Venture Mag #9

MAG

VENTURE

JULY ISSUE 2013

featuring

New Found Glory R O O M 9 4 / T H E M A I N E / T H E P O S T E L L E S / THE AFTERPARTY + m o r e

ex plore NEW FOUND GLORY

are a band who have been together for over fifteen years, and we’re delighted to feature them in this issue of Venture Mag. We got a chance to chat to guitarist Chad, to learn more about their ‘Sticks and Stones’ tour and his thoughts on the music industry. Chad also gave us some advice to pass onto future musicians.

The interview is accompanied by some photographs that were taken during one date of the bands ‘Sticks and Stones’ tour.

NEW FOUND GLORY

FEATURES

REGULARS

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8

ASHLEY ALLEN

4

SPOTLIGHT ARTIST: FLUORESCENT HEARTS

10

THE AMBIENT LIGHT

12

SPOTLIGHT COMPANY: EASY KILLER RECORDS & APPAREL

14

BATTLESHIPS

35

SHOW REVIEWS

15

THIS YEARS LOVE

37

ON THE RADAR

16

MITZI

38

ALBUM REVIEWS

plus THE MAINE / ROOM 94 / GLASS TOWERS / YOUNGBLOOD HAWKE / THE AFTERPARTY / THE POSTELLES

42

PHOTOGRAPHER PROFILE: IAN COLLINS

28+

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THE 1975 THE CITY

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JIMMY EAT WORLD I WILL STEAL YOU BACK

COIN atlas

FOALS OUT OF THE WOODS

ANAVAE STORMCHASER

THE TRAPS THE HONEY DRIP

MONTHLY PLAYLIST Here’s our collection of songs that we just haven’t been able to stop playing throughout July. With big named acts like Jessie J and Jimmy Eat World, we’ve been stepping into the charts a bit, but who can blame us. What, or rather who is on your monthly playlist?

Be on the look out for our ONES TO WATCH badges. The badges represent the winning bands who were hand picked by their fans through our Facebook polls to appear in this issue of our magazine.

ONES TO WATCH

spotlight artist

Fluorescent hearts Four piece group Fluorescent Hearts from Glasgow, are slowly gaining a reputation across the UK music scene. Made up of Chris Ashton, Gary Gilmour, Andy Stuart and Martyn Gribben, the group formed back in 2010 and are determined to make their mark in the music world. We caught up with lead singer Chris to find out the bands story.

How

did

you

decide

to

form

the

band?

Gary and I had been playing in bands since we were 13 and after ‘Soundtrack to a blockbuster’ disbanded; we decided to start writing and performing music for ourselves. Eventually we got our friend Andrew in to play bass and later in the bands formation, Martyn joined. Once we had a sound and were ‘gig ready’, we starting hitting the road and getting the music out there.

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How

would

you

describe

your

sound?

We are a rock band playing popular sounding songs that anyone can relate to. However, being labelled ‘Pop/Rock’ is a bracket that is too wide to describe our sound. We all have our own individual influences and we bring those together to create our own blend of music that appeals to a wide range of audiences.

You are currently working on a new album, is there anything you can tell us about it?

At the moment we are preparing to release a new single called “Guide You Home”.

If you’ve been at one of our most recent shows, then you will have seen us performing it in the run up to the songs release this August. It is true that we have

been working at this stage, if we shall

on some new material, but we don’t know when or even record a full-length album.

How do you think your new album will differ from your debut release ‘Anthem,’ is there anything you know you’ll do differently?

For a start, we are definitely reaching a lot more people than we managed to back then. ‘Anthem’ has only been out for 9 months so there is plenty more for it to do for us. “Guide You Home” is a great representation of us growing as a band and will hopefully keep our current fan base content hearing new songs, given they have been supporting us for nearly two years. We are always trying to bring more to each show we play and having new material/songs allows us to do that.

What else can you tell us about “Guide You Home”?

“Guide You Home”, like most of the new songs we’re writing, is in a different direction from previous material.

I wrote a lot about love on our first album from the perspective of a relationship, but this song takes the point of view of someone suffering from depression and pulling themselves out. Once we recorded it and heard it back in the studio, it was clear that this was the sound we wanted to define us a band.... for now!

Can you tell us about your writing process, is it static or does it change depending on the song?

Usually I’ll come up with a lyric or a guitar hook and I’ll start laying it down on my computer, sometimes it takes hours and other times it takes months to finish a song. Once I’ve come to the point I can do no more, I’ll take it to the guys and they make it sound like FH! We arrange the song together from that point and open it up more.

You’ve shared the stage with some notable acts, what could we expect from one of your live shows?

We like to put on a good show with an energetic buzz about the atmosphere, yet at the same time be sincere and hopefully people will see that we care about our music and our fans very dearly. The music is what counts and we enjoy performing as a band for the audience.

Have you learned anything about yourselves as individuals or as a band from being on the road?

Absolutely! Touring is probably the most enjoyable experience a musician will have and it’s the reward of all those long hours in a rehearsal studio. However, it can be stressful at times. You’re constantly in each other’s face with absolutely nowhere to run and hide,

especially when the going gets tough! Touring is where band mates make the transition from friendship to family. We are always learning about ourselves as individuals, being a part of FH and touring.

Do you think the dependence on social media has helped or hindered artist’s discovery?

There will be arguments on both sides over the benefits of social media. We would say it has helped us a great deal and its biggest perk is being able to have direct contact with your fans, to keep them up-to-date on what is happening instantly. It’s also a great tool as the fans can tell us what they expect from us and share their experiences at the click of a button. It is important though, to not solely rely on social media to get your music out there. Certainly helps, but it doesn’t replace the experience of a live performance.

Any advice for bands that are starting out?

Make sure you’re starting for the right reasons.

Be true to yourself. Find your sound, create and shape it. Put a lot of work and preparation in before you go live with your material. One thing that our manager Joe always tells us when he thinks a song or performance needs improvement, is to record it and listen/watch back. You can be your best critic in most cases, so long as you do it as a band and stay true to the song and sound.

What do you have planned for the rest of the year?

We’re focussing on the release of “Guide You Home” with the possibility of releasing another single later in the year. There are a few videos due for release and more live shows planned from September onwards.

Is there anything else you would like to say?

A massive thank you to everyone who has supported us to date and to new fans – we look forward to seeing you on our next tour.

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www.fluorescenthearts.com

FAREWELLC

6 -- VENTUREMAG.CO.UK

ONTINENTAL

BY NICOLE THOMAS

Ashley Allen

BY: ELIZABETH TOLBERT

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We got a chance to chat to rising pop artist Ashley Allen, who is determined to show that there is more to her music than first meets the ears.

How did you first get involved with music?

My parents. At the end of the day I don’t think I was left a choice when it came to loving music. My mom was a singer from a small town that came to the big city, and my dad found himself working hard towards a music business career. I believe it is inevitable for parents who love music to have a child that loves music, my parents probably didn’t think I would love it this much though.

What is the songwriting process like for you?

Do you always write on your own or do you collaborate with other writers/producers?

I always have my ideas and my moments when I am like “wow I need to write that down.” Or “this is something I need to write about.” However, I am a firm believer that two brains are better than one. I love taking my ideas and collaborating with other songwriters.

I believe it makes everything so much better.

Would you write songs for another artist?

Of course, if anything I would consider it an honor to write for/with another artist. To me songs are diaries with melody and I would love to help another artist express their feelings through the beat of song and lyrics.

Your music is fun and light, but a lot of your lyrics deal with taking a negative experience and turning it into something positive.

What inspires you the most lyrically?

Life and how much I have learned from it.

Taking the dark experiences and turning them into positive lessons and moments.

