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| ::Interviews:: |
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| review & interview content, as well as web site graphics & design, copywrite 2003-2004 Euphonia Online. use of materials granted only with reasonable purposes. |
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| interviewed by robby sumner |
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| Interview with Geof and Justin B. May 23rd, 2004 |
Chris Thibault - Vocals Justin Bloch - Guitar Geog Gagnon - Guitar Aaron Bernard - Bass Justin McPhereson - Drums |
| E: So you two both play guitar for the band Ambry. How hard was it to find a way to combine each other's styles so perfectly for the band's sound? Justin: To be honest with you, it wasn't hard at all. I had been playing with other guitarists for years, and Geof and I first started jamming on acoustic a few years ago, and it was never a challenge to write songs together at all. Usually when I write my part of a song, by the time I go to tell him an idea I have for a part over it, he's already playing what I was thinking, or something even better. It really has been amazing, and we are just starting to grow into each other's "styles." I think we now have our own style together. Geof: Justin's always been great at writing and we both have a love for the same music. Over time, Justin's put in a lot of pop and catchy guitarwork and I've thrown in some hardcore riffs or my cheesy 80's metal solos. E: What would you say is the earliest stage of development for a song? Geof: Acoustic guitar. We usually have Justin and I and our lead singer, Chris, hang out together and write on acoustic. Then we go to our practice studio, and Justin and I go over it with our drummer. Our songs aren't "set" for a long time after they're written; we tend to change them even months after they've been written. Justin: Yeah, that's basically it. But from time to time we will be jamming at our own studio and something just comes up and we go with it; sometimes almost a whole song gets done that way. E: How much would you say each individual song means to you as musicians? Geof: Certain songs mean different things to different people, I'm sure... but for me, each song we write means the chance to express the worries, the insecurities, the money/job/girls/family problems... everything going wrong... and just vent. Justin: Each song means everything to me. I have dedicated my life to this band--it's all I have to show for myself anymore, and all I want to show. So I put everything I have into every single song. E: What sort of energies fuel you when you perform live? Justin: The crowd, and just the love for our music. We don't just write songs for people to connect to and love. It's always for us, then if people can connect, we love it. We are known to have a pretty energetic live show. It's almost a form of therapy for me... sometimes playing shows is the only time things seem okay. Geof: Yeah, we have bad days, and at shows is when we can go crazy and just let it all out. And if our friends and fans are moving around with us, it pushes us to put on the best show we possibly can. E: How much have you allowed the band to take over your lives? Geof: *Laughs* It has. Justin: *Laughs* Completely. Geof: I can say with almost one hundred percent assurance that during the twenty-four hours in a day, at least one member of the band is up and working on something on the direct behalf of it. Justin: It has taken over my life, and it's what I've always wanted, and we are finally getting to a point where it is really happening, and I love it. Sometimes it gets really stressful, but it's all worth it when we step on the stage, floor, deck, yard, or wherever we are playing. E: So would you recommend your lifestyle to those considering it? Geof: Absolutely. None of us take ourselves very seriously, but we all take our dreams seriously. If people have the mindset to take the band on one hundred percent, then I say go for it. Justin: Yeah, I would recommend it to anyone that wanted to do it, but there's a difference between saying you want to do it and actually going through with it. E: What do you think is the most important thing to consider when looking to join a band? Geof: Commitment. Justin: Make sure everything just clicks. If you want a band to make it, everything has to be there. Yes, friendship is a huge part, but if you have a friend that just says he'll play an instrument and is holding the band back, sometimes you've got to look at it as a business. Just make sure the band chemistry is there, and you are one hundred percent confident in your music. Geof: It may take a while, but if you're in for the long haul, take your time to find members that are in for the same reasons as you. There are plenty of reasons to start bands these days, and although it needs to start with friends, friendship won't pay the bills or buy a van, or design a website. Professionalism needs to be there somewhere. Justin: And yes, commitment for sure... stick with it and never give up. Some people will quit or give up--don't let that hold you back. E: Well, thanks a whole bunch. Anything else to say before we go? Geof: Yeah, I want to say that when Chris finds out we did this interview without him, he's going to stop making me free pizza at his work. Justin: Wait! You get free pizza? Geof: Yeah man, once. Justin: Man, where's my pie? Well, listen to Faraway at www.purevolume.com/faraway. They're great friends of ours and are amazing guys and musicians. Oh, and thank God. We'd like to thank God. And buffalo chicken, and Dennys for being open twenty-four hours. Geof: I'd like to thank everyone that has downloaded or listened to us or shared us with a friend. We appreciate all the support, and hope to make it to every city we have friends in. Justin: And Dennys for serving buffalo chicken twenty-fours hours. And I'd also thank nyquil for helping me sleep at night. |