Sniper Rifle Music

Time Wasters and Last Year are the new singles from the band “These Words.” Haven’t heard of them? Well maybe “The Cafe Kids” is familiar. Either way, these English rockers have been making music and tantalizing ears with their melodies and relatable lyrics since 2007.  The name change is a recent thing and Niall Everitt (vocals) explains that it “was long overdue. The change from The Cafe Kids to These Words isn’t revolutionary. It’s a revision. We’re growing up and learning. We’re slowly finding our niche – our rung on the ladder.” Other members include  David Holmes (drums),  Sam Bendall (bass) and Rich Beech (guitar).

Along with the name change they have recently left their label and have stated that a music video will be released once a month. Beech explained in 247, that “Right now everybody is talking about how great the internet is, how it empowers the musician. Bands have completely overlooked the fact that it empowers the music fan as well. When I go on the internet, I want to hear a song I haven’t heard before, or discover a new band. There’s so much out there, why would fans choose to listen to the same album every day? Well we can’t release a song every day, but we’re pretty sure we can release one every month, so that’s what we’re going to do, and they’re all going to be better than the last!”

And with that, on to the music!

Last Year starts slow and what may have you thinking of a ‘Debbie Downer’ song, but it quickly changes into up-beat and reflective. A song about how things can change during a year; going from a recent breakup, to hanging out with friends and the start of a new relationship. The catchy, fast-paced melodies will have you getting ready for a night full of possibilities.

Time Wasters is a take it or leave it type of song. I can spot a time waster a half a year a way/so if you’re not in here to buy something/ then I can’t let you stay; are lyrics that everyone can relate too and yell out loud. All four come together musically, each playing off each other and just making quality songs that speak to a wide audience.

These guys are talented and I’m thankful for Twitter, otherwise I might not have heard about them for another four more years. Looking forward to the next song guys! Keep it up and everyone else, tune in and follow them on Twitter, Youtube or just check into their Website. Purchase their singles on itunes and enjoy the music videos!

Social networking strikes again! I love it when I find new solo artists or bands. A while ago a twitter post led me to Greg Hansen. His single “Better Man” is fantastic; seriously the guitar work is great. A song that is at home streaming through your speakers relaxing with friends or with that special someone. His other single, “New York City Girl,” is a catchier tune about a unknown girl that a man is searching for.

Greg was busy recording his album, but he had some time to answer questions via e-mail. Check out his twitter , Purevolume or Youtube channel for updates, that album should be making an appearance soon *fingers crossed*.

When did start making music?
I started playing music when I was 17. A friend of mine took me to a concert in Brooklyn when I was a senior in high school. After that I had a new sense of sound and music. From then on I developed a healthy addiction to the guitar and music.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
If I could travel anywhere in the world, I would not be able to pick one place. The world is so big and beautiful, I need to see it all.

How is recording your first album going?
Recording my new album has been an amazing and exciting learning experience. Because not only am I responsible for the music and lyrics, but the production as well. It has been an absolute blast!

Are you loyal to any brand?
I am not loyal to any instrument brand. I have owned or played every major brand guitar there is and, from what I have experienced, it all comes down to the luck of the draw. For instance, I like the $200 guitar that my friend gave me more than the $2000 guitar that I saved and saved for. For musicians I would say, find an instrument that is comfortable and that you love to play. Sound, especially these days, is easily manipulated.

What is the best concert or live show that you have ever been to?
I have been to so many concerts, I couldn’t say which one was the best. Any Phish or Pat Metheny concert. Though I did skip my 8th grade dance to go see KISS. That was a good one.

Do you have any strange quirks?
My strange quirk is giving obscure answers to honest questions and eating cereal out of plastic cups.

Why music?
Playing and writing music makes me happier than anything else I can think of. If I wasn’t musician, I would be doing something that made me equally happy. But since I’m always so busy playing music, I never had a chance to figure out what that was.

You can also purchase his single “Better Man” on itunes.

They won the Boston Music Festival in 2008, and since then life hasn’t been the same for this group of four. A polished sound, their songs are alternative rock/pop and definite BBQ, chilling in the backyard with friends, type of music. Two albums down, the world is wide open for these talented guys.

How did each of you start making music?

We each were introduced to music at a young age, and always enjoyed it. Many of us took up piano or some other instrument when we were young before we started playing our current instruments.

How did you all meet?

Mike and Terence met in middle school and picked up their instruments to play in a talent show. Mike found Adam when he saw Adam singing in his high school’s play. Searching to complete the group, Ben was recommended by a local music teacher.

How did you decide on the name One Step Away?

It was recommend to us by a friend in high school, and it stuck. The name to us stands for the fact that we’re always looking forward to another goal, the next step in our careers. We’re very determined and passionate guys and I think our name represents that well.

What/who influences your music?

Boys Like Girls, We The Kings, All Time Low, Fall Out Boy

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

California. We’ve been there before, and we really loved the music scene out there. The fans we met all were really passionate about music and we had an awesome time playing shows there.

