Walk Off The Earth (Photo: Erin O'Connell)

Exclusive Interview: Walk Off The Earth
February 4, 2012
by Chuck Norton

Chances are, you’ve seen the video.

If not, you must be living under a rock. Because as I am typing this, the video has been viewed 46,660,336 times on YouTube.

Yes, I’m talking about Walk Off The Earth’s cover of Goyte’s “Somebody That I Used To Know”.

The success of the video on YouTube – due in part to the gimmick that all five band-members performed the song on one guitar – has catapulted this little-known, unsigned Canadian band to the International mainstream in a few, short months.

Their video was the most-watched video on YouTube in January 2012. Not just in Canada or the US, but globally.

The band’s success wasn’t limited to video as their cover of “Somebody That I Used To Know” debuted at number 14 on the Billboard charts in January 2012, the highest charting debut in almost a year. And most recently, the band performed the song on ‘Ellen’, one of the largest syndicated television shows in North America.

Formed in 2006, the band from Burlington, Ontario, is comprised of Gianni Luminati, Ryan Marshall, Sarah Blackwood, Mike Taylor and Joel Cassady. But for all that has been seen and heard of Walk Off The Earth, not much is widely know about the band outside of Cananda.

Originally the band made a name for themselves by covering songs by The Gregory Brothers. They’ve released two albums (their debut was released in 2008) and most recently covered other chart-topping pop songs, including Adele’s “Someone Like You”. But it was “Somebody That I Used To Know” that propelled them into one of the most talked about bands of 2012.

I had a chance to catch up with Blackwood, who is also a member of the garage/horror-punk band The Creepshow – and performs with Luminati as the duo Gianni and Sarah – earlier this week for an insightful and engaging interview.

For more information on the band, visit their Web site or follow them on Twitter.

DeadJournalist.com brings you this exclusive interview with Sarah Blackwood of Walk Off The Earth.

Walk Off The Earth

With millions of people aware of the band through your YouTube videos and network performances, how overwhelming of a thought is it to know that you have reach so many people worldwide?

SB: We are all very excited and happy. It has been a goal of ours to make a video that went viral. Working so hard for the past three years to really put a lot of efforts in to the videos and songs. It feels great!

What has been the highlight of this whirlwind of popularity?

SB: The fact that we got to this point doing what we love. Not many people get to say that.

What led you to chose the Goyte song for your video? Where video did the idea come from?

SB: Gianni heard the song on the radio on day and said to me “Sar, this song is amazing! It has rejuvenated my faith in music on the radio!” And from that moment we started working on ideas for a video to cover it. Gianni found three peeps on one guitar on youtube, so we upped it to five. The rest is history.

Do you, as a band, have any concern that your career may be prematurely defined by your cover songs and not for your original music?

SB: No. Because we have such an immense amount of back log when it comes to the band and all of us as musicians. People see that when they research us after the video and that is why we are still in the press. It has been a month since the video went viral, and people are very, very, very interested in what we are up to. That means a lot.

At the time this is written, the band is still unsigned. I would imagine the interaction with labels has now gone from chasing to being chased. How has this situation impacted what you are looking for in a label – and conversely – what labels are now asking of you?

SB: We just want to make sure no matter who we bring in to our family they are there for our best interest. They will be behind our decisions and work as a part of our team. We have no interest in signing away our rights and our creative freedom. It turns out we have a lot of upper hand in this right now and that feels goooood!

I’m sure a lot of people are curious as to what Walk Off The Earth sounds like when not covering a song. How would you describe the band’s sound?

SB: I really don’t know. That’s a good question …

With three vocalists with distinctive sounds, how do you blend those vocals on your songs? Do each of the vocalist tend to have a dominate role per song or do you try to blend them on each track?

SB: We are all very professional. We all know that it’s not about ego and it’s not about being in the spotlight for any one of us individually. We coordinate the songs directly based on how it sounds. So who veers voice sound the best in that one part, that’s where it goes. It’s actually a very easy process.

When performing live, do you try to maintain consistency from show-to-show or does the mood of the band and the energy of the crowd effect an individual show?

SB: Live shows are very, very important to us. We always want to have the best every. It is key that we all stay positive and try and get the crowd involved as best as we can. Being on stage is like jumping around in a candy field for us. It’s what we love to do.

Who inspires you most as artists? Do you look for external sources for motivation/inspiration, or do you try to extract it all from personal experience?

