NASHVILLE |DATE: NOVEMBER 20, 2009
JASON EVIGAN OF AFTER MIDNIGHT PROJECT
As AFTER MIDNIGHT PROJECT–one of rock’s new breakout bands—continue to build momentum on the road in support of their Universal/Motown debut LET’S BUILD SOMETHING TO BREAK, lead singer and songwriter Jason Evigan took the time out to answer some questions from their tour bus somewhere rolling across America.
“After Midnight Project sounds like two people falling deeply in love with one another while engaging in a romantic knife fight. There's not a clear way to describe our sound. Possibly Muse, Nine Inch nails, Incubus and Elliott Smith getting drunk at a wine taster. Elegant and raw. The rush of climbing to the top of Mount Everest but then realizing you're all alone thousands of feet up in the sky.
After Midnight Project is an outlet for every emotion that runs through me. With my lyrics and melodies, I hope people can relate and latch onto them. We do this for ourselves but just as much for the person listening.”
Can you describe the chemistry that exists between the band members?
“We didn't all go to high school together or play sports in middle school and then one day decide, ‘Let's put down this football and play guitar.’ We all had bands before but somehow came together in a very natural way. After I wrote 12 songs on my own, I put an ad on craiglist for a drummer and that's where I found the animated "danimal" Danny Morris. Married and father of three. (Someone started early). He was originally from Michigan and knew a great guitar player through mutual friends. Spencer (electrical engineer) came out to LA and after a few times hanging with us, we just clicked.
TJ, our bass player, was introduced through a producer friend, and Christian our bearded Jesus looking/sexy Charles Manson guitarist found us through mutual family friends. The bottom line here as that we have been forced to all fall in love through music. We all are completely different people from completely different lifestyles who somehow are completely on the same page in the studio and on stage. We are all best friends who met through music. Kinda cool.”
What inspired your single "Take Me Home" and can you describe what the song is about lyrically?
”The song ‘Take Me Home’ was inspired by a tragic break up that was long over due. Although the lyrics are somewhat ambiguous, the overall theme was: I know this relationship is over, I can't love you anymore, we are killing each other, you don't know me anymore and you'll never see who I am. The problem was she was all I had, she was my home. I used references to Elliott Smith throughout the song. I was in a dark place and I could relate to his story at the time.”
So far, can you describe your best and worst nights on tour?
“For me the best nights are when we find ourselves in a Wal-Mart parking lot drinking cases of cheap wine and loitering around the store, riding those funny little electric cars. Blasting music and having dance parties with random passersby. Now for the bad times. We were driving our bus to Vegas on a cold crisp desert night down the 15 on the two lane highway, and our driver hit a train track which unhitched our trailer. We were all sleeping then looked out the window and Spencer yells, ‘Guys, our trailer just drove past us.’ Although this was kinda funny because no one got hurt, it was really scary and could have ended tragically.
We know you are touring with Papa Roach. What has that been like and what do you think of their music?
“We are only on our second show. We are actually really good friends with them. I hung in the studio a lot during the making of their last album Metamorphosis. Its amazing opening for a band like PRoach because Jacoby (Shaddix, lead singer) is possibly one of the most animated energetic front man in the rock world. They really push us on stage and they said we do they same for them. I originally wrote the song ‘Scream For You’ (track 3 off our new album) for them to use, but after demoing it I quickly put the brakes on and kept it for After Midnight Project. This tour is going to be amazing.”
Looking ahead to 2010, what are you guys hoping to achieve?
“We want to stay on the road and keep touching people with our music. We hope to write and keep pushing ourselves out here on the road to learn more about ourselves and the world that we will travel. I think 2010 is going to be a strong year for music in general. Lots of great music out there. We hope to keep sharing the stage with the greats.”
| DATE | CITY | VENUE | ||
| With Papa Roach | ||||
| Weds | 11/18 | San Antonio, TX | Scout Bar | |
| Fri | 11/20 | Abilene, TX | Abilene Civic Center | |
| Sat | 11/21 | Lubbock, TX | Wild West | |
| With Papa Roach, Jet and Billy Boy on Poison | ||||
| Mon | 11/23 | Los Angeles, CA | Club Nokia | |
| With Papa Roach | ||||
| Weds | 11/25 | Cleveland, OH | House of Blues | |
| Fri | 11/27 | Las Vegas, NV | House of Blues | |
| Sat | 11/28 | San Diego, CA | House of Blues | |
| Sun | 11/29 | Chico, CA | Senator Theatre | |
| Weds | 12/2 | Waco, TX | Whiskey River | |
| With Rise Against | ||||
| Fri | 12/4 | Richmond, VA | The National | |
| Radio show with 30 Seconds to Mars, The Used, Panic at the Disco and more | ||||
| Sat | 12/5 | W. Palm Beach, FL | Buzz Bake Sale-Cruzan Amphitheater | |
| With Papa Roach and Shinedown | ||||
| Sun | 12/6 | Erie, PA | Erie Civic Center | |
| Thurs | 12/10 | Portland, ME | Big Easy | |
| Fri | 12/11 | Providence, RI | Black Repertory Theater | |
| With Cartel, Paper Tongues | ||||
| Mon | 12/14 | Bakersfield, CA | Fox Theater | |
| With 30 Seconds to Mars, The Used | ||||
| Wed | 12/16 | Chicago, IL | House of Blues | |
| With 30 Seconds to Mars, Flyleaf | ||||
| Fri | 12/18 | Detroit, MI | The Fillmore | |
For AFTER MIDNIGHT PROJECT publicity contact:
Libby Coffey LCoffey@msopr.com 818-380-0400 x224
Angela Villanueva AVillanueva@msopr.com 818-380-0400 x232
Mitch Schneider MSchneider@msopr.com 818-380-0400 x235
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