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10 Questions with ... You Me At Six
February 25, 2014
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
BAND MEMBERS/INSTRUMENT:
- Josh Franceschi Vocals
- Max Helyer Guitar
- Chris Miller Guitar
- Matt Barnes Bass
- Dan Flint Drums
1) This question is for Jeremy Summers (President-Prospect Park Records). Jeremy, when did you first hear about You Me At Six and tell us how and why you signed the band to your label?
The week that Prospect Park had launched The Backstreet Boys album (to #5) with BMG Songs, and the Five Finger Death Punch album (to #2), Dave Wallace (You Me At Six mgmt) called to congratulate us on our successes. We were familiar with what the band had achieved in the U.K., but not as familiar with the work they had put in the U.S. Several of us from the team went out to see them live, and were blown away with the band's command over the crowd. We lived with the music, and all knew that we were the team to elevate YM@6 here.
2) This question is for Josh Franceschi (lead vocals). What was your first band and what were some of your early musical influences?
My first ever band was a garage punk band and we covered mostly bands who were on the label 'Drive Thru Records.' Early influences for me where the Links of Finch, the Starting Line and the Early November.
3) When did you form You Me At Six and what's the story behind the band's name?
We formed YMAS in 2006 and played our first ever show at a gig some of my mates put on at one of the local youth centres. I just remember my friends and I destroying the place as we all moshed for our mate's bands. It was an all-day show of, like, 10 bands. The name came from making Friday night arrangements, it was an abbreviation for that which unfortunately stuck.
4) With already three Gold-Certified albums under your belt, to what do you attribute your enormous amount of success in the U.K.?
I'm not sure. I feel it's a mixture of a few things piecing together at the right time. We've grown in the U.K. for the past eight years at a nice, steady and organic rate. In the U.K., I feel there's a real sense of ownership from our fans over our music. This is the most integral component to our success. In a declining market, they continue to support us in that way, by purchasing our music rather than downloading it. We've also worked extremely hard in the U.K., as it's our home territory, we really wanted to achieve success there first and foremost and now we're coming for America.
5) Your fourth album "Cavalier Youth" is already #1 in the U.K. and now available in America via Prospect Park Records. I understand you recorded most of this album in Los Angeles. How was that experience for you guys?
I can't really believe we've had a #1, pretty crazy. We certainly did, it was our second time recording in Los Angeles, but our first experience wasn't the smoothest. I think a vast amount of praise has to be heaped on to Neal Avron. He changed the game for us. He changed how we recorded our music; he changed our attitudes and he also made us all far more ambitious as individuals when recording our parts which in turn worked out for the record as a whole.
We also rented a beautiful house in the hills by Griffith Park. We had a pool and amazing balcony view of the observatory and downtown LA. That was an incredible summer.
6) There's also a documentary film called "Oceans Away" that chronicles your band's love affair with L.A. during the recording of "Cavalier Youth." When and why did you decide to do a film on this period?
Well, we'd had our videographer out on the road with us. We wanted to document the process of Cavalier Youth with him as he's incredible; we feel very comfortable filming with him, so we went for it. It's an interesting story and a crazy time for our band, so I'm so happy he's here to document it all.
7) Jeremy ... In the weeks ahead, Prospect Park is releasing "Room To Breathe" as the first Rock single here in the States. Tell us about this song and why did you choose this for the first single?
We had narrowed it down to four choices for the first single - all of which could have easily been picked. After numerous discussions, countless listening sessions in the office and driving around, we all agreed on "Room to Breathe." We tightened up the mix a bit with Neal Avron (Weezer, Yellowcard, Fall Out Boy) from the album version to really dial it in for the stations here. It's got all the makings of a great rock song - big guitars, soaring vocals and lyrics that everyone can identify with.
8) Josh, the band has sold out Wembley Arena in London. Can you tell us your future plans for a North American tour?
It was Wembley Arena just across the street from Wembley Stadium. But we're the first U.K. rock band since Muse, Arctic Monkeys and Biffy Clyro to go on and headline and sell it out in the last decade. So it has put us in good company. It felt like the start of something really special. We'll see.
Our North American tour is important for us, as its time for us to introduce ourselves to America. It feels like the time is right. We'll be playing some tunes, so get down to the show nearest to you.
9) Finally, you obviously have spent a lot of time here in America and probably got to listen to lots of Rock radio. What's your take on the music being played on Rock radio in America today?
It's great. A really strong group of acts, one that we hope to integrate ourselves into at some point! It's an amazing platform for rock bands to be played on the radio in that way. I've heard some of my new favourite bands in this way.
10) If you got to perform live for one night with any Rock Band in the world besides your own, who would it be and why?
Arctic Monkeys ... they're just fucking cool, aren't they?
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