Tell us about yourself and your music
I started playing music in high school. I was too shy to meet girls so I thought being in a band might help! Our first biggest influences were The Beatles and the British invasion. So I suppose our music still has a bit of that nostalgic ring to it.
Talk to us more about your latest release
Our most recent album, “Rushmore”, was released in May and continues to get great reviews. Our opening track, “Blame It On Love” has hit the top 10 on iTunes Pop/Rock singles charts in the US, UK, Canada, and Mexico. Aside from that, there are some really nice songs, some that hearkens back to days gone by.
What inspired you to write this release?
Songs are usually started by me with the music, and then I send it over to Tom who works with me on the lyrics. In this particular instance our producer, Drew Youngs, orchestrated the songs for the album. Honestly, inspiration comes from lots of places. Sometimes it will start as a catchy line or phrase. Other times it starts as a guitar riff as I am fooling around in my studio. We think “Rushmore” has some of the best stuff we’ve written.
Describe the writing and recording process
I think I just did describe how a song might come about. So once we have an idea of the song, I usually record a demo so the other guys get a sense of the tempo and feel for the music. A lot of times I record harmonies to show where they should go. Sometimes we use them, and other times we replace them. These days with digital recording it is a lot different than the old days when we used tape. Punch ins go a lot smoother and adjusting balances on a track, even in the middle of a section, is much easier.
Any plans to release a video?
Any plans to hit the road?
We are working on a live set right now in the hopes we can open for some big names. Songs we’ve chosen are from our albums, “PLAY!”, “Another Summer EP”, “Soul Surrender” , “Summertime Sounds EP” and “Rushmore”. Unfortunately, it is too early to give out any specific dates, but look for us in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2020, for sure.
As an indie artist, how do you brand yourself and your music to stand out from the rest of the artists out there?
We are definitely retro rock. There are a lot of people still out there who love music with catchy lyrics and musical hooks. For instance, The Beatles are still going strong over 50 years since they last recorded an album. We hear all the time that our music reminds people of them. And they’ve sold quite a few records! So maybe we are in good company.
Who have you been listening to lately?
I don’t know about the other guys, but I am sort of a singles type guy. There are not many albums out there that hold my interest. So I like some stuff by Mayer Hawthorne and Clean Bandit. Empire Of The Sun caught my attention with that car commercial they did and Foster The People are always good for some nice tunes.
Who are your biggest influences?
I’d still have to say The Beatles are my biggest influence. I am told you can hear it in our music.
Tell us about your passions
Other than music, I’d have to say golf is one of my favorite pastimes. One of my favorite sayings is, “I love golf, golf just doesn’t love me.” It’s one of the hardest sports because EVERY shot counts, unlike baseball where you might get nine or ten chances to hit the ball. And I would say it’s one of the only games where slowing down is a benefit. Try playing too fast and it only hurts your game.
My other passion is creating animated videos to combat bullying. Our cartoon series, Silvers Surf City, is about The Silvers who have been caught in a hurricane and swept into an alternate universe where fish and animals all walk and talk. There are also some mean creatures like a pirate who was lost at sea and jellyfish that is his accomplice. Together they do their best to bully the island creatures, but the band uses music to push away the bad vibes and restore order!
What else is happening next in your world?
The Silvers are working on a new six-song EP tentatively called “Change Of Seasons” to get away from the summer theme we have been using. The songs are still aimed at being positive so they will fit our animated series, Silvers Surf City. We are also rehearsing so as to get ready for performing live in 2020.
Thanks for an awesome interview, mick@thesilversmusic.com
Connect with mick@thesilversmusic.com
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