This interview is from March 2009, so it's pretty old, but it's a good one....
Can you introduce yourselves for the readers at ForTheSound.com?
I am Chris from Never Shout Never. Christofer Drew is my stage name.
I think a lot of people are surprised to learn that you are still unsigned and have chosen to not sign to a label. You’ve said that a lot of that had to do with wanting to maintain control over your music and all that you do, have there been labels that have approached you and asked you to compromise your music or image to be a part of their label? Or has it just been something you avoided in general?
I mean, I’ve talked to a lot of labels and I pretty much met with every major label and just slowly as I went along as a musician I started figuring out that I didn’t feel like that industry, was for me. I don’t know. It just didn’t feel right. And uh, we got pretty close to signing sometimes and they were always like just, just always looking for radio singles, you know? They don’t care about being an artist or anything like that so,..I don’t know it wasn’t the right vibes.
Is there any label that you would ideally want to sign with in the future?
Not really. A label is pretty much a label…Um, same rules, same guidelines, just a different name. I have my own little label, just like a stamp on my album called Loveway Records.
Do you put out music for anyone else? Or do you plan to?
Not yet, I might at some point. Just like friends.
You’ve mentioned that the music of Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, and The Format have really influenced your sound and lyrics. Are there any songs in particular that have inspired you. Or that you consider favorites (either an album or a song…)?
Dang, I don’t know. I really like “Yesterday” by The Beatles. I feel like it’s one of the first really, like emotional, kind of Indie-driven acoustic songs. So, I really love that song and it’s probably one of my favorite all time songs.
Me too. That is one of those songs I really remember hearing growing up from my parents playing records and albums.
Yeah, exactly.
Do you find that too, where a lot of the music you have been influenced by, or really remember from your childhood, was music that your parents listened to?
Yeah, my dad had always playing guitar and I was always admiring him. I didn’t really have the guts to ask him how to play until I was in 8th grade probably.
Okay, I’m going to give you this next question in the beginning in case you need some time to think about it.
Okay, cool.
If you had to pick one song to play as your theme song or anthem every time you walked into a room, what song would it be and why?
Like a song by me? Or any song?
Any song.
Oh wow.
Haha what would you pick for him Taylor?
What would I pick for him!?
What song epitomizes him? Like which would make a statement about him for when he walked in? You can think about it! Just make it good.
[Laughter] K!
We’ll come back to it at the end.
You just released Me and My Uke in January, which is definitely something that not many people in the industry, and especially this scene, have ventured down. What made you decide to pick up the Uke for this special EP?
My buddy Forrest, I went on tour with him and he taught me how to play ukulele on tour and I just wrote a couple ditties and just laid them down in the studio.
Can we expect more uke in the future and on the upcoming full length?
Uhhm, I put out the single “Happy” that’s ukulele driven but other than that there’s not really any other songs that have any ukulele on it.
Your self-titled full length is slated to come out in May, but you have regularly been releasing new songs and EPs, is there any chance of any new songs or EPs being released before the full length?
Yeah, we’re gonna have, I think two more come out.
Do you want to elaborate on what songs…or can you?
No! It’s a surprise!
Ooo haha.
This past December you recorded your first full length with Forrest of Hellogoodbye. What was that process like? What kind of a role did Forrest play in the recording and production of the album?
He’s like, it was like super chill. I just came there with a batch of songs that I had written and he just ,I don’t know, he just helped me out and he has a lot of cool instruments that we just experimented with and uh lots of old vintage keyboards and like, I don’t know. I just went there with some songs I had already written and he just helped me out putting in some goofy instruments. He kind of just threw in some ideas and bass lines, piano lines, silly stuff like that. So…
Is there anything from your recording process that people would be surprised to find out happened? Any last minute song changes in a song or a lyric or things that you didn’t expect to happen in the studio or in Long Beach that happened?
