EastScene

Broadway’s Jake Garland took some time to catch up with EastScene’s Shannah Lauren. The screamo outfit, who hail from Orlando, FL, are in hot pursuit of a budding career, all while facing challenges regarding constant line-up changes. Get ready to find out what makes this band tick and what made them who they are.

When did you guys get together?
Well long story short, I have been in Broadway for about 5 or so years now. We were originally a lot heavier, played lots of local shows, and started getting a buzz, then have been switching members and genres since then! We have a pretty bad curse with keeping members. This style of genre and (most) members have been going for around 2 years now.

Are any of the guys in the band other than you been in Broadway originally? Or are most of them new?
Nope I am the only original member. Misha joined 2 years ago, and then everyone else has come and gone since then.

Let’s hope the curse has moved on now! What influenced you the most musically?
[Laughs] Well sadly no…we are still going through more changes. Currently only Misha, Jack, and myself are the only permanent members right now. But we’ll hope for the best! But tons of things have influenced us, its hard to name exact examples
Obviously there are too many artists/bands that have influenced us, all of us have different tastes in music ranging from radio pop/rap to really heavy metal/hardcore music. So I think thats what helps give us a more unique sound, with everyone bringing their own ideas into the mix.

Broadway is from Orlando, FL, what do you think about Orlando when it comes to trying to build up in the music industry?
Florida is amazing for music I have to say. A lot of bands that are really popular these days have been from Florida…UnderOath, A Day to Remember, We the Kings, and a bunch of others. I think Orlando specifically has been pretty good to us while trying to make it in the industry. I mean, its hard to make it ANYWHERE, but at least being in a huge city with a lot of people/places to promote to is a good start.

Your first release was on Uprising records, how did you guys manage that? Was it intimidating at all?
I wouldn’t really say so. Once we had this “sound” that we have now, we recorded a few demo tracks which gave us a pretty decent size buzz online, which then led to a bit of hype in the industry I guess you could say. When we started talking to Uprising about releasing an album they were really cool to us about everything and things just clicked. When we signed with them, it really wasn’t an “intimidating” contract or anything we were signing our life away too. It was more of a deal to help boost our career and help get us to where we want to be!

You also did an amazing cover of “I’m On A Boat”, what made you guys want to cover that song?
Well we always had the idea of doing a cover song, but we never really could decide on one we liked. Every band is doing a cover these days, and we really didn’t want to be just like every other band and do a typical radio pop song or something.. The idea of “I’m on a Boat” came up one day thanks to Misha while we were on tour. We thought it would be really funny, but we didn’t really take the idea too seriously. We were just kind of nervous you could say about how people would react to it (with all the swearing and such). But we figured with all the hype the song was getting on YouTube and such, we figured it was a good idea and did it!We’re really happy with how it came out and the reaction we got from fans.

Since its 2010 now, what are the bands plans? What can fans expect?
There’s a lot coming out of us this year. Right now we are writing and recording demos to a lot of new songs! We have about 10 right now that we have been working on, big things are coming alongside of a new album though that we are very excited about! Until we can release new stuff thats what’s going on with us along with new songs, we’ll be keeping up with fans on myspace, twitter, ect. and doing some video updates along the way, as well as play some FL shows while we’re home!

As you told me before, you guys are off to Japan too! Have you guys ever played out of the country? If not, are you nervous at all?
We have been to Canada before a few times but that’s it. We’re stoked to go over to Japan though! We’re really excited to meet all the fans over there. They have a lot planned out for us while we’re there so we’ll be busy but definitely fun.

With Valentines in the uprising, I know being on tour so much can really be tough when your in a relationship, so for the ones who have girlfriends in band, how do you make it work when your on tour?
A few of us have had girlfriends while we’re on the road. Its a very, very tough thing to do but if the couple really wants to make it work then they can! And you better have a good minute plan on your cell phone.

Do you have any advice to any upcoming musicians who are trying to make it in the music industry?
Just be patient! And definitely practice, practice, practice. Bands that stand out on a recording AND live are the ones that will go farther. Also, be original! Everyone these days is just trying to copy so many of the popular bands out right now, which for the most part, won’t be as good!