by Eugenia Ocampo
Tales to Astonish are a band from Toronto with Dan who sings lead vocals and plays bass, Stew who sings backup vocals and plays guitar, Phil who also sings backup vocals and plays the keyboard, and Shaun who is on drums. They played at the Horseshoe Tavern on December 9, 2008 as part of the 102.1 rock night. I got a chance to sit down with them and ask them a few questions.
How long have you guys been together as a band?
Stew: Shaun and Phil were in a metal band together in Halifax. I met Dan when I was trying to form a band and I put out an ad to which he responded. It usually doesn’t work out so well but luckily this time it did.
Shaun: Overall, with the line up we have right now, we’ve been together for about a year.
Who or what are your influences?
Dan: Air, Orson Wells, Jack Kirby, Brian Eno, Bowie, Quincy M.E., MASH (the show)
Phil: I’m influenced by Tom Waits, Interpol , Depeche Mode…
Shaun, Stew: The Beatles.
Phil and Shaun, you two were in a metal band in Nova Scotia before Tales to Astonish. Do you think it affects your style at all?
Phil: I don’t really think it makes a difference. Shaun is more big band and jazz; he’s also played in pipe bands
Dan, you use humour to interact with your audience; do you think this draws the crowd in?
Dan: You know how a band can joke around with their immediate group of friends, theory being that if you can joke around and befriend the crowd, odds are that they’re going to like your music even if it’s a song that they wouldn’t like when they just walk in. If you make people comfortable and more relaxed they’re more open to your music and to liking it as well.
Phil: Yeah there’s no pressure, it’s a good time, that’s what it’s all about. I never know what to expect on stage with him (Dan) he always keeps me on my toes.
Shaun: It’s almost like Dan’s doing stand up between every song, he improvises a lot.
Where did you get your name from?
Dan: Comic book from the fifties by the aforementioned Jack Kirby
Does the comic book relate at all to the band or the lyrics? heist download free
Dan: Only in the most literal sense. A lot of our songs are tales, not necessarily about me or about what’s going on in my life. It’s so much funner to sing about Keanu Reeves or Geraldo Rivera
Shaun: There’s a tongue in cheek element, but really it’s almost a societal reference. Some people could take the lyrics to be a really funny joke but when you think about it the lyrics are actually quite deep.
Where do you get inspiration for your lyrics? hazing the free
Dan: No rhyme or reason. Very rarely do we ever say let’s write a song about… I think the only time that happened was when Steve Irwin died and we wrote Stingray Dart to the Heart, but beyond that we all write something and then make it come together
Are you guys recording or planning on recording?
Dan: We’re currently recording our debut album. I would put us at the fifty percent point- it’s slated for March 2009
Any names for the album?
Dan: Well the first one is not a true album name in a way- it’s called freep, which is more promotional but maybe it’ll have a title. I think the album name is something we will have to work out.
Shaun: We’re basically looking for ways to release the album in the current state of the industry; releasing a CD is no good anymore.
Dan: As far as release plans go, we’re planning on doing a vinyl along with the digital download. To have a physical release feels more like an actual product and it sets you apart from all the other bands who are doing stuff online.
Where do you see yourself a year from now?
Shaun: I heard recently about this theory that in order to be a true master at your trade you have put in 10,000 hours or so. A year from now doesn’t give us enough time, I think we’d either have to blow someone away completely or put in more time to be where we want to be.
Dan: Realistically, I’d like to see an album and a larger following. Progress.
Well, you guys were great. I can’t wait to hear more from you.
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