You’ve been through some dark times with depression and drugs and yet you’ve managed to turn your life around. Do you have any advice for others who may be struggling with similar problems?

Nothing gets better until YOU get better.

The moment you recognize your state of mind is the moment you can have the power to change it. It doesn’t happen over night.

For me it took 18 years, but I figured it out.

You just got back from a mini-tour in Australia. How did the shows there differ from the shows you play in America?

Touring in general is a lot different to just playing individual shows. I learned a lot about myself as a singer and a performer. I went on tour with Taylor Dayne who is just amazing, and we became really close. I’d say the biggest difference in shows though was the audience. Taylor has a more adult fanbase so my job, being new and younger, was to make them fall in love with me.

A lot of current pop music is looked at in a negative light because many believe it lacks substance. Do you agree and how do you distinguish yourself from other pop acts?

I believe that pop music is given a bad rap because it is normally what’s making its way onto the charts. Just because a song was written for someone to sing a long to and get stuck in your head does not mean it lacks substance.

With my pop music that is what I am trying to show everyone. I am trying to show everyone that there is so much more to positive sounding pop music if you just read between the lines.

Do you ever feel pressured to look or sound a certain way, especially being a woman in music?

Absolutely not. The biggest concern when it came to my sound was in the very beginning. The first time I walked into the studio, the first thing that I had to figure out was who is Ashley Allen and what does she sound like. Once I was able to take who I am and put it into a fully recorded track the rest came naturally. Being a female vocalist in the pop world, I think that it is important to be different, which really means just be yourself.

Is there any other genre of music you might like to try?

I feel like in my music now I am always messing with different sounds from different genres.

Sometimes a bit indie, rock, country. However, I wouldn’t mind incorporating crazy bass drops or some drum and bass into my songs. I am a big fan of dubstep and drum and bass.

You recently released a music video for your song “Let’s Go”. What are your other plans for 2013?

Yes I did! FINALLY! My plans for definitely keep writing and get solid first album. Also, playing hopefully another single by the end

2013 is to together a shows and of the year!

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THE AMBIENT LIGHT

The Ambient Light are an instrumental pop-rock act who formed back in 2010. Based in California, the quartet is made up of Steven Martinez, Steve Lizarrogo, Irvin Venedero and Chris Alvarez.

Though this is just the real start of the bands career. With shows to be played and more songs to be written, we can be certain that this wont be the last we hear about The Ambient Light.

Their debut EP ‘Everything Up Until Now’ captured the hearts and ears of many, despite only being a mere three songs in length. Their infectious energy and obvious talent was easily displayed via soulful melodies and catchy hooks which created a strong starting point for the band.

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The bands latest offering and their first full length, ‘Nostalgia Trip’ took a little over a year to create, but is evidently strong enough to stand the test of time. Maturer-sounding, and more ambitious, the band have really tested themselves by producing such a musically interesting album.

www.facebook.com/TheAmbientLight

www.twitter.com/TheAmbientLight WORDS BY: BEKKA COLLINS

spotlight company

This month’s spotlight company is Easy Killer Records and Apparel, which was created by Kevin Gales and Mike Judy.

We chatted to Kevin and Mike about the inital creation of the company, why they have declared that they are not genre specific when it comes to signing bands, the inspiration behind their slogan “We are defined in life by how we respond to defeat” and what we can expect from them in the future.

Can us

you your

introduce yourselves roles within the

and tell company?

that, and is there anything you believe Easy Killer can do differently to most other labels?

Mike: My name’s Mike Judy and I do everything I can manage given the time available in a day.

Kevin: My name’s Kevin Gales. I’m officially the CEO, and Mike is officially the president. We split a ton of the work load, and are in constant contact on what we’re needing from each other to handle.

Kevin: We go into every dialogue with a band we’re interested in, asking them what kind of help are you primarily looking for. If that answer is nothing, then no worries. Go nuts on your own, for sure. Most DO have needs that they need a team for, and we can help with a lot of that. We’re really diverse. That may be the thing that sets us apart from most.

Mike: We’re totally supporters of crowdfunding.

If you can pull it off on your own, then by all means! We do think there’s something said for developing an artist that can’t afford to front a large chunk of money to get themselves out there.

You both have previous experience in the industry, what spurred your decision to launch a record label?

Kevin: Partnering with Mike on something significant was what I really wanted to do. That said resourcing bands and helping them get their music to a wider audience is something I really enjoy doing. The timing seemed great.

Mike: Kevin had run a few labels before, but I’ve always focused on the concert booking industry. After meeting so many fantastic people in this business, I figured it was time to expand. Kevin and I really hit it off from the beginning, so partnering with him and developing this together was a pretty seamless process.

The music industry is constantly changing, and the future is definitely uncertain. Many people believe that you can fund and release an album without a labels support through the likes of crowdfunding. What’s your view on 12 -- VENTUREMAG.CO.UK

The guidance and extra opinions (usually from personal experience) is another thing that a label can provide. Cross-promotion with other artists on the roster, a team of people going to bat for you every single day, I could go on for quite some time.

If you’re an artist that’s done well for yourself and you want to go it on your own after fulfilling the contract of your previous label, then go for it! As for us, we enjoying developing our guys, and I’d like to say they enjoy being a part of the team themselves.

Social networking is incredibly important for new businesses of any kind, do you think social networking has helped you in anyway already?

Kevin: Oh GOD yes. I don’t know how else to answer that. It’s been our lifeblood. Mike is great at making that come together, and our publicist Big Picture Media has been a perfect partner for us in that regard.

Mike: Without a doubt. I think my favorite thing that’s happened recently has been the integration of so many social media sites. Being able to link so many things together on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, etc. has been so efficient and has helped expand our reach.

When it comes to signing artists you’ve stated that you’re not genre specific, and I really admire that.

Why have you decided to run your label that way, and how do you choose which artists to represent?

Kevin: That was fundamental from the outset. To have a broad reach musically. It was Mike who initially wanted to make sure that was a staple, and I latched on to his vision for that right away.

We’re just looking for really good artists making really good music. That’s our jumping off point.

Mike: We just wanted guys that had really honed their craft. We certainly didn’t want to pigeonhole ourselves in the beginning by getting used to signing a

What can you tell us about your slogan, why did you choose “We are defined in life by how we respond to defeat” to represent your company?

Kevin: We felt like we wanted a tag line that was fundamental to how we will go about our work. It’s very easy to be a good person or a good man when things are going well. It’s when we have our deepest dialogue with hurt and with failure that we are truly defined and measured. There really is no specific story, but I’ll share some personal back ground. Without going into huge details, I had a son die when he was nine months old. Our middle child Hannah was born about a year later, and Hannah has Downs Syndrome. Of course our son dying wasn’t a defeat, but it surely had the feeling of acute and throbbing loss. Hannah’s amazing and an incredible part of our family, but there was a ton of confusion around the time she was born; it definitely didn’t go according to our plan and preparation. I’ll also say that the way I dealt with it all during the first few days of her life was an epic fail, and I really let Hannah down in a number of different ways.

But we get better, and we improve, and we keep working. Easy killer just keep at it, deep breaths.

Mike: We like to think of it as a bit of a rally

certain “type” of band, and then having to somewhat go by that model for years to come. There’s too much awesome music out there, and we didn’t want to miss out on signing a brilliant singer-songwriter like Tidewater or the kings of party in Wilson, just because they don’t necessarily sound the same.

What can you tell us about the clothing company that is also linked in with the label? Was that a solid idea from the beginning to link fashion and music together as another means of expression?

