What was the beginning point for your music career? How did it all start?
Justin- I’d say it was when I met Allon in 2015 and we came up with some rough songs and then we got back together in 2017-18 and really got into creating songs.
Marcus- For me, it was hearing Randy Rhoads for the first time. That started my journey. Played in several cover bands, then when I moved to Mississauga at 16, was in my 1st original band. That satisfaction of playing your own creation with others was very satisfying.
Allon- I grew up in a musical household. My parents were both musicians so music was everywhere. Ive been going to band practices and studios my whole life. In my Teens i started writing songs and auditioning for local bands in NYC. Thats where I cut my teeth as a musician. I began my producing and engineering journey after highschool. Interned at several NYC studios and the rest is history lol
Stefanie – Growing up around performers and musicians, being on stage always felt very natural to me. So as soon as I felt confident in my singing, I was performing! The first time I was on stage was one of the best feelings in my entire life. I was six years old, singing karaoke to the Spice Girls with my sister, haha. From then on, every performance I saw or participated in was a rung on the ladder to where I am today.
Luke – Funnily enough, I started playing bass because my parents forced me to take lessons. Although I wasn’t too thrilled about it at first, I eventually developed a strong interest in it, and now I study music in university.
Was there any bumps on the road?
What kind of challenges did you have to deal with? Justin- I’d say the biggest challenges we had to deal with was losing members of the band. Marcus- None so far with this project. Many prior haha
Allon- Sooo many lol Too many to list and this would turn into a therapy session lol With this project we havent had many. Sticking to the plan and walking our own path has been the hardest. Everyone and their dog now has an opinion of what you should do and how in this business. The key is to find what works and is working and what makes sense. Not everything is for everybody.
Stefanie – For me, a lot of my challenges are personal. I’m very open with my struggles with anxiety and depression and this can occasionally be a bit of a delicate balance to deal with. Luckily, being in the band environment around this group of people helps me A LOT in terms of mood. I also am working to improve my self confidence as an artist and as a human! Having a supportive bunch of people helps with that, too.
Luke – The biggest obstacle I had to face was forming my very first band. At the time, I didn’t know many musicians and I was still in highschool, so it took a long time to get things going.
What was the most fulfilling and satisfying moment so far?
Justin- I’d say winning the battle of the bands in st Stephens new Brunswick.
Marcus- For me, hearing one of my originals, Say What You Really Feel on local radio. Was an amazing feeling. With this band, getting our EP recorded and out.
Allon- This project “X-Ray In Use” has been very fulfilling. To take a band and create music thats cohesive and to have enough music to put out a body of work is amazing.
Stefanie – We won a Battle of the Bands in Saint Stephens, New Brunswick, this summer. I was very sick prior to the performance and didn’t feel well during it – but we gave it our absolute best and I think it really shone through.
Luke – The most fulfilled that I’ve felt musically, was after performing my very first live set. We were very nervous, but the show went very well, and the crowd absolutely loved it.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
Justin- I’d say it’s very melodic and gritty/punchy
Marcus- Melodic, thought provoking, cool riffs
Allon- melodic and emotional
Stefanie – I’m very melodic in my writing. I tend to be a bit wordy, haha.
Luke – Intense, energetic, and melodic.
What is your creative process like?
Justin- for me it’s coming up with riffs that we tend to build from.
Marcus- We all bring ideas to the table and work on them until we have a finished product we are all happy with.
Allon- this band is very collaborative. its a group effort. We jam riffs and come up with a song structure. Then either myself or Stefanie will decide if we want to write to it or pass it off to the other.
Stefanie – A lot of collaboration! It starts at rehearsal where ideas are brought forward, hammered out and roughly recorded. After we have structure, as Allon said, we decide on who wants to write lyrics. For me, I’m very much the type who will play the new song, hum to it and whatever happens, happens. Then, I keep the parts I like, fine tune it and add lyrics.
Luke – Usually I start by establishing a key or a mode, and then come up with a melodic idea. From that idea, we can develop variations, transitions, and harmony to accompany it.
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
Justin- for me it’s all still new
Marcus- It is difficult to get a new project off the ground where labels don’t really do development deals anymore.
Allon- i agree with Marcus- Label development has gone the way of the dinosaur. and its sad. Because labels pissed away money on trash bands for so long they just stopped all together instead of being more selective. So now you as an artist have to spend the money and take the time to build your brand and fine tune your skills and hope you get to a level thats professional enough for others to notice. Not to mention you’re competing with bands that have label backing and the bankroll.
Stefanie – Money is such an important asset nowadays. It’s always been! But I find nowadays it’s less about the body of work and more about the marketing and how profitable a group can be. I wish it were more about talent!
Luke – More opportunities to let smaller bands shine, and get some exposure. Most radio’s or streaming softwares will only ever recommend the biggest most popular artists, and don’t give enough credit to the smaller ones who are brimming with potential.
If you were asked to give a piece of advice to upcoming bands, what would that be?
Justin- I’d say never give up cause you never know where it can bring you
Marcus- Just keep doing what you love and keep at it.
Allon- understand this business is a marathon and not a sprint. Its going to take time. be patient and get better.
Stefanie – Absolutely never give up. Keep doing what you’re doing if it brings you joy. Also, always ALWAYS keep learning!
Luke – Learn music theory. Anybody who says that learning theory will dampen your creativity has no idea what they are talking about. It is strictly advantageous, and will make songwriting and communicating with your bandmates much easier.
What has been the best performance of your career so far?
Justin- I’d have to say the battle of the bands in st Stephens new Brunswick
Marcus- One highlight for me was a show where I got to open and play all of my own originals. It was very special. With _EchoSeven, The NB Battle of the Bands in St. Stephen, NB
Allon- The first stop on our Maritime Tour Babas Lounge in PEI was really good –
Stefanie – I feel like my best performance personally happened at Storm’s Pub in Moncton, New Brunswick!
Luke – It’s a tough call, I think the performance where I did best was a show at Lexi’s with Skullkraken. We played our newest song live for the first time, and it went very well.
If you didn’t become a musician, what would you be doing now?
Justin- I’m not really sure I’ve always wanted to be a musician
Marcus- I am currently a Senior Systems Analyst, and couldn’t be happier
Allon- Ive been a Regional Manager for the past 4 years lol so i guess some sort of middle management.
Stefanie – I’d be unemployed, haha!
Luke – I’d probably be studying to become a biology teacher.
What is new with the band at the moment? What are you currently working on and would like to share with the world?
Justin- well we have our first album release show coming up on October 7th and we are currently working on new songs for the up coming new year and I would like to thank everyone for purchasing and listening to our music
Marcus- Currently, doing our shows promoting the new EP. Working on new material for next year’s release. Would like to thanks everyone for their continued support with our project. It is very much appreciated.
Allon- Were currently supporting out EP ‘X-Ray In Use”. you can buy it on Bandcamp and stream it on all platforms. We have our Maritime Tour happening right now. Working on new music like Marcus stated. Just keeping the train going lol
Stefanie – We just released our very first EP, so we’re working hard to promote and support it! We’re playing pretty consistent shows and getting used to a busier schedule. We’re actively working on new songs, too!
Luke – We’ve got a bunch of new material in the works, and honestly it’s some of our best stuff yet. Make sure to listen to our new EP, and keep your eyes peeled for what we’ve got in the works.
