This group of guys knows how to turn things up. They come straight to you from Westland, Michigan. Where they get the party started. If you haven’t had a chance to see them live nows the time. We recently had the chance to ask them a few questions to help you get to know them a little better.

First we gotta know, where did you come up with the name “Dry Leaf Project”

-The Dry Leaf Project means absolutely nothing, which people seem to find hilarious. It was just an inside joke that the original band members came up with one day. Our old drummer, Josh, was thinking of band names and he’s like “ I only think up crappy emo names like ‘the dry leaf project’” and we all laughed and thought that name sucked. And then about a year later when the band started, we just used that. Funny story.

I have to say the song “Squeaky Clean Slate” is absolutely amazing, what does it stand for?

-Squeaky Clean Slate is just a song about change. It’s about making a stepping-stone in your life, and starting a new beginning.

What’s it like having a band with only 2 main members?

-Having 2 members is fun, because we’ve been best friends and next-door neighbors for fifteen years. It’s weird though. When people think of The Dry Leaf Project they think of Matt, and me but we really have four members that play with us live.

Your music is to die for, would you care if SerTop came to one of your shows to get some video footage?

-That would be amazing. We’re always encouraging people to come to shows and take pictures and videos. We usually try to put on a really fun show and get the crowd into it. “Passion, not fashion!”

For kicks what’s your favorite TV show?

- Right now, Matt and I are really into ‘America’s Best Dance Crew.’ That show is so hype. We’re also avid watchers of American Idol, however lame that is. I really enjoy Tim and Eric’s Awesome Show, Great Job! And Matt basically watches whatever is on MTV.

What are some big shows the fans gotta see?

-Every show we play! Haha. Kidding, but seriously. Support local music and come see us when we play with our buddies in Good Luck Varsity

“Dry Leaf Project” has had some big success; does it help for picking up ladies?

-Sorry ladies, but I’m taken, however, Matt is not! We usually have those few crazy girl fans at shows, but you know how that goes being rock stars. Kidding!

Some bands have a pre show ritual, what gets you guys inspired before the big show?

- We pray on stage before every show, but other than that, I know for a fact that Matt listens to Brand New before every show to get in the mood. I’m pretty chill, I don’t think there is anything I do in specific. We’re boring!

Everyone loves St. Patrick’s day what did you guys do to celebrate?

-I guess we must be losers, but all we did is work. I (Ryan) ate my first helping of Corned Beef, and that was pretty good, so yeah. That was the extent of our Saint Patty’s Day. ☺

We love music just like you, when can we expect some more remarkable songs?

- Well, we’re working on our full length album right now, and it’s about a year and a half into the making, so we’re expecting to release it the summer of ’08. It’s going to have 11-12 songs on it, and it includes a bunch of new ones that you guys haven’t heard, so get pumped.

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The Black Kites are four piece band that hails from the west. They are currently shooting a music video for the song “Paper Heart,” which is off the Paper Heart EP. Recently I had a chance to ask them a few questions about music and the development of their upcoming album, which is scheduled to be released this fall.

How did you find your love for music?

Marcel: Well, I guess I didn’t actually start taking music seriously enough to play until I was 15 and decided with a couple of high school friends to start a band. We were inspired by the Velvet Underground, Flipper, My Dog Popper, and Jimi Hendrix. We were The Zelnick Experience. I got stuck with the drums because I was the only one who couldn’t play anything – and I never looked back. Sometimes I think I’m still the one who can’t play anything, but I can do that a whole lot better than I could in high school.

Alan: I started playing guitar with my brother, Chris, when we were both in elementary school.  By the time we got to high school we had our own Allman Brothers clone band.

Nicki: I started playing guitar at 13, playing along to the Lemonheads and practicing my moves in my bedroom. 

Your music is very soothing and easy to listen to, it’s what I would call driving music with a kick, has it always been this way? What are the twist and turns your sound has taken along the way?

Alan: The sound has definitely taken some turns. In the beginning, it was just Nicki and I on bass and guitar respectively, backed by a couple 70s drum machines we’d drag around. When Evelyn came in, adding not just her voice and vocal approach, but keys as well, the sound developed immensely and really started to get more dynamic. Adding Marcel’s driving hits became the last piece of the puzzle. It’s very much a group sound, and not just one person.

Marcel: For me, I feel the dynamics have slightly changed since I joined the band – which was just over a year ago. I think I tend to add a bit more of that kick – especially in a live situation. But yeah – we often get lumped in with this whole “shoegaze” genre, but I like the idea that we don’t really gaze at our shoes, we kinda just hit that gas pedal with them.

Evelyn and Alan, your voices sound absolutely amazing together, truly a vocal combo made in heaven. Who writes the lyrics, one or both of you?

