Flyleaf Featured on Arizone Daily Star [ « Back ] Big-selling Flyleaf 'ain't that rich'
By Gerald M. Gay
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 10.01.2009
Platinum status doesn't mean gigantic yachts, lavish mansions and wild parties for members of the Texas rock quintet Flyleaf.
Bassist Pat Seals, who helped create the band's platinum-selling, self-titled debut in 2005, spends his time off mowing the lawn, doing chores and working on relief printmaking art projects with his sister.
"It is all smoke and mirrors," the 25-year-old said with a chuckle. "What it sounds like to have gone platinum and what it really is, is very different. We ain't that rich."
Flyleaf will be joined by Rise Against, the Used, horror-punk pioneers the Misfits and other rockers at Saturday's KFMA Fall Ball.
Flyleaf comes packing new material from its upcoming album, "Memento Mori," which is Latin for "be mindful of death."
The sophomore effort was produced by Howard Benson, the man behind Flyleaf's first album, and it's set for release on Nov. 10.
Seals spoke with Caliente from his home in Temple, Texas.
You've done the festival thing before. But you've also headlined your own shows. Which do you prefer?
"If we could only do festivals, that is what we would like. The pay isn't that good sometimes. But I enjoy being with a lot of other bands, not playing last, and getting a chance to do our job, then mill around and watch whoever else is playing.
"Festivals are great for meeting other people doing the same thing you are doing. You usually play for a more diverse crowd. They are not just there to see you. They are there to see a ton of people. It is good exposure."
Did you go into your latest album with a direction in mind?
"When we sat down to create, we didn't have a concept. We just kind of got on the horse and started riding. When we came close to the end of it and asked ourselves what the songs meant, we saw a theme.
"A lot of the songs deal with death or being aware of one's life and how important that is. Make the most of the time you have. It is a very positive statement."
How does the band create music?
"An idea is usually brought to the table by one person, and the rest of us build on it. I will say it is very democratic. (Guitarist) Sameer (Bhattacharya) and (vocalist) Lacey (Mosley) do the bulk of the lyric writing. We all contribute to the music. Everyone does their thing.
"It is not one guy doing it all on his laptop."
Will we get to hear some of the new stuff at Fall Ball?
"Definitely. We have been playing our first single, 'Again,' and the song 'Beautiful Bride' at shows. Hopefully, we'll have a great deal more of the album ready for the Tucson show. We've been practicing.
"If I had to name some tracks to keep an eye out for on the new album, I'd say 'Treasure' and 'Swept Away.' They are definitely worth pushing the fast-forward button to hear."
How was it working with Howard Benson?
"It was good. We did our previous release with him. Working with him on this album was a little like clockwork. The first album was our first major-label recording. We were kind of scared, apprehensive and acting like kids. A lot of 'Yes, sir. No, sir.' A little bit of red-light fright.
"I think we knew what to expect on the second one and knew Howard and his team. It was a lot more free. Any of the drama usually came from us or things outside the recording process."
Your debut album sold more than a million copies. Is there pressure to repeat that feat?
"I think there is a bit. In my mind, if we released this album and it tanked or if Lacey's throat exploded one day and she couldn't sing, I'd still be happy the album was available for people to hear.
"That is all I really want, for people to hear this one. As far as doing better than the last, that is for time to tell and God to decide." by amoctone |
|
|
Feed
