Interview: Heinali and Matt Finney

>> When I first heard about Heinali and Matt Finney, I was curious about how two individuals from two different countries could manage to make music together. Their songs are as unique as their situation- I've never heard anything like their Lemonade EP. I got an idea of how the artists overcome the challenges they face because of distance just by speaking to them, but they won't let anything stop them from doing what they love. Their enthusiasm is tremendous, and quite impressive. They had these questions answered within a few hours of receiving them, regardless of the time difference. They are clearly passionate about their music, and that dedication has served them well thus far.

Introduce yourselves. (Name, age, instrument)
Heinali: Heinali, not too old I hope, can't really play any of them...
Matt: I'm Matt. 21. Vocals.

Where are you from? Describe the local music scene there.

Heinali: Ukraine. It's absent. Zero. Nada. Nihil. Maybe except for
some occasional parties and concerts of extremely low budget.
Matt: Millbrook, Alabama. There's not a much of a scene. A couple of
screaming bands and that's it.

What are some of your earliest influences that made you want to get into music?

Heinali: My earliest influences are Nine Inch Nails, the Sisters of
Mercy and Coil. But nothing made me want to get into music. It was
totally spontaneous and kept being not too serious for a long period
of time.
Matt: The first band that I remember listening to was Tears For Fears.
My sister had their greatest hits CD and video and she used to play
them all the time. I still love that band. Catchy as can be. Nirvana
were the first that floored me though.

How did you guys first get together & decide to make music?

Matt: We met through Myspace and became quick friends. My band (Finneyerkes) had been on a break and it's still on a inactive. I asked Heinali if he'd be interested in working on some songs and that turned into our first EP. We've been working together since.

For those who haven't heard it yet, how would you describe your sound?

Heinali: Cinematic, dark, eclectic.

What is your writing process like?

Heinali: Usually it's slightly different every time, sometimes absolutely different. Though I tend to construct the composition on the some kind of theme... could be melodic or timbral or rhythmic. Usually at night. Matt sends me over his lyrics recorded and I compose the music. I do a couple of drafts and send them to Matt for the critique.

What was the general inspiration behind your Lemonade EP?

Heinali: Life. In terms of music that influenced it's Nine Inch Nails, Nadja, Angelic Process, My Bloody Valentine, Joy Division, Nirvana...
Matt: The past year. It was an extremely rough one. It's all of that anger, bitterness, and disillusionment mixed with anxiety attacks.

What’s your favorite part about being in this band?

Heinali: I have to choose of sex, drugs and industrial.
Matt: Working with one of the best composers out there. The sex, drugs, and industrial don't hurt either.

What are some of the hardships you face because you live in different countries?

Heinali: Can't do gigs, can't rehearse, can't hang out together.
Matt: I'm with Heinali. This is both what we love to do. We both give it a hundred percent but we still can't reach people the way the band down the street can because they have access to the folks in bars/clubs. It's very discouraging but we have a lot of amazing listeners that like what we do and it's a huge motivator. We'll work through it.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment so far as a band?

Heinali: We are doing what we love.

How can fans contact you, or hear your music?

www.myspace.com/heinaliandmattfinney
heinaliandmattfinney.bandcamp.com
www.twitter.com/heinaliandmatt
heinaliandmattfinney.tumblr.com
iTunes is coming soon and a billion other online music stores that we can't think of at this second. be on the look out!
(*Heinali & Matt's Lemonade EP has recently been added to iTunes. Click here to pick up a copy!)

What are some goals that you want to accomplish with your music in the future?

Heinali: Breaking out of the loneliness again and again and again.
Matt: To make each one better than the one that came before it.

What do you guys have planned for the rest of 2010?

Heinali: New album! Or EP
Matt: New album and then another.

Is there anything else you want to say?

Matt: Thanks so much to everyone that's taken their hard earned money and bought our music/t-shirts. Thanks to all of the blogs for their help. Thanks to everyone that's downloaded and told a friend. You all should be nominated for sainthood. And, thank you Kate!

