear it. Did you just want dance songs?

Well I met Cyrus (drummer) in 2008  and really wanted to play music with him after watching his old math rock band Trifina Trifosa. The original idea was to just play and see what happens. I think we wanted to just encompass a lot of our influences into our own style and at times that can be danceable I suppose.

4. Do you have a favorite show that you have played so far?

Well recently we did a few shows up in Bellingham, Seattle, and Bellevue and we got to play with some of our friends up there which was a great time. I would say all of those shows were really fun especially Bellevue because we got to play one of the first shows at the new Ground Zero which was awesome to see a scene still flourishing with the type of youthfulness that music needs today . We also played a show on New Years that I felt was a blast because we had a ton of friends there and it was just an all around good time.

5. Do you have more vocals in the newer songs? Or is it still the same awesome progression of parts from before?

I think yes there is going to be more vocals in the newer songs even as far as a bit of singing. I'd like to incorporate all of our vocals and have more group parts.

6. How much longer do you see this band lasting?

Well a simple answer would be "til the bitter end".

7. Is there a certain song you love to play live? Or maybe one that you had a good hand in writing?

One of my favorite to play live is Happy Ghost, it has a very nice tempo throughout and I feel quite confident playing it. It is also a song that was written in a very organic way, in the sense that it kind of came out of all of us in just the right way. I think that a lot of our song writing starts with piano parts I have written and then becomes something considerably different upon completion. I'd like to think that the songs are equally crafted.

8. Has the way the songs are written or sound change on the new songs?

A little bit. I feel like we are now more conscience of our melodic and rhythmic structures a know a little bit more of what we want things to sound like. I'd say a little more grown up but with the same energy if that makes sense.

9. What is something you want people to know or keep in mind when they listen to your music?!

That's a pretty hard question. I would say just have fun and don't be afraid to try something different. Whether it be walking a different road home or learning about something you were unfamiliar with. Don't give up with any pursuit you have in life, unless it's romance. Just kidding!

The Sky Above and Earth Below Interview/Music

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The Sky Above and Earth Below is an imaginative band, with lyrics, and a name, full of imagery to set your mind at ease or break your heart. What was once a one piece, became a two piece, and on their next record will be a three piece! Read and listen, and be sure to stay tuned for the new stuff this band is putting out it is sure to melt your brain.

1. Where did the name The Sky Above And Earth Below come from?

It didn't come as a reference to anything, and wasn't really inspired by anything specific. I just liked the imagery it created for me. It just has to do with where we are, as humans, physically, of course. Very literal.

2. How long has the band been together? When did it start up, and who doe's it consist of?

Well sometime in 2008 a band that I was in called A Ghost's Face Two Inches From Your Own Face was coming to an end and I had several songs I had written that we did not finish together. Edward (the other guitarist in that band) and I have played music together pretty much constantly since then but it was never as aggressive as our previous endeavors, so I sat on those songs for a couple of years and finally recorded them track by track, by myself, in 2010. That was the Quest's Timescape ep. I had been in another band last year called Grandfather which featured the best fucking drummer I have ever had the pleasure of playing with, Sam Pape, and I worked up the gall to ask him to play drums with me so that I could play shows with TSAAEB. We started playing as a two piece in late 2011 I think, and sometime a few months ago our friend Reid Stubblefield of Pardee Shorts joined us on bass.

3. So did the dynamic change after he started playing drums? By that I mean does he help write the songs now, or is it still a Miller life when it comes to the songs?

Well we are about to record a full length, and somewhere near the end of writing that we began integrating the whole band into the writing process, rather than me writing songs and showing them to Sam and Reid. I'm excited to see where it goes after we put this record out because they are both very creative and, I feel, can bring an awful lot to the table.

4. Do you think the new songs with them are better? Or that having the in the band definitely makes the band fuller?

Most of the new stuff is still stuff that I wrote and brought to them. That being said, the songs are different, but I try not to get the idea that what I'm doing now is better than what I was doing two or four years ago. It's just different, and it should be; we all need to progress when we write music.

5. What was the first show you played with Sam playing the drums? And what as well has been the best played show yet?

We play a lot of shows at this bookstore in Portland, mainly because there are not many other places to book all ages, DIY shows in the city right now. Our first show was there, I believe with Cower, and I think we covered Ghoul's Night Out by the Misfits... My favorite shows are when we get to play with good bands from out of town that I've never heard of. Last month we played with a band called Sinatra from DC and they were crazy good. Very mid-2000's sounding post hardcore. I'm a sucker for it.

Also, we've finally played enough shows as a band to get locked in and not sound like poop. Tonally, I think we sound better every show.

6. Well lyrically how are your songs put together? From past experiences, or do you use hit points in your music to know where to write something?

Sam and I have actually been writing most of the lyrics together. We enjoy writing about love, not specifically romantic love but the love we have for our friends, family, and those we've lost. Our upcoming album has a lyrical concept that we put quite a bit of effort into.

