The Backseaters Q&A

Your name:

Jake Cook (Vocals/Guitar).

Where are you from?

Denver, Colorado.

Name of band:

The Backseaters.

Who else is in your band?

David Jerusik (Drums).

How would you describe yourselves and your music?

We are an indie/alt-rock duo devoted to playing honest, whole-hearted music!

Who are your main influences musically?

Our primary influences as a band are The Front Bottoms, The Gaslight Anthem, and bands like Tiny Moving Parts and Death Cab for Cutie.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

Jake: Personally, I hope to achieve a steady career. I want to travel the world writing and performing my music and making just enough to get by! I don’t need to be playing arenas and what not; all I want to be able to say is that I play music for a living!

David: For me ultimately, I hope that with this band we can connect with our followers in a real personal way. Also I just really want to be be able to progress our collective sound and our skills as musicians! 

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

Jake: I would have to say that the highlight of my musical career was playing our album release show this past April! It was my first time not only releasing a full-length album, but it was also the first time The Backseaters had ever headlined the Marquis Theater (Denver, CO). We had so much support and it was just a mind-blowing experience to be able to do all that!

David: I think the ultimate highlight for us as a band has been playing a headlining, album release show at one of our favorite local venues in Denver, The Marquis Theatre. 

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Jake: This is a tough one because I always tell people that “I’m human… I will make mistakes,” but I don’t know that I would change anything thus far that has happened in my musical career. As cliché as it sounds, I truly believe that I have learned from each one of my short-comings.

David: Back when we first started playing as a band, we played a couple shows that were just kind of jumbled and didn't go smoothly, but as hard and difficult as those shows were, we learned so much about ourselves and what we as a band could really be capable of. 

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

Jake: I would definitely have to pick our song “Limbo” off of A Place To Rest Your Feet! It has the fast, driving beat, with the thick melodies, and also encompasses the way that we can drop our dynamic volumes down to a soft whole note strum with beautiful chords!

David: For me it would have to be The Lottery. I feel like the sound really defines our musical sound and our ability as musicians. 

Where can we listen to it? 

thebackseaters.bandcamp.com

Where can we find out more about your music? 

https://soundcloud.com/the-backseaters

www.reverbnation.com/thebackseaters

www.facebook.com/thebackseaters

www.twitter.com/backseatersband

www.reverbnation.com/thebackseaters

www.instagram.com/thebackseaters

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

Check us out, LIKE or follow our pages, and listen to the music! At the end of the day, that is all we want! We just want people to hear what we have to say and the music we love to make!

Owleye Q&A

Your name:

David.

Where are you from? 

Denver, Colorado.

Name of band: 

Owleye.

Who else is in your band? Tim, Brad, Frank and Dave.

How would you describe yourselves? 

This question is always hard. I think, I am a very humble and honest person.

Who are your main influences musically? 
I would say Joe Pass. But honestly any musician that pays with a heart.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 

To make music a career. But most importantly share my story through my passion and hope it helps anyone as much as it helps me by playing it. 

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why? 
I would say releasing new music then play a show a week later and have the crowd/fans sing along. That is still something I think will never not make me smile on stage. It is a very deep feeling having a room sing/scream along to our songs. Its kind of like showing your insecurities to someone and having them accept you for who you are. No words can describe it.

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 
None. Either its good or bad. Mistakes or not they are memories. We are all human and we all makes mistakes but they don't define who we are.

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

I would say our song Cycles, which is our last track on our EP No Wounds that came out in the beginning of April. Why? Because its about loosing someone that has made an impact on our lives that are no longer with us and reflecting on the lessons they taught us or memories we shared. To moving on to making it a positive outlook on it. The song has a lot of emotions in it and people can feel it, which makes me happy.

Where can we listen to it? 
https://youtu.be/gEsXQyfoHNQ

Where can we find out more about your music?
Any social media http://www.owleyeofficial.com/

Josh Hart Q&A

Your name:

Josh Hart.

Where are you from?

Denver, CO.

How would you describe yourself and your music?

