Indie Ville TV #8 Look What I did lead singer Barry Donegan

Written By Beau Cooper

Look What I Did is the musical representation of chaos, and I mean that in the best way possible. Yet amongst the dissonant, genre clashing mayhem, this band gives the listener a fresh melodic center to grasp onto. This center may be hard to find, but Look What I Did does this by design. “We make it hard to listen to on purpose,” said vocalist Barry Donegan. Their intention is not to give you the easy route; a three and half minute song focused around basic structure and harmony, but to instead give you a gut wrenching journey that may or may not follow up with a pop song hook. It’s the process of struggle and reward, and Look What I Did is great at doing this.

            The group moved to Los Angeles in the early 2000s due to the “stagnant” music scene existing in Nashville at the time. But Nashville has stretched its ears and opened its mind to a new scene, and for the past seven years Look What I did has continued what it originally began in music city. With a recent show at Exit/In, Nashville has definitely shown a new musical shift, and an interest in even the most niche styles as of music. With the exception of a few technical difficulties, Barry Donegan considers the show an overall great time and success. “If anything goes wrong, act like you did it on purpose.” This is a great piece of advice, especially when encountering the downfalls of technology.

            Looking forward, Look What I Did has a new album on the way, and it’s not just any album. Oh no, this will not be the twelve track, conceptually disconnected, “every song speaks on its own” album we might expect from most bands. Instead, this will be a rock opera. The album will be based on a cartoon skit from the band’s first music video from their first album. Following in the footsteps of their prog-rock ancestors, it will be a plot-driven rock opera that is “inspired by all rock operas”, with no specific influence in mind. The band’s new album will feature surprise special guests, and a guaranteed theatrical sound and performance. The album is expected to be released on vinyl.

            Look What I Did doesn’t care about what’s in, out, cool, or not cool. Their only concern is creating music they enjoy for people that share their musical like-mindedness, even if it is a niche crowd. Singer Barry Donegan says, “We make music that goes against each other.” While their music clashes within itself, it also goes against what is typical in the mainstream and even most local scenes. With a recent show at Exit/In under their belts, writing in the process, and a rock opera on the way, people have a lot to look forward to from Look What I Did. Indie Ville TV

Indie Ville TV #6 High and Late Drummer Jake Costenaro

Written by Josh Baker


Twenty minutes after the scheduled time and five minutes before I was planning on leaving I get a phone call from Goon’s drummer, Jake Costenaro, telling me he just passed the coffee shop we plan to meet at. He finally shows up but since there is nowhere to sit we walk down to the nearest park as he speaks on about who knows what and tries to show me tattoos. We sit down at some park benches near the playground and he fires up a cigarette. We go back and forth about the hardcore bands we’ve seen and grew up listening to. After some small talk and random occurrences things start moving forward.

Goon is the brainchild of Jake and bassist, Josh Hearing. The years led them in and out of bands together or pursuing separate interests. What started those years of band-hopping was when they were in their first band together, The Carry-Out Special. Jake was sixteen years old and only a beginner on guitar. A while after playing guitar for them he sat down behind the drumset one practice session because the drummer was always late. After never having played drums before he found himself at home on the drummer’s throne.

“Any idiot can do this,” he says about the drummer while air-drumming, “why is he always late?”

Fast forward to Goon’s first album, “Guardian”. This full-length was written in the typical broke-musician situation: Jake was living in a storage space after a breakup. They utilized this space to write their debut album and had a friend help them out to record those songs. This friend is Echelon Studios’s owner, Joseph McQueen. The songs were recorded in Alabama and sent out west for production. Their first single recorded at Echelon, “Carry You Home”, made a short trip from it being recorded to airplay. Twenty-four hours after recording the song it was in circulation on 102.9, “The Buzz”. Those hours break down like this: eighteen(18) hours to record, mix, master, blah, blah, blah, and six(6) hours to find it’s way into the hands of the people putting it on the air for the ears of the listeners to hear. Jake was obviously surprised when that happened, “We’re not touring famous with our own t-shirt company but, wow, we’re on the radio.”

