Interview with Trauma Lanes!

I love me some high-energy tunes! Milton, ON-based post-hardcore

Photo: STS Promotions
+ Cuts Media

band, Trauma Lanes brings it! 

Here is the interview!



I see you guys are heading back into the studio for your 3rd EP! Can you tell us how this one will differ from the previous ones?

Photo: trumpetsmash.com

TL: It’s a split with our friends from Damage Control with a brand-new guitarist that has brought a lot of newer sounds and ideas to the table. It’s a lot heavier, more southern and riffy compared to our older stuff.

What is your favorite part of playing live?

TL: Definitely the three people that show up that are trapped there and are forced to listen to us… they accidentally showed up and don’t know what they are in for. But actually, the energy in the crowd. It’s always what fuels us every time no matter what.

Least favorite?

TL: Fucking up, forgetting parts. We ALWAYS have a technical breakdown or some kind. Sinco kicking out a cord 75% of the time haha.

What would your dream show be like? Where would it be?

TL: Big fields, barn burner shows…we’re an easy band to please.

If you were to collab. with artists -dead or alive- who would you want to work with?

Photo: STS Promotions
+ Cuts Media

TL: Would love to do a CD where Devin Townsend does the producing for the album. Would love to work with Adam Dee from Killswitch Engage, Dave Grohl can't miss that…and The Gorgeous if they were still playing shows.

If a restaurant had a meal named after the band, what would be in it?

TL: It wouldn't even be a meal; we would be a sauce. Donair sauce called Trauma Sauce.

Photo: trumpetsmash.com

What are the highlights of your career so far?

TL: Whenever we have played in Waterloo it’s always been fucking bananas, anywhere in the tri-city area has always been a highlight.


We are trying to rebuild a hardcore community/family and that’s really a big highlight for us so far. There is a lot of support coming from everyone in the scene and we just love it and want to keep building on top of that.

Anything else you would like to add?

TL: Just want to give a few Shout outs to Damage Control,

Photo: trumpetsmash.com

Hellbent, Sinner, Watering hole, Fragment, Single Wound, Mr. Hands, Common Oath, The Hoff Brothers, Eddie from 414 Recordings, Jesse Alarcon, Terry, Samantha for taking our pictures ALL the time, and Pizza Balls.

Thank you so much for your time, and I look forward to seeing what's next for you guys!

For upcoming shows, announcements, new music releases, etc., get social! Follow Trauma Lanes on Facebook , Instagram and check out their site!

@thatchickkrys

Interview with Brandon Gregory of Drop Top Alibi!

Photo: Francesca Ludikar

Sometimes your ears stumble upon a band that takes you to another era (or a hybrid of a few) you weren't even old enough to enjoy. Toronto-based rock band, Drop Top Alibi is one of those bands!

Here is my interview with frontman, Brandon Gregory!

I hear you guys are back in the studio cooking up some new music! Can you spill some details on what the flavor of the new tunes will be like? 

BG: Yes we are! And it’s such a great feeling. These songs are definitely a lot more mature and fearless from a songwriting point of view. We’ve spent the last few years really trying to figure out a way to blend the darkness and the light that exists in all of our styles. Led Zeppelin and Alice in Chains are two great examples. Zeppelin could go from Immigrant Song, into The Rain Song and nobody would bat an eye. Alice could go from We Die Young  to No Excuses and the fan base would sing along to both. That was something we always wanted to achieve, and knew we could. The key has been to stop giving a fuck really. It’s good to have both, and each song still undeniably sounds like us. 

Photo: Josh Qubti

Having a solidified line up that has been touring and writing for a year now has made a huge difference as well. We are in tune with each other and are having a lot of fun blending everything and anything to see what can happen. Drop Top is definitely still a heavy and grooving band, but the spectrum of sounds and groove elements have become far more in depth. But again, the key has been being fearless and not giving a fuck.

What are your top 3 favorite things about the songwriting process?

