 "Photo: Photo Courtesy of Omar Alamoudi")
Welcome to the second week of school, ladies and gents. Is everyone finally getting settled into classes? Or has the Senioritis already kicked in for those of us graduating this year? Let's hope not.
On to more important things like… music. This week's band is one from Boston, and they call themselves Westland. I asked them a few questions on what it's like to be them, and what their take on everything is.
Meghan Hole: How long have you guys been a band? Westland: Westland has been a band for about six months.
MH: Why do you call yourselves Westland? WL: Jon and Ryan live on Westland Avenue in Boston. Also, we wanna move west to California.
MH: Why do you want to move to California? WL: It's one of the reasons why our name is Westland. Also, everyone's in Cali[fornia]. (Laughs)
MH: What's it like being from Boston? Has that influenced any of your music? WL: The band is from Boston, but we are all originally from all over the world. Boston is a great scene to start a band though.
MH: How did you choose your current lineup? WL: Before Westland was a band, Aaron and Ryan had another band called Spectacular Spectacular, with similar songs and different lineup changes in Cape Cod. Aaron and Jon, old friends from their hometown in Pennsylvania, began reforming the band along with Ryan in Boston. Jon came up to Boston to go to Berklee, where he met Carlo from Switzerland, another Berklee student. Jon and Carlo are the only Berklee students in the band. Then we met Jeff, the missing link. He fulfilled everything that was needed - especially in business.
MH: Did [Jon and Carlo] going to Berklee influence any of your music styles? WL: Berklee opened up Jon and Carlo's minds to so many different influences; also improving our musicianship. It definitely benefits Westland.
MH: What age did you start getting into music? WL: One or two to be honest, just from our parents always playing it.
MH: How did you guys get started in music? WL: We all come from different music backgrounds, [and] for some of us, we were into sports and just found music. For others, we just picked up an instrument one day and couldn't ever put it down. Some took lessons, others taught themselves by ear.
MH: Who are your greatest influences? WL: The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Blink-182, Anberlin and Copeland.
MH: I've noticed that a lot of bands are influenced by Blink-182. Why do you think that is? WL: Blink started the whole pop-rock/powerpop sound, I think. Well, Green Day too, of course, but Blink showed that playing this style is fun.
MH: Who writes the lyrics of the songs? WL: Aaron.
MH: Where do you guys get your song ideas? WL: Dreams.
MH: How many EPs or LPs have you produced? WL: One LP.
MH: What is the name of your LP? WL: Don't Take It Personal.
MH: What's a typical band practice like for you guys? WL: We practice every day for about seven hours [and] going over our set just as if it was a real show.
MH: Do you guys ever get into fights about anything? WL: We bicker like brothers.
MH: Have you guys played at Warped Tour? WL: Not yet.
MH: What's the best thing about being on tour? WL: Meeting new bands and making close new friends.
MH: What's the worst thing about being on tour? WL: (Laughs) Well I guess of course when the bus smells bad, but also missing friends and family back home.
MH: Describe your best onstage moment. WL: An obsessed fan ran onstage and tried to hug Aaron, but she fell.
MH: Describe your worst onstage moment. WL: Probably when some piece of gear didn't work or something - which sucks when that happens.
MH: What would you be doing if you weren't in the music business? WL: Probably producing or mixing.
MH: Can you imagine yourselves doing anything besides music? WL: Honestly… not really. (Laughs)
MH: What are your plans for the future? WL: We are touring the west coast in the fall, and filming a music video with a very [well] known director, [but] I'm not telling who yet!
MH: Do you have any advice for new bands trying to make it? WL: Never give up! No matter how stressed or upset you getm never ever ever give up. Stick with it and good things will come. It may take one day and you're an overnight success, but it may take up to five years 'till it happens. Just never give up.
MH: Have you ever played in Baltimore? WL: We have not. Hopefully soon though!
Check out Westland on www.myspace.com/westlandmusic, or buy their music on SmartPunk.com, Amazon.com, iTunes, or Napster.
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