I would classify myself as indie/soul. I love acoustics, and really try to forge an emotional and natural groove for anyone to move with.

Who are your main influences musically?

My main influences would have to include Local Natives first and foremost. I love the depth and engaging rhythms they produce. Second, I would pay appreciation to the huge influence Frank Ocean has had over my sound from the beginning, and lastly I'd say Foxing. Foxing just has a supreme serene and somber sound that I love.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

In my days of making music, I would hope to achieve spreading love and understanding to all who choose to come on this adventure with me. Music heals the soul and offers guidance. I'd just love to do the same that many others have done for me.

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

The highlight of my just developing career would have to be the creation and release of my debut EP. and first Single - Now I Say! I tend to be very frugal when releasing material because I want to make sure that it's at the quality I'd love for you all to hear. So finally being able to officially begin to make an appearance and present myself and my art to the world is liberating.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Oh man, the moment I'd want to forget if I had to, would be a show I presented at my High School a few years ago called the JHART Project. It was a charity show I organized with the Make-A-Wish-Foundation in hopes to raise money. In essence it was my first failure but a success as well. We raised about $250 for the kids but the show was a little sloppy haha.

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

To pick one song to represent me would have to be my Single - "Now I Say". It shows the many different musical influences I've adhered to along the way, giving you a jiggy rhythm that makes you want to dance but it also has soul roots that will evoke that emotion of past loves. 

Where can we listen to it? 

You can check it out here on my website: Hartnationep.com/music

Where can we find out more about your music?

Hartnationep.com

twitter.com/jhartbeat

Facebook.com/joshhartmusic

Instagram.com/jhartbeat

Soundcloud.com/jhartbeat

Youtube.com/jhartbeat

Crushcraze Q&A

Your name:
James Campbell.

Where are you from? 
Denver, Colorado.

Name of band:
Crushcraze.

Who else is in your band?
Daniel Feely (Keys, beeps, bumps, and live shenanigans).

How would you describe yourselves and your music? 
We make experimental indie-electronic pop music. 
James: Straight up music nerd to the fullest power, dog lover, news and media junkie, amateur artist, hots sauce condenseur, beatboxer, part time pc gamer and stone mason.
Daniel: Not here to speak for himself but is sporting a pretty amazing beard at the moment.

​Who are your main influences musically? 

Honestly, it's hard to even say any more. For me, I have always felt like as an artist you should always try to saturate yourself with as many different types of music, genres as you can and soak it like a sponge. In the process you end up falling in love with aspects of a lot of different musicians/bands for lots of different reasons. Its hard to know what/who I'm being influenced by when I'm writing. I think that I'm actually more influenced by situations, or people. 

What do you hope to achieve in music? 
I think its the ability to share our music with a large audience and be self-sustainable while were doing it.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why? 
The best is yet to come!

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 
I...I, already did.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why? 
It would have to be one of our more recent songs, Bed Down With a Monster" off of our upcoming debut "Rag Doll Physics. I think this song shows a lot the different aspects that make up our sound and gives you an idea of what to expect from the album. 

Where can we listen to it? 
https://soundcloud.com/crushcraze/bed-down-with-a-monster

Where can we find out more about your music?

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Anything else you’d like to say about your music that I forgot to ask? 
Yes! Debut album Rag Doll Physics coming This summer. Follow us on social media for the most recent happenings!

Grayson Erhard Q&A

Your name:

Grayson Erhard.

Where are you from?

Del Norte, Colorado, USA.

Name of band:

Grayson Erhard (also play in Aspen Hourglass).

Who else is in your band?

Sean Hanson and Elvin Holderfield.

How would you describe yourselves and your music?

Acoustic folk rock.

Who are your main influences musically?

Andy Mckee, Matt Corby, Matthew Santos.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

Recognition and long, successful tours.

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

The first tour was pretty awesome because it was exactly what I wanted it to be. Other than that, receiving genuine compliments for my music never fails to make my day!

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Falling in a hole in the stage!

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

Ears, Eyes and Hands or Veil of Anxiety.