Goon took advantage of an appreciable quick turnaround and released their next single, “Due To Me”. This song won them such a following that Goon had to retire from the voting boards since they won so often. In 2012 they were voted 102.9’s, “Band of the Month”, three months in a row. That same year they won “Band of the Year”.

They haven’t had much of a live presence during the life of the band(2011-present). Their last show was Halloween of 2013. But, what they may lack in quantity they make up for in quality. Goon’s first show was opening for The Misfits with subsequent shows opening for Saliva and Saving Abel.

Fans have been asking the members of Goon(Guilty Of Our Nature) when they are going to start playing out again. And, those fans just may have their answer. Jake mentions that this Fall (2014) is when Goon will be picking up where they left off last year. But, this time around they are slightly altering their sound. It’ll be a mix of Goon and classic hardcore with influence from the direction he says new punk is going, “dreamy guitars over syncopated rhythm with aggressive vocals”. Basically, that sound translates into hearing distorted machine gun firing while you are steadily and endlessly backflipping through space with someone shouting at you. Alot.

“I just want people to move”, Jake says about the anticipation of getting new material out there, “I want kids to fucking lose it.”

They are currently working on an ‘E.P.’ that kids will probably fucking lose it to. Unlike “Guardian” this new collection of songs will be a more structured release thus giving them an opportunity to build a supporting live campaign. Will it happen? I don’t know.

So, here’s Goon’s line-up:
-Josh Hearing, Bass/Vocals
-Jake Costenaro, Drums/Vocals
-Steven Jackson, Guitar/Vocals
-Johnny Fiction, Guitar/Vocals

Yeah, everyone does vocals. Want to know why? I have a quote from Jake to answer that question, “I like the thickness of group vocals. It really pushes the sound.”

I found my way through Jake’s blabbering-about-whatever-it-was to get what you readers (you) need to know about Goon. So, remember, even through my babbling, that Fall-2014 is when you can start looking for these guys.

Will you like them? IF you like these artists, or even if you don't, you may: As I Lay Dying, Norma Jean, Every Time I Die, Underoath, Fear Before The March of Flames, Being as an Ocean, Sofia

Twenty minutes after the scheduled time and five minutes before I was planning on leaving I get a phone call from Goon’s drummer, Jake Costenaro, telling me he just passed the coffee shop we plan to meet at. He finally shows up but since there is nowhere to sit we walk down to the nearest park as he jabbers on about who knows what and tries to show me tattoos I don’t want to see. We sit down at some park benches near the playground and he fires up a cigarette. We go back and forth about the hardcore bands we’ve seen and grew up listening to. After some small talk and random occurrences (him making me listen to bands he’s currently into that I didn’t ask about) things start moving forward.

Goon is the brainchild of Jake and bassist, Josh Hearing. The years led them in and out of bands together or pursuing separate interests. What started those years of band-hopping was when they were in their first band together, The Carry-Out Special. Jake was sixteen years old and only a beginner on guitar. A while after playing guitar for them he sat down behind the drumset one practice session because the drummer was always late. After never having played drums before he found himself at home on the drummer’s throne.

“Any idiot can do this,” he says about the drummer while air-drumming, “why is he always late?”

Fast forward to Goon’s first album, “Guardian”. This full-length was written in the typical broke-musician situation: Jake was living in a storage space after a breakup. They utilized this space to write their debut album and had a friend help them out to record those songs. This friend is Echelon Studios’s owner, Joseph McQueen. The songs were recorded in Alabama and sent out west for production. Their first single recorded at Echelon, “Carry You Home”, made a short trip from it being recorded to airplay. Twenty-four hours after recording the song it was in circulation on 102.9, “The Buzz”. Those hours break down like this: eighteen(18) hours to record, mix, master, blah, blah, blah, and six(6) hours to find it’s way into the hands of the people putting it on the air for the ears of the listeners to hear. Jake was obviously surprised when that happened, “We’re not touring famous with our own t-shirt company but, wow, we’re on the radio.”

