Interview with States Away

How did the band members meet?

We've all originally met by being in other local bands, or from back when we were in high school. Our guitarists Cody and Geoff started writing material together back in early fall of 2011, started jamming with our drummer Ian, and then I (Michael) decided to join right when I moved back from Orlando in December of 2011. Then we actually entered the studio without a vocalist, found our singer Corey and got him in the studio immediately!

How did you decide on a band name?

Our good friend Josh Minnich who does all our graphic design work presented it to us and we really liked it. It sort of represents relationships we have with people that aren't near us, and how we can conquer that distance.

Who are some of your major influences?

States Away

New Found Glory, Man Overboard, The Story So Far, Sworn In, God, and Pizza.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?


I think a re-appearing theme in our message is relationships. Everyone in the band has a bad relationship history when it comes to being treated wrong or even conflict within ourselves, so we try and express that in our lyrics.

You recently released your debut EP. Which songs are your favourite and why?

I think everyone likes "Heads Up" because it's fast paced, has some heavier parts, but still with a catchy chorus. I'd say we also like It's Not Me It's You, because it's probably our most mature sounding song, and we really connect with the lyrics.

Mean What You Say is definitely the most fun for everyone to play live though, because so far it has the best crowd reaction.

What do you hope people take away from your music?

We all hope that everyone can connect with our lyrics, realize that they aren't the only ones having those specific kind of relationship issues, or conflicts within themselves, and find hope that there is always a way out to be a happier person.

Finally, is there anyone you would like to give a shout out to?
Our dads.

Connect with States Away

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/StatesAwayOH

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/StatesAwayOfficial

States Away- A Review

 States Away is a pop/punk band from Springfield, Ohio. They are a textbook perfect pop/punk band consisting of upbeat instrumentals and accompanying vocals. Their lyrics are catchy and that makes for a fun listen. When comparing States Away to other bands it's hard to narrow it down as there are so many bands playing this style of music. However, with that said, if you have an ear for pop/punk you will definitely enjoy it.

States Away Album Artwork.

 States Away released their self titled, debut EP last month. Consisting of four songs, it will please anyone who is a fan of upbeat pop/punk music and catchy lyrics. The first song, "Heads Up", is my favourite from the album due to the energy that is sustained throughout and the way that it ties the whole group together. "Mean What You Say" is similar in many aspects, which helps carry that energy through the first half of the EP. The third song, "It's Not Me It's You" seems to change the mood of the EP. The lyrics seem more emotional and heartfelt which adds a layer of depth that you don't often see with bands in this genre. "Don't Try", the final song, seems to shake things up again. Although the vocals seem upbeat, the instrumentals seem more mellow which helps to summarise the EP's mood. Overall, States Away delivers a solid debut release.

 Being such a young band, States Away has already accomplished so much. They have a very respectable fan base and a very solid debut album.I look forward to seeing them build on this success and I hope that they continue to make music as well as grow and develop as a band. I recommend you give them a listen as they are well worth your time.


Connect with States Away

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/StatesAwayOH

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/statesawayofficial

**Note: Watch for our interview with States Away tomorrow!**

Joshua Hyslop- A Review

Joshua Hyslop is a singer/songwriter hailing from Abbotsford, BC. Joshua combines soothing guitar melodies with solid vocals that create a well rounded sound. He has released two albums, an EP in July of 2011 entitled "Cold Wind" and his first full length album, "Where the Mountain Meets the Valley", last month. Both works are structured quite similar and are quite the treat to listen to.

Joshua Hyslop.

"Cold Winds" is a six song EP filled with raw and simple songs that will please almost any ears. Sometimes, simple does not always work, but for Joshua it fits very nicely. The two songs that jump out at me are "Nowhere Left To Go" and "If I Was A Better Man". "Nowhere Left To go" was perhaps my favourite lyrically and was a very relaxing song that holds your interest throughout. "If I Was A Better Man" was a pleasant surprise and a great way to end the album. It was the most upbeat song on the album and for that reason, it stood out the most. It was almost as if the album was building up to this very song and this was the grand finale, and a grand finale it was. Excellent lyrics, incredible vocals and great instrumentals make not only this song, but this entire album worth a listen.

