Sunday, January 15, 2012
Like the Rest
I think my blog is dead, I don't ever want to post anymore. I don't even feel the need to, I don't know why this has happened, maybe it will change, But if you have a reason why I shouldn't send me an email. Its on the bottom right if you keep scrolling you can see it.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Heffa Peppa, Rosetta Setta Interview!
(crafty man)
(great music)
(enjoy)
Eric Rhodes: Well
I'm a huge fan of watership down
both the book and the movie
and in Watership Down
the rabbits have "rabbit" slang
and Heffa Peppa Rosetta Setta sounded like something that they'd say
soooo
That's why
and because it was a really anoying name too
annoying***
Brandon Beglin: Man thats a great name! I've actually never seen that movie or read that book, it sounds like a band, i almost started to search it before you finished your sentence haha. When did you start up the band?
Eric Rhodes: back in late 2009, as a way to simply have a "band" to release my silly folk songs with.
Brandon Beglin: So it was just an outlet for you?
Eric Rhodes: Pretty much
Brandon Beglin: Well how has your music changed since '09?
Eric Rhodes: PLenty
Integrated much from the world of Avant Gard Music
and Punk
Techno
whatever comes to mind
I don't hold back
Brandon Beglin: Haha so you just go through your flow! Does your amazing mustache help with this?
Eric Rhodes
hahah
well
I honestly shaved it off a few days ago just to see my face again. I haven't seen it in over a year, but it is an amusing source of inspiration.
And I promise it will be back soon.
Brandon Beglin: You're a monster how could you do something like that! Well what do you have planned with your music right now? I know you have something going on with Marshal already but what else?
Eric Rhodes: Well, I've got about five or six albums recorded and ready.
But I'm not truly ready to let the world hear 'em.
We'll see
its a new year.
But currently,
I am working with a Death Metal band and this Progressive punk/metal/rock/jazz band
but as far as HPRS
I've got a weird fucking album comming out soon
been working on it for five monthsd
months*
Brandon Beglin: Is Heffa Peppa just all you? Or do you get others on the records as well?
Eric Rhodes: well, on some I've had a few various friends assist
Like my buddy Ian
Who's a great Bassist and Drummer
as well as harmonizing singer
and I work with this crazy dude Mike a lot too.
He just jams mostly
and I record it
but, mostly, its me mostly.. . .
Mostly. . .
Brandon Beglin: Damn haha! What do you want to do besides put out more music? Do you play shows often? or tour anything like that
Eric Rhodes: hahah
three questions at once.
well
1st: I want to sit in a dark room for a few years and write more music. I hate being bothered while I write, but unfortunately I am constantly.
Eric Rhodes: 2nd: I haven't played too many shows lately. Last year was a tough year for me and the rest of the world and I only played maybe fifteen shows. Only like five as HPRS though.
3rd: I haven't been on tour since last Summer when I played with Fair Root for a tour they did with Suis La Lune. But soon I will be Touring with the death metal band Infernaeon. Not sure when though.
Brandon Beglin: Damn, Thats been a long time, but does the creative juices ever run out?
Eric Rhodes: But I'd say for only about a month's worth of time every year
I write everyday almost
sometimes three or four songs
sometimes one.
Brandon Beglin: Is there any person or group that you want to play with?
Eric Rhodes: sometimes.
Brandon Beglin: haha what does that mean?
Eric Rhodes: I could boast and tell you that I've written around one hundred thousand songs in my life, but I wouldn't expect anyone to believe me.
oh yeah
If I could play with Kayo Dot I would cry probably.
Or if Eugene Robinson of OXbow were to sing on one of my tracks I'd shit myself.
or Toby Driver of Kayo Dot.
And depending on the time of the year, my alcohole consumption, who's around, who alive, etc etc. . . it all varies
anything else?
Brandon Beglin: Haha do you mean do I have more questions?
Eric Rhodes: oh yeah
Brandon Beglin: who were your influences starting out?
Eric Rhodes: hahah
well
311, Ramstein, and Morbid Angel.
but over the years, my biggest influences have ended up being Jeromes Dream, Kayo Dot, John Zorn, Korovakill, and Virus.
oh and Xiu Xiu
Brandon Beglin: haha theres just always more to add to the list! Where are you playing music out of right now?
Eric Rhodes: Well, I live in Maryland. I mostly play around Baltimore and my Local of Carroll County.
Not so much D.C, but I have been seen there too.
PA a lot last year.
Brandon Beglin: Is the local area accepting of your music?
Eric Rhodes: hahah
well
it depends
With my odd band Chloe Sevigny in Kids
it is fairly accepting
my old band R&r was a "hit"
but I used to be in a few bands that were "worshiped" to an extent in my youth.
Brandon Beglin: haha Why dont you just list the ones you were in for all these people!
Eric Rhodes: hahahah
A Farmer's Daughters, The Mantis Greenhouse, Temple up in Flames, Noise Grinded Faggot, Infernaeon, Valdreg, Vongaunt, R&r, the Creep, Chloe Sevigny in Kids, Heffa Peppa Rosetta Setta
a few short stints in Foretold, Fair Root, and My tank is Fight!.
Brandon Beglin: and are these openly available to poeple haha?
Eric Rhodes: some are
some aren't
I'll give ya some links
afterwards.
Brandon Beglin: haha awesome! Ill upload them if i can! Well do you see your music stopping anytime soon?
Eric Rhodes: what do you mean by stopping?
do you mean do I plan of giving up?
or my juices running dry?
plan on**
Brandon Beglin: either or haha
Eric Rhodes: well
never really
Music is all I've got
its all I have ever been able to rely on.
Without it I would not exist.
Brandon Beglin: Dang well atleast we know there will always be something coming from you! alright want your last question?
Eric Rhodes: sure
shoot
Brandon Beglin: What have you learned from all your bands and your music or anything in the years since you first began playing any shit like that?
Eric Rhodes: phew.
well
I've learned to be cautious with who you play with.
I've learned that no madder what, I like what I write best.
I've learned that I need to learn how to play the ORgan Better.
I've learned that Music is life.
and
That sticking it out is what it takes.
Brandon Beglin: Wow man, thank you so much for the opportunity to interview you and giving me the time, youre a great man with some great tunes!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Travels Interview and Music!
(dynamic duo)
(wonderful people)
(one album and inverview)
The Travels moniker first came to be in late 2006 when we met on tour with our old bands. I told Mona I was thinking about playing solo when we came back to the states, under that name, but when I decided to come live with her in Boston we naturally started to play music together instead. We needed a name, so we kept it. There’s something uniquely beautiful about Travel, and I can’t explain the motivation behind the desire, at least for some people, to seek the same mundane things in foreign places. To me, that sensation of leaving your body and “seeing” yourself from outside—some people might call that loneliness—is amplified when you’re actually alone, particularly when you’re touring abroad, or even just driving through the night looking for a motel, and although some could find that depressing, I find it incredibly inspiring. (Not that we don’t also find touring exciting and adventurous!) So, there, that’s why Travels. Although, ironically, we both tour (travel) much, much less than we used to.
2. How has your music progression changed through your different releases?
The first record was recorded on a digital 4-track pretty quickly. We each brought a few songs to the table and recorded them, and then the other person added an appropriate layer. Although I really love that record, and I think our parts go well together, they weren’t really written the same way we write now, together in one room, “jamming” on chords and beats and words until we’re both excited about them. The second record, The Hot Summer, was when we started developing our skills as a “band,” so to speak, and the songs sound more natural, I think. The record is kind of like a quilt, in that each song was an experiment in writing together and recording, and every song is a little different from that last. By Robber on the Run, we knew what we were doing together. The songs flow, they were mostly written with both of us in the room, and, from start to finish, it sounds like a full-length, I think. Our latest release, the 7”/digital EP, is a continuation of that. As a whole, it’s a bit louder than the other records though.
3. What is something you have always wanted to get across with your music?
We don’t have any kind of message. We just play real music that means something to us, and hopefully some people find comfort in the songs.
4. How does the writing process take place? What goes into a new song?
Well, our next record will be a concept record, so we’re approaching it differently. There’s also no more drum machine. Mona’s on vocals and guitar, and I’m on keys (with the left hand), a suitcase kick, snare and vocals. We just go into our practice room and see what happens. I’m writing more of the lyrics, and Mona’s making edits to fit the measures, and we go back and forth like that until we’re happy. We're really excited about this next full length. For the other records, see above.