Alan: It’s a combination of us both. I’ll often write the lyrics and then bring them in to the rehearsal space and let Evelyn sing what I’ve got. Then we start tinkering with them to shape them to how she sings it, or feels it. Often times she has some lines or images that get incorporated early on. Either way, the music is usually finished first, and then the lyrics are written.

About a week ago I heard that you’re going to be shooting a music video, which song will it be for? What will be the video’s main focal point?

Alan: The video is for Paper Heart.  The main focal point would be Evelyn meets “Wings Of Desire.”

Marcel: Yeah. It’s like our first un-official “single”. We’re definitely excited to do this, and it’s definitely interesting trying to match up a visual world with the sonic world we have in our heads. I think the main focal point is open for interpretation – everyone will manage to take different things from the video, the song – but I feel as well as touching on loss, heartbreak, and finally saying goodbye – there is an underlying feeling of movement, change, and growth. Becoming who you truly are and rising above who others see you as – but again – that’s just me.

Nicki: And, on top of all of that, we are going to try something new and dress all in black.

Marcel: Our first pre-planned attempt at band-fashion cohesiveness.

What’s your set up?

Alan: Drums, bass, couple keyboards, and a guitar.

Nicki: And, of course, red wine.

Have you been writing any new songs lately? How is that going?

Alan: Definitely been writing new songs. It’s going very well, as far as I’m concerned. We’re working on them with an ear towards recording an album later this year.

Marcel: We’re kind of in the middle of two new songs – and it goes. It’s a very different method of songwriting for me, because my last band was extremely prolific in comparison – fast riffs, fast decisions, and it was like one or two new songs every couple of weeks. Here it’s more drawn out and thoughtful. I’m not saying it’s better or worse, mind you –just different. I think I just get impatient.

Nicki: Yes, sometimes it seems to go a bit slow.

What can people expect to be different or the same about your full length album coming out this summer?

Marcel: I have a feeling, that compared to the last two EPs it will be closer to that “Driving with a Kick” sound and less of the “Soothing and Easy to Listen To” thing. I’m not saying it’ll be all noise and chaos, there will still be great attention paid to the melodies and lyrics and lush movements – but I think there will be more of a spin towards some upbeat rhythms and solid pop hooks –without losing any of the vocal beauty or ethereal moments.

Alan: The album will be along the lines of the Paper Heart EP, but even more amazing and spiritually nourishing.

Marcel: Yeah – that’s what I meant.

Is there any meaning behind the name “The Black Kites?”

Marcel: The band was already named when I stepped behind the drum kit, and I’m still not sure if I picture flying paper kites or those birds of prey kind of kites. It could be a combination of the two, like kids flying dangerous birds.

Alan: I was born in Australian, where black kites (the birds) are commonplace. I also loved the image of a sky filled with black kites (the kind with the string). And kites have an electric connotation (via Ben Franklin) that I thought was cool.

A big thank you to The Black Kites for taking time out of their busy schedule to chat with SerTop. If you want to buy one of their EPs, you can download it off itunes or contact Nicki by email for ordering information.

Upcoming Shows:

March 5th Live in Los Angeles at the Silverlake Lounge

The band Far-Less is a dynamic melodic masterpiece that keeps on giving their fans great music to listen to. If you haven’t heard of them, check them out here!

They are on tour as we speak so be sure to check their MySpace page to see if they’re coming to your town!

Below is our chat with Brandon:

Where do the inspirations for most of your lyrics come
from?   

Inspiration comes from everywhere.  Our lives,
surroundings, the people we know, our dogs, food, or the
devil.  But, uh, food and cartoons mostly.

With six members music must be fun to write or maybe a
little hectic… how does everything usually come together?

It’s a pretty easy process. Someone will have an idea and
then the the others fall into place.
 
You guys are hitting the road again on March 14th, any
cities you’re particularly looking forward to rockin?

I can’t wait to see the west coast again. It’s going to
be a good time of year to be traveling, so I”m pretty
excited for the whole trip.

What’s your favorite tour snack?

Harvest cheddar Sunchips or Doritos and Cracker Barrel
cheddar cheese. I love food.

Any advice for bands across the world trying to get
signed?

Watch “Runin’ down a dream”  the Tom Petty documentary.
Then get a lawyer and don’t sign unless he tells you to.
Then, I don’t know…bypass doing what you love for
something that will sell.  I imagine that’s how people get
rich and famous.

First things first, I’ve been dying to ask you guys: what is an orange marsupial?

