Indie pop goers My Brothers and I, have made a smashing success with their one hit wonder "Dream", off their latest album "Don't Dream Alone". Thus, it has lead them to hit the road, going off on a tour to get their name out into the open ever so further, with plans to play more shows and write newer material as well. Guitarist Jordan Roach discusses their time spent upon their current release, touring plans, and the future.
1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
Jordan: Scott, the eldest brother, grew up next door to Jordan and both have been in bands since middle school. As Erik, the middle child, grew up he joined playing guitar, keys and singing. A few years later David, the youngest, started to write his own material and Johnny joined in at that same time to create the band it is now.
2. Why the name My Brothers and I? Does it have a meaning to it?
Jordan: The brothers were starting to write songs together and gathered enough material for a live show. They just told people that "hey, my brothers and I are playing a show." The name stuck, so the meaning behind it is literal.
3. Tell us about your thoughts on your local music scene? Are there any new and upcoming bands that you are into?
Jordan: Portland's a great city for musicians and fans of music. We really look up to Typhoon and all that they have done as well as the numerous impact local artist like Pink Martini, The Shins, Modest Mouse, She and Him, Esperanza Spalding and Blind Pilot...the list goes on. As of recently though, we really enjoy the soothing vocals (also siblings) of Joseph. They always seem to be touring away from Portland though, but they're great.
4. How would you describe your style?
Jordan: Indie-pop. We all have different styles and tastes as musicians and fans of music which I think is great. It helps our music relate to a larger audience. It's nice when people say the songs on your album don't all sound alike. That'd be boring.
Jordan: That's cute you say it's a "smash hit." I think the response of the song has been overwhelmingly positive and that's the message we wanted to bring. It really came together in the studio with Scott, our drummer, really writing a lot of it. I think his inspiration really took ahold of us all and gave us momentum for not only this particular song, but the album as a whole.
6. Let's talk a little about your latest release, what are the listeners in store for with this release?
Jordan: Grooves and catchy lyrical hooks. Some of these songs are a little more light-hearted and some are a little more thought provoking. I think the listener is in for a real sweet treat.
7. What's your take on "Don't Dream Alone" as a whole?
Jordan: I think it's easy to go through life being selfish and trying to do what's best for you. As a society we've seen people try to attain this "American" dream and gain wealth and popularity with no real community of friends or loved ones to show for it. The gap between the rich and the poor is expanding without any real concern and everything is becoming digitized from dating, music to all interactions...there comes a point when you have to look up from your phone and ask what's the point in all this? "Don't Dream Alone," in a nutshell is basically, "life is better when there are other people around who you love to share it with," even though it's not always going to be easy.
8. Why did you want to go and do this mini tour instead of a full- fledged tour?
Jordan: Hmm, probably timing. I'm not sure we did a mini tour instead of a full-fledged tour, but rather this is a tour to get "our feet off the ground." A starting point of sorts.
9. What have you done to prepare yourselves for the tour?
Jordan: Hydrate. Carb load. Crunches. And FIFA on the Xbox.
10. What can fans expect to hear? More new songs or old songs?
Jordan: We'll play most, if not all of our songs on the album with a few new songs and some covers. We like to play covers. It creates a quick connection to listeners. What would you like us to cover?
11. Once the tour in the U.S. is over, what do you have planned afterwards?
Jordan: World domination like Pinky and the Brain...and probably more live shows and writing. The response of our album has been super encouraging and positive, so we'll just keep the momentum going with all the love we're getting. 12. How easy is it to keep the motivation going on a daily basis for My Brothers and I?
Jordan: Some days are harder than others, such as life. But our character is built through struggles not the easy times. We hope our music has depth to it that resembles the joy and difficulties of life. Music is and will always be in each of us and that can be, to quote Monk, "a blessing and a curse."
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