In March of this year, Upstate New York melodic alt rockers Underwater Tiger
released their mouth watering debut album, "Where
Miles Become Meaning". We caught up with the band to chat about recording their debut album, touring and brotherly love.
Hi guys, how’s it
going? Your debut album came out recently and you’re on a number of short
tours across the Northeast of America
this summer culminating with a date at Jones Beach
We’ve been anxiously
anticipating this summer ever since we finalised the album release date.
To be able to spread our music to our fans in a live setting with a
tangible album has been a goal of all of ours for a very long time. To be
able to play a venue like Jones
Beach
What’s the best thing about being out on
the road touring?
There is a certain camaraderie between
band mates that develops when you’re on the road that cannot be replicated.
You learn to share more than you are usually accustomed to, and if you’re
squeamish about full frontal male nudity then you probably shouldn't be in a
touring band. That, and being able to interact with fans at new venues
everyday have to be tied for the best aspect of touring. We try to interact
with fans as much as possible via social media, but nothing beats being able to
speak with them in person and share our music with them.
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| Underwater Tiger's debut album, out now |
“Where Miles Become Meaning” is the album; how was the experience of creating it and then putting it
out into the public arena?
We knew releasing an album would be
an unforgettable experience, but we underestimated the amount of time and
patience necessary to release an album on your own. After an amazing year
of recording with our good friend and producer Phil Abbott we released our
record and the response has been tremendous. Fan support has been
overwhelming, which makes us eager to get back in the studio and push our sound
even further.
What are the themes of the album and
your inspiration for the songs?
We wrote about a number of
things on this record, from new love, to love lost, to finding yourself, and
what the hardships in life mean for one's personal growth. The album title
"Where Miles Become Meaning" references the idea that your journey
through life, the decisions you make, and the people you touch sort of define
who you are, rather than the money in your pocket or the clothes that you wear.
Furthermore, both the successes and failures in life are just steps and lessons
getting us to where we want to be. The middle of the record is mostly about
love and relationships, but still keeping the theme that the title track set,
referencing things like regret, questioning whether you made the right
decision, moving on after you've been hurt, and finding ways to work things
out. The final track "The Summer Came" really tied the album together
musically and thematically for us. Ending the album with all 5 members' voices
harmonizing, and the lyrics "This has only just begun" is really
symbolic for us, and we knew that's how we should end the record.
You self funded the album through
fans donating via IndieGoGo.com which is testament to your music and fanbase.
Do you think that is the direction the music industry is taking today?
The Internet has developed into the
singular force driving the music industry today. While it changed the
landscape, the connection between artist and fan has become much more
personal. Labels are still necessary to
a point, but it seems like the “ internet community” and certain
websites/businesses (such as IndieGoGo) have found ways to support a direct fan
to artist scenario that cuts out the middle man, increases profitability for
the artist, and makes the listener feel more connected with their favourite
musicians. All in all, we are just happy that people have a way to hear our
music!
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| Underwater Tiger |
There are two sets of brothers in
the band; any sibling rivalry and arguing or is it nice having family with you
to experience it all together?
Any sibling rivalry that does exist
in the band manifests itself into trying to write better music than your
brother(s), which only helps the band. Our fights escalate much more
quickly and get more intense than non-family fights, but the plus side is that
we can hug it out, say we love each other and move on within minutes.
Experiencing the accomplishment of life goals with your brothers and
being able to share those experiences with them is one of the most rewarding
aspects of being a band.
And finally, what else do Underwater
Tiger have planned in the next year? Can we expect a UK
We will be writing a new EP very
soon and recording/releasing that record in the next year. We will be on
the road spreading our music around the US UK tour question, we
would LOVE to do a UK
Catch Underwater Tiger on tour-
JUNE
16th - Big Flats Community Days, Big Flats, NY
30th - Turn 10 Village, Watkins Glen, NY
JULY
7th - Brady’s Pub, Elmira , NY
13th - Tammany Hall, NY
26th - Arlene’s Grocery, NY
AUGUST
4th – Beach Boardwalk Band Shell, Jones Beach , NY
And for more info on the band-
Photo credit- Molly Cagwin, Cagwin Photography & Design