LISA: They thought up the name before I joined the band, but I do know that a marsupial is; It’s any mammal in which the female has a pouch. Since our name is Orange Marsupials, it narrows it down to kangaroos (well that’s the only orange marsupial I can think of). For our logo I basically looked up kangaroo pictures after I heard what our band name was and I found a kangaroo crossing sign, then my friend changed the words around it to “Orange Marsupials”.

What would your dream show be?

NICK(Preztel) and SAZ: Opening up for Bob Marley at his ‘One Love Peace Concert’, playing with Hendrix at Woodstock, or playing with the Chili Peppers.

LISA: I’d love to play a show with 311. As far as earlier eras, I’d have to say Woodstock and I’d wanna go on right before Joe Cocker.

KEVIN: Opening up for the Detox Tour when Dr. Dre drops his new album.

SAZ reminds me of Hendrix

SAZ: Thanks, I get that a lot.

You are one of the most original bands I’ve heard in a while. When I was listening to you guys live at Clutch Cargo, I thought to myself wow this is the most productive jam session ever! What’s your writing process like?

LISA: One of us always comes in with a new guitar riff or lyrics and everyone has their own idea about how the song should go, but for some reason all of our unique parts just work together really well.

Besides writing amazing music, what do you all do for fun?

KEVIN: We chill to Dr. Dre and Outkast or we watch funny videos on YouTube, like fat kids falling off of jungle gyms.
We recently heard that you are going in the studio, when can we expect to hear some music or rough songs?

NICK: A guy at my work rents out recording equipment so we’re gonna borrow it in two weeks and get some music down. We wanted to have some music up by now from our Clutch Cargo’s recording, but it sounded like shit. It would make even the greats sound bad.

Lisa, does being the front girl kick ass? How many guys hit on you after the show?

LISA: I love singing lead. I don’t mean to sound cliché but it really is a fucking amazing feeling. And as far as the males go, I get congratulations after shows but that’s about it. Plus, my boyfriend is usually at all of the shows staring down any guy who gives me a sideways glance, haha.

A Shout out to any fans?

LISA: I just wanna give a shout-out to all of the people who ever enjoyed any of our shows. Specifically, my boyfriend, my family, my friends, and all of the people in the following bands: Little Blue Bedroom (formerly James and the Rainbros), Essence of Ape, Walk Your Bike, Treehouse Rivals, The Cozmonauts and Almost Free.

NICK (Preztel): I would like to give a shout out to our old fans and our new fans. and also Andre 3 Stacks, Bob Marley, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against the Machine, 311, Jimi Hendrix, Sublime, Jon Regan, Duke, Jack Black, the Breakfest Club, John Butler Trio, Monster, Kevins Family, Middletons Black n Milds, 1983 Cadilac Sedan Deville. and many many more. those are just the things that inspire, and made my music style what it is today.

KEVIN: Dr. Dre, Bob Marley, Tupac, just West Coast rap in general.

SAZ: Papa Hendrix, ketchup and Hawaii.

RAY: My baby’s momma’s baby’s momma’s momma’s, I’m sorry Ms. Jackson, I am for reeeeeeeeeeal. And Will Smith.

ALL: All of us pretty much agree on all of the above shout outs.

Would you rock a SerTop wristband?

ALL: If you can get us orange ones, no doubt. And if you can’t… no doubt. But for real, can you get us some orange ones? That would be fucking sweet.

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Thanks for doing the Q&A with us, we think your music is great and we are looking forward to hearing more great music!

How’d you guys all meet and how long have you been together?

This coming summer (2008) we will have been a band for 8 years running strong. Brian and Oren met and started playing music in the 4th grade. I (Sammy) was a year younger and really into music; but I didn’t get the chance to play with them until high school. We played and preformed in our school “Rock Ensemble,” this got us close and we decided to give it a shot in the summer of 2001.

Not many bands can tour as much as Jacobs Ladder does and still produce amazing music. I gotta say, you are very persistent in creating music while still keeping your fans happy. Is it crazy on tour sometimes? Do you sleep?

Tour for us…. is a home away from home at this point. We usally wake up on the floor of a random persons house, cuddled up in our sleeping bags- proceeding to look at eachother with disgust. The worst part; is the fact that I’m allergic to cats and for some reason everyone seems to have one..lol.

Overall the experience of touring is amazing, it’s a time where we bond as a band and live off our music.
There’s nothing better than playing shows 6 nights a week.
If we don’t make enough money off the door or merchandise then we hit up shopping malls with cds and iPods. Believe it or not we usually sell 40 to 60 cds before we get kicked out of the mall. Sometimes it’s rough… but it gets the job done!

We generally drive four to six hours daily, trying to cover at least on state per day. Oren’s not allowed to drive since he is a terrible navigator. So me and Brian switch off driving and sleep in between. When we do arrive at the venues, we eat a lot of shit (not literally)…but we do have a lot of time on our hands, so we cook our dinners on a hot plate in the street. The highlight obviously is the performance itself and it is always worth the hassle. But, the best part is meeting our fans afterward, and the coolest kids are the ones who purchase our merch! Joking your all cool, we love you guys!