Kevin: Yes. We like to call ourselves a lifestyle brand and as we get larger and stronger, we just feel like there’s more we can do, and more bases we can cover. To us, it all overlaps and people’s lives are filled with all facets of pop culture. We’d like to be part of that in the largest way we can.

Mike: Yep, its been part of the model from the getgo. We wanted to establish ourselves as a label entity forthright, and then unveil the clothing once we felt that we’d carved a nice little spot in this industry for ourselves. We feel that we’re just about there, and we’ll be debuting the clothing line very shortly.

cry for anyone who’s having a rough time at any point. Life is going to deal you some tough blows, but you’re defined by how you bounce back. “Easy there, Killer,” things are going to be alright. Now get up and go make something out of yourself.

What and

are the greatest successes you’ve faced

challenges so far?

Kevin: Coming out with such a strong roster, really hitting the ground running.....that’s tough.

We knew it would be and we were ready for it. But still. I think making that work logistically and financially has been tricky for sure!

Mike: Getting so many great artists onboard before publicly launching was quite the task, but we pulled that off and we’re proud of it.

So I’d say that in our early stages, that would potentially be my answer to both questions!

What else do you have planned for 2013?

Kevin: More signings, more releases, more touring. Also, much much more of the apparel.

Mike: Tons of releases. Every artist we have will be putting out a record and touring.

www.twitter.com/easykillerinc

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BATTLESHIPS Formed in 2011, long-time friends Jordan Sturdee and Jonathan Bowden completed their four piece puzzle when they brought in Dan McMurray and Nato Hannaford. This Post-britpop band from Sydney, Australia, incorporates indie rock influences and creates a sound entirely their own.

In February of 2012 they released their single “In Retrospect” which gained recognition and landed them in some impressive places. They got some deserved air-time on various college stations especially in the US.

debut much pretty much radio

Their second single, “Your Words” was released in July of 2012 and garnered just as much success.

Soon after they released their 7-track mini-album titled ‘To You’ which featured their two singles and a new one titled “Coming Back To You.” This single

caught the ears of the right people and landed itself the Single Of The Week slot on iTunes in early 2013.

Familiar with the touring world, Battleships has made their rounds in Australia and have played with many well known bands, such as the likes of Paper Kites, Art Of Sleeping, Gosling, The Trouble With Temptation and many more. They have also played a number of festivals, and this is only the beginning.

GET SOCIAL www.twitter.com/BattleshipsBand www.facebook.com/battleshipsband BY: CODI TROSPER

ONES TO WATCH

14 -- VENTUREMAG.CO.UK

this years love This Years Love are a four piece poprock act from County Durham. The band formed in 2011 and have been all systems go from the onset, constantly developing themselves, their sound and their fanbase.

The quintet is made up of Gary PhilpsonWard, Chris Denham, James Richardson and Al Robinson. They released their first album, ‘Take The Stage’ in February of 2012, with their musical blend of poppy choruses and strong rock foundations taking centre focus.

The band then focused on writing more material, challenging and pushing themselves further than they had done before. They released their second album, ‘`A New Beginning’ in February of 2013. It has so far proved to be a hit, even

across international markets, gaining the band sponsorships and endorsements from the USA. This Years Love are now determined to show just how well their latest material can be translated live, and are rehearsing for their upcoming hometown show in August. You can keep up to date with their progress by following the links below.

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MITZI

Mitzi does not stick to one style, which is why they’ve prevailed. The Brisbane quartet, that combines several styles from indie rock to Australian pop, have been named as one of NME’s Buzz Artists and even gained the title of Best Local Newcomer of 2011. Their fun, garage disco infused style has landed them supporting spots for the likes of Yelle, Foster The People, and The Whitest Boy Alive.

Now it is on to the next chapter of their lives, which is watching their forthcoming full-length, ‘Who Will Love You Now’, grow into the masterpiece that is expected from Mitzi. One thing’s for sure, we can count on it to be full of warmth and cool disco infused with glittery pop.

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Be sure to keep tabs on them to find out what new exciting things they may be up to, from going on tour to releasing an album, because this is definitely a band to keep an eye out for.

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BY: MELISA BAYKENT

ENTER THE WORLD OF NEW FOUND GLORY INTERVIEW AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY: NICOLE THOMAS

New Found Glory are a well respected, and much loved band who have been on the scene for over fifteen years. The band have created seven albums, two EPs and two cover albums since their formation, and don’t show any signs of stopping soon. We got a chance to chat to guitarist Chad Gilbert about the Sticks and Stones tour, Record Store Day, the future of digital, possible collaborations and the bands future plans.

You guys are currently on your second round of the Sticks and Stones tour, how is it going so far?

It’s going amazing. I know it sounds crazy but some of the biggest reactions we’ve had from the Sticks and Stones tour were from the cities on this round.

We played Rochester, which is a city where we usually get a pretty good reaction. It’s not bad but it’s not amazing compared to major markets, but this tour was the best show we’ve had in Rochester. I feel like because we didn’t play these dates on the first tour, these kids have been waiting longer and maybe thought we were going to skip their city. So they were more amped to see us when we did come around.

Are their any songs from ‘Sticks and Stones’ that you think still stand the test of time when performing them live?

Yeah, definitely. There’s the obvious singles like “Hit Or Miss” that never grow old. There’s a few songs on the record, like “It’s Been A Summer” and “Belated”, that when I play now I think ‘Oh, well that was a little ahead of it’s time as far as the style, and more about what’s going on now’.

New Found Glory have been around for over 15 years now.

How do you think you have managed to stay current in an industry that is ever changing?

One thing is I don’t think we’re very prideful. I feel a lot of bands from our era get stuck in their ways and don’t like change. We’re open-minded, and rather than growing bitter, we get excited when we see or hear something new that we love.

Even with culture, whether it’s knowing the latest comic book or indie film, don’t get stuck in your ways. Being open to these things helps us stay relevant so when we write music, it doesn’t sound old.

What advice would you give to artists who are just starting out in the music world?

I think the best advice to anyone is to be outgoing and just be cool. People want to work with nice people.

There’s a common term bands use- Good Guys Bad Band. Which means the band isn’t very good, but they’re cool guys and bands like playing shows with them.

Starting anything, as long as you’re a genuine person, people are going to want to work with you. Another important thing is to have a really good song and promote yourself. You can have the looks and the best equipment, but you have to be hard on yourself to write a good song.

I read that you’re currently writing for your next album, what can fans expect from this release?

Well we’re not really writing a new album, but we’re releasing a live record. We recorded the live songs as well as three new ones. I would say they’re classic New Found Glory. It’s funny because it’s more of the Sticks and Stones era of our band yet it’s mixed with sounds that still fit in with what’s going on now.

Catchy choruses, great energy, just classic NFG. Do

you

have

a

release

date?

Yep it will be released in the first week of October.

Can you explain your song writing process and how it’s evolved over the years?

It kind of always been the same. I’ll write a song on guitar and write the music for the whole song, then the band gets together and we just play it.

After recording a demo, Steve and I come up with vocal melodies and lyrics. We just bounce ideas off each other to come up with the best possible song.

For record store day you released ‘Mania’, a Ramones compilation album, why did you guys decide to release cover material to honor the day? Do you think record store day is an event people should celebrate more?

We just weren’t ready to write original music at the time.

A while back we played a festival where we played all Ramones songs and Marky Ramone played drums with us. We learned all those songs with Marky and

“We’re open-minded, and rather than growing bitter, we get excited when we see or hear something new that we love. ” 18 -- VENTUREMAG.CO.UK

it was such a fun experience that when it came to the time, we were like ‘Hey, we know all these songs.

