Showing posts with label Canada. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Canada. Show all posts

Wednesday, 28 December 2016

Lucid AfterLife Q&A

Your name:
Nat Jack.

Where are you from?
Vancouver, Canada.

Name of band:
Lucid AfterLife.

Who else is in your band?
Thom Turner on guitar, Miles Morrison on bass and Matt Shearlaw on drums.

How would you describe yourselves?
Describing Lucid AfterLife to someone who has not been to see our live show is like describing a five-tab LSD trip to someone using only a stick. We give everything we have in every note. I am half-athlete, half-musician out there.

Who are your main influences musically?
Each member of the band has his own influences and bring them to the table, the styles are all over the place. Lately I have been listening to a lot of Bowie, Porcupine Tree and the The Mars Volta but I would say I played Monster Magnet on repeat when I was a young buck so you’re going to hear a bit of them in some songs

What do you hope to achieve in music?
I really don’t think there is more that I need to achieve, music is here and I can make it and hear it quite well, so I am grateful for that. The business side of things can be a real bore for me but I know it’s just part of being passionate about delivering my message on a wider platform.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?
Just getting to know my band mates on the road, jamming with them and making tunes. I am really just a mad man with a mic so being surrounded by the guys who bring real talent to the band allows me to explore deeper as a song writer, there is nothing like a spontaneous jam live on stage.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?
Forgive but don’t forget amigo.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
On the upcoming EP we have a song called “In All That I see”  I would say if I had to just pick one it would be her. The song paints an atmosphere that is perfect for the story that transpires. Lucid AfterLife is not about one style or genre it’s about enveloping a story with the certain vibe that allows you to become enthralled in the song .

Where can we listen to it? 
The song is not released just yet but there is a pre-sale link to the album at bandcamp.com (see below). The best way to hear it first is to sign up for our mailing list at lucidafterlife.ca

Where can we find out more about your music?
Or just email me directly at info@lucidafterlife.ca and we can chat riffs

Anything else you’d like to say about your band/music that I forgot to ask?
I would like to thank you guys for taking the time to interview us and want to thank all the loyal Lucid fans who have been following and supporting through the years. I hope you guys enjoy our new EP “Occult Mafia Mistress” and we look forward to seeing you in your city.

Friday, 15 July 2016

Rosedale Q&A

Your name: 
Mike Liorti.

Where are you from? 
West outskirts of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. City called Brampton.

Name of band: 
ROSEDALE.

Who else is in your band? 
Just me but I have a bunch of fill-ins all over.

How would you describe yourself and your music? 
Aggressive power pop. It's like if Boxcar Racer and Boys Like Girls had a tall, production-junkie child.

Who are your main influences musically? 
Tom Delonge, Jerry Finn, Kris Roe, Roger Joseph Manning Jr. , Alex Baker, Owl City, Ben Gibbard, Radiohead, Underoath, The Starting Line, Travis Barker, Kenny Bridges.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 
Happiness and legacy. I want to change lives like my favorite songs/albums/shows changed mine.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why? 
Performing outside of Warped tour was always bittersweet. Sometimes kids just weren't in the mood to hear a new band while waiting to get in and see the bands they know. But often times people connected and were extremely supportive. It was the best experience of my life getting bands like All Time Low, Bayside, Taking Back Sunday, New Found Glory, Attack! Attack! The Used ect., bands I've looked up to for years, checking out my one-man show and buying my CDs and merch. Then FINALLY getting on the schedule and playing some stages. Those were the real trophy moments for me. Especially after all my bandmates and managers threw in the towel.

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 
There's a lot of those!! One that comes to mind was when we got caught at the border with a tour itinerary and expiring work permits fall of '09. We lied about the tour and almost got banned from America for seven years. Luckily they saw no harm done and gave us a one-year watch period with a denial notice. That was a big tour we had to miss out on though and a depressing drive home. We were young and dumb, lesson learned. Then there's the time we went to Montreal for a last-minute Warped-line set and rolled our van into a ditch on the way home..but I'll save that one.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why? 
That's very tough. Every song is almost a whole different genre. Lyrically: Sustain, instrumentally: Quicksand, tone-ally??: Grey, integrally: A kid Again, progressively: To My Father ...I really missed a few. I love'm all.