5. What if there is a certain single song is your favorite or that you felt you put your all into?
Hmm, that’s impossible to say. I think it’s natural that most of my favorite songs are on the new 7”/EP.
6. Where do you draw the inspiration for your music?
I can’t say for sure. Sometimes when I’m watching a movie, sometimes from a poem, sometimes on the bicycle early in the morning coming to work.
7. What is coming up next for you guys?
We’re doing a short tour in March—boston, new york, philly, baltimore, arlington, columbus, indianapolis, chicago, toledo. Hopefully we’ll go to Europe again. (maybe next winter.) We’re also a few songs into writing the next full-length, which we’ll hopefully record by the end of the year and put out on vinyl by early next.
The Mad Skeleton Interview!
(great interview)
(music soon)
(wonderful man)
1. Why the name The Mad Skeleton?
I had to dig deep to find The Mad Skeleton. When I read "On The Road" by Jack Kerouac, I stumbled across a line that really struck a nerve in me. You've probably read it, ""The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow Roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars, and in the middle, you see the blue center-light pop, and everybody goes ahh..." I was also reading a lot of the Arthur Rimbaud, a french symbolist poet, who I felt a particular connection to. He head a poem called "Dance Of The Hanged Man", and I found a fabulous line among the glowing verses, where he proclaims, "Oh! but see how from the middle of this Dance of Death
Springs into the red sky a great skeleton, mad". From there, I connected the two together, and formed what I felt captured the portal from which I could guide my expression.
2. When did you start up this musical project?
After a long, delirious year of living in a room without windows, full of spider webs, and cold as all hell. We didn't move until the ceiling and the walls started falling apart. If you've ever lived in a room without windows you start to lose track of time, everything starts to blur together, and you create your own little world. I think it was 2007, but I have a horrible memory and haven't archived anything really.
3. Where are you from and what currently are you working on for your music?
In 1986 I was born in Los Angeles, California. Moved to Miami, Florida half a decade later. I've just completed as of yesterday, January 8th, my second album, titled "New Highway", which I recorded with producer/musician Tucker Tota in a cabin in Linville, North Carolina during the dead of winter. Pretty much wrote most of the record there. It was a spontaneous affair, really. Had no idea what was going to happen when we got there, but the environment really facilitated the creativity for us and we are happy with our results. I also have another album that I recorded at The Hit Factory Criteria Studios, called "Story Of A Time", with producer/engineer Dave Poler, which has yet to be released. I plan on realeasing them at the same time in the upcoming weeks to kick off the new year with a bang.
4. What are you plans for the future of your music?
To write, record, and perform, and then repeat that process until I kick the bucket. To be more specific, this year I have the two albums coming out, "New Highway", and "Story Of A Time", and a split coming out with Montgomery Drive,Heffa Peppa, and Rosetta Setta. I also plan on releasing a collection of songs concerning specific events in time later this year, and want to try recording it all myself, which is always a challenge for me. My mind doesn't really cooperate with computer programs very well.
5. Do you feel that you have reached a high point with your music or has that yet to happen?
Every time I write a song I feel like I have reached a higher point in my music. Sometimes I can hear a song in my head and write it down faster than it takes me to play it, other times I work on songs for years, but it doesn't really make a difference, because shortly after they're completed, I get restless and have other things that I need to work on, and the cycle continues. I work on songs simultaneously. I have about 6 albums in my head right now. I have to catch up with myself. I don't know that I ever will... I suppose if I were able to live off of the music I make that would be the highest point, because I would have time to get everything out. But then again, they say an artists has got to struggle and starve...so the low points are probably pretty high too.
6. What were you trying to accomplish when you started out this venture?
Trying to stay true to my path. Everyone has a sense of purpose and some choose to follow theirs and some turn a blind eye. It's not their fault really. Society has polluted a lot of the truth in the world and I don't hold anyone 100% accountable for their decisions anyhow. But I feel like there are things in the world, or perhaps another world, one that might be watching us, that aren't being articulated. You could say I want to disillusion my listeners. I want to take them to the places they haven't ever heard of. I don't know where my songs are coming from, but I do know that since I am receiving them, it's my duty to get them out in to the world.
7. Do you feel that you have accomplished some of the goals you wanted to achieve with your music?
If I didn't measure my goals with baby steps I would never have been able to feel a sense of accomplishment. I've been writing songs for ten years now. It started out by listening to music and thinking, hmmm, it would have been better if they did this, why didn't they do that? Then it turned into getting a guitar, and learning how to play a few chord shapes, and then creating what I was hearing in my head. Then I had to teach myself how to sing. Then I had to do it all at the same time. Then I had to record. Play live. etc. All those pieces give me a sense of accomplishment but I wont be satisfied until i'm dead and gone, Lord rest my soul.
Gills Music and Interview!
(great band)
(great interview)
(who knows)
Gills: We actually started a year and a half ago! Tom came up with the name at the time; we were kinda struggling to come up with something when we started out. Coming from Purchase, we have bands like Sirs, Sports (then later, Spook Houses), things with s at the end. I guess it kinda spurred from that. Also, Tom and I found an interest in the Creature from the Black Lagoon - that later became our icon for the EP.
Me: Awesome way to come up with a name! So what made you guys start the band?
Gills: Call it a cheesy thing. I wanted to start the band at first, basically finding people with similar interests in style and music, the usual. I put up fliers around campus with the original bassist, Colin - we jammed a couple of times and clicked. Tom was one of the first people to respond to the flier. We all practiced, and that was how we got together. Colin quit at the end of the semester, and for a while Gills was a two-piece. I soon befriended Bern at his other band, Morrison Brook's first show (morrisonbrook.bandcamp.com<http://morrisonbrook.bandcamp.com>). He was up to play bass. And here we are.
Me: What were you going for in terms of sound?
Gills: Sound came from all of us experimenting in some way. (I guess we can all answer this differently) I bought this old vintage guitar, a Teisco ET-440, it has four pickups - it is very sludgy and noisy, you can scream in the pickups. My interest in this guitar came from bands that also use vintage guitars for that sound, like Unwound or Drive Like Jehu or Sonic Youth, to name some of my influences. There are a lot of sonic elements as far as live and recordings go. When we play live, its cranking it up to the highest gain, being able to hear those pickups squeal. Bern recorded us on tape, and our intent for that was to layer upon layer the sounds. Very loud stuff. Bern probably could say more about the recording process.
Me: Well what are your plans for the future? What do you have in the works right now? a tour or new music?
Gills: I'd say that we have about three new songs in the works, hoping to get at least five in by the end of the semester. We hope to tour in the summer with some friends, with lots of destinations in mind. We have fans in Minnesota,for instance. It's quite a distance. Breathing Patterns (breathingpatterns.bandcamp.com<http://breathingpatterns.bandcamp.com>) from San Jose, California will be releasing a split with us later in the Spring, either in May or June. This is a really big step for us. We've gotten so far in these past few months. There is that idea of a "full-length" in mind...I don't think that will be until we're ready. A while back, Guy Picciotto from Fugazi came up for a screening of the film, Instrument, and he took an interest in Gills. Maybe we'll produce something with him! We're still young, but our sound is maturing in very complex ways.
Me: Damn, do you guys plan to keep playing for a very long time?
Gills: We're dedicated. What I've learned from dedicated bands is being able to communicate with your other band members. It took us a while to get to that point. What I love about being in this band is that we click while we practice, while we play live, and recording. Not many bands have that click. Some bands are lead by a primary singer/songwriter - we feel things out before we can determine our songs. I guess what we're looking for now is people to participate. We're an instrumental band. Bands these days that play instrumental tend to not add vocals over time. What we look for is people to contribute, collaborate, and participate in our "final" concept. The magic of this is how powerful and free music invokes creativity. And we're a noise band - noise isn't particularly a quality of sound, but the activity that people create to make noise. When we played live once, our friend jumped up and did vocals on a couple of songs. It was basically a surge of emotion, but it was just noises from his mouth. That interests me and I want to see more of that from our fans, live or on recordings. I don't want this band to end. We've got plenty of potential, and we're getting there!
