RIP Showcase: So Long & Thanks For All The Pop-Punk
by Ashley Aron
Almost exactly two years ago, I reblogged a post from PropertyOfZack onto my personal blog - an impactful and well-worded piece by Jesse Cannon on how the punk community needed to stand together in light of the tragic deaths at Electric Zoo 2013. I threw in a comment about how great it would be for Jesse to come speak at my college. That small remark single-handedly helped me land the gig here at POZ as your Showcase Director since Jesse did, in fact, come to speak on my campus. He connected me with Erik, Erik connected me with Zack at just the right time, and the rest is history. I won’t bore you with the long-winded story, but god damn, what a journey it’s been.
I have posted at least two Showcase features every weekend since I joined in December 2013. I have reviewed submissions from countless Blink-182/Wonder Years/State Champs copycats, read some incredible stories of band members doing crazy shit, and connected with kids all over the country who are simply chasing the dream. It was the most rewarding feeling to have someone get excited that their feature was going up on POZ. The connections that being in this position has granted me are beyond words. I went to college in upstate New York, which is a C-level concert market at best. Running Showcase was like my virtual ear to the ground: I got to introduce our readers to PVRIS, I was elated to post about the EZ-ska movement that is Survay Says!, I fell in love with the original version of Broadside’s “Storyteller” pre-Victory Records, and so much more. When I got to see Broadside play live last May, I brought cupcakes for their drummer’s birthday. Now, it’s a tradition for me to bring sweet goodies to every Showcase band I get to see play live - if any of you are ever in LA, hit me up [seriously]. Think of it as a celebration of good music, good company, and the pursuit of punk.
You, the readers, gave me purpose in our scene when I felt lost. Being a part of POZ changed my life, truly. The network I created from running Showcase even helped me land my first real adult job in the music industry, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I’ve found new friendships, helped a plethora of bands share the art they love to create, and above all, found a treasure trove of new music from bands I never would have listened to otherwise. I hope you did, too.
Stand Atlantic has the bright and infectious kind of pop punk that makes me remember why I really started to love listening to this genre in the first place. Front woman Bonnie’s voice is rich and soulful, yet has a punk streak that softly adds an edge to the overall sound. Stream “Paper Skin” below and check out all of Stand Atlantic’s music on Bandcamp.
For Fans Of: State Champs, Broadside, McCalister
Social Sites: Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, Bandcamp
By Ashley Aron
<a href="http://standatlantic.bandcamp.com/album/a-place-apart-ep">A Place Apart - EP by Stand Atlantic</a>
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Jonno Panichi - Drums
David Potter - Bass
Arthur Taak - Guitar
Bonnie Fraser - Guitar / Vox
What's your hometown (or what are your hometowns)?
We’re all from Sydney, Australia.
How did the band come together? How long has it been?
Looong story haha. I’ll keep it short though: Arthur & I (Bonnie) used to write sad acoustic songs, then started a band for funzies under a different name, members came and went and we found Potter by putting up posters at our uni, changed our name to Stand Atlantic, then brought Jonno in on drums this year. As Stand Atlantic it’s been about a year and a half that we’ve been a band!
How have you grown since you started?
Insane amounts...as songwriters, as people, and as friends. When you start making music for fun then start taking it a bit more seriously it makes you learn and grow pretty quickly haha.
What sets you apart from other bands?
Always a tough question to answer – I think we are something a little different to the usual pop-punk or pop-rock. We try to keep a bit of an edge… I guess you’ll have to find out for yourself! ;)
What's the best part about being in your band?
Literally being able to make music, share memories and hang out with your best buds and make new ones along the way is the best thing ever.
More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
We all kinda listen to a lot of different things to each other! Lots of pop, lots of pop punk, indie – but lately we’ve been jamming lots of The Story So Far, As It Is, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber (pls dnt h8), The Griswolds, Northlane, Knuckle Puck, Ed Sheeran, 12 Foot Ninja, State Champs… and the obvious classics like Blink and Green Day. I don’t want to make this list too long, cause that’s the tip of the iceberg haha.
What would you say the band has already accomplished and what do you have your eyes set on next?
We’ve been able to do some awesome tours and really cool shows with bands we never thought we’d play with, we just want to keep doing all those things, write music and meet as many people as we can.
Thus far, what’s a favorite memory or something quirky that’s taken place with the band (in-studio, onstage, or elsewhere)?
There was this one time… two songs into our set… Potter decided to jump off the stage, so he did it, but ends up fracturing both his heels, he then climbed back up on stage and finished the rest of the set but did not move a muscle till it ended. We kept offering to help him walk around after the show but he INSISTED he was okay so all we could do was have a little giggle at him hobbling around… Or maybe we’re just bad people...
Is there anything in particular that you’d like people to take away from listening to your music?
The feels. Hopefully they can connect with the lyrics of course, but if not and they just like jamming the songs that’s great too. We just like to make music and play shows :)
If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?
If it could be more about the music and less about the money that’d be sweet. I feel like it causes a lot of people to get into music for the wrong reasons.
How did your band’s name come about?
We were just tossing ideas around – we loved the imagery of ‘Atlantic’ and we thought of (I think) ‘Atlantic Falls’ or something like that, and it sounded metal so we made it a bit more posi and put ‘Stand’ at the front. It was kind of a random choice to be honest, but it just stuck haha!
What's the biggest mistake someone's made while playing?
Probably Potter trying to jump off the stage but fracturing his heels instead…
Any pre-performance rituals?
I know a lot of bands have these… We’ve tried to have our own ones and they never stick! Haha. But we always just pump ourselves up, a bit of group stretching, some warm ups, maybe have a laugh or two if we’re feeling really fancy!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you POZ for letting us be part of the showcase! Thank you if you read this far – hopefully we have delighted you enough to taste our musical product. If you enjoy our music, come out to a show so we can hug you! Rock n roll.
Franchise brings a refined yet aggressive urgency to their music, starting right out of the gate with “Figure A,” the opening track on their latest release Santa Muerte. This raw emotion consistently radiates throughout the next five tracks with gritty vocals and powerful melodies. Stream album closer “An Introduction to the First Day of Living” below and check out the rest of Franchise’s music on Soundcloud. Photo by Deadbolt Photos.
For Fans Of: Underoath, Touche Amore, He Is Legend
Socials Sites: Facebook, Twitter, Soundcloud, Instagram, Youtube, Site
by Ashley Aron
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Kenny Ramirez : Vocals
Edgar “Mush” Martinez : Guitars
Mark Costa : Bass
Corrado Rizzi: Drums
What's your hometown (or what are your hometowns)?
