Interview w/ Andy and Foley from As It Is

Wrapping up the week with an interview with one-half of the Brighton, U.K. based band As It Is. These guys have been a favorite of mine for some time now, and their blend of British pop-punk is some of the most honest and refreshing music that I've heard in quite some time. Andy and Foley were nice enough to devote some time out of their busy schedules to talk about how the group first got started and what they love the most about being in a band together. Here is the transcript from that interview:

Give us your names and what you guys do in the band? 

Ali - Bass, Andy - Guitar, Ben - Guitar, Foley - Drums and Patty - Vocals

How did you all come together to form the group? 

Foley: Andy and Patty met first through joinmyband.com with the intention of starting a pop-punk band. Although nothing materialized, the two still kept in touch and when Patty met Ben (who was also keen on starting a pop-punk band) at university the three came together to start jamming/writing. I (Foley) was then auditioned also through joinmyband.com and as soon we all began to play it just seemed right. Finally, Ali joined most recently through Andy as both were also at university together.

How would you describe your sound to those who aren't familiar with the group?

Foley: Well we’ve been described as a mix between The Wonder Years, Transit and State Champs which I was very happy with. However, I am sure Ben would insist on me mentioning the Early November and Taking BackSunday.  So yeah, maybe a sub genre that encompasses the use of emotional and self deprecating lyrics backed by catchy guitar lines and pop-punk drum beats.

What were some of your earliest memories listening to music growing up and how has it shaped you to this day?

Foley: I was brought up in a household where music was the focal point of almost every occasion, which is why it has always been very important to me. I was always a sucker for anything with a good beat or bass riff. – especially the Big Band genre where the drumming would always blow me away i.e. the legend that is Buddy Rich. However, I remember starting secondary school and borrowing a friends compilation cd and stumbling across Fat Lip by Sum 41 which had me hooked on pop-punk instantly. It was from that day onwards that I knew I wanted to play pop-punk music so I learnt how to play drums and started a band with a friend where all we would do is play songs [pretty badly] by Yellowcard, NFG and Blink.

What is the U.K. music scene like at this very moment, what are some of the positives and challenges facing it?

Andy: I think the UK music scene is really healthy. Maybe a little too healthy in places with so many gigs happening each night in major cities across the UK that it can be a little hard to stand out. However I think this is forcing bands and artists to push themselves to make their voices heard and this can only be a good thing.

Describe the recording process for "This Mind of Mine" and what the whole experience was like for everyone?


Foley: The recording process of ‘This Mind of Mine’ was completely new to each and every one of us as the previous EP was pretty much self engineered in Patty’s loft. We were extremely fortunate to be in a position this time round as, through Kickstarter, we were able to head out to Stakeout Studios to complete the process properly this time; so heart felt thanks goes out to all those who pledged. Whilst recording, I would say that we would all collectively agree that we learnt an awful lot about each other as it can be an extremely high pressured environment. However, we all seemed to compliment and support each other, which is why we all survived the process.

What is your favorite song off "This Mind of Mine" that you're especially proud of? 


Foley: We are all so proud of ‘This Mind of Mine’ and even more grateful for the response it has had amongst people. However, if I were to pick a particular song off of the EP I would have to say ‘Bitter, Broken, Me’. The reason being is that its fast, punchy and upbeat so great fun to play live.

A few of you guys appeared shirtless for Critical Wave's "In The Tub" series, can you describe what that whole experience was like? 

Andy: Haha yeah it was great fun! We’d seen other bands do those interviews and thought it was an awesome idea. I’d say the experience was actually relatively normal. Living together on the road for long periods of time you inevitably end up seeing, accidentally (or sometimes purposely for more outgoing members of the band) more of each other than you’d care too.

What's on tap for you guys for the rest of the year, planning any shows in the U.S. sometime in the near future? 

Andy: The plans for the rest of this year is writing and touring. And lots of it! No plans to visit the US just yet. But we’re really hoping that it might happen sooner rather than later.

Lastly, what does being in this band mean to you personally?

Andy:  Personally being in this band means getting the chance to go to new places, see new things and meet new people with my friends while playing the music that I love. It’s really as simple as that.

Thanks once again to Foley and Andy for taking some time out to do this interview! I truly love the depth and quality of talent that is constantly emanating from the U.K., and it's great to hear directly from those acts and get a feel for what the scene is like over there in the London area and draw comparisons to our own music scene here in the States. For more info on As It Is, 'Like' them on Facebook here and follow them on Twitter here. 

