Interview With Michael Alexander - Vocalist of “Under Paris”
Reverie Management: To start off, “Under Paris” is an interesting name for a band, especially since the band originated from Iowa. How did the name come to be?
Michael Alexander: It actually goes back eight years ago when I was a sophomore watching Scariest Places On Earth, they did a special on the catacombs and I really liked the name Under Paris, so years later when I got to start my own band it was the only name that seemed right to me.
R: How did you all meet? Some bands come together because they met at a concert or liked the same music in school. Did your musical influences have any affect on that?
M: Well Jayden, Rylie and Lucas all knew each other and when the last 3 members departed, I contacted Rylie and Lucas through social media, who then brought Jayden with them rounding out the new line up.
R: On the subject of musical influences, what are your favorite bands?
M: The toughest question ever! There are too many to count but lately I've really been digging Real Friends and Texas In July.
R: Any bands you would like to tour with?
M: There's a lot of those too, but having seen them live myself multiple times, Secrets and Capture the Crown would be the top two.
R: Have you guys gone on tour?
M: Unfortunately we've never been able to put one together but we are currently booking a tour for this May, hitting up the Midwest and some of the East Coast!
R: What’s some of the craziest things that have happened at a show?
M: Funny you should ask, we played a show with City of the Weak in Moline, Illinois, not long back and I had a tooth pulled about 2 hours before the show, having not eaten all day, on painkillers and jumping around on stage, in the middle of a song I jumped off the stage pushed through the whole crowd and projectile vomited blood into a trash can behind our merch table. Finished the set still, rock and roll!
R: There are a lot of funny photos on your Facebook page, some Walking Dead based ones. What are your guys’ favorite TV shows?
M: You nailed it! The Walking Dead is definitely at the top of list. Arrow and Game of Thrones are a couple of my favorites. I can also say there's a Supernatural inspired song on our new album! Also Yu-Gi-Oh!
R: Back to more serious questions, you guys signed onto Imminence Records this month. You’re releasing a full-length album in March. How are you guys feeling about that?
M: We couldn't be more excited! The guys at Imminence have our backs 100% and that support system is something we've never had before. They love the album as much as we do and we can't wait to share it with all of you!
R: Were there any challenges for you, in particular, with the vocals? Nowadays fans and critics dissect every part of the song, and the vocals are the first.
M: I like to challenge myself. Especially in the studio, if you're not pushing yourself to be the best you can, you're not doing it right. People will always dissect everything you do, some will love it, some will hate it. I love what I do and wouldn't change a thing about it!
R: What inspired “Transitions,” lyrically and instrumentally?
M: Lyrically, it's definitely inspired by my life. The good and the bad, aside from the Supernatural and The Walking Dead themed songs. Instrumentally, we definitely tried to get the sound to match with the the theme or name of each individual song.
R: You mention on your Facebook that you want fans to be able to connect to your music. Is there anything you’d like to say to your fans?
M: It gets better. I attempted to take my own life, twice. For some reason I made it through, and you can too. I'm here for you. We are here for you. We push through everything!
R: Sometimes fans get a bit crazy or obsessive, have you had any experiences with that?
M: Actually we've gotten off pretty easy with that so far! I have a feeling once we get out on the road that will change quickly.
R: What’s been the best fan experience so far?
M: We played a show with our buds in Armageddon Awaits and that entire crowd was absolutely mental! It was the first time I had fans up in my face screaming my lyrics back at me. I'll never forget that moment or the people I shared it with!
R: Have you guys yourselves had any embarrassing moments as fans with bands you like?
M: I haven't myself, surprisingly! I'm actually very nervous and anxious in public so I'm sure it'll happen sooner or later.
R: You have a couple of music videos already, how has it been recording them? It’s a different experience completely than performing live or recording a song.
M: We've recorded all the videos with our good friend Joe Gibbs from the band Sleepwell. He's a fantastic photographer and helps us through everything, which makes what would be an awkward, hard time into some of the most enjoyable memories I have.
R: Do you plan on producing another video for the new album?
M: We actually just recorded a music video for the next single off the new album, expect that out sometime soon!
R: You have some pretty attractive merch for sell, do you plan on releasing more once “Transitions” releases?
M: Absolutely! We've been working with Imminence Records to come up with some awesome new designs to go along with the theme of Transitions.
We’re coming to the end of our interview, so let’s get a bit more personal.
R: What goals has your band set?
A: Tour first and foremost. We feel like we have a lot to prove and that all starts with hitting the road hard!
R: How do you define the word 'living'?
M: I think the words 'living' and 'happiness' coincide. If you're not happy, or working hard at what you love, you're not living, you're just breathing. Might seem harsh but that's just my view.
R: Thank you very much for the interview, do you have any final statements?
M: First of all thanks so much for the interview! I love all the work you do for so many bands. New song "At Peace” feat. Garret Rapp out now. Support your local scene!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/underparisband
Twitter: www.twitter.com/under_paris
