What was the first show you ever played and how many people were there?
Our first show was at a venue in Edmonton called Avenue Theater (a venue we now call our home). We were a last minute addition to the show and there must have been like 20 people max there. To be honest, it was so nerve racking we don't really remember much of it.
What was the biggest show you ever played?
We played with the Barenaked Ladies once in front of a crowd of 5000. That show was incredibly rewarding and it was really cool picking those guys' brains about music.
Who are your favorite bands to play shows with?
Ten Second Epic always holds a special place in our hearts because for many of us, they were the first Edmonton band we got into. Personally, my interest in them at a young age was a driving force to kick start me into wanting to play in bands. We toured with them in April, and it was a definite highlight. Right now we are also on tour with Brighter Brightest and those guys are incredibly rad. They are such pro musicians and we've had some killer hangouts on this tour.
Do you do any cover songs in your set?
We've done cover songs before, but it really depends on the tour. We played "Dreaming" by Boys Night Out for a long time but we've also tackled bands like Jimmy Eat World. We all listen to such a huge variety of music so sometimes deciding on a cover song is just as challenging as writing a new track of our own.
Which songs usually get the best crowd reaction?
Again, this really depends on the show, the crowd, the energy in the room, the other bands we are playing with etc. We treat our live set like a story - it can't stand alone without all the elements fitting together to form a cohesive unit. In that sense, every song is important to what we try and accomplish live.
Do you have any 'memorable fan moments'?
We've had a few really good heart-to-hearts with fans about how our music has helped them get out of seemingly dark and hopeless places in their lives. The most rewarding thing our music has ever achieved for us is knowing it's been there for someone else as much as it's been there for us.
What do you think of social networking sites and promoting your music?
(ex: Facebook/Twitter/MySpace/Bandcamp/Purevolume)
Social networking is a necessary beast in this day and age. As much work as it is, it really helps us keep in touch with our audience and let everyone know what we are up to. We tend not to censor ourselves much... our band is somewhat of an open book and we want others to share in that exact same experience. A big plus is the ability to share our music through so many different platforms to so many different people. That being said, I would caution bands to avoid using this a measure of success. It's important to organically grow your online presence to stay relevant and in touch, but this is a long and slow process that is earned through hard work, playing lots of shows, and meeting people first hand. Having 20000 facebook "likes" means absolutely nothing if you can't translate that into a real and tangible audience.
Who do you consider to be your main influences?
Musically, everything. I truly mean it when I say that there is no style of music we don't listen to... even a "bad" song serves a purpose when gathering ideas and knowledge to use for our own songwriting. Bands like Thrice, Periphery, and Alexisonfire are all ubiquitously appreciated within the band, but that extends beyond even the music they make. Many times we will be influenced by not only the music of a band, but by their work ethic (like Ten Second Epic and Brighter Brightest for example.)
What was your first concert?
I went and saw Sum 41 when I was about 12 or 13 and I remember just losing my mind. I got the concert bug after that and haven't stopped since. I remember being in the mosh pit when it started and being blown away at how aggressive it was. Some guy was passing around a joint and I ran away.
What was the first CD you remember buying?
I honestly can't remember. It was likely a Sum 41 or Treble Charger CD.
What was the last CD you bought?
I buy all my music on vinyl now because downloads are so easy to come by. The last records I bought were "The Shape of Punk to Come" by Refused, "Holy Shit" by living with lions, and "Voltari" by Sigur Ros.
What is your favorite song?
It's a close tie between hallelujah and wild horses.
Since we're a blog all about Canadian music, who are some of your favorite Canadian bands/singers?
Living with Lions, Comeback Kid, Ten Second Epic, Counterparts, TheSet, Cadence Weapon, Shad, Great Bloomers, Big Wreck. Joni Mitchell, Alexisonfire, Boys Night Out. That being said, any band struggling to make a name for themselves by touring Canada instantly has my respect.