Are you guys loyal to any brand concerning your instruments?

Individually, Terence is very loyal to PRS, Mike is to Ernie Ball basses, and Ben is to Yamaha drums. We are loyal mostly because of the durability and quality of the instruments. We can count on them not to have any problems over the course of a show.

If you all could trade places with anyone in the world who would it be and why?

Maybe Russell Brand, just because he’s married to Katy Perry.

Biggest challenge as a band?

Making a name for ourselves has been a challenge for us, but it’s something that helped us grow and learn to work through it. To start off as a band, especially at a young age, you really have to prove yourselves and show people that you have talent.

Who writes the songs?

We all take part in the writing process. It usually starts out with a guitar riff or some lyrics. From there, we all come together and add in our own ideas and inputs to help shape the song.

Why music?

Music is something we all really enjoy. Both playing and listening to it. It’s a universal language and music can connect and reach out to people in incredible ways.

If you all weren’t in music what would you be doing?

We’re all hugely driven and passionate guys, so we’d be successful in anything we’d be doing. If not for music, we’d probably be working and focused on that.

9 things you as a band, or individually, could not do without while touring, besides the usual like your instruments?

Water, iPods, earplugs, lots of clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, our pillows from home, Axe, and of course our GPS

What has been the best experience for each of you thus far, whether it was recording or performing at a specific venue, fan encounter, etc.?

It would have to be a tie between recording our first album, and getting to tour out to California. Both were new experiences for us that we hugely enjoyed, but also learned a lot from as musicians.

Make sure to check us out online! We love to talk with fans!

Facebook, Twitter, Youtube , Purevolume, Band Page – Also purchase their available music on itunes.

Unsigned artists are everywhere; whether it’s the diehard street performer/studio guru to the hobby of a Wall Street Shark. Music is forever a universal language that everyone enjoys. I’m scouring the internet looking for artist that few have heard of, hoping to bring more people to their music and let it be heard. Recently I was able to speak with Chris Torres, currently residing in Florida and putting out some great tracks. What started as a hobby turned into a passion and the responses to his music on purevolume, reverbnation and facebook are all positive. If you like acoustic folk with a little bit of pop thrown in, Chris Torres is someone to look up. Check out the interview!

Have you played any shows or are you just writing and recording?
Right now we have been mainly focusing on recording; we’re going to start playing shows though. We are based in Orlando and we have a show coming up, our first show on the 11th (of March, so that is this Friday folks) out in the central Florida area (Mount Dora High School) so that’s pretty exciting. [We] have just been practicing and getting ready for that

Are you going to be playing all your own songs or some covers as well?
Well, it’s all our own songs that are online right now. [We] are trying to work on some covers and I’m taking suggestions. Gotta fill in some space there I have only 6 songs so, I’m thinking of doing a folk cover of Forget you by Cee Lo Green’s.

That would be interesting!
Still have to work on the harmonic parts, haha.

Who are your Influences?
I grew up listening to a lot of Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, you know bands like that, so that’s where I get a lot of influence.

What is your favorite Bob Dylan song?
Tambourine Man I think is probably my favorite one, just a great catchy chorus and anything he plays he plays with the harmonica is great though too. He just played on the Grammy’s with a few other artists (Mumford and Sons & The Avett Brothers) and I was blown away, he killed it on harmonica.

Are you loyal to any brands with your guitar(s)?
Not really loyal to any brands, I buy whatever I like. Whatever sounds great, I play a Taylor 514 but my other guitar is a Martin and I thought I would never like the sound of a it. I can’t really keep my mind closed to musical instruments, because you never know; you might find something that just blows you away.

If you could travel anywhere in the world where would it be?
You know, funny enough I’m going to Paris and I wish I could bring my guitar to say I have played in Paris, but that would be the number 1 place I would want to go. I know I’m going to have a huge culture shock when I get there but it should be fun. Another place, if I ever get to go back, would be Spain. To see Barcelona, or run with the bulls or something crazy like that. Maybe go see a Matador fight, that country is just amazing.

Biggest challenge?
Getting the music out there, I’m not the savviest with social networking; I’m learning as I go and playing shows now will help. It can make my day sometimes when I see some of the messages, I’m blown away! You know I love my music but to hear that others love it and helps them through the day, that puts a smile on my face

What’s your favorite song on American Minds (first album of 6 songs)?
Carolina in the Eastern Coast. Just the finger picking arrangements I really think it is probably the most intricate I have ever written. And that song is just about a time I went on a road trip and you know making the whole song about something so small helped me realize it really is the small things in life that make up the special moments

He also gave a shout out to his backing guitarist Jordan Hymel, Happy 25th Birthday!! Chris plays with a back-up guitarist (Hymel) and drummer Jimmy McPaul. Please go to Chris Torres’ Facebook, ReverbNation or Purevolume pages to listen to his album American Minds and even download all six songs now. So what are you doing still reading this?!