Artist Spotlight: Actions

For today's edition of Artist Spotlight, we head across the pond to England where we come across the melodic sounds of Actions. The band consists of Calum Hartley, Andrew McErlain, Duncan Ash, and Finn Lomax. The band's sound is a simply structured, yet highly energetic blend of alt-rock that isn't confined to one specific genre and instead branches out in multiple areas to grab musical characteristics from all and mold it into something truly spectacular that has little hints of pop-punk spread about to give it a full featured sound that is highly original and one that stands out prominently from the pack. I've covered numerous bands from the U.K. over the course of the past year, and this act is one of the more impressive I've come across in my musical travels and definitely has that extra edge to set it apart from all the others to offer something different that listeners will take to heart almost immediately, whether it be the lyrics or the overall sound, this band has the total package. "Messages" is the song that clearly demonstrates their musical mission.

For more information on Actions, give them a 'Like' on Facebook here to get a better understanding of who the guys are. You can listen to more of the band's music on their Soundcloud page right here, and check out their YouTube page over here for more of their musical odysseys.

Berklee Grad Covey Covers Drake's "Hold On, We're Going Home"

Berklee College of Music grad and British native Covey has just released his cover video of Drake's recent hit, "Hold On, We're Going Home" The video is a highly stylized and blended clip that completely evokes Covey's style that features his beautifully developed vocals that puts his own unique twist on the song and almost makes it his own self-sufficient track in the process. I've featured Covey on the site previously, and I have to honestly tell you that he is one of the most impressive on the rise acts that I've heard in quite some time, and he is really on his way of achieving something special with his own unique sensibility galvanizing listening audiences and making them want to pay attention what he has to say.

For more info on Covey, 'Like' him on Facebook here and follow him on Twitter right here.

Artist Spotlight: Yearbook

For today's edition of Artist Spotlight, we head across the pond to Hampshire, England where we come across the sounds of the lovely lads of Yearbook. The band consists of Andy Halloway, Hamish Dickinson, Thomas Brooker, and Louis Martin. The band has a loose and limber blend of hard edged alternative rock with some slight indie influences working their way through the mainframe to give themselves a full featured blend of sounds that allows them to be more noticeable to the naked ear just passing by. I really enjoyed these guys when I first came across them, and I liked how their performance was entirely natural and they weren't trying to be anyone else but themselves because that's all they know and just plain love making music as a collective outlet while continuing to get better as they go along. A terrific upstart U.K. band that is looking to make an impact on American music listeners. Some tracks for you to discover from the gents include "Art Student" and "Visionary".

For more info on Yearbook, give them a 'Like' on Facebook here and stay in touch with their constant stream of musical updates. Follow them on Twitter as well from over here and see when they may be performing in the U.S. sometime soon. Visit their official website right here for more in depth and wide reaching info about the band, and check out their new EP "Old Bones" now available for download via iTunes, Amazon MP3, and many more digital music outlets.

Rita Cary Let Go from 92.5 The River

Popular morning drive time host Rita Cary of 92.5 The River has been let go from the station after a 10 year run the other day. The news comes as quite a shock to her longtime listeners and devoted fans who woke up to her show in the morning and hearing her voice in between songs as she gave insightful information about music and other pertinent topics. The reason why she was let go, and the most puzzling explanation was that she was talking too much in between songs and the station felt like it was time for a change. Here is a statement from Rita that was posted on her Facebook page the other day:

I know a lot of you have been asking me where I have been for the past 2 weeks. I am extremely sad to say that after more than 10 years at the River, I have just been informed today that I have been replaced as morning show host and will no longer be working at the River. I loved working for this station with my whole heart and soul. What you heard on air was the real me - the excited music geek who couldn't believe she got to see all of these great bands, interview them and yack about them on air. I started working part-time at the River on weekends and overnights and was happy to roll out of bed on a moment's notice to fill in for someone if they were going to be out. It didn't feel like a job. I was happy to take a sleeping bag to work and plop it on a couch if there was a big storm coming. It was just a fantastic experience. After working evenings for more than 5 years, I was offered the morning show position. It was a great run. The having to wake up at 4:30 week day mornings after being at a great show the night before and cracking the mike with 3 hours sleep was crazy nuts, but it was something that I will always treasure. And you guys -- wow, I remember when I started this facebook account. The River had just gone on fb, and none of us really knew how to "work it." It's grown to the point where almost 5,000 of you are my facebook friends. We've had yack-fests about everything from the concert you were at last night, to your great oyster postings, to your blow-by-blow commentaries during Stanley Cup Bruins games. I loved the audiophile match.com-like moments when some of you met on my wall and are now good friends and concert buddies. That's what I value most about being at the River these last 10 plus years. Not just meeting all of these great artists, but meeting you. You are wonderful people. It was a great run and an unbelievable once in a lifetime experience. Love you all. xoxo Your friend, Rita

I totally loved listening to Rita in the mornings as I liked her rapport with her listeners and felt she added a great deal of emotional connection and insight with the banter in between songs and the intros leading up to it. The reason why she was let go just shows the decaying nature of independent radio as we know it.

