Major League - Interviewed pre-show (December 8, 2012)

Major League, as you will find out in my next album review post, is one of my favorite bands. Despite that they are not a band I've listened to for years and years, they are still one I hold dear to me. I emailed them just days before the show (which I only found out about less than a week beforehand) and asked if they would do an interview with me. Nick emailed me back the same day and was incredibly gracious and agreed. We set up a time and a place and bam! Just like that, it was on.

The only thing I didn't predict was first losing my camera charge cord and then having a tape recorder break. Yeah, it felt a little like the world was out to make sure I didn't get a good recording of my interview. But that's okay, because what did we do before we had technology like video and audio recording? We used pen and paper. So that's what I did.* I've never been nervous during an interview before, but the combined lack of preparation that happened at the last minute and being in the presence of one of my favorite bands (not in a fan-girl way, just in an appreciative way) made me a little flustered. Enjoy learning a little more about Major League!

(If you've never heard of Major League or don't know them well, please visit the links below to view their different social pages and check out their music.)

                                ***

Photo by Shot by Nesha

How did you first get started and what made you choose the direction for your sound that you did?

We just started jamming and writing songs; threw it together. The pop punk thing just happened. We all came from hardcore or metalcore backgrounds; that's what we had played in different bands before we came together. It just worked and we're able to play what we want.

Do you feel like starting in New Jersey made things harder for you to break into the music scene?

Yes. In our area there wasn't a pop punk scene. It was a "harder" scene and then when it came to pop punk, bands like Man Overboard were becoming popular and being noticed so it was hard to break into that.

Do you feel like you've grown as a band and your sound has changed accordingly?

Yes. [Unanimous. Perhaps next time I'll add more depth to this question!]

Do you think your fans perceptions of you may have changed over the past few years?

People take us more seriously now. It's a good and bad thing. [Good because] Our parents perceptions have definitely changed and they take us a lot more seriously. They're proud. My dad thought we'd come crawling back but now he sees that we've made it out of the garage band thing. [Brian]

How do you feel about being named a pop-punk band? Is that a self-proclaimed genre or something fans have decided for you?

Photo by Shot by Nesha

Definitely fans. Really, it's all rock. We're playing rock and the titles are just sub-genres of rock. Everything is pop punk now. Title Fight is pop punk. Things on Tumblr are pop punk.  [Matt]  I hate genres. [Brian] Promoters and kids take it so seriously - everything gets based on genre. It used to be so much like one big thing - the music scene. Now kids come out to your shows and they judge you off your merch and it's not about having fun anymore. They stop looking at musicians now and it's about being prejudice against certain genres and only coming out to shows if the show is a genre they like.

Who writes most of the lyrics and the music and if it's not a total collaboration, how do you come to agreements?

Brian writes the lyrics and Matt does too sometimes. The lyric process is just what I feel and what's going on, life experiences. The rest is a group feeling. Everyone in the band has lost someone or been able to relate to something that a song is about. Nick will sometimes take lyrics and make a chorus from something I couldn't, trying to figure it out and arrange it.  Everyone writes their own music except with the last record where everyone had more input on it.

Please explain your writing process and how it has changed between albums, if it has.

Hard Feelings was totally different. Luke lives in Pittsburg so when we did The Split [with Giants at Large] and Hard Feelings recordings, we would use our phones to record and we would be emailing songs and it got to a point where Luke would hear the different parts of what we were doing and say "You'll hear the drums when I'm done."

Photo by Shot by Nesha

Do you feel like it's ever difficult to continue making a name for yourself as a band, while others seem to meld together under the pressure of the industry to make "popular" music?

You pay your dues. You make the music you want to make. People see you work hard and it all comes back to you. It's about respect especially in underground music. [Nick]

What, if anything, have you run into as a band that was difficult to overcome?

An accident where a truck ran into us.
But honestly nothing really - we keep going - every band goes through things. [Nick] We've been asked this before and it seems like everything comes out good or better in the end. [Matt] For every 3 things, 1 good thing happens. So after 2 things we're just waiting for the third bad thing to come and know that a good thing will be coming next. Always 3 and then 1 in that order.

Have you experienced any fallbacks or problems while recording?

With the new record. It was the most stressful, crazy thing with limited time. Only 4 weeks in the studio which was different and we hadn't heard everything together. Once we did, we didn't want to go that way and we literally spent the whole first week in the studio rewriting all the songs completely. For Nick, that meant spending 4 days on vocals with no time to relax or take a little break away from music and not think about it. It was just straight recording.

