Fairview

Interview by Lili-Anh Le Minh

Fairview formed in October 2010 with Jordan Smith on vocals and guitar, Steven Kiefer on bass and Brendan Kennedy on drums in Brockville, Ontario. Since then, they have released an EP called “Lost in Translation” for free online and have gone on countless tours.

When the band last played in Montreal in February, I sat down with them to get to know them a little.

CONFRONT: To start this off, how did you guys all meet?

JORDAN: I was going to school in Brockville and at the time, I was playing in bands around and  Brendan made a joke that I was really offended by and at first, I really didn’t like him.

BRENDAN: It was an emo joke!

CONFRONT: What was it?

BRENDAN: He had the emo haircut and stuff and I kind of made fun of that. I don’t even remember!

JORDAN: And then I started talking to him and found out he played drums and we’ve been playing in a few bands together since then, playing music for almost 8 years now.

BRENDAN: Yeah and then Steve came along. We knew him back in high school and Riley is playing guitar for us right now. We met him on tour last year.

CONFRONT: That’s cool! And what’s the history behind the name?

BRENDAN: When we started this band, we just had a long list of names and we kind of just agreed on Fairview.

JORDAN: It’s just a name, it’s short and catchy. Then we found out it was also the name of a town on Desperate Housewives.

*laughter*

CONFRONT: And you released an EP online for free, why did you guys decide to do that?

STEVEN: Part of it is because it was supposed to be a full EP but we never got the chance to go back into the studio so some of the songs are probably going to be on our next EP. But it took a while for it to come out so we just thought why not? We also released it on our one year anniversary so we thought it would be something nice for the fans.

BRENDAN: And we’re still trying to get our music out there.

JORDAN: It’s a really good way to get your name out there too. And a lot of people download music for free anyway so why not? I’d rather have people come out to our shows and if they want to support us, they can buy a t-shirt or something like that.

CONFRONT: And how would you describe your sound?

STEVEN: Energetic and fun, I don’t know what else to say.

BRENDAN: A rocking good time!

STEVEN: I like the sound of that! We like to pride ourselves on having a good live show more than anything. That’s something that is good about what we’re doing right now. And just playing songs that a lot of people enjoy, rather than just a certain age group. We try to write music for everyone to listen to.

CONFRONT: That’s cool! And how was your writing and recording process like for your EP?

STEVEN: It was good! We trapped ourselves in a garage for two weeks and that was fun!

JORDAN: Pissed off a few neighbours!

BRENDAN: And recently, over Christmas break, Jordan and I have gotten together to write some new stuff and we’re going to start writing after this tour too. And we’re probably heading back into the studio this summer. We’re all moving into a house together so it will be a whole process on its own. We’re hoping to get some new stuff out by the end of 2012.

CONFRONT: That’s cool! And what are some of your influences?

JORDAN: I feel like we all have a pretty…

STEVEN: Wide range..

BRENDAN: I’m more of a pop guy. Simple Plan and all that. But we all have a lot of different influences.

JORDAN: I feel like, as far as my writing goes, there’s a lot of Saves The Day, Brand New and that kind of stuff I guess.

BRENDAN: The Dangerous Summer, as far as my drumming goes. As far as our new stuff goes, I think listening to them has given me a new take on playing drums.

CONFRONT: Well that’s cool because then you’re kind of reaching out into different types of music. What did you guys all grow up listening to?

BRENDAN: Me, it was a lot of Simple Plan, Blink-182. A lot of pop-punk stuff. And then when I got into high school, I started listening to a lot of metal and stuff but now, I’m back to my pop and acoustic stuff.

STEVEN: When I was growing up, the one thing I remember from when I was still little was the Space Jam soundtrack.

JORDAN: That’s a good one! As for me, a lot of Brand New and Saves The Day but some Beatles, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, that kind of stuff!

CONFRONT: Nice! So going back to your album, are you guys going to released any music video soon?

JORDAN: It’s on the agenda.

BRENDAN: Yeah it’s just right now, we’re focusing on this tour and we’ve got more tour plans for spring and summer. I think once we get into the studio for pre-production, we’ll fgure out what will work best for a video. So it’s definitely on the agenda to do, it’s just a matter of when, what and where!

CONFRONT: All in due time!

BRENDAN: Exactly!

CONFRONT: Now, being in the new internet-powered generation, how do you think the internet has affected the music industry?

JORDAN: There’s pros and cons, as with everything.

BRENDAN: I’m in a music business program in school right now and this is all we pretty much talk about and there’s debated that go on forever. I think at the stage that we’re at right now and where we’ve been heading and we’re heading, it’s the most beneficial thing. I know bands that are some of the most talented bands out there but they don’t know how to work the internet to be able to play shows or anything like that.

CONFRONT: They kind of go under the radar.

BRENDAN: Yeah exactly! And then there is the label side where illegal downloading is affecting the whole thing but I think for us right now, the internet is probably one of the things that’s really been beneficial for us.

JORDAN: I think that it’s good as far as promotion goes and being able to connect with fans and other bands.

STEVEN: When it comes down to it, when an artist makes music, it’s for the fans. It does take money, so money does play a part but it all comes down to music in the end.

CONFRONT: It’s cool that you see it that way! And to you, what makes a successful band nowadays? When has a band made it?

BRENDAN: I think any band that is doing what they love has made it. You got to be enjoying what you do.

JORDAN: For me, I think success would be to be able to play music and not have another job. No extravagance or anything like that but just to be able to support myself.

CONFRONT: To be making a living out of it.

JORDAN: Yeah!

CONFRONT: Now, I’m going to ask you my last question, which is to draw something that represents you!

BRENDAN: I’m allergic to peanuts. I was actually told by some friends that they would pay for me to get a tattoo of a peanut with a cross over it. I’m not that tattooed yet but maybe in the future! We’ll see.

JORDAN: It’s supposed to be a dragon for Skyrim!

CONFRONT: You’re one of those Skyrim players?

JORDAN: It’s a great game!

STEVEN: I drew a shawarma! It’s so good! My favourite meal. And that is supposed to be a napkin beside it.

CONFRONT: That’s cool! Thanks for your drawings, is there anything else you want to add?

BRENDAN: Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, all that fun stuff! Download our free EP!

 Click on the links below to learn more about Fairview:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FAIRVIEW613

Twitter: http://twitter.com/thisisfairview

Free EP: http://thisisfairview.bandcamp.com