Audio Impulse Q&A

Your name:

Pat Duffy.

Where are you from?

Philadelphia, PA.

Name of band:

Audio Impulse.

Who else is in your band?

Barry Phillips: Lead Vocals/Guitar

Joe Freeman: Drums

Nate Blithe: Lead Guitar/Vocals

How would you describe yourselves?

We’re an all original alt/pop punk rock band based out of the Philadelphia music scene with a sound circa the 90s and early 2000s.

Who are your main influences musically?

For me personally my biggest influences are Thrice, Muse and The Apex Theory, and the classic rock I’ve grown up on. I know for the rest of the guys bands like, The Mars Volta, Jimmy Eat World, Rise Against, Foo Fighters, The Wonder Years and The Smashing Pumpkins are all huge influences.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

I’d be lying if I didn’t say we weren’t trying to become a national touring act at the very least, and be at a point where Audio Impulse and music was our only career. I’d like to also think we’re trying to just have fun, have our live performs be somebody’s escape from the doldrums of life, and hopefully inspire other be to just live their lives unapologetically being themselves.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

To date the crowning achievement for me has been opening a show for Alien Ant Farm and Hed PE on their sold out Philly stop. There’s no better feeling than performing on the same stage, on the same night as one of the bands you actually grew up listening to on.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

I don’t think there’s a moment I’d care to forget. We have yet to hit any real low moments in our careers yet, and God willing we won’t. That aside, I generally like to think each moment has lead me to exactly where we are today, I like where we are, so there isn’t moment I’d forget. Each moment has helped to teach and guide us to this point.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

I’d say it’d be Straight Shot, which is the title track and first single off our EP due out on March 4th. It just has everything we try to make our sound, hard driving guitars, 23 huge vocal harmonies, a high energy feel, and hard hitting drums.

Where can we listen to it?

The official Straight Shot music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=herTNmp-EWc

Where can we find out more about your music?

Official Website: www.AudioImpulseMusic.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/AudioImpulseMusic

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa4wQjrFsCrvPrg9IZPEJpA

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Audio_Impulse

Bandcamp: http://audioimpulse.bandcamp.com

Sound Cloud: https://soundcloud.com/audio­impulse­1

Anything else you’d like to say about your band/music that I forgot to ask?

I’m pretty sure we covered everything.  You can also check out our first studio release Plug In & Tune Out, which won an Akademia Music Award for best alt rock/hard rock album in November 2015. All that said, thanks for having us and hope to talk again soon!

Forming The Void Q&A

Your name:

James Marshall.

Where are you from?

Lafayette, Louisiana, USA.

Name of band:

Forming the Void.

Who else is in your band?

Jelly Boyd, Shadi Khansa, and Luke Baker.

How would you describe yourselves?

Fuzzy hard rock with atmospheric and progressive elements.

Who are your main influences musically?

Tool, Mastodon, Alice in Chains, The Sword.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

We strive to make unique music that combines elements that we enjoy into music that people can connect with.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

Being invited to play the House of Blues in New Orleans and being featured on Metalsucks within a couple days of each other. 

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Every negative moment in this band is used to grow into something better so I wouldn't want to forget anything.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

Three Eyed Gazelle combines what I consider to be our defining elements as a band. It's atmospheric, heavy, and has an interesting touch in the rhythm section followed by a huge guitar solo and epic ending.

Where can we listen to it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8590pDsDhkw

Where can we find out more about your music?

formingthevoid.com

https://www.facebook.com/formingthevoid/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTVqJFWZceIsaHawUlG2TQA

https://twitter.com/Forming_TheVoid

https://soundcloud.com/forming-the-void 

Patient Sixty-Seven Q&A

Your names: 
Dylan (Lead Guitar)
Declan (Rhythm Guitar)
Tom (Vocals)

Where are you from? 
The wonderful town of Perth, WA.

Name of band: 

PATIENT SIXTY-SEVEN.

Who else is in your band?
Dylan: Jean-Luc Maitre, Jarryd Ralph, Declan Le Tessier, Tom Kiely and myself.

How would you describe yourselves?
Tom: If I had to pin it down to one genre, I’d say post-apolyptic lounge-core.
Dylan: We are a metalcore/post-hardcore act. Our music also lays in electronic elements.
Declan: A bunch of friends who all share a great passion for music and have come together to form as P67. We've found, as we gel well, that we work nicely together when it comes to blending ideas.