Goon took advantage of an appreciable quick turnaround and released their next single, “Due To Me”. This song won them such a following that Goon had to retire from the voting boards since they won so often. In 2012 they were voted 102.9’s, “Band of the Month”, three months in a row. That same year they won “Band of the Year”.

They haven’t had much of a live presence during the life of the band(2011-present). Their last show was Halloween of 2013. But, what they may lack in quantity they make up for in quality. Goon’s first show was opening for The Misfits with subsequent shows opening for Saliva and Saving Abel.

Fans have been asking the members of Goon(Guilty Of Our Nature) when they are going to start playing out again. And, those fans just may have their answer. Jake mentions that this Fall (2014) is when Goon will be picking up where they left off last year. But, this time around they are slightly altering their sound. It’ll be a mix of Goon and classic hardcore with influence from the direction he says new punk is going, “dreamy guitars over syncopated rhythm with aggressive vocals”. Basically, that sound translates into hearing distorted machine gun firing while you are steadily and endlessly backflipping through space with someone shouting at you. Alot.

“I just want people to move”, Jake says about the anticipation of getting new material out there, “I want kids to fucking lose it.”

They are currently working on an ‘E.P.’ that kids will probably fucking lose it to. Unlike “Guardian” this new collection of songs will be a more structured release thus giving them an opportunity to build a supporting live campaign. Will it happen? I don’t know.

So, here’s Goon’s line-up:
-Josh Hearing, Bass/Vocals
-Jake Costenaro, Drums/Vocals
-Steven Jackson, Guitar/Vocals
-Johnny Fiction, Guitar/Vocals

Yeah, everyone does vocals. Want to know why? I have a quote from Jake to answer that question, “I like the thickness of group vocals. It really pushes the sound.”

I found my way through Jake’s blabbering-about-whatever-it-was to get what you readers (you) need to know about Goon. So, remember, even through my babbling, that Fall-2014 is when you can start looking for these guys.

Will you like them? IF you like these artists, or even if you don't, you may: As I Lay Dying, Norma Jean, Every Time I Die, Underoath, Fear Before The March of Flames, Being as an Ocean, Sofia

Indie Ville TV

Indie Ville TV #5 Alicia Smith is in pursuit of a successful music career on her own terms

Written by Josh Baker

The success, exposure, and abundance of the music industry can be anyone’s fuel to pursue it so feverishly. In fact, here in Nashville there is a singer, songwriter and musician pool the size of the Atlantic. Everyone drifting in that pool is waiting for whatever ship, with whatever label name printed on the bow, to sail by and pick them up. Alicia Smith is calmly floating outside the crowds of those folks who are waving their arms frantically. Out here is where she is making the best of a seemingly difficult place to be and not just taking what comes her way.

As you will begin to find out, Alicia is the type of artist who is about taking on the music industry from the grassroots angle while maintaining her personal values. She doesn’t mind if a record label passes on her because she chooses to stand beside what she believes instead of giving it up to sign to them. A big part of who she is and how she wants to be seen in the spotlight is because she knows success can come to those who stay true themselves without succumbing to what they need to be marketed as. It’s not about being flashy. It’s about putting in the work and getting out there and giving it everything you’ve got with everything, within reason, you’re able to offer. She won’t just settle on a label who isn’t on the same page as her.

“I have friends who get overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious about wanting something like a record deal and it’s not all about that”, Alicia begins in an almost-empty coffee shop, “If you put all your weight on whether you’re successful or not based on what you’re signed to then you probably won’t be happy because you’ll probably sign for anything.”

From avoiding prairie dogs while chasing her sister on a bike through fields in North Dakota to growing up in a sheltered, Christian environment, Alicia’s foundation of humility isn’t hard to miss. Staying modest in this industry can be tough with values even tougher to hold on to. Even though she sometimes gets backlash from the sheltered people she used to know because of the less-than-offensive things she does (playing in bars or drinking) she doesn’t let that stop her, “I have my own convictions and I’ll deal with them.”