Thanks again to Matt & Heinali :)


Get Connected with the artist:
heinaliandmattfinney.bandcamp.com
myspace.com/heinaliandmattfinney
heinaliandmattfinney.tumblr.com
twitter.com/heinaliandmatt
iTunes

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Tour Dates: The Ataris + Don't Panic Fall Tour

>> The Ataris and Don't Panic will be continuing their 2010 Tour of The Atlantic this fall. Here's a message from Don't Panic, followed by the tour dates-

The West Coast and southwest was a blast. So we figured.. how unfair to leave out our home area! Below are the dates of the tour! We will be announcing more shows soon so keep checking back. We really want to see you guys all there so RSVP and show some love. We're also gonna be lookin for places to stay the nights we don't feel like driving back to the Poconos, so if you have one.. lets do it!

10/14/10 @ Diesel (Pittsburgh, PA)
10/15/10 @ The Manhattan Room (Philadelphia, PA)
10/16/10 @ The Studio at Webster Hall (New York, NY)
10/17/10 @ Maxwells (Hoboken, NJ)
10/18/10 @ Ottobar (Baltimore, MD)
10/20/10 @ Crocodile Rock (Allentown, PA)
10/21/10 @ PAL Hall (Fall River, MA)
10/23/10 @ Bogies (Albany, NY)
10/24/10 @ The Basement (Kingston, NY)
11/3/10 @ The Fusion Room (Syracuse, NY)
11/4/10 @ Middle East (Cambridge, MA)
11/5/10 @ Eleanor Rigbys (Jermyn, PA)
11/6/10 @ Hangar 84 (Vineland, NJ)
11/7/10 @ Club Karma (Patchogue, NY)

Click here to RSVP.

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Tour Dates: The Average Guys With Exceptional Hair Tour

>> A Skylit Drive will be setting out on The Average Guys With Exceptional Hair Tour this fall with Motionless In White, For All Those Sleeping, Woe, Is Me, and Scarlett O’Hara.

Dates:
11/04/10 - Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction
11/05/10 - San Diego, CA @ Soma Sidestage
11/06/10 - Tempe, AZ @ The Clubhouse
11/07/10 - Tucson, AZ @ The Rock
11/09/10 - San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
11/10/10 - Ft. Worth, TX @ The Door
11/11/10 - The Woodlands, TX @ Shadowplay Lounge
11/12/10 - Metairie, LA @ The High Ground
11/13/10 - Pensacola, FL @ Vinyl Music Hall
11/14/10 - Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits
11/15/10 - Orlando, FL @ The Social
11/16/10 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
11/17/10 - Richmond, VA @ The Canal Club
11/19/10 - Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church
11/20/10 - S. Hackensack, NJ @ School Of Rock
11/21/10 - Buffalo, NY @ Xtreme Wheels
11/23/10 - Chicago, IL @ The Bottom Lounge
11/24/10 - St. Louis, MO @ Fubar
11/26/10 - Denver, CO @ The Marquis Theatre
11/28/10 - Orangevale, CA @ The Boardwalk

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Name Dropping 101 ; The Prids

>> The Prids (@theprids) have undertaken the task of making a music video for every track on their new record, Chronosynclastic. This is video #2 for the song “Break”.

Break from Gordon Nickel on Vimeo.

>> The third video should be released in a couple of weeks. Until then, be sure to see The Prids on the road:

9/17/10 - Portland, OR @ The Agenda

9/24/10 - Portland, OR @ East End w/ The Chameleons

10/02/10 - Lincoln, NE @ Duffy's : London Calling Festival

10/04/10 - Chicago, IL @ Darkroom

10/06/10 - Columbus, OH @ Carabar

10/08/10 - Brooklyn, NY @ Spike Hill

10/09/10 - Manhattan, NY @ The Delancey

10/13/10 - Atlanta, GA @ 529

10/16/10 - St. Joseph, MO @ TBA

10/17/10 - Norman, OK @ Opolis

10/18/10 - Albuquerque, NM @ Low Spirits

>> Make sure you check out the band's label, Velvet Blue Music. They represent the most unique set of artists I’ve ever heard, and I mean that in a very good way :)

.

