 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| ::Interviews:: |
 |
|
| review & interview content, as well as web site graphics & design, copywrite 2003-2004 Euphonia Online. use of materials granted only with reasonable purposes. |
 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
| interviewed by robby sumner |
|
 |
Asa Dawson - Vocals, Bass Andy Wildrick - Guitar, Vocals Sergio Coronada - Guitar, Vocals Nick Dodson - Synthesizer Chris Birch - Drums |
|
| Interview with Andy and Sergio April 28th, 2004 |
| E: The Junior Varsity has been making great music for a while now with a steadily growing fanbase. How would you describe the music that the band plays? Andy: The music is an honest attempt at molding all of our influences into something that might sound good to the average music listener. Sergio: Our influences are very broad, so we try to incorporate stuff from softer indie rock to hardcore... sometimes our music is kind of hard to describe. E: Would you say that the band's sound was fully formed at the time of the first practice, or was it something that developed slowly as you continued to play together? Andy: It still hasn't solidified yet. It changes with every song we write... always maturing. Hopefully we're getting better. We are definitely a lot different from our first rehearsal, especially with the member changes. E: When the band's line-up is changed, do the new members do anything to alter the sound and make-up of the group? Andy: Every member change has been for improvement, and luckily it has worked out that way so far. They alter the sound to make it better, in our eyes. E: Do all the members of the band generally share the same influences? Andy: Fairly close... Sergio: Yeah, there are some differences, but most of us listen to all the same stuff. Or we at least like the same stuff that the rest of the band listens to. Andy: We all have our differences with musical taste, but it's mostly indie rock stuff. E: After the music, what would you say are the most important parts of a band? Andy: Having some fun together. Sergio: Definitely. I think a band writes better music when the whole band can get together as good friends first. Andy: Yeah. We spend most of our time together as well, so we better learn to get along. I see the band guys more than I see anyone else in my life. E: When writing a song, how often does it turn out the way you'd planned it in your head beforehand? Andy: Almost never. Which is why we sort of abandon our feelings toward a song, so that we don't become too attached to a certain part. If we need to cut a part for the good of a song, we will, and we won't feel bad about it. Sergio: Songs are always up to change, even after they've been established. For example... even after we recorded "Ohio" for our CD, we have changed subtle things here and there. When we rehearse, there are times when newer songs will change quite a bit from when we first play them. Whether it be mood, or tempo, or anything... change is always up for grabs. E: How much work is it to sew the vocalwork and the underlying guitar pieces together? Andy: Never thought of it as being difficult or a lot of work. Usually the guitar parts are written first... or at least the chord changes. And the vocals come after that, and blend with the chord changes. E: How is writing and performing different with two guitarists in the band? Sergio: I've always been in bands with two guitarists, so I'm not really too sure how the songwriting would be different, as I have nothing to compare it to. I guess it makes songwriting easier. Andy: It's different, because there is an added voice to the music. A lot of freedom for everybody. I've played in two different bands where I was just the guitarist, and [I] always wanted to add another guitar. Performing is much better, though, because everyone has a bit of a safety net. E: What would you say is your greatest concern right now as a band? Andy: Making enough money to survive. Sergio: And hoping that our van doesn't break down on tour, leaving us in the middle of nowhere. Andy: I am confident that the music we're making is good... but we won't be able to make any music if we don't have any money to support ourselves. E: When the band first started out, what goals were set that you hoped to achieve? Andy: To break into Chicago without being from Chicago, and develop a good fanbase there... that has been the goal while at college. Sergio: I think we are well on our way to achieving that goal. Andy: Yeah, me too. Sergio: But we haven't reached it yet. Andy: Close... Sergio: But I always enjoy playing Chicago, and each time it keeps on getting better, so obviously that's going right for us. Andy: Other goals include playing Warped Tour and playing with some of our favorite bands. E: What event in your history together do you think caused the greatest change in the band's career? Andy: Not sure what Sergio thinks, but... I would say headlining the Fireside Bowl in Chicago, and two weeks later, headlining the Metro. It made us feel like we were doing something right. Sergio: Yeah, that's for sure. Headlining the Metro was definitely a highlight for me. Andy: A small goal or dream of ours came true when we headlined the Metro, just because, when you're young, you look at a place like that and wish to get the chance to play there one time. Sergio: I think just playing at bigger places and playing to more people makes us--or at least me--feel like we are doing something worthwhile and worth all of the sacrifices we have to make in order to make the band work. Andy: Well put. E: What do you think it is about music that allows it to have such a huge impact in people's lives? Andy: It's a way to get out of reality. It starts with just losing yourself in the music by listening to it... then, once you learn to play it, and realize you can make a little money with it... it becomes addictive, and you want to set yourself apart from reality more. Reality being a nine-to-five job in a cubicle. Sergio: And I think shows play a big part of the music being a part of people's lives. Kids don't just go to shows to see bands--they see their friends there. They have a good time. I think music is more than just guitars playing music with drums in the back... but more of a community of friends. Music just brings us all together to a common place. E: Well, I think that'll be enough. Before we end, do either of you have anything to say? Thanks to give? Andy: Thanks to anyone willing to read this. www.thejuniorvarsity.com Sergio: Thanks to the people and the fans that got us this far, and all the bands that we have befriended on this crazy ride. |