The pivotal event that caused her to pick up guitar and learn her first song, Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” was when a close friend died. This was an eye-opening experience of learning that life can be cut short. Losing someone that close to her drove her to go after the things she wants. Years after her friend’s death she took that momentum to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and started her move to pursue music professionally. Four and a half years later, and a divorce in between, she is in Music City with an entertainment resume that is continuing to grow.

Not only is Alicia a recording artist but she is also an actor and published author. She has been in PSA’s, lawyer commercials, the horror film “Worm”, and Darius Rucker’s music video for the song “Wagon Wheel”. These opportunities outside of music have brought on different opportunities for her music. A director she worked with before contacted her about auditioning for a role in his upcoming horror film (Alicia is a huge horror film fan). Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to make the casting but she did get offered the next best thing: her music to be placed in the film.

The variety of entertainment gigs she is getting involved in hasn’t gone unnoticed. Her manager let her know that record labels are watching her. Knowing that doors may start opening around her she keeps pressing forward through songwriter’s nights and unpaid gigs. Paying these dues is something she knows she must do and does so happily. When asked what makes her stand out from the other female artists at those songwriter’s nights and Broadway gigs she confidently replies, “You can only get one of me.”

Alicia Smith has the attitude and confidence of a woman who won’t stop until she gets what she wants. She’s realistic and knows that not everyone will like her music. “They either like me or they don’t.  I feel like it’s over-thought in this industry. It comes down to this: if no one wants to listen to me then they can turn off the radio or thumbs-down me on Pandora radio.  If they do want to listen to me they’ll go buy my stuff or thumbs-up it.”

Accepting this fact has pushed her even deeper into optimism while taking the music industry in stride. She knows that they are often looking for characters or some industry ideal of what is marketable instead of humble talent. Her audition for “The Voice” made it even more clear to her that this is the case. The producers found her through her YouTube videos and asked her to come in for an audition. She received great feedback from everyone on the panel except from one bald man who didn’t look up at her until he asked her what her age was. If she were sixteen-years-old she would have made it through. Alicia simply brushed it off saying, “It doesn’t mean you’re not talented--they just don’t want you.”

That is a perfect example of the good ole music industry’s stereotypes and how Alicia doesn’t let it phase her.  Her confident presence and positive attitude will keep her out there for every and anyone who wants to listen. Keep an ear out for a project she is working on with a group in LA that involves a rapper and a future album that will push her outside of the genre constraints of her previous E.P., “Welcome to Reality”.

As far as focusing on her outfits or being some flashy, dancing, pop-glam girl in skimpy clothes, she leaves us with this, ““I’ll be one of those people that people will research. And I believe that when they find out more about me and my past and if they ever meet me one on one, that’s where they’ll become a fan.”   INDIEVILLETV

Indie Ville TV #4 Life with The Whippoorwills

Written by Cora Bennett

Much like the well-known bird, The Whippoorwills music is vigorous and distinct. Since late 2012, Heather Gray (vocals), Ryan Jackson (guitar), and Kevin Carter (drums) have been creating beautifully harsh melodies together and signed with Mattress House Records in the summer of 2013.
Carter and Jackson are both native Tennesseans, while Gray is originally from Modesto, CA.
“I experienced some culture shock when I moved out here to Nashville. I guess my decision to move was honestly just based on the desire to leave behind what I knew and start a new life. I really had no intention, or ever expected that I would end up playing music out here. It’s been quite a ride so far.” Commented Gray. Jackson grew up in Brush Creek, which is a small town about an hour east of Nashville. He moved to Nashville because there was simply nothing to do in Lebanon. “I mean, Nashville has those pretty lights, big sounds, and busy people. Brush Creek had cows.” said Jackson.
The Whippoorwills know that as musicians, they have to be ready for disappointments. They use rejection as a learning tool, try to see what they could have done differently while staying positive and not giving up over someone el
The house shows that The Whippoorwills have played are the most memorable to the group. “It's just a good rowdy time with a bunch of people going nuts and usually breaking stuff. There's something pure about it, you know everyone is there to just have a good time and listen to music.” The group commented. They like playing the larger venues such as the Exit/In and the Rutledge, but really love playing anywhere that has a crowd that’s ready to have a good time. 
    When asked about what they want audiences to know about their band, the group replied “Our music is pure and not corrupted by desires to be rich or famous. When the three of us get together to write and perform, it’s a very natural feeling and we don’t over think things or worry about our sound appealing to anyone. Our sole intent is to just create the music that already exists inside of us. We are artists because it’s something that our little family feels we need in order to survive the things in this world that are petty, yet seem so inescapable.”
    The Whippoorwills album is currently being mixed and mastered by their good friend and awesome engineer, Jason Mott. The release date is aimed towards the end of March, 2014. If you’re looking for a jagged, raw beat to add to your playlist, be sure to check out this talented group!  

