Brad Streeter
10/06/09, 06:12 PM
The following is a mini interview of generic questions that we posed to all bands that wanted to answer:
SELF MADE SOUL [myspace (http://www.myspace.com/selfmadesoul)]
1. How did you get your band name?
I was heavily inspired by Ayn Rand and her objective philosophy at the
time we were thinking of band names. Our name comes from a speech given by
the character John Galt from Ayn's book Atlas Shrugged who said "...as man
is a being of self-made wealth, so he is a being of self-made soul." We've
been Self Made Soul since 2003. We thought it was a good representation of
our philosophy in that who you are and what you do with your life comes
from you and only you. No one else.
2. How did this band get started?
Alex and I met at a jazz ensemble rehearsal in high school and
have played together exclusively since then. We've been Self Made Soul
since 2003. After some member changes, we met Angel when SMS played a show
with her old band in 2006. She joined the band in April 2007. Matt came
aboard just in August of 2008.
3. What bands are you influenced by?
Collectively, we have massive amounts of influences. Early on we were all
very influenced by a lot of metal and progressive metal/rock, late
'80's/early '90's hardcore and punk, and later we paid more attention to
the production values of synth pop/industrial and electronic music, and
finally appreciating a lot of the good songwriting skills and uniqueness
in the current crop of alternative/post hardcore/emo/indie stuff that's
out there.
4. If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would it be and
why?
Our tour wish list might include: Underoath because they're intensity and
energy would make for a great time, Emery because they're great song
writers, Converge, Story of the Year because...well...we just like 'em!
There's a bunch of others that I can't think of right now.
5. If you were a furry, what animal would you be? Why that animal?
Well, we all love cats, so I guess a cat.
6. Why should people listen to your band?
One of the most unique things about us is that we tend to reach deeper
than a lot of bands for our subject matter, and I think the music reflects
that. A lot of the music has a slightly darker, richer depth than is
typically found today. Like one reviewer from the Hartford Advocate said
"...they're the perfect antidote to sack-less emo." Where as most bands
skim the surface of what people are feeling, we like to dig deeper in the
dirt and expose the things that a lot of people keep well hidden, while at
the same time trying to inspire more positivity in their lives.
Essentially we try to be uplifting and at the same time make you think. A
lot of our audience teeters on the balance between many differing genres
and more often than not they have wide listening interests, so I think our
music, being that it’s drawn from many different emotions, speaks to
different sides of them. We’re also keen on drama and bigness in our
music. We like a lot of epic-type parts, and we feel that makes more of an
impact emotionally. I think that with the market so saturated these days
with a lot of music that essentially says the same thing and resonates
with only a small part of everyone, our music might offer something a
little different.
7. If you were chosen to be in Guitar Hero/Rock Band, what song would you
want in the game? How hard do you think it would be to five-star on
expert?
"Warcry" would be a fun one to have in the game. It probably wouldn't be
that hard, but it would definitely be a fun one.
8. If you won a Grammy, who would you thank?
Anyone who helped us get it--probably mostly the fans.
9. If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?
I'd like to see more of a focus on musicality instead of numbers and
units, but I'm sure just about any musician will tell you that. There's so
many bands out there who aren't given a chance and have much more musical
integrity than those that are given opportunities based purely on dollar
signs.
10. Memorable tour experience?
We played up in Pittsfield, MA recently and there was no stage so the few
hundred kids that were there could just get right up in our faces and it
was a great feeling. We love having interaction with the crowd. If the gig
is really feeling good and the crowd is real responsive, we'll some times
ask them to come up on stage to rock out with us during our closing song.
We'll let them grab the mics, scream and just have a great
time. One time we did that at a show here in CT, kids were jumping off the
bass drum and off our cabs and stuff and they loved it. It really makes
them feel closer to us and they'll take that feeling home with them and
remember it every time they listen to our CD or tell someone about us.
Those gigs are always our favorite.
11. What does AP.net mean to you?
A lot of people coming together in one place to talk about a lot of cool
music.
12. What is your favorite song to play?
Right now, "Warcry" is our new favorite.
13. What is your vacation spot of choice?
Japan.
14. What music reminds you of your childhood?
Anything '80's. '80's video game music in particular.
15. If you could have any super power, what would it be? Why?
Time travel. Does that count as a super power? Anyway, it would be pretty
cool to see what the Earth was like before there were humans on it, or the
future on Earth after us.
16. Do you feel that your band has "made it"?
Since having "made it" is a set of personal goals that's defined uniquely
for each band, I'd say we're "making" it. It's always a work in progress
and we are constantly achieving goals and setting new ones.
17. What is something that most fans don't know about you?
That three of the four of us are vegans.
18. What's your favorite holiday?
Xmas.
19. What do you like to do in your spare time?
Play video games, read, listen to shortwave radio, bike, hike, watch good
comedy and movies.
20. What kind of hidden talents do you have?
I (Randy) am a fairly accomplished cook, Alex is amazing at math, Matt can
make anyone laugh and Angel can wipe the floor with you at coming up with
metaphors.