Me: Do you guys have like funds for your music? Do you have merch? Do you have stuff for people to show how much they love your music? Do you have a shirt I can wear to bed? Or a cd for my '98 Avalon?
Gills: Like I said, we're getting there! We have tapes (sorry, no CDs!), patches, and t-shirts. All of our art stuff (including the album art) was made by our friend, CJ Severin, so it was done on that kind of level of support. We sell our tapes at shows and online at our tape label, anthillconglomerate (.tumblr.com); they go for $3, so it's not a bad deal. Shirts are a sliding scale between $4 and $8. Patches are a buck, but you get them free if you buy the tape. We've been playing shows at Purchase, so most of our sales are through the merch and not shows. We're going to change that this time around, playing all ages shows, basements, in Connecticut, the 845 area, NYC, and Jersey. Most of this has been out of pocket, and that's a big mistake for lots of bands starting out. We're still learning from our peers, though, and thankfully we live in a community of artists that are willing to contribute their expertise.
Me: Okay here are my last three questions!
Do you feel very accepted in the area you play music?
Do you feel that there is alot more room for improvement?
What have you learned in the time you started this band?
Gills: At Purchase, there is a huge diversity of sound. We are one of only a few noise bands at school. Gills is a mix of noise, math rock, post-hardcore, and lots of other genres. To put things in perspective, I would say we are accepted, but there is work that needs to be done. The beauty of it is we are constantly changing. I feel like we could only keep going forward. Since we started, I've learned a great deal of things. For one, its communication. I've never had this much activity in a band before, and we've made strives to better know each other. The other thing is we are challenging ourselves. The riffs I've been making as of late are more difficult than the ones we started out with. Like I said earlier, we're become more mature in sound and activity that by being in a band, I can only imagine what we'll be doing in the next couple of months and years to come: touring, playing more and more shows, more music - these are all goals that we hope to achieve.
Me: Thank you guys so much for the chance to interview you and get to know you better and your music better!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Double Jump Review!
(a great pair)
(wonderful people)
(and beautiful music)
Double Jump is a duet of Joshua (ex Mane Horse) and Julia (ex angel) who both play guitar in the music and Joshua does the timing of the claps and such! Their music is really great, its one of my favorite things right now and I don't see myself getting tired of it anytime soon! They are always writing new songs, and I even have one but I'm saving it for a later post, either way, they write such emotional songs, about love and friendship, and longing and happiness. I relate to their songs so much, which is probably why I love them, but everyone else needs to start loving them and give them some love! Go back on my blog and download their first songs called Back to Basics and please enjoy!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Dads Interview!
(Musics on here)
(great guys)
(interview)
John: Everyone is a dad in one way or another, you're always responsible for something, so be a dad, take action, live, love, learn, have fun with your alcohol.
Scott: Neither.
2. You told me about redefining your sound after the teenage babes, and the John Denver Ep, what did it take for you guys to do that?
John: A whole lot of the dump and pump, a little bit of the pain and strain, and the eenciest little amount of the pool and drool.
Scott: Our first few songs were made when we really weren't sure what we wanted to do with the band yet and by the time we realized it, we had a band member who was holding us back. We wrote 2 new songs and he couldn't hang, amongst other things, so he left the band.
3. What invoked you guys to do the Dank Not Stank, it’s genius, and wonderful, but how did you come up with it?
John: We got really into the whole Chopped not Slopped genre of hip hop music, taking original songs, slowing them down, cutting them apart, so I tried doing that to a Dads song, then during a practice/shirt printing session, I tried speeding them up instead as a joke, and it became really silly and fun to listen to.
Scott: It's silly and an easy way to trick people into thinking we had new music.
4. Do you guys still write new material, or are you constantly revamping the old stuff and making it even better?
John: We will be working on new material asap, but you always have to revamp the old stuff, especially with stuff you still play live, you're always adding something new here and there.
Scott: We haven't written anything in a while, but we have plans to write and record a couple new songs after our tour next week. How and who is releasing them is a secret though!
5. Will you be touring the country this summer?
John: If the country allows it.
Scott: Almost definitely. We tour as much as we can and I think we will try to tour even more this year than last year. We have a lengthy tour planned out to happen in a few months, so by the time the summer rolls around, we'll be due for another good long tour.
6. Do you write all your lyrics from personal experience, they are very heartfelt in my opinion, and I feel that you hate someone?
John: Hate can be a tricky word, some of the songs are about being in and making love, more up beat than I've ever done before, but then other ones definitely turn into an outpouring of anger, for sure. Do we hate
them? Who knows, only time can tell.
Scott: Yes. We hate nobody except ourselves.
7. Where can you go from here?, you have a very good fan base, and some great tunes, so what is next?
John: Keeping everyone happy, keeping ourselves happy, always pushing ourselves, always working.
Scott: Writing better songs, touring more, meeting new friends, continuing to try to speak out against homophobia/racism/sexism in the scene, and hopefully starring in more Lane Nelson Comics (lanenelsoncomics.com)!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Townhouses Album Review
(review)
(for friends)
(of me and you)
Townhouses is a band that consists of Spencer Corrigan (bass/vocals), Eric Chorpenning (vocals/guitar), Coty 'Coda' Morell (drums/percussion), playing some really rad emo tunes! They are based in PA and this Ep is something really great from one of the younger bands around these days. Their songs are really great, and the vocals are going to get right to the point and not beat around the bush with metaphors and shit, if they hate you, they tell you. Eric really shreds on the guitar and you can hear Spencers' beautiful voice of an angel as he sings his heart out, and Coty shows how versatile he is by playing all the percussion! If you can't tell how great they are by listening to Indian Rock or Kelly Road, then keep your eyes on these guys because they will do great things!
The Typist Interview!
(music soon)
(altus,ok)
(interview)
Brandon Beglin: Alright, lets get this started, you guys are a band based out of Altus, Oklahoma, but for most people they wouldn't know much of anything that has come out of there, does this hinder your music at all, your area?
Justin Strickland: I suppose some might view small town life as limiting. I don't feel it has limited us in any degree. In fact, I think it has contributed largely to the spirit and work ethic within The Typist.
Brandon Beglin: That's awesome, since I lived there I understand what you mean, now why the name the Typist, and when did it all start?
Justin Strickland: The Typist is a name that Matt assumed before we all came together alttle over a year ago. It all started six, almost seven years ago when we were all in bands togther off and on. But, I would say it became concrete with You, Coward!
Brandon Beglin: So after matt wrote all the songs on his own you guys contributed alot with other instruments like drums and keyboard and harmonica!, how has the new album been received?
Justin Strickland: Well, yeah in the beginning we took his pre-existing material and reworked it. Then we started writing all new material, which was a collaborative effort. Then new album has eight all new songs and two older ones.
Um I feel like we are getting great reactions.
Brandon Beglin: Haha Id sure say so considering you sold out of cds! Now that the group is all together and it is more solidified, do you guys play shows more now? what are your upcoming plans if you have any?
Justin Strickland: Yes we are currently filling up our weekends and Talking about summer tour options. We have applied for the Norman Music Festival and are looking at other festivals as well. Our T-shirts should be ready soon. We are just really excited to get out there and play the music we love for people.
Justin Strickland: Hey I'll be back in a min.
Brandon Beglin: haha sorry i disappeared, i know you have a student so we can finish this up later!
Justin Strickland: Back
Alright, Just let me know when you want to finish it up.
Brandon Beglin: Hey lets finish up thursday if that works?
Justin Strickland: Yeah that works for me.
Brandon Beglin: hey man you ready to finish?
Justin Strickland: Ready
Brandon Beglin: fucking awesome,
What are the influences for the music, at first it was Matt writing the songs with you guys filling in but how has the writing process changed now and are the songs still the same emotional tunes?
Justin Strickland: I was waiting for the"influences" question. And that list is vast and covers so many genres that I would feel guilty to mention this band and that one. I believe the listener will be able to hear our influences. There is no doubt that we have maintained the emotion of the songs and honestly I feel like we have reach a new level for ourselves personally. The writing process varies for us. We don't really have a formula. Its usually what seems natural that we steer towards.