SB: All of the above. Creativeness and ideas come from life experience. That includes other artists being an inspiration, other people’s music. Ideas we have, thoughts, moments and experiences. We live through music …so everything we do, we put in to the music.

As a band, you’ve obviously learned how to manipulate social media to your advantage. Other than your videos success, what other benefits or detriments from the intimacy your fans have to the band because of Twitter, Facebook, etc.?

Sarah Blackwood

SB: We love social media. I don’t care what anyone says. In our day in age it is so hard to get through all the bands and music and artists. With Social Media we have bridged that gap from 2000-2012 where music changed completely. The industry has become this merging river to oceans of labels, companies and artists.

The power of social media is great. It allows artists to rely on their own hark work instead of the half assed work of someone else. It gives us the chance to get our music out there with out having to trust some asshole who doesn’t know what he’s doing sitting at the top of the music industry.

We will forever be all about social media because it helped us get to where we are at today.

Is there an artist that you’ve encountered recently that you’ve been recommending to your friends?

SB: Bon Iver. They are amazing.

What were you listening to in 2002?

SB: Um, probably something sad.

Which do you prefer: MP3, CD, Tape or Vinyl?

SB: Vinyl

Web site(s) you read regularly?

SB: I don’t read websites … I watch them. Youtube, Facebook, hotmail.

One Drink. One Movie. One Album.

SB: Fizzy water. ‘Natural Born Killers’. One Man Army – Last Words Spoken

Terry Malts

Terry Malts, the trio of Corey Cunningham, Phil Benson and Nathan Sweatt, have released the track “Nauseous” from their album, Killing Time, which is out on February 21, 2012. Listen to “Nauseous” in this post. It is infectious.

Tracklisting and tour dates below.

Tracklisting
1. Something About You
2. Not Far From It
3. Where Is The Weekend?
4. Tumble Down
5. No Sir, I’m Not A Christian
6. Waiting Room
7. I’m Neurotic
8. Nauseous
9. Mall Dreams
10. No Good For You
11. I Do
12. What Was It
13. Can’t Tell No One
14. No Big Deal

Tour Dates
02/17 San Francisco, CA Hemlock Tavern * RECORD RELEASE #
02/23 Chico, CA Duffy’s Tavern
02/24 San Diego, CA Tower Bar *%
02/25 Fullerton, CA Burger Records *%
02/26 Los Angeles, CA The Echo PART TIME PUNKS *%
03/09 San Francisco, CA Rickshaw Stop &

Quintron and Miss Pussycat

Quintron and Miss Pussycat have announced dates for a Spring 2012 North American tour. The duo’s album, Sucre Du Sauvage, is out now. Watch the video for “Face Down in the Gutter” in this post.

Tour Dates
02-07 St. Augustine, FL – Nobby’s Tavern
02-08 Miami, FL- The Stage &
02-10 Miami, FL – Bruise Cruise #
4-20 Atlanta, GA – The Earl *
4-21 Athens, GA – Farm 255
4-23 Savannah, GA – The Jinx
4-24 Columbia, SC – 5 Points Pub [Indie Grits Festival]
4-25 Raleigh, NC – Kings Barcade
4-26 Washington, DC – Red Palace
4-27 Baltimore, MD – Golden West
4-28 Brooklyn, NY – 285 Kent
4-29 New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
4-30 Philadelphia, PA – Kung Fu Necktie
5-2 Allston, Ma – Great Scott
5-4 Portland, ME – Geno’s Rock Club
5-5 Bennington, VT – Bennington College [Sunfest]
5-6 Montreal, QC – Il Motore
5-8 Toronto, ON- Silver Dollar
5-10 Detroit, MI – Lager House
5-11 Cleveland, OH – Now That’s Class [Horrible Fest]
5-12 Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle
5-13 Milwaukee, WI – Cactus Club
5-15 Des Moines, IA – Vaudeville Mews
5-16 Omaha, NE – The Waiting Room
5-18 St. Louis, MO – Firebird
* w. King Louie’s Persuaders, COPS
& w/ Blowfly, The Togas, Mikal Cronin, Deaf Poets
# w/ Fucked Up,Oh Sees, King Khan & the Shrines, Soft Pack, Neil Hamburger & more

First Person Shootr

On February 28, 2012, First Person Shootr – the project of Fred Warmsley – will release his debut EP, Mobility For Gods. From the EP, listen to “You New Web in this post.

First Person Shootr – “You New Web”

Tracklisting
1. Punch Struck
2. See Inn
3. You New Web
4. U’re Better Off
5. Pain For Your Win

Lid Emba - Terminal Muse: Blue

From Lid Emba’s album, Terminal Muse: Blue, is “Iscariote”. Listen to it in this post and re-evaluate your life.

