Q&A with Eric Sunray from Say You Swear
At the Hey Monday concert I got the chance to interview a person from an up and coming band. Eric Sunray from Say You Swear, was promoting his Chicago based band and I benefited from it. You can check out one of their songs here! Drag This Out by Say You Swear
How did you get started in a band?
I met most of the guys in college at Miami University, OH. Then moved to Chicago to take our music more seriously. We were working on a record when the singer left the band. We met the current lead singer through our producer. He was putting out his solo album and needed a band to back him up. He was a singer looking for a band and we were a band looking for a singer so we started touring on his music. The band is only about 5 or 6 months old.
What kind of music do you play?
Rock – alternative. Foo Fighters meet Jimmy Eat World
Do you have any advice to new bands in your position?
Tour. Playing shows every night, there is no way better to get your band and music out there.
Do you have any advice for people who want to help promote bands?
I think there is a lot of ego in the music business. Everyone would love for a complete and total stranger to listen to their music and become an instant fan. But the people that willingly and selflessly want to promote bands are the heart and soul of the business. Without them, the bands wouldn't be able to exist. I don't think it takes much to promote a band; word of mouth is great and social media is a great way to get the word out.
Does the Internet help bands?
Definitely. The internet has made it possible for just about anyone to make something out of his/her music. But at the same time, it has also saturated the industry with a lot of the same kind of music. Regardless, at the end of the day, you still have to be talented to have a long-lasting career in music.
Do you think it’s easier for people to get signed to a label if they are on Myspace?
Myspace is just one of many social media sites that can help bands when they're getting started. It's a great place that a lot of industry professionals turn to for information on bands they are interested in. But just about EVERYONE has a Myspace music page these days, so simply being on Myspace won't necessarily give you attention from labels.
Does a manager help?
A manager definitely helps, but a lot of young bands (ours included) opt to manage ourselves in the earlier stages just because it saves money, and it is a relief to have control over your own affairs.
Can you do without a label and record in your own studio?
You can definitely do that. In fact, I think that's becoming a serious trend. The "DIY" (do-it-yourself) mentality is huge these days. Being signed to a label could offer a musician a lot of great opportunities they wouldn't be exposed to otherwise, but there's really nothing stopping a band from booking time at a studio and paying for everything out of pocket.
Do you think record labels will become obsolete?
That was, and still is, a big concern. With the internet and iTunes, labels were only making pennies on the dollar because people were buying single tracks instead of full albums. Then with illegal music downloads, record companies were making nothing. But I believe it's just a matter of time before labels learn to adapt and get back on their feet. People will never stop making music and, as long as that's the case, people will always want to get involved and support.
Do you have any last thoughts?
Th
ank you for taking the time to listen to what I have to say. We are a young band, and it's support from people like you that make what we do possible.
Check them out on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, and SayYouSwear.com!!! Thank you Eric for taking the time out in the Pittsburgh cold to talk to me! I greatly appreciate it!
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