Brandon Beglin: haha such a generic question, well do you think you have impacted the Altus music scene? we have talked about the stuff that goes on there musically before, have you made any good dents to the shit going on there?
Justin Strickland: No No good question! Just too many bands to list. lol I feel like we have certainly been a mainstay in the Altus music scene in one way shape or form. We have always had a band in the mix, somewhere. lol We have done our best to build something we were/are proud of. I guess there are days I would say, " Absolutely, we have made a dent." And then other days I would say the opposite.
Brandon Beglin: So does having Youd Prefer An Astronaut get in the way at all? Assuming that is all still going on
Justin Strickland: No, Not at all. In fact, we have played quite a few shows together. The contrast between the bands allows for some interesting shows and crowds. lol
Brandon Beglin: That sounds awesome, it sure seemed to work when I saw you guys at WOSC but maybe if that damn Judd would play his music then the crowds would just grow, but back to the interview, Where would you want to go on a tour too? Is there any place you strive to go to with the band?
Justin Strickland: I've been west and enjoyed it and the people. Now I'm ready to go east. I've never seen the east coast and I want to horribly. I think we would like to see as much success with this band as possible, Whatever that means?! lol I know we are all in for the long haul.
Brandon Beglin: Haha So when do you think any plans to the east will be made, this summer? Who would you want to play with over here?
Justin Strickland: I hope this summer. I would love for us to play there.
Brandon Beglin: Yeah but who do you want to play with! Expand on that influences you talked about I dont care if its long this is a damn interview youre supposed to talk!
Justin Strickland: Alright Can you give me LIke thirty minutes? I've a lesson I need to do.
Brandon Beglin: Yeah man go for it ill be right here
Justin Strickland: Sweet. THanks!
Brandon Beglin: No problem!
Justin Strickland: Alright
Brandon Beglin: hha your back!
Justin Strickland: Yes sir!
Brandon Beglin: do you remember the last question?!
Justin Strickland: Oh Yeah! Lol Dream list?! Manchester Orchestra, David Bazan, Brand New, Owen, Promise Ring, Death cab for cutie, etc...
But we'll play with just about anybody.
Brandon Beglin: Thats quite a list haha! So now that this new album just came up has the song writing stopped for sometime at the moment?
Justin Strickland: No. Not at all. WE are still working on new material.
Brandon Beglin: Will there be shows more on a regular basis? Did you ever hope that by getting some buzz going in altus you could get some more touring bands to come and play with you guys?
Justin Strickland: Sorry dude! Yeah we're working our way toward being booked friday through sunday of every weekend. Absolutely we wished we could get more touring bands here.
Brandon Beglin: Would you be interested in playing with innards? or are there any other bands in texas or oklahoma that youd like to play with?
Justin Strickland: Like I said we'll play with just about anybody. We do typically stay away from the "hardcore" show arena because we just aren't a good fit. LOL But we do make exceptions from time to time.
For friends and such. lol
Brandon Beglin: haha yeah i get it, I know you guys are all in the group together but do you all still do your side projects?
Justin Strickland: give me a sec
Justin Strickland: hey man, sorry this has been so damn hard to get done.
to answer your last question...... Yes matt and I both still do our side projects. Lazy Bones/ MyBrotherTheArtist
Brandon Beglin: Its not a problem at all! When will the stuff from both of that be available again? I havent heard the new lazy bones but I've heard you!
Justin Strickland: Um........we are about to start recording the new MyBrotherThe Artist album. I can't speak for lazy bones though.
Brandon Beglin: How have the tshirts sales gone? Kaley was supposed to send me a cd once the artwork got done, and the shirts look awesome!
Justin Strickland: Its going great. I'll probably be sold out by tuesday at the rate there going.
they're*
Brandon Beglin: Thats so good to hear that you have so much support there in town, alright this interview has been really great, and spanned out over a couple of days as well haha, but lets finish it off with a last questions, sound good?
Justin Strickland: Sounds good.
Brandon Beglin: Great, I want to know how things have changed in your music, or in your own personal lives, or what you have added to The Typist over the years since Matt first started it?
Justin Strickland: Wow. That question is loaded. Well, I feel like our music has gained al ot of maturity by comparison to our early work and that is probably due to the fact that we are no longer sixteen year old punk rockers. hahaha. The Typist is a rock and roll band whereas matts prior project were acoustic. So, in that alone there is a substantial difference. We recently added Matt's brother, Dan Moran, on piano/keyboard. That was easily one of our best ideas so far. We hope that as we grow and change that our music and audience will do so with us.
Spraynard Interview and Music!
(awesome music)
(awesome guys)
(awesome interview)
"Spraynard" is the name of a character in a sketch from Tim and Eric: Awesome Show Great Job!. We were totally psyched on that show when we formed our band, and while our interest has wained a bit, it's still an amazing show. Also, Tim and Eric were both briefly in Ink and Dagger, which was a great band from Philly... so that's rad. Interesting side note: we knew we wanted a one-word band name that started with "S." All the best bands start with "S"... I always go to the "S" section first at record stores.
2. How has your music changed from the splits to cut and paste?
Well, our music from the splits to Cut and Paste was fairly similar. We definitely tried to make Cut and Paste a short and to-the-point record. No bullshit kind of thing. I think the biggest change in our music was from Cut and Paste to our most recent LP Funtitled. With Funtitled, we focused a lot more on the songwriting aspect of the music as opposed to just making short, fun, fast songs. Funtitled has been out for a few months now and we are already reexamining the way we write songs. Being in a band is so much fun... it's like when you make a cake, and your friends are like "hey, this cake ain't half bad"... and then you make another cake later but try a few new ingredients and people are either like "hey, this cake is even better!" or they are like "do you mind if I throw this disgusting garbage in the trash right now?"
3. When did you guys start out and who are you influences?
We started out a little over 3 years ago. Our main influence when we started was Plow United. Plow is a West Chester band from the 90s. They've actually reformed recently and are playing shows here and there. We were able to be on the tail end of a great scene in West Chester, and Spraynard was our way of attempting to revive that scene. Most of our friends from high school moved away and went to school and whatnot, which is great because they are all super successful at their own stuff, but it was always an interest of ours to keep it real in West Chester and keep our scene thriving.
4. How did you guys get so rad? Were you just born that way? What has been in your opinion your best song of them all?
Hahaha, that's a very flattering question. While being "rad" is definitely subjective, we like to consider our community some pretty rad folks. A combination of a solid local scene and Philly influence has culminated into a rad group of kids giving it their all in West Chester. It's hard to say what I think our best song is, but as far as what people have heard at this point, my favorite song we've done is probably "I'm Going to Look One More Time for that Baby Deer." It's on our split with the UK band Break the Habit. It's just a really straight-forward and driving song. It's also about how much I struggle with college, which I think is something a lot of people can relate to. I'm not totally sure why I like the song so much... I JUST DO, OK?!
5. What is to come from you guys? a full length or a tour in the works maybe?
We just finished recording a new EP that will be released on Asian Man Records and Square of Opposition Records (and Yo-Yo Records in Germany!). We are really excited to show people those songs. They are definitely different from our recent releases... we love Third Eye Blind. Also, we're touring everywhere from March til' July. We are doing a good amount of the US in March, then Europe/UK in April, then the whole US in May. STOKED!
6. Which show that you have played has been the best or most memorable for getting your bands growth to rise or just being a fucking awesome time?
I have mentioned this in an interview before, but the craziest show we've ever played is our recent show with Kid Dynamite. I won't go far into how much that band means to us, but that band definitely means everything to us. The three of us formed our friendships around the same time we were finding out about that band. Basically, the three of us may not be friends if it weren't for that band. Somehow the planets aligned and we ended up playing that show. I can't even say it was a dream come true, because I never thought it was remotely possible to become a reality. It was defying the laws of science. I don't even remember the show because it was so unbelievable.
7. What was your ultimate goal in starting Spraynard?
Our ultimate goal when we started (and still currently) was to make music as three best friends and bring a DIY scene back to our town. Oh and we love to tour all the time. Basically, we love hanging out. We've noticed recently that a surprising amount of bands aren't that good of friends. That's always been strange to us because we've always been in bands together because we were friends. Like, we formed bands to hang out more. Spraynard is just that. Another reason to hang out all the time. Yeeeeah.