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Senses Fail Announce Track listing for 'The Fire'

>> Senses Fail have announced the track listing for their upcoming album, The Fire. The album will be released on October 26th through Vagrant Records. The band also revealed that a limited edition live DVD will be released as well. You can see the track listing below.

Track Listing:
1. The Fire
2. Saint Anthony
3. New Year’s Eve
4. Safe House
5. Coward
6. Landslide
7. Headed West
8. Lifeboats
9. Nero
10. Irish Eyes
11. Hold On
12. Ghost Town *(iTunes only)

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Get Hyped: Thieves & Villains / The Scenic Tour Dates

>> Thieves and Villains and The Scenic will be playing a string of shows together this fall. Dates and venues can be seen below.

9/22/10 @ Party Expo (Brooklyn, NY)
9/23/10 @ The Space (Hamden, CT)
9/24/10 @ Indigo Paradise (Nyack, NY)
9/25/10 @ Salem Knights of Columbus (Salem, MA)
9/26/10 @ The Dover Brick House (Dover, NH)
9/27/10 @ Ottobar (Baltimore, MD)
9/28/10 @ The Barbary (Philadelphia, PA)
9/30/10 @ Casbah (Charlotte, NC)
10/1/10 @ Club Relevant (Virginia Beach, VA)
10/2/10 @ Warrenton American League (Warrenton, VA)

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RIP Between The Trees

>> Between The Trees posted an official statement on their MySpace earlier today stating that the band will be splitting up by the end of the year. You can read this statement below.

The End: Between The Trees 2005-2010

Well, this is the beginning of a letter that I never wanted to figure out how to write. I'll probably write, rethink, and re-write again 10 times over, but it's not going to change the purpose of it no matter how hard I try.

It is with regret that I announce that Between The Trees will be disbanding by the end of this year. It's not a decision that we all fully agree with, but it's a decision that is final.

After 5 years of being a band we've had our highs and and we've also had our lows. Each member at some point has wondered what life outside of the band might be like. As of late, Ryan has stated that he had lost his drive and passion to continue with Between The Trees. With that, it obviously raised questions that needed to be answered. So after much thought and prayer, Ryan feels in his heart that it is just time to move on. He still loves every bit of it and, just like all of us, is thankful for the friends and fans that we've met over the years. However, when it's time, I guess it's time.

It is impossible to sum up an obsession that has consumed our lives for this many years. Anything that I write will never, ever truly express how we feel about this past stage of our lives. Truthfully and honestly words cannot describe it…trying to show it in a measly blog or news post is an injustice, but such is life.

We've had an incredible life over the past 5 years. We've seen more of this world in our early 20's than most people will see in their lifetime, and we were blessed to do it playing music that we love. We've met amazing people, interestingly odd people, as well as numerous friends that will extend well beyond the existence of this band. We've spent hours upon hours in a van driving to cities and towns hoping to meet and win over new fans, and usually always left more than satisfied in calling this our job. It's been an amazing journey and we wouldn't trade this experience for anything in this world.

We want to thank our families for every ounce of support since the beginning. It's not easy telling your Mom and Dad when you're 18, 19, and 21 that you're not going to college, but have decided to hop in a van and drive around with a couple friends. Also want to thank our Wives/Fiancees, as it was also never easy saying "see you in a month" more than 8 or 9 times a year. Our thanks to our friend/Manager/twice removed Record Label owner David McKenna for taking a chance and being there through it all, as well as many other business men and women for taking a chance on a group of guys playing music they wrote in a cramped bed room. Thanks to the faithfuls that were at every show in a 4 hour radius, and a handful that really didn't know what a radius was. And last, but certainly not least, being as least cliche as possible, thanks Jesus for giving us this opportunity. It's safe to say that we would have never written a single song had it not been for you, so thank you.

So, where do we go from here?

We're going to continue as planned with our tour with The Almost coming up starting on September 14th and will finish up at the end of the month. Past that we currently have nothing planned. However, we've decided that we wanted to give anyone who wanted to see us one last chance to hear some songs.