Who are your main influences musically?
Dylan: Our main influences are bands such as Thy Art Is Murder, Parkway Drive, Confession, Buried in Verona, Woe Is Me, I Killed The Prom Queen, In Hearts Wake, Miss Fortune, Northern Lights, Through Arteries, The Devil Wears Prada and Emmure.
Declan: Myself would be a lot of metalcore influence so the likes of As I Lay Dying, All That Remains, I Killed The Prom Queen, Emmure etc. As each band member comes from a different sort of heavy background its great to see the genre that will become of that as we are discovering our sound.
Tom: Aside from these heavier acts, everyone in the band listens to something different. Rap, punk, electronic -it all differs which I think is really cool.

What do you hope to achieve in music?
Dylan: We hope to create music people enjoy and relate to. We want the themes in our songs to connect on a personal level with people.
Tom: And just to be the best that we can. And having fun while we’re at it, I guess at the end of the day - that’s what it’s all about, doing what you love.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?
Dylan: Seeing the band grown in such a short amount of time has been the highlight. The ongoing support from our fans at the shows and online have really made us stronger as a band.
Declan: Ahh, it's hard to name one exact moment of course, I mean putting out the EP last year was a huge thing for us. But the highlight i would say was probably the EP launch show we played. The atmosphere was unreal and the turnout was incredible.

Tom: Seconded, our EP launch for ‘Imbalance' was a show we’ll never forget.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?
Dylan: When my guitar plunged to the ground at the Rosemount hotel.
Tom: When things just all go wrong at once, it just happens haha!

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
Declan: For me, I would say our song 'I Can Resist Anything, Except Temptation'. Lyrically, I feel, it's one of our more meaningful songs definitely. It was nice to hear that some people could relate. Also, I feel it is a little more technical, and that progression is fun for me.
Dylan: Gustavo Bling. It was our first single and is as bouncy as a trampoline.
Tom: The title track to our EP means a lot to me, it’s just really about picking yourself up and moving forward when things get hard, which I think everyone can relate to at one point or another. It’s also a lot of fun to play live!

Where can we listen to it?
bit.ly/ImbalanceYoutube

Where can we find out more about your music?
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/PatientSixtySeven
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/user/patientsixtyseven
TWITTER: twitter.com/patient67band

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/patient67band
BANDCAMP: www.patientsixtyseven.bandcamp.com
TRIPLE J UNEARTHED: https://www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/patient-sixty-seven
ITUNES: smarturl.it/Imbalance
SPOTIFY: https://play.spotify.com/artist/1wklENd4yCkEW1u0fkJR2c
SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/patient-sixty-seven
BIGCARTEL/ONLINE STORE: patientsixtyseven.bigcartel.com
UPCOMING SHOWS: http://www.bandsintown.com/PatientSixty-seven

Anything else you’d like to say about your band/music that I forgot to ask?
Dylan: Make sure you check out our facebook pages for any news or shows.
Tom: Thanks as always for all the support!

Anahita Syke Q&A

Your name:

Anahita Skye.

Where are you from?

Los Angeles, CA.

Who else is in your band? 

I’m a solo artist but I play with a four-piece band. I met my drummer Sam Webster and bass player John Urban in college while we were all studying music. We’ve been playing as a band together for six years now. I also have an electric guitar player Dario Commuzzi who joined us last year.

How would you describe yourselves and your music?

I would describe it as sultry, edgy and melancholic pop/rock. It’s interesting to hear first time show-goers perspective on describing our sound. I’ve received interesting comparisons, such as a “female Chris Isaak” or “modern Stevie Nicks".

Who are your main influences musically?

I’m a total 90s kid! My biggest influences growing up were alt rock bands such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam... and Pearl Jam is still my favorite band. To me, a powerful voice is the most important aspect of the bands or artists I’m drawn to. Vocalists such as Chris Cornell, Jeff Buckley and Jimmy Gnecco have all influenced me so much. Other artists I grew up listening to were The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Radiohead, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Elvis and the Gipsy Kings. I’m also a huge pop music fan. I listen to a lot of top 40 because it’s mostly all hook-driven and as a songwriter, I’m always listening for a strong melody.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

I want to be a career artist. I strive for longevity and desire to continually evolve and reinvent myself musically. I think it’s important to take risks. I want to look back at my work and be able to see the evolution. As humans, we are constantly growing and changing... I want my music to reflect that.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

A few months ago I played an opening set at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles for the Gipsy Kings' concert. My father would play their music all the time when I was growing up and their music influenced me so much. I just couldn’t believe I was there and how things had come full circle in that moment!