7. Care to divulge a little on this concept? Or would you rather wait until it releases?

Not at all, it's about a young kid losing his best friend. The lyrics are written from both the perspective of the kid who dies and the kid who is alive, they deal with a child's understanding of love and death and coming to terms with mortality, as well as discovering what it means to be dead (which is expressed lyrically through confusion, not knowing where one is or what it happening). It is hard not to be pretentious when talking about death but we tried.

8. Do you think this will make people fall in love with your music more? What was the reasoning behind deciding on this lyrical path for the new album?

Hah, I'm not sure but I'm betting it will at least be taken more seriously not having anything to do with Zelda. That is one reason why I wanted to have a strong concept on this album, to set it straight that we are not a Zelda-themed band, although the songs on the ep are about Zelda. I think I wrote about Zelda to make the songs less personal, so I could share it without really spilling my heart out. At this point in my life, I think spilling your heart out is one of the most important things to  do with your art.

9. Is there anything you want to say to people who want to start their own music, or that your music inspires them to want to do something?

Please do it, even if you live in a shitty town or don't have anyone to play music with or your family doesn't understand what you feel passionate about, struggle to make music. It's worth it, even just for yourself.

Dads Just Because

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Dads is from NJ. They love to play play. Music all day day. They recently released a new album, American Radass (This is Important), and are also touring playing songs from this album and some old ones you fell in love with back in the day. If you know that they are going to be near you anytime soon, you must take it upon yourself to go see them, and line their pockets with the money you asked your mom for when she dropped you off there. Don't ask to play shit twins, it's too long. But I digress, I love Scott and John, they are great guys, and they are having an awesome tour. Everyone should support them in listening, and if you have the money to buy some merchandise do so. Let them get home safe and all that gooey shit.

The Island of Misfit Toys Interview/Music

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The Island of Misfit Toys is a band from Chicago full of beautiful men and even more beautiful women. Playing lyrically sound music with a high composition for many different instruments, giving each song a different sound on it's own. If you are ever near, be sure to check them out, and support their music, and the sweet sweet words sung into your ears.

1. Where did the name Island of Misfit Toys Come from?

More than half of my (this is Anthony by the way!!!) favorite movies are Christmas movies, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is absolutely at the top of that list. The Christmas part of it, at least. In the movie, Rudolph and his two friends Hermey and Yukon Cornelius end up on The Island of Misfit Toys. It’s an island for every unwanted toy that no child would ask for…but that doesn’t mean a child can’t love them, right? The toys all sing a song, and it gets very sad (at one point, a doll on the island says she “doesn’t have any dreams left to dream”), but overall, the whole scene makes me smile.

I applied this idea to the band originally because all of us were musicians who were not doing anything at the time; potential band-mates without bands. Everybody was/is so massively talented, and it turned out astonishingly well, considering half of the members didn’t know each other before this band started. That fact is really weird to think about now.

2. How long has the band been together?, and I'm sorry to do this to you but I must ask you to name all the members, and their key components brought to the band!

This band has been together for 2 years now….and don’t worry about it haha, everybody needs to be recognized. I’m Anthony Sanders, and I lead-sing/write the songs, and every once in a while, I’ll play guitar. The two guitar players are Mark Jaeschke on electric and Julia Bard on acoustic, although Mark will sometimes play trumpet/mellophone while I play his guitar. Gooey plays bass, which he also does for the band Dowsing. Evan Loritsch and Lui Macatual both play drums, although Evan will sometimes leave the drums and play saxophone, and on special occasions, Lui will leave the drums and play either keyboards or bass. The keyboards are (wo)manned by Danny Radovanovic and Ashlee Stewack, although sometimes Danny will go buck-wild on some drums, and Ashlee sometimes plays bells and melodica. Ben Austin plays cello for us, and my sister Audrey plays flute. Everybody, and I mean everybody, sings.

Needless to say, we are a nightmare for sound-guys. But it is an absolute blast, all the time.

3. How has the sound changed since Bear Hair? Whether it being how the songs are written, or lyrically sound songs as on Bear Hair!

Well, here’s something not a lot of people know: Bear Hair may have come out last year, but it was written when I was 17 (I’m 20 right now). The full-length we’re recording, which will be called I Made You Something, was written when I was in the middle of being 18…around the time I first met some of the members of what would become IOMT. So the funny thing about it is, it’s WAY more developed, but it’s not as developed as what’s coming. It’s stuck in time and will eventually become “the present”; it feels strange. But to answer your question, it’s more expansive (specifically written for a big band, unlike Bear Hair), with a developed concept and more thought-out lyrics. I’m far more proud of it than Bear Hair, and I’m still very happy with how Bear Hair turned out. Very happy. The reception’s been mind-blowing.

4. Who's sweet and sultry voice is filling my ears right now singing? The vocals are really awesome, lyrically, and just by talent, will those change on any upcoming records?