Why not make something for Record Store Day.’ The Ramones have that song “Rock and Roll Radio” where he says ‘We need change and we need it fast before rock is just part of the past’ and it’s relatable to the day because people used to go out and buy records but now they don’t. It sort of felt like it fit, so we went with it.

toys

How digital

What’s next in the future for New Found Glory?

do you movement

feel going

about the on today?

I feel like with everything, it’s all relevant to its time.

With music people are often like: ‘Oh, this band sucks’ or whatever. There’s good bands and bad bands with every era, and the same thing applies with formats.

Music used to be so many different formats, and the new one is digital. We’re in the future now and it is something that is going to happen to this industry whether we really like it or not.

Do

you

Honestly, so many the side go on,

have

any

pre-show

rituals?

not really. At this point we’ve played shows that we just get ready, get to of the stage ten minutes before we then go out and play some music.

and

all

that

stuff

so

I

really

enjoy

If you could collaborate with any other artist who would you choose?

I’d like to do something with Tegan and Sara. They’re really close friends of mine and I feel like musically we could collaborate and it would sound different but kind of make sense. It would be something unexpected.

We have a tour late October that I can’t announce yet, but it’s going to be a co- headliner with another band from our era. Then we’re releasing that live album so we’ll definitely be busy the rest of this year.

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How do you guys go about picking your set-lists?

Well for this tour we obviously play ‘Sticks and Stones’ first, then we choose 10 others. We try to play at least one off of every album. We have 7 records so that’s 7 right there. After that we just pick fan favorites. This tour it’s hard to get what everyone wants because we’re playing an entire record, but I think fans enjoy hearing some of those songs we rarely play live.

Outside of the US, where is your favorite place to tour?

Japan.

What are memories

some from

of

your touring

favorite there?

I’ve done a lot of cool things there; I’ve gone to some of the Disney parks. I also really like mixed martial arts stuff so one time I got to see a K-1 event, which is a big kickboxing event at the Budokan. The shopping is fun too. I collect

“You can have the looks and the best equipment, but you have to be hard on yourself to write a good song.”

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it.

8123 TOUR

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BY NICOLE THOMAS

BRIGHTEN

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THIS CENTURY

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AN INTERVIEW WITH THE MAINE

BY MEGAN SAUERS

We caught up with Kennedy of The Maine who spoke to us about the bands new album ‘Forever Halloween’ and touring this summer.

For those who don’t know, Pat and Garrett started the group in early 2007, and found John through our manager Tim (Pat’s older brother) as they were childhood friends. Jared and I joined shortly after the band started, replacing the two original guitarists. It all happened really fast, and we’ve been touring ever since.

How did you come up with the name for your newest album ‘Forever Halloween’?

John had the album name a while before recording. It created a song, which kind of set the mood for the album. I think it sparked from a conversation we had with Ryan Adams. We all felt it was a great focal point for the album.

How is different

the new album going to be from your previous releases?

First off, the way it was recorded was vastly different from other records we have done. We recorded live and to tape, no extra bells and whistles. Fans can expect this record to be sincere, and to the point.

What would the biggest

you say influences

were some of for this album?

It’s hard to say, we are constantly listening to new things, and there was a whole lot of music going around during the writing and recording process. We inspire each other, but I think Brendan Benson had the biggest influence on us.

He let us see our songs in a new light, while allowing us to make ourselves happy musically.

It seems like it hasn’t been too long since you put out ‘Pioneer’. How much time did ‘Forever Halloween’ take to write, and are there any memorable moments from the writing process?

It really started the day we finished ‘Pioneer’. Our band enjoys constantly writing music, and we spend a lot of time analyzing songs in order to better ourselves.

I’m not sure how long it took from start to finish to write the album, but we recorded it in about a month.

The writing is always fun for me, personally.

I really enjoyed the very tail end of the process, where we went to Jared’s cabin and spent a few days writing alone in the woods.

What song are you most looking forward to performing live from the new album this summer?

I’m really looking forward to playing all of the new songs! If I had to pick though, I’d say, “Love and Drugs.”

Will the set for the summer tour be majority of new songs or a good mix of old and new?

We tried to create a nice mix of old. I hope people are pleasantly

new and surprised.

Do you think touring has taught you anything about yourselves and the band?

It has taught us how to be a band. We didn’t have much under our belt before hitting the road, so our travels have been our real time to learn and grow.

What do you tend to listen to while you’re out on the road, do you all like the same music?

There is always a steady stream of music, new and old, for the whole band. We listen to a lot of the same things, and are always adding to the pile.

How would you describe the connection the band has with your fans? Do you think a strong connection with fans is important, and do you think meet and greets and social media has helped you to keep that connection?

Our connection is unlike any other. We have been close to our fans from the beginning of the band, and continue to make it one of our top priorities. The social outlets on the internet helped to give life to our band and allowed us to connect to people, when we couldn’t travel to them. It will always be something we strive to do.

You guys, A Rocket to the Moon, This Century, and Brighten what a lineup! What are you most looking forward to for the 8123 tour?

I am looking forward to playing the new music this summer, and I couldn’t be surrounded by better friends/musicians. I am honestly excited about every aspect of the tour.

Can we expect to see a collaboration on a song during your set for the upcoming tour?

I’m

sure

we

won’t

be

able

to

stop

it.

This will be ARTTM’s final tour. Being close friends with them, do you have any plans to make this tour even more memorable?

We have a thing or two, but they can’t know yet!

What do you have planned for the rest of the year?

Lot and lots of touring and support for our new album. www.twitter.com/themaine www.facebook.com/themaine

30 -- VENTUREMAG.CO.UK

Room 94. www.twitter.com/ROOM94

www.facebook.com/ROOM94

We caught up with on of the UK’s favourite up and coming boybands, Room 94. Made up of brothers Sean, Kieran, Dean and longtime friend Kit, the band formed back in 2007 and they have been touring as a collective since 2010. We learned about their new music, touring, and how social media has helped establish them as a group.

How do you think your new single “Superstar” differs from your previous releases?

It’s probably the most ‘pop’ sounding song we have written, but we still have the guitars and big drums that every rock band has. We’ve managed to capture the feel good side of Room 94 without sacrificing our rock sound.

It’s just a dancey fun time song, very infectious at our live shows!

Can you tell us a bit about your writing process, does it change with every song?

Theres no real structure, it’s always hard to sit down and say ‘let’s write a song!’. Most of the time Kieran will have an idea of what he wants to sing and play and we will sit down and work it all out. It changes each time, especially as we all listen to such diverse types of music! Every member will come in with different ideas and bring that to the table!

You have an extremely dedicated fan base, do you think in some ways social media has helped you achieve this?

We are really active on our sites.

We love to embrace stuff like that, it’s cool for fans to be close to us, and it’s good for us to have that connection with the fans. Without all of them we wouldn’t be able to be doing what we’re doing!

We always post videos YouTube which has inspire kids to want to ticket and not miss out, 32 -- VENTUREMAG.CO.UK

up on helped buy a and we

arrange meet ups before shows over Twitter. All of that has been possible with social media.

Do you think other bands should use methods like Twitcams and Youtube to help grow their audience?

Twitcams and Youtube really do help. Bands shouldn’t solely rely on them though, it’s still a hard job and you have to be willing to travel round and play a lot of shows, sometimes even to only a handful of people. We are lucky that our viewers have increased and that’s down to playing shows, and their friends spreading the word.

Has touring taught you anything about yourselves or the band as a collective?

We all get along great as a band, 3 brothers and a mate. There’s no real arguments, unless Fifa on the playstation is involved! We just gain more experience being on the road, on live shows and how to adapt to different situations. We know what its like to play to one man and his dog, and the feeling you have driven all day just for that.