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

At some point in my career I came across one of those infamous “shark” producers. He said some pretty hurtful things to me, which I internalized it and took to heart much more that I wish I had. But it’s all part of the experience. You meet some really amazing people on the way, you keep those people close to you and let go of the others.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

You Are. This song is so honest. It’s one of those songs that just poured out after I sat down and picked up the guitar one night.

Where can we listen to it?

https://soundcloud.com/anahitaskye/you-are

Where can we find out more about your music?

www.anahitaskye.com

www.facebook.com/anahitaskye

www.soundcloud.com/anahitaskye

Twitter + Instagram: @anahitaskye

Throw The Temple Q&A

Your name:

My name is Gabriel Gambino, I do lead vocals and rhythm guitar.

Where are you from?

I reside in Albuquerque, NM, the home of Breaking Bad.

Name of band:

Throw The Temple.

Who else is in your band?

Throw The Temple is myself, Matias Garcia on lead guitar, Kody Audette on bass guitar, and Kent Sidlow on drums. I'd say they were like brothers to me.

How would you describe yourselves?

I would describe us as alternative rock. We've been described as having a sound from the 90s with tons of other influences mixed in.

Who are your main influences musically?

I love so many kinds of music. I loved hip hop and R&B and the Beatles as a kid. There isn't much I don't like in the realm of music. The cool thing is that all of us are that way and have tons of influences together, and we are all musically open-minded and open to working on anything we might like. 

What do you hope to achieve in music?

Giraffes. We want to own Giraffes. I also wouldn't mind if Daisy Ridley (Rey from Star Wars) would give me a call. 

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

Mostly awesome festivals we got to play here in Albuquerque. We got to do EdgeFest twice, the first was headlined by Incubus, the second was The Killers, there were all kinds of sweet bands to play with at those shows. Last year, we got to open to Highly Suspect, easily one of my favorite bands I ever got to share a stage with. 

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

We try and avoid that and drive on being the best we can right now, because you can't do anything to change the past moments. I did have a regrettable phase of looking like Walter from the Big Lebowski hahaha. 

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

No Way But Down was the first time we all really got together and crafted a song from a small idea. For myself, we had just lost a member of the band and it kinda represented moving forward. It's still one of my favorite songs to play. It's one of those songs I don't get sick of playing. 

Where can we listen to it?

You can listen to it on Apple Music (http://itunes.apple.com/album/id1038642370) or here at iHeartRadio (http://www.iheart.com/artist/throw-the-temple-31000067/songs/no-way-but-down-35410437/)

Where can we find out more about your music?

www.throwthetemple.com

www.youtube.com/throwthetemple

www.twitter.com/throwthetemple

www.facebook.com/throwthetemple

http://itunes.apple.com/album/id1038642370?ls=1&app=itunes

Anything else you’d like to say about your band/music that I forgot to ask?

I just wanna thank everyone supporting smaller bands and giving us a chance to not stay small forever. I would hug all of you so many times over.

Luke Potter Q&A

Your name:
Luke Potter.

Where are you from?

I live in a Victorian seaside town in south-west England called Weston-super-Mare. It's about 20 miles from Bristol.

  

How would you describe yourself and your music?

I'm a solo artist. I would say my music is a mix between pop and rock pop. My main influence is the Goo Goo Dolls so sometimes you can hear a bit of them in my songs, I think.

Who are your main influences musically?

My Dad, who was in a band back in the day, has always been a big influence. And there's lots of different artists and bands I listen to such as Snow Patrol, Jimmy Eat World, Boys Like Girls, Bleu and loads more!

What do you hope to achieve in music?

My main goal is to be happy, and I'm happiest when I'm writing and performing. The longer I can do that, the longer I'll be happy! Obviously I would love to sell lots of albums and tour the world too haha!

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

I think playing at the House Of Blues in Orlando. I saw Ed Sheeran, Parachute, Goo Goo Dolls and a few other artists play on the same stage so it was quite amazing for me to be on stage there.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

I wouldn't want to forget anything at all :) what doesn't kill you makes you stronger haha

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

'Do You Love Me Yet?' And that is probably because I feel that song was a turning point for me in terms of an artist and a songwriter. I wrote it with an amazing producer, Maria Marcus in Sweden and it just made me so happy!

Where can we listen to it? 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDZppgcUsXc

Where can we find out more about your music? 

Website - www.lukepottermusic.com

Facebook - www.facebook.com/lukepottermusic

YouTube - www.youtube.com/lukepottermusic

Twitter - @lukepottermusic

Instagram - @lukepottermusic

Anything else you’d like to say about your music that I forgot to ask?