Phillip Phillips Releases Cover Art For New Album "Behind The Light", Out May 19

Leesburg, GA native and American Idol winner Phillip Phillips has revealed the cover art for his sophomore album titled "Behind The Light" which will be released on May 19. The album is the follow up to his 2012 debut "The World From The Side Of The Moon" which spawned the megahit and his coronation song "Home" along with a slew of other tracks that eloquently displayed his down home Southern charm. The new album is preceded by the single "Raging Fire" which was released digitally last month and the disc is sure to be just as successful as its predecessor, and it's becoming apparent that Phillip is coming into his own as a singer-songwriter and not just some guy who won on a reality TV show.

Audioglider Streams New Track "Cortexaphan" from Forthcoming Debut Album

London based shoegaze artist Audioglider has made available for streaming his new track "Cortexaphan" from his debut album titled "Accidental Beauty" which will be out on April 21. The song is a subtle, low key gem that really encapsulates the feel and look that he was aiming for when he was crafting this track in the studio. I really gravitated towards the mellow and calm melodies that were waiting for me on the other side, and definitely had me entranced from the very beginning and was not what I was expecting since a majority of U.K. based electronic music is dominated by house music that is quite popular in parts of Europe as well.

To stream "Cortexaphan" for yourself, head on over to his Soundcloud site over here and listen for yourself what he has conjured up for you. For more info on Audioglider, 'Like' him on Facebook here and follow him on Twitter right here.

Manchester Orchestra - Cope

Atlanta, GA's own Manchester Orchestra are back with their fourth studio set titled Cope. The follow up to 2011's Simple Math finds the Andy Hull led group continuing to adhere to their musical mindset that has served them well in the past and has been so successful for them as well in their ability to communicate effectively with their audience that grabs onto every melody and word that comes from their musical arena.

The album starts out with the gritty "Top Notch" a tough, varied rocker that reintroduces you to Andy's familiar vocal refrain that is the basis for all of Manchester's material and works pretty well in setting the pace and tempo of the album to follow that is on par with their prior releases. "Choose You" is another solid track, and takes it up a notch further with high energy guitar riffs and a faster pace that allows for the band to be more versatile along the way and do things outside of the box to give fans and new listeners a wide musical palette to choose from. My favorite track off the effort is "The Mansion" an outstanding, subtle musical joy that really hits you the moment you first hear it, and eloquently and vividly displays Andy and the band's musical quest that is coming to fruition here with insightful lyricism and the comfort of the bandmates providing you with everything that you could possibly imagine. "The Ocean" has a steady, melodic progression going for it that is one of the most cohesive tracks found on the album that does a great job of highlighting the band's work aesthetic that has created some daunting pieces in the past, and makes more musical highlight reels with this song heard here.

The second half begins with "All I Really Wanted" a hard nosed, progressive rocker that shows a different side of the group that we haven't had the opportunity to witness until just now with more wide ranging guitar licks and Andy's subtle vocal charm leaving an indelible impression on you from the outset. "Trees" features more varied and dynamic musical shifts that shows everyone that these guys know what they're doing and have a handle on how things should sound and look from here on out. The disc begins to draw to a close on "See It Again", a toned down rocker that is decidedly different form the prior tracks and has a low key feel to it to differentiate it from the other songs on the album and further enhances the band's resolve that is already in fine fashion here. The title track ends it here on a sprawling opus that takes into account everything we've heard in succession, and brings it to us on a musical platter that allows us to better understand everything that we've come into contact with musically and apply it somehow into our everyday lives. I've been an admirer of Manchester Orchestra ever since Mean Everything To Nothing came out in '09, and it really spoke to me in gravitas about the wealth of talent and knowledge amassed inside Andy Hull that when exposed, is a breath of fresh air and allows each individual musician to get better at their craft as a result of it.

All in all, a great effort from Manchester Orchestra who continue to get increasingly better with each creation they put out that speaks to mind about the depth and level of talent that is emanating strongly from their general area.