Do you feel like those things brought you closer and made the band even stronger?

Yes. Getting through certain things like the van being totaled and bouncing back the next day. As a band we can get through anything but it's good and bad. We can get cocky and think we're immortal.

Photo taken Dec 8 @ Baldwin Park show

When touring and playing live shows, do you feel lie it's hard to please all your fans? E.g. playing the songs they want to hear, meeting their expectations or meeting everyone who wants to say hi?

No, we ask if they want to hear certain songs and we try to make people happy. It's about the fans more than us. It's up to them what they want to hear.

What can fans expect from you in 2013? 

More of the new record. We want to play more of the new stuff. Last night [12/7] in Vegas, the kids rushed  to the front of the stage to hear Homewrecker right away and to sing along. It's a great feeling that kids want to hear our new stuff that much.

I'm curious as to how you guys personally feel about the way music sales have hanged, including illegal downloading, iTunes, Amazon, and other online music retailers. Does this totally ruin music or do you think this improves how easily and rapidly music reaches your fans ears?

Both. I hate that there is hardly any music stores anymore. It used to be a huge thing staying up and standing in line (like they do now for movie premieres at midnight) for a new record to drop. Kids miss out now, because it's not like that anymore. It's changed a lot. It helps bands in a way because when we're MIA kids can still download the stuff (illegally or not) and come out to our shows once they've heard it.

Do you think that online sales will eventually completely replace CD and vinyl sales?

Yes. It already has. I remember when Blink-182 self titled CD came out and I was a freshman I was there in line waiting for it and the next day you couldn't find it anywhere. That's how it was when albums dropped. But now when their last album came out, you saw it everywhere. Nobody was buying physical albums. It seems it's only at shows that people buy the actual albums. It's a big bummer.

*I tried to get things as perfectly as possible, so please excuse any paraphrasing or abruptness!

***

Find Major League on Facebook, Twitter, and their website.

All photos noted with source by Shot by Nesha. Check her there on her website or on Facebook!

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Rival Tides (Previously Known as Harris Grade) Interviewed At Last!

I've been a friend and fan of local band Rival Tides (formally known as Harris Grade) for several years now and at last I got to interview them! I thought it was a perfect time since they just changed their name and just had a show last night - the first under their official new name! 

If you're unfamiliar with Rival Tides, it's time to get familiar. Please check out their Facebook page and music; all links included after the interview. Their humor is hilarious, if you've ever met them or seen videos, and I think it really carries through in some of their answers here. I know they had me laughing and I'm the one doing the interview!

(Alex Solca)

Me: How did you first get started as a band? Since then, how have any band member changes and personal ups and downs affected your sound? 

Rival Tides: We first got together in a previous project. As time progressed, the group experienced member changes and new experiences (both in life and musically) that really put us down a more focused path. Instead of continuing on with any old history, we decided to start over.

Me: Do you feel like your new songs are different from your older ones because you as people have grown? Or is this finally the "real you" coming out?

RT: Both, really. We’ve grown together as a group in a way that’s helped us get to the point of our true potential. It’s not that we’ve peaked or anything, but our new music is certainly the music we’ve always wanted to make together.

Me: Do you have one specific member who concentrates on writing a majority of lyrics and/or music or do you feel that it's an equal collaboration?

RT: Our vocalist, Robyn, writes all the lyrics, unless we just have minor suggestions to contribute. We all join forces to write the music. The success or failure of each individual song is the responsibility of everyone in the group.

  

Me: Tell me about your lyric writing process and how you're able to come up with such unique and moving songs? Has your process changed between albums?

RT: Robyn‘s lyrics are becoming a lot more personal, while being more relatable to those who listen. He starts with how a new song’s melody makes him feel and then writes what he feels is appropriate to that mood.

Me: Do you feel like it's hard to continue making a name for yourself as a band, while others seem to meld together under the pressure of the industry to make "popular" music?

(Alex Solca)

RT: Just wait until you hear our next album… jk. 

Either way, it’s a competitive market out there. Our goal is to make music that appeals to a wide variety of people, while keeping true to our own values.

  

Me: Have you experienced any problems or fallbacks while recording?

