EastScene

A couple weeks ago, the guys of Just Surrender were awesome enough to take some time out of their day to answer a few questions from Brennan Schnell and Shelby Wilson. The Poughkeepsie native band shared everything from pre-Just Surrender life to gushing about their favorite Razor & Tie label mates. Here are answers to anything a true Just Surrender fan would want to know…

East Scene: Being from Poughkeepsie, you all are relatively close to New York City which has a hugely diverse music scene, do you feel that being around so many different genres has influenced you in any way or encouraged you to do your own thing?

Just Surrender: NYC is a musical melting pot, but I don’t feel as if it has really made any impression on me creatively. Growing up, I was heavily influenced by my parents musical catalog. I remember listening to records with my mother at an early age, and I felt that she really gave me a strong foundation with the classics. Queen, Beatles, etc…

ES: What’s the major influence in your music?

JS: Life is the source of inspiration. Whether it’s an internal perspective, or a fantasy, art imitates life, and life imitates art.

ES: What encouraged each of you to go into the music industry? Was music something you picked up or what is something you were raised around?

JS: The idea of being a troubadour is very exciting. I love traveling and meeting people while living life on my own terms. Some people look as music as a hobby, and other people try to make it a career. I look at myself as the latter.

ES: You’re technically “Power-Pop” according to MySpace, but your sound is pretty different than the typical pop band. How would you explain the sound of your band to people who have never heard of you

JS: Rock music, with pop hooks, is basically the best way I describe it.

ES: Is there any other genre any of you would be interested in exploring?

JS: I listen to all musical styles. Whatever makes me feel good I’ll listen to. I’ve always wanted to make an acoustic record loaded with harmonies and orchestration. Will it come to be? Time only knows.

ES: Before music became a big part of your life, what did you think you would be doing when you got older? Were there any educational or occupational plans for you all?

JS: I’ve always known that I would end up doing something with music.

ES: You all have been in music for a few years now, have you ever wanted to give up or change paths and leave music? If so, what kept you going?

JS: The grass is always greener on the other side.  The idea of traveling never gets old. I enjoy it. Who knows though?

ES: You guys are signed to Razor & Tie, which is also the label behind bands such as Brand New, Semi Precious Weapons and The Summer Set. How are the feelings among the label mates, seeing as a lot of them are different genres? Do you have any favorites?

JS: I like Neil Sedaka. He’s really great.

ES: What’s the #1 pro and the #1 con that you would tell any person who is considering going into the music industry? Any eye-opening pointers you’d like to give out?

JS: Go to school. Become a teacher. Help people the right way.

ES: Do you ever feel that there’s a certain standard that you have to live up to or are you ever worried about disappointing people, such as your fans or your record label?

JS: I don’t really think about letting a record label down.  Lets not forget that the ultimate goal for a record company is to make money. Artists, are just a cog on a machine. If we don’t sell, there will be another cog to replace us, and the machine continues. I can only do my best to write and play music that inspires me, and that makes me feel creative.  I can only hope that they enjoy the work we do, and don’t discard us. If people get let down, then I’m sorry. I make music to make me happy. If someone looks up to me, and is let down by something that I say or do, then they need to look for a better role-model.

ES: The name of your band is Just Surrender, and you have songs with names such as “New Declaration” and “Stronger Now.” It all kind of seems to relate. Is there any sort of theme in your music or just simply something you’re trying to get across?

JS: We’re trying to make music about our lives. Stronger Now, is about the people in the music industry. New Declaration I felt was about going through member changes.  We just write songs about things in our life.

ES: You now have Phoenix coming out extremely soon. Are you at all nervous about how the fans might react to it? How is it different from Stronger Now?

JS: I don’t really worry. I have played rooms to 7 people, and thousands. If people like it, great, if not, that’s life! It’s just a more evolved Just Surrender record. We know what we’re going for. Pop songs with hooks, and edgy guitars, loaded with lush backing vocals.

ES: There’s kids on your MySpace saying they’re “Pumped for the new CD!” How does it make you feel when you hear and read those sorts of things?

JS: It’s nice to know that people still listen to our music.

ES: I’m sure there’s kids out there that look at you as “famous” or view you as someone they might be too shy to approach, what’s one thing you would tell them to help them realize that you’re just like them?

JS: We’re all on this earth together. I go to the bathroom just like everybody else. That’s basically it.

ES: What’s one show that you would willingly relive over and over? What’s worst show you’ve ever played? How would you feel if you had to relive those nights again?

JS: I don’t really have any shows that I want to relive. I just like playing. That’s all.

ES: What do you think your biggest accomplishment has been so far as a band?

JS: Staying at Kris Kirkpatrick’s house was fun.

ES: You have a tour coming up with Comic Book Heroes and also a few dates with Hit The Lights. Have you ever toured with these bands before? Do you think it’ll be anything like your tour with Bowling For Soup?

JS: Yeah they are young guys. We’re going to show them how WE do!!!! JK.

And there you go. A little look into this guys’ brain and an overall view of the band as a whole. Be sure to check out Just Surrender on their upcoming tour. All dates can be found on their MySpace.