CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW
The past August, I went to Kelly's Olympian to catch a couple of new bands on their New Music Night. It is hard to put into words my feelings when Monody began their set - it was kind of like finding a 2 carat diamond ring in your box of Cracker Jacks - I became an instant fan. In late February, we were finally able to do an interview and I can say I am even a bigger fan now. This is a band that takes their craft seriously, they work hard and expect a lot of themselves. They brought me a CD that has been listened to every day since I got it; I listen with my headphones on when I can so I can take in all the layers - this music is lush, gorgeous and beautiful. I hope you enjoy getting to know Monody - they are truly exceptional.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO OF MONODY PERFORMING ABSENT
Check out Monody's amazing website & download music here www.monodyweb.com
When I was playing back the interview, I heard Geoff saying that he had never been just the singer before - I was surprised to hear that and emailed him to ask him about it.
Evy: I have a question for you - wish I would have thought of it during the interview. You said with other bands you did not do vocals, correct? When did you discover your voice? It really is amazing.
Geoff: I am flattered. I don't really like the sound of my own voice most of the time. I am always trying to improve though.
I think what I meant to say in the interview is that Monody is the first all vocal role for me. I sang in Octaval some, which you can hear on the website that I sent you. Octaval was truly my first time ever trying to do vocals in front of someone other than my car steering wheel. But, the problem I always had in Octaval was playing guitar at the same time. I am not blessed with the mental ability to sing well and play guitar well simultaneously. One or the other suffers. I really wish I could though.
As far as when I "discovered" my voice, that's a really tough question. I feel like like even when I was a kid I really liked singing along with all my parents music and I thought I sounded good. But doesn't every kid? In the back of my mind, growing up, I would watch performers of bands I liked and think 'why couldn't that be me' or 'I could do that'. But doesn't everyone? So, I never pursued it. Instead, I focused on learning piano and guitar.
Once I decided it was something I wanted to try, The real struggle for me was being comfortable in my own skin. I had a hard time developing my own style and not singing like the vocalists that I love to listen to. It's still a problem for me sometimes. I also am very self conscious about my voice. It really shows when I try to write melodies in front of other people, I really can't do it. I have to be by myself. It's not until I feel very sure of what I am going to sing that I will let anyone else listen. The more I do it, the easier it gets, but it's a slow process.
xoxo
Evy
Loved hearing about songwriting vs performing, the importance of backup gear and more.
And drums add a great layer, especially live.
I put other details in their MySpace comment.
The last 3 shows I attended were all Evymetal podcast bands, and now I've gotta see Monody!
Posted by: Notorious Kelly | March 09, 2009 at 07:22 PM