With
a new band member on board (Jordan), a sophomore
release and launch party, Flatlined
has been busy since our 1st interview in February.
Since I was unable to make it to their CD release
party, I felt it was time to get together and catch
up! Thankfully they weren't too pissed at me for
missing the party and agreed to squeeze me in for
an hour before their show, August 30th in Toronto!
Jordan,
who came on board in March has been a long time friend
and not only have they known each other for years
but Jordan was familiar with their material. Good
thing since Wes mentioned shows were booked 3 days
after Jordan signed to the band! Nothing like trial
by fire! To
no surprise, the Flatlined guys like
to build up suspense and anticipation – as they
have done with the release of their sophomore album.
With only a production run of 1000 units, this Limited
Edition version is a mix of new tracks and
what Wes referrers to as “B-side songs - songs
you’ll never get to hear again”. Getting
a hold of this release is not easy and already they
have gone fast! “We only sell it at shows and
online” Jimi mentioned. The full version of
the album is in fact done but according to Wes - “we
are currently shopping it around to Europe, Asia,
overseas – we are not going to release it until
we are done shopping it”. In the meantime, the
band is working on the production of another video
that they plan to launch at the time of their full
version sophomore album.
With
summer being a typical time for bands to tour and
play outdoor festivals, Flatlined
decided to use that time to prep for the full album's
big release. Their decision has obviously paid off
and Jimi indicated that a tour is scheduled in October
starting in BC and continuing out West. I should have
known better than to ask the question “why out
West” and as predicted, Jimi’s endearing
sarcastic wit jumped in to answer my question. “We
decided one day that we wanted to see a Caribou”.
Thanks Jimi! I just hope that while driving across
Western Canada in the dead cold of winter, the Caribou
you do see is not while you are pulled off the road
for a broken Van! ? Oh, I should also mention that
Jimi did give me his word on sending me a letter while
on tour – you’re on the hook now babe!
The
guys will definitely be busy over the coming months
and looking ahead, things are not about to slow down.
Even though a definitive date has not been set for
them to work on new material in studio, they did indicate
that a new album will be in the works soon. “We’re
always writing, we never really stop. If you stop,
you fall behind” … we’re taking
things slow because we want to make sure we push this
album a lot more”, Wes mentioned.
Having
2 albums on the market in such a competitive industry
is not an easy task so a big congrats to the guys
on that achievement! They appreciate their success
and recognize the support they have received. Not
only has it pushed them harder but according to
Wes, it has been a learning experience - "when
looking back at the 2 albums, you can tell how much
we’ve grown in the last couple of years with
our song writing”. Despite their maturation
of musical talent/skills, they did make it vehemently
clear that they refuse to mature as people! I salute
that!
If
you recall from my first interview with Flatlined,
I threw them a curve ball at them when I asked whether
they have ever been to a fetish party. Toward the
end of this interview I felt it necessary to follow
up - my question to the guys....
"Following
our 1st interview, did any of you end up going to
a fetish party!"
With
childlike enthusiasm I anxiously awaited their responses….sadly,
I was devastated to find out that they had not!
I sort of planned for this and had a back up plan
question ...“What
is one of your fetishes?”
I
told them I was not going to give up without an
answer from all of them! After a brief moment of
silence and what appeared to be a look of shock,
I was able to beat it out of them (thankfully I
provisioned enough time in our discussion to allow
for stall tactics)! Obviously
this became an interesting juncture in the discussion
that took on an energy of its own and once they
guys got over their inhibitions, it was impossible
to shut them up! I did have to bring the conversation
to an end since it was time for them to hit the
stage! So off they went – somewhat distracted
and eager to resume that discussion.
After
setting up the equipment, tuning their gear and
a few sound checks, it was time for their set. Seeing
the guys on stage playing a mix of new and old material
was amazing and as witnessed from the first show
in Feb - they still had it – the presence
on stage that created an electric charge with the
audience! Despite my pleas for an encore to hear
“Shiver” they decided to keep me hanging
… I wonder if this had anything to do with
me cutting off our conversation on fetishes?! After
my pouting and endless attempts to get my own way,
I finally gave up - but, I did make them promise
me that the next show I come to – they play
Shiver for me! Fair deal!!
Before
closing off the night, the guys were kind enough
to give me a copy of their CD and a ladies tank
that they personally autographed! Click
here to enter for a
chance to win this autographed merch!
I
look forward to catching up with they guys after
their Western Canada tour and for the public launch
of their album and video.. and I PROMISE I will
do everything to make it to that launch party! Have
fun on tour and be sure to bring a camera and notebook
because I want road story deets when you come back!
Check
out some of the pics from the Interview and their
show!
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