YOU’RE SO NICE, THAT IS ME. I am singing. Everybody is singing a lot all over the record, notably some great guest vocalists, but I am the voice you hear most of the time. And THANK you, because although I was young, I worked VERY hard on those songs, so it’s nice to hear people still liking it 3 years after the fact. And yes, I think I definitely became a better lyricist afterwards. I’d like to think so, at least; I hope I’m not just deluding myself from the fact that I’m losing the plot in that field.

5. Do you have a tour in the works right now?

We toured the last two summers, and we all went on various journeys throughout with other bands, but we’re taking these next few months to start recording this next album. That is absolutely first and foremost. We’re having a few releases come out before the actual album to tide people over in-between now and then, because we’re not going to b playing out nearly as much as we usually do. We’ve got so much to do, and it’s all very exciting. I freak out every night about the ridiculously-cool things that are happening.

6. Is your hollowness haunting? What has been the best show you played so far?

YOU REFERENCED A SONG! This is my favorite interview. I wanna kiss your hand. And that’s a very good question…one of my personal favorites will always be the first time we played Lincoln Hall, with The New Diet opening. That was monumental. We all cried. The tour kickoff in 2011 at Schubas made my life worth living.

We also have had some of our best shows at a regional festival in the South Suburbs of Chicago, simply called “Big Show.” It’s run by some of our friends out there, and mainly features amazing bands from a label called Swerp Records. Look them up, they’re changing the game. There are so many bands I can reference from that group, most notably Water House, Nervous Passenger, The Para-Medics, Ratboys, My Dad, JT Royster…so many. If you’re looking for other bands to interview, or if you’re a stranger reading this and you want to hear good music, go to www.swerprecords.com and just listen to anything. Seriously.

7. Does having so many members in the band make it just amazingly more sound, and put together in the end, or does it make song writing harder?

Definitely, definitely the former. I write all the songs beforehand, and everybody else tweaks their parts and individualizes it. There’s rarely ever a moment where I’m not like “OKAY THAT’S COOL, DO THAT.” It’s pretty much always that way. The songwriting is fun all the time, even if it’s not a fun song. It makes me happy to hear something I thought of manifested into something palpable, into sound, right in front of me every practice and every show. I am grateful constantly.

8. What is something you want people to keep in mind when they hear your music?

That’s an interesting question. I will say 3 things:
1. Keep context in mind. Almost everything you’re hearing is from my past, and there’s a lot more coming. For example, the next two albums are companion pieces to each other.
2. You’ll hear a lot of things on the album that are connected to each other, but once the next few albums are released, there are bookends inside of bookends that are continued from album to album.
3. Always remember, the show is going to be better than the album, no matter what. That’s to avoid disappointment, although we’re going to try and avoid that as much as we can.

Little Pirouettes Interview/Music

Bandcamp

Hot off the fucking presses! It's Little Pirouettes, a sick band from Philly, and definitely something worth seeing. With awesome guitar parts, and vocals shying away from the wailing Pierce usually does, a very great listen! Please support this new band, and keep them going longer than Teens and Trucks. 

1. Where did the name Little Pirouettes come from?

I was in a band called Little Kingdoms and scotty did a bunch of stuff under the name pirouette. We started jamming last year it just seemed to fit

2. How long have you been in the band? Who does it consist of?

LP is scotty, pierce, and I. We all started playing in the fall of last year

3. The LP is definitely pretty new, are you working on just playing shows or a small tour?

Yeah. We've been playing shows on and off for a little bit around philly, which has been sweet! Tour is very possible.

4. What made you guys want to start up the band in the first place?

I guess I was just trying to play some music with people.

5. One thing I love about the songs are the lyrics, How are these written? In Hard Guy, they repeat, I can't see myself, seeing myself. Such a good line, are they all from personal experiences?

Pierce and I lived in the same dorm building last year, we would get together and write all the time. That line in Hard Guy is confusing haha, but it's kind about trying to be a better person and not knowing where to begin. All the songs on Weed Debts relate to our lives.

6. What goes into making a song? Do all of you guys just sit down and put it together, or is it piece by piece? Is it Pierce on bass, you singing and guitar, and scotty on drums?

It's probably a good mixture of all that. Whether it was pierce showing us something, me sharing a riff, or scotty just playing a cool beat. A lot of times Pierce and I would jam acoustically when we were bored and then we'd take the stuff we liked to Scotty. I guess most of it is put together piece by piece.

7. The band is somewhat newer, how much longer can we expect to see new stuff from Little Pirouettes? Do you see it lasting a lot longer?

I have no intention to stop playing with these guys, they rule. We're writing a bunch of songs at the moment. You will definitely see them on some sort of release in the future.

Gillian Carter Interview/Music

Bandcamp

Gillian Carter is a band I have been in love with since I was 17 and my girlfriend dumped me and I liked feeling sad. Granted that was only a short 2 years ago, this band is still wonderful and still going strong. Nothing will replace the words of The Flood That Came After The Storm in my heart. It is really great music, everyone needs to read, give a listen, and give them money.