RT: Somewhat. As younger musicians we ran into problems clashing with producers’ visions for our style and direction. In recent times though, by the time we hit the studio, we’re confident and ready to record without any issues.

Me: I know you guys posted a statement about your name-change, but I think it's safe to say that everyone (including me as a friend and fan) who listens to your music would love to know what went into the thought process to changing your name, especially since you're already a fairly well-known band. 

RT: Our main reasoning was a fresh start. With the three songs we most recently released, (Mission:Control, How to Catch a Bullet, Oceans) we really felt that we discovered our true style. Instead of having a scattered history, we wanted all of our efforts from here on out to be as focused as possible. Rival Tides is all about having a good time while taking care of business at the same time. Kind of like a mullet: business up front, party in the back.

Me: Do you guys have any plans for a tour in the near future, whether local or US? 

RT: We’ve got some stuff in the pipeline being worked out, but until dates are confirmed and ready to be announced we’ll keep quiet about it.

Me: I'm curious as to how you guys personally feel about the way music sales have changed, including illegal downloading, iTunes, Amazon, and other online music retailers. Does this totally ruin music or do you think this improves how easily and rapidly music reaches your fan's ears? 

(Alex Solca)

RT: Each side of the debate has its pros and cons. Digital downloads provide easy access to new music discovery, but it also creates a much more saturated market. It does shut down a lot of those bands who just want to be instant rockstars though; the money just isn’t around for that anymore. The changed industry forces bands like us to think on our toes and look to the future at all times. Even if we’re not necessarily making visible moves or announcements every week, we’re still planning out the best courses of action at all times.

Me: Do you think that online sales will eventually completely replace CD and vinyl sales?

RT: I can see CDs disappearing. Sure, it could take a while since they’re still easily available, but most content can now be streamed online in cloud storage, or is just digital through mp3s. I think vinyl will stick around though. It makes music more of a collector item. With bigger artwork, better sound and limited quantities, it has staying power. Plus, something that I personally love about it is the fact that it’s really the only true way to “own” music. CDs are just data discs. Downloads are the same. A record is a physical item of music. If you put a needle to it, even without speakers, you can hear music from it. I don’t know about you, but I think that’s pretty awesome.

***

Check Rival Tides out on Facebook, Twitter, and on their website! 

(Photos by the magnificent Alex Solca)

Taking Back Sunday, Bayside, and Man Overboard (#TAYF10 Tour) at Club Nokia October 25, 2012)

The scene was a beautiful one: a crazy long line of people all lined up for the Taking Back Sunday #TAYF10 tour! A lot of these people were wearing merch and some of them even had TBS shirts from "back in the day," showing that they had likely been around from when the album was first released. Many Bayside fans also showed up, some excited to see the bands for the first time, while some had been to many shows and had more of a relaxed vibe as they waited in line. I didn't see any Man Overboard shirts, but I know there were many loyal fans out there in the crowd once the band went on later.

Personally, I've seen Taking Back Sunday twice: The Next Big Thing 6 (Tampa Bay 2006) and Warped Tour 2012 (My first Warped Tour this year in Pomona) and Bayside once at the same Warped Tour this past summer. I was beyond excited to get to see them, even though I felt a little nervous about the venue size, crowd, and the VERY small pit that they had given "limited" access to. (Which really meant as many people as they could fit in there without killing someone.)

After waiting in line and getting our pit access, my friend and I squeezed as close to the front as possible and waited for the show to start. There were so many people who were excited for Man Overboard to open. Although I hadn't been as long-term of a fan of them as others in the crowd, it was great to see how much excitement there was for them. Many people knew the lyrics to their music as they started playing, but the crowd didn't go nearly as crazy as I would soon witness. Now, I've been to a LOT of shows. I've been to shows in all sorts of venues with all kinds of music and different crowds and I've been hit in places I had to think about later (how?! why?!) but never have I seen a crowd like the one that night.

Bayside played a solid set to a sea of singing fans who knew the lyrics very well and it almost sounded like a live recording of their album. I was very pleased and glad to be part of a crowd who knew and apparently loved Bayside as much as I do! (A few people, not surprisingly, screamed out their love for, and desire to have the babies of Anthony.) They put on an even better set than the smaller one at Warped Tour, which I had thought was amazing, so that's saying something.

