Brooklyn�s http://www.myspace.com/blackwaterrising -
was introduced to me by their manager and mutual friend. As soon as
the first few riffs starting playing, you knew this band was the real
deal. Singer and band leader Robert Traynor leads
this foursome with riff heavy, melodic and memorable songs. Nothing
revolutionary, but some great straight ahead Heavy Rock that sounds
fresh and ready to be cranked up!
Robert Traynor took some time to answer a few questions for our http://www.Loudtrax.com - .
http://www.Loudtrax.com - �Brother
Go On� is the first single off your debut, self titled album and it�s
getting quite a buzz and drawing interest from different circles. Tell us about the song and how you feel about the response so far.
Robert Traynor
"Brother Go On" is a song about rising up, it's about making a stand
against that which would hold you down. I wrote the song after
watching all the corruption and bullshit of my countries' government,
and how even though someone may feel small and powerless to make a
stand against it, you still can. The little guy can make a difference.
I'm happy people are diggin the song and the message. It's good
to see people still like songs that actually say something as opposed
to the fluff filled bullshit flooding the radio.
LoudTrax.com You mentioned the first single was getting some great reactions on US radio. How has that helped the band get their word out?
Robert Traynor
"Brother Go On" was first added to regular rotation on SIRIUS Satellite
Radio's OCTANE channel and we have gotten over 1,500 spins to date.
Over a year in regular rotation! Terrestrial radio stations have also
come onboard throughout the United States, most because they had heard
the song on OCTANE, and through the internet. We started a radio
campaign to get the song out there and the reaction has been great thus
far.
LoudTrax.com
You performed at SXSW, at the High Times Doobie Awards. What was it
like to play SXSW now that your album is out and what kind of reaction
did you guys get?
Robert Traynor Last years'
SXSW was a real trip. We had a great time and the reaction there to the
band was awesome. We played two shows that day, one during the day,
where we were awarded The High Times DOOBIE AWARD for Best Rock, and
one in the evening.
LoudTrax.com There
are no �fillers� on your debut album. All the songs are strong and you
can feel the emotion and passion from the band. They say the first
album is the easiest to write cause you had all your life to write it,
while the 2nd album can be a real challenge when faced with higher
expectations, deadlines, etc. Have you guys starting thinking about a
follow up? What approach will you take?
Robert Traynor I
will take the same approach that I took to the first. No approach at
all. I just write music and what comes about, comes about. I have
already been writing for the next album, we even play some of the songs
live with the current crop just to gauge a reaction from our fans and
I'm happy to report that folks are actually feeling stronger about the
new songs!
I have a home studio and I enjoy recording and
writing as much as possible. There is no shortage of fucked up things
to write about, all you have to do is watch the news, and I write riffs
every time I pick up a guitar. Put the two together and you have seeds
for new songs. This album has just come out and I have already written
more than half of the next. There are no deadlines because we answer to
no one but ourselves.
LoudTrax.com
The album was out digitally in 2009, but was only released at physical
retail in March 2010. How important was it for you to be at the retail
level?
Robert Traynor Anyone can put their
music out digitally. And it's an amazing thing that through the
internet you can get your music out to the world. But people still like
to buy CD's and there are people who actually go to record stores. Our
sales on iTunes have always been good but once the album became
available through Amazon.com mail order sales went up big time. We sell
more CD's weekly than downloads so I guess the CD is still king. When
you have an album out there you want there to be as many outlets as
possible for folks to obtain your music.
LoudTrax.com What are the bands plans coming up? Any more tour dates added?
Robert Traynor We
are just trying to spread the word as much as possible. Touring is
tough because we have no money and we are an independent band so
without the push of a fat cat label pickins are slim. The music biz is
hurting BIG TIME and it's harder than ever for little acts like us but
we are moving forward slowly and thats the name of the game for http://www.blackwaterrising.com - ... one brick at a time.
We
plan on playing as much as possible, and getting the music out there,
and it is. There is no clock over our heads and no expiration date on
this music so we don't mind the slow climb. We are grateful for the
great response we are getting from the Rock community and we gain new
fans everyday.
Visit the http://www.myspace.com/blackwaterrising - where you can listen to their music.