Where can we listen to it?  rosedale.bandcamp.com




Anything else you’d like to say about your band/music that I forgot to ask? 
I'm always looking for musicians to tour. So if you wanna travel and play shows, hit me up with a video of you playing and I'll check it out.


Wednesday, 13 July 2016

Dark Messiah Q&A

Your name: 
Jonathan Hayward.

Where are you from? 
We're from Winnipeg, Maitoba, Canada.

Name of band: 
Dark Messiah.

Who  is in your band? 
Dark Messiah is made up of Stephen Chubaty on vocals, Lawrence Reimer on rhythm guitar, Jared McKnight on bass, Dustin Tyler on drums and myself on lead guitar. 

How would you describe yourselves and your music? 
We're a couple of greasy metalheads who just love what we do. Our music is heavy duty thrash metal inspired by the classics.

Who are your main influences musically? 
Let's just say that if Slayer and Judas Priest had a baby, and then Metallica and Pantera had a baby and those two babies spawned and that offspring had a threesome with Lamb of God and Zakk Wylde, you'd get Dark Messiah.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 
We want to take this as far as possible, share our music with the entire world and play for as many people as we can.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why? 
Every chance we get to play in front of people is a highlight of our career for us. Every time people enjoy what we do and have a good time listening to us it fuels us. It reminds us of the one reason we do this in the first place.

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 
There's ups and downs for us like there is with any band. It's not so much about the moments you want to forget but how you learn from those moments and how you move forward. We've had to pick ourselves up from some setbacks but in the end it's only made us stronger.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why? 
No Soul To Sell is the first song we ever wrote and sums up our sound. When we wrote that song it showed us what we have and where we could go as a band. It's a heavy song with a hook and definitely influenced and inspired what we create and what we want to accomplish stylistically  moving forward.

Where can we listen to it? 
We are currently in the studio recording our debut E.P. We will have a website up and running shortly before it's release. In the meantime fans can check out our social media sites for content and footage from our shows.

Where can we find out more about your music? 

Anything else you’d like to say about your music that I forgot to ask? 
We like to let our live performances and music speak for itself.

Friday, 1 July 2016

Andrew Franey Q&A

Your name: 
Andrew Franey.

Where are you from? 
I'm from Canada.

How would you describe yourselves and your music? 

I like to say that I write 'post-apocalyptic love songs'. The music is best described as synthpop. Myself, I'm a bit of an introvert. I've always had a different world that goes on inside my head.

Who are your main influences musically? 

As a young kid I found a copy of Duran Duran's 'Seven and the Ragged Tiger' and I remember really liking that album. I was a pre-teen through the 80's and maybe it's nostalgia, but I really love all the poppy synth stuff from that era and I think that that can be heard in my music. More modern influence would definitely be Kavinsky and College. I really like the Chvrches album from a couple years ago and lately I'm really into synthwave/outrun stuff like Lazerhawk and Bourgeoisie, which will probably be evident on my next album.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 
I hope to keep producing music, whether it's my own or other artists that I find a passion for. I want to keep making synth and electronic music, using computers and hopefully help to advance the popularity of this kind of music in North America (where music has been stuck in a rut for a long time in my opinion) and hopefully find fans all over the world that like what I do.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why? 
It could have been that I was nominated for a Juno (Canadian Music Award) with my former band Smoother, but I would have to say releasing my solo album The Stars Shine For You, because it proved to myself that I can make and release music the way I want to do it, writing, recording, producing and not having to let other people influence the final outcome. It may sound strange but it really is a struggle to be happy with the final outcomes of recordings, but I can say I'm happy with how this album turned out.

