Vital Light, vital music
Mike Persley
Issue date: 5/18/09 Section: Frontline
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Mike Persley: How did the band get started?
Adam Novak: Ryan and Mike and I met in 'Iowas' and then we met Cody here in Chicago. The project itself was mainly formed here in Chicago. It was started by Ryan and then we met Cody last April and Mike jumped in at the end of last August. We had played in other bands together, you know, high school bands. The band has been around since January 2007.
MP: How would you describe the evolution of your music since the lineup has changed?
Mike Tracy: The music takes on a lot of different styles. My goal as a rock musician is to move someone in some way to get them to do a stupid dance to a song, or to think about something or freak out and push someone just to get a reaction out of someone.
AN: It's literally changed a lot because our first record, I would say, was a little more ambient. It has a lot more electronic emphasis on it. It still kind of has that but it's definitely a little more alternative rock now. It's more driving.
MT: If you listen to the first record; me and Cody aren't on the first record. If you add a drummer and a guitar player, clearly, something different is going to happen.
MP: So how is the recording coming along?
MP: We actually just got done recording. We're about half way done with the mixing and after that comes mastery and then releasing. The first single, "Against the Wall," is already available at our website. www.vitallight.net
MP: How was the recording process for this album? How was it different from the 'Turn On' recording?
MT: Well at the very least we're a well rehearsed band. It think primarily we're a live band and you know, we rehearse our live shows, so going into the studio is just a matter of going and laying down track after track. This is my first time going into a studio, but it seemed very smooth because everyone here is comfortable with what they were doing. It was an arduous process, it really was, but it was enjoyable because we all know the roles we play.
AN: It definitely had a lot better vibe then when we recorded our first record, because everyone already knew their parts very well because we played the songs so many times.
MP: What was the songwriting process like? How did you come up with everything?
MT: It's often riff oriented. I think with the new songs we've been writing; it was like either me or Ryan will come up with a riff, bring it in and show everyone. We have an idea of what a song is going to be going into rehearsal. This idea is to you know, bring in something, and then jam it into a song.
MP: Of the new material, do you have any favorites?
AN: 'The Agrocrag,' definitely. I think it kind of shows the most of where this band is going. The song just shows a lot of uniqueness within each member of the band.
Cody Witt: My favorite is 'Universal Evil' because, for one thing, it is the first song that this band created in this incarnation. It has this real driving force and musically it is really upbeat but lyrically it's really much darker. So I think it's that contrast that I find intriguing.
MP: So you're going on tour soon?
MT: We are, June 27th through July 28th. There are some mid-west dates and then it's on to the south. We're playing two dates in Iowa, Kansas City, Texas, Arkansas, Alabama and on.
MP: And this is your first major tour?
MT: Well, we traveled to Iowa to play a lot. Then in January we played a few dates in Los Angeles but this is the first 'real' tour.
MP: What has been your favorite place to play so far?
MT: I don't know, it's hard, because for me, there is something so perfect about going out to Los Angeles to play rock music, so it's tempting to say that, but at the same time it's really fun to go home and have people really love what you are doing.
Ryan Loftsgaarden: My favorite show was at The Hub in Cedar Falls, Iowa (Home to University of Northern Iowa). I think we have the best, most loyal fans there.
MP: Do you feel like Chicago has been an easy place to break out of?
MT: No. It's tough. It's harder to be big in Chicago because there's so much music around you.
AN: Also, we haven't experienced a lot of promotion or radio play, so it's kind of been on our shoulders to get the word out.
MP: Of all the venues you've played in the city, which is your favorite?
MT: I don't know. We play Reggie's rock club all the time, but I'm not sure it's my favorite.
AN: Probably the coolest place to play is the Bottom Lounge, but it's so well hidden that it can be pretty hard to get people out there. It's such a cool place though. I think they should just move it closer to Ashland.
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