The Talking Hours

Changing the Game

When did you first get into music? Please explain.

Mauricio: My first memories of becoming obsessed with music would be when I was in first grade and one of my cousins showed me his Kiss records. My parents went on to buy me a Kiss record after much begging. It was downhill from there. I just wanted to be that in whatever shape or form whether it be a guitar player or singer or whatever. I started just singing at home to the radio all the time. It wasn’t until I saw Purple Rain that I knew I had to have a guitar.

Karie: I always enjoyed listening to music as a kid. Britney Spears was a big deal for me, starting around the 5th grade. I just thought she was the bees knees...still do! I spent many hours jamming her CD’s / cassettes, amongst many other artists. I would day dream of becoming a singer. It wasn’t until 7th grade that I picked up a guitar and thought it was the most fun I’d ever had. The journey continued from there!

Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

Mauricio: I can’t say any person or thing in particular inspired me to pursue a career in music. I never really intended to pursue a career in it. Once I started playing I just couldn’t stop. Maybe you could blame it on MTV back then. You see that stuff when you’re a little kid and it makes you want to live that dream.

Karie: I don’t recall a certain person, moment or experience that inspired me to pursue music. Passion for playing in and of itself has always been at the root of it all. There have been many influences along that way that have inspired me to continue going.

How has your music evolved since you first started your band?

Mauricio: When we started The Talking Hours, it was a very basic straight forward guitar and drums project. It was very noisy, basic and raw. I get bored with things real quick so I found myself wanting to introduce bass and drum compositions to change up the flow. Then we started writing loops and and making sounds on our computer at home. We bought a percussion sampler pad which Karie could use to trigger all these loops live on stage. This brings us to our current sound which incorporates a ton of electronic elements. Karie, bless her soul, is the command center for everything on stage. She triggers loops, sounds and tracks while playing drums. She blows my mind sometimes, haha!

Karie: The Talking Hours has evolved in many aspects since we first started. Our music and intent has progressively become darker, stranger, and more complex. I think we both still play with the same excitement and bliss we had in the beginning, but we are definitely working with more moving pieces now than when we first started jamming. I think that’s communicated when you work through our catalog in sequential order.

If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other, drives you to stay in this tough industry? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why?

Mauricio: Out of those I would have to pick joy. There is nothing like the joy of writing a song you love and getting to perform it live on stage. It’s the greatest high in my life.

Karie: That’s a tough call between joy and passion, but I think I have to go with passion. I’ve made a lot of decisions in my life based on passion. It’s always been a driving force for me.

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in an industry overflowing with new faces and ideas?

Mauricio: I think our duo is unique in the style of music we make with just two people on stage. We do not follow any type of particular genre so it’s all over the place. People often tell me they have trouble describing us to others. I like that. We try to not follow formulas.

Karie: We made a pact when we started this project that we would not define ourselves to a genre or incorporate additional members. Rather, we wanted to see how far we can push things and how much noise we can make, effectively, between just the two of us. This has made for a lot of variety in our music -- we write what we write and let it be what it is. From a live aspect, we bring a lot of energy to the stage. I think both ingredients appeals to folks.

What has been your biggest challenge as a performing artist/band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

Both: I would say the biggest challenge is getting your music out in front of people. The internet is a double edged sword. You can get your music out in front of millions but with that comes another million bands doing the same thing. It’s so over-saturated. It becomes overwhelming with all the music out there. We just try to carve out our little piece of that in our own little world.

A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art.” Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art?

Mauricio: Haha, I’ve never understood that. Not my way of thinking. If that means living in your van and showering once a week on tour, then bring it on. We love it! I’m not going to suffer for my music.

Karie: I don’t personally agree with this statement based on my own personal experience with my art, but I also don’t discount it. I think this phrase means different things to different people. Art for me equates to joy and passion. I don’t find suffering in those experiences.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

Both: I love the fact that we can distribute and have music heard worldwide without a label. I also love the DIY aspect of things the internet has enabled us to do. One of the downsides though is the amount of music at your fingertips. It takes away the intimacy of it all. I used to spend so much time with an album or new release. Nowadays I find myself jumping endlessly from band to band so quickly because I’m overloaded with discoveries every time I open an app.

If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?

Both: I’d like to see it be more profitable for the independent artist. It feels like you’re getting pennies in the digital world. Streaming is a tough pill to swallow.

Photo by @keithlangerman

I’m sure you have shared the stage with many talented artists. Please share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us.

Both: One of our favorites was opening for Middle Class Rut back in 2017. It’s incredibly exciting sharing the stage with a band you really love and have listened to for years. And, it’s extra cool when they are great people. Those guys were really nice. No egos at all. It was an absolute honor!

What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why?

Mauricio: Prince - Purple Rain, Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream, Depeche Mode - Violator, Mother Love Bone - Apple and Placebo - Meds. Prince made me pick up an instrument but the rest of the albums changed the way I write, think and interpret music. I’d have to say Siamese Dream is my most influential album ever. That album changed everything for me. I still borrow from it :-)

Karie: The Coma Recovery - Drown that Holy End in Wine: I picked this album up after catching one of their live show when I was 16 - that show changed my life! That drummer made me want to play drums. Underoath - Lost in the Sound of Separation: This album was my go to during a tough period in my life. It’s also just brilliant! Coldplay - Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends: I have a lot of memories and personal experiences tied to this album. My favorite Coldplay album by far! George Winston - Forest: I grew up listening to this artist, most often this album. It always reminds me of my parents and siblings and brings me back to a safe place. Janis Joplin - I Got Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Again Mama!: Janis was my first real introduction into the 60’s & 70’s era of music. I still remember the first time I heard her voice. I was blown away!

Photo by @addasigh

What is the best advice you have received?

Mauricio: Karie is always telling me to be myself and don’t worry about others opinions. She constantly has to remind me when I get into a “Should we do this?” mode. about energy’. I think of this every time we take the stage. Regardless of anything else going on in my life, that time on stage is a special escape. The proper energy should exist in that place, for everyone involved.

How did COVID-19 affect you and your music career?

Both: Probably the same as everyone else. Less shows and less band income. Beyond that we have tried to stay busy working on new ideas for music and will hopefully be going into the studio again real soon.

What’s next for you? Please explain.

Both: Keep writing and playing. We hope to tour more now that restrictions are relaxing a bit. We’ve been experimenting with more pop influences in our music, which is exciting because we’ve never gone down that road.

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?

Both: thetalkinghours.com has everything! You can also stream on your favorite platform.

Photo by @addasigh Photo by @keithlangerman