On the otherhand we know how it feels to play to thousands of screaming girls, so we like to think we have a grounded attitude and take nothing for granted. Each show we put 100% effort in, no matter what.

What do you think are the best and worst things about touring?

Touring is both the best and worst part of being in the band.

The worst part is always the weather, we seem to always hit the traffic and rain and snow. The best part of touring is meeting every single person that has been tweeting their excitement for the shows, and screaming every lyric back. Nothing beats the energy of a live show. It’s just a different twist on the songs too, you can

have fun with them a little more, make it special for the audience.

What could we expect from one of your live shows?

There is usually a lot of crowd participation, shouting and rude jokes... nothing too extreme though!

It’s for anybody that wants to forget everything and have fun and dance around. It could probably count as a gym workout with the amount of jumping people do!

Is there anywhere you haven’t toured yet but want to?

We would love to tour the USA, it looks so amazing over there, with so many different places to visit.

It would be cool to see how the crowd differs from over here. We have been all over Europe which is amazing too and we love it there.

You’re releasing a DVD that aims to document your adventures.

What can you tell us about that?

We have filmed everything we have done as a band since 2010, so we have a lot of footage people haven’t seen. We make Youtube updates, but this is footage we keep and are excited to share with people.

They will be able to see how the band has grown and developed through different stages, right up until this point. It’s exciting! Plus there is some hilarious footage in there from our crazy days off, we always end up in fun places.

You’ll have to wait and see!

What do you have planned for the rest of the year?

We are looking to record our debut album over the summer after our tour, then we have a few little surprises for the rest of the year. Can’t reveal all right now, have to keep everyone on their toes! It might involve us playing some more shows. We just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who is supporting us.

BY: BEKKA COLLINS

ONES TO WATCH

GLASS TOWERS Glass Towers are an indie rock band based in Sydney, Australia. In the summer of 2008 the band was born when vocalist and guitarist Ben Hannam, guitarist Sam Speck, bassist Cameron Holdstock and drummer Daniel Muszynski met in high school.

Their addictive sound can be described as a fusion of layered guitars and soaring choruses.

Like many young Australian bands, Glass Towers found success through the Triple J Unearthed High Competition which focuses on independent and unsigned artists. Their first single “Jumanji” from their second EP ‘Collarbone Jungle’ launched them to the top of the Triple J radio playlist with its breezy guitars and wistful lyrics.

Continuing on from their two EP’s, Glass Towers recently released their highly anticipated debut album ‘Halcyon Days’. A nostalgic take on young love and growing up, each track is 34 -- VENTUREMAG.CO.UK

polished and memorable. They may still be young but Glass Towers have already mastered the art of writing clever, indie pop gems.

With a national album tour set to kick off in Adelaide on August 8th this is just the beginning for Glass Towers. Their passion and talent for song writing has cemented them as one of Australia’s most promising bands. We can’t wait to see what the rest of 2013 has in store for them.

GET SOCIAL www.twitter.com/GlassTowers www.facebook.com/glasstowers BY: MELINA SCARFO

reviews

LAST SHOW: TIGERS JAW BY: RYAN CAPOZZI

How do you say goodbye to something that will never die?

Bostonians gathered at The Sinclair on June 24th in Cambridge, Massachusetts to try to figure that out as they geared up to see beloved Tigers Jaw play their final US show.

The loyal, loving, and crazy fans that so well represent Boston and its music scene filled the venue to capacity, crowding the main floor that sits below the elevated main stage.

Tigers Jaw was asked to play a second night in Boston, but unfortunately, the bands touring alongside them (Pianos Become The Teeth and Dads) couldn’t play another night. However Daylight and Lemuria, bands close to Tigers Jaw, played the show. Daylight opened with a setlist of new and old songs bringing a grungy sound reminiscent to the gritty and grimy feel of early Nirvana that so many love. Both fans and newcomers to Daylight got into their set from beginning to end and many walked out as fans of the band from PA. They payed homage to Tigers Jaw between songs and Lemuria followed afterwards. Fronted by Sheena Ozzella, Lemuria played an enticing set that combined the edginess of Sonic Youth with the calm fuzziness of Pity Sex, all in an up-beat style unique to Lemuria themselves. Undoubtedly, they too ended their set with many new fans, and made way for Tigers Jaw. “They’re gonna open with Return,” at least 5 people in the audience said. Yet even knowing exactly what was gonna happen, The Sinclair exploded from the very first note. Fists flew, people surfed, and voices chanted every lyric to every song. The setlist included “Test Patterns”, “The Sun”, and “Chemicals” which would give any Tigers Jaw fans goosebumps.

It was an unquestionably emotional night in Cambridge and was a tough goodbye for fans and the band too. It seemed painfully clear in the choked-up voice of frontman

Ben Walsh, who stopped to thank the crowd for their support three different times during the set, in which the crowd responded with cheers and, “We love you!”, “Don’t go!”, and “You guys fucking rock!”. One of the night’s surprises was probably that the crowd didn’t storm the stage to hug the frontman.

However, the part of the night that’d make the hairs on the back of any human-being stand up would be when Tigers Jaw played “Never Saw It Coming”. Walsh backed away from the microphone as the crowd immediately started singing every word at the top of their lungs.

From the melodic beginning whose lyrics were second nature to the audience, to the apex of the “YEAHHHHHH YEAAAAAHHH!!!!” at the songs finale. A family of strangers that had only been together a couple hours had managed to sing and scream with more passion than any other chorus or aggregation of people you could ever find, all in the course of 2.5 minutes.

It could’ve been longer but the band cut the song short in which Brianna said, “That’s the shortest I think we’ve ever played this song,” to which one crowd-member who is surely not writing this article replied “It’s okay, no one saw it coming” While that wasn’t the last song they played, the encores build-up was relentless, even with a bruised up and out of breath crowd, the anticipation for their final return to the stage was as though the crowds lives depended on it. The Sinclair exploded for Tigers Jaw one last time when they began playing “I Saw Water”.

It was absolutely deafening in the Cambridge venue, eyeglasses were breaking, drinks were spilling, people seemed to be flying away.

It was a nuclear bomb, a massive explosion that leaves behind nothing, or in this case, an emptiness that follows the final goodbye to the people who wrote much of the audiences soundtrack. In short, Tigers Jaw will never die.

REVIEWS

GIG // Kate Miller-Heidke

SHOW REVIEW: Kate MillerHeidke

BY: MELINA SCARFO

T

he Heavenly Sounds Tour has seen artists such as Julia Stone perform in some of Australia’s most historic churches and cathedrals. Kate MillerHeidke, one of Australia’s most talented musicians, is the latest to embark on the tour. Although classically trained in opera Heidke has had a successful career as a singer-songwriter by combining opera, pop and folk. Performing at the Flinders Street Baptist Church in Adelaide, the magnificent acoustics and architecture made it an experience unlike any other.

Sydney’s very own Brendan Maclean took to the stage first alternating between his ukulele named ‘Murphy Brown’ and keyboard. You might recognise this talented signer songwriter from his recent appearance as Klipspringer in ‘The Great Gatsby’. Maclean performed originals and covers, including his latest single “Stupid”, which had the crowd chuckling at his witty lyrics. Expect a live show from the flamboyant Maclean to include

36 -- VENTUREMAG.CO.UK

crucial advice such as “Never date a ballerina, they will only make you feel fat” and unexpected Katy Perry mash ups.