The crowd started pushing some towards the end of Bayside's set and a couple people attempted to crowd surf, which is apparently their way of showing appreciation for the music. Nobody seemed amused. When Taking Back Sunday took the stage, the change was enormous. Not only did everyone start shoving and "moshing" (I put it in quotations because these individuals have clearly never been to a hardcore show and were trying to mosh/circle pit but don't know what they are doing.) but the voices got louder and the excitement was even more clear.

On the upside, a great show was had and they played a great set, comparable with the one I saw at Warped Tour (with a much smaller crowd at Club Nokia) but the downsides were the tight space and people kicking and throwing elbows everywhere (even in the parts of the crowd you usually would be safe in) and one guy who tried to crowd surf to the stage 12 or 13 times in a row and didn't get kicked out. I would put the downsides mostly on the venue/security, because that's not really on the band. But I did get punched in the face so hard I thought my nose was broken, and my glasses were ripped off my face a few times. (Not the first time it's happened... La Dispute...)

All in all, great show.

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The Lost Passion of Music

I'm not alone in my quest for inspired music. It seems that there are a large number of people who don't buy into the oh so shallow genre that is pop music. These individuals strive to find artists and music which have been born from the heart and not the wallet. (So to speak.)

Excerpted from google.com, the first definition of the word "music":

The art or science of combining vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion. Although what is "beauty" and the "expression of emotion" may possibly be up for debate, I feel that there is a certain sense of agreement universally or just a universal definition of what sounds beautiful. Every single person may not enjoy typically pleasing sounds, just as there may be different types of music that shouldn't be considered pleasing to the ear, but they are. I have talked with many of my friends, both those who are musicians, and those who consider themselves heavy listeners, and never have I heard so much agreement with the statement that the passion and true beauty in music is slipping away, pop artist by pop artist. (Or however we as people can agree things are changing. I consider it to mostly be by way of pop/Top 40 music. This piece is not something I am writing to attack writers of pop music, performers, or anyone involved.) Sadly, if you listen to the lyrics, or even the music itself, which has been poked fun at by Axis of Awesome's 4-chord compilation (see below), which includes quite a bit of music that can be considered or was at some time top 40.  The originality and true feeling that seemed to have once once inspired and brought music alive have been squashed by a combination of things including, but not limited to: the media, pressure of record labels, managers, publicists, and likely even fan's negative opinions of some of the more original work. This is likely not a true reflection of the quality, but a reflection of some fans being influenced by the media themselves. Artists are pressured to create music that will sell, instead of the music they are proud of and want to see put out into the world to touch lives, with the attitude that "if it sells, that would be wonderful." Instead of writing a song based on their inspired scribblings or a life experience, they're basing their music off research done on what's popular and what will fans eat up like hot cakes.  I know it's a tough world out there to make money and to balance your reputation. But in my eyes, a true musician is someone who is proud of the music he puts out there and proud of himself when all is done with. Do what you love, and hopefully you will someday (whether it takes 1 day or 10 years) be recognized for the true, wonderful artist that you are.

Video: Axis of Awesome: 4 Chords Song

The xx, John Talabot, and 2:54 @ The Hollywood Palladium 10/12/12

The xx is one of my favorite bands and has been since the first time I heard them. I listened to their album (xx) several times over in one day, and became somewhat obsessed with their music. The fact that they only had one album out likely added to me becoming such a huge fan, but their first album stood alone for three years, so I obviously wasn't the only one who stuck around patiently waiting for their second album to be released. Of course, along with the release of their second album, Coexist, came a tour around the U.S., which isn't their native country. That was another thing that had become a dreaded feeling for me as I fell in love with their music: the fact that they are from the UK meant that I would likely never see them in concert. So earlier this year, when I heard The xx was going to be doing a U.S. tour, I practically jumped for joy. My friend and I decided we would go together and we got the tickets. It had sold out within minutes, so we were fortunately able to find tickets with hiked prices from a resale website. (Totally worth it.) Outside the Palladium before the show, I was interviewed on camera for Livenation!

The two bands opening for The xx were 2:54 and John Talabot. I hadn't heard either of them live before, but  I knew the band 2:54 was also from the U.K.

I didn't hear much of John Talabot's set after finding the first couple of songs uninteresting and uncomfortable, but listening to 2:54 was the best way I could have imagined to prepare myself for The xx. The crowd seemed to get really into the band and the energy building inside the venue

When The xx took the stage, I think the only reason I didn't go deaf was my own loud cheering. I've genuinely never felt suck positive energy and heard so many people who knew the lyrics to the songs being played at a show before.