Sam, rocking the fro. Any tips for people at home trying to get a good fro going?

One thing is; you have it or you don’t. If you do- all you need is a really gay hairdresser and some kiss my face (hair cream), and your good to go.

We noticed February third you released a video for the song “Things Left Untold.” Want to drop any hints on the production of that?

The concept of this video was to raise awareness about an issue that affects many people particularly in our age group (Teen Pregnancy). The storyline is based on the idea that my girlfriend becomes pregnant; we break up and the come back together. This issue does hit close to home for me: during high school I witnessed a lot of my close friends get pregnant and the repercussions of it, this truly can happen to anyone.

All of the songs kick ass, personally I like “Who Pulled the Breaks,” what is this song about?

Well… who pulled the breaks is defiantly one of our hits and a favorite among our fans. The song tells the story of our Drummer, who during high school fell in love with our friend. We then watched the relationship blossom and whither over a 2 year period. It was a pretty incredible and crazy experience all at the same time. After all this Oren deiced to write a song about it based on his view of the situation.

What’s behind the name Jacobs Ladder?

hmmm. Life is like a ladder, we all have these dreams and aspirations, in working towards these goals you slowly step up and learn so much about yourself and the people around you. With this come’s growth, understanding, love, and meaning.

We’ve mentioned that you guys have done a lot of touring earlier, besides Florida, what is your favorite state to rock?

My favorite state, I have to say we’ve had some amazing times in NC & NJ. The kids just line up at our merch booth… which is definitely a pleaser for us. But honestly it’s just the feeling that you get in these cities and the pace. The people really appreciate and respect Indie Music. It’s refreshing to see that the scene is so alive on the East Coast.

A shout out to any fans?

Haha, yeah the girl who made us sign her cd in eyeliner because we didn’t have a pen around!
and… All those girls that let us sign their body parts. And of course we love all those cute boys out there with the pin straight hair and those tight tight pants!

Would you rock a SerTop wristband?

Yeah…. we are always willing to support the music scene and people who are keeping it alive!

We would like to thank Jacobs Ladder again for doing the interview as we know they are a busy band. They are on tour right now, so check and see if they’re coming in your area!

Visit JL on Myspace
Visit JL on facebook

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Jon and Colleen met in high school after being introduced by their mutual friend Mike (singer of Halifax). Colleen migrated to San Diego to pursue a Music degree at SDSU and Jon followed a little later. Noah was a friend of Colleen’s that she had met at work. The three of them began practicing with Kevin Faulk (Every Time I Die) on bass. Kevin eventually left and they found Brian and I through the wonderful world of craigslist. The Material has been together for 2 years total the current line up since Feb 2007.

What’s your writing process? Is it always this way?

We are still finding our niche as a songwriting team. Lately it has been working well with Me or Jon bringing in complete song ideas and showing them to everyone else. Then, we all add our parts and ideas. Still, this is not an exact science…

Do you use any FX at your live shows? If so what kind?

We use a lot of effects for our guitars. Delay, reverb, phase, univibe, chorus, wah, ring modulator…we are no Mars Volta but, we use what is necessary to be sonically pleasing.

What would your dream show be, if you could play with any band at any venue?

Jimmy Eat World, Foo Fighters, & the Material. This show could be at my house and it would still be amazing!

If The Material could do one thing to change the world, what would it be?

We all have various different beliefs and causes we support. The one thing we all agree on is that we want our music to touch people on a deeper level. We get messages all the time about how Colleen’s lyrics have encouraged someone to not take their own life or to be able to deal with their depression. These are all very real issues, issues i think everyone can relate with.

What is the song, “The Long Way Home” about?

It’s about a long distance relationship and having a hunch that the person on the other end may not be staying true.

You guys kicked ass on MTV, Where’s a good place to find more video footage of the live stuff?

Thank you so much! Live videos are a little scarce right now. There are few things on youtube and we did a webcast on flashrock.com.

Anyone got a favorite TV show or movie?

We all love Family guy and Anchor Man. There is not time that we are together that at least something is quoted from either one of them.

Would you like to tell your fans about anything special that’s going on?

We are currently writing new music. It’s going along well and we are very excited about all the new songs. If you have seen us recently you may have heard a few. Our current plans are to hit the road this coming July. We will see everyone soon!

Would you rock a SerTop Wristband(when there available)?

Of course.

We would like to thank The Material again, they are truly a group of great musicians!

The Material’s Myspace (with live video footage from MTV2!)