BG: Comradery is definitely one of them. It’s always a rewarding process when one person pitches an idea for a section, or maybe has a verse and a chorus ready but nothing else really, and everyone gets an opportunity to bring an idea forward. Brandon typically comes up with the original ideas or has a song about 75% done, and then everyone leaves their mark. Some times the groove or pocket will change, someone will have a different melody idea, harmony starts to come into play and of course tone selection. That’s Dylan’s specialty, and it adds so much to the overall mood of the song.

For me, when I’m writing on my acoustic at home, and I really start to feel like I’m onto something, that rush is unlike no other. It’s excitement, anxiousness, anticipation, nervousness, and even extreme happiness or sadness depending on where the music is taking me. It’s always exhilarating, and that feeling of “Oh man I fucking can’t wait to show the boys,” always puts me in a good place.

Lastly, the element of the chase and the fact that we are all in it

Photo: Melissa Aquino

together trying to make the song exactly what it should be. That chase doesn’t end until you’ve received your final master back, and it is by far the most rewarding part of the process. Production, mixing, and arrangement are all so important to the songwriting process, and it is the part that everyone has a place to speak every time. Sometimes, someone will write a song front to back and not much needs to be worked on. When that happens, other than writing your own part for yourself, input doesn’t need to come from everyone. But the chase -until the song is mastered and all finished- involves everyone, and truly is a team effort.

Brandon- your vocals are unreal. I’m sure others would agree it’s very Vince Neil meets Axl Rose, with a modern twist. Any tips on how you keep your voice conditioned for gigs?

BG: Thank you Krystal, I really appreciate it! Honestly, the biggest help for me has been my experience singing in choirs. I went to the University of Windsor for two years studying guitar, and I had to do ensemble credits while I was there. I always opted to sing in choirs, and learned how to use a technique called “head voice.” That has saved me from having to belt my lungs out to sing high and with power. Preparation on show day usually entails making sure I haven’t eaten too much to close to show time and a couple shots of vodka. It’s important for your body to not be doing anything that drains energy, like digesting. Plus smoking is a no go, until after the show and only if it’s green.

What are your favorite things about performing live? Least fave?

BG: Our favorite things about it are definitely connecting with the crowd through our music, feeding off their energy and channeling it into our performance. The sheer workout of a high energy set is always fun, and meeting new people and hanging out after the show is great too!

It’s safe to say the least favorite thing is lugging gear around.

If there were a fair food (like weird food at the CNE) named after the band, what would be in it?

BG: If something was ever created and named after the band, it would more then likely be some sort of moonshine. May contain pure gasoline.

Photo: Michelle Pellegrino

It's safe to say, that would be the the craziest thing served at a fair! What are some of the highlights of the band’s career so far?

BG: We’ve had the opportunity to work with some legendary people like Norwood Fisher (Fishbone) and Gilby Clarke (Formerly of GnR). Their mentorship and friendship have been invaluable, and we are hoping to get back to LA soon with our new tunes! We got to tour with Gilby in 2017, and party with him and his family in LA when we went down there to visit earlier that same year. Working with him at Metal Works was an amazing experience as well. The wealth of knowledge that man has about rock n roll and how to make it is amazing to be around.

We did a tour run throughout the summer of 2018 supporting our single Heavy Metal Baby, which was a blast. Lastly, the current recording process we are in the middle of has been great as well. There are no timelines, no clocks, and everything we’re trying to make happen sonically is coming together! We are very excited. Having a five-time Juno Award-winning producer in Michael Hanson who is both fearless and creative has been a blessing. 

Sounds like good times all around! If you were to form a dream tour with any artists-dead or alive- who would you tour with?

BG: This question is too hard to answer! Maybe a dream festival line up with bands like; Led Zeppelin, QOTSA, Aerosmith, Guns n’ Roses, Soundgarden, Queen, The Stones, The Beatles, Hendrix, Oasis, Chili Peppers...We should probably stop there!

Anything else you would like to add?