1. Where did the name Gillian Carter come from?

well in 2005 I was listening to a band called allegory of the cave & in one of their songs I heard "Gillian Carter" & I thought sweet cuz I always thought bands that were just names were really sweet like Neil Perry, Jesse Washington, etc. so I stuck with it. later on we played with their other band in 2007 called cheer up and the guitar player asked me where I got the name from and I told him and he said hmmm we never say that in that song. simo I thought wow that's funny I just heard what I wanted I guess

2. Haha, that's awesome, So has the band been going since 2005? Who are the members?

the band has been going on since my 17th birthday in 2005. originally Gillian started as a 2 piece me and a friend named hade then we added a bass player our friend keith we played some shows then they both quit the day of a show & I still played with out them. then in the summer of 2006 I met a dude named Jesse hardy and he joined on bass shortly after we met a dude named Steve who joined after we asked his g.f to try out then the spots were filled up as a 3 piece we re released "the flood that came after the storm" in 2007 before a 30 day tour with cassettes on fire. when we for back we went through a 3 year hiatus Steve was out of bands for a while and I played on drums and did vocals while Jesse moved to guitar and our friend louie joined on bass and we got steve back on drums movine me back to guitar and vocals shortly after releasing having lost in 2011 Jesse quit Steve didn't have time and Louie stopped talking to everyone. so I found the current line up after doing some shows with fill in members Timmy ofbhist aviary and john of Henrietta. baby matt on drums, jesse d on bass and Alan Zollo on rythem & we've been touring ever since

3. So that definitely adds a change to the next question of whether or not the sound of your music changed after you wrote The Flood, considering all the members was continuously changing?

well I wouldn't say that the members have changed the sound because i write all the music its been that way ever since the original members left. so I just did it myself. since the project has always been a personal one anyway being how I've never written a song that wasn't personal. I would say the music "changes" with different emotions. now the way that they are played live is always something new when new people join. I feel that if for some reason it was just me the music would continue

4. Something I always loved about your songs in The Flood was the lyrics, I remember one, I remember when we used to dance in the snow, which may or may not be me hearing what I want to hear. Speaking of writing personal songs did this one have a place with you?, considering the next line is, Now it's just a faded memory. Has they lyrical writing changed any? Do you feel less sad?

its funny that u talk about that song & the songs off of that record. that song was about a girl as most of the songs on the flood were because i was an angsty 15 year old most of the.lyrics were written during a depression phase when I was 15. but yeah that song was about a girl who I liked and liked me in high school. the only songs that weren't about "girls" on that record are chapter 1 which was an anti rape song & thank you for the memories which was added last minute to the record and was about growing up and dedicated to a friends band called thank you for astronauts who was breaking up in 2007. now not every song is about a girl as much as being dedicated to a girl who liked it or like for instance the storm is about not being happy or satisfied with whoever you are in a relationship with at the time
and as far as feeling less sad. I'm a really happy person in person lol having lost was written and recorded over the span of 3 years and is about multiple things that were going on and that I was feeling with personally

5. It's good to finally get, I don't know, affirmation of what I was hearing I guess. What do you have in the works right now? A new album, or maybe a tour?

as of riht now im trying to get having lost out on 12 and were suposed to do some upcoming splits and we play shows every weekend and do mini tours but next year were going to try to go out for 60 days

6. When you started the group was it just for the love of the music? Or did you have words you just needed to get out?

both actually I have always grown up around both my parents and uncle were in bands. I was in bands prior to GC but none really mattered or had meanin until I saw a local band called beneath low flying planes. my whole life and world had been changed ever simce that night. I had never seen or heard of anything like it. if it wasn't for them Gillian wouldn't exist

7. How much longer do you think you will write as Gillian Carter? I know even though members leave the band, and people change, you have always been there writing, so will it always be this way?

I feel that as long as I'm around Gillian will be around

8. What is something you want people to know about you, or your music when they hear it? How will you let them now other than through your actions, that you can always write and play music, and keep it alive'

well to answer the 2nd part I would say that the actions of how we tour and play shows we don't have a van so we tour in my 1996 Buick century. in the 7 years that Gillian has been around I've only cancled 1 show.

to answer the first part I would like people to know that I hold friendships and family very close.

I also feel very warm inside whenever anyone can relate to my songs

Walter & Perry Interview/Music

Bandcamp

Walter & Perry is a band I found months past just clicking on recommendations through bandcamp, and they are by far, wonderful. I'd suggest listening to We Aren't Turning Our Amps Down Any, for just musical genius, and really great vocals! I as well suggest trying to see these guys live, buying a fucking cassette, or just a t shirt to sleep in if you are too embarrassed to admit that you love them. Either way, listen, and read, and always support.

1. Where does the name Walter & Perry come from?

Josh and I are big fans of the cartoon show Home Movies. Walter & Perry are two little boys in the show who dress alike and are inseparable. They basically found true love in 4th grade and I think it's pretty funny/cute.

2. Haha, When did the band start up? Who does it consist of?

The band formed in July 2011 and was originally Josh Costa, Jimmy Harrington, Brittian Piper, Brian Weza and myself....Josh and Jimmy and I have been playing in bands together on and off for around 10 years and we're in another band called Herocop. The current line up as of April 2012 is Josh, Brittian, Phil Bouie and myself

3. What do you have in the works as of now? A new record to go with the immense amount of what you have now on God Sags His Pants, or maybe a tour?