Old Gray Split and Interview!
(shiz with girl scouts)
(interview)
(my man cam)
There is a hobo in South Bend, Indiana that uses derogatory slurs to kids wearing tight pants. Jack Senff told Raph that and he told him that they Senff and crew nicknamed the man Old Gray, thus we liked that name! (this story may be different to each member of the band, but this is my [Cam's] recollection.
2. You guys went from just the four song demo, to now splits, any talk of the full length?
Yes. ;)
3. Why do you guys think so many people have come to love your music?
Honestly, it hasn't really hit any of us. I mean, we're just some kids screaming about our feelings, you know? People can relate to that, and that's really cool and truly quite an honor.
4. When you started up did you think your fan base would grow like this, and you would be a well known name in the genre?
We had no idea! We've been a band for only about 9 months and things have just really taken off! Again, it's such an honor.
5. Do you have plans for touring now that the Old Gray and Park Jefferson tour hasn’t gone through?
We plan on doing something in May as well as something during the summer!
6. Tell us about your plans for the band, and things to come, and what you have in the works.
We're starting to demo out our LP and we hope to have it out by May/June!
7. There is no doubt that you guys have done some great things from Vulcan Death Grip to Dying Leaves, can you guys get any higher, or what are you striving to achieve?
We've kinda changed our sound through each release, but i believe the sound we are going for for our LP is our biggest change yet, and between us guys in the band, it is by far our best sound yet.
The Hundred Acre Woods Interview!
(their music is on here)
(wonderful interview)
(with two great guys)
Zack Reinhardt: well, a nickname of winthrop's from when he was much younger was "winnie"
and he came to me when we were talking about starting this band, and he suggests the hundred acre woods as a name
and I thought it was good
soo yup
Brandon Beglin: haha who gave him that? Its better than good!
Zack Reinhardt: I'm not sure actually, it was from when he was little. before I knew him
Brandon Beglin: Oh damn, and when did you guys all meet each other and when did you start the band?
Zack Reinhardt: we met in high school and knew our other friend kacey from playing shows around our area,
it was the three of us in the beginning, and its grown from there
Brandon Beglin: haha Well how has your music changed through all the different releases?
Zack Reinhardt: well its grown with us significantly
I feel like the music we write is very consistant with how we are in our current place in life and situation, etc.
that goes to everyone, really, I suppose
but its shown through in ours I guess even more, so we're told
our first EP, Land Development we were all still in high school
with the LP, it grows slightly, but its very different throughout. winthrop was finishing high school and I had gone to school in philadelphia.
we were at very different places in life
Brandon Beglin: So were you guys very far apart during the LP? How did that get done?
Zack Reinhardt: lots and lots and lots of time and home recording
I think from when we first started tracking things that ended up being on the album, to the time we finished it, it was almost a year
whenever I was home for long enough, I'd just go to winthrop's and record until the morning
we'd go all night
he had a studio set up in a cedar closet in his basement
under the stairs
Brandon Beglin: Damn that really shows how committed you guys are to the band! Most when they go off to school they just forget about it and start new shit for some reason, its sad. So do you feel like you're in the first Harry Potter movie when youre in the studio?
Zack Reinhardt: yeah, thats just being lazy I think
at that point, the option of throwing it away wasn't even a thought
Zack Reinhardt: but yeah, I was just trying to think of a good harry potter joke before you mentioned it, haha
Brandon Beglin: Haha I was trying to think of a good fat ass Dudley joke jumping on the stairs above! Has there ever been a point where throwing it away was an option?
Zack Reinhardt: never
I'm in film school at temple
and honestly
I consider this band as much of an option as making films is.
I mean, I'm no stanley kubrick
Brandon Beglin: So if you guys have a video, I didn't want to say music video it sounds to VH1ish, hhaha, does going to film school help with that? Knowledge wise?
Zack Reinhardt: we have a handful, I made some of the earlier ones, and film school helps of course, but winthrop did the most recent one with iMovie and his phone.
so who needs film school, really
bob dylan dropped out of college
Brandon Beglin: Haha Dominic told me to ask you about when you filled in for Spanish Clubs' first show! How was that?! Do you fill in often? You sound like the nicest man in town!
Zack Reinhardt: haha, Dom.
yeah, I play a lot of intruments, and I knew the song
and spanish club is rad
and it happened to be my favorite song of theirs also
Brandon Beglin: Ha which song was it? Kevin Barr?
Zack Reinhardt: Patch Job
me and dom both share an obsession for bicyclee
bicycles*
actaully
addiction* to bicycles
my friend jill made a THAW drinking game
one thing you drink on is any mention of bikes
Brandon Beglin: Damn, Kevin Barr is mine! Haha Dom is a great guy we have become pretty good friends I'd say! Would you both consider a tandem bicycle? So I think you and Dom would be done in that game early on haha, Has there been a stand out show for THAW?
Zack Reinhardt: Well, it gets better every time really
so I'd say our best was earlier tonight actually
haha
but we've played a lot of especially rad shows though
we played with joe jack from Dead Milkmen once
and our EP release was super crazy
Brandon Beglin: What about a show that you played with another band that you especially wanted to play with?
Zack Reinhardt: well being in philly is great because I'm constantly playing shows with my friends' bands all the time. which also happen to be all my favorite bands
skin cells, girl scouts, stinky smelly, old people, roof doctor
the list goes on
Brandon Beglin: If you live in Philly them come watch Dom play in my basement on the 14th! What were your guys' influences when you started up?
Zack Reinhardt: oh shit! thats your house?
we're playing philly that night, but otherwise i would be there
hmm, well we were all really into the avett brothers when we started THAW
but more recently I don't know what we could compare it to or sight a specific influence
winthrop and I both listen to a HUGE rang of different music, so that lends itself to our sound I'd suppose
Brandon Beglin: Yeahp thats my place! Damn Damn Damn I think its better if your music has no comparison, What are you guys doing right now, like what do you have in the works?
Zack Reinhardt: we're still mostly promoting the new self titled EP, but we've been working on some goodies to keep people occupied
Brandon Beglin: haha so you have stuff saved up for when people get restless?
Zack Reinhardt: I mean, there no secret vault or anything, haha
we've been in the studio this week though
and we're headed back again soon
always keeping busy
Brandon Beglin: How often do you make the trip to the studio?
Zack Reinhardt: this was the first time we'd been back since finishing the EP, actually. so we're not always there, but winthrop and I are always recording on our own. demos and such
Brandon Beglin: Do you both have solo projects other that THAW?
Zack Reinhardt: we used to, but not really anymore
although there are songs I write that don't end up as THAW that I've been thinking about revisiting
but its on a long list of things I'd like to be doing with little free time I have
Brandon Beglin: So you dont see THAW losing any momentum in the near future I hope?
Zack Reinhardt: hope not, haha
Brandon Beglin: Winthrop is on! well he just accepted my request
Zack Reinhardt: I was actually just putting some mailers together to mail CDs out
ah yeah! invite him to the party!
Brandon Beglin: Mail me one of them dawgs! I did but it started a new thing so we will jump to the other?
Brandon Beglin: Winthrop joins the interview!
Zack Reinhardt: yo mang
Brandon Beglin: haha I dont think he is on
Winthrop Stevens: Hey dudes what's up?
oZack Reinhardt: blogerview parteee
Brandon Beglin: awe shit! Winthrop this is the THAW interview
Zack Reinhardt: welcome
Brandon Beglin: welcome welcome
Winthrop Stevens: Damn! Rad that's awesome, Sup dudes
Brandon Beglin: Not much! Okay lets get your take on this, any good Harry Potter jokes for the studio under the stairs?
Winthrop Stevens: Haha, none that I can think of
Zack Reinhardt: that was some magic though, fitting the harp in there
Zack Reinhardt: yeah, that happened
Brandon Beglin: Damn, we couldn't either, and I assume you also don't think that THAW will lost any momentum in the future do you?