With that said, if enough requests come in, we'd like to do a House Tour. A House Tour consists of shows in your living room where we charge a certain amount (we obviously need to make money to tour ;-), and we play an hour long or so Acoustic set in your home for you and your friends on Acoustic instruments. We'll hang out as long as you'll have us, we'll chat, have fun, and just have a good time. The date range you have to choose from will be from October 1st-October 30th. You can email BTTHOUSESHOWS@GMAIL.COM to book your show. We'll let you know how much money we'll need to make it happen to travel city to city. It's on a first come, first serve basis, but the routing will have to make sense, so as requests come in we may have to change accordingly. The deadline for show requests will be September 25th. (Overseas is excluded, sorry guys, but thanks for everything.)

Now as far as the Southeast region, we'll be playing a string of final full band shows in late November into early December. It will most likely consist of an Atlanta, Jacksonville, Tampa, and of course a final Orlando show. So be looking for those. After that, you'll only have our CD's to remind you.

Lastly, and we're not making any promises, but we're going to try our hardest to record any songs that we ever wrote that didn't make it on past records, or even ones we maybe had in mind for records to come. It may be 3 songs, or it may be 13 songs, it all just depends on what we have time for. When we finish we'll throw it up on iTunes for everyone to download if they choose to. Look for that by December.

In case anyone asks what we'll do now and are curious on a personal level, none of us are really sure? Ryan is an incredibly talented individual. His voice is something that will carry him through life no matter what. He may do some composing, he may just write songs, I'm not sure, but I do know he'll find his way in music. As far as Josh he too will always be in music. He is an incredible drummer and musician. He is the one that introduced me to music and I look up to him immensely. He will probably end up playing drums for a country band (hey hey T-Swift), but will definitely be doing some studio work. He's also mentioned Architecture quite a bit. I'm sure me and him will end up opening some sort of Butler Brothers business :) For now, I'll head back to school, get a degree, and see what happens. I may be looking into taking in everything I've learned in a touring band and putting it to use in Band Management, so look for that from me. We'll all continue to write music. We all contributed to BTT, so I'm sure you'll see traces of that in all of our future projects. Just know that all of us will still be involved in music in some facet or another. Also know that we all love each other more than you know and will always be the best friends that drove away on that first tour 5 years ago.

One last note. As some of you may know, we had the opportunity to share the stage with our pseudo 4th member Stevie Benz for the past 8 or 9 months. He's been great and been more than we could ask for in not only a hire on guitarist, but a great friend. When you spend as much time together as we do, it's hard to not feel as though we're all family. Had BTT continued, the idea of making Stevie official was a thought in the forefront of all of our minds. So we all sat down and talked and decided that it would only feel right if Stevie finished it out the right way. Josh, Ryan, and myself have decided to officially re-add a 4th member and make Stevie that person. These final 3 months will feel complete for us, as we know it will for him. Beyond Between The Trees, Stevie will continue as a touring guitarist, so I am sure you will see him on a stage near you in no time.

Well, it's been a fun ride. Thank you for everything guys. Thank you for coming to shows, buying CD's, buying merch, and listening to our music. Hope to see you all in these coming months and the memories that will follow.

Sincerely,

Jeremy, Josh, Ryan, and Stevie

Between The Trees

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Video Killed The Radio Star - 9/4/10

>> We Are The In Crowd recently performed 'Both Sides of the Story' and 'Lights Out' acoustically for AbsolutePunk. You can watch their performance of "Both Sides of the Story" below, and the performance of "Lights Out" by clicking here. (PS, check out Tay's sweatshirt- representing This Condition!)

>> The Devil Wears Prada have posted an exclusive "Outnumbered: Live from Cornerstone" music video through Twitter. Click here to watch the video in exchange for a tweet.

>> Click here to see a video of Good Charlotte performing an acoustic version of their new single, "Like It's Her Birthday", for Sunrise in Australia.


>>Check out this great video of Paramore's acoustic performance of "Feeling Sorry" for Alternative Press.

>> B.o.B has released a new video for his song "Magic." Both the song and the video feature Rivers Cuomo of Weezer on guest vocals. You can see the video below.

B.o.B - New Music - More Music Videos

>> Never Shout Never has debuted two new music videos for songs off Harmony, their latest release. Click here to see the video for "Lovesick." You can see the video for "Piggy Bank" below.

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