se’s opinion. It’s easy to let rejection get the best of you, but it’s detrimental to growth. Inspired by bands such as The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, Cage the Elephant, Chuck Berry, The Talking Heads, Iggy Pop, Beck, the list is ridiculously long and covers various stages of the bands lives.  INDIEVILLETV

Indie Ville TV #3 Front man Michael Roe of Daisyhead

Written by Cora Bennett

Currently on tour with bands Cove and Nest, Nashville's established punk band Daisyhead is gearing up for a crazy summer. Scratch that, more like a crazy year! Daisyhead, who is signed on with No Sleep Records, has a packed touring schedule and will also be performing at the 10^th Anniversary of Bled Fest in May 2014. With thousands of current fans, more fans are jumping on board with each heart-thumping performance. I recently had the privilege of interviewing front man Michael Roe to enlighten fans about their history, as well as their future plans and aspirations. Here is what I got for you!

CB: Where are you and the rest of Daisyhead originally from?

MR: We are all from Nashville. I grew up in Memphis, but Nashville is definitely my home now.

CB: So how did you pick the band name, Daisyhead?

MR: Daisyhead actually came from a Dr. Seuss book.  I used to be in a band called Friends, who at the time had to change their band name because of another band with the same name.  I suggested we look through Dr Seuss books and characters, because I had done that with a past project I did, haha.  We came across the book "Daisy-Head Mayzie", and thought Daisyhead would be a cool name.  I ended up leaving the band, and they became what is now Better Off. When this band formed, I figured WE could use that name since Better Off didn't, and here we are!

CB: How old were you when you started getting involved with music?

MR: My parents had me singing with them in Church and stuff when I was really young, like before the age of ten.  I voluntarily started getting involved when I was around 14.

CB: When did you realize that you wanted to be a singer?

MR: This kind of ties in with the last question..  When my parents were having me sing, I really didn't want to do it. As I got older and got into punk music, I found more and more of a desire to sing and perform.

CB: Do you play any instruments? If so, what is your favorite?

MR: I do, I play guitar for Daisyhead as well.  I definitely want to get into piano once I settle down from touring and have the time.

CB: How long has your band been playing together, and what brought you all together?

MR: Daisyhead has been a band since August of 2012. A couple of buddies of mine wanted to start a rock side project to a hardcore band they were playing in, and asked me to sing for it.  We just started it up for fun, but we got lucky enough for it to catch on.

CB: What message does your band want to convey to its audiences?

MR:  I guess if I were to choose to relay any kind of message to where I can relate with listeners, it would be that no matter how lame life is at any given time, there are others out there who feel the same as you. 

CB: What band or artist inspires you the most?

MR: I am personally very deeply inspired by Yellowcard.  On a musical level, they have never let me down, and I like knowing that a band can still write good music even when they have been at it as long as they have.  Also, they are very nice to their fans, and are super respectful, which is a huge plus.

CB: Did you have a lot of support from family and friends when you became a musician?

MR:  The amount of support I have gotten from my friends in the Memphis and Nashville scenes are the reason I'm able to do what I'm doing.  My family has also been very supportive, for sure.

CB: How have and your band dealt with rejection thus far in your career?

