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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 Nick April 30th, 2005 |
Nick Thomas - Vocals, Guitar Dan Ludeman - Guitar, Vocals Scott McGuire - Bass Joe Beck - Drums |
| E: How has the Spill Canvas evolved as a musical project, and what changes had to be made to accommodate?
Nick: Well, it basically evolved from a solo thing I used to do. It went through a period while in high school when I had a girl vocalist, a violin player, and a bass player all playing steady shows around the area with me. Soon after they left I started heavily touring the country solo and waiting to find the right people to make up the Spill Canvas full band. The only real reason it was solo was because I couldn't find anybody that would commit. But now, everything is better than I or the rest of the guys could've imagined. E: What risks are involved when it comes to putting together an almost entirely acoustic arrangement that you hope to transfer both to record and to the live audience? Nick: That was the case with many songs of the first record (Sunsets...). Generally when you are just starting out with your act touring to twenty kids a night, the PA systems at the "beginner" clubs/venues aren't all that great so running the acoustic through the PA is usually a failure. But when you play the nice venues with amazing equipment, then you're golden. As for "on record", you can make almost any sound in the world these days with computers, so it's not too hard. E: Are there specific types of music fans that you would expect to be into the style of music you play? Nick: Yes and no. With the older material we'd expect on average the chilled-out pop music fans (anything from John Mayer to Death Cab). But it's still hard to say because we'll have people with Converge shirts at shows telling us they love our music--which is the way it should be, fans of music in general--but to each his/her own. E: Do you think that touring as the Spill Canvas may be a slightly different experience than most other bands have touring? Nick: I'm not sure, I used to be in a heavily touring metal act and it wasnt even close to what Spill tours are like. I guess it all depends on the band members and the general attitude everyone shares, as well as the kind of crowds you play to. E: Are there specific tricks and processes you learn as you mature as a songwriter that makes composing an easier task? Nick: Yes, there are definitely little things you learn. Mainly though, its just finding your strengths and using those, then very slowly start incorpoating your weaknesses until they fade away. Rinse, repeat. E: As the band records more and more, does songwriting ever seem to regress from a spontaneous art form to a systemized task you need to get done in order to get a paycheck? What do you do to prevent this? Nick: Well, that's an interesting point. Regardless of whatever "punk rock" ideals some bands have--I would love nothing more than to get to do my passion and make a barely decent living--that's the goal right below the sheer love of music and connecting with people. Songwriting for me has never been affected by money. It's such sacred ground. I think I'd rather die than let it ever get to that point. E: What elements of the band's makeup do you think contribute the most to the honest passion of the music? Nick: I wish I knew. *Laughs* Maybe it's just because we are the only band in this genre from South Dakota to really get out there to people. It does make that slight difference where you live, and I think our attitude is conveyed through the music that way maybe. In our case, our midwest roots. E: Do you consider it necessary that a band undergo at least slight style change with each musical release it puts out? Nick: I don't think it's necessary, but it is a heavy thing to consider to keep fans interested. Plus, it usually happens that way because the actual band members want to evolve. It's just a natural thing, I think. E: How have added resources like your connection to 111 Records helped make the entire band process easier for you? Nick: It's made it loads easier. These days labels are either really beneficial to a band, or absolutely horrible for a band. Luckily, in our case, we landed a great friend, as well as someone to stand behind us the whole way, good or bad. Music business sucks... it's an inevitability. E: Are there any misconceptions you'd made about making music that you think younger upstarts might be tempted to believe? Nick: Hmmm, there are so many things that people think. For example, just because you're in a "touring band" doesn't mean you're a rich rockstar and MTV Cribs is coming over next week. It's hard work, and a lot bands will only make it to the verge for the next two albums they release, but maybe the third is what will get them to the top. The biggest thing I've learned is that you must communicate with the members in your band, no matter how lame it feels. It's imperitive to the survival of it--just making sure everyone is on the same page. E: With more and more bands coming onto the scene, releasing more and more music, do you think it's harder these days for sounds and feelings to come off as fresh or honest? Nick: Yes and no. It really all depends on how the act/band goes about trying to do it. It's all about timing of when it's released also. E: Thanks a lot! Nick: Thank you. |