I have a new single coming out at the end of January 2016 called 'Should I Stay?' which I wrote with my good friend, Casey Abrams. It was produced by one of my music heroes, Bleu, and has Joe Seiders (New Pornographers) playing on it. So please look out for it! :)

James Clark Hangover Q&A

Your name: 

David Clark.

Where are you from? 

Born and lived most of my life in Toronto. Raised in London, Ontario.

Name of band: 

James Clark Hangover.

Who else is in your band?

In the studio it's just me with the help of my producer. Live it's Don Currell on bass and Andrew Jones on drums.

How would you describe yourselves? 

Late-Seventies rock and roll with side orders of pop and punk. 

Who are your main influences musically? 

Stones, Beatles, Neil Young, Zep, Pistols, Ramones, New York Dolls..you know, the usual suspects.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 

Universal acclaim for my songwriting skills would be great but I'm not holding my breath. Honestly all I want is to keep playing regularly and keep making records. 

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why? 

The highlights of my career are many. Meeting and playing with DOA over the years has to up there. Playing Webster Hall, The Continental and CBGBs all in the space of a week a good one. Jamming with Perry Ferrell at The Bovine rates.  

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 

Any time drugs or alcohol impacted performance. So that's many.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why? 

Black Cloud. It's rock and roll with pop melodies, a fun lyric, sexy T Rexy guitars and a beefy Keef/Johnny/Jonesy solo.

Where can we listen to it? 

https://soundcloud.com/david-clark-787291184/black-cloud

Where can we find out more about your music?

https://soundcloud.com/david-clark-787291184
https://www.facebook.com/James-Clark-Hangover-1401638326755241/
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/james-clark-hangover/id1046996971

Anything else you’d like to say about your band/music that I forgot to ask?

I try to write music that is fun and not too serious. The Stones in a bar having fun.

ClayToRide Q&A

Your name:

I'm Matteo, the drummer.

Where are you from?

We're from Vicenza, in the North-East of Italy.

Name of band: (if applicable)

ClayToRide

Who else is in your band? (if applicable)

We're a three-piece band. The project also includes Stefano Sartori (vocals and guitar) and Michele Thiella (bass guitar and backing vocals).

How would you describe yourselves?

We're three close friends that need to play together to create a single voice to express what's going on in our life.

Who are your main influences musically?

All the three of us have different musical tastes but bands such as Refused, Kings of Leon, The Dead Weather, Smashing Pumpkins, Placebo and The Doors have radically influenced our sound. 

What do you hope to achieve in music?

Probably, as according to all musicians, we hope to play our own music wherever it is possible. We love to play music, it's our biggest need: we adore playing gigs, having fun, getting in touch with the public, with fans and going crazy together!

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

The last gigs during our last Italian tour were the best, for sure. We were so focused on them, well prepared, especially in Trieste and Napoli. There were good vibes, good locations, the right company, nothing went wrong and everybody had fun.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

We should forget our first and last gig in a disco club, three years ago. It was so hot, it was the beginning of June, and, of course, we had too much to drink backstage...especially me. I was feeling sick for all the entire time that we played, and I remember that I stopped playing at the fourth song. I know that's a shame, but my face looked like a spaghetti plate with tomato sauce after three days under the sun...quite creepy but so funny! There were some pics of that day that describe precisely how it was.  

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

We prefer particularly "This Town" because it represents the union between rage against all the barriers that can stop freedom of thought, and hope for change. It's a scream full of power that ends with a smile.

Where can we listen to it? (direct link)

ClayToRide - "This Town" (Official Video) link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2DjnpO7hNI

Where can we find out more about your music? (Facebook, Twitter, official site, iTunes link, etc – all and as many as possible are welcome)

FB Official Page: https://www.facebook.com/claytoride

Twitter Official Page: https://twitter.com/claytoride

ClayToRide - "Lady Mania" (Official Video) link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE58sghE6sI

"Glass Vessels" full album streaming:

- BANDCAMP (https://claytoride.bandcamp.com/album/glass-vessels)

- SOUNDCLOUD (https://soundcloud.com/claytoride)

Anything else you’d like to say about your band/music that I forgot to ask?

Last thing to say to anyone who is reading this interesting interview is to never stop believing in your dreams, in the power of your music and the message you can give through it. Music is freedom, be your music and you will be free.

The Wicked Mercy Q&A

Your name:

Case Bakker.

Where are you from?