I was a little concerned that they might overtake the show with only songs from their new album, which although I liked, wasn't what I'd been listening to for the past few years on repeat! They managed to play quite the balanced set-list between both albums that pleased the crowd very much. The band's stage presence is phenomenal and their gratitude obvious. They even added a light show that changed throughout the night, which just added to the experience. I was impressed by how many fans knew the lyrics to the songs from Coexist, considering it didn't come out long ago.

Without question, it was my favorite concert of the year and possibly of all time.
Photos by Daisy Marietta, (c) October 2012

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Metric and Half Moon Run @ The Greek Theater 10/9/12

     On a breezy evening in Los Angeles, California, Half Moon Run took the stage, kicking off the evening and opening up for a much anticipated Metric concert. The Montreal based band got the crowd excited, with songs off of their debut album (2012) Dark Eyes. Three talented guys make the group a strong trio, whose music has been described as both traditional folk and electronic. Whatever genre they may be placed in, they certainly have a unique sound. I had the pleasure of meeting the band briefly during intermission, at which time they shook my hand and although they were already engaged in conversation, they behaved like complete gentleman. For me personally, this added a certain charm to their observed on stage presence and their sound.

     As the seats filled post-intermission, you could clearly hear the buzz and excitement of all the fans of the Canadian born band, Metric. For most of the concert-goers on this Tuesday evening, it would be their first time seeing Metric perform live. That was true for myself, and I was beyond excited to get to see one of my favorite bands play. I wondered how they would handle the set-list, due to the fact that they had just released their newest album, Synthetica. And handle it well, they did! They managed to impress me greatly with a combination of songs from each of their albums, but understandably focusing on their last two: Fantasies being the one previously released three-four years ago.

     As they opened with the first song on Synthetica, "Artificial Nocturne," I was impressed to see and hear that the majority of the fans in the crowd knew the song well enough to sing along. This followed suit with each of the songs throughout the evening that the band played off of their new album. I clearly underestimated Metric's fanbase and their ability to swiftly memorize the lyrics. I was equally impressed with Emily Haine's stage presence and with her versatile voice that I had previously enjoyed for so many years on their albums.

    All in all, Metric's beautiful songs paired with the energy at the Greek Theater and with the beautiful light show, made for an unforgettable concert.

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Secret Empire - "Storm Command" August 2012 (Album Review)

This is my official album review for "Storm Command" by Secret Empire.

************

Despite being a fairly seasoned writer, this album has done to me what nothing else could: rendered me somewhat speechless. I find myself unable to find the proper words to express just how moving this album is. All of my usual adjectives used to describe something amazing just don't fit right. 

The artist is truly passionate about his music and you can tell how much work and love he put into this album. In every single song, you can hear the intensity in every meaningful line of lyrics and behind his sensuous voice. In a sea of vapid,"catchy pop songs", with lyrics about promiscuous sex, drugs, b*tches, and "swag", this album is a true star. These tracks are truly emotional, tear-jerking, and real. 

I've had the album pretty much on repeat since getting it and it hasn't gotten old one bit. If anything, you can come to appreciate each track more and more every time you hear it. I've put it into my "snobby" top 5 album list. (I say snobby because I've been called a picky listener or music snob and I'll take it, if it means I have fairly good taste in music.) 

This album has already done so much for me and moved me endlessly. I don't use this word often, but everything about it was truly perfect in my eyes and I can't get enough.

Buy it and buy yourself a box of tissues. Support this wonderful artist who will never stop bringing you truly beautiful, breathtaking music.

x

*Find out more about Secret Empire on Twitter or Facebook below, and check out (and buy) the album on Amazon or at his website!*

http://www.twitter.com/secretempire

https://www.facebook.com/evilorphan

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008S77MBW/ref=cm_cr_rev_prod_title

http://www.evilorphan.com/

Edit: June 2013...

First time I've ever done this, but I have to say after nearly 9 months have passed since I wrote this, and it's still one of my favorite albums. Ever.

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Back Pocket Memory & Culprit @ Club Moscow (Boardners) 9/5/12

     Picture this: Wednesday night brings Club Moscow to Boardners. Loyal friends, family, and fans come out late on a weeknight to see their favorite local bands. Cut in to two incredible local bands, Culprit and Back Pocket Memory, playing a show that doubles as a West Coast tour kickoff and a birthday show for BPM bassist Rob.

