Alesana

Post-hardcore band Alesana, now signed to Epitaph after close to 4 years with Fearless, came to life with its original members back in 2004. Shortly after, they were quickly signed to Tragic Hero Records, becoming the growing label’s first signed band and releasing their debut EP. The band followed that release with 3 full length albums, the most recent being The Emptiness released in early 2010. Now, the band is back in the studio to record their 4^th album set to be released under Epitaph.

When their tour with Escape The Fate stopped in Montreal last February, I sat down with Shawn to discuss the band’s plans for their upcoming album, how the label change has affected them and his thoughts about the internet’s effect on today’s music industry.

CONFRONT: How has the tour been so far?

SHAWN: It’s been great! Sold out almost every night.

CONFRONT: Cool! So now, to get a little insight on the band’s history, there have been lineup changes throughout the years. How does that affect the band?

SHAWN: Really, there hasn’t been that many lineup changes because every time it happened, somebody who was from the band before came back to replace them so it hasn’t really affected the flow of what we’re doing.

CONFRONT: So a smooth transition every time?

SHAWN: Absolutely.

CONFRONT: That’s great. Now, you’ve been a band for a while so has your sound evolved a lot from your beginnings?

SHAWN: I like to think so. I think everyone has gotten better at what they do in the band and our songwriting skills have gotten better. We try to add new elements with each record.

CONFRONT: That’s good, you don’t want to rewrite the same album over and over. Actually, what can we expect from your next album?

SHAWN: It will be a full concept story, like the last one was and we’re going to do the string quartet thing again. This time, we’re hoping to do a gospel choir and a child’s choir.

CONFRONT: Oh that’s really interesting! And you said story concept for your album again, how did that come along?

SHAWN: Dennis and I, we’re just literary nerds. We always based our songs off of stories so we thought, why not actually write our own story and so we did! *laugh*

CONFRONT: And it adds a certain flowing-ness to the album, it’s interesting.

SHAWN: Thank you.

CONFRONT: And have you guys started working on the new album yet?

SHAWN: Yeah we have songs written already and straight after this tour we go into pre-production in the studio.

CONFRONT: So after this tour is when it all really begins?

SHAWN: Yeah, absolutely.

CONFRONT: And when are you planning to release it?

SHAWN: I think Epitaph is hoping for September. So late summer, early fall!

CONFRONT: Speaking of Epitaph, how is it different working with them, versus working with Fearless?

SHAWN: Fearless was great but Epitaph is such a huge powerhouse of a label. It’s definitely a step up for our band and we’re really excited.

CONFRONT: Has the label change affected the way you work?

SHAWN: When we signed with them, we made them promise that we would still have creative control over our music and that’s what matters most.

CONFRONT: Yeah that’s what really matters. And what are some of your creative influences?

SHAWN: Musically, it’s always been The Beatles and Mae, my two biggest favorites. Recently, Mew as well. Lyrically, books I’ve read. I don’t have any lyricists as inspirations, mostly just stories and literature.

CONFRONT: Oh that’s really interesting, I think you’re the first one who’s ever told me that. So do you get inspired at all by what happens around you?

SHAWN: Not really, just ‘cause I’m a story writer. I never wanted to be the kind of band who does journal-entry lyrics, like “oh my heart is broken” and that kind of stuff. I just like making up characters and making up twisted stories. *laugh*

CONFRONT: That’s cool, it stands out. So, you’ve toured with a lot of bands, small and big. What has been your most memorable experience?

SHAWN: Touring with Fear Before The March Of Flames and then becoming really good friends with their singer Adam because he was always a guy I looked up to and now, we’re really good friends so that’s probably my favorite thing that’s come out of touring.

CONFRONT: What about the most memorable event?

SHAWN: That’s so hard to say. I’d almost say every single day for the past 6 years so it’s so hard to pick out just one.

CONFRONT: I see. And how does touring affect you as a person?

SHAWN: It changes you for sure. We get to the point where when you’re home, you miss touring. You get tour-sick instead of homesick because we’re on the road 11 months out of the year so we’re definitely different people than when we started. Not for better or for worse, just different people.

CONFRONT: Even though you get tour-sick at home, do you get homesick on tour?

SHAWN: Oh of course. Everyday really, it’s just a matter of being grateful for what we have and realizing that we get to do something that not a lot of people get to do.