Where can we listen to it? 

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

Where can we find out more about your music?

http://facebook.com/graysonerhardmusic
http://graysonerhard.com
http://twitter.com/graysonerhard

Anything else you’d like to say about your music that I forgot to ask?Please listen before you watch :)

Phee Q&A

Your name: 
Phee.

Where are you from? 
Denver, Colorado.

Name of band: 
I'm just Phee. :) 

Who else is in your band? 
I fly solo, son! I work with different producers for the background music though. Sex and Love was produced by Jesse O'Brien from Colorado Sound Studios. Presently I am working with Bob Matros of Hooker Street Studios. 

How would you describe yourselves? 
I am a geek, like the kind that LARPs and cosplays and makes my outfits light up like Tron and hosts a weekly radio show with my friends. I am also incredibly bubbly, highly motivated and, I would like to think, innovative with my music and overall image. I have always been very involved in music and I have gone from a music business intern in Los Angeles to singing in an indie band, to singing in a country wannabe band, to singing with a post-punk band, finally landing me where I am now - solo and making pop music! Aww yeah. 

Who are your main influences musically? 
I have been pulling influences from everywhere! I am listening to old school rap from all over the place, different countries and parts of America. I pull influence from classic rock and punk and modern pop and rock and dub step. I often turn to the music and styles of... well, musicals and the occasional movie, like Tron. I even occasionally tap into my country side, but shh no one needs to know about that. 

What do you hope to achieve in music? 
I hope to move mountains with my music. I want to be real and raw but still catchy and digestible. I want people to listen to my music and have a better day then they were having before they listened. I want to show my deepest parts of myself to everyone so that other people might feel like they are not so alone in life. And, of course, I want to have a fucking blast doing it. 

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why? 
So far, I would say my proudest moments have come when people listen to my single Sex and Love. I love getting to hear their surprise and reactions after they hear it for the first time. It has been absolutely so well received by so many people that it really fills my heart to know I am doing something that is landing so well. 

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 
The sleazy Twitter followers. Also, part of me wants to forget about every time I have been rejected by radio stations, managers, labels and every day that I come home to find another press kit that has been returned to me. But, when all is said and done, these are some of the moments that I hold closest to my heart. How else can we learn if we don't fall down, right? I actually framed the rejection letter from Disney. They were very cordial. 

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why? 
At this point it would absolutely be Sex and Love. It is the highest quality and the one I worked hardest on; however, I am working with my producer to write a new album that is going to be completely different and might possibly change everything about my sound - not the quality, but the sound. Exciting stuff! 

Where can we listen to it? 
Check it out through my website at http://www.phee.co/. You will also be able to find my music video there in a couple of months. It is additionally available for purchase through ITunes, CD Baby and basically every virtual outlet that sells music. Some internet radio stations have it in rotation as well - like in Germany. Who knew, right?

Where can we find out more about your music?

I am everywhere!!!! 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY_XmTLZjfVHfUP77jXP0AA
https://soundcloud.com/metphee
http://www.reverbnation.com/phee
https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/104067059648026403638/104067059648026403638/posts
https://www.facebook.com/MetPhee
https://twitter.com/MetPhee
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/phee14
http://phee303.wordpress.com/

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

Thanks so much for taking the time to read about me, everyone! I would love it if anyone interested would make sure to check out my video coming soon as I am hard at work with it. If anyone would also like to help me fund my upcoming album, I would be so humbled by the assistance. There is a Paypal button for donations on my website. Any additional funds raised for that will go toward the production of my upcoming reality show that I am making. Otherwise, really thank you so much for listening and checking out my work. I can be contacted through my email address: metphee@gmail.com. I always love to hear from people and network and make connections. Have a beautiful day! 

Jim Guittard Q&A

Your name:

Jim Guittard.

Where are you from?

I am originally from Dallas, Texas, but have lived all over including Gunnison, Colorado, Hollywood, California, Pernik, Bulgaria, Portland, Oregon, and now Fort Worth, Texas.

