One thing I love about Barn Burner is how truly humble they are, when I asked for an interview about success, Nick kindda looked at me like I was crazy, really though he knew the unspoken truth of how incredibly talented they are and how the songs they have been writing are musical masterpieces which come along very rarely as often bands mimic sounds they are influenced by rather than creating one of their own. Having been able to cross those waters I believe the sky is the limit for these guys and as we are entering an age where space travel is becoming more accessible to the average human lord only where their talent will take them. They play Oct 22 2009 at the Cake Shop Records Bar and Cafe 152 Ludlow Street New York. Get there early as they are playing at 1:00 pm and the show is free. And for the guys in between them and Priestess, you better bring your A game or game faces cause these guys play to win, even when they are not competing. Heres what the boys had to say.
Were you in bands before?
Nick - Not really, ha!
Kevin - I was playing in bands since these fuckers were wearing dirty diapers! In other words, to many bands to name, none of which are worth naming.
Taylor - I've been in a bunch of other bands, most notably Black ships.
Marc - Thunder bay and Black ships
What's the hardest thing about your current level of success. As in you have a following, you tour consistently, play relentlessly in the city yet still have a regular job.
Our current level of "success" is anything to write home about (yet). but we are all stoked to be where we are at so far. We try to tour as much as we can, and we have played lots in the city, and our following seem like its growing, but we have a good way to go until we are running from hordes of babes and escaping out secret doors and using decoys to throw people off from following us. I really just want to be able to quit my job, and have this band be full time.
How did you make the jump from playing local shows to playing on tour? What the hardest part of being on tour?
Our first few shows were actually on the road (not including the 30 second set we played in my old loft). They key is having a reliable van like our old van, it was named Chubbs (RIP). Most of us have been in other bands and have already toured a lot. We've met many people along the way that help to book us shows when were starting out. The hardest part about being on tour varies from band to band and person to person. My biggest problem is having enough money to drink. Everyone has moments where they miss their babes, or their own beds, and its easy to get sick (and stay sick) on the road when you party a lot and don't eat right. But all of that shit is easy to deal with when you get to travel with your best bros everyday. Touring rips.
How much of you income(%) from your regular job is dedicated to your artistic endeavors?
- None of us really make that much money, but id say including our gear, van problems, touring and merch etc., easily 30-40%.
What advice do you have to younger bands who have not yet made it this far?
I don't think we are at an "advice" giving stage yet, but hell i will try. if you're gonna do it, love it. that's all I got.
Approximately how much do you believe you made off show, touring and Merchandise last year?
No matter how much money we have made so far, we are still decently in debt. we've made back lots of what we have put into this band, but it just goes back into the band for more stuff.
What keeps you going?
The might of the riff. Getting to travel, playing our own tunes to new bangers in new cities.
When do you believe you will have attained success?
There are many different things that could happen to think that we have attained success. One would be to make enough money on the road to not have to work at home in between tours.
When I get A LOT of free shit.
How many hours a week do you work your regular job? How many hours a week do you spend jamming, recording, writing and playing shows?
At this moment. 3 of us work full time (40hrs a week) at least, and one of us is in school full time (last semester). Total time spent on band stuff varies between 10 and 20 hours a week.
What is something you find yourself dealing with a artists you did not expect to find your self dealing with at this point?
Kevin- Still dealing with not making any money and not getting our peckers piped.
What was the last book you read?
Nick - just re-read MAD COWBOY by Howard Lyman, and just finished THE REASON I DRINK by David Cross
Kevin - The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon, the Devils by Dostoyevsky, and Sound of the Beast: the complete headbanging history of Heavy Metal by Ian Christe.
Marc- Kevin is gonna lend me this book about metal
What is the one other Montreal Band people reading this should check out if they haven't already?
Nick - PALS
Kevin - Trigger effect, the Castavets, MacGyver, and Mathmortician
Marc - vile intent
Lets say I heard a couple of your tracks on A+C or on your myspace page and really dug it how can I buy some merchandise?
Email us or come to our shows and bang it out with us! www.myspace.com/theinfamousbarnburner
