For today's interview is the lead guitarist of Casablanca Sunshine to get an insight into life being at the forefront of the industry and out there as an artist...
Casablanca Sunshine (previously Broken Mile) are a four-piece band that I came across on Twitter (got to love social networking, hey!)
After listening to them and falling for their sound, I wondered about contacting them for an interview to find out a bit more about them and to share them with you lovely readers...
As it turns out, not only are they incredibly talented guys but also lovely and Dom (lead guitar) was more than happy to give me an interview...
How did you guys meet/ decide to form a band?
Matt (singer) found me (Dom - Guitarist) via MySpace (remember that thing? ;) when he was looking for a new guitarist. Jason and Jon (bass and drums respectively) are brothers - lucky for the band when we went looking for a new bass player, sharing the same parents made finding Jason pretty easy!
Did you always want to be in a band? If not what else was there in the ways of careers?
Everybody who's serious about being in a band only ever wants to be in a band.
I've got dozens of friends who eventually, after a few set-backs (something you need to get used to in a band but many people don't), end up getting disheartened and quit. One thing that is common to all my friends who keep doing music over the years is that you don't ever make plans for careers in anything but music. It's the ultimate way of living in a fantasy world where mortgages, arsehole middle-managers and responsibility don't matter...
What sort of interaction have you had with the music industry (in the ways of signings/bookings etc) and how would you say that experience is?
We've been through allsorts with industry people; everything from building good relationships with promoters we like playing for to turning down major management offers because they aren't right for us. We're very DIY as a band and have purposely chosen a path where we control a lot of what we do. We do have a lovely manager who we work with closely, as well as stuff like PR companies, lawyers etc. Like with any business you need to tread carefully as for every nice person you meet who is a pleasure to work with, there is someone looking to fleece you. Fortunately we've met a lot of people we like.
Your facebook says that you're happiest when touring and you are currently doing a residency at the Buffalo Bar, would you say that playing live is a needed part of your life as a band?
Hell yes, it's the most important part of being in a band to us. If we're not on the road we're not completely happy. Playing live gets you tight as a band both musically and inter-personally. Being in a band is like family; we take the piss out of each other, joke, laugh, drink, argue, get into stupid situations (lots) etc. although in the end we are close like brothers (two of us in the literal sense). A large part of this is due to the time you spend together out there, driving around the country in your van, playing weird and wonderful places. Until you've all squeezed into a a single hotel room not designed for a whole band and road crew you don't know each other well enough.
What would you say the difference is between the recording of a record compared to being out on the road touring? In the way of creativity and freedom? Which do you prefer?
Every band out there will know that a massive part of being in a band is waiting around - be it for soundchecks, gigs, recording studios, traffic jams etc you do a ton of waiting. So there is an element of commonality to everything you do. Recording is an essential part of the process but it can be boring and repetitive (listening to the same section of a song over and over and over and over...) - when you come out of the studio for the evening often you often think about never wanting to hear that piece of music again, but you get over that quick! Touring is fun but tiring. Playing, drinking, meeting new people, having fun; it's an adrenaline rush so naturally it's going to be more exciting. Both add to the creative process and make you feel free. By the way, if you want to see what being in a band that never plays live is like, watch "Let It Be" by the Beatles!
You're pretty easy to contact and seem to enjoy fan interaction- would you say this is an important factor in being in a band?
It depends on how you want to pitch your band - we love getting involved with people, so interacting with the people who take an interest in our band is really a big thing for us. However, for some bands, doing the whole mysterious and aloof thing is what they aim for, so close fan interaction isn't for them. There's no right or wrong way to manage your social presence in relation to fans. The Libertines got in close with their fans and it gave them a fiercely loyal fanbase, but that wouldn't work with other bands.
Would you say its been a help or hindrance being from outer london?? or would you say it hasn't really had that much of an effect?
As far as we're concerned it doesn't make a blind bit of difference where you're from if you're willing to put the work into your band. We're proud to be from Hertfordshire and Essex, it's a strong part of who we are as a band. We've never had problems getting gigs anywhere - we've played everywhere in the UK and been over to Europe. Location hasn't placed any obstacles in our way and it shouldn't ever let any band stand in the way of their music. Look at Muse - Devon is a long way from London but it didn't stop them.
You've played with some pretty big names (Peter Doherty, The Wombats..) how was that would you say? How have your experiences been with these bigger names, did they give you any advice at all?
It's great for your confidence/ego to be playing with bigger names, particularly if they're a band you like. However, when you're supporting a big name you sometimes have little more contact with them than a brief polite chat. Sometimes you hit it off and have a laugh, get drunk together etc. which is cool. We've only ever had one shitty experience with another big band; they shall remain nameless, but what a bunch of total arseholes. They're not together anymore so that's pleasing. ;)
What has been the highlight of your career as a band so far?
In terms of having fun, I think our first few European shows were exciting. That and getting your first proper beer and food rider.
Anything to say to any aspiring musicians/bands out there?
This is where we're supposed to say something profound... but those aspiring musicians already know what it's about: have fun with it.
Our ethos about the band has always been:
- For fucks sake, being in a band is supposed to be fun, at least try and look like you're having fun!
- Just make the music you like, not what other people like.
- Get a vocal harmony on that.
- Bad gigs: treat as free rehearsals, put on a good show anyway and don't bitch onstage about how much you don't want to be there.
- Don't do those big battle of the bands competitions. Awful things.
Hope you liked the interview!
Remember to check these guys out, over at facebook, myspace or twitter.
Or head down to the Buffalo Bar and go see them live, I know I'm going to try to.
Amie x