Name of band: 

It’s just me: Jim Guittard and sometimes crew.

Who else is in your band? 

Throughout the years, I have had a few people help with the recordings from time to time including Vladimir Maskov (Russian dude), Bob Guittard (my brother), Jim Seagroves (long-time friend), Ekaterina Guittard (my wife) and Warren Barry. But mainly it is a one-man band effort.

How would you describe yourselves?

Well, I’d like to think that I can’t be boxed in. Here is my short bio: Jim Guittard creates music in a documentary music style from psychedelic folk to lo-fi indie-rock. He's been putting out his brand of do it yourself little demo tapes since his college days that serve as a personal diary. Guittard has spent some time in Hollywood pounding the musical pavement. His 4th album "Busted In Bulgaria" was recorded while he lived overseas in Bulgaria as a teacher.

Who are your main influences musically?

I have a lot of diverse influences which include Beck, the Byrds, Bob Dylan, Gene Clark, the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Woody Guthrie, the Cure, Roger McGuinn, the Brian Jonestown Massacre, the Velvet Underground and Tom Petty. Early on one of my influences was a guy at my same high school who played in several school bands called Wes Cunningham. He really is why I started playing guitar. These sum up the main ones!

What do you hope to achieve in music?

The main thing I hope to achieve in music is simply to document what’s going on in my life and to hopefully connect with some people in the process. I do hope to make a mark in an underground kind of way. I’d be doing music even if I wasn’t making a penny. Getting some money would be nice but that’s not the main thing. I’d like to get some of my songs into films or on TV.   

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

The highlight thus far has been a few hour long interviews I’ve had with a podcaster up in British Columbia called Jay Daniels. His show’s called the Muffin Junkee and broadcasts groovy lo-fi music: http://www.buzzsprout.com/10029/96793-the-muffin-junkee-7-the-guittard-tapes-with-co-host-jim-guittard  It was a highlight because someone took the time to feature me and my music with an in-depth interview.

Coming in second would be when I wrote a protest song while I was serving as a Peace Corps volunteer English teacher in Bulgaria and it almost got me kicked out of the Peace Corps. The diplomats at the U.S. Embassy Sofia were having a melt-down after I was in the papers regarding the ongoing teacher strike. It was a highlight because my music was pushing the envelope.

Another highlight would be recording and doing music with Henry McGuinn in our little duo called the Ragas. Henry is the son of Roger McGuinn who is one of the founders of the 1960’s band the Byrds. (http://www.jamendo.com/en/artist/339962/the-ragas)

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

There’s really nothing I’d like to forget. Everything has been quite nice. I did have some guitars and other gear stolen a few years back but these things happen and you just gotta get back up again and carry on. These situations make me the person I am today. Take the good and leave the bad behind.

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

One of the songs that represents my music quite well is a song off my Rise album called You Can Not Knock Me Down.

Where can we listen to it?

https://soundcloud.com/jfguittard/you-can-not-knock-me-down

Where can we find out more about your music? 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jim-Guittard/33600816077

Twitter - https://twitter.com/jimguittard

Official Site - http://jimguittard.com/

ITUNES - https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/jim-guittard/id429471110

Spotify - https://play.spotify.com/artist/5vFGj1nH2MwOucNgtpFX3B

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/jgidd

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

I’d just like to encourage other creative types to create. There’s really no excuse to squander those talents if you have them. Be yourself! The technology is there to be heard or seen and to make a difference in this world. Get going. 

The Pitch Invasion Q&A

Your name: 

Jimi St. Pauli (vocals).

Where are you from? 

Denver, Colorado.

Name of band:

The Pitch Invasion.

Who else is in your band? 

Timmy Invasion (guitar), Bartholomew de las Casas (bass), The Shane's On You (guitar) and Joey Chaos (drums).

How would you describe yourselves? 

Melodic streetcore.

Who are your main influences musically? 

Agent Orange, D.R.I., The Dwarves, Bad Brains.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 

To solve all of the world's problems.

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

Staying together long enough to release a second CD (out in early 2014).