     The crowd both bands brought to the venue was only the first reflection upon the strength of their fan base. The way Back Pocket Memory moved (and excited) the crowd was just as impressive, especially when they played material from their new self-titled EP. Culprit was just as powerful in the way they kept the venue moving and singing along.

    I was especially impressed with hearing Back Pocket Memory's new material, since having heard their single, Prisoner, before they released their EP. It was my first time seeing Culprit live, and I was entirely blown away with how beautiful their songs were live!

     With two strong vocalists, exceptional drummers, impressive guitar and bass, Culprit and Back Pocket Memory seem to be the perfect 2 bands to tour together, and it's just coincidence that they're friends!

     If you are a fan of BPM or Culprit or want to hear more, you're in luck! They're only halfway through their West Coast tour! Check out the tour dates below as well as the links if you're not at any of the cities listed. Additionally, please look out for my interview with Back Pocket Memory coming soon, as well as one in the works with Culprit!

September 10th – Bend, OR @ The Soundgarden

September 11th – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon

September 12th – Portland, OR @ Mt. Tabor Theater (Lounge)

September 13th – Vancouver, WA @ Pop Culture

September 14th – San Lorenzo, CA @ The Annex

September 15th – San Jose, CA @ Homestead Lanes

www.facebook.com/backpocketmemory
www.twitter.com/bckpcktmmry
www.backpocketmemory.tumblr.com
www.backpocketmemory.bandcamp.com

www.whatisculprit.com
www.twitter.com/culprit
http://whatisculprit.tumblr.com

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Lemonade - Kyle Castellani's New Feature Song & Album

When Kyle asked me if I wanted to hear his new song "Lemonade" a week or two ago, I had to contain myself. Of course I would be thrilled to listen to an unreleased song! I was expecting something along the lines of what I had heard thus far, which has never let me down or disappointed me (including the songs I had heard so far from Lemonade before it was released - at live shows and on his website) but I could never have prepared myself for the flood of emotions I experienced listening to "Lemonade." It would be an understatement to say the song simply "failed to disappoint."

The song moved me so much that it took me a couple of days to actually respond and let him know what I thought of it - and when I did, embarrassingly enough, the words wouldn't stop coming. Kyle is an underrated, amazing musician who will hopefully get the recognition he so deserves. Just by this song alone being a sign of what's to come, I thought, he truly is going places.

Lemonade specifically, is a very soft and emotional song which moved me to tears. (I may be a woman, but I am not a crier.) Tears actually fell out of my eyes.

Kyle expresses himself perfectly through meaningful, deep lyrics and strong, versatile vocals. His range is incredible and I am consistently blown away by his finished products. Having been sent "Lemonade" for a preview, I had officially heard every single song on the album before its release (today, August 1st, 2012) by way of online teasers and live shows, I think it's safe to say that I have ground to stand on with my review saying that this is definitely my favorite album of 2012.

I really only intended to write a review for "Lemonade", but I got a bit carried away. (Not unusual for me...)

If you like beautiful lyrics and acoustic music, (with the added bonus that he actually sounds just as good live - so you're not getting some butchered, auto-tuned album) you'll want to get this CD!

To buy it on iTunes, visit: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/lemonade/id549621894

(You can find out more about Kyle and his current West Coast tour at http://www.reverbnation.com/kylecastellani)

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Kyle Castellani Goes Solo - An Interview

     After Nural broke up in 2010, Kyle Castellani continued to make music on his own. (Sweet, beautiful, soulful music.) Now, though the band is back together working on their new album, he is embarking on a Northwestern tour and will soon be releasing his new album! He was gracious enough to give me an interview, I hope you enjoy it and if you've never heard Nural or his solo music, be sure to check him out through the links at the bottom of the post! (You can definitely check him out even if you have heard of Nural, too.)

Me: What made you decide to go solo and is this part of the reason that Nural broke up?

 (I ask this question a bit hesitantly because I know Nural is releasing an album - which confuses my other questions about whether or not Nural is back together for good? Or just releasing the album? But we'll leave this question on its own.)

