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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 Ryan September 5th, 2005 |
Danny Wolf - Vocals Joel Trowbridge - Guitar Tommy Rehbein - Guitar Ryan Traster - Bass, Vocals Sean Carey - Drums |
| E: Ryan, you play for the band Small Towns Burn A Little Slower... how would you describe your role in the band since its inception?
Ryan: Well, we all write together, and it's definitely a group effort. I feel like 1/5 of the band, you know? E: Having moved from an EP release on Rise Records to a debut on Triple Crown, do you think you've undergone any changes in songwriting style or audience since you first began recording? Ryan: We always just like to write how we feel. Two of the songs on the EP are on our full-length. As for new material, we are working on it now. It still has a lot of melody, but is definitely draws influence from a lot of other places. I think that Mortality [As Home Entertainment] really does have the feel we were looking for for the record, though. As for an audience, it hasn't really changed--just gotten bigger, which I hope can continue to happen. E: When the band first started, were you driven by a single philosophy that dictated what you believed was necessary for success? Does it still apply for your current path? Ryan: We've never really been one of those "bands with a plan." I mean, with anything you start you always hope for a level of success, but we just do what we do. We love making music and it's pretty much the only thing any of us are good at. Hopefully we can just keep writing songs and touring, and if people get into it, that's all the better. E: How often does the band take a step back to analyze the point of success you're at? Ryan: Well, sometimes we will get really down about something, and one of us will just acknowledge the fact that we've already accomplished more than any of us ever have before, and could even imagine. It feels good to "recap," if that's what you would call it. E: And how do you rate the magnitude of your accomplishments? Ryan: Well honestly... putting out a full-length record was an accomplishment for us. Touring in general. Getting signed to a label that has had bands that we love. E: Was the production of the full-length handled the way you'd expected it? Ryan: Actually, we've heard stories about Ed [Rose] being insane and militant, but it turns out it wasn't that way with us at all. He was great to work with and had a lot of good ideas for the record. Overall, an enjoyable experience. E: So, a lot of bands these days state their worth by comparing themselves to other bands--produced by the same producer who did this band, on the same label as this band, toured with this band... how do you feel about this custom? Is it accurate, and is it something you've embraced for your own group? Ryan: I don't think there is anything wrong with it. It's a good way to get people to give your band a shot, but you have to have good music to back up comparisons. We try not to compare ourselves to a lot of bands, but to let people know what bands have influenced us. E: Do you believe influences are more role models for a band to follow, without too much impact on the music's sound? Or are one's influences the bands that the band has strived to sound like? Ryan: I can't speak for any other bands, but for us, I'd say it's a little bit of both. We've never strived to sound like other bands, but sometimes we will have a part like... "Hey, that kinda sounds like Jawbreaker... FUCK YEAH!" E: Where would you say the band is now? Are things as fast-paced as they've always been, or is this the time of year where you can take a break? Ryan: No break at all, unfortunately... we had some stuff fall through, and we are home right now, but we are working on being on the road again ASAP. E: How does being on the road constantly affect the relationships within the band? Ryan: It only makes us get along better. I feel that we are all very close, and just having a great time in general. Last year, things would get a little tense on tour, but it has really come together. E: So what elements of your band's situation assure you that you'll be doing this thing for a while to come? Ryan: Just the fact the we get along so well, and we really never hit a wall when it comes to writing. It flows so well. E: Thanks so much--anything else you want to say? Ryan: Thanks a lot for doing the interview. Listen to Folly and the Cardinal Sin. |