Kate Miller-Heidke gracefully stepped onto the altar and delivered a breathtaking rendition of “Starlings”, a non-verbal, operatic piece which immediately sent shivers down my spine. Accompanied by collaborator and husband Keir Nuttall on guitar, Heidke launched into folk inspired ballad “The Devil Wears a Suit” from her latest album ‘Nightflight’. The light shining through the stained glass windows created a spiritual atmosphere and I have never seen a crowd so silent. Heidke then returned to old favourites, the eccentric “Politics in Space” and thought provoking “Caught in the Crowd”, from her critically acclaimed second album ‘Curiouser’.

Heidke ability

has the impressive to tell vivid stories

through every song and her lyrics are cleverly laced with humour. “Sarah” is inspired by the haunting, true story of a girl who disappeared at a music festival while crowd favourite “Can’t Shake It” tells of Heidke’s struggle to move her body to the latest hit.

Working wonders with a tambourine and shaker, Heidke delivered a stunning performance of her new song “Oh Vertigo!”. The yodelling towards the end proves that there is no limit to what she can do with her remarkable voice. As requested, Heidke revisited her theatrical and amusing cover of Talking Head’s “Psycho Killer” before closing the night with the touching “Last Day On Earth”.

The Heavenly Sounds Tour has once again delighted audiences across Australia. Kate Miller-Heidke is blessed with an extraordinary gift and it was a privilege to witness her unique talent in its purest form. She truly does possess the voice of an angel.

ON THE RADAR //

RADAR

On the Radar

BY: BEKKA COLLINS

BY: BEKKA COLLINS

BY: BEKKA COLLINS

SIR SLY

leopards

meadowlark

Check out “Gold”

Check out “Have Heart”

Check out “Family Tree”

SIR SLY are an almost mysterious trio from Los Angeles, CA. Made up of Landon Jacobs, Jason Suwito and Hayden Coplen the band formed only a year ago. Sir Sly certainly let their music speak for them, as with little to no information on this three piece, their music is their only indicator. Infectious beats and compelling vocals, there isn’t anything that this three piece are lacking.

They could quite easily be the next big thing, and you’d be a fool to miss out.

LEOPARDS are a fivepiece act from the UK who formed a mere year ago.

They recently released their newest single, “Have Heart”, which displays their fresh take on alternative poprock music with intriguing lyrics and punchy hooks.

With a catchy but simplistic chorus “Have Heart” will easily be a fan favourite, and deserves to generate the band a great deal of exposure. They are currently touring across the UK with other UK acts TheAfterparty and Avosetta.

MEADOWLARK are a three piece indie-folk act made up of Daniel Broadley, Carl Jones and Kate McGill.

The trio announced the unveiling of the band back in March of this year, and have already supported the likes of Bastille and Elvis Costello. Preparing for their first headline UK show, their irresistible melodies and sincere lyrics will be sure to get them far. This is one band that seem to have everything worked out, and we can’t wait to see where they end up. .

www.twitter.com/sirsly

www.twitter.com/weareleopards

www.twitter.com/meadowlarkHQ

www.facebook.com/sirslymusic

www.facebook.com/weareleopards

www.facebook.com/meadowlarkofficial

REVIEWS

ALBUM REVIEWS//

album reviews ONE TWO THREE four five OUT OF / five

HANDS LIKE HOUSES ‘UNIMAGINE’

Australian band Hands Like Houses further establish their unique sound on their second full length album, ‘Unimagine.’ The careful blend of post-hardcore vocals and musicality with electronic elements translates to a grand and impactful record, reminiscent of ‘The Hearts of Lonely People’ by Isles and Glaciers. Lead singer Trenton Woodley manipulates his powerful voice to create different moods and tones. Woodley sounds quite bluesy on tracks like “The House You Built,” while still managing to sound punchy and raw on “Developments” and “A Tale of Outer Suburbia.” The album offers a great emotional range, not only from track to track, but throughout each song. Stand out song “A Tale of Outer Suburbia” weaves vulnerability and strength to create an overall dynamic track. While the electronic elements add depth to the sound, sometimes the many elements of each song make some tracks feel cluttered.

WE WERE FRONTIERS ‘GIVETH TAKETH AWAY’

38 -- VENTUREMAG.CO.UK

For a band that formed only a little over a year ago, We Were Frontiers newest release ‘Giveth Taketh Away’, sounds like it has been created by a band who have been together for years. Opener “Night Terrors” begins with powerful percussion before building into a folk-infused rock track that could easily top the charts. “Glorious Days” is slower in pace, but lyrically upbeat, with an increasing bluegrass vibe as the chorus progresses. “Madness of July” is a quirky addition but the overused “ba ba da’s” makes it feel like just a filler track. Closing the album is “Devils Type” which has a simplistic riff and darker vocals, but ends the album in an anthemic and dominant way. This four-track release combines a variety of sounds together, and for once we have found a band who actually have a truly individual and unique sound that they deserve to be praised for.

ALBUM REVIEWS //

REVIEWS

TALLHART

‘WE ARE THE SAME’

Tallhart are the first band signed to Max Bemis’ (Say Anything) imprint label Rory Records, which is distributed on Equal Vision Records. ‘We Are The Same’ is the bands sophomore release, and is a collection of ten tracks. Their sound is melodic and honest as the band touch upon the themes of love and loss across the record. Their lustful lyrics and anthemic choruses spark energetic outbursts and show the bands genuine talent. “Fighter” deserves a mention, purely because it’s reminiscent of Stereophonic’s “Dakota” but standout tracks are “See God Again” which plays upon subtle keys and endearing riffs and “We Are The Same” which is hard-hitting, bold and a powerful end to the album. ‘We Are The Same’ is a truthful representation of the bands sound and talent, and is a step above their debut release ‘Bloodlines.’

THE AMBIENT LIGHT ‘NOSTALGIA TRIP’

The deluxe edition of ‘Nostalgia Trip’ by California pop-rockers, The Ambient Light, features three previously unreleased tracks and one B-side. Opener “Thanks For The Lift” is a perfect introduction to the tranquil nature of the album which continues to render you into a dreamlike state. Their ability to craft such thought provoking songs is impressive for a purely instrumental act, and in all honesty, the lack of lyrics is different, but a change that works well for this group allowing their music to speak for itself. With psychedelic vibes and constant musical experimentation, no song is alike, yet they easily tie in with one another. Composition wise, the band show they have a strong understanding of how to structure a song, and continue to blend genres into one another. This album has a stronger impact than what you would originally think, with tracks like “Past Life”, “Cloud Surfing” and “Twenty-Two” really paving the way for instrumental artists.

NGHBRS

‘TWENTY ONE ROOMS’

‘Twenty One Rooms’ is NGHBRS attempt at showing the world that they are not just another pop-rock act in this ever expanding music world. Having listened to the album a bunch of times, it’s clear this New York quintet have a much stronger, and edgier vibe than a lot of other acts around. Led by singles “Hold Up Girl” and “1990” their grittier approach to rock is evident, with punchier riffs and more forceful choruses they have definitely found their niche. Title track “Twenty One Rooms” seems to give off an almost vintage vibe, while “Dead Man’s Reprise” is radio ready and energetic. Though still a young band, NGHBRS have not only developed their sound to an impressive level, but they’re bringing back the true rock sound that we’ve all been missing. This is one of the best albums released this summer, and you’ll be missing out if you don’t give it a listen.

YOUNGBLOOD HAWKE

Following the hiatus of Iglu and Hartly, how did Youngblood Hawke come into existence?

Youngblood Hawke came into existence when Simon and I trapped ourselves in his tiny bedroom studio for the summer and began writing songs together.

We were in a really dark place. We had devoted the last 7 years of our lives to Iglu & Hartly and one day that all came to a crashing end. We were angry, lost, confused, dead broke and looking for a way to dig ourselves out of the hole we found ourselves in. We were hopeful that things would change. They had to.

