Versus The World Interview with Donald Spence vocals and guitarist. Talks about Homesick/Roadsick album.
Versus The World Interview
– What’s new in the world of Versus The World?
It’s new album time. With that come the start of the record cycle. Tours on top of tours! We took about a year to write and record the new album so we’re all ready to get back out and play shows.
– How was it recording your album Homesick/Roadsick?
I think we learn something each time we make a new record. We really focus on pre-production this time around. We wrote together more. It was a blast. Seriously, drinking with some of the best people you know and writing music together is my I started doing this in the first place.
– When writing a song, is there such a thing as investing too much time?
I don’t know. When I’m writing I think I’m just kind of know when it’s done. We’re not the type of people that would beat a song to death. Well… Maybe Tony is. Ha ha ha.
– Are the equipment and instruments used on stage mostly the same as the ones used on the albums?
Oh yeah. We’re gear nerds. We love our instruments. Every have a nash Gibson Les Paul we used on a lot of the tracking, and old telecaster and jazzmaster that just sound great. Mike has an incredible vintage bass that we love. We use Bogner, Orange and marshall to make things loud.
– What is the strangest inspiration you’ve ever had for a song?
The Kids are Fucked I wrote after a friend of mine got stabbed in the back by some kid. We were working together at a venue that I ran for years. He was my security guard. I remember that being one of the scarier experiences I’ve ever had. So I wrote a pretty bleak song to follow it up.
– Do you have any tours coming up in the near future?
We do. We leave for Europe in a couple weeks to support Strung Out on their European run. We come home for a few days then fly to New Zealand & Australia with Good Riddance, then Japan with Useless ID, then a couple California shows with A Wilhelm Scream. We should be busy for the rest of the year.
– How important is merchandising? Could artists survive without?
I’m sure you could, but why would you want to? Merch is another way to express yourself. It’s also a way people that like your music can connect with it. I know I love buying something cool and well thought out from a band I really like.
– Could you describe some of your earliest influences in life and in music?
My mom was a music lover, so there was always music playing in my house. Old rock and roll and soul records. We would sing in the car. I always thought it was amazing how she knew the words to every song she heard. She started me in choirs and piano lessons very young. Put a guitar in my hand at 12 and that was it. I was found. I love the records she played for me when I was young, I listen to them all the time. The Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison, Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, Tom Jones. I could go on forever…
– Without social media could bands today manage to survive?
I think it’s not necessary, but it helps. It’s another way for people to connect with artists they like. I wouldn’t rely to much on it. I think if your looking at your Facebook likes and worrying about boosting your posts more than you’re trying to write good songs you’re in this for the wrong reasons.
– Where do you see music in general going in 100 years from now?
I’ll be long gone. There will always be rock & roll. Always. The rest to me is really just background noise.
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