Issue 4 - Marcella Rose

WIDOW // ABOVE THE BROKEN // FEARING FAREWELL

How was Above the Broken founded?

The band started back in early 2012; Vinny and Logan founded the band with ex drummer Mike Shaffer. Over the next year we found ex guitarist Serafin Lara who relocated to Oregon from Alaska and Current guitarist Garret Dodgin. At that time in late 2012 ATB was a “full band”.

Who has inspired you?

I can only speak for me (Logan) but my dad was a guitarist and Four Year Strong really brought me into this scene. I don’t really listen to them anymore but I will always remember them as my gateway band into “heavier” music.

How was it playing a sold out show with Memphis For someone who has never heard of you guys May Fire and Attila also being able to play Warped what would you tell them and what makes you tour last year? unique?

Those shows were both like dreams come true. They We are not afraid to do something new. We don’t were a few things that we got to check off our bucket care about the boundaries of our genre and we will lists and experiences we will never forget. The coolest do something different if we think it sounds good. thing about warped tour getting in for free and have backstage passes. What was really awesome about the MMF show was we played to a sold out crowd where everyone knew our songs. It felt like we were famous.

What can fans expect from the new album and what message do you want to get across from it?

You can expect a lot of things, we are trying some new things and we are also using a lot of the things that got us where we are. We are still going to sound like ATB, but we are trying to write better music for everyone!

What’s your writing process for songs?

Our writing process is sort of write as we go. Logan records music at his house and so we do a lot of our writing there. This album we tried to get a better input from all band members. We usually write an instrumental on guitar and then add drums/bass and vocals last. Vinny and Logan shot ideas back and forth for the lyrics and come up with themes for songs together.

What are some lyrical themes?

Vinny and Logan have always tried to make our lyrics different. We love writing positive songs instead of the stereo typical angry hardcore songs. We are trying to keep things more positive on this album. We also tried to write some more reflective lyrics talking about personal issues instead of issues we have with others. Just a offer a few themes up… Choosing your own destiny, fighting through the loss of a loved one and understanding that we all have problems and you’re not alone.

What’s the song you're most proudest of at the moment?

We are really proud of By Morning You’ll Be Gone and Separate Roads. By morning more so for the lyrics because we felt we were doing something original in the post hardcore genre and separate roads for the overall feeling of the song. It’s more of a ballad type song and we are stoked on all the positive feedback.

What’s the song with the most meaning to you?

For me (Logan) the song with the most meaning on the last EP was Keep it Secret, Keep it Safe. It was about nostalgia and reminiscing on a better time. I can’t speak for the rest of the band.

On an ending note if you could tour with any set of bands who they be?

Locally Verah Falls and We Rise The Tides, but on a larger scale, Of Mice & Men, I See Stars, Memphis May Fir , Secrets and so many more.

Interview by: Brooklyn Parcel Photo by: Jason Fuast

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PAUL WOOD OF

FEARING FAREWELL

How Fearing Farewell founded?

We've had a few line-up changes, but to take this back to day 1, Scott put up a post on a Facebook group for audio producers asking if anyone would be up for starting an online band in the posthardcore/metal kinda genres. I've always been a guitarist, but I programmed drums for my old band Fall Against Fate so I applied to help out with the drums and got in that way. Bahram and our first bassist Florian also joined at that point. Since then, we've had quite a few changes and now we've got a solid line-up of talented and positive individuals.

What are the best and worst thing about being an unsigned band?

The support from the fans is incredible. It's a great feeling to know how much our music means to our fans, and we try our best to stay in contact each and every time they write to us. How do you guys work with the distance? Facebook, Dropbox and Skype mainly. Scott and I are both UK-based, so although there's still a fair distance we're able to travel to each other. Scott came down from Scotland to Leeds, England to write and record the new EP with me.

What message do you want to get across to fans?

Hard work and positivity can change your life. We thank you all for sticking with us, and we can't wait to show you what we've got in store.

What is your writing process for songs?

Scott and I usually lay down the bulk of the instrumental sections, including any drum or synth parts. Once that's done, Jon works on our rough drum ideas and makes them sound good. Finally, Josh and Snelling put down vocals, and between the band we go back and forth making changes until we're all happy.