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 
One time, with my old band Smoother, I was late to a big show (opening up for Nickelback) because I couldn't find the venue (it was an outdoor open air afternoon show in the summer), when I finally arrived my band was already on stage playing and making a mess of things, I got on stage shouted some profanity to the effect of 'Where the @%#& is ______?' or something only to realize that the audience was all families with little kids. Needless to say I felt like a big ass that day.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
I think the song 'Adorable Freaks' off of my album The Stars Shine For You. 'We are not so forget-able, we are not just adorable freaks, we are not too scared to make them believe that we care'. In a vague way it kind of sums things up. And of course it's full of hooky melodies, which I have always needed to put in my songs.

Where can we listen to it? 
andrewfraney.bandcamp.com



Where can we find out more about your music? 

Anything else you’d like to say about your music that I forgot to ask?
Just that I hope everyone will give the album a listen through. It's meant to be listened to as an album and not just for the odd song. It's important to me to make a great album and not just a couple singles.

Tuesday, 24 May 2016

Tomorrow's Midnight Q&A

Your name: 
Jordan Sane (vocals/guitar) & Elena Red (drums).

Where are you from? 
Toronto, Canada.

Name of band: 
Tomorrow's Midnight.

Who else is in your band?
Russell Jackson-Wyatt (lead guitar), Tarun Dawar (bass) & Nikhil Carneiro (keyboards).

How would you describe yourselves and your music?
Modern rock 'n' roll!

Who are your main influences musically?
Black Keys, Social Distortion, July Talk, Foo Fighters, Gutter Twins.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 
Elena: I want to gain a fan base in places around the world that is as significant as in my home town. Putting a band on the road and bringing a great show to as many people as possible is my ultimate goal.
Jordan: I love being on the road so, as Elena said, playing to people and meeting fans in different cities every night is where I draw my most energy and enjoyment from.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?
Jordan: I was fortunate enough to tour with Alice Cooper in a previous band and that was amazing. I learned a lot and just being around that level of artist, those musicians and that crew was inspirational every night and made me want to be a better performer. But the highlight was being asked back by Alice for a second tour leg because that meant that we impressed him and were the kind of people that an artist like that would want to be on the road with. It meant a lot to know that I had accomplished that. 
Elena: The first time I toured Australia. It was the first time I had travelled outside of Canada and music gave me that opportunity. Being in a foreign country and not knowing what was going to happen at each stop was a great experience. I discovered that I loved the touring life and want to continue exploring new places with Tomorrow's Midnight. 

And what’s the moment you want to forget?
Elena: I was playing a show in Toronto opening for an American touring band and had arranged to use their drum kit. It wasn't until sound check that I learned I would be playing their electronic drums. I was in a punk band and until then I'd only ever played those in a music store for fun but I knew I had to play as hard as I normally would. I probably looked like I was trying not to hurt a kitten!
Jordan: I had no memory of ever being in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Not until I read over the tour itinerary months later did I realize I had played there. I'm sure they have lovely people and I probably would have wanted to remember it... if I hadn't already forgotten.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
We recorded a three-song EP before ever playing live and we chose those three songs because we felt they best represented our sound and the different styles that we incorporate. If we had to pick one it would probably be The Book Of Your Life. It's actually the first song we wrote for the band and is the lead-off song in our set. It contains the mix of bluesy guitar hooks and self-aware, but positive, lyrics that defines our songwriting.

Where can we listen to it?
Our three-song EP is available for stream and download at www.tomorrowsmidnight.bandcamp.com



Where can we find out more about your music? 
We encourage people to visit our website www.tomorrowsmidnight.ca which contains tour dates, photos and links to our music as well as our Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages...
Twitter: @tomorrowsmid

Anything else you’d like to say about your music that I forgot to ask?
First off, thanks for the Q&A! We've talked about some past experiences but we are always looking ahead and those experiences have helped to formulate what we do now and tomorrow. We love making music and sharing it with audiences but we're a live band at heart and the most important thing for us is getting out and playing; meeting with, and sharing moments with, people anywhere, any time. We hope to be sharing our show with audiences in the UK soon!

