Interview- TheStart

theStart’s third album “Ciao, Baby” is now available. They’re an exciting and fabulously talented band whom I recently I had the honor of interviewing.

Grave Concerns: OK, your song Wartime! (It’s Time 2 Go Now) is insanely hot, and infectious! Right now, I’m visualizing this song, and dancing the bloody crap out of it at my 20th High School reunion, finally being able to shed that shy girl image I had all through High School! It’s a little fantasy I like to indulge in every so often. The only problem with that astute picture is… I can’t dance! So my question is… when you‘re listening to a song (your own, or someone else’s) what fantasies come to mind?  

Depends on the song... the Cure's kissmekissmekissme always gives me the best make out fantasies...dark parking lot, sweaty bodies, steamy windows... wait maybe those are memories?

Grave Concerns: I’m a red wine drinker as well. Since you hail from beautiful Wine County, can you give me any recommendations? I’m always on the lookout for a good bottle to drain. (:

I am a simple girl when it comes to reds I like the Australian stuff... a good Australian Shiraz. My absolute though is champagne...Veuve Clicquot.

Grave Concerns: What do think makes your music stand out among other artists in your field?

Well we make music that is not necessarily current... but still listenable we hope!

Grave Concerns: Aimee, you have a very sexy sounding voice (and no, I’m not hitting on you…lol) I just really like it, and you remind me of another brilliant singer…Gwen Stefani. And I think you could give her a run for the money! (: Has anyone compared you to her before, or any other fabulous females?

Yes actually, I think people compare everybody to somebody. I get a lot of Dale Bozzio comparisons and every now and then Siouxsie Sioux...

Grave Concerns: I see you have a tour planned---awesome! Any plans to come to Boston? It’s a great city, and I’d love to see you guys live!

We will be in Boston August 25th at the Middle East with the Birthday Massacre.

Grave Concerns: When do find you’re most creative, in reference to writing lyrics and music?

About 3:30am!!!

Grave Concerns: How do you differentiate a real good song, from a classic? In other words, what really makes a song stand out and last? And with your music, which song or songs do you feel have met that challenge, have come close to it, or are you currently just enjoying the creative bliss?

That’s a touchy question because you are asking me to critique myself!!! I feel there are more on this new record than any before just from feedback from people who are familiar with our music but from the past I’d say our song "the1234" is pretty classic.

Grave Concerns: I had to comment on one of your great influences, Leonard Cohen. I really like his music, but my dad is the huge fan of his music and poetry. Have you seen Leonard Cohen I’m Your Man on DVD? If not, I recommend it…better yet my dad recommends it. (: That brings me to another question; if you were to cover one song, from a favorite band or artist, which song would that be, and why? So…I should get four songs mentioned on this one! (;

I have seen it and actually it was my Mom who turned me on to Mr. Cohen years ago! We had the good fortune recently to be asked to cover a Siouxsie song for a movie soundtrack... we did Cities in Dust and it was soooo fantastic to sing that song after being a fan for so long.

Grave Concerns: You’ve been a member of MySpace since May 3rd, 2004. How has MySpace helped, or hindered your musical endeavors? And which countries do you feel have embraced your music the most from being a member of MySpace?

Myspace is an awesome tool for us as we are still such an underground band. It allows us to get music and information out to people who might not know about us because we are still off the radar of the mainstream media... Probably the UK has embraced us the most from Myspace.

Grave Concerns: When it comes to writing new material, which do you feel comes first in the creative process--- the lyrics or the music, or doesn’t it matter?

Oh definitely the music. Jamie and I have sort of a game we play he will write the music for a song and hand it to me and I will finish the melodies and lyric. For awhile in the beginning he would give me a song a day and I had to finish it before he was done with the next one. Now they just sort of back up until I finish them. Jamie is quite prolific.

Grave Concerns:  I’m a game nut, and I love to play cards. Poker is my favorite, well, that and Fish, and Old Maid (but I think that’s kind of sexist, when you look at it in the big picture), so when traveling, do you guys play any games?

We had a problem for awhile with UNO. Problem because we made it "drinking UNO". For example if you would get the "take 3 cards" card you would have to take 3 drinks. Ouch.

Aimee, Lance, Frank, and Jamie; we here at Grave Concerns wish you much success with the new album “Ciao Baby”, in stores on Tuesday, June 5th. It’s so awesome, and it’s been an absolute joy to meet you guys. Ciao Baby! (;

Unfortunately Frank had to go on tour with his Street Drum Corps.
We have a new drummer her name is Chelsea Davis! You will love her...

For more about theStart, check them out at:
https://www.myspace.com/thestart and https://www.thisisthestart.com/