                                                                                                                          Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. Top Notch
2. Choose You
3. Girl Harbor
4. The Mansion
5. The Ocean
6. Every Stone
7. All I Really Wanted
8. Trees
9. Indentions
10. See It Again
11. Cope   

The Dirty Jacks Release Summer Ready "God I Never Felt This Nice"

Rockville, Maryland's own The Dirty Jacks are giving fans a hint of their upcoming EP with the summer ready anthem "God I Never Felt This Nice". The track is from their forthcoming effort "All Part of The Plan" and features high energy rhythms designed to make the listener feel relaxed and enjoy the warm summer weather that is coming our way relatively soon after a horrific winter, and the band's subtle and vivid instrumentation will conjure up those images of the beach and royal blue ocean water washing up at your feet that will put everything in perspective for you. Their music is reflective of the relaxed nature of their Rockville hometown, which is also home to O.A.R. and many other things from around the area that define the nature of the summertime including crabcakes, Old Bay seasoning, and the Baltimore Orioles of course! A terrific song that is definitely your summer calling.

To check out "God I Never Felt This Nice" for yourself, head on over to their Soundcloud page here to take a listen, and give The Dirty Jacks a 'Like' on Facebook here, follow them on Twitter right here, and visit their official website over here.

Fairchild Release Music Video for "Burning Feet", Debut EP Out in May

Australian indie-pop band Fairchild has just released their brand new music video for the song "Burning Feet". It's the title track from their debut EP that will be released worldwide on April 25 via Canvas Sounds. The band will also be heading out on tour throughout the month of May with stops slated for Toronto, New York, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Singapore. The band will also be appearing on KEXP's morning show for a live performance on May 14. The clip is very inventive and showcases the subtle and delicate sound that the band is trying to convey to their listening audience beyond the confines of the land Down Under.

For more information on Fairchild, 'Like' them on Facebook here, follow them on Twitter right here, and check out their official website over here for more wide ranging info pertaining to the Aussies.

Owen Tromans Release Music Vid for "Golden Margins"

UK based Owen Tromans has released his music video for the song "Golden Margins" off the album of the same name. Owen reunited with his old band The Elders to create some true to heart and authentic music that is indicative of the Hampshire, England countryside where he grew up. The video features some vintage clips inserted throughout intelligently throughout that showcases the musical aptitude of Owen and all the other musicians involved that gives an idea of where these musicians are at this point in their careers. I thought the video was a fantastic viewing experience and really encapsulated the sonic wavelengths they were expressing while in the studio crafting these arrangements that people will really take to heart.

You can hear "Golden Margins" for yourself over on Sacred Geometry's Bandcamp page conveniently located right here.

Artist Spotlight: Tigerman WOAH

Starting off your Tuesday with another brand new edition of Artist Spotlight! Today, we keep it local and head north to Lynn, MA where we come across the folk inflicted sounds of Tigerman WOAH. The band consists of Kevin on vocals and bass, Feinstorm on vocals, guitar, and banjo, Kaz on lead vocals, banjo, and ukulele, and Adam on drums. The band's sound is an old-school, melodic driven blend of folk rock that has that authentic throwback sound that makes it feel like you've stepped in a time machine are witnessing the birth of something special with 4 extremely talented and exquisitely bearded musicians who truly love what they do for a living. These guys recently advanced in the 1st round of the annual Rock N Roll Rumble contest, and it's no surprise why they won the first round. It all has to do with the level of talent they've possessed that has gotten them this far and could lead to the possibility of more fruitful ventures further on down the road. Recommended tracks for your listening pleasure include "Guess So - Take Me Home" and "Water".

For more information on Tigerman WOAH, give them a 'Like' on Facebook here and hear for yourself what their sound is like upfront. Their music is available for streaming on Bandcamp over here and on ReverbNation as well right here.

Kansas Bible Company to Perform at This Year's Bonnaroo Festival

Goshen, Indiana's own Kansas Bible Company will be among the hundreds of acts performing at this year's Bonnaroo festival in Manchester, TN! The group have been making a name for themselves in the Midwest, and they will be gravitating towards one of the premiere music festivals in the country where they are sure to be a hot commodity among the concertgoers traveling from near and far. The band have been featured numerous times here on the site before and I'm so proud of the guys and everything that they've accomplished thus far. They have a serious knack for being original when it comes to their on stage performances, usually revolving around a theme with something they're wearing or another creative outlet that manifests itself into a out of this world experience that needs to be seen in order to be believed.

