MayOrWest photo credit: Lauren Murphy Photography
MayOrWest photo credit: Lauren Murphy Photography
Hannah the Intern: How long did it take to produce your latest full length record, "We, The End" at Big Blue Meenie Studios?
MayOrWest Band: We were very fortunate to have a set of amazing producers working on this project with us. Tim Gilles (Taking Back Sunday, Thursday, Bouncing Souls) and Matt Menafro (Damsels, Serosia) started pre-production with us in our basement practice space in North Jersey a few months prior to the Studio sessions in August. These pre-production sessions truly took the songs to the next level and allowed for a recording process that was comfortable and highly productive. We spent approximately 2 weeks at Big Blue and tracked the majority of the record in only a week. The following week, all the tracks were mixed to prepare them for mastering.
Hannah the Intern:Where is this Big Blue Meenie Studio?
MayOrWest Band: Big Blue Meenie Studios is located in Jersey City, NJ. It is a world renowned studio armed with a brilliantly skilled staff and was simply an amazing environment to make a record. We would have stayed their indefinitely if they would have let us, but in all seriousness, we grew immensely both as musicians and people during our time spent in both pre-production and in the studio.
Hannah the Intern: Which band member came up with the lyrics to "L.A.S.H."; and is there just 1 songwriter/ lyricist in MayOrWest?
MayOrWest photo credit: Lauren Murphy Photography
MayOrWest Band: Your response: All MayOrWest songs are written by all members of this band. We write our songs as a team effort which allows us to truly believe in our individual parts and the song as a whole. Since Adam is our vocalist he writes about 99% of our lyrics. Most of our songs have multiple meanings. They begin as a very focused idea inspired by an event in our lives. Writing the lyrics changes the idea into a song that hopefully listeners can feel deeply about.
Sami the Intern:
You're playing Finnigans/Brewsters in East Windsor, New Jersey on December 26; I was just wondering if you find a huge difference playing your "Home State" of New Jersey verses other states?
MayOrWest Band:
Oddly enough, we seem to have a larger fan-base outside of our home state of NJ. New Jersey tends to produce some of the most amazing bands and shows in the northeast, which makes it difficult to carve a significant niche for yourself. With so many shows taking place at the same time, fans are often drawn towards the larger venue shows as opposed to the smaller intimate shows that we circulate through. We are definitely making our stamp in New Jersey and have amazing fans throughout the state, however, we definitely have a more consistent crowd when we play out of state when we are on tour.
Sami the Intern: It's written on your myspace bio that your band has varied musical backgrounds, so who's into classical music? jazz? punk? metal?
MayOrWest photo credit: Lauren Murphy Photography
MayOrWest Band:
Our individual interests vary a great deal, though all of our true passions are for punk rock. We all grew up listening to similar bands such as Thursday, Bigwig, Bayside, Taking Back Sunday, etc. that played a significant influence on us all. That said, all of us have an incredible passion and appreciation for classical music and Pete even works out to it. Additionally, Jimmy has his roots implanted in metal and hip-hop, and Eric is a trained jazz guitarist with a guilty pleasure for Jam bands. Adam seems to be into a little bit of everything, ranging from folk to hardcore.
Sami the Intern: Where can people get your music?
MayOrWest Band: Band response: Our new full length, "We, The End" along with our 2008 EP entitled "The Mark and the Memory" are available on Itunes, Amazon mp3, and all other major digital outlets. We're currently working on distribution to physical stores as well, though you can always pick up a record at one of our shows!
Sami the Intern and Hannah the Intern: Thanks for the interview!
MayOrWest Band: THANKS FOR THE INTERVIEW!!!!!!!
Band Members:
Adam Ramsden - Lead Vocals & Bass
Eric Lewy - Vocals & Guitar
Pete Cataldo - Guitar
Jimmy Dowell - Drums
Official Website: www.myspace.com/MayOrWestMusic
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/MayOrWest/47038242833
Twitter: www.twitter.com/MayOrWestMusic
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