We spent days and days experimenting, writing hundreds of songs, pouring out all of our emotions into these songs. It was a very cathartic experience.

Simon and I never felt like we had a voice in the other band, we could never express ourselves how 40 -- VENTUREMAG.CO.UK

we wanted. This was our chance to make music that was close to our hearts, music that was a reflection of our personalities. Once we had written enough songs that we were proud of, we passed our demo out to our closest musician friends in hopes that they would join the band. Luckily, they all agreed and we started rehearsing and playing local gigs immediately.

How of

would music

you describe the you’re creating

kind now?

Describing our music has always been difficult for me; I find it similar to describing a color. But I’d say our music has an upbeat, anthemic feel to it. It’s a strange mix of our favorite genres.

We like to blend weird stories with uplifting messages. We worked really hard to create something unique, something that was our own.

Your debut album ‘Wake Up’ has gained tremendous support since its release. What has that been like?

An absolute dream come true! We poured our hearts, soul, blood, sweat, tears, time, sanity, sleep, relationships, family, everything into these songs.

Each one of these songs is incredibly personal, and to have people react so positively is a feeling that you can’t describe. We feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to create music again. It’s all we want to do.

Is there listeners to

anything you take away from

want your your album?

I want it to move people! I want it to entertain them, inspire them. I want our listeners to feel good, to feel hopeful.

You worked with the West LA Children’s Choir for your debut single “We Come Running”, as well as “Stars (Hold On)”. What drove the decision to have kids featured on the album?

Having kids sing on our songs was something we’ve always wanted. They bring something magical, something youthful to the tracks. They sound so beautiful! “We Come Running” is about not letting obstacles get in your way, not giving up, having a child-like view on the world and that nothings too big to accomplish. We felt that having kids on that song would really drive that message home. These kids were pros! They came in the studio and nailed it after a few takes! They were 6-14 years old and the minute they started singing everyone was glowing with huge smiles on their faces. It was adorable.

Tell us about the video for “We Come Running”.

How crazy was it to swim with sharks?!

“We Come Running” is about facing your fears, not letting your fears get in the way of living your life. We thought what better way to let people know that we were serious about our message than to face our own fears.

It was the most insane thing any of us had ever done! Period. We were under the water surrounded by 14-foot tiger sharks for about an hour and a half. They were inches away, no cages. The first 10 minutes were terrifying, but after a while you found yourself in a peaceful zen-like trance. Once you realized they weren’t going to rip your head off.

Being up close and personal with these sharks was an incredibly moving experience. They’re beautiful, mysterious, powerful creatures. Not many people get the chance to interact with them. It changed our lives.

Fleetwood Mac, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, etc.

When we’re on the road I don’t think we listen to the same thing twice, everybody is always showing each other different bands and new songs that they dig. Lately I’ve been listening to Bon Iver, Purity Ring, Kendrick Lamar and Phantogram.

Who

inspires

you,

musically

or

personally?

My friends! I’m lucky to be surrounded by some pretty amazing people. I’m constantly in awe of them. We all feed off each other and I’m always learning from them.

What is the recording process like for you guys?

It starts with Simon and I in his bedroom studio.

Simon will construct an instrumental and then I’ll start writing lyrics to it. We work on the melodies together until we come up with something that we’re happy with. It’s very collaborative.

We work off the feeling of the song; whatever emotions the music brings up, we’ll follow it. After we have the base of the song written we bring the demo into the studio and the rest of the band throws their flavor on it with bass, drums and additional guitars and vocals. It’s a big group effort at that point.

How was your tour earlier this year with Keane?

Amazing! We were honored to share the stage with Keane! They’re an amazing live act and we learned a ton from watching them night after night. Great guys too! I think people were surprised by our energy when we took the stage but their crowd was very receptive to us. We had a blast!

Who

would

you

love

to

tour

with?

I’d love to tour with The Killers! We just played a festival with them recently and they blew my mind. Their live show is perfect!

What’s in store for Youngblood Hawke in 2013?

Touring touring touring!

We’ll be on the road for the rest of the year playing as many shows as we can!

We’re playing US festivals this summer, heading to the UK for a few shows in July and opening for Pink in Australia for the month of August. Road dogs! It’ll be a busy year!

GET SOCIAL

What kind of music do you like to listen to when you’re not creating it yourselves?

www.twitter.com/YoungbloodHawke

All kinds! Everyone in the band has varied musical tastes. We’re constantly listening to different tunes. I think we’re all fans of the greats,

www.facebook.com/youngbloodhawke BY: BRITTANY MCGARITY

photographer profile

Ian Collins

Tom Falcone is a commerical and documentary photographer mainly working in the music industry field. His images have been used for magazine covers and album art, and his dedication to his work has allowed him to tour the world. In this profile Tom told us how he got started in photography, his career highlights, what it’s like working with popular band Mayday Parade and what being on the road has taught him.

How

did

you

get

started

in

GET SOCIAL www.twitter.com/ IanCollinsPhoto

http://www.iancollinsphoto.co.uk

photography?

It started as a bit of a hobby really, I was a massive fan of Kerrang! so when a few friends bands started out I would take pictures of them and take inspiration from the shots in Kerrang!

Eventually I managed to get the chance to help Paul Harries on some shoots and that helped me a lot.

You’ve worked for publications in the past and are currently working for Kerrang! What do you enjoy most about working for publications?

Working for publications is great, the work is different every week so it keeps me on my toes. You also get to meet a lot of people that open up other working relationships. I have a studio in Essex and would probably go crazy if I worked in that 24/7

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What had

was the

the first magazine cover you opportunity to photograph?

My very first would have been Ourzone magazine online. I was with those guys from the beginning and it was great to see the magazine grow and progress. With Kerrang! I have had a couple of shots appear on the cover with other shots (Austin Carlile and Rob Damiani) but recently I just did my first full Kerrang cover feature with Bring me the Horizon out in LA at Warped Tour.

Do you think it is necessary to get experience in a wealth of fields, or is it equally important to garner experience in a specific field of your interest (ie music, nature, lifestyle)?

It’s not essential to know how to do every field

of photography. Each aspect has vastly different techniques and styles so it would be hard to specialise in more than one. However it is good to be open minded and not too focused, a lot of music portraiture will incorparate lifestyle and culture so it is good to be clued up.

Has social media helped your career at all?

Social media is massive in all forms of media now, it’s a great way for me to discover bands to pitch work to, as well as them coming across my work. Ultimately without the online side of things including online mags, I would be a lot further back in my career than I am right now.

What have been your career highlights so far?

Without doubt shooting the recent BMTH cover in LA. It was all a little last minute as I had tagged along to my girlfriend and her business parters business trip and I got a call when I was out there, so it was all very hectic. Also shooting Alice Cooper in Roma will always be a career highlight.

What main

do you think are some of the preconceptions about the industry?

The whole music and photography industry is hard, there is a lot of people just picking up cameras and calling themselves photographers which is hard because it can devalue the work of hard working people.

However, everyone has to start somewhere so it’s hard criticise really. I’m sure someone thought the same of me when I was younger.

Is there any advice you would give to people who want to get involved with photography?

The biggest advice is to take it seriously and be prepared to make sacrifices. The people not doing this will soon fail at the wayside.

What do you want to accomplish in your career?

I have been lucky enough to turn a hobby into a career so I suppose the next step is to do all the adult things like buy a house etc, hopefully I can keep up the work and do that.

What do you have planned for the rest of 2013?

There are a couple more festivals be at this year but other than to say. Publication work tends to little warning, it’s a very week by

left that I will that it’s hard come in with week industry.

