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The Silent Type

The Silent Type
Picture copyright respected holders.

Interview With The Silent Type By Chris 9/8/05

The Silent Type are one great band that defiantly impressed me.
They have released a great album called Of Writing/Of Violence.
You have to check it out after you have read this interview.

The Silent Type Website

1. How did the band form?

I think it was around 1999 that I started writing some acoustic songs on my own, outside of the band I was in at the time. I had been doing so since I'd first picked up a guitar, but the songs started to cohere a bit better and showed a bit more maturity in terms of their songwriting. I put together a self-recorded demo the following summer, mailed some out to labels or for review, and sold them at solo shows. The idea all along was to recruit some other members to flesh out the songs a bit more. Long story short, over the past five years, that idea went into practice and Silent Type began to grow and evolve. The band is now six members strong and I don't plan on stopping until I've achieved full orchestra status.

2. Who were your idols growing up?

I'll stick with musical idols. My parents were a big influence in my initial musical background. I didn't start guitar until I was thirteen, but my dad is and was a musician, so I grew up watching him at band practice every week. Likewise, my mother always sang to me and taught me songs on the piano. Outside my immediate family, I've idolized Jeremy Enigk since I first heard 'Diary' in high school. My entire musical output seems to be futile attempts at trying to realize what he has already achieved. Listen to 'Return of the Frog Queen' and you've pretty much got the blueprint for the Silent Type.

3. Who were your influences?

See above. In addition, I consider anything I hear to be an influence, whether I choose to emulate or avoid a particular musician or band. Hopefully only the positive influences filter through.

4. What has the response been to the album?

It's hard to tell. In our own limited world, we feel overjoyed to have an actual album released. Having others respond positively to that album continues to amaze us. It's corny, in a way, but true. Also, I feel most impressed by those reviewers/fans who listen carefully and pay attention to lyrics, composition, engineering, and so on. It denotes a kind of respect for music that is rare.

5. What was the recording process like?

A mixture of extreme relaxation, fatigue, inspiration, and frustration--typical of any recording process, I think. We are fortunate to record with our friend, Jason LaFerrera, who makes the whole process as smooth as possible. We also don't have to deal with the constant pressure of being on the clock, losing money, which is nice.

6. Has the internet helped with your music?

It's hard to put any quantitative measure on that sort of thing, but I'm sure it doesn't hurt. For instance, our older release is out of print, but available in its entirety on our website (www.silenttype.net). This puts the music in the hands of people that want to hear it. Since it's out of print, we wouldn't be making money from it anyway.

7. What are your thoughts to filesharing and the mp3 format?

I love filesharing and encourage anyone who enjoys our music to copy and share it with others. At the same time, keep in mind that recording, pressing, and distribution cost money, so it's good to give back some form of compensation to the artists, whether it's buying the actual record or coming out to see them on tour. In the cases where a listener can either download our music or not hear it at all, I'd rather they hear it. There will always be those people that steal music outright, but even then, it's flattering that someone would seek out your music.

8. Have you had much response from labels overseas?

A little bit. Hopefully something is in the works to have our album distributed overseas. We'll see what comes to fruition in the next few months.

9. What inspired you to the play the music you do?

That's a tough question to answer, but I'll give you a specific personal story. I've listened to music avidly since I was very young (for instance, I used to hold a tape recorder up to my television set to record songs from MTV) and I was always fascinated with musical instruments. Once, in middle school, I was sitting in the back of the classroom during study hall. Another older student brought in a guitar and began playing 'Stairway to Heaven'. It absolutely blew my mind that someone could reproduce another artist's songs on the guitar. From that point on, I began begging my dad for an acoustic guitar. About a year later, he finally relented. I guess I owe it all to my dad, Led Zeppelin, and an unknown high school student.

10. What is it like being a artist in america?

I can't say I have a point of comparison. I've never been an artist anywhere else. Although, from what I hear from bands that tour in Europe, the fans there seem to be a lot more supportive and engaged. I'm not sure what creates that difference, but it certainly sounds nice. Fans over here seem a bit jaded and cynical at times.

11. What are your thoughts on realty tv talent shows eg American Idol?

It's mindless, but oddly compelling, like most reality television. I guess I could make some grandiose statement about its contribution to cultural decay, but then I'd be hypocritical, since I'm guilty of watching. I love Surreal Life.

12. If you could have a dream gig line up who would they be?

Barring any limitations of space and time, I'd like Vivaldi as the opener, then Sunny Day Real Estate (c. 1994), the Beatles (c. 1967), and Beethoven as the closer. I don't even care if Silent Type plays, I'd just like to see that combination.

13. Have you had much support from radio?

A bit, from college radio and some internet stations.

14. If you could be on any tv show where would you be?

Six Feet Under. We could be the funeral band.

15. What is on your stereo at the moment?

I don't use my stereo too often. iPod on shuffle is the way to go.

16. What are some of your favourite musicial artists/bands?

Sufjan Stevens, Matt Pond PA, Owen, Blonde Redhead, Ms. John Soda, Starflyer 59, Explosions in the Sky, Slowdive, Smashing Pumpkins, Sunny Day Real Estate, etc.

17. What movies you have seen lately you have really enjoyed?

Finding Neverland was a real tear-jerker, I enjoyed that one. City of God was pretty intense, too, especially if you like gangster-type movies. Gangster kids, that is.

18. What are your favourite movies?

American Beauty, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the Exorcist, and Booty Call, to name just four.

19. Realty TV? Good Or Bad?

See above.

20. Favourite place to play?

Silent Type hasn't played the Middle East in Boston, but I've been there with another band, and it's consistently one of my favorites. The crowd seems more attentive there, even if you're unknown. The stage is nice and large, too.

Thanks To Sean Of Invisible Youth PR for setting up and The Silent Type for doing it