Published: February 07, 2008 6:49 PM EST
By: Isaac Joseph Davis Junior (Juniorscave.com)
Rock / Alternative
Looking for something that you can rock your head to? You need not look any further. Anton Mink is a powerhouse of raw talents fused together to make the perfect blend of rock music. Lead singer Chloa M gives us strong vocals with an attitude along with the extremely talented members of the band to show us that rock music is alive and kicking ass.
Members Chloa M. (vocals, keys, cowbell, kazoo), Anton Z. (bass), Gerome (drums, percussion) and Andy Jack (guitarist) are coming from a variety of genres to create a unique sound. Recently, we had a chance to review their EPK (Electronic Press Kit) on Sonicbids.com (Music Submission/Resource Company) and were thoroughly impressed as to what we heard. Here's a chance to allow the members of the group to talk more about the band and their current/future projects.
Isaac-Joseph: Hello everyone. Happy Holidays! Let's talk about how the band originally got its start?
AZ: Happy Holidays to you. The band got its start in 2004 through an ad that I placed in a local alternative newspaper. That’s how I met Chloa. We started writing songs and playing acoustic sets around town. We then found drummer Gerome through an ad at a record store. We decided to record an album as a three piece and then we met guitarist Andy Jack at a party and that is pretty much how things came together
Isaac-Joseph: You grew up listening to punk and classical rock music. It really shows in your deliverance of your music. What is it about those genres that you love?
AZ: I have always loved punk music. There is so much emotion and energy in good punk music Most of the old school punk musicians had a very limited knowledge of music before starting a band or simply taught themselves how to play and because of that it is very authentic music.
Classic rock is still around for a reason. Zepplin and The Doors wrote great songs and could jam it out live.
Isaac-Joseph: Anton Z, talk about your experience with the band Kung Pao. What did you learn from that experience that you have added to your current gig?
AZ: Anytime you are playing with other people and performing out live it strengthens you as a musician. Towards the end of Kung Pao, I knew that I wanted to do something different musically and that’s when I placed the ad for a female singer.
Isaac-Joseph: You guys added Chloa to the line-up recently. Describe what this new addition has done for the band musically?
AZ: I think you mean Andy Jack because Chloa was around from the start. The addition of Andy Jack has given the ability to add a lot of texture and layers to the songs that we couldn't have done before. Not only is he a great guitarist but he is also a really good keyboard player. I think the new record will reflect this.
Isaac-Joseph: What was the initial reaction from your fans about the newest addition?
AZ: We had been playing out for a while with just drum, bass and vocals so I think at first it was kinda of weird to all sudden have some guitar added, but I think that people were pleased to have the songs fleshed out.
Isaac-Joseph: Chloa, your background is mostly Drum N Bass and Hip-Hop. What adjustments did you have to make in order to work with this band musically?
Chloa: Well honestly I never thought that I would ever be in a rock band but I enjoyed the change of music. I grew up listening to a bit of everything but singing to a certain style is obviously different than listening. It took awhile for me to be completely comfortable and trusting that the blend of what I would normally sing sounded alright with the music. I mean there are some mash ups that just don't work but I was pleasantly surprised that it actually allowed me more room to choose what kind of song vocally I wanted it to be. In example, I can choose whether to sing one slightly country, classical or jazzy. I guess the biggest adjustment overall was the fact that I had to get used to having creative responsibility.
Isaac-Joseph: What have you guys learned from each other musically?
AZ: The best thing is that everyone has their own style and it usually blends pretty well together.
Chloa: Thankfully, Andy Jack has been classically trained so now I'm getting to learn about theory from him. As far as everyone goes, we all have different musical tastes that we share so I've been opened up to a wider range of music.
Isaac-Joseph: If you had the opportunity to work with any person or group professionally, who would it be and why?
AZ: I don't know there are a lot, but on our West Coast tour this last November we listed to a lot of Michael Jackson's Thriller and Off the Wall and I'd have to say Quincy Jones would on the top of my list. I would have loved to meet James Brown; that would have been pretty cool.
