PACIFIC RADIO – Pretty, but killing me

‘Pretty, but killing me’ is one of my favorite records of last year. Released in December, so still as fresh as fresh can be. Pacific Radio combines all there is to like: Power Pop, Garage – and Indy rock. Catchy as hell, all songs. I mean ALL SONGS.

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PACIFIC RADIO IS:

 

Joe Robinson:  Guitar and Lead Vocal
Joe Stiteler:  Bass
Kyle Biane:  Guitar
Hyke Shirinian:  Drums

 

What was the biggest fun during the making of the last album?
JR: The first day we recorded at Conway Studios it felt real.  Tracking in a place with that unique vibe and history really reinforces the fact that it isn’t amateur anymore.

 

JS:  We recorded three songs in Austin in the middle of March and SXSW, that had to be the most fun.

 

KB:  I think the biggest fun for me is tweaking the arrangements. We typically play the songs live for quite a while before we take them to the studio. When we finally get to record them it is fun to invent new things to make them come alive on the album.

 

HS:  Tough question for me.. The recording process is always a blast. Though so is touring it!

 

 

At what point, during writing, rehearsing, recording, did you knew you were on to something special?
JR:  I got Pro Tools and started “idea recording” songs. People kind of flipped out. That sparked the confidence I needed. They continued to get better and better as the band put their footprints on them, and here we are.

 

JS:  When we showed up to Conway Studios and started tracking drums.  It’s a special place and we were honored to be there.

 

KB:  When JR played me a demo of the song “Katie” I remember thinking we were onto something.

 

HS:  The whole process just feels special.  The way it has all come together, you know?

 

The music industry has changed a lot (or so they say). What did it bring you? And what not?

JR:  It has brought anxiety. It hasn’t brought a Lamborghini.

 

JS:  We’re adapting to the new process of cyber interaction.  A long way from the times of handing out flyers in person or spray painting our logo onto a sidewalk.

 

KB:  I think it always has been a non-traditional industry, and with the internet’s role becoming such a large factor, the “changes in the music business” are just coming faster and faster. I don’t think that we have missed or gained anything, I can say however, we go into work everyday not knowing what to expect. And that can be kind of exciting.
She tells you she will decide on a 5-song-mixtape if there is going to be a second date. Which 5 would you put on?

JR:  “Skyway” The Replacements
      “Rave On” M. Ward
      “I Only Want You” Eagles of Death Metal
      “Peg” Steely Dan
      “Roadrunner” Modern Lovers

 

JS:  “Every Breath You Take” The Police
      “Tyler” The Toadies
      “Keep On Loving You” REO Speedwagon
      “Walk” Pantera
      “This Love” Pantera

 

KB:  “Across the Sea” Weezer
      “Overcaffeinated” Yellowbirddd
      “I Only Have Eyes for You” The Flamingos
      “Caroline No” The Beach Boys
      “Debra” Beck

 

The meaning of ‘success’ has changed over the years. When will the new record be a success?

JR:  Pacific Radio is a “success”, but there is plenty of room in my bank account for more “success”

 

JS:  Success is the journey, not the destination.

 

HS:  To me… It already is. It was a huge endeavor and we’re all proud of it


KB:  I am with Hyke, this whole adventure is a blast, and we are constantly setting new high water marks for ourselves. I am just glad we get to keep doing it.

 

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THE MYLARS – MELODY RECORDS

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The music of The Mylars has been compared to Bruce Springsteen and Rick Springfield. Heartland rock and Power Pop.

 

Most important, Melody Records contains 9 quality songs.

 

Sweet Sweet Music talked to Danny and Quig.

 

 

What was the biggest fun during the making of the last album?

 
Actually, the thing that was the most fun for us was just sitting back on the last day of mixing and listening to the record in its entirety. It was definitely a very proud moment for The Mylars.

 
At what point, during writing, rehearsing, recording, did you knew you were on to something special?

