Roadmark

Editor’s note: Earlier this month, CONFRONT Magazine was given the opportunity to sit for an interview with Roadmark front man/guitarist Jeff Diltz via instant messenger, a first for us. We had never used this method of communication to hold an interview before but I think it turned out really well and Jeff was nice enough to be our guinea pig for the experiment. I think it turned out pretty well and I hope you enjoy the interview.

CONFRONT: Hi there! How are you?

JEFF: Doing well thanks.

CONFRONT: Good. Have you been waiting long?

JEFF: Not long… just about 10 minutes or so

CONFRONT: Ok good. I thought maybe we should start off with you giving me a little history on Roadmark. Where you guys are from, how you got started etc. (Take your time in typing it, I’m in no hurry ).

JEFF: Okay… Well Andrew and I started the concept for this group over a year ago and began working on songs for the album… we auditioned Pete Robertson who we got in contact with through the internet… We hired Pete initially as a bass player… Pete is originally from Newcastle, Australia, but he lives in New Hampshire with his wife Mara… Pete came down to help record the record last September and then we started looking for other players and planning to go on the road… We met Mike Bistany, who is our current drummer, through Pete… Mike (Bic) is from Manchester, New Hampshire.
Andrew, who is the primary songwriter, is from Shiner TX… and I’m originally from Altus, Ok… I hope I’m making sense…. I’m trying not to leave anything out.

CONFRONT: lol No it makes perfect sense.

JEFF: Our bass player’s name is Dan Morton from Methuen, MA.

CONFRONT: You guys are from all over the country as I can see, which means that you probably all grew up with different musical backgrounds and likes and dislikes. How has that diversity helped you guys in creating the Roadmark sound?

JEFF: Well… this has been a very exciting project… and the diversity really showed when we first started out on the road back in March… We all have different tastes… I grew up listening to soul and classic rock and later I got into more jam style of music (Phish, Umphreys Mcgee…etc), and all that stuff…. the rest of the guys are pretty heavily rock influenced (with some country of course…lol), and this has really helped us develop a unique live show that incorporates all the different aspects of our style…

CONFRONT: What’s a typical show like?

JEFF: Well we have a whole lot of energy!!!! And we are not afraid to play anything!! We will play anything from Metallica to Hank… and everything in between… but we do always make sure to showcase the bands talents…. I love playing with these guys!!! We are always coming up with new ideas to make our show more exciting.

CONFRONT: I read that you guys have a pretty interesting international following (some countries in Europe, Australia) have you had a chance to play overseas yet?

JEFF: Well… We are working on going to Australia in January…there is a big country music festival there that we are working on being a part of as well. Right now we are booking a month or so out there… I’m so pumped!!! But I have to get my stinkin’ passport.

CONFRONT: lol Yes you do. January is a while away though I think you have some time. Any Canadian dates planned at some point?

JEFF: Yeah, but I’m the king procrastinator!!!! We don’t have any Canadian dates yet but that would be fun most def!!

CONFRONT: Canada has a pretty large Country following just FYI. Maybe not so much in the coastal provinces but that middle section (Alberta specifically) HUGE! I wanted to talk to you about the “genre” debate going on right now in the industry in general. It’s been a while since I’ve interviewed a band that wasn’t… I don’t know ummm… Screamo post-something-or-another/baby punk. You know what I mean? What would you consider yourselves? Just plain country? Or do you think that now it’s necessary to have all these different labels because music has just become such a blend of different stuff?

JEFF: Okay… I’m a musical purist and I love anything that has soul and is real… everyone in the group feels the same way and we feel like country music itself is at stage where it is evolving into a whole new animal… and it is very exciting!!! We are definitely a country band with rock influences, so to answer your question we are not a strict traditional country band…. Honestly I think it is necessary to be true to yourself no matter what… I feel that if you believe in what you are doing with your whole heart that people will dig it…

CONFRONT: To give you a quick run through of CONFRONT Magazine (www.CONFRONTMagazine.com) we’re an online publication. There are obviously many reasons for that but the main one being that the New Media (internet) has become the main source of information for those looking to get some entertainment news. It’s quick, it’s easy, it’s revolutionized the way people think of the media and the entertainment industry. Obviously the internet has played a major part in Roadmark as you have met members online etc. How do you think the internet has affected the music industry?