We've been writing new songs that we're really excited about and play to record them over the next couple months. We will probably put out cassette EP on God Sags. We will mostly be playing shows in the Northwest but we have some tentative plans to travel next summer. We'll have to see about that though.

4. Would you say your writing has changed at all over the course of your releases or in the sound of the new songs?

Phil is playing drums now so the sound is a little different but it's still in the same vein.  The new stuff is a little heavier and faster at times.

5. Would you say the lyrics have changed any? I really love the words in We Won't Turn Down Our Amps Any, should I expect more in that vain?


The three of us all have different approaches. Brittian wrote the words for the Amps song and he still has a hand in lyric writing so you might hear some similarities. I tend to include inside jokes or reference pop culture icons and try to find a way to make it somewhat serious. And Josh's lyric writing methods are unknown.
But we like um.


6. Have you played many shows with this band? Is there one that stands out as one of the best? Perhaps the Empire Empire/Walter & Perry show?

We have been really fortunate with this band as far as show's we've played. Empire Empire was a blast! We've also played with Big Kids, Caravels, Duck, Little Brother, Duck!, Pardee Shorts, The Sky Above and Earth Below, Bearcubbin'!,...These are all amazing bands you should check out if you get the chance.

7. How much longer do you see the band lasting? It really is great work, and I'm sure people would be sad if you ended up calling it quits, unfortunately this would be more true, if more people knew about you.

It's hard to say, we've mostly been doing this for ourselves and friends. I think we all wanna keep making music for a while and having fun.

8. Could you say the main reason when you started the band was just your love for music, and that fact that you all have talent, and love what your doing? Or was there more to it than that?

I think when we were younger we wanted to be like the bands we were into so we tried to play like that. Now I just think its fun to play shows and have recording to listen to when were all old folks.

9. What is one thing that people should always keep in mind listening to your music, whether it pertains to how the songs make them feel, or if your music inspires them to make their own tunes?

Start a band. Younger kids keep making crazy awesome music because there is so much more to draw from these days.

Warren Franklin Interview/Music

Bandcamp

Warren Franklin is a glorious man! He plays some amazing jams out of Rockford, IL so if anyone is ever near the vicinity I expect you to try and see. Here is an interview with the man himself as well as a link to bandcamp. People really need to listen to the words they are putting out, and stay updated for the new stuff they having coming, I have heard, and it is spectacular.

1. What is the name Warren Franklin? Is it you, who is it, where did it come from?

It's me!!!! If I were female my parents would have named me Natalie. So there is that.

2. All your songs seem to be from personal experience, lyrically, does that influence the writing in any way? How are the songs usually put together?

All of the songs I write at home on a crappy out of tune acoustic. A lot of them start with a few chord changes I might have in mind that I'll build off. Then I'll work on a melody without any real words with either gibberish or humming. The lyrics are almost always the last thing I'll do for a song, but yes they are always very personal. I wish I could write in metaphors or with a bit more poetry, but the way it always comes out best for me is very blunt and to the point with specific references. That style of writing is very natural for me even if it does become a bit awkward.

3. Has the writing between each albums changed, how you write, the songs, their tone, the words?

Absolutely! For ''Stray'' and ''Your Heart Belongs to the Midwest'' I was writing songs never knowing if a band would ever play them. After we recorded  the new EP ''Every Letter and Souvenir'' where we redid songs from the past albums with a full band arrangement and touring with this band extensively. it came time to write the new full length and i was writing with everyone I play with in mind. I was writing to their strengths and with the excitement of hearing them interpret my ideas, and that has changed the tone of this new record dramatically. Dare I say, it's the most personal lyrics I've put to paper yet. We have been arranging the new songs and we just played 4 of them at a show in Chicago. I felt they were very well received.

4. Is there a tour in works right now? What new releases can we expect?

No tour in the works at the moment. We have 2 releases for this year, one for next . We have an EP called ''Every Letter and Souvenir'' that features the song I sent you heart and 4 songs from ''Your heart'' and ''Stray'' redone with full band arrangements. For sometime this winter, a split with Mikey Erg, former front man of Jersey pop-punk sensation The Ergs, where we cover each others songs, and the new full length tentatively called ''Namesakes'' for next year.

5. When did the band start up? And how much longer do you see it lasting?

I have been playing solo acoustic for a very long time. The band came into the picture about a year and a half a go. I'm having a blast playing with them so I see it lasting for many years to come!

6. Can you give some insight on the extraordinary members of the band, or who have been in the band thus far?

The band we have now that is playing on the recordings is ..Stewart Oakes playing drums, who is now the new drummer for my best buds, Joie De Vivre. He is a great friend of mine and I feel like he brings the pain on the drums. Anthony Sanders is on keys, he is in an amazing band called The Island of Misfit Toys. He has become a big part of what I like about how our band sounds, and is one of the best musicians I know. Evan Loritsch is on bass. He is also in Island, and he also brings the pain. We also have Keith Latenin from Empire Empire ( I was a Lonely Estate) play 2nd guitar which is a pleasure, and Mark Jaeschke plays all those catchy horn parts. He is in a band with Eric from Dowsing called Kittyhawk.