Check Bonnaroo's official website here for all the latest up to the minute details, and check out Kansas Bible Company music and give them a 'Like' on Facebook here, follow them on Twitter over here, and check out their official website right here.

Interview w/ Calan Mai

Have another entry in my ongoing artist interview series ready for you today! We're going to head down to Queensland, Australia and upon the folk infused sounds of Calan Mai. You may remember the post I did on him a couple of weeks back promoting his debut single, "We've Got Love" and I praised him for his authenticity and hauntingly beautiful lyricism that shows how immensely talented he is and how passionate he is about his craft as well. Calan was nice enough to carve some time out of his busy schedule to do an interview for us to get to know him a little better personally, and understand where his interest in music is rooted from. Here is the transcript from that interview:

Give us your name and where you're originally from?

My name is Jordan Lawrence and I’m from the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. I perform under the pseudonym Calan Mai.

What is your earliest recollection of listening to music at a young age?

My earliest recollection of listening to an album was probably around eight or nine years old when Mum bought me a copy of ‘Americana’ by The Offspring. That was the first time I got a sense that different genres of music had completely different attitudes and ideas behind them. 

Otherwise, the first song I remember really loving was ‘Heal the World’ by Michael Jackson. I was six.

When did you begin to realize that you wanted to become a musician?

I think there’s a difference between realising you want to learn how to play music and realising you want to be a ‘musician’, that is – realising you want to pursue music as your primary vocation. I realised I wanted to play music when I was 13 years old. At the time, my mate J.B. lived in a house that was going to be torn down to make way for one of those pristine, grey, gated housing estates that are all over the coast now. We were drawing pictures of dicks and waves on the walls of his bedroom and listening to Led Zeppelin when, out of the blue, I just decided I was going to learn guitar. Must have been Jimmy’s sweet licks.

I realised I wanted to be a musician when I met my managers, Adam and Nathan Lyons. That was less than two years ago.

What was the first song you've ever been personally affected by and how does it resonate with you to this date?

That’s a difficult question! I think the first song I remember really hitting hard was ‘Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright’ by Bob Dylan. That song knocked me sideways. Dylan has a way of being aloof and romantic at the same time. I still haven’t figured out how he does that.

Describe the recording process of "We've Got Love" and what inspired the lyrics and is it based on real-life events?

"We’ve Got Love" was the first song we recorded from my upcoming EP ‘Days on the Rock Face’. We recorded it in a weekend and the process was a massive learning curve for me. The lyrics are about my friends and family. It’s 100% based on real-life events.

Who were some of your favorite artists while growing up and how have they helped shape the man you are today?

Obviously Dylan. He’s a big one. Counting Crows were another band that really affected my songwriting process. Adam Duritz’ lyrics seem pre-written to me – like he’s written them on their own without music in mind. The songs are poems. The melodies, while wonderful, seem like a bonus. I would happily just read what he has to say – that’s how good a lyricist he is. For a long time I wrote lyrics in a vacuum - away from the guitar, away from singing. In the last year or so that’s changed. 

What is the music scene like in Australia and what genres are most popular down there?

To be honest, I’m not as aware of the Australian music scene as I’d like to be. It seems like this ‘folk resurgence’ (which is really more of a ‘banjos and suspenders resurgence’) is still going strong. So I’ll ride that wave as long as I can, I guess. But I don’t think I’ll be donning an accordion and waistcoat any time soon. 

The indie and electro scenes are probably at the forefront though. Who knows? I’m not going to pretend I know what I’m talking about.

For fun in your spare time, what do you like to do for fun and leisure, any sports you enjoy playing?

I grew up surfing all over the Gold Coast. I don’t do that much anymore. In my spare time I like to read or watch movies, go for long drives and spend time with friends.

What can we expect from you this year in terms of music, any new recordings or performances coming up down the road?

This year I’ll be releasing two more singles and my EP ‘Days on the Rock Face’. The EP will be released around July.

Lastly, what do you enjoy about playing and making music?

I enjoy getting to be a part of something new. ‘Making’ anything original, whether it’s a song, a painting, a dance – however crudely or clumsily you go about it – is, in my opinion, the best reason to be alive. I hope to do it for as long as I can. 

Thanks once again to Calan for being so gracious with his time in doing this interview. I can honestly say that his music is some of the most honest and beautiful music I've heard in quite some time, and I have high hopes for his career moving forward. For more information on Calan Mai, 'Like' him on Facebook here and follow him on Twitter over here. Check out "We've Got Love" on his Soundcloud page right here.