My Interview With Jesse Kovacs

Can be found here...

We Are The City At Fusion Festival

We Are The City - David, Andy & Cayne

Walking through the crowd on my way to the Chevron Stage at this year’s Surrey Fusion Festival I had a sense of excitement building in me with each step. I was scheduled to interview 2009 Peak Performance Project’s first place winners We Are the City before their mini concert at the festival and was feeling nervous about interviewing more than one person at a time. Up until now I had only done one on one interviews and the prospect of having to handle three personalities as well as my own ego was daunting, to say the least. But I need not have worried. Despite their younger age these three are pure talent and professionalism wrapped in wit and charm. The moment I walked backstage and ran into Andy I felt completely at ease. I was actually 5 minutes early so he went in search of Cayne and David and the guys jumped right up ready to go in no time. Our only problem was finding a quiet spot in the middle of four simultaneously performing stages, away from the glaring sun and not in the middle of everyone’s way. Once settled and introduced I started off with the “money” shot question.

JAX: So what was the first thing you did with the money, what did you buy first?

WATC: We waited a while and we didn’t want to spend frivolously. We wanted to keep ourselves modest. Well we went on tour for like a month and a half right after we so we didn’t really get a chance to spend it. Oh, gas. We bought gas.

JAX: No new van?

WATC: No. Kind of anti-climatic.

JAX: So the people in the PPP this year, what kind of advice can you give them?

WATC: To realize it’s a really great time and to just have fun. The entire time is fun and keep that more in your mind more than anything else. You got into this camp because of songs you wrote for fun and because of that you get to be with these amazing people in this great camp and have everyone poor out their knowledge because of these songs. Just be grateful to be there. We heard from Behind Sapphire, a band in this year’s PPP and we just told them to do like we did and don’t expect anything.

JAX: You guys have a tour coming up here with Said The Whale and Aidan Knight that appears to be mostly All- Ages. Is that important to you to be able to spread yourself out for fans of all ages?

WATC: Oh yeah, definitely. It’s nice to have higher energy shows and hang out with people who aren’t always drinking all the time in a club. It’s the same amount of importance. It’s just people, you know? We want all people who like it to be able to come out and see us. And it’s nice to have a fun stress free tour that’s alcohol free. Young kids still put everything into it,they aren't stressed out from life yet. At that age you care about less so you have their focus, they are in the moment.

Jax: They aren't worrying about paying their rent?

WATC: Ya. The don’t have so many bills, they just want to have a good time.

JAX: So you guys are playing Live at Squamish at the end of summer, who are you looking forward to seeing there yourselves?

WATC: It’s hard! There is Mother Mother, Matt Goode, Tokyo Police Club- DEVO.

JAX: Bad Religion is kicking it old school as well. So who are you listening to currently?

WATC: I’ve been really into jazz lately. When I have control of the stereo, I put on some good jazz. We also like Muu, Me Without You, Rubik from Finland is another one.

JAX: OK, so we have the tour coming up, Squamish and your show here in 30 minutes. Aside from that, is there anything else coming up we can look forward to? Any new music or videos?

WATC: Actually we are gearing up to write and record a new album. That’s really exciting for us. The first album has been out for awhile now so we’re all really feeling hungry to record right now. When we recorded our last album we had just turned 18 and now we’ve just turned 20 and so it’s kinda like the last few years we’ve been becoming “The men that we are soon to be! Not a boy,not yet a man.” There, Britney Spears.

JAX: Wow, that’s when you know the interview is over, a Britney Spears quote.

We laugh.

JAX: So you have so much going on everywhere, are you all still living in Kelowna? Is that realistic, can you have a big career and not live in Vancouver?

WATC: We spend way more time out here it’s true. What’s becoming clear to me is that you can’t have a big career and live anywhere. You kinda make the choice to live nowhere.

JAX: I posted your Astronomers video on my Facebook and got a comment about how it was very reminiscent of Radiohead. I went back and watched it again and I have to say, I can totally see the comparison. I wish you guys continued success and look forward to the show later on tonight.

WATC: Thank you, that’s really nice to hear and thanks for coming out to see us.

JAX: And if people want to learn more about you guys? Check out www.wearethecity.ca or listen to www.thepeak.fm

Later on when the show started it was smallish crowd to start. As each song ended I turned around and looked as the crowd got larger and the music started to really resonate with the audience. Who were these three young guys? From flushed tweens to smiling Grammas and hardened rockers, the festival goers were enjoying the talent of these three men from the Okanagan.

One fan liked the show so much he was first in line at the merch table to meet the band and buy 10 cds. When I asked him what he planned to do with all 10 he replied,
“Hand ‘em out to people I know in the music biz. These kids are going to be huge.”

I didn't have the heart to tell him about the PPP win and let him do his thing. Besides, who knows who this guy is connected to,right?

It was a great show, everyone had a good time and new fans were made. Me included.

Catching Up With Bodhi Jones

Sitting at a bar on West 2nd waiting for Bodhi Jones to show up, I look over my notes and think back to the last time we had a chance to talk. It was December 2009 and Jones was in his final stages of the Peak Performance Project's 2009 Competition. Unfortunately, he didn't place in the top 3, but what was to follow in the next few months none of us could have predicted.February came and with it brought the Olympics, but sadly, forgot the snow.