7. Do you feel the location of your band helps your music getting out? Being better with shows, or that IL is near Michigan which some may dispute as one of the bigger places for the scene nowadays?

Yeah man! The Midwest is where it's at. I love sooo many bands in this area, and I met Keith, who runs Count Your Lucky Stars, at a show in IL!

8. What is one thing you want to say to all the people who listen to your music, and who may or may not read this, or who attend your shows? Something for them to keep in mind when they see you play.

Mainly I would just like them to know that I'm thankful to anyone who listens to the records and comes to the shows. I'm having a great time doing this, and I will continue to write until I have nothing to write about.

9. The first line, in your new song, is " You're feeling down, cause your favorite bands are all breaking up." Does this have any stasis in personal favorites, or does the line, " You can't love me the way you wanted to.", show a more personal, directional song?

Most of my favorite bands are still going strong! That lyric was based on a friend who just had a string of his favorite bands break up on him. Two of them at the time were Joie De Vivre and Snowing. What's funny is this same kid ended up joining joie playing trumpet for them in Europe. That line may seem a bit out of place but the idea of the nostalgia in relationships and with your favorite bands ties it together for me

Tiny Moving Parts Interview/Music

Bandcamp

Tiny Moving Parts is a great band, closer than you may think! With lyrics you can relate to, to cause the crowds at their shows to move in sync. Such good music, talent, and words to sing along to. They will be doing a very extensive tour this coming year, for more information please read the interview and support these guys.

1. Where does the name, Tiny Moving Parts, come from?

We actual got the name from a Circle Takes the Square song "Kill The Switch." At the time all of us were really stoked on the "As the Roots Undo" album, and that line really stood out to us. A way of describing our band at the same time.

Right now we're finishing up our full length, that we'll be recording in October
Followed by a 42 day National Tour early next year.

2. What do people have to look forward to hearing on the tour? Some older tracks, or mostly the full length?

It'll be a mixture of old and new tunes. The sets will be different for different audiences. We'll judge on what to play from what we hear from people at the shows

3. Has your writing changed any? From Moving To Antarctica to the Birdhouse Sessions, Why aren't you in Antarctica yet?

Haha! We wrote Moving to Antarctica when we were in high school for the most part. The techniques haven't changed too much, but we've grown musically and can read each other much better than ever before.

4. How about lyrically? Do you still have sad songs to sing? Since you left in highschool does it leave you a lot more open to do more with your music? Have you grown fins yet?

We enjoy writing songs that people can relate to in their life. Since were growing up, there's more doors that have opened up. More stories and what not. I've been talking to my plastic surgeons about having some fins put on me, but it's still a difficult process!

5. To swim with the dolphins! Who are the current members? I assume you've all known each other since High School, or maybe even prior. When did the band start up?

It's been the Chevalier brothers (Billy and Matt) and I, Dylan, since we were in junior high toying around with 4 chord punk songs. We had our dear friend, Davis, play keys with us for a few years (Moving to Antarctica and Dan Martin split). But since we can remember, us three have been best friends. Since I was the Chevaliers' cousin, I found myself staying at their house more than my own.

6. Would you say you have a favorite show that you've played so far? Or with the tour coming up do you think said show could be easily rivaled!

We played a show at our favorite Fargo, ND venue "The New Direction" with Touché Amoré last night, and it was one of our favorites we've had up here. As for the road goes, there's too many awesome places to narrow it down to one. The iHop Estate in Philly, The LEMP Neighborhood Arts Center in St. Louis, and any house in Kalamazoo, MI to name a few.

Milwaukee, WI will always be the king of house shows!

7. Who were you influences when you started the band? What did you want to do when you played, just bored? Or you had the need to play for peoples enjoyment?

Way back in the day when I was 12, we started with easy punk songs, but we were just learning our instruments at the time. When we started TMP we were influenced by more of the technical movement in music. The Fall of Troy and Tera Melos are a few to name that has changed us. Lately we've been driven by more emotional music, which is a great thing.

8. In the official music video of Waterbed, there is an immense amount of footage of you guys having great times, with people you meet at shows, and of course of you playing Waterbed. Would you say one thing that is great about touring is meeting all these people, and sharing these times with them through music, and just connecting?

ABSOLUTELY! We love playing shows, and we love making new friends just as much. We only play music for a half hour per night, and the other 23 1/2 hours we have to find ways to have fun. Making friends is hands down the best way for that to happen.

9. Okay man, last one! Thank yous o much for taking the time to talk to me and my small time blog. Since you started playing music, from the small time punk rock jams, to the Split and Birdhouse Sessions, how has everything changed playing the music? Do you think it helps you just get through the days, and I'm sure it brings you guys and your cousins even closer, sharing experiences like that together. How much longer can you guys see yourselves doing this?