Uhhm, I don’t know. Uhm, it was really like, I got, I really got like a tropical vibe on some of the songs because Forrest lives right off the beach and I would go to the beach everyday and it was so just like, it was great because, I don’t know, it really put me in kind of like a California kind of mood. A lot of the songs are like jumpy and fun.
In a past interview you mentioned that you were hoping to possibly do a collaboration with Ace Enders while on tour with him, did anything ever come of that?
Not really, we just kind of hung out haha.
Do you see any other collaborations coming up? Or maybe any ideal collaboration you might like to do in the future?
I don’t know. I’m not, like too into that scene, it’s not quite my thing.
Do you ever set goals for yourself before going out on tour? Something that you set to go out and do better or to improve upon? What are some past goals that you have achieved and what are some current goals that you are striving for?
I mean, I guess just like, I struggle with not getting sick on tour and taking care of myself. Like right now I have the flu and I feel really crappy but um, I also just try to like stay healthy and eat healthy. I don’t know, I mean, I guess this is like our first full band tour so it’s like we’re trying to like experiment with a lot of new sounds and stuff. I guess just like keep learning and learning from artists that I tour with. I just keep learning and always have an open mind for new things.
What is the best advice anyone has ever given you, either pertaining to music or life in general? Who gave it to you? Did you follow it?
Oh jeez. Uh. I don’t know! I’ve gotten a lot of advice. I guess just from a lot of people, you know, it’s all – you can’t forget your roots, you can’t forget where you come from. And you can’t let silly things go to your head. Like, okay, a couple kids like you, you can’t let that go to your head and you can’t be silly and let things overwhelm you. Like, right now I guess that’s just keeping a level head.
You’ve mentioned before that living on the road away from home starting so young has forced you to grow up quickly. What kinds of adjustments have you had to make? What is the biggest thing you’ve learned about being on the road and about growing up?
Well, I had to drop out of high school and stuff and that was kind of crappy but like, I don’t know, just I mean, it’s all about relationships and it’s all about making friends. Like, it’s all about loving people you know? If you don’t love people then they aren’t going to love you back, and you’re going to be very unhappy. And touring could be a disaster, if you don’t make friends with people…then it’s not gonna happen. I don’t know, it’s forced me to grow up because I’ve been away from my family and all my friends. So, whenever you’re alone you kind of really find out who you are. So I guess that, that’s pretty much it.
Where are some places you have always wanted to play on tour but haven’t had a chance to yet?
Um, hmmm. I don’t know I’ve played mostly all the cities I’ve really wanted to…like, I don’t know. I’m stoked to go on tour and play some of the House of Blues and stuff…I’ve heard good things, you know, they’re like not too big and not too small. So I think those will be great.
What is the first concert you went to? Who did you go with and what was it like? We’ll do what your first concert was and then the most recent one you went to (that wasn’t your own show).
What was my first show…? I don’t know! I never really went to big shows when I was a kid. I mean all I ever did was go to like local shows and stuff, and then, ugh, I don’t know! I don’t know, I honestly can’t say which ones I’ve been to. Hm, what’s one that I’ve been to recently? Haha I don’t know! I’m not a big concert goer! I guess I’m going to go see Brand New tonight though, so that counts! [Brand New was playing in the main room of the venue in Hartford, CT that night.] So yeah, I guess Brand New!
Touring is pretty low key for you since you went out solo on previous tours and now with just three members total, do you still find yourself needing to prepare yourself for the road and for touring before a major tour? Besides packing and saying goodbye to your friends and family before you leave, what kinds of things do you make sure to squeeze in before hopping in the van?
Um, I just kind of. I hang out with my, pets and I…sleep a lot. Eat a lot. I don’t know…I don’t really have any routines.
Are there any places you go? Do you have any favorite places in your hometown? Like…besides your house or your room, what is your favorite spot in your hometown in Joplin? Where would someone have to check out before leaving?
