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Hey
kids, its CWMA time. That magical time of year when we get bands who
have never played together on stage, and watch them play their hearts
out for you... and free shots of Underground. This week I made my
way around to two venues, the first being Burt's Tiki Lounge on
Friday with Cavedoll (declaring their demise), Fox Van Cleef and The
Plastic Furs. I'd talk about it more but Dan Nailen already took care of this one, and you can check out his thoughts on the show here, while
you can check out my blurry as hell photos from that show over there.
...By the way, when someone asks you if you're ready for the next
band, how about you cheer like you're about to get laid as opposed
how you'd cheer getting on a roller coaster with your sibling who
pukes. You got in the door for $2 cheaper than you would any other
night, of the week so how about a little enthusiasm? ...Let's move on...
--- The
second showcase of the week for me was over at Club Vegas, where
Dusty Ash was more than happy to see all of us, and the men in the
back were pleased as hell to cook for you. This showcase had a great
crowd considering it was fighting against a Jazz game (who
“shockingly” lost) and a Devil Whale tour sendoff show. That
didn't stop the Heber City crowd from coming out and supporting their
hometown boys in Holy Water Buffalo who kicked off the showcase in
style. Followed by Utah County favorites Shark Speed, sporting a bass
player who looked like he stepped out of “Double Dragon” to take
on the other bands, showing off their expertise as a five-piece. And
closing out the night were alt-country rockers in Bronco, playing
some old and new material to the crowd for an awesome ovation. Today
I have interviews with the later two talking about their careers and
thoughts on local music, all with nearly 300 blurry photos from that
evening to
check out here.
Shark
Speed
http://sharkspeed.wordpress.com/
Gavin:
Hey guys, first off, tell us a little about yourselves.
Joe:
We started about three years ago, Joe and Jared the brothers had been
writing music and playing in a basement trying to recruit members and
by sure luck ran into Thyane who also happened to be form Vegas and
shark speed was born and raised from there.
Gavin:
What got you interested in music, and who were some of your favorite
acts and musical influences growing up?
Joe:
We all have played music from a young age. I would say most of our
parents helped strike the match, and from there we just developed our
interest more and more as we grew older. Well shark speed has been
highly influenced from 90's indie rock for sure! Lots of people draw
that comparison and I would say for good reason we grew up during
that time, and saw all those bands like Hey Mercedes, Apple Seed,
Built To Spill, and Texas Is The Reason, pass through our
towns.
Gavin:
How did you all get together to form Shark Speed?
Joe: I already answered before, but we have been through a lot of other
members. Myself, Jared, and Thayne are the original members of Shark
Speed, we played with a lot of different amazing bass players, But
now have adopted Dave and Greg from the band Jacket Weather to play
with us. They are good friends and I feel have added so much to the
band. The line up now is far our most solid and compatible.
Gavin:
How was it for the four of you to kinda mesh styles and create this
polished rock sound you have?
Joe:
Well I think it helps that we all grew up listening to the same kind
of music, so we have a direction. But like any job or project working
together can be tuff, because of the different opinions and ideas
people have. I think a while back we took on the notion of trying
everything once. So if someone had an idea we wouldn't turn it down
we would at least try it out. I think it has helped us stay fresh,
and be able to have a real cohesive relationship with one
another.
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Gavin:
In 2009 you released Sea Sick Music. What was the recording process
for that like, and what difficulties did you deal with along the
way?
Joe:
Well we recorded Sea Sick Music at Flying Blanket Recordings with
Bob Hoag in Mesa, Arizona. I think it was the first time for most of us
working with a producer and a really legit studio. It was amazing but
insanely stressful. I think it was a great learning experience for
everyone, learning how to understand the opinions of an outsider like
a producer and taking the good and bad with it. You have to weigh
what a producer is saying and say to yourself do I not like his idea
because its different or not mine, or do I just hate that idea. Its a
push and pull relationship, but after it was all said and done we
were pleased with the results.