It really hasn't changed, except for the fact that we've grown together musically. We still have as much fun as we ever have… it actually keeps getting better. We have been best friends our whole lives and don't see that ever changing. There is no end in sight for TMP.

Tigerscout Interview/Bandcamp

Bandcamp

Timothy Findlay, is a wonderful man, who took some time out of his day to finally get this interview done with me! Tigerscout is an awesome band from MD, who definitely are in need of more support, because in my opinion everyone should know about these sad sad hearts. Read the interview, go to the bandcamp, watch the video, and for fuck sake buy a shirt.

1. Where did the name Tigerscout come from?

It came from the first song we wrote "Rebel Horse/The Golden Monument". It is about being a child and feeling like you are invincible and then realizing we all die. We all try to stay young at heart.

2. When did you guys start up the band, are you all from MD? Or the surrounding area I suppose.

I think we started in 2009. It might have been 2008. We started in a basement in Baltimore with myself and Colin. Zach came by one day to hang out, listen, and sketch. I noticed him writing down words. Now he yells those words. Joey started playing with us a few months later. Me and Joey live in Calvert County, MD. Colin lives in Glen Burnie, MD. Zach lives in Baltimore.

3. Does you all living in different parts of MD make it harder to practice or play shows? Is there any more touring going to happen this winter? Maybe something more extensive.

Yes it does! We are all broke, but we make it work because this is what we all love to do. We are trying to set up a week or two week tour to Florida this winter. Next summer we are looking to do 40 days!

4. Wow! Tour the west and I'll see you! Are you working on any new material right now?

Party in the USA! Yeah we are recording a split with our best best friends whenskiesaregray from Baltimore in October. Our goal is to get it out by the winter.

5. Has the writing on the records changed at all? Like maybe your sound is different, or Zach doesn't feel so sad anymore so he started writing about happy stuff?

haha. We are always sad. We don't have the second guitarist that was on our record anymore so that has changed our sound some. Joey just learned some of the guitar riffs on bass to fill our some of the parts.

6. What would you say was your best show that you have played so far in this band?

Oh man! My favorite show so far was at a house in college park, MD. It was the last show for an amazing band Boy in the Well. (RIP) Sweaty basements and good company are always the best!

7. Well when you started the band what were you trying to accomplish? Just play music, or have an outlet of expression? Or were you just bored.

All of the above!! I remember seeing Pianos become the Teeth in 2006 or something like that and was just blown away with how much emotion and feeling they had. I wanted to feel that everyday.

8. So would you say Pianos become the Teeth is one of your stronger influences in the music? What are some more that help shape your music?

Yeah. I love those dudes! The thing that moves me about those guys is their passion for what they create. The guys I write music with are my biggest influence and whatever is going on in each others lives is what we write about because it is a great way to express ourselves in ways we can only do with some strings, sticks, and yelling.

9. How much longer do you see Tigerscout lasting? With such solid tracks, and a good foundation of all of you living in the general vicinity of each other, how much longer do you think you will keep it up for?

As long as our hearts are in it! Forever!

10. Is there anything you want the people to know about your band, or your music? Or something for them to keep in mind when they see you play, or buy your records?

In the words of Michael 'Squints' Palledorous "FOOORREEVVEERR!" We are four best friends writing honest music. Come to a show and hang out. We love new friends! People can give us a listen at tigerscout.bandcamp.com. We have CDs, Tapes, and Shirts here http://tigerscout.bigcartel.com/. If you want to see where and when we are playing a show check us out on our facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/Tigerscoutband If you want us to get sweaty send us an email! Tigerscoutband@gmail.com

Joie De Vivre Interview/Bandcamp

Bandcamp

I literally, quite literally, love Joie de Vivre. They play beautiful, wonderful, fantastic music that will bring out your sadness when you sit alone on your bed, letting your laptop get to hot, listening to summer months over and over. Here is an interview with the beautiful Patrick Delehanty and a link to their bandcamp. He did the entire thing on his mobile, well most of it.  So I thank him exponentially, this was a dream come true. Aside from seeing them live, which I have yet to do.

1. How did the name Joie De Vivre come to be?

It was really pick and choosing.  It just kind of was.  It was running down a list of names and just getting over that first hump of choosing one.  It was originally going to be something like Not Just Scottsburg, But Towns.  Or Not Just Phillipsburg...Something 'burg.  Either way, it was bad.  Joie De Vivre was least lame apparently!  Haha.

2. Haha, And when did the band start up? How did you guys meet, and all get together and decide to start the band?

We started in the summer of 2007.  I went to high school with Chris, I have known him about a decade and he was always playing in bands and so was I- we also hung out with the same circle of people.  Brandon and Stevie played in various forms of this band called Your City/State which Chris eventually joined and recorded with.  They broke up, we formed from that, and started as a "let's just record some songs and play a couple shows".  Chris worked in a studio in Rockford that we pretty much had free reign over, and that's how what would become Summer Months happened.  A lot of drunken nights went into that EP, haha.

