Interview With The Midway State

As answered by Nathan (and other band members when indicated)

 

1) How did the band first come together?

Daenen and I first started playing together in high school. We toured Canada playing in bars, living rooms and community centers, that kind of thing. Mike Wise and Mike Kirsh joined after we put out ads at the Jazz schools in Toronto in 2005 saying we were looking for a guitar player and bass player. Mike and Mike, like Daenen and I, have been super good friends for a long time so sometimes it seems like we've all been playing together a lot longer.

 2) Who are some of your musical influences?

I've been very influenced by singers like Carole King and Bonnie Raitt believe it or not. I also love Peter Gabriel and Radiohead, Bob Dylan and Neil Young. It really varies. I like bits and pieces from many artists.

 3) What were the circumstances behind writing the song "Met A Man On Top Of A Hill"?

This song wasn't written about any kind of personal experience. I wrote it because I wanted to say something in a colorful, metaphorical way. It stemmed from an experiment like that. I’ve heard a lot of different interpretations of that song in particular, none were exactly what I had in mind when I wrote, which was not concrete anyway, but that’s cool. That’s the point of music a lot of the time. The meaning comes from the context provided by our own lives and experiences.   

4) After almost 6 years performing, what was the biggest lesson you have learned?

That you have to believe in what you're doing on stage. For me, the more honest I can be about a performance, the better it is.

 5) Where was your favorite place to perform? Why?

I can't put a finger on one show in particular but on New Year’s eve this year we performed outdoors to something like 50,000 people in our home city. It was really an amazing night for the four of us, one of those moments you have to pinch yourself... On the other hand, I really love playing acoustic gigs where we might just have a piano and an acoustic guitar. I love the intimacy of these performances and I feel like there is a lot more authenticity to the emotional undertone of the singing.  

6) If the band could perform a cover of any two songs that were ever written, what would they be?

Uhm... Maybe Zeppelin's When The Levy Breaks and Bonnie Raitt's 'If I Can't Make You Love Me'... To cover both ends of the spectrum ;)  

7) If stranded on a deserted island - what one album would each of you want to have with you? Why?

Nathan – Carole King – Tapestry. Tapestry is one of my favorite albums of all time. I love it stylistically and the songs are perfect. I wish I wrote them so badly.”

 

Michael W- Bob Dylan's "Blood On The Tracks" because I love all the songs and they remind me of a certain time of my life.

Michael K- Counting Crows - August and Everything After.  I've been listening to it for 10 years and I'm still not sick of it. It's a comforting album and it reminds me of growing up.

Daenen – Michael Jackson – Thriller. If I met anyone else we'd have something to dance to.

8) What do you think sets your band above other bands of your genre?

 

I would never think of us as “above” (or below) other bands. Try not to think of it in those terms. There will always be greater and lesser accomplishments of others we can measure ourselves up against, but I don’t think that’s what it’s about. I think that we are a band that only makes the music we want to make... We're influenced, but have never felt even an ounce of need to sound like anyone else. We’ve been fortunate our label has afforded us the same freedom. The more professional musicians I meet, it seems that’s pretty rare and we’re certainly grateful for that…the luxury of being musically honest.

 

9) Where do you see The Midway State 5 years from now?

Hopefully touring the world a 4th time and writing and/or recording a 3^rd record.