E: When Facing New York was first formed, what were the expectations of the band members?
Eric: Facing New York was formed in February of 2004 as members of S.F. Bay Area bands Locale A.M. and Tragedy Andy parted ways with their groups and found themselves too restless to stop making music. There weren't really any expectations... only aspirations to make some genuinely different, exciting music.
E: Everyone in the group has past musical experiences, namely involvement in either Locale A.M. or Tragedy Andy. What was it like transitioning from your original groups to this newly formed musical establishment?
Eric: It was certainly different. Feeling out new people, learning to adapt to each other in the rehearsal space and in the tour van... it was also very exciting musically, and sparks began flying in the writing process.
E: Is it easier or harder to work as a band when you have been involved in other groups?
Eric: It's much easier. With experience one learns how to deal with problems and issues that arise, and once you've learned the ropes, everything falls into place.
E: How much time was put into the songwriting?
Eric: We put an excruciating amount of time into songwriting. We'll often develop basic outlines for the songs, Midi or record them individually, and then spend a few weeks to a month tweaking them. After this, the songwriter presents the music to the band, where the song will take five or six different shapes before we settle on the final version.
E: How complicated is it to get every single instrument to flow perfectly with the others?
Eric: It's not too complicated. It's all about understanding space. We typically have quite a few separate things happening melodically at once in our songs, so it's important that we're hyper-aware of our sonic spaces, so as not to clutter up the music.
E: What kind of relationships do the bandmates have other than the music they share?
Eric: We get along really well. Our morale is typically high, along with lots of wrestling, teasing, hazing and just goofing in general that keeps our spirits up. We feel like brothers separated at birth.
E: How easy was it for all the members of the band to agree on the direction of the music?
Eric: It's not too bad, because the direction is determined as a five piece. Everyone contributes their ideas, and the final product is what I'd call the direction. The only ideas that typically get shot down are ones which are obviously half-assed and effortless.
E: How is the process of playing live shows consistent, or not consistent?
Eric: We still consider ourselves in the infant stages of being a band, thus our live show is still rather inconsistent. We're still getting used to each other, and learning how to interact with one another on stage.
E: In what ways are fans necessary to a band's success?
Eric: Fans are what keeps a band alive or not. Reaching out and communicating with people is what music should be about. Music originated as a public good, not a commodity. It was played in town squares, at social gatherings, etc. It's that same connection with people that makes music great. It's why we love to play live.
E: What is it about music that allows you to be so passionate?
Eric: I'd say any medium of art "allows" the creator to be passionate. Music just happens to be the form that resonates with us. It's the fact that no one member of Facing New York could do this alone. We're all dependent on each other. I think it's that bond... it's that friendship, combined with our love for music, that allows us to be so passionate.
E: Well, thanks a lot for answering the questions.
Eric: Hey, no problem. Thank you! Remember to vote this fall! |