We’re headquartered out of Bloomfield, NJ. Kenny, Mark and Corrado all went to high school together just a town over in Nutley, NJ.
How did the band come together? How long has it been?
Franchise formed in 2013. We were all in bands from the Jersey scene and we either played in the same bands together or just knew each other from the scene. All our past bands kind of just faded out around the same time... As musicians we collected experiences over the past 10+ years that we wanted to bring to the table in a new form. We wanted to try some new things and just have fun making music with people who shared similar views.
We started out with a different singer and released a debut LP which came out in September of 2013. Kenny joined up with us in the summer of 2014. He went to high school with two of us and played in a band called Lady Radiator who were prominent in the North Jersey scene when we were in our other respective bands. Given our past, he was just a shoe in with us and we clicked right away.
How have you grown since you started?
(Mark) I think that we drastically matured musically and individually over the past two years or so. I think the music really reflects that. If you listen back to our debut LP and then jump right into our newest release, Santa Muerte I think it’s night and day. I’m proud of both of them obviously but, the growth and maturity between releases is really prominent.
It’s a really cool feeling when your band kind of just grows with you. We’re all going through very similar stages in our lives and that’s really important for the longevity/success of any band. Mush is married and had a baby girl last May, I got married in November and closed on a house, Kenny is set to get married next month and Corrado is next in line. When members are all on the same page, the creative process is just real easy…and the final product is just that much more special.
What sets you apart from other bands?
(Mark): Stylistically speaking I feel as though we bring a sense of nostalgia to our listeners, or so we’ve been told by those who were around when Jersey was a breeding ground for Post-Hardcore, back to the days of Thursday/early beginnings of Senses Fail, My Chemical Romance…All those dudes cut their teeth right in our backyard in places like the Bloomfield Ave Café, Club Krome and Rex Plex. I like to think that we put our own little twist on things as well, creating something that was loved by many but making it new again.
As for the younger listeners who weren’t around when Post-Hardcore was at the forefront of the scene I think we provide them with some sort of introduction to the genre if you will. Truth of the matter is, I think we have a little something for everyone and its cool to see fans of all types of music share their reactions to what Franchise produces.
What's the best part about being in your band?
(Kenny) The best part about being in this band is that we all have a family mentality and treat each other as brothers and extend ourselves to one another families. It's a big thing in building a relationship of not only musicians amongst one another but a brotherhood.
(Corrado) The best part about being in this band is the energy we create when we play together. Individually, we all have our own styles and influences and when we write songs we're not entirely sure of what the final product will be. When it all finally falls into place, like when we play live or when we recorded our EP, it's like I'm having an out-of-body experience. The act of creating and playing music with Kenny, Mush and Mark is the best about being in this band for me.
(Mush) I would say the reaction after our sets. It's rewarding to see how much people enjoy our music/tones
(Mark) The best part for me is that fact that I still get to play shows and make records. I don’t want to stop doing what I love and Franchise is an outlet that lets me accomplish that, hopefully for many more years to come.
More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
(Kenny) Truthfully, when writing a record I tend to stay away from listening to any music, so that way it doesn't play any effects on the writing process. If I do listen to music it tends to be outside of the genre of what we write. Like Billie holiday, Sam Cooke, stuff of that era.
(Mush) I’d have to say that I draw a lot of influence from bands like Touché Amore and He Is Legend.
(Mark) I don’t think that we’re a band that sits down and says something along the lines of “hey lets write a part that sounds like the bridge in this Deftones song.” It’s kind of weird how it happens…there’s not usually much talking. Mush starts playing a riff and we kind of all just add our own parts.I’d say that our emotions are the biggest inspiration to our music. What we play is what comes out and that’s how the record is going to sound. Who knows what direction our follow up to Santa Muerte is going to sound like? I guess it all depends on what life throws at us in the next few months.
What would you say the band has already accomplished and what do you have your eyes set on next?
(Corrado) I'd say the band has done pretty well so far. We promised ourselves that we were going to operate this band our own way, not by any pre-existing blueprint of how people think bands are supposed to operate, and I'd say we've done just that. I'm personally extremely proud of the EP we released in June, as well as all the shows we've played and people we've connected with thus far. As for the future, we plan on beginning the writing process for our next release once our new rehearsal spot is operational. Playing in Europe sometime in the future is also a goal of ours.
Thus far, what’s a favorite memory or something quirky that’s taken place with the band (in-studio, onstage, or elsewhere)?
(Kenny) Hmm, I would say my most embarrassing moment was during pre-production when Mark was gathering some footage for our teasers promoting the Santa Muerte writing process and he caught me having difficulty with my pants zipper. So from the angle he caught me on made it look as though I was playing with myself. Hahaha
Is there anything in particular that you’d like people to take away from listening to your music?
(Kenny) The intensity and emotion behind the lyrical content, as well as the suicide/addiction awareness and prevention that is sub texted in Santa Muerte.
If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?
(Kenny) Hmm, great question... I would have to say the lack of recognition towards independent artists and their efforts in building a foundation in which allows them to have opportunities to play amongst vets that have the backing to perform at certain venues and etc.
(Corrado) It's hard to suggest any sweeping changes that I'd like to see made to the music industry. What's going on in Franchise's corner of the music scene isn't necessarily the same deal for bands across the country, you know? It's different for all musicians at all levels. If anything, I would make it mandatory for promoters/venues to better maintain their house drum kits. Some of the house kits I've played on were held together with chewing gum and duct tape.
How did your band’s name come about?
(Corrado) The name Franchise came about one night when Mark and I were in a bar and SportsCenter was on TV. We're both big sports fans and had been tossing around ideas for starting a new project for a while; who would be in it, what our mission statement would be, what will our sound be, etc. It kind of hit us that a good band should operate like a winning sports franchise. Each piece needs to bring to the table his own influences and talents for the team to succeed. For great franchises to sustain success, they have to adapt and evolve. And no great team succeed without making good business decisions too, right? The same goes for bands. That's a broad explanation, but that's basically where the name Franchise came from.
What's the biggest mistake someone's made while playing?
(Corrado) There are no mistakes. Only happy accidents.
(Mush) My biggest mistake was when I skipped a song in our set and started playing a different song. I quickly noticed and tried to play it off. This was big because we were playing to a sold out show with Hawthorne heights.