MR: We honestly haven't had to deal with much rejection, but that is mainly because we haven't reached out for anything.  Everything that has happened with us has been offered, and I feel so lucky to be able to say that.  I know we have been submitted for some tours that we didn't get, but we try not to get our hopes up too high and just be thankful for everything that happens, whether we feel we deserve it or not.

CB: What has been Daisyhead's most memorable performance thus far?

MR: I can honestly speak for everyone in saying our most memorable performance was our set at The Balcony Bar in Auburn, Alabama. We did a short run in January with a band called Pillow Talk, and we had an unbooked date.  I posted on a Facebook group asking about a show in AL or GA, and we were directed to this bad-ass dude, Lance.  He set us up immediately... Like literally within 30 minutes of me messaging him on Facebook, we had a show.  The spot is right next to the Auburn campus and it was on a Saturday night, so the show packed out.  The people who worked the bar and the show were all so awesome, and it was definitely the coolest crowd response of that run. Very thankful for that night.

CB: Where is your favorite place in Nashville to perform, and why?

MR: Our favorite place in Nashy is a place called The End. We love the shows we play there, the sound, the atmosphere, and the people.  We've played some really cool shows there with some really cool bands. We feel most at home at that venue.

CB: When can the fans expect an album release?

MR: We just released a split with Have Mercy on No Sleep Records on February 25^th, but we will be in the studio recording a full-length by the end of this year!

Be sure to check this band out at www.daisyheadtheband.tumblr.com

http://www.indievilletv.com   

Indie Ville TV # 2 Kickback with Stephen Gillean

Written By Logan Judge


Founded by Nashville native Stephen Gillean in 2013, Kickback is a coastal and street wear clothing company with a passion for making high quality apparel for our customers and impacting new entrepreneurs. He came up with the name Kickback because it fit with the style they were trying to achieve and they wanted to “kick back” to other entrepreneurs. They give their own special Nashville kick to the typical urban skater look. Fashion is becoming a huge deal in Nashville these days, and it’s only going to get bigger the more the city grows. Kickback loves to create clothes as well as impacting our community. “As an entrepreneur at heart, Kickback feels it’s only right to empower and help others. With each item sold, Kickback 'kicks back' a portion of the profits to help an entrepreneur either launch a business or create extra income. We believe small business is the backbone of America.”  Check out their website to see their latest products and hear more about latest recipients. They are a clothing brand with a vision to support small and young businesses because they believe in America’s entrepreneurial spirit.. I love everything that this label stands for. Although the brand is fairly new, I see great things for them in the future. Keep your eyes and ears out for this brand, because they have wonderful potential and a great business plan! You can check them out at wearkickback.com!   Indie Ville TV

Indie Ville TV #1: Daniel Schafer /We Are The Finale

Written By Cora Bennett

If you haven’t heard of them yet, it’s only a matter of time. We Are The Finale is a local Nashville rock band featuring wildly talented front-man, Daniel John Schafer. If you haven’t been fortunate enough to see them live at various venues like Exit/in or The Rutledge, do yourself a favor and go. Whether you’re a fan of rock music or not, the energy and enthusiasm of this group alone will suffice your musical craving. The raw talent and connection this band has created pulses an electrifying vibe throughout the audience. And if you’re still on the fence about becoming a fan, read what Daniel had to say about his group and try not to fall under the WATF spell, I dare you.  

CB: “Where are you and the rest of your band originally from?”

DJS: “I am one of the rare native ‘Nashvillians’. I was born and raised here. The rest of us come from all over. Bradley is originally from Mississippi. Matt spent most of his life in Georgia. J.D. is from West Virginia, Ronnie is from Alabama and Freddy is from outer space ;)”

CB: “How old were you when you started getting involved with music?”

DJS: “Well for me, music is kind of a family curse. Both my parents were professional musicians. My dad had two record deals of his own and he's played for countless country stars for the past 30 years. My Grandfather, Aunts, Uncles. It's in the blood so honestly I can't really remember a time in my life when I wasn't doing music. If I had to guess I'd say 3 or 4 years old?”

CB: “What was the key moment in your life when you knew you wanted to be a singer?”

