Divergent streams in music are merging together in the new sounds coming from out west. This band needs no help in getting the word out, their music has been doing all the talking! There are some bands you have to pay attention to, and this is that band. There's a great deal of excitement surrounding I Capture Castle, and I was fortunate enough to land an interview with them, as they prepare to make themselves heard as never before. In between their video shoots, live dates, and rigorous rehearsals, I was given an inside view of how they put together their unique and innovative sound. Check it out!, and don't forget to peek at the schedule for upcoming shows near you at their website, icapturecastle.com. Do it now, because everyone likes to see a huge band on their way to the top!
Robert: When I listen to you guys, I tend to hear a crossroads of several musical styles and genres. i capture castle for example, seems to be just as much at home covering a danceable Kesha cover (although you guys made it your own), as it is lunging forward with a balance of force and listenablity. What influences brought the group together?
How are you able to musically explore all of the styles you guys obviously are fond of?
I Capture Castle: It's really just a combination of keeping an open mind and becoming the 'art' behind the music; jumping the barrier between musician and artist. With enough dedication, anybody can become a musician, but it takes an artistic mind to really create something unique and to appreciate any (and all) art for what it is. We were just fortunate enough to end up with six artists, all of whom participate in other side-projects varying from grindcore to rap. I guess you could say that it was our general passion for music that brought us together, and since every member contributes to the writing process, we try to bring out the intensity of each style.
Robert: When I listen to you guys, I tend to hear a crossroads of several musical styles and genres. i capture castle for example, seems to be just as much at home covering a danceable Kesha cover (although you guys made it your own), as it is lunging forward with a balance of force and listenablity. What influences brought the group together?
How are you able to musically explore all of the styles you guys obviously are fond of?
I Capture Castle: It's really just a combination of keeping an open mind and becoming the 'art' behind the music; jumping the barrier between musician and artist. With enough dedication, anybody can become a musician, but it takes an artistic mind to really create something unique and to appreciate any (and all) art for what it is. We were just fortunate enough to end up with six artists, all of whom participate in other side-projects varying from grindcore to rap. I guess you could say that it was our general passion for music that brought us together, and since every member contributes to the writing process, we try to bring out the intensity of each style.
Robert: Every regional area has a "sound" associated with it. Being that you guys are coming from Utah, describe for me the music scene there. Do you see yourselves as an ambassador of the "Utah sound", or do you consider yourselves as breaking with it and going out on your own?
I Capture Castle: Utah has always had a relentless metal and hardcore scene, but that's really as close to our genre as it gets. We try to keep our music original and exclude ourselves from progressive trends. The styles that comprise our sound, give us the ability to stand out, but still blend well with any show.
Robert: What are the difficulties you have overcome so far, in getting the band to it's current state of recognition, and what lucky breaks have come that eased the way for you and brought attention to yourselves?
I Capture Castle: We've definitely hit our fair share of bumps in the road, but no more than any other band driving full-throttle. We've given up jobs, girlfriends, and homes; been through countless member changes, but every step back, seems to push us two steps closer. Nothing worth fighting for comes easy, but it definitely helps us appreciate the things we have and will achieve. The support of our fans, friends, and family have helped us maintain perspective, and we wouldn't have gone this far without them. Our latest breaks came from simply building connections. Earlier this year, we had the opportunity to record our most recent EP 'Overture', featuring guest vocalist Joel Piper (of Confide). That led to the release of our debut music video 'Dude Man I Dunno Bro', directed by TyJens Media, who is currently planning our next music video shoot, Kesha cover song 'Take It Off'.
Robert: Listening to the tracks, I hear the two vocalist approach and the contrast between two very different styles of singing. What is the process of deciding which one of you takes on particular vocal lines? Do you conceive of the lyrics separately for this purpose? Or do you make a decision of who is going to sing certain lines?
I Capture Castle: Every song is different, but we do our best to keep everything well-balanced and full of emotion. The vocal structure usually follows the sentiment brought on by the musical contrast. Choruses are done by the clean vocalist, where breakdowns are typically filled by the screamer, or whichever will bring out the greatest emotional effect. This usually isn't decided until all of the lyrics are written.