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Name of Band:

The Wicked Mercy.

Who else is in your band:

Dave Nadeau, Mark Sudiacal, Cory Zadorozy & Erik Hertzberg.

How would you describe yourselves:

Dark and greasy with sexy hooks.

What are your main influences musically?:

QOTSA, Clutch, Mastodon.

What do you hope to achieve in music?:

I hope to play for as long as I can and have a large body of work I can be proud of. 

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

Our new album Sundown. We're very proud of this new record and to have the final masters in our hand is a definite highlight. The songs, production and tones we got on this album are surpass any expectations I had when we started this band four years ago.  

What's the moment you want to forget?

Last summer in front of a crowd of 5,000 opening for Mounties I had what our drummer calls a "hot one". The volume knob on my tele flew off mid-song, I could've easily gone without it but used a break on my part in the song to pick it up. I was full of adrenaline and into the show. While I tried to get it I knocked my patch chord out with my foot, while trying to plug it back in I somehow also accidentally knocked Dave's patch chord out of his tuner right in the middle of his solo in one of our songs! I had us both plugged back in and good to go in a few seconds, the crowd was still rockin, but enough to say I'm ready to forget that one!

If you had to pick one song to represent your music, which and why?

I'd pick our new lead single "Fading Fast". It best combines the current elements or our music. Heavy, tight riffs, big hooks with a progressive elements and odd timing in the bridge. 

Where can we listen to it?
https://soundcloud.com/thewickedmercy

How can we find out more about your music?

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheWickedMercy

Website - http://www.thewickedmercy.com 

https://twitter.com/TheWickedMercy

Anything else about your band music we forgot to ask?

Keep your eyes open for us. We're planning to keep writing and releasing music as long as we can!  We're currently working on new material for a release in the summer of 2016. 

Peekaboo Primate Q&A

Your name:

Lauri Lepokorpi aka Zen-Mestari (gtr/voc).

Where are you from?

Finland / Tampere.

Name of band:

Peekaboo Primate.

Who else is in your band? 

Riku “Rickmaster” Airisto (dr), Juhani “Rydi” Rytkönen (bass), Matti “Mandela” Auerkallio (live guitar).

How would you describe yourselves and your music?

We are bunch of music lovers with various backgrounds and experience from all sorts of projects. Peekaboo Primate plays modern metal. We are determined to make a stand with a twisted smile delivering a combination of bouncy rhythms, distinctive sound, provocative lyrics topped with melodies bound to stuck in your head forever - a fresh and all crowds welcoming approach to metal music. Not to mention the live energy. Since the debut “Peek-a-boo Primates” in 2011 we have stepped into a next level. Our thing has become even more recognizable - modern metal straight from the heart with nation wide possibilities.

Who are your main influences musically?

Mainly the influence comes from Korn, System of a Down, Deftones, Faith No More and Coal Chamber. But also other artists like Busta Rhymes, ODB, Portishead, Cypress Hill, Primus and many others. I think you can hear a lot of different influences in the music, bits and pieces from all over forming a nice original mix.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

In the end it’s constantly creating and developing our own unique style which will eventually lead to world wide recognition. Especially in the metal genre there is a lot of room to innovate and stick out from the black mass. This is both a gift and a challenge but with talent, taste, clear vision and hard work we own it so I think the pieces are now starting to come together in Peekaboo Primate as we speak.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

As I see it a lot of good stuff has happened and we’ve gained a lot of experience but only quite recently have we had the luck of meeting people like Ari Pietilä and Daniel Heerdmann to name few. Like we all know in every endeavor the supporting team, management, crew etc. is really what makes it all tick. So thank you all for that.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

I’ll always remember Anssi who is our fist real fan and he also has to spend his life in a wheelchair. So if the stuff and music that we do makes him smile it’s pretty damn cool!

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

Ouch! That’s a hard one. I’d have to pick a song called ‘Peekaboo Primate’ from the upcoming “Misanthropical” album since it’s something everyone will always remember one way or another.

Where can we listen to it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u23QtFTnvnM

Where can we find out more about your music?

www.peekabooprimate.com

www.facebook.com/peekabooprimate

www.soundcloud.com/peekabooprimate

www.youtube.com/airheadinternet

www.twitter.com/peekabooprimate

www.instagram.com/peekabooprimate

Anything else you’d like to say about your music that I forgot to ask?

We really appreciate this sort of opportunities to say hello to the world. I’m 100% that all you new music seekers will find Peekaboo Primate worth the time. Thanks!