JEFF: The internet just puts everything right at your finger tips!!! We have done so much, from finding players, to PR etc… I know that the internet has changed the music industry for the better… It allows the indie guys to really do their thing and get out there and make it happen…

CONFRONT: Some people have said that the industry itself on a business level has been turned on its head because of “illegal” downloading and iTunes and the abundance of free PR unknown bands can get because of MySpace and so on and that THAT in itself is hurting the artists as well because of cuts and so on. How do you feel about that? (said in my most Freudian voice of course)

JEFF: I feel that the PR is great and MySpace is a wonderful tool for us little people, downloading tunes is always going to help the artist in my opinion…. I know that industry is suffering a bit because of it but I feel that “times are a changin” like Bob Dylan said… and it is all going to be to the benefit of everyone… Change is always scary at first but it is always for the better.

CONFRONT: Ok just a few more questions for you. What can we expect from your record that is being released really shortly?

JEFF: Well we have some really feel good tunes on this record… And we have stuff that will appeal to everyone… we even have a kinda bluegrassy tune on there… it is a fun record… My favorite by song by far is “Drive you Out of my Mind”.

CONFRONT: Our motto at the magazine is DARE. DEFY. PROVOKE. Which means Dare to Listen. Defy the Stereotypes and Provoke Change. For us, we are trying to change the face of mainstream. Show that mainstream is not the bubble gum pop/top 40 genre so many people associate with it, but rather anything that can reach people. What is your definition of mainstream?

JEFF: Well… this is a great question to ask me because all through college I was the non conformist type. I listened to stuff that no one knew of and just went to festivals where they played the stuff I wanted to hear… I really got down on the “mainstream” music…. just cause I felt (and still feel to some degree) that kids are being robbed of pure music… I know growing up I had people like Kurt Cobain on MTV that inspired me and he hated every waking minute that he was famous… I feel like that is lost today and we need to get it back…. my definition would be…. mainstream just means that you can be put in front of the masses… and the sad part about that is there are very few mainstream artists that stand up for their rights as an artist and really try to use the exposure. I always looked at mainstream as a negative in the past and that is not the case at all…. the mainstream needs to be used to influence the up and coming people to do their thing and never quit…

CONFRONT: Very true. A way to reach the masses… great definition. To bad that, as you say, they aren’t being allowed to really make that difference. Hopefully we are doing our small part to change that. Next question (three to go after this and then you’re rid of me): We have a section in the magazine called the Daily Urges and essentially it’s a section where readers can submit bands they feel other readers should discover or rediscover. What are some of your Daily Urges?

JEFF: Do you wanna know about bands that I think should be discovered… or what our personal Daily Urges as a band are?

CONFRONT: Both. What you listen to that you think is really great and people should give a try to.

JEFF: Ok… sorry I’m from Oklahoma I’m kind of slow lol.

CONFRONT: I spent some time in Texas and developed a drawl in a matter of hours so I totally get it lol.

JEFF: Well… I am a big fan of jazz and funk stuff… there is a band called Soulive who has influenced me from day one!!! These guys are absolutely incredible… Another group that is killer is called Umphreys Mcgee… This band is for all you guitar buffs out there!!! These guys are from Chicago… They have some great harmony guitar that is great!

CONFRONT: Great. First and last album purchased?

JEFF: First, ‘Junta’ by Phish… Last… North Mississippi ‘All stars live @ the Paradise in Boston’

CONFRONT: First and last concert attended?

JEFF: First.. Restless Heart… last.. Soulive.

CONFRONT: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

JEFF: I see Roadmark as being a very successful thing… We are all too driven for this thing not to work!!!! I know that this band will do well and I’m so lucky to be playing with the guys that I’m with!!

CONFRONT: Perfect! Well thank you very much for the time. Good luck with the album release, the tour, I saw lots of dates on your MySpace. Hopefully you’ll make it over the northern border soon.

JEFF: Ah thanks so much for the interview I had fun!!! I hope we can get up your way as well!!

http://www.myspace.com/roadmark
http://www.roadmark.com