There is this place called The Magic Noodle, it’s like a Thai restaurant. They have amazing like, vegan noodles with like tofu and stuff. I usually hit that up. I come from a pretty small town so it’s usually like, super…you know, weird that it’s there haha. But we have it!
If you had the complete perfect day, while on tour, where anything was possible what would you do? Where would you be and where would you go?
I don’t know. I’d probably play a beach show down in San Diego. I was born in San Diego and I’ve always wanted to move back. And uh, I guess I’d play on the beach with all my local bands and like, just have a party, drink some beer and have a good time.
Back to the theme song. What would it be? Think of something good! Haha
Christofer: I’m trying!!
Taylor: I can’t think of anything either haha
Christofer: It’s like, my theme song! It’s like…sheisty, you don’t want to mess that up!
Christofer: Ah, hm…[brainstorming]
Christofer: I guess like, “All You Need is Love.”
Taylor: YEAHHH! Yeah!
I think that’s appropriate!
Christofer: I could make that happen! I walk in and everyone’s like…!
It’d be so good.
Christofer: For sure!
Okay so next is superlatives. I’m glad you’re both here, you can work together! If the people on this tour were to vote on superlatives the way a high school does for the yearbook at the end of the year, what would each of the members in your band get? What would each of the bands on the tour as a whole get? (Example: Most likely to…, Best…, etc.)
Christofer: Yeah, yeah yeah. Okay! So what exactly am I doing, where do I start!?
You’re going to pick who gets what.
Taylor: Oh man.
Like, “most likely to…” embarrass themselves, I don’t know haha.
Taylor: Oh, gosh.
[Thinking]
Taylor: Nathan would be most likely to get robbed.
Did that happen on this tour? Or it just, would?
Taylor: No, he’s just like… so nice.
Christofer: He’s so nice.
Taylor: Just like, the way he just walks around…he just walked to the gas station a second ago. And I didn’t want to go, because I was scared.
I don’t blame you, I was so scared when I got here, I called Jude and asked him to walk me from my car haha.
Taylor: He’s so nice…but I mean, he’s so tough at the same time because he’s from Chicago. So I feel like he might not actually get robbed. I don’t know haha.
Taylor: What would Jude get…
Christofer: Most likely to…
Most likely to walk me from my car haha.
Taylor: Yeah exactly haha. All the good ones I’m thinking are stuff you can’t put in the newspaper haha
You can say it, no worries.
Taylor: Most likely to pass out at graduation.
[Laughing]
…did he do that? Haha.
Taylor and Christofer: ….NO…………I don’t know. [Laughing] No, no.
Taylor: This is the hardest question. What else…
Christofer: I’m most likely to get raped.
Taylor: Most likely to get raped?!
Christofer: Yeah.
Taylor: Definitely.
Christofer: I’m very sensitive…
Taylor: Or kidnapped.
Christofer: Or kidnapped, yeah! That works too…because I don’t know karate moves! Christofer: [To Taylor] You’re most likely to…have…six lives.
Taylor: ….
[Laughing]
Taylor: Wow. That’s some…
Christofer: No haha, you’re most likely to…raise crops for a living.
Taylor: To raise crops? Most likely to live on a farm?
Christofer: Yeah, that’s so bad though. Haha. They’re [the readers] are going to be like [sarcastic tone making fun of themselves] “Oh wow, that’s really awesome. Good for you guys…”
[Laughing]
Christofer: You’re most likely to…. [to Taylor]
[Thnking]
Taylor: I don’t know. I give up. Haha.
Do you want to go on to the band superlatives? Like, think…what is the general personality of each of each of the bands?
Christofer: The Scene Aesthetic, most likely to get arrested for illegally downloading movies.
Taylor: [Laughing] Yeah, most likely to be arrested for illegal pirating.
Taylor: The Honorary Title would be most likely to get arrested for arson.
…Is there a story with that one too? Haha I’m intrigued with each of these.
