What is the most striking memory you have about writing and recording this album?
Austin Carlile: Besides hanging out with raccoons on the porch, having no running water or air conditioning for a while, constant cookouts and games of Nerf football, my best memory would be just watching how the album unfolded. We went in with an idea, nine songs, and no clue how Shayley, our newest addition, would sound with the rest of the band. We left with a distinct sound, 10 songs, and confidence in how everything we worked so hard for had turned out. How we heard the songs in our heads ended up becoming an album.
What do you hope people come away with after hearing it?
I hope they listen to the album once or twice, put it down, go on with their day and find themselves humming the singing melodies, or reciting the sing-alongs in their heads. I hope they can read the lyrics and say, “Hey, I’ve been through that before.” Or “Wow, I can really relate to this.” I personally just hope they feel something from it, however the lyrics strike them individually, because hey, what is music without emotion?
I understand you’re a believer… What challenges does having faith in Christ bring to a career in rock and roll?
I very much am so. The term “Christian” has been so overused and being in a “Christian band” has sickeningly become marketable. OM&M is not a Christian band in the least bit. We actually only have one song on the album that talks about it, and if you are a believer you will hear it and go, “Oh wow, he is talking about his walk with Jesus!” Others may just take it as another song with lyrics about unconditional love or wanting to help someone. I don’t want to stand on a soap box with my faith. Having a relationship with Jesus Christ isn’t a contest. It isn’t a “who can be a better Christian and accomplish more things.” And it sure as crap shouldn’t be used just to have a banner on your MySpace that says “Jesus Saves” to make you look like a “good person.” I want fans, friends and anyone to see by my actions, and my love I have inside of me showing through, just how amazing having a relationship with Jesus Christ can be, and I don’t think you need to be in a “Christian band” to do so.
What are your hopes for the band?
Honestly? Ha, to have fun doing this, always. Making music like ours isn’t going to support me for the next 60 years, or us having one hit single buy me and my family 4 new cars and houses. If I were in this for the money I’d kidnap Eric Rushing or Dave Shapiro and take their jobs, or take over the entire Artery Foundation, haha! I just want to be able to do this for as long as possible and make a living off of it while I can. It’s too fun. I’ve been on the road from July till January, it’s been four weeks of a break and I already miss being up on that stage. So, my hopes? Just that this will last, and I can continue to make a difference in kids’ lives by doing it.
What are your favorite songs to play live?
Literally all of them. I don’t want to talk between songs, I wish guitars didn’t need tuned (laughs), I want the set to just keep going and going. It’s amazing to me, nothing compares. Although I am awfully sick of playing our “Poker Face” cover. But even a song like that is fun for me. I just love playing music.
What’s the short version of how you got hooked up with this label and with the producer you used on this album?
Craig from Rise has always been supportive of me. When I left Attack Attack! he told me to get back in the game and that he would help me however he could. He even suggested bands for me to join that needed singers, but it just came down to me wanting to do something completely my own. I made a MySpace, put up one song, and texted him saying to check it out. He responded back “So, when are you signing with Rise?!” and the rest is history. Craig is the man, everyone at Rise is. I wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for the faith he and his “memorable” team has had in me all along.
Anything else you’d like to add?
To anyone that reads this that is a fan, thank you. I cannot say that enough. I went from being band-less, to recording an album, to being confirmed for the entire Vans Warped Tour, in under 10 months. That is insane to me, and it’s all because of the promoting, support, and love from all the fans, and friends, that have been with me from the start. Stick with OM&M, I promise we won’t let you down. Here’s to the future, and here is to fun.
If you had to choose between the most awesome riff or the most memorable melody (only one or the other) in a song, which would you choose? Why?
A memorable melody. To the dismay of the rest of the band I usually listen to softer music while driving the van. I’m pretty sure if it weren’t for my driving shifts, headphone companies would be out of business. My band uses them at least 4 hours a day due to me, haha! Besides, “memorable” sounds so much more epic than “awesome.” The Beatles are memorable, Creed is awesome.
If you had to choose between: the biggest audience action (moshing, dancing, jumping around) and leaving one of your shows with a message or cause; what would your choice be … and why?
A message or cause, easily. People will always “mosh” to heavy music. They will always dance to fun beats, and there will always be a cell phone or lighter in the air for an acoustic live song. These are all great, but I’d rather walk away from a show with that and having even just one kid say, “Thanks for listening to me,” Or “You’ve really helped me so much with your lyrics. They’ve got me through some tough times.” There is no greater feeling to me than knowing I’ve made such an impact on someone’s life.
What is a song on your new album that you (for some reason) enjoy more hearing on the album than hearing how it comes off live? Why do you think that is?
I actually like all of our songs LIVE more than on recordings. I don’t know why, but I feel my voice, and the guitars just sounds so much better live. I think this is a good thing. I used to hate going to shows and saying “holy cow they are terrible live.”
What are some artists that really inspire you? (think “as a person” or/and “as a musician”)
Brand New’s album Deja Entendu, The Early November’s album The Room’s Too Cold, Jimmy Eat World’s Bleed American, and Taking Back Sunday’s Tell All Your Friends were some albums that I listened to over and over again during one of the hardest parts of my life. This was actually when I first even got into music. Ha, by these names you can tell I haven’t been doing this for a long time. I’m a newbie. Actually up until age 15 or 16 I wasn’t allowed to listen to anything besides contemporary Christian or worship music. Both of which though I still love and listen to quite often.
Tell us a crazy/memorable story from a live show or something related to being in this band.
Our first two shows ever. Amazing. So many kids came out to see us, and so many kids were so supportive. I couldn’t believe when we played the only song on our myspace the amount of voices I heard singing along. I felt so blessed to have so many people out in the crowd that had been with me from the start, and continued to follow me into something crazy new. Thank you California, those two shows started more than you’ll ever know, and I’m thankful for you all.
Album: Self-titled
Label: Rise
Release Date: March 9, 2010
Members: Austin Carlile, vocals; Jaxin Hall, bass/vocals; Tino Arteaga, drums;
Phil Manansala, guitar; Shayley Bourget, guitar/vocals
myspace.com/ofmice
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