Photo: Josh Qubti

BG: Rock 'n' Roll Ain’t fucking dead! It’s hard to see that sometimes in North America, where hip hop and club music is the big thing. All across the world, rock music is thriving, and there is an uprising of youth that feel alienated from current pop culture, who want to rebel and be heard. Bands like Cleopatrick have made this abundantly clear to us.

History repeats itself. We just came out of a disco phase with EDM, now we’re in a time with mumble rap that is reminiscent of Glam Metal in terms of decadence, excess, and bad behavior. So what comes next? An alienated generation of suburban kids who don’t identify with any of that bull shit. Last time that happened, Kurt Cobain came along. We’re excited to see how the next chapter pans out, and we hope to be a part of a movement that makes these kids feel like there is something to be a part of.

 #DTARNR

Thank you so much for your time and I look forward to seeing what's next for the band!

Like what you hear? Get social! Click here to find Drop Top Alibi on social media!

@thatchickkrys

Interview with Ben Gleason of Source!

Once upon a time, in the U.S of A, I was a merch girl for

Photo: Randy Edwards

rock bands. While on a five-week run with a different band a couple of years back, I watched Boulder, CO-based prog-metal trio, Source play pretty much every night as they promoted their debut album Return To Nothing.

Despite the band's busy schedule (jumping from releasing their latest album Totality, straight into a six-week tour they are currently on), I got the chance to catch up with front man, Ben Gleason! 


Your single “Totality” off the namesake album sounds great! What are your favorite experiences working on the latest album? 

BG: I took a vacation to my parents lake house in the summer when I was writing the album. I ended up writing a lot of the music for Embodied, The Changes, Constant and Intimacy on that trip. My parents' beautiful little cabin on a lake in the Northwoods is where I spent a lot of my childhood. It's definitely my fondest memory of creating the new album. 


Sounds like a zen spot! The current lineup of the band sounds great! How did you all meet? 

BG: I met Justin at a show our old drummer was filling in on. He saw that Georges (former drummer) left the band a year later, sent us a video of him playing and I knew he was the perfect drummer for Source. My friend Andy recommended Riley to us after Dan (former bassist) quit 2 weeks after finishing the record to join (the band) Flaw. 

When I heard Riley's solo project Lightstory, where he plays pretty much every guitar, bass and drum part, I knew he was going to take Source to a whole new level.

Photo: Randy Edwards

Sounds like divine timing was definitely at play for you guys! How do you stay mentally and emotionally balanced while keeping up with the crazy schedules on tour? 

BG: I meditate, do lots of stretching and foam rolling, shower at the gym so I feel like a person, and try to find really good restaurants to eat at. It's easy to stay emotionally balanced with my new band mates. There is very little stress these days, which I am beyond grateful for.


Yes to gym showers- because the 'Whore Baths' just don't cut it when you want to feel like a person again! What are the highlights of the band’s career? 

BG: Touring with HELLYEAH and In Flames as well as working with producer Ulrich Wild for our new record. 


Legendary! Favorite part of performing live? Least favorite? 

BG: My favorite part of performing are the moments where I feel like the 3 of us are transcending reality. Sometimes we are so connected to each other, the music and the audience, that I feel like we are literally ascending to a higher plane of existence. 

My least favorite part of performing is moving gear. We need robots

Photo: Randy Edwards

to do it for us- that would be dope.


Maybe one day there will be an app for that. If there was a food dish at a restaurant named after the band, what would be in it? 

BG: The "Source Hash" would have fried potatoes, onions, mushrooms, turkey sausage and fried eggs.


If you were to form a dream tour with artists -dead or alive- who would be on it with you? 

BG: Source and Tool, that is the dream tour. We got to open for a well known Tool tribute band and their fans LOVED us! I want to play for as many Tool fans as I can!


Anything else you would like to add? 

BG: Get our new record Totality anywhere digital music is sold, you won't regret it!