(Mark) You know, as awesome as that Hawthorne Heights show at Webster Hall in NYC was, my heart attack moment came during that set as well haha. Our photographer was sneaking behind my bass rig to grab some angles and happened to step on the power strip I was plugged into and my whole rig just shut off…So I’m over there looking like an ass trying communicate to him that he shut my amp off while still pretending that I’m playing for the crowd haha. He just kept giving me the thumbs up saying, you guys are killing it ☺ and I’m like no, you’re killing me. Plug me back in!
Any pre-performance rituals?
(Kenny) I usually tend to listen to a lot of soul before my shows… Like James brown, The Temptations, Billie Holiday and sometimes I throw in a little mix of Sigur Ros in there to calm my nerves.
(Corrado) When I was younger, my hands used to cramp up a lot while I played. I don't know if it was a result of poor technique or just being too excited and holding the sticks too tightly while I played. So now my pre-show ritual consists of drinking a lot of water and stretching and warming up on a practice pad as much as I can. It's not exciting, but it's necessary.
(Mush) I wouldn't call it a ritual but I listen to inspiring music before shows just to kick the nerves out.
(Mark) Lately I’ve been trying to enjoy the venues more. I’ll take a walk by myself with my GoPro and just shoot random stuff…My Father-In-Law played in a band and always tells me that he regrets the lack of amount of pictures/videos of his shows, I think he has one picture…. So the past few years I’ve just been kind of soaking it all in especially due to the rate that venues close down these days. I’m trying to build a library of footage for my future children and their children to see that I was somewhat “cool” once. haha
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We just put out an EP that we’re really proud of called Santa Muerte. It was produced by someone who we all look up to and we hope you would give it a chance. If you like it, please show a friend.
We’re looking to spread out more regionally in 2015/2016 so if you or someone you know runs shows in your area, please reach out .We’d love to make some new friends in some new places and of course help return the favor here in Jersey. It’s all about building a community and helping one another. In the meantime we’re going to get cracking on the next record. See you guys soon.
While their decision to follow Warped is a ballsy one, I can’t deny that I thoroughly enjoyed my first listen to VTRN’s EP The Things that Keep Us Here and could easily see it appealing to the masses in those parking lots. It’s straight up, guitar-driven, harmony-laden alt/pop rock with a sense of refinement, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less catchy. Stream the EP below and check out all of VTRN’s music on their Bandcamp page.
For Fans Of: Acceptance, The Spill Canvas, Dashboard Confessional
Social Sites: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Website, Spotify, Bandcamp
by Ashley Aron
<a href="http://veteranmusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-things-that-keep-us-here">The Things That Keep Us Here by Veteran</a>
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Angelo Valentine - Vocals and guitar
Jorge Ortega-Diaz - Guitar
Adam Long - Drums
Benjamin Long - Bass
What's your hometown (or what are your hometowns)?
Angelo - We’ve got members from all over Florida. We had all met in Orlando, so we’re based out of Central Florida. I’m from the area, while Jorge is from Tampa. Adam and Ben are from down south in West Palm Beach.
How did the band come together? How long has it been?
Jorge: Technically, what? When did we start writing? Back in 2009/2010 under a different band name, right after our old band fizzled out. We had been writing ever since. It had been just Angelo and I for a little bit. We went into the studio a couple years ago to put those songs to track and then when we decided to actually have a full band - like, when we needed a full band to actually play shows and stuff that’s when we found our first guitarist. A few months later we found Adam through Angelo’s friend who really seemed interested in what we had going on. Ben caught wind of the tunes soon after and we had a complete lineup!
How have you grown since you started?
Jorge: Well, I feel like I’ve grown. The guys have regressed.
Adam: Hey!
Angelo: I feel like musically, we’ve done more behind the scenes to grow as writers and engineers before putting ourselves out there.
Jorge: We haven’t done a lot of writing together really yet, but I feel like we’ve grown as people in general going through a lot of transitions.
Adam: I would say trial and error. I mean, just being out here on tour, I don’t think we couldn’t have grown this close as a band. Just in the past month, my outlook on things has changed completely. We’ve all grown individually and as a whole. Like, we all learn different things about each other - positive things, negative things, how to cope with each other and compromise - at the end of the day, all that matters is us getting along and understanding one another.
What sets you apart from other bands?
Adam: We have two drummers in the family.
Jorge: Well, we have two dudes who can do impeccable German accents, and two that can phenomenal Smeagol impression. We at least have future careers in voice acting if the band doesn’t work out.
Angelo: We don’t djent.
Jorge: We don’t put ourselves into a specific genre. We have a pretty diverse set of songs in the works, which makes writing much more interesting for us all.
What's the best part about being in your band?
Jorge: Not really any best part right now. (laughs) I’m broke as f**k.. uhh, I’m behind on bills.
Angelo: Ha! This is true….
Adam: Hey, we eat really well! All this traveling has to pay off somehow.
Angelo: Yeah, I do look forward to that each day.
Jorge: We get to travel and meet some really cool people, and I get to hang around some of my best friends.
Angelo: Awww!
More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands are currently inspiring the music that you're making?
Angelo: I’d say some of more local bands that I’ve seen grow within the scene are bands I look up to now like Anberlin, Copeland, Underoath, Paramore, and even Acceptance back from when I lived in Seattle. I think I’m more influenced by seeing these bands rise to success and knowing anything is possible if you have the drive. I don’t think it played a huge influence on my sound.
Jorge: That’s interesting. I don’t really think that phased me at all at the time. I’m inspired by the way they carry themselves. Some of those guys are the most level-headed musicians I’ve seen out there, but I can say some of those bands have definitely influenced my writing to some degree.
Adam: Well yeah, there’s the way certain individuals in certain successful bands that really know how to carry themselves as people. I mean, there’s a lot of people that I’ve looked up to over the years, but it’s not just the music. The music’s there.
What would you say the band has already accomplished and what do you have your eyes set on next?
Jorge: Well, we haven’t broken up yet, so that’s a huge accomplishment.
Angelo: (laughs) Well, I’d say coming up to the release of the EP was a huge accomplishment for ourselves more on a personal level, but I think we’ve learned a lot, more behind-the-scenes before putting the band out there publicly. Being able to do this all independently is a huge accomplishment for us. Coming out, following the Warped Tour, and meeting different people each day has been very inspiring for us all. Just talking to people and growing our fan base hasn’t been an easy task.
Adam: Even the friendships that we’ve built so far, they’ve been super motivational. Other than that, starting a cult.
Angelo: Yeah, other than that, world domination.