Gavin:
Why did you choose to go the DIY route rather than seek out a
label?
Joe:
Well we have been through the process before, looking for the right
label to help out, negotiating, and understand what they want, and
what you want. We had several offers from smaller indie labels and
they were all great people, but when it was all said in done we said
it would be just as easy to do it on our own, the way we want to. The
internet along with student loans allows you to pretty much be your
own label, and I don't think we have regretted the decision.
[image-x]
Gavin:
What was the public reaction to to the album upon its release?
Joe: Sea Sick went over really well. I don't think many people were
expecting a polished full length album out of us. I remember we
handed them out for free at our cd release and it was great to see
the response of people after they had the chance to listen and
appreciate the album. We also had some great success in the blog
world, and some great reviews.
Gavin:
You followed it up last year with the Education EP. How did fans
react to that release and what did you think of the attention you
received over 2010?
Joe:
We tried really hard to step it up from Sea Sick to Education and I
feel like we did a good job. The Education EP takes our strengths and
puts them more upfront and in your face. If anytime I think the ep
helped get new fans and dedicate the older ones. We were also able to
sign over a couple of licensing deals from it, and receive a lot more
commercial success with it. I feel like we are still pushing the
education ep to the public because we really didn't get the chance to
tour as much with as did with sea sick, but so far so good!
[image-x]
Gavin:
Over the past couple years you've become a standout attraction in
the Provo music community. How is it for you having that kind of
response from fans, and what do you think of that reputation?
Joe:
It has been fun, Provo is a fun town with lots of support. Between
the constant support from Cory Fox the owner of Velour and the many
fans down here it has been great time. House parties are nuts, and
shows at Velour are always epic. The music community of Provo is by
far the best I have ever been involved in. So many inviting people,
and I feel there isn't a whole lot of bias on who you are, what kind
of music you play or how you dress.
Gavin:
Are there any plans in the works to record a new album or head out
on tour, or are you taking a hiatus at the moment?
Joe:
We are working on a new album and hopefully one day it will see the
light of day. As far as the future who knows we hope to maybe just
play this thing out into the sun set.
[image-x]
Gavin:
What's your reaction to being a part of the CWMAs this year, and the
overall experience of receiving that kind of recognition for your
work?
Joe:
Awesome! It is always flattering when you are recognized for the
your work.
Gavin:
Going state-wide, what are your thoughts on the local music scene,
both good and bad?
Joe:
Utah in general has an amazing scene. Provo has always been really
good to us along with other parts of Utah like Salt Lake, Logan, and
Ogden. Provo has a lot of energy because it is a college town and
people just sometimes seem to be on crack! But with that there are a
lot of fans or people who just want a night of entertainment, not a
band they can put on their I pods. Salt Lake is similar depending on
where you play. The bands that come out of here are insane, most of
us are from Vegas, and in reality Utah has so much more to offer then
Sin City. All in all it is tuff playing along time as a local band in
a certain location. Utah is cool because it has so many different
cities that seem to be different, but touring and getting out of the
state I feel has helped our local presence over the past couple of
years.
[image-x]
Gavin:
Is there anything you believe could be done to make it more
prominent?
Joe:
Well I think bands need to be proud they are from Utah for one
thing, it is an amazing place for music. The more people that tout
about Utah when they are out of state the more attention it brings to
the state and scene. Every scene could always drop a few attitudes,
but that just comes with music in general, people will always be
involved for the wrong reason, and be spoilers once in a
while.
Gavin:
Not including yourselves, who are your favorite acts in the scene
right now?
Joe:
There are so many but here are a few I kind of think of now: Forest
World, Desert Noises, Parlor Hawk, and Future of The Ghost.
[image-x]
Gavin:
What's your opinion on the current airplay on community radio and
how its affects local musicians?
Joe:
Its been alright, we have had some love from different college and
high school radios which is rad, but rather then that not much.
Defiantly people in those positions could help themselves and local
artists by playing more of us on the air waves. I feel it has a very
good karma effect where it helps everyone involved, kind of like the
Tv show My name is Earl.
