The interview with YOURS TRULY from Sydney, live @The Lair @ Metro Theatre tonight for Emergenza Festival Australia: 

LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR BAND NAME: WHO CHOSE IT AND WHY?

Jaydn: The name was just something I had in a songwriting book from high school. We tried it out for a while when we first put the band together and it seemed to stick. Girls seem to like it, so that’s a plus.


PLEASE TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR BAND: HOW AND WHEN WAS IT BORN?

Jaydn: Yours Truly started at uni late 2013. There’s since been a few members come and go, but it seems YT has reached its final form. 


WHEN DID YOUR INTEREST IN MUSIC BEGIN? AND HOW HAS YOUR MUSIC CHANGED FROM THE MOMENT YOU BEGAN TO PLAY TOGETHER?

Aidan:  I got seriously interested in being a musician when I started learning the guitar at age 13. 
I was primarily working on solo material before joining the band, so I learned to be part of the bigger picture and serve the song, rather than being the feature.

Ben: My interest has been with me my entire life. I picked up a bass in a desire to be a part of music.
From playing with my band, I’ve come to appreciate simpler music and a composition process that favours dynamics and contrast.

Jaydn: I’d have to say my interest in music began when I started piano lessons as a wee five-year-old boy.
I think the biggest change you experience as a musician when you begin a band is that it’s no longer just yourself doing your own thing. You have to work as part of a team working together to try and create something that people might just enjoy. When you have that mindset, you tend to pay attention to smaller details that you might usually overlook as a solo artist.

Matt:  I started choir and keyboard lessons in primary school, but I gave up keyboard and kept on singing all through high school and picked up drums through the video game Guitar Hero World Tour. I have now been drumming for 6 years and still sing on occasion. 
Ben and I have been playing together for a while, but since playing in Yours Truly, my philosophy of working as a band and being a drummer has shifted from technically challenging songs (such as prog metal) to focusing more on technique, dynamic and ensuring that what I am playing both compliments the other band members but also provides a backbone for the music.


WHAT ARE YOUR MUSICAL INFLUENCES?

Aidan: My influences are very varied but specific; I latch on to artists and bands that I find fascinating. My current style is very influenced by Kraftwerk and this 'Nerdcore' Hip hop band called Optimised Rhyme. I also really enjoy Arcade Fire, Bon Iver, Muse, and Radiohead.

Ben: My music influences are a large mix of metal, rock, funk and jazz fusion. Anything that has an identity and a soul. My favourite band would be Karnivool.

Jaydn: That’s a tough cookie for me. I think no matter what you listen to, it's hard not to take something from it, whether it be Pink Floyd, Justin Bieber, Queen or Taylor Swift. I’m always trying to just pick apart songs to see what makes them tick and apply that knowledge into our music. Bon Iver, Coldplay and Radiohead will always hold a special place in my heart.

Matt: Mostly rock-based bands/genres. I am a big fan of Karnivool, The Strokes, Mr Bungle, Last Dinosaurs and Incubus. As a drummer I really admire the Australian Drummer  Troy Wright from the band Plini, but as a vocalist I think Mike Patton is a genius and love everything he does.


IS THERE A SONG THAT IS SPECIAL FOR YOU? IF SO, WHICH ONE AND WHY?

Aidan: Trouble Cruise - It's a sum of irregular and unusual parts, and it seems to represent us perfectly. Plus, it's really fun to play.

Ben: Look Down - It’s really special because of its complexity. It is really rewarding to play. 

Jaydn: There actually is a song that I’ve written recently. It’s the first time I’ve had a clear message to share about myself and what I believe, and maybe some could even interpret it as advice. Usually I just sing about some very vague nonsense, so this is quite a step for me. Hopefully, if we make it through the first upcoming heat of Emergenza, we’ll be able to play it live in the next round.

Matt: Swell -  The lyrics are effectively a monologue of someone in love but effectively reflect the complex emotions that one would go through when in love. Also, another unique thing about it is that it has an element of mental illness but at the same time, is not totally introspective, which I would argue is unique for a song of that topic. Musically everything fits, the dynamic, arrangement and progression properly reflects the message of the song. Gets me in the feels.


WHERE DO YOU GET INSPIRATION TO WRITE SONGS (EVENTS, MOOD....)?

Jaydn: Life events, people, drugs, intimate objects, tv shows… it’s quite a fun challenge to try and put a deep, emotional spin on pretty much anything.

HOW DID YOU KNOW ABOUT EMERGENZA FESTIVAL AND WHY YOU DECIDED TO TAKE PART IN IT?

Jaydn: It popped up on my news feed on Facebook a fair bit, so when we began discussing entering some band competitions, it was the first thing that came to mind. It seems to be a really fantastic experience for everybody involved and it has some really fantastic humble beginnings of a few people wanting to put together a great live show for their musical friends!

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM EMERGENZA AND HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR FIRST EMERGENZA CONCERT?

Jaydn: Without sounding too cocky, I feel pretty confident about our first Emergenza show. We’re all quite experienced when it comes to being in front of a crowd, and I have a huge amount of faith in my band, not just because they’re phenomenal musicians, but because of our chemistry we have as friends that gives us the drive to put on a great set.

We try not to be too obsessed about “winning” when it comes to things like this. We’re all really excited to play at an awesome venue, with a (hopefully) awesome crowd, and I think more than anything, we’re looking forward to getting some helpful, professional feedback on how we can improve our performance and our music.

Wanna enrol your band in  Emergenza Festival Australia? Click here!