Thursday, 19 May 2016

Jimmy Binks and the Shakehorns Q&A

Your name:
Sam, singer and guitarist.

Where are you from?
We're from the UK, the US, Canada, and Japan, but we all live in Tokyo, Japan!

Name of band:
Jimmy Binks and the Shakehorns.

Who else is in your band?
We are 
Sam – vocals, guitar (Sheffield, UK)
Ju Ju – vocals, guitar (Cambridge, UK)
Yuuki – bass (Kanagawa, Japan)
Erin – trumpet, vocals (Newfoundland, Canada)
Dan – drums (Virginia, USA)
Jonny Barefoot – banjo, mandolin, vocals (ON, Canada)

How would you describe yourselves?
We always struggle with this! We've been variously described as alt-country, Americana, folk, roots, bluegrass, and acoustic rock. Recently little bits of ska and 1920s have been creeping in, too...

Who are your main influences musically?
Classics like Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash. More recently fun stuff like Pokey Lafarge, Lumineers, Milk Carton Kids, Avett Brothers, Tallest Man on Earth. 

What do you hope to achieve in music?
Above all, we like to play live, and among the live show, the festival live show is king. Based in Japan, our number one target would be playing at the Fuji Rock Festival, which is huge. 

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?
We played at the Asagiri Jam festival a few years ago, which is a bit like Fuji Rock's younger cousin. We also played at Happy Farm Music festival up in the mountains of Nagano in Japan. It was a beautiful weekend. We've also been lucky enough to have had our tracks played regularly on BBC radio, and placed in NBC and CNN TV shows, and even in a couple of movies! 

And what’s the moment you want to forget?
Perhaps not a rock n roll answer, but nothing really! Will let you know if something happens in the future! 

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
I'm going to go with Cabin Fever. Although we have changed a lot over the last few years, at heart we're an alt-country band, and this song sort of shows what we're trying to make: a kind of danceable alt-country. 

Where can we listen to it?


Where can we find out more about your music?
Twitter - @Jimmy_Binks

Anything else you’d like to say about your band/music that I forgot to ask?
Nope, but we love meeting new people. If you or any of your readers are ever in Tokyo, get in touch on Facebook or Twitter and we'll show you some great live spots! Cheers for the chat!

Wednesday, 18 May 2016

The Foreign Films' LP grows to six sides

PSYCHEDELIC pop artist The Foreign Films has released Side 4 of his triple LP for free.

Bill Majoros, the man behind the music, says The Record Collector is a homage to the sense of wonder gained from listening to music growing up.

He told RealSoundsOK: "Growing up, my record player was a window into a universe of music.

"I fell in love with its magical, mysterious sounds; its ability to illuminate the imagination with songs from the past, present and even foreshadow the future.

"The Record Collector is the platform I've been using to share my experiments in songwriting. I've been releasing one "side" at a time from this multi-vinyl Collection, like scenes from a film that will eventually come together to complete the cinematic/sonic adventure."

Never one to do things by halves, the Hamilton, Ontario, artist has decided to expand the project with two more sides, now making this a triple vinyl offering of six sides.

Side 4 explores songwriting influenced by the golden era 70s' soul and art rock, while incorporating all of Bill's influences such as 60s' British, French and West Coast Pop.

You can listen to Side 4 at theforeignfilms.com where it is available at Name Your Price. You can also read more about Bill and his love for vinyl at The Vinyl District.


Saturday, 16 January 2016

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? 



Where can we find out more about your music?

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.

Friday, 15 January 2016

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?

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. 

Friday, 27 November 2015

The Shanks Q&A

Your name: 
Pistolwhip von Shankenstein (but you can call me Ian Starkey if I am not wearing the red shoes!).

Where are you from? 
A farm in the Sovereign Township of Mono, Ontario.

Name of band:
The SHANKS.

Who else is in your band?
John David Brumell AKA Colonel Crankshaft (on the drums).