Adam: (laughs) Definitely touring more and finally playing some shows this fall.
Thus far, what’s a favorite memory or something quirky that’s taken place with the band (in-studio, onstage, or elsewhere)?
Jorge: Every time you get sick on the road. You instantly regret everything you’ve ever eaten even after I tell you not to get it!
Angelo: Umm I think recording with our producer Matt Lang in Costa Mesa our first week before Warped Tour. We have our sights set on California after that recording experience. I think anytime we accomplish something new, we tend to overcome some greater personal obstacles.
Adam: How about trying to package all of our merch? (laughs)
Is there anything in particular that you’d like people to take away from listening to your music?
Jorge: Whatever you want to take away from it! At the very least, jam out and enjoy it. If you can at least listen to it in the background, that’s an accomplishment. If you actually pay attention to it, that’s even better. If it moves you, then we’ve gone above and beyond. That’s an honor.
Angelo: Hearing back from everybody. Whether that’s in person or through our social media, I think talking about some of the songs with people has probably been my favorite things. I’ve discovered how listeners including myself have connected to the lyrics in ways I wouldn’t have imagined.
If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?
Angelo: The internet! ...Yeah, it’s a very grey line right now how the labels pay their artists through streaming.
Jorge: (laughs) Well it’s a double-edged sword. I think I would change the way that streaming services reimburse their artists. The way that services have set their standards, that basically, it’s been a slap in the face to artists to make the general public believe that it’s okay to pay the artists on their service less, if nothing for their music. It just degraded the amount that you can pay for a service and all that hard work to the point where people feel justified to not feel bad about this.
Angelo: It’s changed the concept of touring for bands out here and shifted our focus on what keeps us afloat. I feel like we’re developing more that entrepreneurial mindset to innovate things that sometimes aren’t relevant to the music itself. Labels don’t have time to develop artists like the old days, so we’ve taken it upon ourselves to figure that out. It’s become more beneficial to learning what it takes to hold your own out here. Nowadays it’s seems like it’s more about —
Jorge: Keeping a gun out of your mouth.
Angelo: What?
Jorge: — Nothing…
How did your band’s name come about?
Jorge: Ha! It looks cool on paper!
Angelo: Les-be-honest…
Adam: It was an elementary school around the corner from Jorge’s house.
Jorge: Honestly, you guys noticed that initially, but it wasn’t because of the school. We just needed a clean slate and a fresh name when you and Ben joined. We needed something cool and we stuck with it.
Adam: What’s the meaning of “veteran?”
Angelo: There’s no meaning behind the name, but we had been doing this for so long, it made sense to start new.
Adam: I mean the actual definition means you’ve been doing something for some certain period of time that you’ve refined a certain skill.
Angelo: Hmm.. I guess you could say that. Makes sense.
What's the biggest mistake someone's made while playing?
Jorge: (Looking at Angelo) Not even having your guitar….
Angelo: You don’t have to specify guitar, okay? That was just the most blatant mind-blank I’ve had.
Jorge: Ehh.. well there’s still plenty of room in the future for some interesting mistakes.
Angelo: Still looking forward to falling on my ass on stage or really forgetting my lyrics. God forbid I have to take a poo before going on. (knocks on wood under table)
Any pre-performance rituals?
Jorge: Laxatives and kegel exercises.
Angelo: I think stress covers that for me.
Adam: High fives and headbutts! Maybe some pre-workout
Jorge: Whiskey and pickle juice.
Angelo: Yasss!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Angelo: Yeah! Jorge’s sister designed our limited run of tank tops. It’s our first ever piece of merch that we’ve released. We wanted something exclusive for the early supporters and they’re printed on the comfiest material you’ve ever worn. Head over to our webpage and pick one up! veteran.bigcartel.com
I Was Afraid is dark, brooding, and everything a shoegaze band should be. Oozing guitars, spacey vocals, and an overarching sense of despair bring everything together for this alt/emo outfit from Little Rock. Stream the title track off their latest release Endless Ecstasy below and stream the entire LP on I Was Afraid’s Bandcamp page.
For Fans Of: Hum, Smashing Pumpkins, Failure
Social Sites: Facebook, Twitter, Bandcamp
By Ashley Aron
<a href="http://iwasafraid.bandcamp.com/album/endless-ecstasy">Endless Ecstasy by I Was Afraid</a>
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Darby Johnson – Vocals/Guitar (answering)
Ty McCuin – Guitar
Evan Grove - Bass
Champy Gahagan - Drums
What's your hometown (or what are your hometowns)?
We’re from around the Little Rock, Arkansas, area. Two of us live inside Little Rock and two live outside of Little Rock.
How did the band come together? How long has it been?
Ty and I (Darby) started I Was Afraid in 2011 but we’ve gone through so many member changes
that this version of the band is a completely separate band than from when it started. This version of the band started in 2013.
How have you grown since you started?
I don’t think we’ve gotten much taller but in the past two and a half years we’ve done an EP, a split, and two albums. We’ve worked hard on improving our songwriting as well as the tones and sounds we’re getting from our gear.
What sets you apart from other bands?
We’re short and we don’t have beards.
What's the best part about being in your band?
We all really enjoy the music we’re playing! We’re trying to make the music we want to hear rather than what’s super popular right now. As a band we get along really well and just generally like spending time together whether it’s touring or just hanging out together.
More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
Hum, Shiner, Failure, Far, and Smashing Pumpkins. We’re really into all the 90’s/early 2000’s unknown alt rock/space rock stuff.
What would you say the band has already accomplished and what do you have your eyes set on next?
We’re currently on our fourth tour and we’ll be hitting Canada on this run. It feels like a big deal for us since we’ve self-booked and self released everything. We have our eyes set on playing the west coast soon and hopefully more countries after that! We also just released our album Endless Ecstasy and the response has been mind blowing! We’re super appreciative of everyone who supports us.
Thus far, what’s a favorite memory or something quirky that’s taken place with the band (in-studio, onstage, or elsewhere)?
I think collectively our favorite memory with the band has to be going to record our last album in Champaign, IL, with Matt from Hum. So far this band has taken us to so many amazing places and we’ve met so many lifelong friends we’re always making great memories it feels like.
Is there anything in particular that you’d like people to take away from listening to your music?
We hope that people can connect with it in the same way that we connect to all the bands that inspire us. Music is a huge source of comfort for us and I hope that there’s something in our music that people can hold on to.
If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?