What can fans expect from the new album?

We've taken everything from our previous material and kicked it up a notch. It's heavier, and yet more melodic, and more catchy. We can't wait to show everyone.

What bands do you want to tour with?

Oh, there's so many! Our friends in Mireau over in Northern Ireland, Jon's other band A Hero A Fake, looking past that I'd love to tour with the likes of Issues or Crown The Empire.

What are some favorite band memories?

The reaction to our One Direction cover, it was so far beyond what we'd honestly expected. Without that, I'm not sure where we'd be.

Who has inspired you?

Our fans for their constant support. Thank you! If someone has never heard of you what would you tell them and what makes it unique? Musically, we write the music we enjoy writing. As a band, we write back to each and every fan, and we'll never get in the position of taking that for granted. I think that's what makes us unique, our fans tell us all the time that we're one of the few bands that always reply, and we hope that makes a difference to them. Any last words? I think you'll be excited by our EP, we've really worked on the 'Fearing Farewell' sound and it's going to be by far the best music we've put out yet.

What is the song you're the most proud of at the moment?

The song Scott and I called 'Thanks For Nothing', instrumentally I think it's our strongest yet. We're yet to give it a proper name, but it'll be the first single from the EP. What’s the song with the most meaning to you?

All of the songs on the new EP mean a lot to me, I was more involved with the songwriting process than ever. I'm also producing this EP, so there's a lot resting on my shoulders. This is gonna be special to me when it's out there, I just hope people react well to it.

Interview by: Brooklyn Parcel Photo by: Judd Ford

MARCELLA ROSE South Florida native alternative rock band is a local band worth knowing. Founded in local South Florida churches, the band's founding members have transitioned in their local scene from jokesters to serious musicians. Marcella Rose is a band that sonically follows in the foot steps of their inspirations with a strong desire to expand their horizons from a local level to a national one.

Photos and Interview by: Nicole Stephens

JOHN FOX

KAMERON HUNTER

ANGEL ESTREMERA

BRANDON CROSS

MARCELLA ROSE How did you guys form?

What bands inspired you to start your own?

John Fox (vocals/guitar): I grew up playing basically every instrument except guitar. Angel forced me to play and hated every second of it, until that is, I learned how to play “I Miss You” by Blink-182. From that point on me and my guitar were best friends.

Angel Estremera (bass): I called John in the summer of 10th grade asking him if he wanted to start a band. I had a bass and no idea how to play it but called john and told him he has to play guitar, although he knew how to play bass and not guitar and here we are a few years later actually making moves.

Brandon Cross (lead guitar): During that time the band was called Statafiction, but we changed the name to Marcella Rose when Kameron [Hunter] (drums) joined the band in the summer of 2010. This has been our longest standing lineup so far, and the chemistry is perfect as each person plays off the other bandmates, creating a unified sound

John: A.F.I, The Killers, Blink-182, System of a Down, My Chemical Romance, Alkaline Trio, Avenged Sevenfold, and Muse are my main influences. If you listen closely, you can hear distinct influences from these bands throughout our latest album; whether it be a riff, melody/harmony, or chord progression.

Angel: I like a lot of 90s/2000s Alternative Rock, I am really into bands like Blink 182, Foo Fighters, Envy on the Coast, and a few others. As far as noticeable infuence I would definately say Blink 182 in song writing and Envy on the Coast when it comes to harmonies and backing vocals.

Brandon: As far as guitarist's are concerned, my musical infuence is driven from the sounds of the 80's. Particulary Motley Crue guitarist Mick Mars, and early work of Kirk Hammet and CC Deville. In a song writing aspect, I draw a lot influence from Kurt Cobain and Dave Grohl, whom I consider to be the greatest song writers of this age.

Kameron: Foo Fighters, The Wonder Years, Yellowcard, 30 Seconds to Mars.

How did you guys meet?

John: I met Angel for the first time while playing with Lincoln Logs in kindergarten. I met Brandon for the first time when he tried out for the band, and I met Kameron for the first time when I saw him pull off a really sweet Michael Jackson move on the top of a lunch table at school.

