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Interview Friday is back! Today I'm speaking with the band CROSSING YELLOW LINES. All questions were answered by singer/guitarist Andrew Wilburn unless otherwise noted.
- Hometown: Greensboro, NC
- Genres: Rock / Alternative
- Label: Filament Records, Filament Records™
- Members: Andrew Wilburn - Vocals/Guitar, Ken Shufelt - Bass, Tony Natalizio - Lead Guitar, Brian Gallimore - Drums
Can you give my readers a brief introduction to the band, for those who are unfamiliar with you. How did you form? - The band was originally formed by brothers Doc (lead guitar) and Andrew (vocals/rhythm) Wilburn. After a few recordings with studio musicians, we picked up a drummer (Chris Dennig) and a bassist(Ken Shufelt) and went by the name of Next Exit out of Wilmington, NC. In 2006, Chris left the band and after a brief replacement period, we found ourselves again, without a drummer. After graduating from UNCW, we relocated to Greensboro, and Doc moved to Florida. We picked up a new guitarist(Jeremy Brady), and new drummer (Brian Gallimore) and changed our name to Crossing Yellow Lines. After a few months, Jeremy had to leave the band, and so after many auditions, we found Tony Natalizio which forms the current line-up for Crossing Yellow Lines.
When did you first start writing music?
- When I (Andrew) was 13 in 1998.
How did you choose your genre?
- It's a combination of the music I listen to (early 90's, 80's power ballads, alt/rock, blues) while still being something that is radio friendly.
Who were your influences?
Too many to name, I really am influenced more by genres than specific artists.
Did you ever take any formal music lessons?
- I played percussion in the school band and was in drum corp, but no formal guitar or vocal training. Ken was in marching band. Brian and Tony had private lessons.
Did your environment while growing up have an impact on the kind of music you make today?
- Not Really, we were exposed to several different types of music, so it was more of our choice what we liked.
Which of your works would you say is your favorite, so far?
- The one that hasn't been written yet. I'm always excited about new songs and how they'll form or sound in the end. You should always make it a point to keep writing.
How did you come up with the name of the new album?
- We haven't, any suggestions?
How do you feel about the impact of the internet on the music business?
- The internet has brought with it more bands and easier access to music. In my opinion, this has caused several people to pass over really good music and ignore emerging bands like they would telemarketers.
Do you think major record labels are necessary any more?
- I still believe in the major label, but apparently they don't believe in themselves. A&R people existed for a reason, to find and develop talent. Not that politics didn't play a part in the past, but today it's more about who you know than how good you are. They can put anyone on a CD w/ some stock songs and auto-tune and sell 500,000 albums with the right marketing, but it wears off quick and artist careers are not lasting like they used to. The labels expect the good bands to basically do the label's job: create a fan base, start touring, sell X amount of CDs, and then they want to talk to you. But at that point, you don't need the label, so they aren't really helping anyone.
How do you normally write your songs?
- No specific way. Sometimes lyrics or a line will come first, and sometimes a melody or sound will. After that I just mold it and fill in the rest.
In your opinion, what does a good song need to consist of?
- Quality lyrics, memorable chorus, and a tasteful solo/music break. But also, a song has to really relate or make someone feel something. Sometimes this will happen because of where someone is in their life, but it also work when a song is well placed in a movie or TV show. I know that was not the original intent when written, but it can make a huge difference.
What song is most exciting to play live? Original and/or cover, please!
- Original would have to be Breaking Down. It has a lot of energy and we always mold well together on that one. As far as cover, I would have to say 500 Miles by The Proclaimers. That song never gets old and it's always fun when the crowd yells back at you.
What cities have been your favorite to play?
- So far, all the cities around Lake Norman in NC. People there are really accepting of live original music.
What do you think the best part of touring is?
- It's almost like several mini road trips, except we get to perform our music and meet a lot of new people. It's a great experience.
What cities have had the best reception for your music outside of your home state?- Syracuse and several cities in Ohio.
Describe your worst night on tour, ever.
- Hey, how about those local sports teams.
Where do you see the band in 5 years? 10 years?
- In 5 years I see us having at least 2 albums releases, and touring the Southeast, if not the whole country. A Japanese tour would be pretty sweet too.
Any words of wisdom for those with hopes of breaking into music?
- Believe in the music you write and perform, because if you don't, why would anyone else? Oh, and ALWAYS use speakon connectors whenever possible!
What was the strangest thing to have happen while performing on stage?
- Hmm... We've been flashed, saw a girl get her pants pulled off on the dance floor by her friend, my pedal randomly shorted out, and a drunk guy decided he wanted to sing about 10 minutes worth of Break Down by Tom Petty.
What's the best part of touring to you?- Andrew: Seeing new places, meeting new people, and the food.
- Ken: Getting to do something that I enjoy doing.
- Brian: Laughing at drunk people
- Tony: Just playing.
What is your biggest guilty pleasure?
- Andrew: Anime/Video Games
- Ken: The NBC series "Chuck"
- Brian: Old crappy horror movies
- Tony: Ice Cream
If you could have a conversation with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
- Andrew: Mitch Hedberg
- Ken: Brendon Small
- Brian: Jesus Christ
- Tony: Seth MacFarland
What has surprised you most in your career so far?
- A microphone can shock you. Stay grounded.
Any hobbies outside of music? Sports, etc?
- Andrew: Golf, Bowling, Video Games
- Ken: Going to the gym.
- Brian: Ebay
- Tony: Working out
What do you watch on tv?
- Andrew: The Office, Community, Adult Swim
- Ken: Adult Swim, sitcoms
- Brian: I don't watch TV
- Tony: Adult Swim
What movies do you like?
- Andrew: Lost in Translation
- Ken: The Big Labowski
- Brian: Pulp Fiction
- Tony: Snatch
Read any good books lately?
- Andrew: Every Douglas Adams novel.
- Ken: The Game by Niel Strauss
- Brian: Not good ones.
Tony: No.
Where do you live?
- North Carolina
What is your favorite word? Your least favorite word?
- Andrew: Love - pistachio, Hate - bloated
- Ken: Love - tiramisu, Hate - work
- Brian: Love - yes, Hate - phlegm
- Tony: Love - gain, Hate - like
Where do we find you?
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