Linda Ferreira
04/23/10, 09:58 PM
The following is a mini interview of generic questions that we posed to all bands that wanted to answer:
Northern Colours
www.myspace.com/NorthernColours (http://www.myspace.com/NorthernColours)
1. How did you get your band name?
I've always been a huge fan of the North Carolina mountains. I lived in Ashville, NC for a few years, and there really isn't anything in the world like the way the mountains look when all the trees change colour in the fall. I guess I just wanted a name I wouldn't get sick of or think was lame later on, and pulling something from my childhood seemed like a good idea. I'm not a big fan these huge philosophical band names that have an insane amount of meaning behind them, that's kind of the purpose the music is supposed to serve. It's just something I liked that wasn't overly genre specific.
2. How did this band get started?
I was in a band called The Sophomore Attempt for like 5 years and we were pretty straight forward pop/rock. While I enjoyed the time I spent in the band, I always felt pretty restricted by the style. There were a lot of times I wanted to try something strange or out of the box, and it just didn't work with the style we had created for ourselves. This new band is a reaction to that. I've given myself the opportunity to step outside the lines I used to use to keep myself comfortable when I was writing for my last band. It's definitely been a challenge. Especially since it's just me doing all the writing, recording, producing, and playing all the instruments from top to bottom. The cool part is I think I'm pushing myself a ton and growing as a musician and songwriter.
3. What bands are you influenced by?
That changes a lot, but I think most recently, and definitely for this album, I've been influenced by Sufjan Stevens, Manchester Orchestra, Sigur Rós, Two Door Cinema Club, The Guess Who, Mute Math, The Temper Trap, Anathallo, Switchfoot and Bon Iver. That's really cutting down the list though. I'm a huge fan of shuffle. I shuffle a lot.
4. If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would it be and why?
It would be a dream to tour with Sigur Rós, Switchfoot, Taking Back Sunday, The Early November, The Beatles, Acceptance, Yellowcard, The Starting Line, Mute Math, or Sent By Ravens. All of those bands shaped the way I think, write, and appreciate music. Sent by Ravens are also just the greatest band in the world to be on tour with. Some of my best memories are from being on the road with them and having them live in my house in Jacksonville, FL.
5. If you were a furry, what animal would you be? Why that animal?
I'd be a Koala. No one doesn't like a Koala. Much like Sara Lee.
6. Why should people listen to your band?
Because I'm doing everything I can to make great music. I'm not at all concerned with touring, gaining recognition, or even impressing anyone. I'm writing strictly to fight my demons and make music. Beyond that, nothing really matters to me anymore. If I never make a penny on my music, I'll still be happy and completely satisfied. Luckily, making records cost me nothing because I record them myself. As long as I can make album after album and just give them away, I will.
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?
Haha I don't have any songs that would do well in that game. None of my songs are driven by one single instrument, and if there is guitar in a song, it's so saturated by effects and ambiance that no one, including myself, would even know it's guitar. People would hate to play any of my songs on Guitar Hero, sadly.
8. If you won a Grammy, who would you thank?
I'd thank the people who still believe in music, regardless of the avenue it's presented or received in. I'd also thank Dane Cook, because maybe then I could meet him in person and slap him in the face for the whole world. Then they could thank me.
9. If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?
I'd change the fact that all these terrible bands are seeing success these days. It's ridiculous how many bands are out there who have absolutely no idea what they're doing or why they're doing it. I'm definitely not an amazing musician by any means, and I don't put myself in the leagues of people like Thrice or Manchester Orchestra, but I at least make an effort to continually better myself as a musician.
10. Memorable tour experience?
The milk gallon challenge at the Sent by Ravens trailer out in Lamar, SC was one of the greatest moments in life. Mine, or anyone else's for that matter.
