Joe Jack Wagner
(Alternative)
(Alternative)
Clara Lofaro
(Alternative)
(Alternative)
Hunting the Rabbit
(Rock)
(Rock)
Monday Aug 25, 2008
Surfacing | Interview
Listening to their music it is hard to believe that Surfacing started off with a soft, feminine, acoustic sound. But for a band of four individuals with nothing in common, pushing each other’s limits and getting a feel for just how far each other will go in the pursuit of music is understandable if not expected. Wally Waltman, Moe, Amberley Baggett and a man known as Mr. Andrews took their soft, feminine, acoustic sound and pushed each other’s limits into something distorted, hard and rough. Possibly pushing it more than they ever anticipated.
Since first getting together, Surfacing has been able to see themselves grow, both as musicians and as artists. At the beginning, their songs were simplistic, but as they developed their skills both in the technical and emotional elements of their music they began experimenting with more technical guitar riffs and were not afraid of the outcome. Their music is heavier, not only in sound but in content. They are braver with their writing; at times Surfacing can be fearlessly serious.
Walt, Amberely, Moe, and Mr. Andrews enjoy making music in their hometown of Burlington, Ontario because of the close-knit music community. All the musicians know each other and a female lead singer is something that isn’t seen very often, especially a lead singer of an alternative rock band. Baggett relishes being an anomaly and takes pleasure in being the only woman at the rock show that isn’t a girlfriend, though sometimes she is mistaken for one.
First starting out in the music industry many forget that it is an industry; it is a business like any other. Every person who hopes to make it as a musician is venturing out not only as an entrepreneur, running their own business, but also as one of the thousands of applicants scrambling to make the cut for one position. A balance must be found between the job you want and the job you have. As Baggett points out, “it’s a struggle between playing shows and working to make money to pay for the things you need in order to get your band farther in the game.” Every band must question whether or not it’s worth it to make that sacrifice.
But it’s not as dire a situation as it may appear. There is help out there for independent artists and any aspiring musicians are wise to take Baggett’s advice: “remain educated. We’re pretty lucky to have the government grants from Factor and the Canadian Council of Arts to back up the indie bands for recording, videos, etc. It’s your responsibility to keep yourself informed.”
An upside to the music business is recording. Even business can affect art and for Surfacing it has been positive. Recording has forced Surfacing to closely examine the difference in sound between a live show and an album. A live show allows a band to see the way the music affects the audience and vice versa. With recorded music, the mood must translate from visual and audio to only audio. The music on an album must be strong enough to evoke the same feeling it would in a live show. Surfacing has definitely learned from the experience of recording and their music has matured because of it.
Keep an eye out for Surfacing’s second demo, which was released in the middle of August. The demo will be $5.00 with $2.00 from every sale going to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, which has special meaning for Baggett as her father died two years ago from a heart attack. A September tour out to Quebec City and back is also in the works, which will be played with Surfacing’s new guitarist, Paul, who will no doubt be a great asset to the band.
Heather Holditch
Senior Editor
Aralie.com