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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 Orion September 30th, 2004 |
Orion Walsh - Vocals Brad Smith - Guitar Mike Horn - Bass Ian Ingram - Drums |
| E: How long do you figure it's been since Slow Coming Day officially became a working band?
Orion: Well, Slow Coming Day actually started as a side project of mine. I was in another band at the time playing bass and I wanted to get back to writing my own songs, and I wanted to lead sing, which I had never really done before... so it was pretty exciting starting the band in the beginning, which was back in the Spring of 2001. We played our first show in April of that year and then recorded our first demo in July of 2001-- those first songs combined with a few others and became what is know as the A Part of Me Died EP, which we put out independently earlier in the next year. E: At what stage of your career do you think things started to get more obviously successful? Orion: Once we started selling a lot of our first EP, and when the Militia Group sold started selling it on their website with some results. Also, many of the songs from our first recording got on some really good compilations like the Emo Diaries Chp.8 and others. Basically, though, we saw the most success when we signed to Tooth and Nail Records in the fall of 2002 and then put out our first full-length record, Farewell to the Familiar, which was produced by Ed Rose. That's when we started seeing some results from the hard work that we had done. E: What kind of work does a band have to do in order to attain recognition? Orion: Well that�s a hard question, but nothing ever comes easy even though sometimes it may seem like it. There is a lot of hard work that goes into being in a serious band. Touring all the time, being away from people you love, giving up basically your life to play music. That's why we have seen a few people come and go through the three years we've been playing. It's hard work! E: As a band becomes more well established on the scene, does that mean that the work gets easier or harder for the members? Orion: Well, it gets easier in the fact that you don't have to worry about things you use to have to worry about, kids coming to shows, paying to record, booking shows, etc. because other people come in to the picture to take care of more of the business end of things. E: What has your involvement with the label Tooth & Nail Records done to help out? Orion: Tooth and Nail obviously has helped us out by putting out our first record and also by helping us get on good tours. For example when we did the east coast part of the Tooth and Nail tour this year with Mewithoutyou, Anberlin, Watashi Wa, and Emery. And also when we were able to tour with Mae, Copeland, and the Working Title earlier this year. E: Are there ever any stereotypes you worry people might associate the band with before hearing you? Orion: Yeah. I feel like a lot of people just because we are on Tooth and Nail automatically label us a "Christian" band and then write us off as musicians. I really hate labels on anything, and especially when it comes to music. Music is music. E: What event over the past few months do you think has had the greatest impact on the band's current direction? Orion: Well, definitely the loss of our bassist and current drummer. Right now we already have a new bassist named Zach and Brandon--formerly of the band Fontaine--is coming to play for drums for us. So new members always will kind of change the direction of a band. On this next record I think I will be writing the majority of the songs myself and then bring them to the band to kind of fine tune. E: Is touring as important to you now as it was a year or two ago? Orion: A year ago we did our very first tour--it was actually last summer. Touring has always been important to our band and it will continue to be. It's so much fun and it's the only way to really get the true exposure that you need for your band. E: Do you write as often as you did when the band was just beginning? Orion: No. But right now I personally have been starting to write a lot of stuff as I have went though a lot these past two years since we recorded Farewell to the Familiar in November of 2002 with Ed Rose. I definitely have a lot I need to get out and a lot that I'd like to say though song. So I am very excited to get started on some new material. E: How connected is your personal life and your life with the band? Orion: It has always been very connected. Brad, our guitarist and the other original member of the band, and I live together and have now for the past two years, so we have seen each other every single day for a very long time. All of us are good friends and that�s what part of being in a band is about--it�s a family. E: In what way is the passion you have for playing music different from simply enjoying any other hobby? Orion: Music is a way of life, not a hobby. I grew up loving music and I'll die loving music, and playing music. It's definitely something I have a strong passion for because of its great effect on people. E: Well thanks a whole lot for answering these questions... best of luck to you. Orion: Thanks for the interview, Robby, and for all you kids out there that don't have our record yet, you can find in your local music store or online at www.toothandnail.com or you can order it from our website at www.slowcomingday.com. Thanks again. |