Taylor: No, but earlier Dustin had his lighter up to the door and I was like, “What’s gonna happen if you set this door on fire, bro?” And he was like, “I don’t know…it’s going to catch on fire.”
Christofer: The Bigger Lights.
[Long pause thinking of superlative]
Taylor: The Bigger Lights is hard!
And don’t forget yourselves, what would you get?
Taylor: As a band?
Yeah.
Christofer: I don’t know. Most likely [mumbles]
Most likely to WHAT?!
Christofer: HAHA Most likely to…I don’t know! This is like THE HARDEST…
Taylor: I KNOW. This is really hard. I can’t believe this.
I’m sorry!
Christofer: No, it’s okay! No you’re just doin’ your job haha!
Taylor: Usually in high school they’re just so generalized.
Yeah these you can really pinpoint personalities.
Taylor: It’s not like “best eyes” or like,”most likely to go to Harvard or something.”
Christofer: We’re most likely to …
Taylor: Most likely to need a security force, ha.
Christofer: We’re most likely to be bums.
Taylor: Yeah.
Christofer: We’re just bums…We don’t do anything.
Taylor: Most likely to never clean out the van!!
Christofer: Yeah! We’re the dirtiest band ev-er. I don’t get it. Our van is so dirty, you can’t even see the floor.
Ew.
Christofer: Like, I have to sit cross-legged on the seat because there’s so much shit on the ground. It’s so..
Taylor: There’s bottles and trash and…
Whose responsibility is it to clean it when you get home?
Christofer: …I guess it’s mine!? I don’t know. My mom would probably love to do it haha. She loves cleaning up after me because I’m never home, you know?
She like goes out of her way to clean up after you when you’re home and take care of you?
Christofer: Yeah, exactly.
Taylor: Our band would also be, most likely to buy ridiculous shit, like, to buy stuff we would never need, on tour.
Christofer: Yeah, we buy stupid stuff. Like, we bought NERF guns…and silly string.
That’s an essential…
Taylor: We bought a ton of crap at Wal-Mart the other day. Me and Chris bought a scooter a piece-
Christopher: -Uh huh!
Taylor: -a Razor Scooter. And then we bought, everyone…bought a NERF gun? And you bought that like huge monster NERF gun?
Christofer: Yea! – And we never got it working. It was like…$60 and it was like this [puts hands out wide] big and it was supposed to be like pffff-f-f-f [makes sound of NERF gun shooting].
Taylor: SO. THE BIGGER LIGHTS. I still don’t know. Topher. Topher is like, really girly. But he’s also really manly at the same time.
[Laughing]
Taylor: He’s like Michael Jackson.
Christofer: Haha. Most likely to be like Michael Jackson. That’s a good one.
Hahaha, I’m interviewing them after this interview. I’m, of course, going to have them pick for you guys too by the way.
Taylor: Oh god. Haha.
Christofer: Uh oh. [Laughing]
Taylor: Most likely to have someone pass out during one of their shows.
Christofer: Yeah, that did already happened actually.
Just because there were so many people or…
Taylor: Kind of…people were like pushing and shoving and it was really hot and this girl passed out, and then she started like, shaking. We had to call an ambulance.
Christofer: She died. [Said with a perfectly straight face, despite being 100% sarcastic]
Taylor: [Laughing]
Christofer: [Breaking out laughing]
Haha! He says that so casually.
Taylor: Ha! “She died.” [Imitating Christopher]
Christofer: Yeah man, she [kinda] died. [grinning sarcastically]
Taylor: What would Carter be? He could be anything.
Christofer: Duuuuude.
Taylor: Most likely to make a sexual innuendo.
Christofer: On accident. Most likely to make a sexual innuendo on accident.
[Jude peeks in to let the guys know it’s time to warm up and get ready for their set.]
It’s fine, come on in. I think we’re about all set anyways, yeah? Thanks so much for the interview, have a great set.
Thank you!