Thank you so much for your time, Ben! Have a safe and successful the remainder of the tour, and I look forward to seeing what's next for the band! 

Want more from Source? Get social! Find their social media links here!

@thatchickkrys

Interview with Bo Courvoisier!

Lately, I've been vibing pretty hard to tunes that make you feel like

Photo: Phil Crozier

the world is truly a runway: inspiring you to get dolled up for no real reason, strut down the sidewalk like you own it, just channeling your inner Gigi Hadid altogether. 

The beautiful and stylish Toronto-based pop singer, Bo Courvoisier's music falls into that playlist. Here is my interview with her:


Your music was recently used in a fashion show for Toronto-based fashion label, House of Sass & Magic. What was your reaction to the news?

BC: I was ecstatic and very flattered.  I love everything about House SM - everything from the way they push fashion boundaries and are such an inclusive brand, and of course, the heart and imagination behind the magic..Stacey Gonder!  She is the best ! To have my music paired with a brand that speaks to my soul in such a profound way is humbling and an honor.


I love your fashion sense. Who styles you?

Photo: Brenden North

BC: Thank you ! I style myself for the most part.  House SM, TSOQ, Dolls Kill are some of my favorite go to’s for inspiration and pieces.


Great choices! What inspired you to get into music?

BC: The first time I got my heart smashed I just wrote a song about it.  There wasn’t really a plan, it just happened. I recorded it on a tape with a karaoke machine my siblings and I got for Christmas one year. Sort of self soothing, I guess.


If a DJ were to remix a song of yours, who would your dream collab be with?  To which one of your songs?

BC: Oh wow.  There are so many incredible DJ’s out there.  Maybe..Boys Noize?! I’m really excited about my new EP and there’s a song called Skin in the Game that I can’t wait to share and remix soon !  I would also love to remix the single I have released, Baby Come Back.



I love that song! If a shoe designer were to name a shoe design after you, what would it look like?

BC: Oooohh..easily something in the Fluevog family. Black leather, 5 inch heel with a small platform, laces. But with SOME sequins or metallic detailing.


Oh dayum- now that's a shoe! What is your favorite part of performing live?

Connecting with the audience. It’s the best feeling in the world.
Least favorite? That it’s not happening every single night of my life..YET!


If you were to tour with any artists -dead or alive- who would be on your dream tour?

BC: Madonna & Lady Gaga, Charlie XCX!

Thank you so much for your time, Bo and look forward to your future endeavors!

For upcoming shows, new music, and other updates, get social! Follow Bo Courvoisier on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube!

Interview with Blair Ryan Barton of The Divided Line!

Photo: Glen Tinsdale

Sometimes, a gal's just got to get dolled-up, brave a snow storm on a Sunday and head out to remind herself of the awesome live bands her city has to offer.


I recently got to check out Toronto-based prog-rock band, The Divided Line at Rockpile! With their recently released video for their single Deja off their latest album Paramnesia, I noticed it's not their usual sound, so it peaked my curiosity.  

Here is my interview with guitarist, Blair Ryan Barton! 

The current lineup sounds great! How did you
guys find each other?

BRB: Rez and I have been playing music together for about 8 years now. We actually went to high school together, but we didn't play music together then. When I started the project, I I got him involved, we had a couple of different band members, then we saw Greg perform at one of my best friends' stag and he was just performing that night at the bar, so we snagged him up. Our drummer Luke was actually from Rumsfield before, so we were very familiar with him. He reached out to us when he saw we were looking for a drummer, we knew his work and figured he'd be a great fit and things have been going really well.

That drummer's sick!

BRB: Yeah he's great!

Like, I was just telling my sister 'Holy shit - that guy's sick!"

BRB: When we play in bars, we don't even mic him.

{both laughing}

BRB: We can't turn him down, so...

Photo: Glen Tinsdale

{both laughing}

I'm digging the new realease Deja off your latest album Paramnesia. Your song writing style seems to have changed with that one. What inspired that style for that particular tune?

