Driven Far Off

The latest on the indie, alternative, and rock music scene including news, music, contest, interviews, and more. Best described as your favorite place to find new bands.

The Spill Canvas Interview – June 14th, 2007

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the spill canvas

I recently got to sit down for a phone interview with Nick of The Spill Canvas to talk about the band’s upcoming record, tours and more. Thank you very much to Nick for talking to us, and Sarah for setting everything up!

So firstly, where are you right now?
Nick: Sioux Falls, South Dakota…where we live!


Did you guys do any recording there?
N: No, we’ve recorded here before though. This is where we recorded the first record, but really right now its just kind of where we reside (laughs).

So is the recording for the new album done?
N: The new album is basically done. We’re done recording, we just haven’t done the mixing yet.

Where did you guys record it?
N: it was recorded in LA, in Hollywood.

Can you describe it a little bit?
N: Yeah, you know its definitely a lot different than anything we’ve ever done. We tried to just to concentrate on a lot of different styles that we’re able to do, and we kind of just went for it in ever aspect. We’re really excited for it and we hope people will appreciate it or at least, fans will enjoy it.


Was it easier this time around since you guys have done a couple of albums now?
N: Yeah, it was a lot easier to get things rolling. i think we wrote roughly thirty songs for this next record, and obviously we couldn’t choose all of them, but we definitely knew it was getting a little easier than the times before. It was pretty cool to have that advantage and know what our dynamics as a band were.

So the EP was released a little over a month ago. Why did you decide to put out the EP between the two albums?
N: Well, we basically had time when we were here when we were home over the holidays, and we started thinking that when we were going to be recording the new record it wouldn’t really be out until this fall. That would have been a little over two years in between the last record and the new record so we had time and we figured, why not put out something, a little something. Some new songs and covers, just something for our fans to have before the next record came out. It was mainly a big thing for fans. We just wanted to give back to give back a little bit.

The EP also has a couple of covers on it. How did you decide to put those on?
N: One of the covers is Gold Dust Woman by Fleetwood Mac and that one… we’re just huge Fleetwood Mac fans. It was pretty crazy to be able to do something like that. The other song was an acoustic number, Catch The Wind and that was by Donovan, who’s kind of like a Bob Dylan. That cover was actually recommended by the head of Warner Music Group. When he recommends something its kind of like oh wow. It was a very great honor to even get a recommendation so we were kind of like “oh, lets check it out”, and we listened to the song. We decided that it just worked perfectly for my voice, and everything just kind of fit well so that’s how that one happened.

Did you guys already know that you wanted to have covers on it, so you just picked songs or was it the other way around?
N: Yeah, basically it was just picking what songs. We went through a lot and, we picked a lot of more current songs too like songs from the nineties and stuff. We actually decided to go with something from the seventies, and a little bit early just because we wanted to see how well we could cross barriers like that. We’re just such fans of all kinds of music so for us to be able to bridge the gap, and get out of the realm of all the normal bands in our genre, and showcase that we were able to do that.

You guys were named one of the 100 bands to watch in 2007 by Alternative Press. What do you think about that?!
N: It’s awesome. That’s just such a crazy honor to me. There’s just so much good music out there, so to be able to be recognized as something that people enjoy, and something that somebody would actually consider good… it was just such an honor. We’re lucky to be a part of such a cool group of musicians and artists, so we could not be happier.

So a couple of months ago you guys designed a guitar hero controller that was auctioned for charity. How did that come about?
N: A bunch of other bands had done it, and we got approached via our label management. We just never really get the opportunity to do anything for cool charities like that, cause things have always just slipped though our fingers. It was one of the first things that we got to do, and it has just been so cool. We just slapped a ton of stickers on it and spray painted it a little bit. It just just a fun thing, because we’re a very quiet group of guys so it’s kind of like we don’t ever get out and do anything like that. It was just great do to something like that for once.

Do you guys play a lot of Guitar Hero?
N: Yes, we do! We played it so much in the studio.

Who would you say in the band is best at it?
N: Oh man, I would say Landon, our new bass player. He can play on expert level or whatever hard level, and he’s so good at it. I admire his Guitar Hero abilities (laughs).

What is your favorite Spill Canvas song and why?
N: Oh wow. Well, I have to make the question easier for me to answer, because I love pretty much all the new stuff that no one’s ever heard before, so that’s not really fair to everybody! Out of anything that’s already been recorded, I really love the song To Live Without It off the new EP. It just came out really naturally, and that’s kind of how a lot of the new stuff came out. I love Staplegunned so much too, I don’t know, it’s so hard to choose but those would have to be the two.

So you guys are going to be on Warped Tour this year. Are you excited?
N: Yes, very! We have the chance to do the entire span of the tour, and it will be the first time we’ve gotten to do all of it.

Are there certain cities that you like to tour in most?
N: Yes. Warped Tour’s definitely a little different. The cities on Warped Tour are so different. If it were a tour we were on with just a few other bands, we love playing the east coast, the upper east coast, northeast area. Anywhere in the west coast is amazing.


