Pop/Electronica act The Ready Set have released their third and latest album to date "The Bad and The Better" with a lot of touring ahead with even more plans in the future. Mainman Jordan Witzigreuter discusses that album, touring, and more!
1. Can I get a backstory on the band/ band biography?
Jordan: TRS is my solo project- I started writing and producing music when I was about 17, finished high school, and began booking tours for myself around the country. Eventually I got picked up by Decaydance/Warner brothers and from there had some cool radio stuff happen, have toured around the world, and gotten to do some amazing things!
2. How did you guys come up with your band name?
Jordan: I didn't want to use my actual name because a. It is Witzigreuter, which is way hard to pronounce, and b. I didn't want it to seem like I was attempting to be a pop star per say. I liked the idea of using a band name so that if I wanted, it could be just me, or a 3 piece, or a 4 piece, or whatever. It's sort of whatever I want it to be, which is fun. The name itself means, to me, being ready to push inhibitions aside and do what you want to do.
3. Why did you want this to be a solo project instead of a full-fledged act?
Jordan: I made TRS a solo thing because at the time, I didn't feel like there was anyone in my town who would be on the same page as me. There was a big hardcore scene I was into for a while playing drums in bands, but I don't think there was a large group of kids who wanted to be part of an electronic pop project. I find it easier this way through- the decision making process involves only me and my team, and I can't ever break up with myself.
4. What lyrical theme do you guys use in your music? What message do you want to send?
Jordan: I'm all about positivity. I'm a pretty positive person normally, but sometimes writing uplifting music is almost like a sort of therapy for me. Almost like I'm convincing myself to believe the brighter side of things. In the greater sense though, I want people to take away whatever they want from my music. As long as it means something to them, or makes them feel something, I'm happy.
5. What bands have influenced your band and its sound?
Jordan: I'm really into bands like Copeland, Saves The Day, Mae.. Those bands were my inspiration to start writing. Now I love everything. Lately I've been really into Ty Dolla Sign and Future.
6. Your on your third album to date, but it's been four years since the release of "I'm Alive, I'm Dreaming". Why such a long time period between albums?
Jordan: Ultimately just behind the scenes hold ups. If I had it my way, I would have released an album every year, if not more. I can say now though, the distance won't be as long again. I'm in a much more productive situation with my team!
7. Is there any story or concept behind the "The Bad & The Better" title or concept to this album?
Jordan: Not necessarily a concept, but an underlying idea I was thinking about constantly during the writing of this album. There is good in every bad thing, and bad in every good thing. Everything in life is just a matter of perspective and how you decide to view it.
8. You worked with producer Ian Kirkpatrick, what was it like working with him? What was about him that made you want him on board?
Jordan: Ian is my favorite person to work with- he did my Feel Good Now EP prior to this. He's great with making sure I don't commit to ideas too quick. He's like a super intense editor which is great to have.
9. Who did the cover art for "The Bad & The Better" and how much input did you have on it?
Jordan: I did all of the visuals associated with the album- I've always designed 99.9% of anything TRS -based. Merch, logos, etc. I like to have control of that. I usually only work with one photographer as well if I'm able to. I dealt with some very conflicting opinions on visuals for TRS a while ago and definitely don't want that to happen again.
10. Why did you want "Higher" and "Freakin Me Out" as your first set of singles off this album?
Jordan: I actually am a bad judge of singles. As far as that stuff goes, I prefer to leave it in the hands of people who know what "makes" a single. They are some of my favorites, so I'm definitely glad, but I'm far too indecisive to make that kind of a call on my own. Higher is a really important song to me, so that makes me very happy. I would have picked that one anyway, honestly.
11. "I'm Alive, I'm Dreaming" was a success. Did you feel any pressure to follow it up?
Jordan: No. It's been too long and I don't think people would expect anything similar to that at this point. That album was heavily based on the single, love like woe, so I feel like the other songs kind of sat in the dark. I think this album as a whole is much more "me" feeling- I feel good about it. I'm sure I'll say that with the next one too though.
12. What direction do you think this new music is headed for future material?
Jordan: We shall see. I have some ideas. I'd like to back away from some of the conventionalities. Maybe have things breathe a little more, be a little less polished.
13. You will be hitting the road all summer, what can the fans expect to hear?
Jordan: Nonstop music. It's 30 mins straight of music, no pauses. Throwing in some mashup type things with very old songs that I haven't played in years, which I'm excited for. It's fun because I have to kind of guess which songs people will want to hear off the new album. I hope I guess right.
14. What have you guys done to prepare yourselves for being on the road this summer?
Jordan: I'm running 5 miles a day usually now. That makes a huge difference playing shows in the heat, to get your endurance up and breathing stronger. We have radio promo stuff up until a few days before warped so it's all pretty hectic up until then.
15. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?
Jordan: A melody that resonates with them, or something that makes them feel anything. I don't want it to just be a pop song you hear as background music (though I wouldn't really be mad since they'd still be hearing it).
16. What can the fans expect to see from you for the remainder of this year?
Jordan: I have some really cool tour plans after warped tour. Probably stay on the road until the middle of next year and then I'd guess get back to writing.
17. Any final words of wisdom?
Jordan: Everything is exactly what you decide to see it as.
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