Kyle: I went solo for the simple reason that I needed to play music again. I wasn’t sure whether to start a new band or join one of the bands that asked me to sing for them, so I finally said, “fuck it”, and just started writing so much and singing so much and playing so much guitar and piano that it left no room for anything or anyone in my life BUT music. It was strange times, but I came out the other side with a heightened appreciation for music and a better understanding of what I needed to do. Nural was broken up for a long time before I decided to do the solo thing, and by playing so much music on my own it made me realize how much I missed being in a band. Hence the reformation of Nural… So actually the solo stuff brought Nural back together, not the other way around.

Me: Are you planning to stick with the solo career or do you have plans to stay both with Nural while pursuing your solo dreams?

Kyle: I’m kinda just playing it by ear. I’ve made some commitments to the solo stuff that I’m gonna see through, but Nural takes priority. There will always be time for my own music, but playing in a band is too much fun.

Me: I'm curious to know what your personal process is like for writing music and how it differs from when you were writing music for Nural?

Kyle: Writing music with Nural is a collective effort where we all have to be on the same page. When I write for me, I just have to make sure I like it and the recording captures the vision I have. Anyone who can listen to my solo material and enjoy it and identify with it not only gets me, but vise versa. It’s basically a glimpse in to my head and heart and puts the essence of who I am on blast! It can be vulnerable to share, but it’s all the more rewarding when people relate.

Me: I'm sure your fans are interested to know, what are your plans for your tour and full-length album release?

Kyle: I plan to tour the west coast in august and play as many places as often as possible! I’ve already got the calendar more than half full of dates and places I’ll be, you can check all of that out online. I plan to release Lemonade online for free download on certain sites and have it on iTunes while also selling it along with Pseudo Romance on the tour! It’s been a busy summer with more ahead, but it’s so fun that it’s hardly work!

Me: Finally, I just want to thank you not only for taking the time to answer questions for me, but for the music you've made over the years, both with Nural and your solo music. There are very few bands/musicians that I've felt a real connection with their music, you and Nural being one of them. Your music has actually helped me get through a lot of hardships and even a few breakups! So, thank you for that. 

Kyle: You are more than welcome. That means a lot that my music could have such an impact.

Thanks for listening, and like I said earlier, you get me, and vise versa. :)

If you like passionate, versatile vocals and genuinely deep lyrics, check Kyle's music out on Facebook, Twitter, and Reverbnation!

https://www.facebook.com/kylecastellanimusic, https://twitter.com/kylecastellani, 
and http://www.reverbnation.com/kylecastellani.


    Pictures taken by me @ Leo's All Star Bar in La Crescenta, CA - Saturday, 7 July, 2012. (c)

Please support me by liking my page on Facebook for regular updates!

An Interview with Nural's Kyle Castellani

     As a fan of the Los Angeles band, Nural, of many years, I was very happy to hear that the band was back together - at least to make a new album. They broke up in 2010 and many fans and friends of the band were similarly excited about the news of a new album in the works.
     I was able to get an interview with Kyle Castellani, lead singer of the band (as well as a solo artist) for an interview. Please enjoy, spread the news, and if you don't know Nural, check them out! (Links at the bottom.)

Me: How did you guys first get started as a band? Since then, how have any band member changes/additions affected your sound? 

Kyle: We got started when we were all just kids around 14/15. We were all acquaintances in middle school with similar tastes in music and gravitated toward one another because of that and became friends/band-mates. We started out as a Ska band too! The changes in our music first started when we lost the horn players and went punk. From there we started veering more toward a rock direction, and we’ve been looking for OUR sound ever since. Members have come and gone throughout the years and it’s never easy to see them go, but I think although the music may turn out differently depending on the members, the changes have been necessary for the evolution and growth of the band. 

Me: How do you feel that your new songs differ from your older ones? 

Kyle: I think the new songs are stylistically a good blend of our first record The Weight Of The World and our second one, Entitlement. We’ve always been working on a balance between when to go heavy and when to go easy. For me, these new songs find a more even balance across that spectrum. 

Me: Can we expect a similar sound in the new album? Speaking of your new album, when are you expecting to release it?

Kyle: You can expect Nural! It’s definitely similar. And to be honest, we really don’t have an estimation for when we’re going to release it yet. It’s been difficult aligning our schedules, but it’ll get done, and sooner than later! 

Me: Tell me about your current process in songwriting and recording. How has this changed since "The Weight of the World"? 