Robert: At present, what activity is the band currently involved in, and what up and coming things are in the works? Are you set to release as yet unheard/unseen tracks/videos?
I Capture Castle: Currently we've had our hands full, piecing together our headlining West Coast tour 'The Epilepsy On The Dance Floor Tour'. It will consist of 10 stops throughout 6 states in mid-September. We'll be releasing more details about that soon. Once we get back, we'll begin production for our latest music video, Kesha cover song 'Take It Off', then straight to the studio to record our full length album. It's going to be a pretty crazy next few months.
I Capture Castle: Utah has always had a relentless metal and hardcore scene, but that's really as close to our genre as it gets. We try to keep our music original and exclude ourselves from progressive trends. The styles that comprise our sound, give us the ability to stand out, but still blend well with any show.
Robert: What are the difficulties you have overcome so far, in getting the band to it's current state of recognition, and what lucky breaks have come that eased the way for you and brought attention to yourselves?
I Capture Castle: We've definitely hit our fair share of bumps in the road, but no more than any other band driving full-throttle. We've given up jobs, girlfriends, and homes; been through countless member changes, but every step back, seems to push us two steps closer. Nothing worth fighting for comes easy, but it definitely helps us appreciate the things we have and will achieve. The support of our fans, friends, and family have helped us maintain perspective, and we wouldn't have gone this far without them. Our latest breaks came from simply building connections. Earlier this year, we had the opportunity to record our most recent EP 'Overture', featuring guest vocalist Joel Piper (of Confide). That led to the release of our debut music video 'Dude Man I Dunno Bro', directed by TyJens Media, who is currently planning our next music video shoot, Kesha cover song 'Take It Off'.
Robert: Listening to the tracks, I hear the two vocalist approach and the contrast between two very different styles of singing. What is the process of deciding which one of you takes on particular vocal lines? Do you conceive of the lyrics separately for this purpose? Or do you make a decision of who is going to sing certain lines?
I Capture Castle: Every song is different, but we do our best to keep everything well-balanced and full of emotion. The vocal structure usually follows the sentiment brought on by the musical contrast. Choruses are done by the clean vocalist, where breakdowns are typically filled by the screamer, or whichever will bring out the greatest emotional effect. This usually isn't decided until all of the lyrics are written.
Robert: At present, what activity is the band currently involved in, and what up and coming things are in the works? Are you set to release as yet unheard/unseen tracks/videos?
I Capture Castle: Currently we've had our hands full, piecing together our headlining West Coast tour 'The Epilepsy On The Dance Floor Tour'. It will consist of 10 stops throughout 6 states in mid-September. We'll be releasing more details about that soon. Once we get back, we'll begin production for our latest music video, Kesha cover song 'Take It Off', then straight to the studio to record our full length album. It's going to be a pretty crazy next few months.
Robert: Music is undergoing a lot of change right now, in both the approach to performance/creativity, and in the way marketing is approached. What are your thoughts on the way exposure happens? Do you prefer bringing yourselves to an audience via live performance, or are the theatrical possibilities of video a draw for you? Is the band enthused about both approaches, or are there drawbacks?
I Capture Castle: Any exposure is worth while. It brings the band closer to our fans, when they can't come to us. Of course, it would be ideal to play for every fan in their home town, but sometimes it's just not realistic. If the opportunity is there, a live performance would definitely be our preference. It's an experience that's impossible to recreate. Kids come to our concerts to live the music; to be a part of it, and that's something that can't be done in front of a computer screen. It's real music, raw emotion, and gives us a chance to build a one-on-one relationship with our fans. Not to mention, we probably couldn't live without the rush of being on stage. It's worth the struggle, when you see firsthand that you brought a smile to someone's face.
Robert: What are your guys favored places to play in, and what areas or venues do you have your eye on? What places would be a dream gig to play in? Music festivals? Tours?
I Capture Castle: Warped Tour has always been a favorite, but all of the national tours that we open up for, rank pretty close. We're hoping to do a headlining European tour, after we're through destroying the states. Then we'll have to muster up a new to-do list.
