E: So guys, Waking Finn is a relatively new band that is coming along nicely. Where would you say the band is right now in its career, and what has it taken to get there?
J.P.: Well, it depends on what you mean by "career." While I believe we've made progress developing a particular style, we have let the business aspect of the band slide a little bit. As we have not toured yet, I would say our career has not really begun yet.
Jonny: I would say that we're in a stage in which we're really just getting our feet wet and trying to find our place in this local "scene." We're just trying to make songs that we enjoy playing, and working hard together to really make this passion of ours come true. But yeah, we're pretty much still in an early stage in terms of what we hope to accomplish.
J.P.: I'd say we still have a lot to do before Waking Finn can become our careers.
E: When the band first came together, what sort of expectations did you have?
Jonny: Well, I guess the band came together when we added J.P. back in November. Us four were pretty much in a rut and really were losing some faith in what we were doing. But I guess we found J.P. and were really excited about what we could all accomplish together, and the expectations of ourselves really took off from there, and gave us the motivation to really work hard.
J.P.: I was keeping my fingers crossed, because I did not know the guys at all when I first started. They had all been playing for years and had been looking for a new singer. I just was hoping for a change to further my musical aspirations, and sing my guts out. Both of our wishes came true, to an extent.
E: When J.P. was added, how quickly was he incorporated into the songwriting process?
Jonny: We pretty much started working together. The four of us had some songs from our old band that we wanted to use, and J.P. had some songs from his old band. We all worked together during practices, and [we] changed up the songs to fit our new style. J.P. wrote some new, better lyrics, and we all came together to make the songs sound tight.
J.P.: Collaboration was something rather new to me. I have been writing songs since I was twelve. Also, in my old band I did almost all the songwriting. I've definitely learned how to learn from other people, as opposed to doing everything myself.
E: When the band first began writing songs together, was your style apparent from the start?
Jonny: No, not really. We never really sat down and said, "This is the style we want to play, so let's make songs that fit this mold."
J.P.: I would say it was not apparent. Even now, we linger in a constant identity crisis. However, I think this articulate hesitation or open-mindedness offers a certain freedom that a certain closed-mindedness cannot offer.
Jonny: We just collaborated... came up with songs that we enjoyed playing, and I think that it's better for us, because it allows flexibility in writing songs, rather than having to change songs because they don't suit our style of music.
J.P.: The bands I admire most do not have a specific genre. What do you categorize U2 as? Or Smashing Pumpkins? What about Radiohead? I believe abandoning any label like "punk," or "grunge," or "rock" offers a huge amount of artistic freedom to explore whatever musical possibilities we want to.
E: What would you say the band has to support the possiblity of success that not many other bands have?
J.P.: I think the sad but true thing about the music industry is that many very talented artists and groups never get discovered. However, I truly think Waking Finn has a good chance, because the songs we play have catchy vocal lines and catchy hooks.
E: Would you say that the frequented opinion of a band being an easy job is a severe misconception?
J.P.: How do you define a band as a job? Someone who actually makes a living off music? Realistically, there are very few people who have this opportunity. However, for me, I know such an opportunity may be... hard, in a sense, but easy in the sense that that I would love it so much.
Jonny: I would say, yes, because there is a lot more [in a band] than just making music. Being in a band with four other people, there is always something to give and take, and having to make compromises. Working together and doing something that that each member is behind 100% can be difficult sometimes... but really, it's all worth it.
E: Well you guys are definitely worth it to listen to. Thanks for the enjoyable interview.
Jonny: Thank you. |
