INTERVIEW: Eleven Past One — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

Eleven Past One

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THERE is no doubting the chops…

of Eleven Past One! The Canadian group are on the rise and collecting fans like President Trump accrues dissatisfied and bewildered opponents. Hailing from Bowmanville; I have been speaking with the Pop group about their lauded new single, Closer, and the story behind the song; whether there is more material in the pipeline; how they, and their music, has developed and grown – and whether a tour is on the cards.

They talk to me about writing and recording in L.A.; whether they ever get time away from the hectic music industry; what they want to achieve before this year is through; advice they’d offer to new artists – and why the 1980s is a special/inspiration period for them.

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Hi, lads. How are you? How has your week been?

Hey! It’s been pretty good, pretty good.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

We’re Eleven Past One. My name’s Daniel (singer), Stephen on guitar; Steve on drums and Justin on bass.

Closer is your latest single. What is the story behind that track?

Well. We went to L.A. to meet up for some writing sessions with several different writers/producers. We were with Cimo Fränkel and Rik Annema in one of those sessions. We began to write with them and came up with our song, Wrong Way Home, but they also approached us with Closer. Immediately, when we heard the first note, we knew it was something we had to be a part of.

Is it true you went out to L.A. to work on/record the song? Was that a cool experience?!

Yes; it was an amazing experience. We’ve done plenty of writing, recording and touring in L.A. There’s something magical about it. The feeling of working in the world-mecca of entertainment is always cool.

You are based in Canada normally. Is it a lot different compared to the U.S. – in terms of the music and vibe?

Well. It definitely can feel different. Radio, for example, is different. It’s hard to put your finger on it, but the U.S. has more of an international/universal sound when it comes to music, in my opinion.

How did Eleven Past One get form? What brought the band together?

Well. After I had finished university (Daniel), my brother (Stephen); Steve and I formed the band back in 2009. Stephen and Steve had met in high-school, bonding through a fire alarm that went off at their school. Stephen went to Steve’s house that day, shared that they were both musicians and Stephen explained that his brother was a singer…

The band was formed!

You have done sterling business on YouTube and Spotify – your music is connecting with people. Is it quite touching realising so many people are reacting?

It truly is touching. It’s an incredible feeling to be able to have the access to share our music worldwide through the Internet. When people write to us about how our music has touched them in specific ways - we really treasure that.

Is there more material coming later this year? What can you reveal regarding more music?

Well. There will be more music released this year. We’re brainstorming right now as to what song we should release next.

It seems there is a fondness for the 1980s and that period. Did you guys grow up around 1980s music? What attracts you to the decade?

I think it’s cool to experiment with music in different ways. I guess we’ve taken some 1980s elements of music and mixed them into a more current sound.

Can we see you tour soon? What gigs do you have coming up?

We would love to tour soon. Trying to put something together…

Do you think you’ll come to the U.K. and play this year?

That’s the goal!

What do you hope to achieve, personally, in 2018?

Well, personally, there’s a lot going on in our lives. One of us is getting married this year; one of us is having a baby; some of us are moving into new homes. It’s quite exciting.

Have you each got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

Daniel: Well, that’s a pretty hard question because there are PLENTY of favourite memories. One that sticks out in my mind at the moment is the time we played a sold out Molsen Amphitheatre in Toronto, Canada. It’s one of the most famous places to play around here.

Stephen: Hearing our song on radio for the first time.

Steve: For me, it was probably the time we spent living in Cocoa Beach Florida in the trailer park. Everything about those times are memorable for me. (Or, going to Gene Simmons’ house in L.A. for the first time).

Justin: Recording in a professional studio for the first time.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

KEEP GOING. No matter how hard it is, never give up on your dreams because, if you have the perseverance, you can accomplish anything really.

Do you all get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

Daniel: Yea; we do get time to chill and just hang with family and friends. I’m a homebody during most of my down time. I love to watch countless hours of T.V. when I have the chance. Haha

Finally, and for being good sports; you can each choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Daniel: Pray for Me by The Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar