Cut Throat Kids, a pop / alternative / pop punk band, took to the stage at the TIMAs “Indie/Pop/Rock” Showcase at The Central on August 19.  This band has an energetic and professional live performance.  They echo that they definitely live for the “live show”.  Without doubt, they give an interesting, thought provoking, and amazingly articulate interview.

Tyler Tasson – vox

Jeff Raposo – guitar

Nick Chang-Fong – bassist

Calvin Castellino – drums

BD:  How do you prepare before a show?

Jeff:  Our shows get pretty physical so we like to make sure we stretch out a bit whenever possible.  Personally, I like to spend a few minutes alone and just ground myself, make sure I’m breathing.

Tyler:  (laughing)  Yeah, we always do a big, huge, group stretch before going on stage.  I think it creeps out and or interests a lot of onlookers!  I like to get somewhere to run through some scales and get my voice ready.  It usually ends up being a bathroom.

BD:  Do you have a really memorable show?  One where everything lined up for the band?

Jeff:  I love playing in Whitby because we have a lot of friends in other bands that we get to play with when we head up that way.  It always feels like a big party.

Tyler:  A memorable show for me was playing a Ryerson residence frosh a few weeks back.  Everyone was so excited and so open to hearing every song we had, even though they had never heard us before.  We have never had such an intense crowd before.  I, also, always do love playing in Whitby.

Calvin:  Whitby was definitely memorable for me at Johnny B’s where, like Jeff said, all of our friends were also playing.  It always boosts the chemistry, I find, within and outside the band when the crowd see you having fun with all of your friends in addition to your band mates.

BD:  How do you fuel your passion for writing your music?

Jeff:  I never really feel like I need to make an effort in that department.  The passion is there.  Trying to channel that into a structured piece of music that people will understand is what I try to focus on.

Tyler:  If I really feel like telling a story about my own life, I’ll try to read back on things that remind me of whatever I am trying to write about, like an old diary or looking at little memorabilia from that time.  I try to get into my own head and pull out the core feelings I felt at the time of whatever was happening and translate them directly into my songs.

Calvin:  Inspiration from other music definitely fuels my passion for writing music.  My favourite bands never cease to amaze me.  It drives me to try and create something that will have the effect that one of my favourite artists has on me for another individual.

Nick:  My passion for writing music is powered by my passion for enjoying music.  I try to do for people what some have done for me.

BD:  When you’re first starting out, everyone’s a critic.  What sorts of things have you had to face and, ultimately, overcome?

Tyler:  Personally, I have had to deal with the fact that people will be jerks and either judge me based on the fact that I am a girl or assume I have some kind of advantage because of it.  I get stereotyped a lot because of my gender and it’s something you just gotta learn to brush off and ignore.

Calvin:  Everyone has an opinion and, ultimately, you have to take it in stride and not let it get you down.  It’s always comforting to know that if, hypothetically, we have 8 bad reviews in a row, we know for a fact that there are kids who wear our shirts to our shows and know the words to our songs.  That definitely would overshadow the bad reviews.  Luckily, everyone has been kind to us and dig the songs and the live show.

BD:  What strategies do you have to get your music out there?

Tyler:  So far, we stick to the conventional method of myspace and giving out demos at shows.  Once we get our EP finished, it will be put out in as many places as we can get it!

Calvin:  Tyler has been really killer with the myspace and I know we don’t thank her enough.  She is really interactive with everyone that we add or adds us.  We just want everyone to hear us and we want to be as accessible as possible.

BD:  Do you have a motto you live by?

Jeff:  I remember being drunk at a wedding once, having just broken up with a girl I was absolutely in love with.  I was feeling pretty down and one of my cousins told me that all I could do was “love what comes”.  That’s stuck with me in a pretty big way.

Tyler:  “You get what you give.” Oh, and “A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.”  Two I try to live by day to day.

Calvin:  “Work like slaves, eat like kings.”

Nick:  “If you’re not having fun, why do it at all?”