Personally, I wish that the majority of music listeners valued music more highly. The value of music is completely determined by the people listening to it and most think it should be free. If everyone decided to pay for music bands could do so much more.
How did your band’s name come about?
“I Was Afraid” is actually taken from a TS Elliot poem about this person who has crippling social anxiety that basically ruins his life and keeps him from doing the things he wants to do.
What's the biggest mistake someone's made while playing?
A long time ago we tried to cover Green Day, our drummer at the time destroyed the whole song because he was trying to do stick tricks. It was really embarrassing and I’m glad that he’s not in the band anymore. We’ve gone through like nine drummer changes.
Any pre-performance rituals?
I walk around the venue nervously and hum along to whatever band is currently playing to try to warm up my voice a little. Ty always has to stretch his arm out or it cramps up from his insane shredding.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Look into Arkansas music! We have some great bands and a really cool scene in central Arkansas! Check out Headcold and Mean Ends. There’s also some great hardcore and metal.
Fresh are a brand new duo from the UK, straightforwardly approaching the obstacles of being a young adult all wrapped up with London-accented vocals and perfectly utilized harmonies. “I guess the songs deal with all this teenage angst and melodrama that we’re not going to gloss over that or dress it up; it is what it is,” says frontwoman Kathryn, who instills that the band is comprised of outspoken feminists who want their message to be heard through their music. Fresh’s music has natural vocals showing through against simple yet catchy guitar melodies. Stream “Cinema Woes” below and check out the rest of their Gewingchum EP on Bandcamp.
For Fans Of: The Front Bottoms, Fidlar, Candy Hearts
Social Sites: Facebook, Instagram, Soundcloud, Bandcamp
by Ashley Aron
<a href=“http://freshuk.bandcamp.com/album/gewingchum”>Gewingchum by Fresh</a>
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Kathryn: I sing and play guitar. James plays lead guitar. For bass and drums, we have a revolving door of friends who are semi-permanent members and for the EP, James and I played all the instruments between us.
What’s your hometown (or what are your hometowns)?
Kathryn: I’m from West London.
James: I grew up in Swanley in Kent, but in the last year I moved to New Cross in South London.
How did the band come together? How long has it been?
Kathryn: We’ve only been Fresh for a little less than six months. Last year I met James and joined his project The Elizabeths on bass. I was pretty honoured to be in such a cool band.
James: But The Elizabeths didn’t really materialise into anything. So then Kathryn had some songs written so we were like, “let’s do this,” and we recorded them as an EP under the name Fresh.
Kathryn: I think James and I clicked not only as mates, but as musicians, because our vocals fit very well together. The Elizabeths had these really clever vocals. James was excited about having female vocals because we could figure out these freaky-sounding harmonies.
How have you grown since you started?
Kathryn: Recording the EP Gewingchum was a huge learning process for me, because I’d never recorded intensely before.
James: Also, Kathryn has grown an inch in height since Gewingchum. And my waistline has grown.
Kathryn: We’re literally getting bigger every day! But seriously, even just the month or so since we finished that EP has gotten us more comfortable in our “musical skin”, so it seems like we’re growing musically every day. Fresh’s new stuff is a little more adventurous, I think. I guess you’ll see.
What sets you apart from other bands?
Kathryn: in terms of what we stand for, we’re pretty outspoken feminists, and hopefully that rejection of racism, sexism and heteronormativity is apparent in our music because I don’t think it’s discussed nearly as often as it should be. Regarding our attitude, I’ve noticed that the punk genre takes itself more seriously now, because of that new hardcore influence that’s starting to bleed in to the younger pop punk bands. Although I wouldn’t solely put us in the pop punk genre, Fresh is ultimately just two people kind of laughing at themselves and having a good time. I guess the songs deal with all this teenage angst and melodrama that we’re not going to gloss over that or dress it up; it is what it is. I think people will be able to sense that when they listen to us.
What’s the best part about being in your band?
Kathryn: The best thing about being in Fresh is undoubtedly creating music and interacting with people on that level. It simply makes me feel great to see other people getting excited about our stuff. I get really happy and excited when other people email me or talk to me about Fresh because I love that familial aspect of music.
James: I would say the fact that we get on so well means that any band activity is also just a fun time. It makes it super relaxed and enjoyable.
More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
James: The influences I have reflect more on production for the EP because Kathryn’s the main songwriter. With guitar, I like a lot of 80s punk. Stuff like The Replacements - I really like My War by Black Flag. I like the screaming and slow guitar stuff. I also like a lot of trashy lo-fi music - that’s where I get a lot of the cool production ideas from.
Kathryn: I grew up with a lot of Queen, Bowie, and Supertramp playing, so I’ve always appreciated that theatricality in music. You can see that in our love for bands like My Chemical Romance or Fun.
For Fresh musically, I guess we’re aiming for the party buzz of Fidlar, but the lyrical ability to communicate with the listener like a band such as The Front Bottoms or John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats can. But we’re a very young band so we’re not completely there yet. Hopefully we’ll embrace more and more different influences from all over our musical palette the more we play and record.
What would you say the band has already accomplished and what do you have your eyes set on next?
Kathryn: We want to get another EP out in the next couple of weeks or so and play a few shows before September. We’ve already generated enthusiasm with Gewingchum and we have friends in local bands who we’ll hopefully get to play some shows with. We’re also working on a music video for “Get Bent,” and it shouldn’t be long before that’s out. In the long run it would be great to have Fresh as a steady touring band, and to record a full-length record.
James: That would be great. I think the ambition of every musician is to be able to play music in a situation where all of your time and energy isn’t taken up by something else, and that’s definitely mine.
Thus far, what’s a favorite memory or something quirky that’s taken place with the band (in-studio, onstage, or elsewhere)?
Kathryn: We did the bulk of Gewingchum’s recording in James’ flat, and I remember I’d arrive there after school completely shattered and really grumpy, so we had fun channelling that. I worked part-time at Costa (a coffee chain in the UK) at that time and I hated it, so before we recorded the vocals for “Get Bent” we’d just yell stuff like “fuck Costa!” to get into the pissed-off-at-the-world mood. That vocal take where we did that is the one that you have on the final version. Thinking about that makes me laugh because it really got the spirit of the song.
James: That was good, that day, because Kathryn was really pumped. Any time we get together we always just riff and talk about shit. There’s never a dull moment and we can always find something funny to talk about.
Is there anything in particular that you’d like people to take away from listening to your music?
Kathryn: To any listener, I hope our songs make people want to dance and have a good time. But I also think that Fresh vocalises that desire to do more in music, instead of just being a spectator.