 
We knew we were on to something special right from the very beginning of the writing process. Every song took on a life of its own and each one brought with it a sense of new excitement.

 
The music industry has changed a lot (or so they say). What did it bring you? And what not?

 
The music industry has certainly changed a lot. Along with the change comes the sense of freedom to write and record exactly what we wanted, how we wanted.

We were able to capture the sound we were hearing in our heads without the outside distractions and influences of people with a different agenda.
It also gave us the ability to own 100% of the rights to our future.

 

 

 

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She tells you she will decide on a 5-song-mixtape if there is going to be a second date. Which 5 would you put on?

 
1) I Melt with You- Modern English
2) Hold Me Now- Thompson Twins
3) If You Leave- OMD
4) Don’t You Forget About Me- Simple Minds
5) When it comes down to making out, Whenever possible put on side one of Led Zeppelin IV

 
The meaning of ‘success’ has changed over the years. When will the new record be a success?
We believe a record goes thru many successes. The fact that the record is out in the world and that people are truly enjoying it is definitely a success for us on a certain level.
We believe that the ultimate success for this record would be for every person who truly loves power pop rock as much as we do to have the chance to enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it.

 

THE STANLEYS – THE STANLEYS

“If there’s a better pure power pop album that’s been released in 2017, I’d like to hear it. In the meantime, I’d like to hear ‘The Stanleys’ four or five more times. Grade: A” – Goldmine Magazine (US)

Mark Di Renzo ‘explains it all’.

What was the biggest fun during the making of the last album?

There can be frustrating moments along the way when making an album but I do feel for me it’s pretty much all fun. The most rewarding aspect of making an album is being part of the journey of each song starting as just an idea, then slowly building all the solid foundations, then listening back writing and adding new parts, taking away things, trying ideas and sometimes accidentally and unintentionally adding awesome parts, then finally finishing a song that is ready to be released to the world!

WATCH and/or BUY

At what point, during writing, rehearsing, recording, did you know you were on to something special?

For me it was once we’d written and recorded the first half of the album. At that point I was so excited about that half and I knew we all wanted to write more songs we felt were just as good as the first half of the album or even better!   I think musicians like myself and others can be their own biggest critics.  Therefore, if you can get to a point where you are very excited about your own work and know that no matter what anyone else thinks you love it, that is a great place to be.

The music industry has changed a lot (or so they say). What did it bring you? And what not?

If we start with the “what nots” I feel the main thing is the lessening in value of music as a product.  Its obviously a lot harder to sell and make revenue from physical and digital music than it has been in the past.

However, the internet (via music blogs and social media) is a great medium for discovering new music from all over the world and it has made the world a much smaller place.  It has helped The Stanleys to connect with power pop lovers from all around the world to assist with releasing and promoting our music and organising tours overseas.  We’ve been lucky enough to play gigs in many places in Europe and USA as well as a few places in Asia and I hope we can visit some more places in this big world of ours!

She tells you she will decide on a 5-song-mixtape if there is going to be a second date. Which 5 would you put on?

That’s a tough one to answer without knowing the actual girl I’m dating but whomever she might be I’d like some variety in there so these 5 below might work well together:

Pavement – Stereo

Jet – Rollover DJ

The Stone Roses – Waterfall

The Smithereens – Too Much Passion

Prince – 1999

The meaning of ‘success’ has changed over the years. When will the new record be a success?

To me the record is already a success and I am very grateful. To have three labels in different parts of the world invest some money and their time and effort into releasing the album, many music journalists from different parts of the globe say lovely things about it, many people come watch us on tour and many radio DJs from all over the world play songs from the album on their shows makes us very happy.

And now at the end of the year to be included in some Best of 2017 lists, the album’s reception has really been way beyond our expectations. I hope we can get back on the road and tour again next year to meet some more lovely people around the globe.  It’s a wonderful thing to be able to share your music with people!