Bodhi, having gotten caught up with the scandal of the missing Olympic snow, sat down and wrote what was to become the Unofficial theme with "Hey El Nino". Appearing on newscasts and Youtube the song became a local hit to the surprise of Jones, who hadn't given much thought to the song other than the irony behind it.

Since then Bodhi Jones has picked up more steam,more fans and more exposure to once again enter the Peak Performance Project 2010. The Project, that includes top prize money of $100,500 as well as an industry showcase at Kelowna's Breakout West Festival, has had plenty of success in creating household names and lifelong connections for past artists and winners such as We Are The City, Bend Sinister and The Left.

Bodhi Jones eventually wanders in on time and orders a beer before we start our interview.He looks at my 3 pages of notes and gets a worried look on his face.

"It's ok,they are just notes,not three pages of questions."

JAX: Hey Bodhi, how's life since we last chatted?

BOJO: Pretty good, I've got a booking agency on board, I'm back in the PPP, and have just finished a new record, produced by Winston Hauschild!

JAX: Now he worked with Hanna Georges? She's doing pretty well. Did he work with you on your current album, Where Do We Go From Here?

BOJO: Yeah, he was awesome to work with! I finally feel like I'm releasing a proper record. I recorded my last album at home in my bedroom.

JAX: Really? It sounded pretty good but you can definitely hear the difference in sound with this one.

JAX: Here's a vast question for you,where do you think music is headed? Do you think Can-con is good thing for Canadian music? We are one of the only countries that has forced content.

BOJO: Wow. Well sometimes I think it's really beneficial to us indie artists but then you end up having to listen to stale old Lenny Kravitz tunes, simply because they were produced in Canada...

JAX: Like Kelly Clarkson and her Avril Lavigne written songs.

BOJO: Exactly. But I can't say it doesn't help, so I think it's a good thing.

JAX: So talking about the Peak Performance Project...last year was a tough year for competition. We Are The City took first,then you had uber talent like Bend Sinister. Solo singer/songwriters barely had a chance in that pool. Do you think it would be more beneficial if the Peak separated it into different genres?

BOJO: I think the PPP is geared toward taking emerging artists with a proven track record to the next level, through both online and media exposure, and of course for the top 5 bands a whole wack of cash!

JAX: Like Said The Whale?

BOJO: Yup. They've worked really hard to get where they've gotten to and could use a boost just like the rest of us.

JAX: And a lot of the people in these bands are still working day jobs, right?

BOJO: Yeah, all of us are.

JAX: So how was the Bootcamp? Any egos?

BOJO: It's gonna be so hard to beat last years experience, it was such an amazing time. All of the bands got along so well and a lot of life long friendships came out of it.

JAX: So are there any collaborations coming with this? Who,if so?

BOJO:I'd like to work with Kyprios, just because our musical styles are so different.

JAX:Like a K'naan/Keane thing? That's a big hit, I heard it in China last month. So if you had your choice...busking or live shows?

BOJO: I think it's something I'll always do, no matter how rich or famous I get. There's nothin better than standing out on a street corner pouring your heart out to a bunch of complete strangers goin about they're daily grind. You can sell a lot of Cd's this way too!

JAX: Speaking of success, if you never cracked the US market,would you be ok with that? Or are you the type of artists that doesn't see it as success until you do?

BOJO: No. This is what I do regardless of success. Of course we all want that, but look at Tragically Hip. They've been at this a long time and still haven't cracked that yet.

JAX: And Sam Roberts.

BOJO: Exactly. No, I think as long as I can make my music and have an audience. Dan Mangan came and spoke with us and said to us "Don't forget there is song you wrote out there that means something to someone."

JAX: So are we going to hear any of your music in other places besides radio? A lot of your music would be perfect for a soundtrack. The Sky Is Falling would be a huge hit.

BOJO: There is but I can't talk about it yet- it's Top Secret for now...you know I always wished I wrote that song better.

JAX: It's gotten a lot of people through some tough shit in their lives.

BOJO: Yeah, I've just always felt I could've expressed myself a bit more clearly...but I guess that's just my journey as an artist, keeps me striving to write a better song next time.

JAX: So what do you think of the internet and the music biz? You know a lot of people say it was the worst thing that ever happened to music when file sharing became the norm.

BOJO: Nah...It was just the worst thing that's ever happened to the suits at the top of the industries money making pyramid

JAX: Well put. Ok, something lighter...if we took a peak in your ipod,what would you be most embarrassed we'd find?

BOJO: Oh there is soooo much embarrassing stuff. I love pop music.

JAX: Do you really? Come on....

BOJO: I enjoyed the Spice Girls in grade 10.

JAX: Oh really?

BOJO: yup. I just really enjoy strong voices and good ballads. But I also like Elliot Smith and Ray Lamontagne.

JAX: Nice save. So any performances coming up?

BOJO: You bet. July 17 at Cafe Deux Soleils in Vancouver and July 20 The Backstage Lounge in Vancouver.

JAX: And people can check you out on The Peak 100.5 as well as www.bodhijones.com for upcoming info or to buy your album?

BOJO: Yes! Come check out a show. Or watch for busking on Robson/Howe!

JAX: Always a pleasure, Bodhi. Good luck going forward with the Peak Performance Project.

BOJO: Thanks a lot, that was awesome.