11. What does AP.net mean to you?
AP.net means a lot to me because the kids on the site are loving and hating music or those who are playing music. It's great to see people so passionate about their opinions. I used to get really offended by those who talked badly about me or my band, but now I appreciate it regardless of how it's coming at me because at least they are feeling passionate about something I had to do with. I welcome haters and enjoy the criticism. Just don't talk about my mom.
12. What is your favorite song to play?
Everything, Nothing & Chaos has been a really cool song to play lately. It's the first new song I posted from "Standing On My Soul" and people have really been reacting to it. The song is about something I'm still having to deal with, so playing it live and having kids sing it back to me makes me feel like I'm not going through it alone.
13. What is your vacation spot of choice?
I lived in Acapulco, Mexico for a year and that was the coolest thing I've ever experienced. I guess that would be it.
14. What music reminds you of your childhood?
Nostalgia punches me in the gut whenever I hear "Wouldn't It Be Nice" by The Beach Boys.
15. If you could have any super power, what would it be? Why?
I'd like to be able to fly. I feel like it'd be way easier to get around and go wherever I want if I could fly. Think about it, if you're playing tennis and you hit a ball over the fence, wouldn't be way easier just to fly over and grab it? You know the answer...it's yes. Now, I don't play tennis, but if I did I'd want to be able to fly.
16. Do you feel that your band has "made it"?
Not commercially, but to me "made it" is being able to do whatever you want creatively and still get the same joy out of creating music that you got when you first started playing it. In that sense, I think I have.
17. What is something that most fans don't know about you?
I've got 9 biological siblings. No twins. Same parents. Joshua, Anna, Bethany, Jeremiah, Caleb, Cana, Joannah, Noelle, Seth, Abigail. Also, my mom was in the Grand Ol' Opry as a kid and Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash pretty much raised her. Sweet brag right?
18. What's your favorite holiday?
Christmas. Nothing beats it.
19. What do you like to do in your spare time?
I'm either writing music or helping someone else write music. All I do is make records. I don't have any spare time really, but I prefer it that way.
20. What kind of hidden talents do you have?
I can draw a mean penguin. And by mean penguin, I mean it's a really cool looking penguin...not a bad tempered one.
Northern Colours
www.myspace.com/NorthernColours (http://www.myspace.com/NorthernColours)
1. How did you get your band name?
I've always been a huge fan of the North Carolina mountains. I lived in Ashville, NC for a few years, and there really isn't anything in the world like the way the mountains look when all the trees change colour in the fall. I guess I just wanted a name I wouldn't get sick of or think was lame later on, and pulling something from my childhood seemed like a good idea. I'm not a big fan these huge philosophical band names that have an insane amount of meaning behind them, that's kind of the purpose the music is supposed to serve. It's just something I liked that wasn't overly genre specific.
2. How did this band get started?
I was in a band called The Sophomore Attempt for like 5 years and we were pretty straight forward pop/rock. While I enjoyed the time I spent in the band, I always felt pretty restricted by the style. There were a lot of times I wanted to try something strange or out of the box, and it just didn't work with the style we had created for ourselves. This new band is a reaction to that. I've given myself the opportunity to step outside the lines I used to use to keep myself comfortable when I was writing for my last band. It's definitely been a challenge. Especially since it's just me doing all the writing, recording, producing, and playing all the instruments from top to bottom. The cool part is I think I'm pushing myself a ton and growing as a musician and songwriter.
3. What bands are you influenced by?
That changes a lot, but I think most recently, and definitely for this album, I've been influenced by Sufjan Stevens, Manchester Orchestra, Sigur Rós, Two Door Cinema Club, The Guess Who, Mute Math, The Temper Trap, Anathallo, Switchfoot and Bon Iver. That's really cutting down the list though. I'm a huge fan of shuffle. I shuffle a lot.
4. If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would it be and why?
It would be a dream to tour with Sigur Rós, Switchfoot, Taking Back Sunday, The Early November, The Beatles, Acceptance, Yellowcard, The Starting Line, Mute Math, or Sent By Ravens. All of those bands shaped the way I think, write, and appreciate music. Sent by Ravens are also just the greatest band in the world to be on tour with. Some of my best memories are from being on the road with them and having them live in my house in Jacksonville, FL.