SELF MADE SOUL [myspace (http://www.myspace.com/selfmadesoul)]
1. How did you get your band name?
I was heavily inspired by Ayn Rand and her objective philosophy at the
time we were thinking of band names. Our name comes from a speech given by
the character John Galt from Ayn's book Atlas Shrugged who said "...as man
is a being of self-made wealth, so he is a being of self-made soul." We've
been Self Made Soul since 2003. We thought it was a good representation of
our philosophy in that who you are and what you do with your life comes
from you and only you. No one else.
2. How did this band get started?
Alex and I met at a jazz ensemble rehearsal in high school and
have played together exclusively since then. We've been Self Made Soul
since 2003. After some member changes, we met Angel when SMS played a show
with her old band in 2006. She joined the band in April 2007. Matt came
aboard just in August of 2008.
3. What bands are you influenced by?
Collectively, we have massive amounts of influences. Early on we were all
very influenced by a lot of metal and progressive metal/rock, late
'80's/early '90's hardcore and punk, and later we paid more attention to
the production values of synth pop/industrial and electronic music, and
finally appreciating a lot of the good songwriting skills and uniqueness
in the current crop of alternative/post hardcore/emo/indie stuff that's
out there.
4. If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would it be and
why?
Our tour wish list might include: Underoath because they're intensity and
energy would make for a great time, Emery because they're great song
writers, Converge, Story of the Year because...well...we just like 'em!
There's a bunch of others that I can't think of right now.
5. If you were a furry, what animal would you be? Why that animal?
Well, we all love cats, so I guess a cat.
6. Why should people listen to your band?
One of the most unique things about us is that we tend to reach deeper
than a lot of bands for our subject matter, and I think the music reflects
that. A lot of the music has a slightly darker, richer depth than is
typically found today. Like one reviewer from the Hartford Advocate said
"...they're the perfect antidote to sack-less emo." Where as most bands
skim the surface of what people are feeling, we like to dig deeper in the
dirt and expose the things that a lot of people keep well hidden, while at
the same time trying to inspire more positivity in their lives.
Essentially we try to be uplifting and at the same time make you think. A
lot of our audience teeters on the balance between many differing genres
and more often than not they have wide listening interests, so I think our
music, being that it’s drawn from many different emotions, speaks to
different sides of them. We’re also keen on drama and bigness in our
music. We like a lot of epic-type parts, and we feel that makes more of an
impact emotionally. I think that with the market so saturated these days
with a lot of music that essentially says the same thing and resonates
with only a small part of everyone, our music might offer something a
little different.
7. If you were chosen to be in Guitar Hero/Rock Band, what song would you
want in the game? How hard do you think it would be to five-star on
expert?
"Warcry" would be a fun one to have in the game. It probably wouldn't be
that hard, but it would definitely be a fun one.
8. If you won a Grammy, who would you thank?
Anyone who helped us get it--probably mostly the fans.
9. If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?
I'd like to see more of a focus on musicality instead of numbers and
units, but I'm sure just about any musician will tell you that. There's so
many bands out there who aren't given a chance and have much more musical
integrity than those that are given opportunities based purely on dollar
signs.
10. Memorable tour experience?
We played up in Pittsfield, MA recently and there was no stage so the few
hundred kids that were there could just get right up in our faces and it
was a great feeling. We love having interaction with the crowd. If the gig
is really feeling good and the crowd is real responsive, we'll some times
ask them to come up on stage to rock out with us during our closing song.
We'll let them grab the mics, scream and just have a great
time. One time we did that at a show here in CT, kids were jumping off the
bass drum and off our cabs and stuff and they loved it. It really makes
them feel closer to us and they'll take that feeling home with them and
remember it every time they listen to our CD or tell someone about us.
Those gigs are always our favorite.
11. What does AP.net mean to you?
A lot of people coming together in one place to talk about a lot of cool
music.
12. What is your favorite song to play?
Right now, "Warcry" is our new favorite.
13. What is your vacation spot of choice?
Japan.
14. What music reminds you of your childhood?
Anything '80's. '80's video game music in particular.
15. If you could have any super power, what would it be? Why?
Time travel. Does that count as a super power? Anyway, it would be pretty
cool to see what the Earth was like before there were humans on it, or the
future on Earth after us.
16. Do you feel that your band has "made it"?
Since having "made it" is a set of personal goals that's defined uniquely
for each band, I'd say we're "making" it. It's always a work in progress
and we are constantly achieving goals and setting new ones.
17. What is something that most fans don't know about you?
That three of the four of us are vegans.
18. What's your favorite holiday?
Xmas.
19. What do you like to do in your spare time?
Play video games, read, listen to shortwave radio, bike, hike, watch good
comedy and movies.
20. What kind of hidden talents do you have?
I (Randy) am a fairly accomplished cook, Alex is amazing at math, Matt can
make anyone laugh and Angel can wipe the floor with you at coming up with
metaphors.