Ill believe it when I see it Zack
Zack Reinhardt: there is photo proof
Brandon Beglin: Then Prove it, and I will put it up with the interview haha
Winthrop Stevens: I think that as long as we're all still having fun we'll continue being a band. And right now playing with my closest friends I don't see anything changing any time soon
I'm having more fun than ever
Brandon Beglin: Awesome! So how did you get the nickname winnie when you were little and the inspiration for the name
of the band
Zack Reinhardt: hahah
Winthrop Stevens: Haha, I guess kids just started calling me that as a kid and it kind of stuck with me. I always hated it but one day I thought it might also fit into the name. The funny thing is my dad says that he used to get called the same thing when he was little
Brandon Beglin: haha What do you think was one of the best shows youve played, Zack dont tell him what you said I wanna see what he says!
Winthrop Stevens: I think the best show we've played was this past November at Maggot House in North Philly. Those guys are our close friends and know how to put on a show better than anyone. I've never seen a house that has shown more love than they do, we owe them a ton. Playing with the guys in Girl Scouts was fantastic too
Brandon Beglin: Haha and what about some of your influences musically starting the band?
Winthrop Stevens: I think starting out I got really into a lot of bands like Defiance, Ohio and Andrew Jackson Jihad but as time has gone on I have gravitated more to roots music on a whole. Old Crow Medicine Show, Hank Williams, and Doc Watson are some favorites of mine. And I have to show The Avett Brothers some serious love
Brandon Beglin: Zack said the Avett Brothers, but I expected Hawthorne Heights to be thrown in there
Zack Reinhardt: I actually sang vocals for a hardcore band once when I lived in west virginia
fuck not hawthorne heights
shit is weak
hahaha
Brandon Beglin: hahha dont deny your love for them, When did you guys start to grow past three people in the band?
Winthrop Stevens: Haha yeah, I think we collectively abstain from them. I can't speak for Pat
Zack Reinhardt: hahaha
wait wait, can I have a request?
Brandon Beglin: Wait till he sees this, a request?
Zack Reinhardt: withrop can take it from here?
Winthrop Stevens: Sure, I got this
Brandon Beglin: Yeah thats not a problem at all
Zack Reinhardt: oh wait nevermind, missed the joke
but do go on
Brandon Beglin: I'am confused now haha
damnit zack you made me look stupid, we promised
Winthrop Stevens: But we pretty much formed as a three piece, then became four, then went back to a three piece and fell apart for a few months. After that Will hopped on to play banjo and our friend Nick played bass for a while. Now Pat plays bass and produces and we know a lot of people who play drums so that changes from show to show, as well as anyone else who wants to add their voice, instrument, etc. I guess we are part band part collective in a way
Brandon Beglin: You guys just throw everything together thats crazy, so does the people playing a show with you determine what songs are played?
Zack Reinhardt: sometimes, but everyone knows most of the songs
but everyone also brings their own musical style to it
so its always changing
Brandon Beglin: Well then how about touring? Who goes with you and who stays behind?
Zack Reinhardt: whoever can make it really.
Winthrop Stevens: Yeah I think we've pretty much played and practiced everything enough times with everyone that we all feel pretty comfortable regardless of who is playing. But Zack is right, everyone brings their own take
Zack Reinhardt: and with our trip to baltimore, the lineup changed about three times within the week before
Winthrop Stevens: Haha true
Zack Reinhardt: makes us flexible as well
Brandon Beglin: Thats crazy its like good to have interchangeable people but not good sometimes, how far west have you toured?
Zack Reinhardt: haha, not at all
YET
Winthrop Stevens: But the lineup for the most recent "tour" I guess was Zack and I as well as Will and Pat played drums, P.j. from Girl Scouts played bass
Zack Reinhardt: we may play kutztown in the near future. and we have connections we hope to take advantage of in ohio and west virginia. even as far as austin and georgia
Winthrop Stevens: And yeah nothing West yet but I would love to, that would be so fun
Brandon Beglin: Well how far west would you like to go? Go to Oklahoma I can probably get you something there and its an hour from Texas
Zack Reinhardt: we'll see
Winthrop Stevens: That would be incredible!
Zack Reinhardt: truth
Brandon Beglin: I could probably set it all up even though I dont live there anymore if someone got the venue just tell me a date or some shit haha,
Winthrop Stevens: Haha, we'll definitely keep it in mind for the future
Brandon Beglin: You're the best, both of you! Well this interviw has been great! But I have to cut it after this one last question Dom is going crazy with anticipation to read it since I told him i name dropped him, but in all your years of making music together what have you learned from it or how have you changed as people or a group?
Zack Reinhardt: thats a hard one for 2am
Brandon Beglin: do it!
Winthrop Stevens: I think the most valuable thing I've learned is don't sweat the little things and just focus on having fun and working together
Zack Reinhardt: what he said
Brandon Beglin: See Winthrop could do it
that doesnt count zack
Winthrop Stevens: Because in the end the music is what it is all about and everything else will fall into place in some sense if you can just vibe off of one another
Brandon Beglin: Winthrop is still pumped from the show earlier haha great fucking answer man! And thank you both so much for giving me this chance to interview you both!
Zack Reinhardt: quite welcome, sir
hope the show goes well next week
wish I could make it
Winthrop Stevens: No problem dude! And thank you so much for interviewing us, it's really cool of you to do so and it means an awful lot
Friday, January 6, 2012
Double Jump Music and Interview!
(Such great music)
(acoustic and beautiful)
(one of my favorites)
1. Why the name Double Jump?
Joshua: My little brother had the name set aside for a band he thought he was gonna make and I had been wanting to use it for awhile but never had the chance. So when Julia and I started a band I thought it would be perfect to use.
Julia: I thought the name Double Jump was cute because there are two of us and our names both start with "J"! But I'm just cheesy like that.
2. When did you two meet? and what mad you start up the little duo?
We met a couple years back through mutual friends. We actually didn't start hanging out until the day we recorded "Junior High", which was about 2 months ago. We both needed an outlet due to shitty situations. Coincidentally, we both were going through break ups at the same time which led to the creation of Double Jump.
3. What was your goal when you started this group?
Joshua: Double Jump kinda just happened. We didn't have any goal in mind, but now that we've started I would say our goal is to make as many people as happy as possible with our music.
Julia: Well I originally went to Josh's house because he asked me to record vocals over a song he previously recorded. But instead, we recorded "Junior High" for some reason. After recording that we got super pumped and decided to form Double Jump! (We have yet to record that first song that we had planned to in the first place, haha)
4. Your tracks out now are fantastic, are there more to come from you two?
Yes! In fact we just finished our 7th song which will be up soon! We plan on continuing making music while Julia is away at college in Sonora, California.
5. What are you looking to do with your music?
I guess the best answer for this is: to express ourselves and to be relatable to anyone who stumbles across our music. We try and keep our music simple because to be honest we aren't the most talented musicians; making music just makes us happy.
6. Will you make a shirt, and send me one so I can wear it? Or a sticker, so I can put it on my car? Or is merchandise to far ahead right now?
We would love to be able to make merch, but at the moment we are both broke. Which means it's probably a little ways away. But when it does happen, cause it will.... We will let you know for sure! And you could wear our shirt to bed.
7. What is the inspiration for your songs? are the parts written differently like one writes guitar and the other writes lyrics?
Joshua: I guess I gather my inspiration from life. As cliche as it sounds. I know that answer is super unoriginal, but I feel that all my past experiences whether it be positive or negative plays into my writing process. If you listen to the songs you can kinda tell which lyrics were written by who. I tend to write more emotional lyrics and Julia likes to write songs about fairies and cupcakes. To be honest I am blown away every time we sit down to write. Julia is an amazing person and beyond that she is incredibly talented. That is inspiring to me. As far as who plays what, we both play guitar and any other instruments you hear in the songs.
Julia: If Double Jump consisted of Joshua alone, I'm pretty darn sure it would be listed under the genre "EMO", haha. I like to think that Josh and I bring the perfect balance of emotion into our music. I'd say I get inspired by love and hope and sprinkles and butterflies and the occasional unicorn. But in all seriousness, I just write about what I feel at that moment, whatever that may be. We really do collaborate really well and tie each other's loose ends as far as completing songs goes. We both equally play all the instruments. Although, I have to admit, Josh records most of the claps, snaps, and shaker parts because I have terrible rhythm caused by my inability to stop dancing while recording.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Options Interview and Music!