What are your tour plans after Warped Tour?
N: We’ll be doing another tour. We’re right now just setting up our first headliner to support the new record which is supposed to come out in the fall. We’re just kind of getting details for that, and I think we’ll know before Warped Tour what the headlining tour line up will be and all that stuff. Maybe get some tour dates in the works too, so we will know soon!

What would your ideal tour be?
N: Oh wow, there’s just so many bands that I’d love to tour with. If I had to choose, I would say Saves The Day just because they’re one of my all time favorite bands, and they got me into writing music. If you were talking, any style or genre, I would say Saves The Day, Van Morrison and probably Damien Rice. They have all been really huge influences on me, as musicians. It would just be awesome. Oh, and maybe U2 also.

What music have you been listening to lately?
N: I’ve been listening to the new Circa Survive a lot, I love that band so much. A lot of Van Morrison, the new Bright Eyes record; I’ve never really been a huge Bright Eyes fan, but his new record is definitely worth checking out. I’m also constantly addicted to The Format, they’re just such a great band.

How would you compare the music you listen to now to the music you listened to 5 or 10 years ago?
N: It’s definitely a lot more broad. I appreciate all kinds of music now as opposed to when I was younger, I was very strict on listening to only one kind of music, you know? Now, I just love all kinds, anything that’s good.

Well that’s all I have. Is there anything else you would like to add?
N: I don’t think so, I think I’m good. I appreciate it though.

Ok well thanks so much for talking to us.
N: Thank you, I appreciate everything.

The Klaxons – Myths Of The Near Future

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klaxons

Artist: The Klaxons
Album: Myths Of The Near Future
Label: Geffen
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: March 27, 2007

Overall: 7.0
Music: 9.0
Lyrics: 8.5
Production: 9.5

Another dance record from the UK; it’s not the first, and it certainly wont be the last.  With that being said though, “Myths Of The Near Future” is far cry from a bad or bland record.  Dance records are not hard to come by these days, but the Klaxons have added their own touches to the age-old recipe.  For one thing, nearly all the songs on the record rely heavily on guitars, unlike most bands in their genre.  The guitars combined with the well placed feedback, and the ferocious drumming throughout the album make for a gritty, raw sound that most dance records dismiss.  It works for The Klaxons however, and is perhaps their most distinguishing factor.

The vocals are another strong point of the album.  Singer Jamie Reynolds displays incredible range and versatility on each of the songs.  This is most notable in Gravity’s Rainbow, and Golden Skans, but is certainly not limited to the two.  Every song possesses certain vocal qualities that vary often throughout the album.  Another interesting aspect is the incredibly catchy It’s Not Over Yet, a cover song originally by Grace.  I was surprised to see the band put a cover on their record since it is not often done, but it was unquestionably a good choice, as it is one of the strongest songs musically on the album. The songs come together impeccably, creating an album for listeners that is both musically interesting, as well as extremely lively and fun.  Although The Klaxons might hail from a genre of music you may not listen to often, this album is worth giving a try; you may be pleasantly surprised.

Track Listing
1. Two Receivers
2. Atlantis To Interzone
3. Golden Skans
4. Totem On The Timeline
5. As Above So Below
6. Isle Of Her
7. Gravity’s Rainbow
8. Forgotten Works
9. Magick
10. It’s Not Over Yet
11. Four Horsemen Of 2012

Permanent Me – After The Room Clears

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Permanent Me

Artist: Permanent Me
Album: After The Room Clears
Label: Stolen Transmission
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: January 23, 2007

Overall: 7.0
Music: 7.5
Lyrics: 6.0
Production: 9.0

“After The Room Clears” was the fourth full length to ever be released on Stolen Transmission Records, a label that has built itself up seemingly overnight. Permanent Me (previously called Yes, Virginia) was one of the first to be signed on the label, and after recording and relentless touring, they’ve finally put out a full-length record.

The album is upbeat and nearly every song seems to be an energetic pop number about relationships, and to be more precise, relationships gone wrong; not that this is a bad thing. “After The Room Clears” possess a certain energy that makes up for the few parts that get somewhat repetitive. A supreme example of this energy is the first 10 seconds of the record. Permanent Me wastes no time with a intro song, but rather jumps into the record with â┚¬Ã…”Until You Leaveâ┚¬?, a catchy, upbeat song that promises to get stuck into your head. This approach sets up the mood for the rest of the album and the song is the perfect way to start off the record.
As the album continues, the energy captured in the first song is never lost, making the record that much more memorable. The band showcases it’s potential most notably in the songs “Dead To You”, where vocalist Brian Kapler sings with an extra bit of intensity that was previously unheard on the rest of the album.
The final song on the record “20 Years” demonstrated the same potential that “Dead To You.” Maybe it’s the “whoaâ┚¬?s in the chorus, but every time I hear this song, I can’t help but think it’s one of those songs that you go to a concert and can’t wait to hear because you can’t wait to sing along. A lot of the record is like that, and although it’s not groundbreaking, it’s fun pop rock that people can have fun listening to.