I find that a lot of young women who are trying to get into doing something as music feel a bit helpless because they’re usually just characterised as the passive observer in punk, and if you try and get involved in any way people might not take you seriously. I mean, right now I’m a teenage girl. That’s quite possibly the worst thing to be in the eyes of punk music. Looking back on some situations I was in last year or so playing in other bands, I feel really uncomfortable because I was effectively being looked at as this girl - maybe sexualised is a strong word but it felt like that because I was underage.
James: I’d like a listener to know that you can do it for yourself. There’s absolutely no reason why you can’t make music with your own resources. And when it gets to the point where you’re lucky enough to have the support of a label or whatever, you can still decide it yourself and be in control.
Kathryn: That’s a good point. That independence in music, and that your orientation or gender isn’t something you have to apologise for or figure out!
If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?
Kathryn: I could go off on this one for days. Obviously the industry just isn’t a good place for women in general. It’s particularly true in punk. I could scroll through my iTunes now and count thousands of “fuck you” songs written by guys about their girlfriends, but less than a hundred about a boyfriend. In punk, a male perspective is the default; you forget that there are at least two sides to every story and that the other is just as legitimate.
What’s really terrifying, though, is how ingrained this sexism is. You’ve got these established artists on reputable labels really hurting young female fans, and everyone knows. The label knows, the other bands know but no one cares. Either that or they’re cowards. They still put predators on festival spots because they think of teenage girls as cash cows and not as legitimate participants in the music industry. It’s quite disheartening. I’d love to be able to change that. But that isn’t going to happen until we have a 50/50 representation of male, female and other genders, and we’re quite frankly very far off from that.
James: yeah. It’s annoying how people have narrow-minded views about rock and punk music, and how it’s seen as a genre. People didn’t want Kanye at Glastonbury, for example. People define rock as four guys playing this rigidly dictated formula of music. I can’t stand that mindset. We don’t want to see the same bands that were popular like, thirty or forty years ago every year. There’s a new generation of music coming in. There’s so much more out there than just that.
How did your band’s name come about?
James: Kathryn rejected all my other band name suggestions.
Kathryn: This is a hard one to pin down. I had all these songs and I was with a friend after a show, just hanging out at her house. We were talking about names and Fresh came up. I think I was only being half-serious, but it has stuck so far. I like it because it isn’t apparent what genre we belong to just by hearing the name, and I like that fluidity.
What’s the biggest mistake someone’s made while playing?
James: I am slightly older than Kathryn; I’ve been in a few bands before and I’m experienced in playing music live. One mistake I’ve made in the past is taking things too seriously in terms of preparations and technique. I used to get frustrated about small mistakes like tuning during shows. It’s good to have a well put-together live band, but I was too intense. I’d rather have an out of tune guitar than that arrogance and disharmony.
Kathryn: I keep thinking about that scene in Mean Girls where they’re doing the Jingle Bell Rock dance, and the song on the CD player starts skipping so one of them accidentally knocks the stereo into the guy in the front row’s face. That would totally happen to me at a future Fresh show with a monitor or something!
Any pre-performance rituals?
Kathryn: I don’t know if we’re going to be a very ritualistic performance band, but I’ll probably take out my contact lenses so that I don’t have to look at the audience!
James: I’m going to take all the strings off my guitar and play with my soul.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thanks to PropertyOfZack for having us on and letting us ramble! If you live in the London area then keep an eye out for upcoming shows and the next EP on our bandcamp!
Whale Bones is a duo based out of Indiana, although the sound feels bigger than just two people. The vocals are rich & soulful, and when placed against atmospheric instrumentals, the entire vibe becomes larger than life. Stream The Seaside EP below and find all of Whale Bones’ music on Bandcamp.
For Fans Of: Oceana, As Cities Burn, From Indian Lakes
Social Sites: Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, Bandcamp
by Ashley Aron
<a href="http://whalebonesband.bandcamp.com/album/the-seaside-ep">The Seaside EP by Whale Bones</a>
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Nathan Kane: Vocals/Guitar
Paul Lierman: Drums/Backing Vocals
What's your hometown (or what are your hometowns)?
P: Nathan is originally from Indianapolis and I grew up in Kirklin, but we both live in Bloomington now.
How did the band come together? How long has it been?
P: We first met each other at a music talent show our dorm hosted at the beginning of our freshman year of college. After the show we talked about what kind of music we liked playing and discovered that we had quite a lot in common. We made plans to hang out and jam, and the writing happened really organically after that! We started playing cover songs together for fun in late 2012, but we didn’t start writing for the band until the spring of 2014.
How have you grown since you started?
P: We’ve both certainly come a long way since we initially started jamming together. In the time between that first semester of our freshman year and now we’ve both taken in tons of new musical influences, written, recorded, and released a full-length record with our other band, (The Wise Man’s Fear) and spent lots of critical practice time tweaking our live performance.
I think perhaps the biggest way we’ve grown since we first began is in our confidence in playing in front of people in a live setting. It used to be really intimidating to perform for even our close friends, but after years of playing on the street, in friends’ living rooms, and in venues with both of our bands we feel a lot more at ease than we did back then. Having that kind confidence from experience makes everything so much more enjoyable! We can focus on bring the songs to life and enjoying ourselves live instead of worrying about slipping up because of stage fright.
N: Yeah I think we’ve both grown a lot creatively. I wasn’t even aware of some of the most influential artists for me when I first met Paul. It’s important to always grow with who you’re inspired by. If you’re stagnant, then you can’t really grasp what it means to improve yourself and to be creative. I also think it’s really helpful that we’ve both seen each other grow in these ways. It helps give context when you can follow someone in that process. We learn so much from each other. My major is in Recording Arts with a minor in business, and Paul’s major is in business, with a minor in creative writing, so we work together to make a really cohesive end results.
What sets you apart from other bands?
P: Instrumentally, we do a couple of things differently than most bands. Nathan plays in an open tuning that very few people use which gives him the ability to create chords and play parts that sound really refreshing and new. I play “open” on the hi-hat/snare and leads with his left hand, which helps shape his beats and fills differently than a lot of drummers.
We also draw some instrumental influence from post-hardcore and metalcore, genres we both enjoy as well. We borrow components of that style to do things that aren’t typically seen in indie music like playing with a double bass pedal on the drums and bass drops live. Those little instrumental quirks help us keep our sound familiar but unique and new.