CONFRONT: That’s for sure. And who would you dream to tour with?

SHAWN: The Beatles.

CONFRONT: Yeah I guessed that when I remembered they were one of your favorites!

SHAWN: Yeah *laugh*

CONFRONT: You’re a band of the new internet-powered generation of musicians. How do you think the internet has affected the music industry?

SHAWN: We were definitely a part of that first wave of MySpace bands. When we first got popular, PureVolume helped  a lot as well. I don’t know. It’s interesting because I think the internet’s flooded the market a lot. It’s made a lot bands who aren’t quite as talented burst out of nowhere but at the same time, it’s made our job a lot easier too. It’s kind of a love-hate relationship.

CONFRONT: Do you think you would’ve made it this far this fast without it?

SHAWN: Definitely not this fast. I like to think we would’ve made it eventually. *laugh*

CONFRONT:  Yeah, of course! And do you think the social networks over saturate the industry?

SHAWN: Absolutely, and I think it shows when you see bands that get popular for two months and then that’s basically it.

CONFRONT: Yeah and they kind of just disappear.

SHAWN: The thing we’re the proudest of is that we’ve been a band for 6 years and we’re still getting stronger and bigger so it’s kind of a testament to what we do.

CONFRONT: You’re one of the bands where it actually really helped in the long run.

SHAWN: Exactly.

CONFRONT: And do you use the social networks a lot?

SHAWN: Yeah I recently started doing the Twitter thing, I tried to avoid it for the longest time. It’s a good tool for getting information now.

CONFRONT: Yeah everyone ends up cracking and signing up. And what does the future hold for Alesana?

SHAWN: More songs, more records, more touring! That’s always the goal. We have our long-term artistic goals that we have but I can’t share exactly what those are.

CONFRONT: A little mystery, a little secretive, ok! Now, I’m going to ask you a few CONFRONT questions. What were the first and last shows you attended as a fan?

SHAWN: The very first show I went to was an Air Supply show when I was a kid. And the last show I went to was Mae’s tour in Philadelphea.

CONFRONT: How was it?

SHAWN: It was amazing! Probably one of the greatest ones ever. *laugh*

CONFRONT: And what were the first and last albums you bought?

SHAWN: First album I ever bought was Chris Cross way back in the day and the most recent one I bought was Money Honey. I love them, they’re a two-piece folk band.

CONFRONT: I think I’ve heard of the name but I never heard the music.

SHAWN: The girl’s voice is gorgeous. It’s really good music.

CONFRONT: Cool, I’ll check it out. Now you have to finish these sentences : I have never…

SHAWN: Done drugs.

CONFRONT: Oh really? Wow cool! Setting a good example. *laugh* And what about : I would never…

SHAWN: Can I answer the same thing again? *laugh*

CONFRONT: Try to be a little creative!

SHAWN: I would never…intentionally hurt anybody.

CONFRONT: That’s a good one! And you actually answered pretty fast. And what would you like to leave as a legacy?

SHAWN: That’s a hard question…a legacy is a big thing. I hope that our band will always be remembered as a band that never bought into any of the scene nonsense and always done what we’ve done and at least lyrically and story-wise separated ourselves from the pack a little bit.

CONFRONT: Well I can tell you right away that I find that you already do. Up till now anyways! Unless you guys decide to change one day.

SHAWN: *laugh* Nah…

CONFRONT: Now, this is a question I try to ask everyone. So I’m going to ask you to draw something that represents you.

SHAWN: Draw something? I’m the worst…

CONFRONT: Everyone always tells me that!

SHAWN: I really am though. I can’t go beyond stick figures. It’s supposed to be a baseball and a baseball bat but it looks more like a basketball and a chicken wing or something…*laugh*

CONFRONT: It’s not that bad! You like baseball?

SHAWN: Yeah I love it.

CONFRONT: Do you get to play a lot?

SHAWN: No not anymore. It’s all I did when I was younger.

CONFRONT: Really? Did you ever aspire to be a baseball player?

SHAWN: I was supposed to go to college and play but I chose music instead.

CONFRONT: Well it worked out for you right?

SHAWN: Yeah! *laugh* Thanks, I like to think so.

CONFRONT: It did! So thank you for your time, have a great show tonight!

SHAWN: Thanks!

To learn more about the band, check out their official site : http://www.alesanamusic.net/