Chloa: Definitely Marc Ronson, everything he churns out is smooth and I still believe Willie Nelson is one of the greatest songwriters still around.
Isaac-Joseph: Describe a day in the studio for Anton Mink:
AZ: We usually start about noon and go to midnight. Try to record as 3 to 4 songs a day depending on what each song requires. We record bass, drums, guitar and vocals live.
We then can go back and do overdubs of any other instrumentation or backing vocals that we may want to add. Other than that, a lot of time is used to smoke weed and move amps and stuff around. It is work but it is also a lot of fun.
Isaac-Joseph: What aspect of making music excites you the most at the moment?
AZ: I like it when you are able to write songs and see other people connect with that song. That is definitely the coolest part about for me.
Chloa: When you make something that you instantly like and it burns a whole in your brain until you get it right. For me the creative obsession it can be pretty intense.
Isaac-Joseph: What aspect of making music gets you the most frustrated?
AZ: Well, we are an Indie band so it is hard to get out and get noticed. You really got to get out there and work and be patient.
Isaac-Joseph: If you were told that you could not make music again, is there something that you would do? Or do you feel that music is in your bloodline?
AZ: Music is definitely a hug part of my life and it is hard to fill the void. I would try and find some other artistic outlet.
Chloa: There's always dancing and enjoying other people's work. I could deal with not being able to make music but to not have any music at all in my life would be a death sentence.
Isaac-Joseph: Let's talk about the release of your self-titled debut album in 2007. Elaborate on the creative process of making this album and what can your fans expect from this album?
AZ: All of the songs were written while Chloa and I were performing together as an acoustic duo. When we met Gerome, we decided to go ahead and record the songs as a bass, drums and vocal trio. We recorded the album at Barrick Studios in Glasgow, Kentucky, a really small town. We recorded the bass, drums and vocals live and then went back and added some guitar, percussion and keyboard. I think people can expect some pumping grooves and a really great vocal performance by Chloa on that album. We are getting ready to start recording a new album that will be released sometime in 2008.
Chloa: I would say you could expect simple complexity. The album was easy to make, very under produced but very engaging at the same time.
Isaac-Joseph: What advice do you have for those other groups who are just entering into the music business?
AZ: Believe in yourself and stick with it. I have been in a lot of bands where something other than the music has torn the band apart, but if you really believe in your music then you got to push the little things aside and remain focused and determined.
Isaac-Joseph: How important is upholding a certain image for the members of the group?
AZ: I think everybody kind of has their own style. I think image plays a big part in at least getting peoples' initial attention, and then they will give you a listen.
Chloa: I think I'm still kind of confused on the whole image issue myself. I mean I have a hard time going out to shop and thinking that I need to purchase Indie rocker chic. I just say, "Screw it!" and buy and wear whatever makes me comfortable. I don't see why these female performers wear 6 inch heels on stage, you look pretty but you definitely ain't moving for the rest of the show.
Isaac-Joseph: This is what we call our Shout Out time. Give props to anyone and everyone that matters:
AZ: There a lot of people in Louisville that have helped us, the guys and girls at WTFX , Fender and Louisville Music News just a whole of people out there.
Chloa: Vanessa, C.R Ash, Pam, Shay, Courtney, Nicci, Ashlee, all my fam, King Perry, Kaos, Sue E. Seidal, John Frances,Head, Task, Mr. Dansey, Dank 1, 1205, Sam, Gretchen, Andria, Jenny Jenn, Christian, Vincent, Tweedster, Corkdogg, Miss Amber, Peeps, MOF and everyone in Elleville that lets me crash on the sofa:)
And last but not least Mama, JJ and Junior Cave!
Isaac-Joseph: Final Thoughts from Anton Mink:
AZ: Thanks for giving us this opportunity to be featured on your site.
Chloa: Thanks for having us;) I hope everyone gets a chance to listen and will be looking forward to the next album which will be coming out within the next 6 months! Toodles,
Thanks for your support.