"Where the Mountain Meets the Valley" is the first full length release from Joshua Hyslop. Right away it's as though he carried the energy that ended off his first album and carried it through this one. However, that is not to say that he didn't include any aspects from his first album as there are several softer songs on the album including "Time Alone", "First Light" and the title track "Where the Mountain Meets the Valley". Some of my favourites include "Wish You Well" and "Have You Heard?" because I feel as though these songs emphasise the evolution of Joshua's music, not to mention they are very sound both lyrically and instrumentally. If you liked "Cold Winds" you will definitely love "Where the Mountain Meets the Valley".

Joshua Hyslop tends to keep his music simple but there is always something that gives his music a twist and makes for an enjoyable listen. Both his releases, "Cold Winds" and "Where the Mountain Meets the Valley" are very well done and chart his growth as an artist quite nicely. I recommend giving them both a listen, you will not be disappointed.

Connect with Joshua Hyslop

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/joshuahyslop

Tumblr: http://www.joshuahyslop.tumblr.com

Edwin Miles- A Review

Edwin Miles is a singer/songwriter/guitarist living in Manchester, UK. Edwin combines soothing guitar melodies with his heartfelt vocals. When putting Edwin Miles music into a genre, you could easily put it in several, from pop to folk to rock. Originally from Saudi Arabia, Edwin has been playing guitar since he was twelve and has developed the talent that helps propel his music to another level which is evident in his debut release.

"Get Off Your Rock" by Edwin Miles

"Get Off Your Rock", the four song debut EP from Edwin Miles was released in early 2012. It is a very wonderful and relaxing collection of songs. It seems as though he feeds off of his guitar and in turn, creates more energy and passion within his music which truly makes for a great listen. My favourites from the album include the title track, "Get Off Your Rock" and "Troublesome Eye". I really like how "Get Off Your Rock" flows so smoothly. It is a really nice introduction to the album and it does a nice job of setting the tone for the rest of the album. "Troublesome Eye" was one of my favourites due to all of the emotion that is portrayed throughout it. Both the lyrics and Edwin's voice make this a stand out song. There is not a song that I didn't really like on the album as I found they all contributed to the mood of the album and helped to solidify it.

If you are into mellow, acoustic songs you may enjoy Edwin Miles. Even if you don't, I encourage you to give him a listen as everyone of his songs is filled with passion and they flow so smoothly throughout the album. He is very talented on guitar and has great vocals to match. "Get Off Your Rock" was a very well done debut album and I look forward to Edwin Miles future releases.

Connect with Edwin Miles

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EdwinTheMiles

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/EdwinTheMiles

La Fin Absolute du Monde- A Review

La Fin Absolute du Monde.

 La Fin Absolute du Monde (The Absolute End Of The World) is made up of husband and wife duo, Jason and Cyndy Myles, who create very unique sounding music that is hard to place in any one genre. They combine punk, rock, pop, electronic and even some hard rock. Formed in 2009, La Fin absolute du Monde has signed to UK label, Foolscircle Recordsand created several true masterpieces. This is such a dynamic band in that they can generate many different moods throughout their songs. Cyndy's vocals help with this a lot as she is very talented in what she does.

 La Fin Absolute has released several prominent songs. "She's Got To Be A Pirate" is perhaps their best example as this showcases what La Fin Absolute du Monde is all about. Featuring their signature blend of several different genres and uniquely crafted vocals, this is La Fin Absolute du Monde at their very best. " Black Sheep" is a perfect example of how dynamic this band really is as they can go from upbeat to mellow in an instant. "Dark Fetus" contains the best of both worlds and is one of my personal favourites by La Fin Absolute du Monde.

 If you are looking for a unique listening experience, look no further then la Fin Absolutedu Monde as they blend several different genres to create a very unique sound that helps them stand above the crowd. Personally, I look forward to watching the band progress and build off of their success. Any future releases by La Fin Absolute du Monde are sure to be a hit and I can't wait to see what they come up with next.

Connect with La Fin Absolute Du Monde

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/LaFinAbsolute

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lafinabsolutedumonde

Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/la-fin-absolute-du-monde