Kyle: There’s never been one set process. The approach has always been constructed chaos. We all have different riffs and melodies floating around that all seem to find homes in various songs. It’s almost like a 1,000 piece puzzle set and the full songs have always existed, we just have to find where everything fits. Every time we get together and jam, a new song is born. I think because we’ve been writing together so long, the chaos is a lot more fluid these days. 

Me: Who writes most of the lyrics and music? Or is it a collaboration between all of you? 

Kyle: We all contribute to the music as a whole, but I’ve always been entrusted with the melodies and lyrics. I have a love/hate relationship with lyrics. When I’m done I’m usually happy with them, but it’s a journey. With so many songs needing lyrics and the expectation that they all should be honest and heart-felt, I often end up traveling through some crazy emotional peaks and valleys in short periods of time. I always learn a lot about myself and life in general in the process though, so it’s definitely more love than hate. 

Me: I'd love to hear more about how you come up with your lyrics, as they're often quite profound, something that makes you distinct from many of the popular artists in the 2010's.

Kyle: It’s so weird because songs always have something to say whether someone is saying it (singing it) or not. If you listen to just the music of an orchestral piece or even a rock song with no vocals, a picture comes to your mind of what the song wants to say, or the mood of the song. The song evokes some kind of feeling in me and I decide to chase it. Sometimes I find out what it was saying and sometimes it eludes me forever… The ones that elude me become the B-sides, hahaha! It’s like this strange equation that has no right or wrong answer, only interpretations… If that makes any sense. 

Me: Have you experienced any issues or problems while recording your new album?
 
Kyle: We need a rehearsal spot. Definitely a big inconvenience when trying to learn loud rock music.

Me: What led up to Nural breaking up in 2010? 

Kyle: Too many things to even mention in short. But to sum it up briefly, we were tired. We had given our entire lives to the band and had very little fruit of our labor to show for, and on top of that, we had managers and labels telling us how Nural SHOULD be. It created a riff between all of us as musicians and friends and we felt overwhelmed. The final blow was a law-suit between us and our managers that left us fed up with the music industry. After 2 years of being broken up and once the dust settled, we realized that we can play music together and actually have fun again. Fun playing music? What a strange concept! 

Me: I know you (Kyle) released a solo album last year and then in January 2012 Nural announced that they were working on a new album, what made you decide to get back together? 

Kyle: I think I speak for all the Nural guys when I say we missed the camaraderie. We missed being apart of something that was bigger than us individually. We came together as a group and together made music that we had fun playing and other people enjoyed. All the other bullshit is something that comes with the territory sometimes, but the music is all that ever matters in the end. Time has a way of putting all that in to perspective, I guess. 

Me: Are you guys planning to go on tour after you release your album? If not, are you planning to have a CD release show in the LA area? 

Kyle: Definitely a CD release show! As far as a tour goes, we’ll have to see how people respond to the new material. *Wink 

Me: I'm curious as to how you feel about the way music sales have changed, such as online sales and illegal downloading. Do you feel like this improves the way music is purchased and reaches your fan's ears? 

Kyle: It is what it is. The internet is an unstoppable force, and artists can either pity themselves and get pissed that people aren’t buying their records, or they can recognize what an incredible marketing tool the internet is and get more people listening online and get them to shows! I for one love the internet and I embrace the way it is. What choice do artists have anyways?
 
Me: Do you think that the future of CD and vinyl sales will eventually be completely replaced by online sales? 

Kyle: Absolutely. CD’s and especially vinyl and such will be nostalgic, but definitely obsolete.

Me: Thank you so much time for taking the time to answer all these questions, Kyle.

     If you are interested in hearing Nural's music, you can find them at Facebook and Twitter, and I've even inserted one of their music videos for your easy viewing pleasure! Look out for my next interview with Kyle about his solo career, tour, and new album which is soon to be released!

https://www.facebook.com/nuralofficial and https://twitter.com/nuralofficial

Please support me by liking my page on Facebook for regular updates!

News!

I am so excited for all of the things I have up and coming! I had an interview with Nural's Kyle Castellani representing Nural as well as his own solo career, I have an interview with Back Pocket Memory later this month, as well as Cannoneers, and another soon after with Colin Healy. I'm excited to meet with these bands as well as others I have lined up for the next couple of months. I am beyond stoked that these guys have taken the time to graciously answer questions for me. I hope that you will enjoy reading their interviews, whether you are a fan already or become a new fan of these musicians. Thanks for reading! Look out for 2 interviews coming soon.