Interviews: Elevenwire

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Progressive Rock band Elevenwire from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

Jim: We wanted to name our band Tenwire, but then we realized that Elevenwire is better. So we went with that. Our wires go up to eleven.

Jonathan: Also, Ron, my brother, is 11 years older than me. Mostly though, it’s nonsensical

2. Why did you want to play this genre? 

Jim: Progressive rock is challenging to write and play. It allows for a wide range of artistic expression. There are very few limitations on where you can go with the music. However, we don’t really fall into any particular mold.

Jonathan: For me, progressive rock has the sophistication of classical music with the power of rock. Best of both worlds.

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

Jim: We’ve known each other for over 30 years, and we’ve done a number of musical projects together, both playing live and recording.

4. Each band member's favorite band? 

Jim: Van Halen

Ron: Decyfer Down

Jonathan: Kansas

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Jim: For some reason, I was elected to write most of the lyrics. We usually write the music first. When writing lyrics I don’t think in terms of any kind of specific message or agenda. I write what makes the hair on my neck stand up. My process is to listen to the song over and over again with a notepad close to my hand. As I’m listening I focus on the emotions that the music is evoking. As this happens, I free-associate and just write any words or phrases that bubble to the surface no matter how weird or irrelevant they seem. I totally ignore my inner critic. I’ll fill up pages with this stuff, and I’ll often do this over multiple sessions. As I’m doing this, certain phrases will leap off the page and make the hair on my neck stand up. I circle those. For example, when I was working on what eventually became the title track, the phrase “Bones of the Fallen” popped out. Chills up my neck. I had no idea why. I didn’t know what it meant. But I circled it. After a while, a theme will emerge. Once I have a theme or a topic, then I’ll focus on crafting the lyrics into a story. But it all starts with the neck hair.

6. Where was your last gig? 

Jim: Up until now we’ve been strictly a studio band, so we haven’t played live. We’re considering doing live shows.

7. Where would you like to perform?

Jim: Really anywhere, but Europe would be great. The prog scene is a lot bigger in Europe than in the States.

8. Whom would you like to perform with? 

Jim: Neal Morse, Emerald City Council, Advent Horizon, Temic.

9. Whom not? 

Jim: No one in particular. Mainly just bands that are way outside our genre, like country or hip-hop.

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

Jim: We all did to some degree when we were younger, but not really anymore. Two things will help you with stage fright. First, know your material so well you can play it in your sleep. And second, just play live as often as possible.

Jonathan: I grew up in a very musical family that was almost always singing and playing in church. So, I don’t really remember not doing that in front of people. Even though I’ve always been very shy, the stage isn’t a place where I get nervous for some reason. Sometimes it can be intimidating, especially with Prog or Metal fans who pay attention to every note.

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

Jim: Van Halen, Iron Maiden, Queensryche

Ron: Kansas, Matthew Ward, Bad Company, Threshold

Jonathan: Genesis, Neal Morse Band, Kansas

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

Ron: After a show, a 13-year-old girl once gave me a check for $8.

13. What do you think of your fans? 

Jim: We love our fans. When we get messages about how our music impacted them emotionally, or when they express appreciation for the work that went into our project, that’s really great.

Jonathan: Yeah, our fans have been amazing. That's a really awesome response!

14. What do you think of our site? 

Jim: It’s fantastic! It’s great to see sites like yours helping to keep the prog scene thriving.