s Project 86 prepares to begin their 15th year as a band they welcome in this milestone with their first ever live album. Our guest writer, Fallstar’s Bryan Ratzlaff (Come&Live!) had the pleasure of catching up with accomplished frontman Andrew Schwab who gave us some great insight into not only this live album but also the long history of Project.
Since Project 86 released their self titled debut album in 1996, the band has been steadily growing their fan base all around the world. With seven full length albums, two EPs and a live DVD set to release December 2010, Project 86 shows no signs of stopping. What sets Project 86 apart from the other bands who have not enjoyed the longevity that you have? How did you manage fifteen years in the spotlight while others may only get three?
Andrew Schwab: It really is a testimony to our supporters and fans…they are just about as resilient as they come. They stick with us through thick and thin, and we do everything we can to demonstrate to them how important they are to us. This live album is actually dedicated to them.
“We have always believed it doesn’t really matter what “genre” you fit into as long as you do whatever it is you do with all your heart”How have you as a band been able to hold on to the highly recognizable Project 86 sound while staying relevant to an ever changing market?
AS: The goal was always to make music that we enjoyed first and foremost, and at some point that turned into a signature sound. We have always believed it doesn’t really matter what “genre” you fit into as long as you do whatever it is you do with all your heart. This means we have been able to evolve over the years naturally without changing our sound every single time trends flip.
Does the music you listen to play a role in the music you write? What was in your tape deck when you wrote project 86? What plays in your iPod now?
AS: I think it’s difficult to avoid being influenced by what you are listening to, at least to some small degree. But we have always tried to be as unique as we can, so we only allow influences to play a minor role in what is created. “Tape deck” is the effective term for our debut release (laughs). I remember listening to the third Sunny Day Real Estate record a ton back then, as well as that Handsome record, which stayed in my play rotation for like 3 years. I never really listen to music that sounds much like what Project 86 writes. These days I listen to a ton of hip-hop and electronic music.
“If you live by faith, you will soon find out that life is not all roses. Anyone who tells you otherwise is not painting an honest picture”You released your first three albums with BEC, Tooth & Nail, and Atlantic Records , then decided to release your fourth full length Songs To Burn Your Bridges By along with the This Time Of Year EP under your own independent label Team Black Recordings. What pushed you to release that record independently?
AS: It’s always advantageous, if you own your own music, to put out independent releases from time to time. Because our fans are loyal, they don’t seem to care who the label behind the marketing is (as they shouldn’t). We love the fact that we have been able to remain on a certain level while putting out our own music along the way.
At first listen many would be inclined to think that Project 86 is a very negative band despite having been a part of a highly positive record label such as Tooth & Nail. What would you say to those that see nothing more than yelling along with chaotic music?
AS: I would say anyone who calls us “negative” or Tooth and Nail “positive” as a blanket statement would be making an uninformed judgment. Our music has always been meant to connect with people who are going through hardship, crisis, or growth periods where hope and faith are being stretched. But underneath every lyric is genuine faith in a God that never leaves us nor forsakes us, no matter our circumstances or mistakes. If you live by faith, you will soon find out that life is not all roses. Anyone who tells you otherwise is not painting an honest picture. And with that thought in mind, we have always tried to make music that is vulnerable and candid, and not meant simply to try to market ourselves to those who are just looking for a positive band as a replacement for all the dark music out there. It’s a fine line and a difficult balance, but we feel good about where we sit in it.
Every lyric writer has a different approach when they put pen to paper, what is the biggest influence to your lyrics? What is your method to writing song lyrics?
AS: I can’t say I have one influence. I try to just write what I am feeling at the time, what I am dealing with, what I am seeing in the world around me. I usually just capture my thoughts in a stream-of-consciousness fashion and from there lyrics always evolve.
“I can’t tell you how many friends in bands I have who were so excited to “sign a deal” then found themselves unable to make a living a year later! In the past, labels have been a necessary part of the equation for success in this industry for marketing, etc.”There is a growing thought among bands who are trying to make a living in music that a record label is no longer necessary for their success. That signing to a label is a relic leftover from a time when musicians didn’t have access to fans and venues through organizations like RYFO, or social networking websites. Having been on a few record labels and also released records independently, what would you say to a band that is on the fence with the issue?
AS: Traditional label deals are rarely artist friendly these days, and the trade-off is usually not very worth it. Labels sell you on the idea of fame, then reach deep into your pockets. I can’t tell you how many friends in bands I have who were so excited to “sign a deal” then found themselves unable to make a living a year later! In the past, labels have been a necessary part of the equation for success in this industry for marketing, etc., but they are becoming increasingly irrelevant. I am a big supporter of non-traditional deals if you have the fan base to be able to sustain yourself in going down that road.
It is a fact that many have craved a live Project 86 DVD, after 15 years and nearly half a million records sold why are you only now deciding to release a live production? What can we expect from XV?
AS: Man, whenever we have had some time to work on something new in the past it has always been a studio record. But for years, fans have asked for a live album, and what better time than during our 15-year celebration of the fans? XV captures the energy of our songs in a way, I believe, even our studio albums do not. Project 86 is at its best when we are raw and that is what this album is. I have heard several people say to me (prior to the album’s release) that they like these new versions better than the originals! We have released 2 DVD’s so far and you never know what is in store.
What can we expect from Project 86 in the future?
AS: For the whole of 2011 we are celebrating our 15 year milestone with the fans by doing exclusive giveaway contests, special events, and releasing new P86 content all year long. We are also touring through the winter and spring and will be on some great fests like Purple Door, Ichthus, Uprise, etc. this summer. We want everyone who has ever supported our band to be a part of this commemoration, and the best way to get updates and info is to “like” us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/project86 or even follow us on Twitter: @project86band.