Angel: I have known John since I was three years old, we became friends over singing Blink 182 when I was 14. We played in worship groups together as well with Kameron but we didnt get to really know Kameron until we would play shows with his previous bands. I met Brandon through common friends at church and we instantly clicked, I didn't even know he played guitar until one day I asked him if he was interestred in jamming with me, and since the first day he jammed with us we realized he was a key essential to the band's sound.

Brandon: I met Angel through church in early 2008, and after hanging and talking a little music, he asked me to come jam with his drummer and guitarist.

Quickly after I plugged in my amp, it was apparant immediately I filled the songs perfectly with my unique flavor of licks, and was asked to join. Our drummer is actually our 3rd one we have had, and we met him through high school. He was hesitate to join at first, but soon after jamming with us it was apparent he fit right in.

Kameron Hunter (drums): I met John and Angel in high school. But I met everyone else through them because my old band played shows with Marcella Rose.

What was the recording process like for your latest full length "Such is Fame; The Trials of Our Youth”?

John: The recording process was awesome. Our producer Jeremiah was really chill and easy to get along with which made everything pan out smoother than any other time we’ve recorded in studios.

Angel: Such Is Fame was actually a lot easier than recording our first to EP's believe it or not. It was a lot more time consuming but it was also a lot more comfortable to record. For a week straight we slept in a house which had the studio in it and all we did was wake up, record, play xbox, and eat dinosaur chicken nuggets. I think the recording of this album made us all very proud and we actually had a lot of fun doing it.

Brandon: Recording the album was one of my favorite memories of the band. We drove to Orlando to record in a house studio, which made the experience a lot more personal. Each member had one day to record their parts, and we all nailed them. One night Kameron and I went for a walk and ended up being lost for 3 hours in Orlando, having to use GPS to find our way back home, fun times.

Kameron: Yeah recording "Such is Fame" was a lot eaiser because we went in knowing pretty much every song like the back of our hands, so were able to get everything recorded in a week.

What is your biggest accomplishment to date as a musician?

John: Definitely recording our latest album. It took a lot of preparation and support from our fans to make it happen.

Angel: Our biggest accomplishment so far would be the making of Such Is Fame, We’re big kids and like to have a lot of fun, but making that album and putting all of our work and effort into it definitely showed people that just because we like to goof off and have fun doesn’t mean we don’t take our music seriously.

Brandon: As the lead guitarist of the band, musicianship is everything to me. The band mates come to me with help on arrangement ideas, and chords in certain keys, and it’s really awesome they trust my musical judgment on things. The last track on the album is actually totally written musically by me, and the way people perceive the song is so special to me, because it’s the first song I’ve ever fully written. I would say that track is my biggest accomplishment.

my life besides Jesus that keeps me sane.

Angel: I couldnt imagine if music didn't even exist and I think everyone on the planet would agree [they couldn't imagine it], whether you play it or not. I think a lot of people would be driven crazy without the outlet of music so I honestly don't even know what I would be doing if music didn't exist.

Brandon: It would be a very sad world, but in the case that music didn't exist I would of probably been playing football on the collegiate level, and when I graduated college I would have become a teacher.

Kameron: I would probably be teaching, or something where I use my hands a lot.

What has been you guy’s biggest struggle being an unsigned band?

Angel: The biggest struggle being unsigned is getting the word out about your band, in a scene like South Florida's you really need a nitch. If you're signed people are going to be interested and take you seriously right off the bat, but without the exposure and help for touring [that a label provides] it's hard to get your name out there and have it stay with kids.

Kameron: Angel said it best, but definately not having financial or commercial backing.

What is your favorite song off Such is Fame?

What has been the hardest time you have had to go through as a band?

John: It’s honestly hard to say. So many of these Brandon: Probably our hardest struggle in the band songs, both the light hearted and serious one, was early 2009 through 2010. After playing shows have deep personal connections with me and and building a fanbase, our lead singer John moved each one relates to me with a different emotion to Gainesville to attend the University of Florida. It and reflects a different part and feeling of my was tough to practice and keep planning shows when life. I honestly can’t choose one. The entire he was 5 hours away. In a twist of fate, he moved album is #1 as a whole to me. back down to attend FIU in early 2011, to take the Angel: I don't have a favorite, lyrically my band seriously as we almost had to split due to lack favorite is Imperfect, but as far as playing on of progression. stage I really enjoy playing “Sailor and Saint” and John: Same thing Brandon said. It was tough being “Have it All”. away while trying to maintain our progress as a band.