Gavin:
What do you think of file sharing these days, both as musicians and
a music lovers?
Joe:
Well a couple of years ago I had some strong opinions about it, now
days I don't care anymore. Its good thing because lots of people can
hear your music which in the end that's a big part of playing music,
the down side is that I feel it has ruined the concept of a full album. Too many single chasers out there now, because there is so
much "free" music. No many people have the experience of
spending money on albums that they thought were just good, but after
listening to them for a couple days they realized the greatness of
that album. Not much patience with music because its all free. It
also makes it near impossible to be a full time musician these days,
but it is what it is. It has its ups and downs.
[image-x]
Gavin:
What can we expect from you guys over the rest of this year?
Joe:
Lots of Rock! More shows in the state and all around the
west!
Gavin:
Is there anything you'd like to plug or promote?
Joe:
Music is good!
Bronco
[image-x]
http://www.broncotheband.com
Gavin:
Hey guys, first off, tell us a little about yourselves.
Ryan:
The band consists of Tyler Anderson on guitar and vocals, myself on guitar, Angie Midgley on bass, Greg Midgley on keyboard
and Ryan Gee on drums.
Gavin:
What got you interested in music, and who were some of your favorite
acts and musical influences growing up?
Tyler:
When I was in high school, my older brothers played music and were
in local bands such as The Decomposers and Smell. I thought if they
could do it, I could do it too. I taught myself how to play guitar. I
loved Fugazi, Pavement, Uncle Tupelo, Archers of Loaf.
[image-x]
Gavin:
Tyler, how did you originally start out performing under Bronco as a
solo artist, and what was it like for you during the first few
years?
Tyler:
I played a few solo shows, then I asked my brother Coby to back me
up on the drums. We were trying to think of a name for our new
ensemble. We thought about calling ourselves Bone and Co. (My
childhood nickname is T-Bone.) But Coby quickly turned it into
Bronco. It was great being solo but I could hear the songs with
additional instruments backing me up.
Gavin:
In 2007 you released the full-length album Constant Everything. What
was the recording process like for you?
Ryan:
It taught us a lot about how to make a record. I realized we had
been playing these songs for over two years and I wanted to put them
down.
[image-x]
Gavin:
What was the public reaction to to the album upon its
release?
Ryan:
We had a great CD release party and sold a lot of copies. But we are
not quitting our day jobs.
Gavin:
Currently you're working on a follow-up album, Painting Pictures Of
A Perfect Life. What can you tell us about the album and how things
are going so far?
Tyler:
We completed the recording last week after three years of work. This
album is less of a singer-songwriter with a back-up band and more of
a collaborative effort. The economic recession served as a backdrop
for much of the song writing. "Painting pictures of a perfect
life," refers to the aspirations that both built and burst the
bubble. There will be a CD release show on March 25th at the Urban
Lounge.
[image-x]
Gavin:
What's your reaction to being a part of the CWMAs this year, and the
overall experience of receiving that kind of recognition for your
work?
Ryan:
We are so flattered to be back for a second year. We think it's
great that City Weekly recognizes the efforts of local
musicians.
Gavin:
Going state-wide, what are your thoughts on the local music scene,
both good and bad?
Tyler:
It's always great to be surprised by new talent in Salt
Lake.
[image-x]
Gavin:
Is there anything you believe could be done to make it more
prominent?
Ryan:
Maybe Utah-palooza?
Gavin:
Not including yourselves, who are your favorite acts in the scene
right now?
Tyler:
The Devil Whale, Cub Country, Laser Fang, David Williams, The
American Shakes and La Farsa.
[image-x]
Gavin:
Is there anything you'd like to plug or promote?
Ryan:
Please come to our CD release party March 25th at the Urban Lounge! We
will be playing with Callow, Fauna and The Rubes. Take home your own
copy of Painting Pictures Of A Perfect Life. Find us on
Facebook.