Published: October 18, 2009 3:47 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight October 2009 Edition
Choirs of Titan
Choirs of Titan
From the very moment one takes a listen to the track "Vessel" by Choirs of Titan, one can easily hear elements of retro psychedelic 70s sound into the band's music. This happens to be one of the best parts to the music of Choirs of Titan. The other elements that make Choirs of Titan fun to listen to are the vocals of Elliot Grey which come out sounding aggressively passionate and seductive full of rage and harmonious noise.
Grey's insane guitar playing style which is full of electrifying pulsating magic will mesmerized music lovers. Mark's bass is another strong point to the band's music as well as Jacek's command of the drums which goes from melodic to chaotic in a matter of seconds. If you want to hear music that comes from the heart, then Choirs of Titan will simply blow you away. Check out this recent interview with our Webzine that front man Elliot Grey of Choirs of Titan completed with us. Enjoy!
E.L. - Vocals, Guitars
Mark - Bass
Jacek - Drums
Isaac: What's the name of your band? What's the origin of that name? Have you changed the band's name before?
Choirs of Titan: We are the Choirs of Titan. When Mark and I first started jamming we would throw band names around all the time and nothing would stick. So I eventually came up with Choirs of Titan, which was inspired by my favorite book, "Sirens of Titan" by Kurt Vonnegut.
Isaac: What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?
Choirs of Titan: We consider ourselves a Rock band. We try and stay away from getting too specific when describing our sound and prefer to keep it simple. Our influences range from late 60s British blues groups such as Cream, Free, and Fleetwood Mac, to the more 70s sounds of Deep Purple and Black Sabbath. We don't have any intentions of being a "retro" or a "throwback" band, for us it's all about making music that feels good and has a strong groove.
Isaac: How long have you all known each other? How did you meet?
Choirs of Titan: Mark and I have known each other for us long as we've been a band which is a little over three years, and Jake joined us about a year after that. It was almost like we were the only guys in the NYC area that were looking to play this kind of music, so in the end we were eventually brought together by good odds and luck.
Isaac: When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?
Choirs of Titan: The band was formed by Mark and I in late 2006. We both came from other bands that were falling apart, and decided we were going to do things our way. Keep the music loud, heavy, and fun. We started jamming in Mark's apartment in Brooklyn, and everything sort of took off from there.
Isaac: Do you have a record label? Are you a member of any music organizations?
Choirs of Titan: As of right now the Choirs of Titan are a 100% DIY operation. We are not affiliated with any record label or management company. We of course would be open to either, when and if that opportunity is presented to us.
Isaac: What can you tell me about your instruments? (i.e., Are you subject to brand loyalty or will you play with whatever's available? What made you choose the instruments you have now? Was it cost or was it a style/model/brand/color preference?
Choirs of Titan: I am what you'd call a gear fiend. I play mainly an assortment of Gibson guitars, including a 1959 Les Paul reissue and an SG 1961 reissue. I'm always trading and acquiring new guitars, so it's kind of a hobby turned obsession. I have always wanted to play Les Paul's for as long as I can remember. As a kid I remember seeing the Led Zeppelin movie "The Song Remains the Same", and just being mesmerized by Jimmy Page's 1959 Les Paul. I guess you can say that it stuck with me to this day. Mark also shares my love for Gibson's as he plays a pretty sweet Thunderbird bass. I think it's important to have an instrument that you love unconditionally. As a musician it's your tool, and often for me it's acts as my biggest inspiration.
Isaac: Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?
Choirs of Titan: We've played pretty much everywhere in the NYC area. We really don't have a favorite or least favorite place to play. Because of the eclectic nature of the New York City music scene, you can often find yourself sharing bills with everyone from singer/songwriters to indie pop and everything in between. We don't always "fit in", but we make the most of it and have a great time playing anywhere.
Isaac: Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers? Do you have a set play list?
Choirs of Titan: I'd say that if there was one song that always makes our set list, it's "LadyKiller". It's one of the first songs we wrote together and people really seem to dig it. The set list is always changing; we try and mix it up to keep from getting stale. As of yet we don't play any covers, but if we eventually agree on a few songs we might start peppering them in our set.
Isaac: Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?
Choirs of Titan: We all have our say in what the songs are about, so we are all responsible for the writing process. We don't write about any particular themes or topics and usually let the feeling of the music dictate what the song will be about.
Isaac: Could you briefly describe the music-making process?
Choirs of Titan: It usually starts with a riff someone wrote, and it goes from there. We jam and jam until we have a structure, then spend the next few weeks ironing out the details. We feel it's the most efficient and collaborative way of writing music and have no intentions on changing.
Isaac: What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time each week in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous?
Choirs of Titan: We have a space which we rent out monthly that's ours to do as we like. We play anywhere from 3-4 times a week, sessions last anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. We try and jam a lot to keep things exciting, but when we are working on something it's pretty focused.
Isaac: How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?
Choirs of Titan: When we first started I felt we were going for a more pop element in our sound. As time progressed we started to get louder and heavier. It wasn't like someone said "Hey, lets get all sludgy and doomy!". It was a natural progression that took on a life of its own.
Isaac: What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
Choirs of Titan: Our biggest challenge has to be managing our day jobs and personal lives with that of the band. Aside from being in a rock band, we are young professionals that have to work, pay rent and put food on the table. Being in a serious band is not something you can just do. It requires tons of time, money, and dedication. We sacrifice daily for the good of the band, and that can take its toll on you. I think that our love for what we are doing allows us to stay positive, and continue to be the best band we can be.
Isaac: What's your ultimate direction for your band? Are you seeking fame and fortune?
Choirs of Titan: We would love to be able to sell out Madison Square Garden someday, but who wouldn't? When it comes down to it, if we can do this full time and make enough money to support ourselves, then I think we all would be happy with that result.
Isaac: What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?
Choirs of Titan: Do it for the love of making music. Stay away from trends, and be true to yourself. Listen to good music, practice, and the rest will follow.
Isaac: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
Choirs of Titan: Fans can check us out any number of ways. You can go to our official website http://www.choirsoftitan.com, or look us up on twitter, Facebook or MySpace. We aren't too hard to find.
Isaac: Is there anyone you'd like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?
Choirs of Titan: Of course our families and friends. A special thanks to those folks that come check us out every time we play, we appreciate it and are thankful.
Isaac: Any last words?
Choirs of Titan: Yes. Thank you Junior's Cave for continuing to support independent bands and musicians such as ourselves. You guys do a great job, and for that we are grateful.
