BANDWIDTH ROCK MAGAZINE EXCLUSIVE

I had the opportunity to sit down with the members of Vayden just before a show to ask a few questions. The guys in the band are amusing and light-hearted but undoubtedly serious musicians. I found there is a profound talent pool amongst these 4 guys which stem from different backgrounds and influences.

Vayden has an in demand schedule and the fans like it that way. The audience is lined up waiting for the show, watching others tear down the set before them wondering how long it will be for Curtis to bring them into the fold of his melodic mantra.

A tour is coming to a city near you and it’s my opinion that this band will entertain you and you will find the music is in fact something unique and original.

BRM: Curtis Casey was quoted saying:  “Our music sound is everything you've ever imagined yet nothing you’ve ever heard.” Why is that? What is so different from every other rock band?

Armin: One of the reasons is Curtis is influenced by both R&B and Hip Hop. The vocals are very melodically influenced and you don’t see that too much other than rock ballads.

BRM: Do you consider yourselves ROCK?

Curtis: “We are all that’s good in rock.” Also we are all diverse. Jason studied Jazz, Armin is metal, what we do with all our different influences is say we want to package this in a rock formula.

BRM: 2003 you were called Simplfy then 2005 changed your name to Vayden, why?

Chuck: We hated Simplfy.

BRM: I understand your debut record release is coming, when will it be released?

Chuck: Actually some people in Phoenix may have heard some of it but it’s being released nationally remixed and remastered and comes out on June 3rd, 2008. There is also a single release coming out April 22, 2008. Start calling for Vayden on your local radio stations.

BRM: How do you write songs as a band?

Curtis: Pretty much everybody comes in with their part. I might have a melody and Bruce might have the rhythm or Jason with a riff. Then sometimes I might just have a whole song written out which is pretty rare but it happens.

BRM: Curtis do you write all the lyrics?

Curtis: Yes all the lyrics and melodies.

BRM: What’s the recording studio process for the band? Are you one take or is it a full process?

Bruce: Just depends on the song. We have a great producer Ryan Greene and he’s really good at pulling the best out of us. So some things we hash out in the studio and some things we change very little.

BRM: What do you all do in your spare time?

Curtis: I’ve just been reading. I got this membership to Barnes and Noble where I get 20% off so I’ve been there.
Jason: I like to hang out with my girlfriend, go hiking and sometimes just chill out. I like to read too. Oh wait, I like to party. (Laughs)
Armin: I don’t actually have much spare time because I’m still in high school. I spend as much time with my family as possible because I plan on moving out after high school.
Bruce: I actually do a lot of reading too. I also have a motorcycle so I enjoy riding that as well. I like to ride through the mountains and enjoy the scenery.

BRM: Is there going to be a Vayden tour, is it the planning stages?

Bruce: Oh definitely, once summer is here and the guys are out of school we will hit no less than 40 cities across America.

BRM: Does anyone have a favorite song from the new release (CD)?

Curtis: Elysium, I like the direction and the melody. (BRM) Does it say anything special? Curtis continues: Well to me it does but I want the listeners to decide what it means to them.

Armin: Karma is a Professional Wrestler and Children of our Mistakes (title track). I really like the darker influence on Children.

Jason: Children of our Mistakes also because it’s so progressive and kind of a journey.
I like all of the songs.

Bruce: My taste change frequently depends on the day.

BRM: What’s in your CD player today?

Armin: Well I mostly have mp3’s but the CD I’m listening to the most would be The White Album by the Beatles.

Jason: Soundgarden and lots of progressive stuff.

BRM: Last question is for the girls, is anyone single?

Vayden: all laugh…

Curtis: “it’s Armin and Bruce right now”

Jason: “I’m very taken.”

BRM: Thanks guys, we will look for reports and progress from the road this summer.