www.facebook.com/redletterstatement
From: Rochester, NY
Sounds like: Alternative Rock
1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound? Who thought of the name “Red Letter Statement” and is there any meaning behind it?
I (Adam August, singer) can't speak for the whole band, but biologically I come from a long line of musicians. One being Billy Cobham (my grandfather) whom I didn't know about for 18 years. Along with being adopted into a very musical family. So I started playing music at a very young age. We all are huge fans of music from the early 2000's. (TBS, SOTY, Finch,Thursday,Thrice, Coheed, etc.) We love music that comes from the soul, that tells a story. So that's what we do. We focus on writing Bc it's our therapy. We don't try to fit in a genre or hit some kind of demographic. We just do what we do. I actually came up with the name. In short the name means speaking truth. Speaking from the heart. Speaking to build up and inspire, not to put down or digress. Every song that we have written and will write, has and will have that element.
2. What do you want listeners to take away from your music? How has the response to the "Love People" EP been since its release?
That regardless of what we all feel and have gone through, there is always a chance to relate or make a positive connection with someone. The response has been great. I get to to talk to kids from all around the world. This album title kinda painted a target on us for being a good neutral listener. Which is exactly what we wanted.
3. How would you describe your music to the average listener?
Alt Rock, unfortunately, I wish we could come up with something more specific.
4. What can people expect from your live show?
Energy........gang vocals.......... Energy......... Me most likely injuring myself.
5. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?
Letlive, Night Verses, and Biffy Clyro.
6. Any crazy show stories?
We played at a little theater in East Wearham, mass. The kids over there are insane. It was the first show I have played with kids crowd surfing with body boards and inner tubes. It was chaos, which is the way it should be.
7. What’s your take on the current state of rock?
Unfortunate. It's crazy how, in America, one guy pressing play on a computer can pack a room. But a group of musicians pretty much living in poverty, to do what they love, are struggling to get their friends to a show.
8. What’s the current music scene like there in the New York both locally and state wide?
It's over saturated, too many shows with too many promoters trying to make money. No local show should be $10 with forced ticket sales. It turns bands against each other, instead of developing a community.
9. What’s your take on legal/illegal music downloading?
It's inevitable, I see music as marketing for your brand (yes brand), it's what you give to people to encourage them to want to see you play live or buy your merch. Music is a window to your soul. If people like what is in there, they will believe in it. People are more willing to spend money on what they believe in. Listening to music is a way to get to know someone. If you sat down on a first date, and they said, "give me 5-10 dollars, and we can get to know each other" most likely you give them a few choice words and leave. Plus with technology these days, you can make a record in your basement and then distribute it electronically with next to no overhead costs. That pretty much cuts the ridiculous abuse of labels out. I think it's great that the music industry is getting challenged, bc it is giving the power back to the artist.
10. What’s next for Red Letter Statement?
It will always be, putting our best effort to make a positive impact on the world.
11. Any shoutouts?
Thanks to Eddie from TBS, Christian from (the late) anberlin, and our friends in Night Verses. They all have Been giving us great advice so far, in our efforts to get touring.