5. If you were a furry, what animal would you be? Why that animal?
I'd be a Koala. No one doesn't like a Koala. Much like Sara Lee.
6. Why should people listen to your band?
Because I'm doing everything I can to make great music. I'm not at all concerned with touring, gaining recognition, or even impressing anyone. I'm writing strictly to fight my demons and make music. Beyond that, nothing really matters to me anymore. If I never make a penny on my music, I'll still be happy and completely satisfied. Luckily, making records cost me nothing because I record them myself. As long as I can make album after album and just give them away, I will.
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?
Haha I don't have any songs that would do well in that game. None of my songs are driven by one single instrument, and if there is guitar in a song, it's so saturated by effects and ambiance that no one, including myself, would even know it's guitar. People would hate to play any of my songs on Guitar Hero, sadly.
8. If you won a Grammy, who would you thank?
I'd thank the people who still believe in music, regardless of the avenue it's presented or received in. I'd also thank Dane Cook, because maybe then I could meet him in person and slap him in the face for the whole world. Then they could thank me.
9. If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?
I'd change the fact that all these terrible bands are seeing success these days. It's ridiculous how many bands are out there who have absolutely no idea what they're doing or why they're doing it. I'm definitely not an amazing musician by any means, and I don't put myself in the leagues of people like Thrice or Manchester Orchestra, but I at least make an effort to continually better myself as a musician.
10. Memorable tour experience?
The milk gallon challenge at the Sent by Ravens trailer out in Lamar, SC was one of the greatest moments in life. Mine, or anyone else's for that matter.
11. What does AP.net mean to you?
AP.net means a lot to me because the kids on the site are loving and hating music or those who are playing music. It's great to see people so passionate about their opinions. I used to get really offended by those who talked badly about me or my band, but now I appreciate it regardless of how it's coming at me because at least they are feeling passionate about something I had to do with. I welcome haters and enjoy the criticism. Just don't talk about my mom.
12. What is your favorite song to play?
Everything, Nothing & Chaos has been a really cool song to play lately. It's the first new song I posted from "Standing On My Soul" and people have really been reacting to it. The song is about something I'm still having to deal with, so playing it live and having kids sing it back to me makes me feel like I'm not going through it alone.
13. What is your vacation spot of choice?
I lived in Acapulco, Mexico for a year and that was the coolest thing I've ever experienced. I guess that would be it.
14. What music reminds you of your childhood?
Nostalgia punches me in the gut whenever I hear "Wouldn't It Be Nice" by The Beach Boys.
15. If you could have any super power, what would it be? Why?
I'd like to be able to fly. I feel like it'd be way easier to get around and go wherever I want if I could fly. Think about it, if you're playing tennis and you hit a ball over the fence, wouldn't be way easier just to fly over and grab it? You know the answer...it's yes. Now, I don't play tennis, but if I did I'd want to be able to fly.
16. Do you feel that your band has "made it"?
Not commercially, but to me "made it" is being able to do whatever you want creatively and still get the same joy out of creating music that you got when you first started playing it. In that sense, I think I have.
17. What is something that most fans don't know about you?
I've got 9 biological siblings. No twins. Same parents. Joshua, Anna, Bethany, Jeremiah, Caleb, Cana, Joannah, Noelle, Seth, Abigail. Also, my mom was in the Grand Ol' Opry as a kid and Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash pretty much raised her. Sweet brag right?
18. What's your favorite holiday?
Christmas. Nothing beats it.
19. What do you like to do in your spare time?
I'm either writing music or helping someone else write music. All I do is make records. I don't have any spare time really, but I prefer it that way.
20. What kind of hidden talents do you have?
I can draw a mean penguin. And by mean penguin, I mean it's a really cool looking penguin...not a bad tempered one.