E: Matt, you sing for the band Midnight Aria, whose new CD The Deep End is officially up for sale as of today. How much of a marker would you say this makes in the band's career scrapbook?
Matt: It is for sure the biggest accomplishment yet. With another album behind us and a few tours already, we are really hoping that this album will be something we can look back on with a lot of pride.
E: No matter how excited you are for this record, do you still think it's sure to pale in comparison to future releases? Does this make it hard to appreciate what you put out now?
Matt: So far, from the first CD we've released--through the EPs and now the new full length--we have grown with each recording. I listen back to some of our old stuff and I am just like... Wow, I cannot believe we put that down in a studio. I truly love what we have now. I mean, I listen to it daily. Lame, I know, but I do. I'm 100% sure it will get better on the next CD, because, well, isn't that what we are supposed to do?
E: Do you generally feel satisfied enough to record a song that you are comfortable with it now being "finalized," at a point where ever tinkering with it again becomes a lot harder?
Matt: On the CD being released today we have a couple songs that we play a bit different live. Track 5 ("Goodbye") has a different sped-up ending, because the CD version didn't work live, and it is hard to duplicate a fade out. *Laughs* And Track 8 ("Safe to Say") has a slow start, so we made it more interesting and fun live. Sometimes changing a part around to be different live can make for a lot more fun for the crowd.
E: Are you at the point where fans seeing you live have certain expectations as to what you'll play?
Matt: Yes. In our hometown we still get requests for the old stuff that we so desperatly want to put as far in the past as possible, and on the road kids will come up to us a lot before shows and ask us if we are playing certain songs that night. We play most of The Deep End live though, so 90% of the time they are pleased with the answer.
E: Once a CD has been totally recorded and mixed, is there still a lot of work a band has to do in preparation for the release?
Matt: Oh, man... recording and mixing is by far the easiest part. We love being in the studio--it's so much fun for us. Before the release is probably the hardest time for a band. You are always very nervous as to how people will respond, and there are always a lot of new faces to impress. Promotion is a lot of hard work, but to be totally honest, I love it, because you can get to know fans one on one, which is really really nice.
E: You play your CD release show later tonight--could you explain how this show might play out differently than other shows?
Matt: Well, the CD release is of course in our hometown (Ocala, FL) and hometown shows are always a little bit different. You are playing for all of your friends, and maybe your parents are there (which is very weird sometimes) and it's a very different atmosphere. To be totally honest, it is harder. These are the people you face in life everyday, and it is a little more nervewracking. When you are out on tour you have nothing to prove. You play your heart out every night for a crowd of people you don't always see, and who don't know you as the kid who lives down the street, so it definitely creates a different feel.
E: Have you been setting yourselves up to be doing this band full-time for years to come?
Matt: Yes, we have. Right now I (as well as the other members) have a lot of options to fall back on as far as school and jobs, but we decided as a group to give this a whirl for a few years. We figure that if we don't do it now we will regret it later in life. Like I said, we have things to fall back on, and we are realistic about making it in the music business, but for now we are going to have a ton of fun with it.
E: With your new CD in stores today, what do you think any fan should know for sure when considering buying it?
Matt: I can guarantee if you are a pop-punk or indie fan and you pick up our CD, you will fall in love! I can promise that to anyone. Here we go right here, if you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, bring it to a show one time, tell me we suck, and i'll refund your money, you have my word!
E: *Laughs* Well thanks a whole lot, man.
Matt: You are very welcome. |