3. I'm sure you crushed more hearts than just mine when the news of your previous break up spread, would you say you're just bad at breaking up, or did you just feel it wasn't time to end it?

Haha believe me, the embarrassment of how that all went down is shared by all of us.  There really were good intentions with that break up- it wasn't planned or staged or anything like that- we were all making plans that would have made Joie hard to continue at that point.

I moved, Brandon and Stevie had desires to go back to school full time, Chris moved to NC, so on so forth.  It was amicable and it was all good hearted.  But then we thought about how we were together all the time recording the record, enjoying it, and then getting an offer to tour Europe; we just decided to let it be a play it by ear situation, and it still is.  We just needed a break; when you are with each other almost everyday for 4 years, you're going to frustrated with each other.  It really is like being in a relationship haha.

4. Oh man, so is the tour to Europe a definite possibility? Or would a tour across the U.S. be a more feasible task at the moment?

Well we already did Europe over the summer- it was incredible- we met amazing people, saw amazing things, drank amazing beer/wine, ate amazing food, and played with really incredible bands; like, insanely good bands.  We are planning on doing the UK again next summer, but we will see.

We would love to do a pretty healthy US tour, and we will at some point, but we have a 7 inch we want to do and also a split with The World Is A Beautiful Place... and another with Prawn.  I would bet on 2013.  We miiiiight be able to squeeze one in before but I think right now we don't have the most time on our hands to.  But yeah, we would love nothing more than to tour this great land.

5. You mentioned a 7 inch, when is that going to be making it's way around? As well as, has the writing changed any since the last record?

We'd like to have it done by the end of the year, but I think it'll be next year.  We are trying some new things on this, Zach moved back and will be playing on it, and recording it too actually.  We are taking our time, the new record just came out so we aren't by any means rushing.  We also have a new guitar player, Geoff Schott from The Please and Thank Yous to take over for Chris, so we need to get him comfortable with everything.  What we have written so far I am extremely proud of.  We want to do a more stripped down version of what we have previously done, so it's going to be exciting to see how we do it and come up with.  We have had a lot of fresh air pumped into this band as of late, and we are in a really good place to want to write and play out more.

6. Why haven't you done an american football/braid cover set?

Haha I don't think we ever have because we are God awful at learning covers and even worse at pulling them off live. We did a Pedro the Lion, Band of Horses, and Mineral cover. The unfortunate part is that the Mineral cover is documented haha. We did a Saves the Day cover set once and it went well, but that was because of Paul (our old horn player) cracking the whip on us learning it. We are also doing a Jimmy Eat World cover set this Halloween though!

As far as band specific to American Football and Braid- I couldn't tell you, maybe one day we will find the time to do it!

7. Would that be the Geoff Schott who is mention in the Hit Me With Your Best Schott album? As well, the words sung in the songs hit people very deeply, me especially, will those change any? Or do you have more sad stories to tell?

Haha dude, it still cracks me up that people know "At Least I Tried" as "Hit Me With Your Best Schott" or "Bubbletoes".  Our joke song titles always stick better with us as a band, we can never remember the real names!

Brandon is constantly writing lyrics, so I am sure he will have more sad stories to tell.  Probably good ones too.  You'd have to ask him!  He's a wildcard.

8. He's the wildcard! Would you say you have a favorite show that was played? From the final show video, it looked wonderful, you playing The Upperdeck, with a crowd of men. But what is your own favorite?

Haha the final show was amazing- we rarely get a chance to get all of our friends together in a room to play a show together so it was just perfect in every way.  That Upper Deck San Diego last show video was a dude fest, but an awesome one.  We've never done well with the ladies haha.

I have many favorite shows, most specifically that "last" show, and then also when we played London.  Mostly for Brandon and having kids across the ocean sing along with something he wrote.  That's a connection that I know he has never taken for granted and that had to be surreal for him.  It just made me proud to look at what city we were in, with that many kids, with a band I have been in and watch grow into something that people have a connection with.  It's a feeling I will never ever forget- one of the most proud moments in my life to share with my best friends.

9. With a tour in London, where people knew the words and could sing along. To all the records you have put out, and the astounding fan base you have. And having a close call to ending the band. Would you say there is always more that you can do, that Joie De Vivre isn't done yet, and we haven't seen the last of you? That there are still so many sad songs for people to sing along to, and shows to amass the men?

I think Joie is one of those bands that will always have something to do in some varying form or degree.  I think we all hate looking at it like "Okay, we need to do this, this, this..." it's pointless at that point, it really is.  When we need a break, we will take a break, when we want to do Joie stuff, we will do Joie stuff.  Whether that is releases, shows, tours, whatever- there is always something that you can do in a band, but "something" sometimes means taking a break for a couple months or longer.  It's never a bad thing- it's a really good thing at points.

But I think now the way we look at Joie is just as something that we really love doing with our friends, whether in the band or at shows or what have you, and keeping those times alive and well.