In terms of songwriting, we always try to keep pushing the envelope. For example the first track on our EP, “The Current,” is written in 16/8 time signature but we tried to make it flow so that it’s not a really blatant property of the song. Lyrically, Nathan writes extremely raw, personal songs and I think the sincere emotion behind it definitely shows.
N: I really like learning new instruments and relearning old instruments in different ways. By using a tuning I’ve never used before, I can keep my proficiency at my instrument while being forced not to fall into the same creative crutches I would otherwise use. I’m working on a song right now where only one string is tuned differently, but it had a really profound impact on how I use my guitar.
When you go to a show and you can see that the band is just trying to be their own version of a band they look up to, it’s pretty frustrating. There’s nothing genuine or real about the music or the message. Then you see a band that is doing something new and true to them, and it’s so refreshing. They’re not trying to be a part of a scene; they just want to make the music they make. They’re not concerned about how cool they are to other people. I think those are the people that get it, and those are the artists that you look up to as a creator. I couldn’t stand behind something I didn’t feel was original and sincere.
What's the best part about being in your band?
P: The best part about being in the band is probably just playing shows with our best friends! Nathan and I are roommates and Ben and Nick who play bass and guitar for us live are two of the greatest guys you could ever meet. We always have a blast when we play shows; it’s something we look forward to a lot.
N: It’s really important for me that I share music with the right people. The work we’ve created is very personal, and I wouldn’t feel comfortable working on that with just anyone. I wrote alone for so long because I didn’t want to share my thoughts with someone I didn’t think shared the same sentiment or ideals as me. Paul and I have a lot in common as far as personal beliefs and musical objectives; there really was no compromise involved. For a really true and raw sound, I don’t think you can just work with anyone. We’re both really fortunate to be able to work with each other. I don’t feel any need to hide my thoughts for fear that they won’t be taken seriously.
More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
P: The bands we listen to definitely impact how we write and perform! One band that we both really love is Switchfoot. That band has been creating music for almost 20 years, and every record they have put out has been pure gold. They’re also just great, wholesome guys as well. They’re one of those rare bands that makes for great professional and personal role models. Beyond that, I take a lot of inspiration from Alex Rodrigues from Saosin, Secret & Whisper, and Austin Thornton (Woe, is Me).
N: I take a lot of inspiration from artists like As Cities Burn, Oceana, From Indian Lakes, Dear and the Headlights, Yvette Young, Now, Now, and Copeland. Creatively, these artists all make me stop and dissect their structures and instrumentation. If an artist makes me stop and think “Wait, how did they do that?” then I’m probably super inspired by them. That applies to visual artists too. People like Pat Perry, Esao Andrews, and Alphonse Mucha really make you stop and think about which rules really apply and which you merely placed there for yourself.
What would you say the band has already accomplished and what do you have your eyes set on next?
P: Our proudest accomplishment so far has probably been the positive feedback from the EP! Lots of people whose musical opinions we really respect have spoken highly of the EP, and that gets us extremely excited.
The next step for us is to release physical copies of the EP. That was something that we did not think we were going to be able to do originally, but we’ll be working with a label soon for a small run. We’re ecstatic to see that we may be able to offer physical copies pretty soon here.
N: Being that it’s just Paul and I funding everything, we know some things won’t be possible for a while. We weren’t going to compromise on the recordings, so the majority of our budget went into that. Physicals and merch are a real possibility, but we weren’t expecting to be able to afford that at first. Because of the response from everyone, these things are looking very promising.
We’re going to be doing some tours in the Midwest and to make some new friends. Can’t wait to get these songs out there!
Thus far, what’s a favorite memory or something quirky that’s taken place with the band (in-studio, onstage, or elsewhere)?
P: One of our favorite memories by far was the day we spent shooting the music video for “Hiding from the Sea.” We always love to get out and explore, and we also got to hang out with some of our closest friends that day to go swimming, grab ice cream, and play a basement show later that night.
N: That was one of the best days of this past school year. It was just starting to get nice out, so it was really refreshing to get outside and climb everywhere. It’s one of those days where you’re so busy and end up feeling so fulfilled.
Is there anything in particular that you’d like people to take away from listening to your music?
P: We want to create something that impacts others the same way that we want to be impacted by music ourselves. Hopefully people can feel like they’ve experienced something beautiful after they hear our music, and hopefully it inspires someone the way we’ve been inspired by countless artists. We love music that makes us want to go out into the world and do something new, explore new thoughts, places, and ideas, and generally go DO something.
N: This EP is all about self-improvement. I hope people are inspired to be better people to themselves and others. I hope people want to make the most of every day and live a fulfilling life. We hope people can see the overall concept of the EP and recognize it as a full art piece as opposed to five separate songs. These songs were created intentionally together. We want people to experience them that way.
If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?
P: This is a tricky one. The music industry is so different than it was even 5 years ago, and it is changing so incredibly quickly. I guess if we could change one thing about the music industry it would be to make more people interested in discovering new music and going to shows even if they don’t know who is playing. The internet is such a two-edged sword: the good news is that anybody can put their music online. The bad news is that ANYBODY can put their music online. We’ve inherited a musical culture that is sort of inundated with music to the extent that a lot of people have stopped caring about discovering new bands and experiencing new types of music.
One thing you notice immediately after you release a track or a record as a new artist is that it’s incredibly difficult to get people to just listen to music, even if it’s completely free to them (like YouTube or Spotify). It’s next to impossible to get people to purchase a record, and it didn’t always used to be that way. We would really just love for people to be open to clicking on a link to a band they’ve never heard before and investing thee minutes of their time listening and then sharing it with a friend if they enjoy it. It sounds so simple, but it’s one of the hardest things to convince people to do!
How did your band’s name come about?
N: Whale Bones has a few different meanings. For us, it comes back to the idea of the transience of everything. Everything has its time. Structures and once powerful nations eventually fall by the hand of nature. It’s a very sobering and humbling thing to realize. Whales are these massive, powerful creatures, yet in the end they are reduced to nothing more than bones. Not to mention how marvelous and elegant they are; they represent an aesthetic to which we want to liken our music.
“Whale Bones” is also a song by the band Secret & Whisper, a brilliant band that never got the credit and recognition they deserved in any of their incarnations. To us, their song is about taking responsibility and doing what you have to do, even though it’s painful to do so. It’s about longing for the peace of a home and family.
What's the biggest mistake someone's made while playing?
