Interviews: Ella Kaye

In this new occassion we have had the opportunity to interview the Metal/Hardcore band Ella Kaye, from USA. Check out this band and give them a like on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1.Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?   

I joined the band back in 2012 and the moniker was already chosen. Ella Kaye, from what I've heard is a character that is referenced in The Great Gatsby. I think the guys in the band were reading it in school or something but it reminded me of bands like Norma Jean or Gwen Stacy and I liked how it wasn't a typical metal band name with "death" or "black" or "bleeding" in the name. Throughout all the member changes over the years, the name has stuck.    

2.Why did you want to play this genre?   

I've always been attracted to heavy music. As a kid I grew up listening to country music because it's what my mom listened to. I eventually discovered Green Day, then Offspring, then KoRn, and it just got heavier from there. I respect and admire the complexity and technicality of the songwriting and the proficiency of the musicians who can play it. I also find something very honest about the vocals, they cater to the emotion and urgency of the lyrics.  

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?   

When I joined Ella Kaye, I didn't know any of the guys but they had known each other for some time. Since then, there have been a handful of member changes but the current, and hopefully permanent, line-up has known each other for some time. Jake Randall (guitar) and I have been friends since high school. Mark Gray (drums) and I were in our very first band together back in 2005. Garrin Beaudoin (guitar) was on of the original members of Ella Kaye and Kohl Beebe (bass) joined up almost 2 years ago while I was trying to bring the band out of a hiatus.    

4. Each band member favourite band?   

I'm going to opt to guess everyones favorite bands rather than call them and ask. This is an educated guess based on their tattoos. 

Jake:  Hopesfall. 

Mark: Rage Against The Machine or The Black Dahlia Murder. 

Kohl: Bayside or Poison The Well. Garrin doesn't have tattoos so I'll just guess maybe Bullet For My Valentine, although he did play a Sinister Gates signature guitar when I met him so maybe Avenged Sevenfold? I think he gets down hard on deathcore these days. My favorite band is Every Time I Die.   

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?   

Girls, man. What else has any non-political song ever been written about? Seriously though, I write more about myself than anything else. I write about my shortcomings and the things I do or think that I can't rationalize; the parts of me that have room for improvement. I just can't write when I'm happy. In fact one of the themes on the new EP is how I will keep myself unhappy just to make sure I get the best lyrics out of myself.   

6. Where was your last gig?   

We spent the better part of the last 6 months writing and recording our EP so playing live has taken a back seat, but we did just play at Rockbar in Scottsdale with some friends and it felt amazing to be on stage again. We feel like it was a warm up show for our CD release show on July 8th at Club Red in Mesa, AZ.  

7. Where would you like to act?   

If you mean "where would we like to play?" then the answer is everywhere. One of the things you dream about as a kid playing music is all the places it could take you. If I could see the world and play music while doing it... I think that's the dream.  

8. Whom would you like to feature with?   

Funny you should ask, on our 2015 EP called 'Comas Collide' we had more features than any other EP that I know of. The band was on a bit of a hiatus so I enlisted help from some friends in making a record. There were 14 features in total on 5 songs. Some notable guests were Matt Good (From First To Last), Tony Pizzuti and Zack Hansen (The Word Alive), Eric Lambert and Jared Warth (Blessthefall), Alexia Rodriguez (Eyes Set To Kill), Michael Barr (Volumes), and Aaron Matts (Betraying The Martyrs). I think we are happy to make music on our own for the time being but I'm not opposed to having features in the future. I think Greg Puciato from The Dillinger Escape Plan would be so interesting to work with if I had to choose an artist.   

9. Whom not?   

Jonny Craig. He's got a beautiful voice but he's been featured on EVERYONE'S albums. At some point, it's not even cool to have Jonny on your song anymore.  

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?   

Most of us love being on stage. I think it comes from being confident in your songs. If you don't love your music, how can you expect anyone else to? If you suffer from stage fright, then maybe you're not ready to be on stage. Get back in the studio until you love the tunes, then try it again. 

    

11. What bands have inspired you the most?   

I've always loved those bands that have longevity in their careers and who's albums have remained relevant years after their relevant. Bands that leave a legacy with their music. Converge, Poison The Well, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Every Time I Die, etc. Which is funny because musically, we haven't really drawn inspiration from them, but they inspire me in other ways.  

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?   

I was taken back the first time I was asked for an autograph. There are definitely some interesting characters that come out to shows but the strangest thing that a fan has asked for was a ride to the show. He messaged us on Facebook and said he loved our music but didn't have a ride to the show and wondered if we could come pick him up. Logistically it was impossible for us to do but I couldn't help but think of how funny it would be if I needed a ride to a Metallica concert and tweeted Kirk for a ride.   

13. What do you think of your fans?   

Just gratitude. We put so much into this, I can't even express my thanks to the people that take the time to listen and care and support. The fans are amazing.  

14. What do you think of our site?   

It's fantastic. This type of music is not main stream and without sites like yours, kids would not have a place to discover new music and keep up with bands that they love. I only learned about this genre by following sites like yours as a kid. Keep it up!!  

15. Something to add?  

Our new EP 'No Nights' will be available digitally everywhere on July 1st and our new music video for "Needful Things" is on YouTube now!