TownHallSteps are an Aussie band on the up, with a killer debut album and a tour of the United States under their belt. They barely had time to unpack their suitcases before heading out on some Aussie dates. I recently caught up with drummer Ryan Lambert to chat about the band’s time abroad, playing big support slots, and what inspires the band’s eclectic sound.
You recently toured the United States. How did the crowds there respond to your music?
The response we received from audiences in the US was great! Very positive, we have a gained strong interest from a couple of US record companies and management. We are already making plans for an extended stay in 2010!
What’s it like to perform at iconic venues like The Viper Room and The Roxy?
Hearing about these venues, and who has played there over in the past I think you really expect something pretty amazing. Although if you have played or been to shows in venues like The Spectrum on Oxford Street in Sydney, you have already experienced a venue a similar size the Viper Room. It is very small, but being on Sunset Boulevarde in Hollywood playing on a stage that you know many iconic bands have played on in the past, plus sharing the stage with Kate Miller-Heidke the night we played, the experience was nothing short of amazing.
Has the trip inspired you to travel more?
Yes definitely. Our experiences overseas were amazing. Although we are heading back to Hollywood next year to record and do another tour, we hope we have the opportunity to visit lots of other countries in the future as well!
You’ve got a pretty hectic tour schedule having just wrapped up an American tour and now preparing to head out again for some Aussie dates. What do you love about playing live?
Playing live, and writing new material is what being in a band is all about. To go out on stage and play your heart out to crowds that are connecting with your music is one of the most amazing highs you can ever feel as a musician. I don’t think we could ever get tired of it.
You’re one of those bands that plays a lot of all ages shows. How do those audiences compare to your audiences at over 18s shows?
We don’t necessarily try to play more all ages shows than over 18s. We just love to play live! If we receive e-mails on MySpace or from our booking agent asking us to play a show somewhere, if we are available we are always up for it, whether it is over 18s or under 18s or all ages.
You’ve supported some huge artists like Simple Plan, Avril Lavigne, and The All American Rejects. What did being a part of such massive shows teach you about music?
We learned so many things from being a support band on these big tours like, things behind the scenes and on stage. We learned to perform better and connect with our audiences while on stage and learned there is more that goes on behind the stage than we ever knew. But speaking to these big bands that play night after night and are on the road for months at a time, we found out the most important thing they do so they don’t get sick and tired of going out on stage all the time is just have a good time! And that is what we have tried to do ever since, and is also why five years later we are still playing great live shows in Australia and now around the world.
Davenport used your song “Still Alive” in one of its ads. How did it feel to have your song selling underwear?
Davenport originally came on board as a sponsor film clip for “Disco” featuring girls dancing in their underwear range. The song went really well gaining national radio airplay and went to #1 on channel V! Davenport then asked to feature our next single ‘Still Alive’ for their summer Satin range ad that is now out on Channel V and MTV. We love being part of their promotions because they are a fun company to work with. Their products appeal a lot to the audiences that listen to our music and that are very supportive of what we do as a band.
Your single “Ask for More” has zoomed up the iTunes chart before you’ve even released the album. Did that take you by surprise?
“Ask for More” was the single that came out after “Disco.” We were anxious to see what would happen as it was quite different from “Disco,” but it was received really well and helped the album debut as the 30th most downloaded pop album on iTunes in Australia when it came out which we were extremely happy with!
Your first full length album was released in September this year. For those who might not know your music, how would you describe the CD?
Take Fall out Boy and Panic at the Disco, mix it with The Killers and a bit of Coldplay, stick in a little bit of U2 and blend it throughout the album and you have our new album in a nutshell! It’s a heart-filled album with upbeat pop songs with elements of electro, pop punk, lots of pop hooks, heart-filled ballads, energetic party tunes and a great variation of different styles to take you on the journey of our experiences when the writing this album.
Your press release says you were inspired by punk rock bands such as Jimmy Eat World and The Get Up Kids, but your sound is a lot more eclectic than that. What other bands are you listening to at the moment?
That was definitely the way the band started off but bands like the Killers, U2, Fall Out Boy and AFI have really influenced our sound and song writing in recent times.
Make sure you catch TownHallSteps at one of their remaining tour dates!
21 Nov 2009 – Liquid Malisha DVD Launch @ Penrith Panthers
11 Dec 2009 – The Steyne Hotel, Manly
17 Dec 2009 – Bull and Bush, Baulkham Hills
31 Dec 2009 – Trash NYE Party @ The Agincourt, Sydney
Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment