XR VOLUME Exclusive Interview with Noon Blue
05.16.2007
You are playing at this year's Florida Music Festival at the Backbooth in Orlando. How excited are you guys for this show?
Radhames- FMF is a really cool festival to be apart of and its cool to check out the other bands we're friends with as well. Great experience all around.
Playing at FMF is an enormous opportunity for local bands and over 250 bands will be performing at FMF this year alone. What do you do to set yourself apart from other bands in your genre?
Radhames- Playing our hearts out and showing that we really believe in what we do while being on that stage.
Mike- I have a leopard drum set, so that doesn’t hurt either.
You've just released a new EP, can you tell us a little more about that and the experience you had recording it? And what is the message that the EP is relating to your audience and what does it say about you?
Mike- Actually we just recorded and the newest tracks aren't quite out yet but we are really excited about it. We feel its our best work yet, so we shall see!
Think back to your first gig. What do you remember the most about it?
Radhames- I remember Mike on the verge of throwing up from being nervous.
Mike- Yeah I puked.
Alec- We had a good show so that was cool...took the stress off.
How did the band get the name "Noon Blue"?
Mike- It came from reading the book, "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" and just stuck so we went with it.
What has been the most rewarding experience you've had together?
Radhames- Playing with some bands we really admire. We’ve been lucky and have played with some bands we look up to like Taproot..
Mike- Playing with Army of Anyone at House of Blues here in Orlando...that was amazing to be able to share the stage with those guys. Touring in general, that’s what its all about.
Alec- Warped Tour is always fun as well...a lot of cool bands and of course the fans…its awesome.
If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Mike- We want to tour Europe.
Radhames- Over seas for sure.
Alec- China...why not? We just want to play anywhere possible!
What are your different musical backgrounds and how do they influence the music you write?
Mike- Ian is a trained classical guitar player. We all mostly pull from hard rock like Deftones and Tool but have influences from jazz as well.
Alec- Everything from r and b to jazz to hard rock. I listen from everything from Thrice to Sade and you can definitely hear it in the music we write. We don't like to limit ourselves and our sound.
Have there been any funny or hilarious things that have happened while on tour or performing?
Radhames- We saw a guy poop in a bag while walking outside of a venue on tour. That was interesting.
Mike- Our manager snores sooo loud. That’s not really funny at the time but we like to give him a hard time about it afterwards…its earth shaking loud.
Alec- We told this bartender we were former members of Cheveille and got free shots out of it! (We aren’t really former members of Cheveille by the way.)
When you play music for a living you tend to have eclectic and finely honed taste on the music that you listen to in your off times. Who do you guys like to listen to?
Everyone- Deftones, Circa Survive, A Perfect Circle, Thrice, Radiohead…Glassjaw etc.
What do you like to do when you aren't playing music?
Mike- I record bands...I produce from my home studio.
Alec- Hang out, have a good time with friends...the usual.
Radhames- Checking out shows. I love finding new music always.
If there is one thing you want your fans to know about Noon Blue, what would it be and why?
Mike- We want as many people to know about Noon Blue as possible. Spread the word!
Radhames- We appreciate every person who takes the time to check out our music whether online or at a show.
Alec- We love you all…again, spread the Noon Blue word. Thanks!
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This interview is Copyright 2007 of XR Volume and its respective owners.
XR Volume would like to thank Noon Blue for taking the time to answer our questions. To find out more about Noon Blue, check out their websites:
http://www.myspace.com/noonblue
"Musical genres not only define a band, they confine it. In 2003, a foursome stretched their boundaries and gave the Orlando, Florida scene something unprecedented and unexpected. Ian Dempsey, Alec Villafane, and Radhames Almanzar remained in their hometown after high school in hopes of birthing a unique sound to create their band. After finding drummer, Mike Rakoczy from Canada, their search had concluded with an uncompromising stance. In late 2005, the band released their debut LP,"Out of Our Hands," to a packed house at the downtown Orlando venue, the Social. The much anticipated release drew eager fans from all over Florida, and planted them in front of picturesque vocals and grinding guitar riffs. The only way to experience this transformation is to listen and know what it is that defines Noon Blue. Noon Blue has shared the stage with such national acts as 2006 Vans Warped Tour Roster,Taproot, Army of Anyone, Still Life Projector, 3, Phoenix Mourning, and in November 2006 was selected as one of top 4 unsigned bands in Alternative Press Magazine "
Photos and Bio Courtesy of Noon Blue
Official Noon Blue MySpace Page
