10 Questions with ... Badflower

BAND MEMBERS/INSTRUMENTS:

• Josh Katz - singer/guitarist
• Joey Morrow - lead guitarist
• Alex Espiritu - bass guitarist
• Anthony Sonetti - drummer

1) Where does this interview find you today? What's on the agenda besides this interview?

Josh: We're in Pittsburgh today, soundchecking. We're playing a show at the Smiling Moose.

2) When did you start putting the band together and how did you guys all meet?

Josh: Joey and I have been playing together for nearly 10 years. Anthony and Alex came a bit later as our sound started to change and we better discovered who we were. Badflower has been active about five years.

3) Your first real exposure at Rock radio came with the single "Animal" from your debut EP "Temper." How did it feel the first time you heard your music played on the radio?

Josh: It was totally surreal. The best part was hearing from old acquaintances that wanted to get back into our lives because they thought we were "a big deal." Everyone is suddenly your best friend when you have a song on the radio. It's pretty funny.

4) You are one of the first new Rock bands that have signed with Big Machine/John Varvatos Records. How is it working with them and when can we expect your debut album?

Josh: It's going incredibly well. We've been with John for a few years now and he's never steered us wrong. This company as a whole has a real passion for our music and they're relentless when it comes to working it. We love our label. The record is finished and will come very soon. No dates yet though.

5) Now let's talk about your latest single, "Ghost," which is really breaking through so far at Rock radio. This track is powerful and compelling and the video is a must-see. What was the inspiration for this song?

Josh: I was inspired by my own feelings and mental state at the time. I was very confused and depressed after returning home from tour. It was time to make a record and "Ghost" was the first song appeared. I didn't really think about how the song would affect people, I just wrote what I was feeling. I wanted to explore my darkest fantasy with as much detail as possible. And I actually learned a lot about myself after writing it. It was a very positive experience.

6) What's your take on Rock radio today and do you have any favorite on-air radio moments you can share with us?

Josh: Rock radio is really embracing us, so I'd say I love it. I can't say I love everything I hear on the radio, but that goes for any format. I just like good songs.

7) I've asked this question many times to Rock artists. There's a definite difference between making a record and going out and playing it live in front of an audience. Many feel that the real work is making the record, and the fun part is playing it live. What's your take on both of these processes?

Josh: I would firmly say the opposite. I love writing and making records. It's total creativity. Touring feels like a job a lot of the time. It's a very tiring routine when you've been out for months. I also suffer from panic disorder so performing and I don't always get along. I struggle on stage sometimes.

8) Speaking of playing live, what are the tour plans for Badflower for the rest of this year?

Josh: We already have many tour dates announced and there's a lot more coming. We'll be all over the country.

9) Who are some of the old and newer artists who inspire you? Any "guilty pleasure" songs or songs we might be surprised to find on your playlist?

Josh: We love a lot of newer artists. Meg Myers and Dawes are pretty much the most played artists in our van. Guilty pleasure would be Cyndi Lauper.

10) Finally, if you had the opportunity to work with any act/artist from the past, present or future, who would it be and why? If you could spend the day with them, where would you go ... and what would you do?

Josh: James Horner. I'm a huge fan of film scores and composers. If I could collaborate with anyone, it probably wouldn't be another rock or pop artist. James Horner has written some of my favorite pieces of music of all time