(Photo Credit: Michael Wilson)
We had the opportunity to interview Cincinnati's best-kept secret Carriers! Their new album Now Is The Time For Loving Me, Yourself & Everyone Else features drumming/percussion on every track from The National's Bryan Devendorf and features bass and was produced by John Curley of The Afghan Whigs! Now is The Time For Loving Me, Yourself & Everyone Else dropped August 23, 2019 on Good Eye Records! Check out Carriers' fantastic music and be sure to check out our Artist Spotlight interview below!
1. How did you come to pursue music and how long have you been at it?
"I grew up with music, my Dad played, my Dad shreds. I played in church growing up and in a band through high school. I started learning guitar in the 7th grade. Music was my goal all along."
"I played with another band called Soil and the Sun then in 2011 I joined Pomegranates and played guitar/bass for about two and a half years. Carriers started a couple of years after. Though I was always writing music and songs even though I was playing guitar in other bands. I've written a few hundred songs."
2. Could you walk us through your process of writing music?
"Its very real, very direct, honest, and true. There are metaphors. Usually I just start singing, when I used to work I would sing and write (lyrics) on receipt paper. Usually by the end of the day I would have words and melodies, then I'd add guitar later."
"I also do a lot of singing into a voice memo then play along to it. I'm always writing and recording demos."
3. What artists have inspired you in your career?
"My Dad used to quiz me on classic rock. I also was a into Rich Mullins, a contemporary Christian singer who was very genuine who made the church uncomfortable. In high school, I listened to Snow Patrol Final Straw, Arcade Fire Funeral, Modest Mouse, and Radiohead."
"Later I'd get into artists like Luke Temple, Here We Go Magic, The National, Sharon Van Etten, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Beta Band, Band of Horses, Lower Dents, The War on Drugs, Josh Tillman (A Year in the Kingdom), and Deerhunter."
4. Do you have any favorite music gear (guitars, amps, effects pedals, keyboards, etc.) that you love to use? If so, what’s the story on them?
"My main guitar is a Tysco Del Rey, it's extremely light. I also have a 60's Global guitar and a Martin vintage acoustic. I also have a Viberphone-CB700 that was given to me by my choir teacher as the school was closing. I offered to buy it off of him, it belonged to his wife he said he'd ask her about it, the next day he gave it to me and I still have it. I also use a Memory Man pedal, and a Mattoverse Electronics Swell Delay."
"John Curley (of The Afghan Whigs) who plays bass on the album uses a Rickenbacker."
5. Can you describe the vibe at your live shows? Also, what do you enjoy most about a venue when you do a show?
"It has to have monitors and a sound person that's not jaded. It's great when the crowd is into it. I haven't had any super negative experiences that have made me hate any place. I love connecting with the audience."
"I love the Woodward Theater, the Northside Tavern, The Comet, and MOTR at Over the Rhine."
6. What is one thing that you want the public to know about your music?
"It's personal and therapeutic. It's cool when people tell me they feel lighter after hearing it. An atmosphere of healing of sorts. I really want people to get a message of hope, purpose, and meaning. I sent Sharon Van Etten the record and told her she was influential. She messaged me and told me she was listening and liked it. A while later she asked me to send the album again for a flight, then she gave me a shoutout in the notes of her album Remind Me Tomorrow."
7. Do you have any upcoming projects you would like fans to know about?
"My album Now is The Time For Loving Me, Yourself & Everyone Else comes out August 23, 2019 on Good Eye Records!"