Want to advertise on beatthescene.com?
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
|
The Bigger Lights Myspace Tanya: Introduce yourselves and what it is you do in the band? J.K.: I'm J.K. and I play guitar and sing. Topher: I'm Topher and I sing only lol. Rachel: How did the band form? J.K.: Dan (bassist) and I were in a band for several years together before TBL. When that group disbanded, we wanted to keep working together.. so around january of this year or so, we started laying out plans for a new group and auditioning people we ended up finding topher and john paul in around may or so, they were playing with a different band that was on the outs at the time as well. Ultimately, we found mikey in mid-july so the group was in the works for a while.. but we didn't really get things nailed down but about two months ago,but we're really happy with it.. i think we all feel a lot more at home in this band than we did in any of our previous projects :] Tanya: What's the story behind the bands name? Topher: Well when the band was initially writing some of the early material we were thinking about names and "the bigger lights" was from shakespeares "The Tempest" andin it, he refers to the stars as the bigger lights. J.K.: At the time, the reference was symbolic of the great unknown which we thought was neat. Rachel: What are some of the bands major influences? J.K.: As far as influences go, we're a really across the board band.. I think it'd be really hard to narrow down our influences into a concise list I mean.. if you were riding in the van with us to a show the playlist would be wild hahaha. But, i guess what's more relevent is how people perceive the ultimate product of all those influences we get a lot of comparisons to the academy is, boys like girls, anberlin, the format, etc. Tanya: Does the band collectively write the songs or is there certain band members that write? Topher: As far as the melodies and lyrics are concerned, j.k. and I generally take care of that aspect. The actual music and the ideas for songs pretty much come from everyone in the band. Its usually a small guitar line or drum part that strikes creativity and the song is built around that. Rachel: How long is the writing process usually for you guys? J.K.: A lot of bands have a set process, you know? Like one guy writes the songs and then the bands learn them.. or the band jams small ideas and then adds lyrics and melody last.. something like that, for us, it's a way more open-ended process some of the songs practically write themselves and come super quickly, others take a little bit longer to really iron out. I think that comes from the fact that there's not really just one idea originator in the group, you know? Since everyone writes, we sort of run with a "best idea survives" kind of mentality. Tanya: Pick any one of your songs and give us the meaning behind it? Topher: well "when did we lose ourselves" was kind of really this statement about growing up and not taking chances, I was seeing alot of my friends kind of fall in line and continue to do what they thought was correct or '"right" for the next phase of their lives. J.K.: i.e. corporate career, early marriage, etc. But not necessarily because it's what they wanted to do more so because it's what they felt was socially obligatory, so the idea behind that song is sort of this call to arms. Rachel: which song gets the best crowd response? J.K.: Live, I'd say revved & ready has gotten really energetic reactions, but online, romance seems to have been the favorite.It makes sense.. revved has a much more live energy to it, ya know? Tanya: You seem to really appreciate your fans, which is GREAT. Is it sometimes hard to talk to all of them? Topher: There are definitley times that its more tough to respond to everyone, but we are a very fan focused band, so we try our very hardest to talk to everyone. Tanya: I really like that about you guys, because so many bands these days dont appreciate the fans. J.K.: I think that's one of the biggest reasons that we wanted to work together to begin with, we all wanted to be part of something that was very fan-focused and approachable.We don't ever want kids to think they can't talk to us, online or in person I mean, seriously? We're just normal kids we just happen to love writing songs and playing them for people :] Rachel: Speaking of talking to your fans online, what are your thoughts on how myspace has affected your fanbase and music in general? J.K.: It's become an unbelievably powerful force in the industry. Topher: Myspace is a fantastic thing, it has given us the opportunity to reach the kids the way that we want to. J.K.: And in a timely fashion. Topher: And continue to interact with everyone that is involved with us. J.K.: I mean, we're super new we haven't toured yet.. we haven't done a lot of the conventional things that bands who have been around for longer have. Tanya: For a new band I must say you have a pretty big fanbase! Topher: we are so thankful for the initial fanbase and reaction to our music. Tanya: How does it feel to know that your making music that will have an impact on so many peoples lives? J.K.: wow Topher: we never thought that it would reach as far as it did as quickly as it has. There was definitely an intention to write songs that could make an impact. We just hope that people can listen to our music or read our lyrics and walk away with an emotion or feeling that ultimately has a positive effect on people. J.K.: At least as best we can, you know? Rachel: so do you guys have any plans for touring in the near future? Topher: There are definitely plans and things in the works, but nothing certain quite yet. Tanya: What is one thing you want new readers to know about the band? Topher: That we formed with the intention of writing good music that will make an impact with people, and we hope that we have the opportunity to make a difference in peoples lives, whether that be through a feel good song or something with a deeper message. Rachel: Do you guys have any last words? J.K.: Barbeque. Just because i like saying it. But seriously... most importantly, thank you. Topher: Just a huge thank you for taking the time to talk to us and giving our band this opportunity ;D J.K.: Honestly, the positive support and love has been overwhelming, for a brand new band, we couldn't have asked for a better response. 
 INDEX | ARTICLES | INTERVIEWS | REVIEWS | PHOTOS | MEDIA | CONTESTS | STAFF  ONLINE � 2007 Beat The Scene. All Rights Reserved. All original content is the sole property of Beat The Scene. Nothing can be removed from the site without written permission from the site and artist. |
NEWEST INTERVIEWS
• Chris Woods
|
|---|