26

INTERVIEW: THE AFTERPARTY

ONES TO WATCH BY: BEKKA COLLINS

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How

did

you

decide

to

form

the

band?

We originally knew each other from previous bands and through the Southampton Music Scene. We all shared the same ambition and drive, and as a result it wasn’t long before we came together to form The Afterparty.

You have recently released your newest single “Liar Liar”. Why did you decide to release this song, and how has the feedback been so far?

We chose “Liar Liar” as a way of setting the tone for our upcoming mini-album due for release in early 2014. The track reflects the way in which our band has matured and developed in style over the past year since our debut EP. So far the feedback’s been very positive; it was incredible for us to see it in the iTunes rock charts, and it always goes down well live.

Where did you get the inspiration from for the video for “Liar, Liar”?

From the lyrics really, as the track as a whole is about the negative aspects of a failing relationship, the backstabbing and the cheating. This gave us a clear starting point from which to come up with an awesome treatment. We felt that shooting in black and white really helped to show off the cold winter setting, and the overall sentiment.

We were really pleased with how it turned out.

Could you tell us about your writing process when it comes to writing new material?

We don’t have a fixed writing process as such, it really varies from track to track. Generally though Matt (guitarist) and Nic (singer) work together on the initial structure, and we take it from there.

You won our band poll over on Facebook.

Do you think the dependance on social media has helped or hindered bands like yourselves?

There’s no question that it’s helped bands like us. Given how little money people have available these days, being able to check out new bands for free through platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and webzines such as Venture really is helpful for getting new bands’ names out there. It’s also vital now for interacting with fans outside of shows, and vice versa.

You’re on the road a lot. Do you think you have learned anything about yourselves individually or as a band from being on tour?

I think it’s fair to say that we’ve learnt a lot about how far we’re willing to push ourselves to do this. We’ve

sacrificed jobs and relationships in order to commit to everything. As a band we’ve also grown a lot closer as a group, and learned to keep each other motivated.

You recently How did around, and

played Download Festival. that opportunity come how was the experience?

It was a huge surprise for us actually. Our manager just called us up one day out of the blue and told us we’d been offered the spot, and we couldn’t believe it. It was one of those things we all dreamed of playing when we were younger so it was a pretty surreal experience. We’d love to play more festivals like that next year as it was one of the best weekends as a band we’ve ever had.

What and

do you think worst things

are about

the best touring?

The best thing for us about touring has to be the sense of freedom you get from being on the road, away from day jobs and our day to day lives, doing what we’re passionate about, and of course playing shows is what we love most about being in a band.

The worst thing though definitely has to be the amount of travelling and less than ideal living standards you have to deal with when you’re on tour for a long period.

The positives definitely outweigh the negatives though.

What do you have planned for the rest of the year?

We’re touring the UK this month with Avosetta and Leopards, as well as playing Burn Out Festival down in Bournemouth with the likes of Kids In Glass Houses and We Are The Ocean. After that we’re shooting our next music video in August and then we’re hitting the road again in September before recording our mini-album.

Is there anything else you would like to say?

Just a big thank you to everyone who voted for us as Ones To Watch, and if people are looking to order tickets for our tour this month they can do through our big cartel page.

GET SOCIAL www.twitter.com/AFTERPARTYUK

www.facebook.com/theafterpartyofficial

the postelles

Could you give us a brief history of how the band formed and tell us how you came up with the name ‘The Postelles’?

We formed in high school in New York City.

The name was created because we all love the Motown era bands like the Shirelles, which made me come up with the idea The Postelles If you had to use 3 words to describe your music and what you are about, what would they be?

We are through.

a rock and roll I’d say soulful,

band through and catchy and rock.

Your sound is very individual, what band(s) would you say have influenced you?

A ton of bands have influenced us but a few would be The Clash, The Stone Roses, The Zombies and Jimmy Cliff.

You released your second album ‘...And It Shook Me’ in April, was there a meaning or message you tried to convey through this album?

There definitely is no message or hidden meaning. The album is about our lives and the relationships we’ve had over the years. It was heavily influenced by touring and seeing some amazing places over the years. I think it’s important that a listener should find their own meaning and message from whatever music they are listening to.

How do you think ‘...And It Shook Me’ differs from your debut release, is there anything you did differently on this album?

We definitely approached the recording of this album in a very different way. We knew our way around the studio more which made us much more comfortable to try new things and evolve the sound of the record.

We didn’t just plug in and play it live as we did with our first record, we spent a lot of time on each track.

Can you tell us a bit about your writing process, do you follow a specific structure or does it differ with each song?

It differs with each song, but almost every track starts in my bedroom or some bed somewhere.

I like to have a chord change or melody going before we orchestrate as a band. Some songs are more fleshed out and some aren’t at all, but each song gets it’s signature sound when the band gets together and everyone puts their own stamp on it.

Do you think the dependence on social media has helped or hindered artists when it comes to being noticed?

It definitely helps give more bands the chance to

make fans and make it big. It does take away the mystery of that fan to band connection. We love speaking with our fans, it’s important to us. I do think some bands overuse their social media accounts and it can be overbearing, but I like that you can release music to a wide variety of people whenever you want.

You’re playing in New York and Mexico in the next few months, would you consider touring the UK any time soon?

We’d love to tour in the UK. We toured the entire UK with The Futureheads and had a great time. There is a great music scene and some amazing venues. We would definitely consider it.

You’ve shared the stage with many notable acts, would you say you have learned anything about yourselves individually or as band from being on the road?

We’ve learned almost everything from being on the road. We became the band we are by being on the road and visiting almost every city in North America and many in other places in the world.

There is nothing more amazing than travelling and being able to play shows, but it’s also very tiring and emotionally draining. We’ve learned to be more patient with eachother and on the music side, we’ve learned how to play to almost any type of crowd and put on a great show.

What is your biggest achievement so far and what is something you hope to accomplish.

Opening for Chuck Berry was amazing. We hope to get better and better as musicians, though we are very proud of ‘...And It Shook Me,’ and we are very proud of that accomplishment.

What do you have planned for the rest of the year?

We just got off of a hometown show in work on some new excited to play our

long tour and an amazing NYC. We are going to music and we are very first show in Mexico City.

Is there anything else you would like to say?

Thanks for we hope

checking out our music and you enjoy the new album.

GET SOCIAL www.twitter.com/thepostelles www.facebook.com/ThePostelles BY: KIM DIBBLE

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THE MAINE BY: NICOLE THOMAS

MAG

VENTURE FOUNDER + EDITOR IN CHIEF BEKKA COLLINS: Founder / Press / Graphic Design / Editorial / Writer BREANNE GILL: Editor In Chief

PHOTOGRAPHERS NICOLE THOMAS / JARRED SENG / IAN COLLINS

writers MELISA BAYKENT / RYAN CAPOZZI / KIM DIBBLE / BRITTANY MCGARITY / JULIA PURCELL / ELIZABETH TOLBERT / MEGAN SAUERS / MELINA SCARFO / CODI TROSPER /

special thanks Stephanie Marlow / New Found Glory / Fluroescent Hearts / Erika Clark / Ashley Allen / James Lloyd / Rachel Miller / Easy Killer / The Maine / Youngblood Hawke / Room 94 / Poppy Ballard / Ian Collins / The Postelles / Ashlea Mackin / Leo Nicholas / William Adamson.

contact WEBSITE www.venturemag.co.uk TWITTER www.twitter.com/ventureuk FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/ventureuk tumblr www.venturemag.tumblr.com YOUTUBE www.youtube.com/venturemag

FACEBOOK.COM/VENTUREUK @VENTUREUK WWW.VENTUREMAG.CO.UK JULY ISSUE 2013

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