OK, LET`S START WITH AN INTRODUCTION OF YOUR BAND. WHO
STANDS BEHIND THE NAME PARK?
|
Ladd Mitchell (guitar and vocals),
Justin Valenti (guitar), Miles Logan (drums) and Jansen
Lee (bass and vocals).
|
SINCE THERE ARE NOT TOO MANY
PEOPLE FAMILIAR WITH YOUR MUSIC IN THESE THESE PARTS OF
EUROPE CAN YOU GIVE US SHORT HISTORY OF THE BAND WITH
FOCUS ON THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT HAPPENED SINCE
YOU STARTED THE BAND?
|
The band started in 1996., but
I didn`t join till about 2000. In 2000. we got some love
from Lobster Records and from there we started growing.
We recorded our first album No signal in 2001. with Cameron
Webb. Did some touring across the U.S. and Canada along
with some dates on the Vans Warped Tour. Then in 2003.
we recorded It won`t snow where you're going with Cameron
Webb. We have since toured with Yellowcard, The Starting
Line, Moneen, and Brandtson. We are about to do some dates
with Boys Night Out.
|
YOU HAVE A NEW ALBUM WITH VERY
POETIC NAME IT WON`T SNOW WHERE YOU`RE GOING. THE SAME
PRODUCER, THE SAME RECORD LABEL, BUT LUCKILY NOT THE SAME
MUSIC. NOTICABLE IS THE IMPROVEMENT IN ARRANGEMENTS AND
PRODUCTION. HOW ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH WHAT IS DONE?
|
I think we are just happy that
we stepped it up a notch a bit heavier, a bit darker.
Cameron had improved his skills so much by the time he
recorded our second album it was amazing. We also knew
what to expect in the studio and were way more prepared
this time which helped the whole recording process.
|
HOW MUCH TIME DID YOU SPEND IN
THE STUDIO WHILE RECORDING IT AND WHAT`S YOUR OPINION
ON HOW MUCH YOU MADE SUCCESS IN ACHIEVING WHAT YOU PLANNED
WITH THIS RECORDING BEFORE ENETERING THE STUDIO?
|
| We spent two weeks in the studio
which was more then enough time we actually got done a
day earlier. The drums were done in two days and I was
super happy with that. Half of the bass was also done
with in the first two days. We practiced very long and
hard before entering the studio which made things flow
so much quicker. |
...AND IN COMMERCIAL WAY? DID
IT HELP YOU MAKE ANY BREAKTHROUGH ON THE MOST POPULAR
RADIO STATIONS THROUGH US? DID YOU HAVE ANY SUPPORT BY
MEDIA, BOTH ELECTRONIC AND PRINTED?
|
Our radio campaign hasn`t started
yet but will in July and we`ll find out then, I guess?
|
LOBSTER RECORDS SEEMS TO BE
ONE OF THOSE RECORD LABELS THAT HAS "QUALITY OVER
QUANTITY" POLICY, BUT DID YOU EVER THINK OF GETTING
A CONTRACT WITH SOME MAJOR LABEL IN THE NEAR FUTURE?
|
Majors are scary. I am sure if
we had the right offer maybe. But for now we are going
to work with what we know and just try to grow as much
as possible.
|
THERE HAS BEEN SO MANY BANDS
FAMILIAR WITH YOUR SOUND IN THE US LATELY. SO, WHAT SETS
YOUR MUSIC APART FROM OTHER BANDS?
|
I think Ladd is what sets us apart
from the rest. I was a fan of Ladd before I was in the
band and I still am. He writes some of the best lyrics.
The guitar work Park puts out is also very tech and a
step above the rest I think.
|
YOU'VE TOURED WITH DIFFERENT
BANDS OVER THE YEARS. WHAT BANDS BRING THE MOST OUT OF
YOUR LIVE PERFORMANCE, AND KIND OF CHALLENGE YOU EVERY
NIGHT?
|
We also do well in Canada with
Moneen. There fans are great. Canada is great.
|
| WHAT BANDS DO YOU CONSIDER AS
YOUR MAJOR INFLUENCES? |
That`s such a hard question. We
all listen to totally different stuff. We`ll just keep
that our secret.
|
| LET`S GET BACK TO YOUR LATEST
RELEASE. THERE ARE SO MANY EMOTIONALLY CHARGED LYRICS
ABOUT DIFFICULT PERIODS IN YOUR LIVES WHERE YOU CONSIDERED
EVEN SUICIDE AS AN OPTION. WHERE DOES COME ALL THIS INSPIRATION
FOR WRITING LYRICS LIKE THIS? |
All the lyrics are from Ladd's
most recent break up at the time. It was some hard times
for him. It was probably the best release for him too.
He`s over it now but at the time it seemed like the worst
thing ever.
|
ALTHOUGH IN THE BOOKLET THERE
ARE FURTHER EXPLANATIONS ABOUT HOW SUICIDE IS NOT AND
NEVER CAN BE A GOOD OPTION, BUT DON`T YOU FEEL LIKE THERE
WILL BE SOME KIDS WHO CAN UNDERSTAND IT IN A WRONG WAY?
|
Yeah we worried about that a lot
when the songs were taking shape but we really hope that
kids don`t take it the wrong way and they seek help if
they are feeling like suicide would be an option.
|
| ANY CHANCES FOR COMING UP TO
EUROPE, ESPECIALLY THESE PARTS OF EUROPE? |
| It would be nice. I am not really
sure how we would even go about getting something like
that to happen? We`ll keep our options open I guess, but
as of now we have no plans. |
THANX FOR YOUR TIME AND HOPE
THAT PARK`S STORY IS NOT FINISHING WITH THIS ALBUM. ANY
CLOSING WORDS?
|
| Check out Moneen and The Beautiful
Mistake. They will be in Europe soon I think. They are
our friends, so tell them "Hi" if you see them
at a show. |
Posted on July 2004
Questions: Miroslav Mike Lazic
Answers: Miles Logan
|