BRB: Typically, I would do most of the writing, the original writing and everyone contributes to the completion. Usually I would come up with the idea. This one - our singer, Greg wrote- the base
of the song, we kind of wrote around that. It was a last minute song- it actually wasn't supposed to be on the record. We kind of came up with it a couple of days before we went into the studio and we just nailed it in the studio so it's like, we captured lightning in a bottle - we like it- we have more like it coming.

That's rad! What's your favorite thing about performing live and your least fave?

BRB: I don't like anything about playing live.

{both laughing}

No, but really!

BRB: Playing live scares the shit out of me. Petrified. No- but the best thing I like about playing live is getting lost in song, you kind of escape that (fear). The thing I'd say I don't like is it's not perfect every time. {laughs}

But that's part of the charm!

BRB: Yeah, exactly. Yeah- I guess if I'd have to choose, it'd be that it's not perfect every single time and I'm a perfectionist so.. {laughs} So that's my downfall.

You know- every show has quirks and something different to add to the experience that make each show unique- which could be a good thing!

Photo: Glen Tinsdale

BRB: Yeah I get it- because if every band can play perfect, then that wouldn't separate the greats from the decent.

Exactly.

BRB: In the past, we would just run through the shows and now we're working on incorporating different aspects into shows. Right now, we're working on a light show as well; co-ordinating lights with the music.

With ego boxes and all that?

BRB: Everything.

Whaaaat!? That's awesome! Looking forward to seeing that! So if you were to go on tour with any artists- dead or alive- who would your dream tour be with?

BRB: That's a tough one because we all have very different tastes in music, believe it or not. Obviously, people say we sound a lot like Tool, and that's a common influence throughout the band. Other than that, we don't really listen to the same bands.

{both laughing}

BRB: I guess we would say Tool, Incubus is a big influence, Finger Eleven.

You mean Rainbow Butt Monkeys?

{both laughing}

I saw them live last year at Sound Of Music (in Burlington) and I was like "Whaaat!?" (laughs) So, what are the highlights of your music career so far?

Photo: Glen Tinsdale

BRB: The first time hearing ourselves on the radio - it was with a different lineup but in 2014.. you know.. I cried...

{both laughing}

BRB: I've played music my whole life so to finally get that recognition was great. But I think the thing I'm most proud of would be the release of Paramnesia. Once that came out, it all just fit together. We were all a little worried going into it..

Why?

BRB: Because we (this lineup) have only been in a band for like 8 months at the time when we recorded it and some of the songs were really old, and a lot of them are pretty new, like Deja, like I said we wrote it last minute.


Yeah- but that song is so sick! What were you worried about? {laughs}

BRB: I wouldn't change anything on the record, even the way it looks- I love everything about it. We're still doing more music videos for a couple more of the tracks, so I'm looking forward to that.

Awesome! So, if a distillery were to make a beer named after the band, what kind of beer would it be?

BRB: Oh, it would definitely be a session IPA.

Noice!

{both laughing}

Delicious! {in a heavy lisp}

BRB: Something like Detour, with a more citrus-y hops.

Photo: Glen Tinsdale

Oh my Gahd- you're speaking my language! Holy! There's this beer I tried like that, Heavy Seas Tropicannon Citrus IPA- it was something like 7.3% alcohol. So good!

BRB: Yeah I love that stuff!

Anything else you would like to add?

BRB: Right now we're taking care of management- we have a candidate that we feel great about, so we're meeting with him in the next couple of weeks, setting a game plan- we're getting ready to record our next album.

Already? Wow! Whaaat!

BRB: Well, we did Paramnesia two years ago so it's time! We got a lot of stuff to do and it's just a matter of narrowing it down to the best 6. We've got like 20.

(both laughing)

So sick! Well, thank you so much for your time, Blair! I look forward to your future endeavors!

BRB: Thanks so much!

For announcements, upcoming shows in your area, new releases, etc. get social! Follow The Divided Line on their social media!

@thatchickkrys