Coming to you from Orillia, Ontario is Coming In Static. A one man show whose music is capable of making even the most depressed individual get up and shake every terrible feeling away. With a mix of 8-bit, electronica, pop, and a small influence of rock/punk, Coming In Static definitely depends on his individuality and the wide variety of music that he produces. Enjoy this interview guys 'cause we can tell that he's going to be making the big bucks soon enough!
S: We see that Coming in Static is your solo project, is it difficult making the music on your own or do you like it better than being in a band of people?
CIS: I've always been sort of a control freak, so I've always enjoyed writing every part of the music. But I LOVE being in the "band" mindset where we're all in this thing together so I can't really pick or choose between the two, because there are aspects of both situations that I enjoy. The solo aspect allows me more freedom to do my own thing, but having other band members giving you input and adding their own spin to what you've written is just as satisfying and rewarding.
S: Have you changed your line up since you started? If so, what was the hardest part about saying goodbye to your other members?
CIS: Oh my, lineup changes. Where to begin... Coming in Static had originally started as a 2 person thing, very Sky Eats Airplane / I Set My Friends on Fire, with my buddy screaming and me doing everything else. That soon fell through pretty quickly once i started writing more "poppy" music and I got my little brother to play guitar for me live. Throughout the better part of last year I had recruited a bassist, who I didn't know very well at the time and eventually also a drummer. We had become a full band and became very close. However as time passed my brother wanted to go on with other things and I had to say goodbye to him as my guitarist, my bassist and drummer left shortly after and everything came around full circle; I was back on my own again.
I do plan on expanding back into a full band once i find the right people to fill those roles.
The solo aspect allows me more freedom to do my own thing, but having other band members giving you input and adding their own spin to what you've written is just as satisfying and rewarding.
S: Have you ever toured before? Do you have any upcoming tours scheduled for the future?
CIS: Touring is something I've wanted to do for the longest time, but planning and money always got in the way... but that hasn't stopped me from trying. I'm continuing to network with other bands and make friends to hopefully find the right people to help me book a tour haha.
S: What's your favourite thing about making music?
CIS: I love just being able to hearing my songs in my head before they even come to pass as well as writing about someone or something that matters to me. Despite some of my songs being about... non conventional topics -- like video games, i feel it adds a sort of quirkiness and honesty to my music, that doesn't take itself too seriously but still comes from my heart.
S: Is there anything weird/quirky about yourself that no one knows about?
CIS: I like to spit.
I love just being able to hearing my songs in my head before they even come to pass as well as writing about someone or something that matters to me.
S: What kind of equipment do you use to mix/produce your tunes?
CIS: When I start writing a song i'll usually just come up with a simple riff or chord progression on my piano, and then i'll take it into Reason where i add all the nifty electronics and synth. Then I'll pick up a guitar and play along and see what goes good with it, I'll record a demo on Logic or Garageband; and then finally head to my friend Sam's studio where we record a final version of it.
S: What makes your band unique?
CIS: I feel that it's just fun music that's just positive and easy to grasp. I feel that all the electronic elements add to the sort of saturated pop / rock sound that's in local music today.
I'm a little asian boy. I make shoes for a living. All I eat is rice. I can't lift heavy equipment. so obviously im getting big strong people to carry my stuff for me
S: What's the best thing about being an artist that is yet to be discovered?
CIS: I love seeing people's reactions when you go up to them and they have that look of skepticism in their eyes as if "i'm just another crappy local artist that makes average music", then once they listen to the song they go "whoa."
i love that.
S: If you got signed to a major label and toured, would you still pack your own equipment or hire roadies to do it for you?
CIS: I'm a little asian boy. I make shoes for a living. All I eat is rice. I can't lift heavy equipment. so obviously im getting big strong people to carry my stuff for me ROFL.
I love seeing people's reactions when you go up to them and they have that look of skepticism in their eyes as if "i'm just another crappy local artist that makes average music", then once they listen to the song they go "whoa."i love that.
S: What were your first experiences with a groupie?
CIS: At first i enjoyed the attention so i'd be like yo chat with me! text me! and then sometimes they got creepy so i was like uhhhh. But thats really it. Other than some girls nervous to talk to me after shows, i haven't really had any "groupie" experiences. But i'm totally down with chilling so don't ever be scared to talk to me or chill with me after shows or talk to me on myspace ahaha
Check out his song I Hate Drop Quests, live and don't forget to check out his MySpace via the link above!