(awesome group)
(solo turned into something)
(great interview)
Me: Okay we have an interview with Seth Engel from the group Options!, now Seth tell us the story behind the name Options!
Seth Engel: When I started writing music under that name, all the bands I'd been in had broken up, and this was the only thing left that I had to do. Bands start and bands break up, but I'll always have this. There's also a song by Pedro the Lion called Options, and it really affected me the first time I heard it.
Me: haha so your love from another song inspired the name for your group thats awesome! well tell when Options started up and how it was like having a new outlet
Seth Engel: I've been recording solo for ages, but I began this particular project in 2008. It was definitely refreshing to be totally on my own and not to depend on unreliable people.
Me: Now how has your music changed through the different releases from sound or just anything personal that may have changed your writing
Seth Engel: Most notably, my earlier records are much more acoustic guitar-based whereas the last couple records I've done are loud and electric. Moving out to Chicago has had a profound impact on me, and being around a different scene has definitely influenced the way I think about song structure, chord placement, etc.
Me: When did you make that move to Chicago? and why?
Seth Engel: I moved out here in the fall of 2008 for school, but it's really become more of a home than I ever could've imagined.
Me: Is the response to your music different in chicago than it was in your home town?
Seth Engel: Yeah, definitely. Chicago is just so open and accepting and friendly, and it's definitely helped me grow as a musician and person. I've managed to get a steady band together to play my songs as well, which has never happened before.
Me: haha so what was it like in your home town then? hardcore i assume?
Seth Engel: I'm from suburbs of Philly, and there's a ton of hardcore in the city. Out in the burbs it's pretty hard to get noticed if you don't sound like John Mayer, so while I would play an occasional show, it was nothing compared to what I'm doing now.
Me: What are things like now? shows and more recognition? it seems like the big city has more venues for your music to be heard and surely more people
Seth Engel: More recognition because of more opportunities. There are tons of venues and it's pretty easy to get shows, which is really nice. My friend Todd is starting a label called Redbeard Records, and he's helping me put out my newest EP on vinyl. That should be out in april, which is really really exciting.
Me: What are you really trying to get across with your music? What inspires you to write such great songs like Times Like These
Seth Engel: I just write about whatever's going on in my life or stuff that I'm thinking. Time Like These was about a girl who I liked, I'm glad you dig it.
Me: Oh you know I dig it haha, What would you say is your best song in your opinion if there is one?
Seth Engel: I dunno about best, but my favorite one is probably If If If because it's short, direct, and doesn't say too much. Other than that, probably Waterfall.
Me: I'm sure it is hard to pick one of your own songs as your favorite hah, What are your influences?
Seth Engel: Tim Kinsella (Joan of Arc, etc), David Bazan (Pedro The Lion), and Rob Crow (Pinback, etc) have probably had the biggest impact on my music.
Me: And what are you trying to do with your music? Where are you trying to go with it? Are there certain places that you would like to play and certain people that you would like to play with?
Seth Engel: I'm trying to make a lot of records and play shows. I'd like to be able to tour eventually, too. Playing Lincoln Hall in Chicago or the First Unitarian Church in Philly would be way too cool. I am really lucky to have a great band to play my songs with me live. My friend Bryan Kingsley has been playing guitar with me since 2010, and he's an awesome musician and a great person. This year, I got Mike Nardone to play bass and sing as well as Evan Loritsch on drums. This is definitely the best lineup I've ever had, and I couldn't ask for better people to play with.
Me: Do the guys help on the song writing?! and give good influence and input on the new songs? or is it still mainly you?
Seth Engel: I write all the songs, but I like to let them do their own thing whenever possible. I like the songs to be played closely to the records, but not exactly. I'm hoping to have all of them play a little on my next record, but I'll be doing the bulk of the instrumentation like I usually do.
Me: Well I'm going to finish this up now, its been an awesome interview but how about one last question?
Seth Engel: Yeah, go for it!
Me: Okay now you moved away from your home town, have had a good number of cds recorded and out, moved to chicago and found your niche with this great group of guys that are helping alot with your music, so what did you learn through all of this? do you think youre a different person than you were when you wrote the earlier albums?
Seth Engel: I think I'm the same person, I've just learned a lot about myself and the world around me. I've learned that although doing what makes me happy can often be hard work, it's always worth the effort.
Me: Man thats an awesome answer, and this really has been an amazing interview thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to get to know you and your music better!
Seth Engel: yeah absolutely, thanks for having me.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Boyfriends Interview and Music!
(amazing)
(snowing and 1994!)
(barf academy)
Well, originally our band started out with a different name. We were called Barf Academy when we started. On a drive to our first show in Philly a friend of ours, Kevin (the guy you hear talking at the beginning of "Too Wild For Wild"), jokingly said that we should all make a band together called Boyfriends. So instead of making a new band we just changed Barf Academy to Boyfriends. But we still have claims to Barf Academy so if anyone steals that name we're gonna come after you.
2. Knowing that there are experienced members from Snowing and 1994! in the band does that help the writing and creative process as well as growing a fan base?
For some reason, having members of Snowing and 1994! doesn't help Boyfriends at all. Or at least I don't think it does. I think our fan base is very slowly growing, but it does exist and we're thankful for that. Having experience with other bands always helps with writing though, But that doesn't mean writing always comes easy. We've fallen into this crazy pattern of writing a batch of songs, recording them, releasing them, and then getting sick of them and then no longer play those songs.
3. How has the sound changed from, the demo in '09 to the split with boys and sex to the the 7"?
Our music has made a progressive change. It's gone from slightly spastic and melodic (the demo), to pop punk with guitars everywhere (the split and ep 7"s), to the new stuff (hasn't been released yet) which has a more mature feel to it and brings back the demo mindset a little. The new stuff is more formed I guess you could say.
4. What did you want to do or what was your goal starting boyfriends?
When Boyfriends started it was almost a joke. Mike and I were jamming one day together and Chris joined in not long after a few songs were written. The band was essentially an excuse to have a band that we could get really wasted and still play shows. We didn't expect to actually have records recorded and released. Matt joined the band about a month before our first 7"s were recorded.
5. When did the band start up?
The band started in 2009 I guess. Refer to previous question...I guess?
6. Which show has been the funnest show you have played to date? and why?
The funnest show must of been new years eve into 2010. It was at the Ox in Philadelphia. Imagine 300+ people all super drunk with a 10 band show and something like a 4 keg new years party in the room next door. It was insane. All of the bands that played that night are real good friends of ours and it was amazing to bring in the new year with their company. Plus the mass amount of beer was great.
7. What is coming now, new releases, or a tour?
In the upcoming months we should have a 7" split with Big Kids out. The songs are recorded just need to get things mixed, mastered and sent off to the pressing plant. Oh and wait for Big Kids to do all that stuff as well. Hopefully, and we're crossing our fingers here, there might be a tour with Big Kids to follow up on that split 7". As for the future future, not sure. Who knows what we're gonna do. Needless to say beer and weed will probably be involved.
The Bulletproof Tiger Music and Interview!
(awesome guys)
(awesome band)
(so nice just enjoy damnit)
Me: Interview with Drew Krech from The Bulletproof Tiger a fantastic band! Now first where did this awesome name come from?!
Drew Krech: ahh crap. embarrassing answer.
Its a quote from a tv show called Eastbound and Down. We couldn't really think of a good name for the band and we thought that show was pretty funny. In one episode the guy calls himself a bulletproof tiger and somehow that became our name. Now we feel pretty stuck with it. Hence the track title "Our Band Name Sucks"... The worst part is that there a bunch of other bands called bulletproof tiger because the show became pretty popular (which we probably should have expected)
Me: haha thats hilarious, i watch the show too but i dont even remember that part but the only character that id say is a bulletproof tiger is Stevie if thats his name i think i havent watched in like a year, so there are other bands with the same name?
Drew Krech: its the main character Kenny Powers that says it. I'm pretty sure it's in the first episode. He's arguing with his brother and he just yells out "I'm a fucking bulletproof tiger!". And yeah some other groups have the name as well. there is a two piece electronic outfit who wears stupid tiger masks, a post hardcore band that is actually pretty good, and some other random ones. I think there is even a folk band that is like __some girls name__ and the bulletproof tigers
Me: haha, well can you go through the stages of the band from the start up to now, going through releases, shows that changed things or stuck with you guys?