N: We’re honestly really musically tight with our live setup. We’re always running through things and making sure everything is in its place. I don’t think any of us have messed up too terribly. I remember once we were playing a house show in a really crowded basement. I like to move around a lot while we’re playing, and I didn’t have much room, so I tripped over the power strip I was using and killed the power for my guitar and the bass. We got everything back on within a few seconds and it all worked out.
Any pre-performance rituals?
N: We usually just hang out with friends and get a vibe going with the crowd. Making sure all our instruments are in check and everything sounds right is of course a must, but other than that we try to just get in the zone and focus on the moment! Doing the music justice is the most important thing, so centering yourself and realizing what the songs are really about is really important.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Let’s be friends!
The Seaside EP is out now on all digital stores! Like and share our page with anyone you think would dig it. Keep up with us on Facebook to hear about the upcoming physical release.
“I’d love a punk and hardcore scene that were as inclusive and progressive as they think they are,” says Tony Bucci, better known as Broken Field Runner. This upstate NY native is using his upbeat yet grounded pop rock to spread this message, and you can’t help but get drawn into the driving force that is “Good Grief.” Stream the track below and check out Broken Field Runner’s debut LP Clear A Heaven So This Earth Can Breathe on July 24th via Secret Audio Club.
For Fans Of: Anthony Raneri, Pedro the Lion, Into It. Over It.
Social Sites: Facebook, Twitter, Bandcamp
by Ashley Aron
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
My name is Tony Bucci and currently I am the only member of Broken Field Runner. I sing and play guitar. That being said, at the end of this month I’m touring with a band called Blind Mice out of New Bedford, Massachusetts (on Animal Style Records) whose rhythm section, Michael Ashley and Jo-Jo Rose on drums and bass respectively, played on my debut LP Clear A Heaven So This Earth Can Breathe. My touring band on the upcoming tour is Michael Cox on bass (Caleb Lionheart, Hand Habits, HUSH.) and Nick Cavin on drums (routine.)
What's your hometown (or what are your hometowns)?
I’m based out of Albany, NY.
How did the band come together? How long has it been?
I used to sing for a band called Caleb Lionheart. While I was still trying to make that band happen, I went to my brother’s bachelor party in Las Vegas during the summer of 2012. While in Vegas, I played a show with Last Call and did a few “Stripped Down Sessions” for a website called Punks In Vegas, including a video for a song I had just written called “Black Irish.” When I got home, Caleb Lionheart all but dissolved. While that sucked, there was so much positive feedback from the acoustic sessions I filmed with Punks In Vegas, especially that new song, that I felt like I should continue to make music and play shows, even if I had to do it alone. That’s exactly what I’ve been doing for the last three years.
How have you grown since you started?
I started making music as a teenager and was introduced to punk and alternative music by Fat Wreck Chords compilations and Blink 182. Later this month I’m turning 28 years old. I’ve been in an SUV with an attached trailer with five other sweaty dudes for weeks at a time. I’ve written the songs about lust and the songs about politics. I’ve said things at practice like, “Let’s play that again but as fast as we can.” There’s a soft spot in my heart and in my gut for the ethos that breeds those things, but I think what I want most out of music these days is to tell a story, to expose a raw nerve, and to make people feel something.
What sets you apart from other bands?
I agonize over lyrics. I will write and rewrite an entire song’s worth of lyrics several times. I am constantly turning over phrases in my mind and searching for ways to convey multiple meanings. I want to make whoever’s listening feel some type of way, and I don’t think enough musicians do that.
What's the best part about being in your band?
The best part of being in Broken Field Runner is having the freedom to incorporate other musicians into a recording or live setting without fear of reprisal from other members. Sometimes other musicians breathe life into a song that would’ve been lethargic without their energy, and since I’m a part of each recording or show it’s still BFR. It’s a relief not having to rely on too many other people to write, record or play. I can record a song alone or with a band, I can tour alone or with others and it’s still the same band. I’ve never had that opportunity before and it’s liberating.
More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
Lately I’ve gravitating toward musicians that are able to tell a full story or encapsulate a feeling in a single song. Some examples that immediately come to mind are Album of the Year by The Good Life, Slow and Steady Wins The Race by Pedro The Lion, and even Waitress by Hop Along. There’s nothing better than hearing a song for the first time and being so affected by a phrase that you need to dredge the rest of the recording for hidden meanings. Connor Oberst, Craig Finn, Laura Jane Grace, Tim Kasher, Frances Quinlan, and David Bazan are all really effective storytellers. My friends in Half Hearted Hero have given me a new appreciation for Guided By Voices and The Ramones, but I don’t go longer than a few days without listening to something by David Bazan.
What would you say the band has already accomplished and what do you have your eyes set on next?
I am about to release the only full-length record I’ve ever had a hand in writing, which is a huge personal milestone. I’d like to just continue to write and record the best music that I can and to work toward getting as many people to listen to it as possible.
Thus far, what’s a favorite memory or something quirky that’s taken place with the band (in-studio, onstage, or elsewhere)?
I once played a house show near the University of Delaware where a group of aggressive partiers attempted to have what we were calling a “fourgy,” without any regard for the prying eyes of their fellow party-goers. I think I also met a guy at that show who knew almost every released Hold Steady song on guitar and had A LOT to say about analingus. GO UDEL!
Is there anything in particular that you’d like people to take away from listening to your music?
Pain is natural and it’s ubiquitous. Life is heavy and it’s ok to cave a little under it’s weight.
If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?
I’d like to live in a world where a woman can set up a drum set or guitar rig without getting asked if she is “with” the band. I’d love a punk and hardcore scene that were as inclusive and progressive as they think they are. I wish money had no bearing on success.
How did your band’s name come about?
I was listening to an interview with a journalist who had been in the media since the Civil Rights Movement and was finally stepping down. He was asked how he was able to stay relevant in a constantly changing, technology driven medium and he started his response by saying he was “always a Broken Field Runner.” I took that to mean constant growth, a unending search for progress, never staying down long, and always trying to juke oncoming hits.
What's the biggest mistake someone's made while playing?
I am so bad at guitar that I used to set up the microphone stand super low with the mic aiming at my mouth so that I could watch my hands more easily. I’ve absolutely missed chords, words, and notes.
Any pre-performance rituals?
Drinking? Drugs? Sex?
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Check out my debut LP, Clear A Heaven So This Earth Can Breathe, and pick it up from Secret Audio Club on July 24th if you dig. Come see me on tour in late July if you live in the Northeast. Get obsessed with Pedro the Lion. Help someone who needs it. Love yourself and believe that other people exist, have worth, and matter.
