2/16/2004

MP3 Download: Fishing with the Party Sharks (Demo)

These guys are awesome, its that simple. Steadily building a loyal following by playing a kinetic brand of rock’n’roll sure to inspire you; they recently were signed to our favorite label (Made In Mexico) and we were lucky enough to talk to them about it, music and sex symbols.

Allalom Productions: Hey guys, thanks for taking the time for this interview, can we quickly run through who is in the band and what they do?

The Divorce: Quickly, Shane Berry - singing and guitars and keyboards, Jimmy Curran - bass playing, Garrett Lunceford - guitars and such, Kyle Risan - drums.

AP: So, brief history – how long have you guys been around?

TD: we've been a band for about four years. Garrett joined us nearly two years ago. we will be a band for years to come.

AP: Where did the name come from, or for that matter, the name of your debut album (“There Will Be Blood Tonight”)?

TD: it's a movie quote. We thought it captured a sort of exultant, slightly violent energy that we felt the album conveyed.

AP: There has been a lot of hype surrounding you (in Seattle), has that affected your music any?

TD: The word 'hype' implies a level of undue attention. While we're quite grateful for the support we've received from local radio and our fantastic audiences, we don't believe that this attention is undeserved. That said, it wouldn't influence our music if it were.

AP: What can you tell me about your management?

TD: I can tell you that we have no outside management, and we manage just fine.

AP: So what happened with Fugitive?

TD: shortly after the release of our first record, the people at fugitive decided that they weren't very invested in the concept of running a label. That’s all.

AP: You guys are now on Made In Mexico, how did that come about?

TD: They asked to put out our record, and they're great people with a great roster and great ideas about how to run a label. So we said 'yeas please!'

AP: Here is a question specifically for Shane (from one of our readers) – how do you feel being a sex-icon of sorts in the Seattle scene?

TD: I feel great about it. Just kidding. You may have me mistaken for Shane Tutmarc from Dolour.

AP: Do you guys feel you sound better in the studio or live?

TD: as the cliché goes, the studio is like another instrument. there are things that can be done in the studio that cannot be reproduced live. That’s cool. But, as any band or audience member will tell you, there's a level of energy in live performance that is difficult to capture in a recording environment. i guess the answer to the question is, 'both'.

AP: What bands do you guys consider to be influential in your music?

TD: There are honestly so many that this answer would become a really boring list if left unchecked. Suffice it to say that we steal ideas from every source we can get our ears on.

AP: Are there any similar artists currently around that you guys admire?

TD: There are tons of artists currently around that we admire. But generally we admire them precisely because they are NOT similar to us or anything else around.

AP: What is the normal inspiration behind your songs?

TD: song ideas come from everywhere. if there were a 'normal' inspiration, i think songwriting would get pretty boring. So i don't know, i guess.

AP: If you could tour with any band or musician this upcoming year – who would it be?

TD: Well, there are a lot of excellent bands in and around Seattle and the northwest that we have the privilege of being friends with. i won't name-drop them here, but touring with any of them would be a huge pleasure. Really though, touring with any band who's members are good people would be acceptable.

AP: How would you guys compare your sound now, as apposed to a year ago?

TD: well we're not that different from a year ago, which is about when we started writing the songs for the new record. But TWO years ago, or even a-year-and-a-half? Basically since Garrett's been a part of this, we've been able to explore more of the sound that we were always aiming for. Also, it's impossible to overestimate the presence of another, very talented member in a songwriting framework. i would say it's definitely a more mature, fleshed-out sound.

AP: Do you find Seattle to be a welcoming music community?

TD: Without question.

AP: What is your opinion on the current state of independent music?

TD: There are so many outlets for music right now, that the worlds of major-label and independent music have strangely merged in most people's minds. i mean, you've got Spin magazine with a huge article on 'the year of indie rock', or something, featuring modest mouse, Franz Ferdinand and The Killers. all of those bands are on major labels. The only difference as far as the record buying public is concerned is the quality of the music. This is a great time to be an independent artist, because the internet and alternative media outlets make it so easy to hear about and have access to music that you don't need million dollar marketing budgets to get the word out. So that's cool. i don't know. There will always be the major-label vs. indie music debate, and there are pros and cons to both sides of it. The only thing that's important i guess is that people get to listen to the music they like.

AP: So when is the new album coming out?

TD: It is scheduled to be released on September 3rd by Made in Mexico Records. indie for life!!!

AP: Are you guys planning on touring this year?

TD: we are planning on touring extensively this year. But we plan on that every year, and it doesn't always happen...

AP: Thank you so much for your time, I love your music and it was a pleasure interviewing you.



You can find out more about The Divorce and their music by visiting them at their website, thedivorce.net, or you can visit their record label at madeinmexicorecords.com.