Robert: When putting together concepts for songs, what influences the band most in terms of writing from individual perspective, or from current events? Is there a central idea that you guys visit a lot when you conceive songs, or is it more sporadic?
I Capture Castle: Music is better expressed when it's felt, not forced, so we write our songs based on current emotion and events. Once we have a starting point, we try to keep things specific enough to draw in the listener, but vague enough to leave it open for interpretation.
Robert: I can hear elements of progressive structures in your style. You guys like to change the flow of a song. I hear turnarounds and alternate riffs taking over at points. At other times, like with the Kesha cover, you offer up a consistency that could net you a different listener. Are you looking to defy genre some? Is there a formula for your sound, or are you looking to introduce evolving sounds into the mix as you progress with new material?
I Capture Castle: The key is finding the balance between unexpected and conventional; creating something unique that doesn't change the direction of the song. Naturally, the band follows a more progressive style of writing, so we're frequently reminding ourselves that our fan-base consists of more than just musicians. We try to include something for everyone, in both structure and sound, ranging from progressive shreadified metal and contemporary dance-driven pop, to laser-ready electronica and chug-induced hardcore.
Robert: Share with me all the avenues that are available for catching up with i capture castle. Can you provide me links for upcoming shows, releases, merchandise, and weblinks, and any other points of contact? What is your favorite way for a listener to experience what you do? What captures your essential image the most?
I Capture Castle: Any exposure is worth while. It brings the band closer to our fans, when they can't come to us. Of course, it would be ideal to play for every fan in their home town, but sometimes it's just not realistic. If the opportunity is there, a live performance would definitely be our preference. It's an experience that's impossible to recreate. Kids come to our concerts to live the music; to be a part of it, and that's something that can't be done in front of a computer screen. It's real music, raw emotion, and gives us a chance to build a one-on-one relationship with our fans. Not to mention, we probably couldn't live without the rush of being on stage. It's worth the struggle, when you see firsthand that you brought a smile to someone's face.
Robert: What are your guys favored places to play in, and what areas or venues do you have your eye on? What places would be a dream gig to play in? Music festivals? Tours?
I Capture Castle: Warped Tour has always been a favorite, but all of the national tours that we open up for, rank pretty close. We're hoping to do a headlining European tour, after we're through destroying the states. Then we'll have to muster up a new to-do list.
Robert: When putting together concepts for songs, what influences the band most in terms of writing from individual perspective, or from current events? Is there a central idea that you guys visit a lot when you conceive songs, or is it more sporadic?
I Capture Castle: Music is better expressed when it's felt, not forced, so we write our songs based on current emotion and events. Once we have a starting point, we try to keep things specific enough to draw in the listener, but vague enough to leave it open for interpretation.
Robert: I can hear elements of progressive structures in your style. You guys like to change the flow of a song. I hear turnarounds and alternate riffs taking over at points. At other times, like with the Kesha cover, you offer up a consistency that could net you a different listener. Are you looking to defy genre some? Is there a formula for your sound, or are you looking to introduce evolving sounds into the mix as you progress with new material?
I Capture Castle: The key is finding the balance between unexpected and conventional; creating something unique that doesn't change the direction of the song. Naturally, the band follows a more progressive style of writing, so we're frequently reminding ourselves that our fan-base consists of more than just musicians. We try to include something for everyone, in both structure and sound, ranging from progressive shreadified metal and contemporary dance-driven pop, to laser-ready electronica and chug-induced hardcore.
Robert: Share with me all the avenues that are available for catching up with i capture castle. Can you provide me links for upcoming shows, releases, merchandise, and weblinks, and any other points of contact? What is your favorite way for a listener to experience what you do? What captures your essential image the most?
Visit www.ICaptureCastle.com for the latest in news, releases, media, upcoming shows, merchandise, and more. The site also provides links to I Capture Castle on your social network of choice, where you can find more information about the band. If you're looking for an accurate representation of our sound and personality, see the newly released music video, "Dude Man I Dunno Bro", and keep checking back for more.
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