Track Listing
1. Until You Leave
2. Allison
3. Heartattack
4. 4 A.M.
5. Christine
6. Blackjaw
7. By the Time
8. Later On
9. Friday Night
10. Dead to You
11. NYC
12. 20 Years

AOL Under Cover

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You can vote for which band you want to appear next on AOL Sessions Under Cover here.Ԛ  The winner will perform a cover song for AOL Sessions.Ԛ  Bands currently in the running are The Used, Anberlin, Relient K, Jack’s Mannequin, Paramore, The Early November, Brand New, Plain White T’s, Say Anything, Armor For Sleep, Amber Pacific, Bayside, The Spill Canvas, The Lost Prophets, Straylight Run, Meg & Dia, The Ataris, Boys Like Girls, Copeland, All Time Low, Quiet Drive, The Academy Is, Daphne Love Derby, Good Charlotte, A Static Lullaby and Reggie & The Full Effect.

Mike Sapone – Industry Interview

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A couple of months ago I did an interview with producer/engineer/industry extraordinare, Mike Sapone, and after having some issues I am finally posting it. Thank you very much to Mike for taking them time to do the interview, and thank you to everyone who doesn’t mind the fact that there is no picture/graphic to go with it!

-For those that don’t know, please introduce yourself and describe what it is you do.
My name is Mike Sapone. my current occupation is Music producer and/or recording engineer/mixer/programmer. I live in New York-USA. On my latest project i had the pleasure of working with Brand New on The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me.


-Describe some of the typical duties a producer is responsible for. What is your average day like?
Generally a producer can help with song arrangements/structures, suggest sounds/tones to fit a song or idea, help inspire an artist to create and complete their vision.
Depending on the project: a day or week can consist of a variety of activities: recording music, mixing music, editing music, mapping out click tracks, microphone shoot outs, listening to demos for possible changes or keepers etc…


-What is the difference between pre-production and production?
Pre-production is preparation for the final recordings, to see what works and what does not, whether it be live rehearsal or elaborate recordings, this is the first time decisions are made towards arrangement and song structure. In some cases if you really love something on pre production recordings you fly it into the album version if possible.


-When did you realize this was what you wanted to do for the rest of your life? Did any aspects of your childhood lead to this career choice?
I listened to a lot of radio growing up; I started playing drums at 13, 4-track cassette recorder around 16, later on the tascam 16 track reel-to-reel and mixing console etc.

-What do you think is currently the biggest flaw in the music industry? How can it be fixed?
It’s no secret there have been flaws in the industry for decades, and in recent years technology has made things even more complicated. It seems there are two sides to the music-downloading dilemma; I am undecided. We are in a long transition where the end may or may not be close.

-Do you think it is easier or more difficult to get a job in the music business nowadays than it was 10 or 20 years ago? (Easier because there are more labels out there; harder because of the amount of competition?)
There’s just more options now, the internet has helped create new opportunities for many new music industry entrepreneurs to reach the public in a way that was not possible 20 years ago. My answer is easier!


-What do you think is the most common myth surrounding the music industry?
MYTH? Maybe it’s not the answer your looking for but I like this one:

In the late nineteen sixties, Doors’ singer Jim Morrison founded a publishing company named Zeppelin Publishing Company with the help of the legal department of Warner Brothers Pictures and Atlantic Records. According to promotions for Zeppelin, “Jim wanted to get his hands on the trademark ‘Zeppelin’ before Led Zeppelin did. He did this while everyone in America knew who the Doors were, but before the other rock group was well known…” Zeppelin Publishing Company was chartered and put into hibernation for later resurrection.


-Describe your favorite memory you’ve experienced while working in the industry.
Studio occasions when the energy or vibe of the song coming out of the speakers just hits you a certain way, no matter how many times you replay it in the session, it seems to sound stronger and more exciting; those moments are my favorite.

-What do you consider to be the greatest accomplishment of your career and why?
I feel lucky to have worked with so many talented people it’s tough to single out one. I can say the Public Enemy remix was a good time for me; I absolutely loved making that remix and have always enjoyed Public Enemy’s music and considered Chuck D a true icon.

-You’ve worked as a producer, mixer, engineer and programmer. Of those different jobs do you like best and why?
I enjoy all of these but if I had to pick, I guess programmer. I’ve been sequencing music since high school; it’s become a second nature for me to compose music on a computer with a sequencer/DAW. I’m a huge fan of both new and old school gear in creating music.

-If I’m correct, the first album you worked on was Stuttering John’s. How do you think you’ve evolved as a producer/engineer/mixer/etc since then?
For years I have worked and talked with other engineers, learning new ideas and methods is an endless road for me; I can only hope to evolve in a positive direction in the years to come.


-What is going on with Moleman? Will there be any more mixes in the future?
The latest effort was Men Women & Children’s Dance In My Blood (moleman remix); this is available on iTunes. There will be new moleman mixes in the future; people can visit saponetrax.com now and then for new info.

-What advice would you give to someone pursuing a career as a producer or even just a general industry job?
Reading gear magazines and ezines (eqmag.com, emusician.com) on a constant basis helped me out a lot. New products and technologies just move so fast, if you are in a control room for long periods of time you need to somehow keep up with what’s going on outside and stay current.

-Starting out, what was your one ultimate goal and do you think you’ve accomplished it yet?
I just wanted to keep making music. So far so good.