How would you describe yourselves? 
In a very kind critic's words... "Epic, awesome and surreal".

Who are your main influences musically? 
Hmm... my father's classical record stack, Black Sabbath and 80's new wave FM radio.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 
To share gifts I have received with as many people as possible.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why? 
Recording an as yet unreleased album entitled Prisons of Ecstasy with Nicke Andersson in Stockholm, Sweden. Amazing to find out that a musical hero is also a fucking awesome human being and getting to spend some time together with him. Huge validation for my work as a songwriter and singer.

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 
The morning after the Prisons of Ecstasy wrap party at the Hotel Reisen in Gamla stan...

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why? 
Of released Shanks material probably When We Come from our last LP Surfing The Lexicon. That track probably portrays the epic nature of our rock vision, the sweeping vista of melody and the sense of grand abandon that pervades the typical Shanks jam!

Where can we listen to it?
There is a "travelogue" video of our very first visit to Berlin, When We Come is the soundtrack...



Where can we find out more about your music?

Anything else you’d like to say about your band/music that I forgot to ask?
The real reason to write, record and attempt to propagate these songs (through touring, making videos etc.):  In me being me, I hope to encourage others. I feel super-fortunate to be a person who gets to play music, the message for others is to not give up on the hopes and dreams they once had of being able to do something creative in their lives to express who they really are. My greatest hope is that something in this music will resonate within people and let them know that it is OK to become more fully what they were made for.  The deepest human joy in this life is to be known fully and loved - everyone has got some music to make.

Wednesday, 25 November 2015

Mother Leads Q&A

Your name: 
Raymond Cara.

Where are you from?: 
Ajax, Ontario.

Name of band: 
Mother Leads.

Who else is in your band? 

Neil Culbert (Vocals,Guitar), Jordan Quinn (Bass) & Jordan Lassalle (Guitar).

How would you describe yourselves? 

We strive to be a musical force rather than a typical rock band. Alternative overtones, progressive rock undertones. Big floating-on-a-cloud-of-awesome riffs, brick house drumming, and mostly importantly cohesive song writing. Recently we try to make our songs take the listener on a sort of journey rather than a referring to a typical song structure. All in all we just try to make music we like to hear. We don't think too hard about genre. 

Who are your influences musically? We all listen to a ton of different music and have our individual influences as listeners/players, but as a band I would say SOME of the names worth mentioning would be: Rx Bandits, Tool, Mars Volta, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Queens of the Stone Age, Black Sabbath, Rage Against The Machine, Big Wreck. We also love different kinds of soul music, funk, Motown, jazz 

What do you hope to achieve in music? 

We hope to take our passion and live show around the world. We can't announce anything yet, but we are looking to head towards the West Coast, and prospects outside of Canada for 2016. We love recording music and this is also something we plan to continue doing where.  We have two singles following the this months release, set for winter and summer of next year. 

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

Getting to play for Ian D'sa of Billy Talent (and him really liking us) was pretty cool. They are a kick ass Canadian rock outfit,  it was great to get that kind of feed back. We've had plenty of awesome moments but I think coming together in the full line up we have now has been a pretty great highlight. We're just starting to get comfortable as a 4 piece, and the writing is going great. We're stoked on the material we have coming out over the next year. 

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 

That one show we did that we were too drunk and made too many mistakes. Or maybe I did forget that one? hmm i can't really remember now? I hope that didn't happen..

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

Our latest single "When Time Will Slow Down'' best represents our band at this point in time. We recorded it ourselves, with our close friend Joey Slegtenhorst engineering for us. We took as much time as we needed to get it sounding how we envisioned it. It's great have that creative space. 

Where can we listen to it? 

http://motherleads.bandcamp.com/album/when-time-will-slow-down




Where can we find out more about your music? 

www.motherleads.com
www.facebook.com/motherleads
www.instagram.com/motherleads

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

Thanks for taking the time to talk to us, or read this interview. We hope you enjoy the track, keep your eyes/ears peeled because we have lots planned :)