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 

When our drummer woke up in his own stool.

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

"Molly" (acoustic version now up on our website)..Why Molly? "...because we're just a bunch of fools."

Where can we listen to it? 

reverbnation.com/thepitchinvasion 

Learn how to get your music heard at ReverbNation.com

Where can we find out more about your music? 

Facebook, tumblr, twitter, reverbnation, myspace, instagram, spotify, itunes, etc.

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

Pick up our first CD Live to Regret available at reverbnation.com.

Faded Definition Q&A

Your name:

Lerew.

Where are you from?

Denver, Colorado.

Name of band:

Faded Definition.

Who else is in your band?

Currently, I'm the only member, but my producer and I have some things in the works, and FD should be playing shows by early 2014.

How would you describe yourselves?

FD is a mix of djenty progressive metal and classical orchestral music.

Who are your main influences musically?

My influences are all over the place, I listen to everything from Job For a Cowboy to the Rat Pack. For the most part, metal bands draw influence from other metal bands, which is great. But I feel that this has lead to most of our scene sounding very similar, and it makes it a lot harder to distinguish between bands. Personally, I'd say I get most of my influences from film soundtracks, and I feel like that brings a unique element to my music.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

In my music career, I hope to I hope to achieve a platinum album. I honestly cant remember the last time a metal band made a platinum record, so I'd say it's about time!

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

So far, the highlight of my career has probably been the release of my last EP "Onward to Dawn". When most bands put out a second release, they usually receive a ton of negative feedback from their fans, (Which is what I was prepared for due to the sound of OtD being heavily different than that of its predecessor As The City Burns). But I really haven't gotten anything other than positive feedback, which is great! Now my only hope is that I can live up to all their expectations for the full length!

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Don't have one!

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

That's a hard one. But I would probably say "The Deceiver". It exhibits a lot of FD's heavier and less heavy stylization, and it's probably also my personal favorite as well.

Where can we listen to it?

You can find links to everything I've done at facebook.com/fadeddefinition 

YouTube videos, download links for both Onward to Dawn, and As The City Burns, and even pre production teasers for the new full length.

Where can we find out more about your music?

To find out more about FD, you can follow us on really any social network. For the most straightforward information, Facebook is definitely the best place. I'm also on Twitter @Faded_Def. The Twitter is mostly just a bunch of trolling and jokes, but you can still learn more about the band there as well.
Were also on Reverbnation, Bandcamp, Amazon, iTunes, eMusic, and a bunch of other online retailers.

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

I'm currently working on a new full length, which will be a concept album concluding the story which began in Onward to Dawn. Keep your eyes open for it early next year!

The Dead End Drivers Q&A

Your name: 

Ian Tyson.

Where are you from? 

Littleton, Colorado, USA.

Name of band:

The Dead End Drivers.

Who else is in your band? 

Luke Hubka, Sam Martens and Matt Wilson.

How would you describe yourselves? 

We are a band unlike any other. Our influences are a lot different from all the other bands out there and it creates that unique sound.

Who are your main influences musically? 

Led Zeppelin, Young The Giant, R.E.M., Ben Folds, The Beatles.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 

We hope to get to play our music around the world and show everyone what we're about. 

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

It has to be recording our EP. It was so much fun listening to what we all sound like played back.

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 

Just getting started was rough for us. But as with other bands, we just pushed through it and made great music together.

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

I think Save Me would represent us the best because of the time we all spent on making it ours. We weren't even done with the song going into the recording sessions but we made it awesome!

Where can we listen to it? 

http://www.reverbnation.com/thedeadenddrivers

Free Electronic Press Kits template from ReverbNation.com

Where can we find out more about your music?

www.twitter.com/deadenddrivers

www.deadenddrivers.com

http://www.reverbnation.com/thedeadenddrivers

http://www.amazon.com/One-Way-Out/dp/B00BIRR9XU/ref

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/one-way-out-ep/id603335168

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

When are going to tour the UK? We would like come there sometime next year. If we are getting airplay and the fans want it, we will be there.