8 Questions: Greber’s Steve Vargas Interview 2018

– What’s new in the world of Greber?

The new record is finally out, which is great. We had to get all our ducks lined up in a row to make sure it saw a proper release so to see it being received as well as it has been is great. We also just received an Ontario Arts Council grant which will help us tour this album a lot more. Things are working out thus far.

– How was it recording your album Cemetery Preston?

Recording the album was a pretty painless process, on my end anyhow. We recorded drums with Sean Pearson in Hamilton at Boxcar Studios. Pearson has been behind some great records by bands like Cursed and Shallow North Dakota and I’ve worked with him in the past with The Great Sabatini. I made sure I was properly rehearsed to bang out the tracks. Marc has a nice little set up back in Cambridge which enabled him to record the bass himself at his own pace. That set up also helped me track my vocals without the added pressure of time constraints. We’ve learned how to crush recordings at this point so it was really fun and exciting to do. Our pal Scott Miller from Ancient Temple Recordings did a great job with the mix as did Brad at AudioSeige mastering. I’m very proud of what we’ve all done for this one.

– When writing a song, is there such a thing as investing too much time?

Marc could definitely speak on this better as he is the main songwriter but I can say that I’ve maybe spent too much time tweaking my parts to the point that I’ve lost the best parts due to over thinking. I think it’s good to put your best idea down then let it simmer for a while before revisiting it to see if what you wrote holds up.

– How did you go about making the artwork or choosing it?

The artwork was done by the uber talented Yanni Panos from Montreal. He works as a tattoo artist at DFA Tattoos (328 rue Sainte Catherine Est). His style is wild and dark and his take on some lyrics we sent blew our minds. We’re very lucky to have had him work on the art for sure. We trusted him to make something great and he 100% delivered.

– The group is playing in Halifax, NS February 9th at Gus’s Pub. What can the Nova Scotia crowd expect?

The crowd can expect a tight, loud, crushing set with minimal stick drops. We’ve been busting our asses on the set so it’s tighter than ever. They can also expect good vibes all around as we love the east coast.

– Cassettes is making a comeback. Do you have a personal preference CD, cassette or vinyl?

Cassettes are a great and affordable way for bands to get their music out and for fans to purchase it. I love it. There’s something special about physically pressing buttons and moving the cassette from the case to the player that reminds me of being a kid. I love the nostalgia of it.

– How many dates does Greber do during a year?

We try to stay as busy as possible without burning out our pockets so at least once a month we’re playing somewhere. This year will most likely see us busier than ever and hopefully that equates to more people grabbing this new album and getting on board with what we are doing.

– Where do you see music in general going in 100 years from now?

I think music will always be around. It’s something that is so embedded into us. It helps us connect with something larger than life and until VR or some Limitless pill can do the same I’m pretty sure people will always recognize the magic and community that is within music. Who knows though, maybe AI will realize that our flesh sacks are no longer needed and just delete us entirely.

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