Drew Krech: We actually have a pretty long history, so this might be a long answer. We've known each other most of our lives and have played in a million bands together. Most were obviously garbage, but eventually I guess things got more serious. I was in university and had more or less stopped playing all together and the other three guys had a pretty fantastic band called ".D" going for a while. Pretty wild math rock stuff. After university I started two piece with James called Hurting People which was also math rock, but quite a bit simpler and centered around looping riffs. Eventually things got difficult with James trying to do both projects so we just sort of combined forces and started BPT.
The original idea was to marry the craziness of .D with the simplicity of Hurting People and do a more accesible style of math rock and it really clicked right away. We'd written the first EP in about two months and recorded it in my bedroom. After that it just sort of turned into an all encompassing thing. We started playing in our hometown all the time, people were buying cds from us in strange parts of the world so we just decided to go all in. We moved to Toronto and wrote this album, got it released on Friend of Mine Records in Japan and now here we are, trying to figure out the next step. As far as great shows we've had the honour of playing with some great bands like Caspian and Lymbyc Systym, and we've been able to become good friends with Giraffes? Giraffes! who are kind of our idols nowadays.
I know that is a REALLY long answer. I just like telling the story haha
Me: aha not a problem at all! so was Stab the new cherry also you guys? since you said there are other bands with the same name I am scared that it is not you now haha
Drew Krech: Haha Yeah that was us. That is the EP that we recorded in my bedroom. You can't tell? I know our style has progressed, but hopefully both records share a similar vibe. It's hard to tell because we're too close to the music you know?
Me: Man I can totally tell its you guys, im so insulted, not really, but I mean I had to make sure because then I'd look like a dumbass if I hadnt fact checked haha, that shit was all I listened to two summers ago! What has changed between the two albums in your views?
Drew Krech: I was just thinking about this the other day and it is actually an interesting answer (at least I think so). When we wrote the EP our lives were completely different, and it was just sort of a fun thing to do. We lived in a cheap city with easy jobs and all we ever did was party and play nazi zombies. When you listen to that album everything is so happy and laid back. Fast forward two years - by the time YWKAI? was finished the band had been through so many frustrating and bad experiences you can really hear the tension in the songs.
It wasn't a conscious thing at all, but everything is a bit grittier, a bit faster, things sort of change more frequently and there are some moments where the music just sort of explodes. I think maybe it just comes from having band practice when we all hate each other and just writing some fast angry shit just to keep ourselves from punching each other out haha. I think the happy melodies and things are all still there, but the backdrop is definitely a lot more tense and certainly mirrors the state of our band relationship over the last two years.
Me: damn so you guys had to kiss and make up after all of that? has the success of this record mirrored the success of stab the new cherry?
Drew Krech: We still have to kiss and make up definitely. The thing with working with friends is that there are always arguments and there are a lot of things constantly bubbling under the surface. You can't just go and sit at your desk and pretend your coworkers don't exist then punch out at 5 o'clock and go have a beer with your buds. Especially being cooped up in a new city, not knowing anyone else... we spent a LOT of time together over the last two years. That really takes it's toll.
YWKAI? was really a harrowing experience, but I feel like we've gotten past most of the rough stuff, and we have lots of new opportunities now to squander and then bitch about to each other hahaha. As far as the success of the album, it is hard to say as it has only been available for a few weeks, but the response from everyone has been positive. STNC was sort of a creeper and built our fanbase up over two years. I think everyone who likes STNC likes YWKAI? and we've also been getting new fans and meeting new people because of it. It's all just part of the journey. It's positive so far, I think it will continue to be.
Me: So now that the new album has came out and its starting to get some notices, is there more shows or something of a tour in the works?
Drew Krech: Well to really showcase our diy approach: I have no idea. We don't know what we are doing and we don't have a manager or a booking agent or any of that shit, so really it just comes down to what opportunities poke their heads out at us. We'd certainly love to play more shows and tour a lot more, and I'm hoping 2012 will be the year for us to really get out there and enjoy those things. As I mentioned previously we've become buddies with the amazing Giraffes? Giraffes! and the idea of touring with them in the summer has come up a few times. This would be amazing and we've had our fingers crossed for that one for a long time now.
Me: Damn dude if you dont tour with them then thats ridiculous, you will have the chance to go so many places meet people and also see alot of other great bands so why wouldnt you?! What about merch? do you have stuff so people can show off their love for you guys?
Drew Krech: Well it's really up to them. They are big potatoes and we are small fries. I'm sure they have opportunities to do some pretty great stuff next summer. We're just hoping their schedule will allow it and that they'll want to do it when the time comes.
Me: You can just get a van and fill it full of men with beards and have a great time, how does that sound bad? you didnt answer about merch!
Drew Krech: As for merch, at the moment we have a shirt and the new album for sale. We had some pretty big money issues this year and shelling out for a bunch of different shirts and all sorts of other crap just wasn't really possible. We had to do a fundraiser just to get the album mastered. For now people can email us at thebulletprooftigermusic@gmail.com to order stuff until we find a better way of peddling things. or better yet come to a show and buy it/hang out with us.
Me: Was your guys big move solely for your music?
Drew Krech: Nah I don't think so. As much as we love our home town, life just gets pretty stagnant in a small place where you know everyone. For myself, I was done school and wasn't really doing anything so I really wanted to get out of there and experience a different lifestyle. I'm sure the other guys all had similar reasons for wanting to make the move.
The move has made being in a band much much harder. Especially leaving a town like Windsor where everyone loves and supports local artists to a place like Toronto where most people have better things to do. It's been hard to build momentum here.
Me: So do you think that this new record will do it? Have you played any shows there?
Drew Krech: The style of music we play isn't really the sort of thing that has breakout hit of the summer potential. I think the album will get us some more fans and provide new opportunities for us, but I think counting on it becoming a huge success would be naive. It really is a niche market and we can only hope that after years of doing it we'll eventually get ourselves in a position where juggling real life and band life makes economic sense. Until then it will always be a struggle. We've played many shows in Toronto with varying levels of success. Some brutal ones and some really great ones. We just played on New Years Eve at a great DIY space called The Soybomb HQ. That was an amazing night.
Me: Are there other bands there of the same type of genre like how is the scene?
Drew Krech: We haven't really played with anyone like us in Toronto. In fact it has been a really long time since we've played with another math rock band. There are some great instrumental acts here that make for a nice bill (Isosceles Project and Sleep for the Nightlife are first to come to mind), but really those bands are unique to the city in their own way as well. Toronto is brimming with talented musicians and I'm sure somewhere there are some great math rock shows happening, but we haven't been invited to them yet.
Toronto's "scene" seems to be centered around huge acts streaking through on a nightly basis and huge underground raves and stuff like that. then you have all these little bars with talented musicians playing that no one goes to watch.
Me: damn haha ill be the first to say that it is bullshit that you have not been invited to other mathrock shows i mean come on, what had you expected going to toronto? why there?
Drew Krech: I don't know what we expected coming here. I think as i said previously, we just wanted to see what it would be like in a big city, if not for the band then just on a personal level. You can't deny that there are more opportunities in a huge city, but it is also way harder to get noticed. We just haven't figured it out yet I guess, hopefully we will one day.
Me: Damn, well lets cut this interview down and hit you with a last question! Through all of the fun Stab the New Cherry and then the bad times and the move, shows, and now Wanna Kiss About It? what have you guys learned through it all? Whether about the music, eachother, or just life through your experiences?
Drew Krech: Maybe it's just me, but I can't seem to answer that question. I must not have learned anything at all! That's pretty typical of me really. But really I'd say that BPT is a pretty epic success story. Anyone who knows us personally knows that we have been through a lot, and I guess the ultimate lesson is that you just gotta keep slamming your face into walls until you've broken them all down. The pain doesn't last and the devastation left behind is great fun to look back on.
Me: Wow, what a fantastic interview! Thank you so much for giving me the time and chance to get to know you and your music more!
Drew Krech: no worries man! I enjoyed it. Great to meet you and thanks for being interested in the band! show your friends, and post the interview up on the facebook so people can take a gander!
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