BD:  What advice would you give to up and coming artists and bands?

Jeff:  People pay to see other people just “be” – that’s what makes reality tv so popular.  More importantly, they can always spot a fake.  What makes the entertainment industry so difficult is that it takes a lot of balls to be you in front of strangers.  So the best way to set yourself apart is to just go out there as yourself.  It may be a theatrically-enhanced version, but always an extension of the real you.  Play as many shows as you can with as many different bands as you can.  Make friends with all of them because the only way you’re ever going to make it is with their support.  Most importantly, remember that this is one of the most competitive industries in the world.  You can’t afford not to kill it every single time you play.

Tyler:  Learn to take constructive criticism, no matter what.  You have your own view of your band that is different than what other people see.  You aren’t the one watching from the audience or listening with the outsider’s ear.  Take criticism.  This doesn’t have to mean that you change your music, style, or anything like that.  Just listen to opinions with an open mind.

Calvin:  Don’t be afraid to commit yourself 100%.  There are people who I know that give up on bands because they say they are consumed with work or school.  I really believe that if you’re committed 100% to playing music you could make time be it once a month to practice or write.  You can still get it done.  Dedication is key because I really think that everything else will follow.

Nick:  Be an artist before a superstar.  Make music or art that is relevant to you or that you enjoy.  Popularity may or, in many cases, may not come but that’s not important.  What is important is that you create honest works of art.  After all, what good would popularity be if you couldn’t sleep at night?

BD:  What life advice would you give them?  What have you learned?  About yourself?  About life?

Tyler:  People will always try to bring you down.  If you learn to ignore it, or even better, to somehow feed off it, you will last a long time.  Turning people’s negative attitudes into positive reinforcement for yourself is something that takes time but will help your confidence like crazy.  Especially when others are trying to break you apart.

Calvin:  Make sure you’re happy doing what you’re doing because there is no point in creating something that doesn’t get by your personal standards.  Chances are others will pick up that you’re not having a good time doing what you’re doing.  Playing in other bands and comparing it to the situation I’m in now, I can’t believe that I put up with certain elements that made me unhappy for so long.  This is the perfect situation for me now.  I can sincerely say that I love my band mates and the music that we’re making.

Nick:  Listen to your critics but don’t work for them.  I’ve learned that it’s important to make a product that you can stand behind and that authenticity is more important than anything.  Don’t confuse authenticity with originality.  If your music isn’t the first in a new, groundbreaking genre but you’re happy with it, hold onto it.

BD:  A music industry insider has recently made the statement that artists are in partnership with their audience and that the long-term, more affordable route is where it’s at – as opposed to a Top 40 track and instant tour.  Basically, don’t go for world domination.  Go for a little piece of the whole rock.  What are your feelings on this?

Tyler:  I feel a bit from both sides.  I definitely think it is beneficial for an artist to do as much as they can on their own.  You make all the money, keep all the creative control and so on.  I also feel like if you get into the Top 40 world and help is needed from management, labels, like that, then good for you!  As long as you keep the creative control, I think it’s all good.  Make a deal that works for you and, if you get in a position to bargain for your deals, even better!  Being close to your audience is important either way.  Having a good connection between you and them is so important to your career in the long run.

Calvin:  There are two perspectives to this, I feel.  For the artist who wants instant fame, that sucks.  But for the band that wants to stand the test of time in this day and age of rapid technological advancement, it’s probably dead on.

Nick:  I agree with that.  I would rather be involved on a smaller, longer journey than a large, short one.  Don’t go for world domination, yes.  But, if the world wants you, bring it to them.

BD:  What’s next?

Tyler:  An EP, maybe a new photo shoot, lots of shows, a mini tour, who knows!  Keep checking on the myspace to find out!  (smiling)

Calvin:  New songs!  All day every day!

Nick:  After this, some breakfast, some school, some fun then the next day.  One day at a time, people!  (everyone laughs)

www.myspace.com/wearecutthroatkids