Brandon: I think they all are amazing, but in particular there is an interlude song called "Will I Where do you see the band in 5 years?

Ever Fall in Love?" which really captures the John: If our fan base and music keeps growing as emotion of the album. Its only a minute and 30 rapidly as it is, I totally see us playing more festivals, seconds long, but it catches my ear every time touring full time, and starting to place on the charts.

I’ve heard it. Funny enough, it’s also my most played song on my iPod. If you could tour with any band who would it be?

Kameron: Hmmm I’d have to say either “I Regret Kameron: Creed needs to hit us up! [laughs] Nothing” or “Sailor & Saint”.

Angel: BLINK 182. always and forever that will be my dream. Me and John have always talked about how In a world where music didn't exist what would awesome it would be to open up for Blink, even you be doing? before we were really a "band" and we would talk John: I know this sounds cliché. And I also know about making music. it’s cliché to say “I know this sounds cliché”. But If music didn’t exist, I wouldn't exist. I’d be some low life that would have no motivation in life because I’d be missing the one and only thing in

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John: Since Angel already said Blink, I’d love to tour with The Killers. They are an amazing band that I’ve been listening to since I was a kid.

Brandon: Based on the music scene today, we would love to tour with Fall Out Boy, as their new album is a breakthrough musical piece that will change the rock world, and we would love to be a part of that.

Do you have any tours or shows coming up?

John: We’re currently planning our Florida tour for the beginning of this coming August and have a really good chance to play a couple international festivals in then next few months. We’re also in the process of planning our first national tour for next summer "Such is Fame: The Trials of Our Youth" is out NOW! Click the image below to find out more about

LICK TO BUY "SUCH IS FAME: THE TRIALS O OUR YOUTH"

WIDOW What's the story about how Widow founded?

Christian (our guitarist) bought a bunch of recording gear to work on his hip- hop project and decided to practice mixing by writing and recording songs that Ty (our vocalist) would scream over. He posted a song up and it got some attention, so they decided to make the project, an actual band.

What are the best and worst things about being an unsigned band?

It's an awesome feeling to have our friends/fans support us either though we aren't signed. It shows us that they care for our music, and we appreciate that.. Until a great label runs across us, we will continue to show that you can make it. Label or not, it's the dedication that counts.

What is the writing process like?

Christian gets a cool riff or idea and lays it out as MIDI. Many sleepless nights later, it eventually becomes a song. We practice it, everyone adds their own little twist/style to it, and we eventually record it.

What is the song you're most proud of at the moment?

To be honest, we would never put out a song that doesn't make us as proud as the others.

Do you guys plan on touring any time soon?

Very soon, we can't tell you where we will all be this summer, but we can tell you that we are kicking off our tour with conflicts, June 28th in Denton TX.

Best show you've played so far?

Outrage Fest in Tyler, Texas. The show was a literal riot featuring cops and all. It was nuts.

Describe your live show in one word.

Emotion.

What are some favorite band memories?

Outrage Fest, it was literally insane. Also driving back from shows that are hours away from home. We always laugh, and talk about things that are happening, it's like our band's bonding time. It's great, and shows how good of friends we all are.

Who has inspired you?

Anyone who has ever made us feel worthless.

If someone has never heard of you what would you tell them and what makes it unique?

Check us out, it's as simple as that. A lot of people tell us that our lyrics are pretty unique.

"Despite what people say, be yourself" Any last words?

Despite what people say, be yourself. Check us out, we will keep you updated on our Facebook page, we are touring this summer, Intrusive Thoughts will be dropped soon. And we owe all of our supporters a big thanks. We wouldn't be doing this interview without their help.

Interview by: Brooklyn Parcel Click the photo above to check out Widow!

Photo by: Aria Burt