DJS: “Well I really wanted to just be a guitar player originally. I started off playing Bass guitar when I was about 11. Switched to guitar around 16 and while I was in high school I formed a band called Falling For Yesterday. We started writing songs and I became the singer pretty much because no one else wanted to do it! We were all pretty shy back then. Then, once I got a taste of the spotlight I was hooked. I dropped the guitar and just became a front man. I'm a spotlight junkie.”

CB: “You mentioned earlier that you play guitar. Do you play any other instruments?”

DJS: “I'm kind of a Jack of all trades but a King of none (haha). I play a little guitar, bass, drums.”

CB: “Which is your favorite instrument to play?”

DJS: “My favorite instrument is the piano, even though I can't play it at all. To me, if you can't strip a song down to just the voice and the piano… Then it isn't a good song. That's why Bradley is kind of like the ‘secret sauce’ of the band.”

CB: “How long has your band been playing together, and what brought you all together?”

DJS: “We've been together for a little over a year, but it really all started back in early 2012. I used to co-host Writer's Night at McFadden's on 2nd Ave. I was trying to put together a portfolio of songs and get a gig as a staff writer somewhere. Bradley was one of the writers who would show up and play original tunes and he used open tunings (which is kind of our thing) and he had this soulful, bluesy voice. He was amazing and I knew he was killer on piano, so we pretty much clicked instantly. He's my best friend in the world. J.D. was actually the bartender there at the time and I knew him through both of our previous bands. He was in a band called The Compromise for almost 10 years and he was looking to move right into the next musical phase of his life as that was ending. After Daybreak Drive stopped playing, I was involved in nearly a dozen short-lived projects and in one of the pop projects I was doing, I met Freddy. That was probably back in 2009 I think. So I brought him back down from orbit to join We Are The Finale. Matt Furr was a similar situation. We had talked about putting a band together through emails and had met up a few times to hang out or jam, but nothing really came of it. I originally put this band together to simply make recordings of my solo stuff so I could pitch it as a writer. Then, we all saw how well we meshed together and the band took on a life of its own. Our original was Matt Naff. He had been my drummer in Falling for Yesterday and Daybreak Drive. Matt was pretty burnt out on the music scene and was only with the band for a few months before we got Ronnie. That's when everything started to flow naturally. The writing. The shows. The fan response. Ronnie was the missing piece to the puzzle and we've been firing on all cylinders ever since.”

CB: “So what happened with your previous band, Daybreak Drive?”

DJS: “Well, Daybreak Drive was originally Falling For Yesterday. We signed a production deal with Sony/BMG producer Rob Graves as FFY back in 2005. Rob is a great guy and a wonderful producer. At the time, he had just finished the first album from the band RED. When their album debuted, I don't think anyone expected it to big as big as it was. It ended up taking us almost 2 years to record 6 songs because Rob was just so busy. I handled the situation pretty poorly. I was very upset that FFY wasn't getting the attention I thought we deserved and I was pretty vocal about it. So, young and stupid basically. We decided to leave the deal, change our name to Daybreak Drive and write a little bit more mature brand of hard rock. Our fan base took a hug hit when we changed our name. Falling for Yesterday had semi-national recognition and Daybreak Drive just went back to being a ‘local band’. That took its toll on all of us. We never really broke up, we just kind of stopped playing together and all moved on to different projects. I absolutely love each and every one of those dudes. We made a lot of great memories that I will cherish until the day I die. Honestly, I don't think it will ever ‘die’ cause it was such a big part of our lives. There's still some Daybreak Drive left in the future I think.”

CB: “What message does your band want to convey to its audiences?”

DJS: “We Are The Finale literally means: This is the end all be project for us. We give everything we have to this band. Blood, sweat, tears, money, time, everything. It's not just 6 rock dudes playing songs together. We put all of who we are into this art. It's one collective mind. The message behind all the guitar riffs, harmonies and screams is this - Do what makes you happy and put everything you have into your dreams. No matter what anyone says. When you die, you leave this world with memories… Not money. You only get one shot at it, so make it your best.”

