How has the release of Could That Be You been so far?
JP- We’ve had some very positive feedback here in Canada on this single and the album. We looking to expand that to outside of just here. If your into this type of music then people are really into it. If your into banjos, and acoustic guitars- not as much- ha!
Tell us a bit about the single?
JP- This song was the first song that came together with all three of us and as a band. Until that point, (when the record was made we had been a band for seven months), it was me bringing songs to them and saying ‘hey let’s do this song- it goes like this’. With this one we were listening to a rehearsal we had recorded and I had this fragment of this song on another audio file. So we listened to it and said lets finish this one off. Caden developed a drum part and an intro and break. Jared came up with a bass line that was an advancement for him at the time. It came together quickly and we were excited that we were working together as a unit. Lyrically, it reflects on what was going on at the time. I had separated and divorced from their mother a few months before and this song was more about looking forward. About what you might want in a new relationship and if that person was indeed like that.
If you could work with any band on a new song, who would it be?
JP: Paul Weller, Elvis Costello, they written a bunch so it would be interesting to see their process or to collaborate with them. There is a lot of people I know who I admire that I would like to write with. I would say a local band who are peers with would be a more relaxed situation and might lend itself to an easier collaboration, I like Ron Hawkins songwriting. I would like to write with women artist- Nora Jones, Neko Case to get the non male perspective on it all. Or go really big, Keith Richards, Townsend, McCartney, Springsteen to see how the mega stars do it who’ve had a ton of hits- ha!
Jared: I would love to work with Locomotive 8, they’re a Toronto band whose style I’m a big fan of and would like to try out.
Caden: I would like to work with Slipnot because of their double bass drum work.
How is it working as a family?
JP: Obviously there is a great love for each other because we’ve all know each other since they came into existence. But with a great familiarity there can also be tension or an ease of being a prick to one another. As the Dad I relate more to them as musical peers in the band so that is a nice dynamic to be developing and sharing. But currently we all live together so there is always, who left their damn dishes in the sink again. Or am I the only one cleaning up around here! Caden was always closer to his younger brother than Jared so it’s nice to see them bond and be closer to one another by being in a band together. There are times when one of us is cranky or irritable but that would be the same as in any band. It’s understanding when to give that person space or being big enough to say sorry I was cranky – I over reacted. This has been a wonderful experience for all of us. Making music together in a band is a great feeling. It is a wonderful way to create, share and cathartic way to expend some energy in a positive way.
Jared: Working with family is pretty easy going and fun. It’s not hard to get together for practice.
Caden: Easy, Only Jared and Dad bitch at each other, I just play.
JP and Jared: Unless we’re both telling you to shut up!
JP: Like I said- a great love.
What’s the rock scene like in Canada?
JP: I’m not sure about the rock scene, music scene, punk scene, rap scene, alternative scene, indie scene, roots scene, Americana scene, mainstream pop music scene. Toronto scene, East coast scene, west coast scene, Canada is a big place and as you can see by the first sentence a bit diffused. The community of musicians I have always found to be friendly and supportive. There are some fantastic acts that come out of Canada. We are next to the States so many people internationally think that the act is American. A lot of Canadian band don’t brand themselves as “Canadian” like there might be like a British invasion. A band level is different than at an industry level. Large labels want something that has a fan base and is moving units-streams- etc. Whether that is rock and roll I would say – no – punk and electric guitar based music is not “trendy” at the moment. But the industry tends to follow a trend more then establish it. There has always been a group of people who enjoy music with a rock edge to it or heavier sounding. Currently there are a lot of sound-like- everyone-else- type bands on the radio.
Jared: In my opinion the rock scene in Canada is mostly underground but still thriving. And honestly that just makes it more interesting.
Caden: We are the rock scene.
What were your first gigs that you ever went to?
JP: The Who, The Jam, The Ramones, Iggy, The Cramps
Jared: My Dad’s band, Crock Stock, Green Day, Riot Fest (Stooges, Dinosaur Jr., Rocket from the Crypt,) The Who, The Stones,
Caden: My Dad’s band, Crock Stock, Green Day, Riot Fest (Stooges, Dinosaur Jr., Rocket from the Crypt,), Eminem,
How much does it mean to you when you see fans listen to your music?
It really quite thrilling for us at this point (meaning we are not jaded and tired of adulation-ha!). Any review, play, when someone comes up to us at after a show and buys a record. We quite like what we are doing and think we are a good tight rocking band- that writes good original music, so when someone acknowledges that it validates that a bit. I guess if that didn’t matter then just write the songs and record them and keep them to yourself. But if you put a single out or a record, really you are say- “Hey! Look at us! We think we’re pretty awesome- you should too!” We are doing this to generate a fan base, so we can make music, make recording, play and tour. Really if you think about it if a 1000 people supported a band they like with $100 a year they could make a living doing it. 2000 or 3000 people and at $50, well you get the picture. This is how it starts and builds. How that money gets to the artist is what is changing. Really, from the late sixties to the late nineties was the only window where bands made a lot of money from selling records etc. With the exception of a few acts that break into that larger stratosphere, it’s the way it works now. There is still a lot of hype machines but is the artist making money from the hype? I think I digressed from your question…!
Jared: It means a lot to see people find enjoyment in something I’ve created. Very few things compare to it.
Caden: I don’t know who listens to our music. I’m not actually there when they do. I’ve signed a few albums after shows. That was cool.
Will there be a tour this year?
J.P. – We are really enjoying playing live- we did our record release and a number of shows early in the year (February /March) and have played in the Toronto area. Starting in June we are touring Southern Ontario Canada. 10 shows. This is the area of Canada that has larger populations (clubs) within reasonable distances. Cross Canada some of the shows would be 10 to 15 hours away. One has to remember that England would fit inside of Ontario geographically. It would be fantastic to play there. Closer places to tour, greater population, places to play. The states is good as well but, as you may have read, the border is a bit funny lately! We are going into the studio in August after the summer tour to record a follow up of the latest record. We will look to have that out by next July. Then hopefully we could expand where we could tour that one. Again the great part of being a family is we can go anywhere and do a week or two of shows if it was arranged. Fly there, rent instruments. Jared and I went to Europe together last November and thought we could do this as a tour instead of a holiday. We loved it over there. Jared: Southern Ontario this summer. We’d like to tour the rest of Canada eventually- I’d like to see out west
Caden: I guess you’d call it a tour. I call it a lot of gigs where I’ve get to sit in a closet sized dressing room because I’m underage and can’t walk around the club. I’d like to go out east.
JP: Okay, so out east and out west. You do realize I’m the only driver in the band.
Caden: I’m 14 dad.
JP: Excuses! But you’d go to Europe right?
Jared/Caden: YEAH!
Caden: You heard it here England-Book us now- I’d like to see the closet like dressing rooms