CB: “What band or artist inspires you the most?”

DJS: “Well for me, my dad (Dan Schafer) is my biggest influence as a musician and as a man. He is my absolute hero and if I am considered to be half of the musician/man that he is, I will be lucky. As far as bands that influenced my sound and how I am as a singer, I would have to say Daryl Palumbo from Glassjaw is my biggest influence by far. Brandon Boyd of Incubus was also crucial in my development. Chino Moreno from Deftones, and Bert McCracken from The Used are in there too. Not to sound cliché, but Michael Jackson was pretty much the only thing I listened to until I discovered Nirvana in the 8th grade. The other 5 guys in this band are also a constant inspiration. I just love music, and all of it inspires me.”

CB: “Did you have a lot of support from family and friends when you became a musician?”

DJS: “Yes - Constant support. I am very, very lucky to have the family and friends that I have. Plus, there are 6 of us (lol). So we have a pretty strong internal support system and I honestly consider Bradley, J.D., Freddy, Matt and Ronnie to be my brothers. All of our families are so incredibly supportive of our dreams and aspirations. Now that I'm doing this interview, I can take a step back and it's pretty emotional to think of how many people are close to us and believe in us as much as they do. We are very blessed. Very lucky.”

CB: “How have you dealt with rejection thus far in your career?”

DJS: “I think in any walk of life, no matter what your dreams are, rejection is a natural and healthy thing. If everyone always loved everything you did, how would you ever grow or learn? That being said, it sucks (haha). It totally sucks! But I have been lucky to be given a second chance. I had a deal with FFY. We were selling out places like Opry Mills mall, playing Warped Tour, playing the Journey's Backyard BBQ. I was greedy and mouthy, and I pretty much let my ego throw that away. Now, I'm lucky enough to get a second shot. If I hadn't had that rejection and made those mistakes, who knows if I would even be here right now? So I guess the answer is, rejection sucks but it is a must to develop and grow.”

CB: “What has been your most memorable performance thus far?”

DJS: “At the risk of sounding completely cliché (again), every time we play together. It’s a new experience every time. It's a new emotion every time. I think some of my personal favorite moments are just us jamming out in Matt and J.D.'s living room. It really is magic to me every time the 6 of us get together and make noise.”

CB: “So where is your favorite place in Nashville to perform, and what makes it great to you?”

DJS: “Exit/in. It sounds great there, and people like going there. It has this awesome Rock & Roll nostalgia feel to it. Like Nashville's CBGB's, but with a much better smell (haha). Second place has to go to The Rutledge. Andy, Frank and I go way back and it's always a pleasure working with those guys. Honorable mention: The End (AKA: Exit/in Junior).”

CB: “What can the fans expect from the new album to be released later this year, The Magic Show?”

DJS: “I am SO excited about this. We decided to take a different approach to marketing our music, other than the normal tired rock band way. For fans of rock music, there are generally 3 different types of ‘fans’ out there. First, there are people who hear a song on the radio, Pandora shuffle, Sirius XM, etc. They like the song, they buy it online and listen to it in a shuffle with a bunch of other artists. Then, there are the local junkies (who most of the time are musicians themselves), who go to a lot of shows and actually buy CDs to support the scene; But they don't want to pay more than $5 for a CD.  So, EPs are the way to go. Lastly, there are the die hard, tried and true band fans that are super loyal and buy full length albums and listen to them straight through alone in their room. They buy every shirt, every sticker, everything. The Magic Show will be the best of all 3 worlds. We are releasing the full length album in 3 movements. So essentially, three 5-song EPs. Each EP will have a radio single and music video. Once all three movements have been released, we will re-package the whole thing as a full length album with extra tracks, stripped versions of songs, dance remixes of the songs, as well as a full length DVD. The DVD will show our story of how we made the album, how much it means to us, and it gives fans and audiences a chance to really see who we are as people. So really, no matter how you personally like to find and listen to new music, we will have all 3 options available. 2014 is going to be an awesome year for WATF, and we are super stoked to share it with you!” INDIEVILLETV