Qualms

Qualms is the recently-formed duo of Justin Mantell and Darin Thompson. Based in south Boston, their debut EP, Big Broken, features “Polarized” which can be heard in this post. Recommended if you enjoyed the Pulsars. Tracklisting below.

Qualms – “Polarized”

Tracklisting
1. Polarized
2. Denial Isle
3. Ghost Bones [feat. Orca Orca]
4. Ice Pill
5. Runaway

Active Child - Johnny Belinda (White Arrows Remix)

Active Child has been remixed by LA’s White Arrows. Check out “Johnny Belinda” (White Arrows Remix) in this post.

Active Child will be on tour with Balam Acab this Spring. Tour dates below.

Tour Dates
Apr 27 – Pomona, CA @ The Glass House *
Apr 28 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Crescent Ballroom *
Apr 29 – Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress *
Apr 30 – Santa Fe, NM @ Sol at Santa Fe Brewing Company *
May 02 – Norman, OK @ Opolis *
May 03 – Dallas, TX @ Sons of Hermann Hall *
May 04 – Austin, TX @ The Mohawk *
May 05 – Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald’s *
May 07 – Atlanta, GA @ The Earl *
May 08 – Carrboro, NC @ Cats Cradle *
May 09 – Washington, D.C. @ Black Cat *
May 10 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom *
May 11 – New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge *
May 12 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall *
May 14 – Montreal, QC @ Il Motore *
May 15 – Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace *
May 16 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall *
May 17 – St. Louis, MO @ Firebird *
May 18 – Lawrence, KS @ The Jackpot Saloon *
May 19 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater *
May 20 – Fort Collins, CO @ Aggie Theatre *
May 22 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge *
* With Balam Acab

Calaca Strides - Quiet Haunt

Calaca Strides, based out of northwest sections of the UK, has a self-released EP entitled Quiet Haunt available now. The lead track, “Graves”, is available for download in this post. I recommend giving it a listen.

Calaca Strides – “Graves”

You can stream or purchase the EP via BandCamp below.

Lissy Trullie

Lissy Trullie has release another song from her forthcoming, self-titled album. The track, “It’s Only You, Isn’t It” can be streamed in this post.

For more information her and her album, click here.

The Forty Nineteens

The Forty Nineteens will release their debut album, No Expiration Date, on April 17, 2012. From the album, listen to “Turn It Around” in this post.

The Forty Nineteens – “Turn It Around”

The band’s album was produced by David Newton of The Mighty Lemon Drops.

Real Estate

Real Estate has announced Spring 2012 tour dates in both Australia, New Zealand and North America. Complete dates below.

Tour Dates
Fri-Mar-09 Sydney, AUS The Standard
Sat-Mar-10 Meredith, AUS Golden Plains Festival
Mon-Mar-12 Melbourne, AUS Corner Hotel
Tue-Mar-13 Brisbane, AUS The Zoo
Thu-Mar-15 Auckland, NZ Kings Arms
Fri-Mar-16 Wellington, NZ San Francisco Bath House
Sat-Mar-17 Dunedin, NZ Refuel
Tue-Apr-03 Philadelphia, PA First Unitarian Church
Wed-Apr-04 Baltimore, MD Ottobar
Thu-Apr-05 Richmond, VA Strange Matter
Fri-Apr-06 Raleigh, NC Hopscotch Presents at Lincoln Theatre
Sat-Apr-07 Athens, GA 40 Watt Club
Sun-Apr-08 Oxford, MS Cats Purring Dude Ranch
Mon-Apr-09 Little Rock, AR Rev Room
Tue-Apr-10 Dallas, TX Club Dada
Wed-Apr-11 Austin, TX The Mohawk
Sun-Apr-15 Indio, CA Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Thu-Apr-19 Mexico City, MX Caradura
Fri-Apr-20 Seattle, WA The Neptune
Sun-Apr-22 Indio, CA Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Mon-Apr-23 Santa Cruz, CA Catalyst Atrium
Tue-Apr-24 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
Wed-Apr-25 Reno, NV Holland Project
Thu-Apr-26 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge
Fri-Apr-27 Englewood, CO Gothic Theatre
Sat-Apr-28 Lawrence, KS Bottleneck
Sun-Apr-29 St. Louis, MO Plush
Mon-Apr-30 Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall
Tue-May-01 Harrisburg, PA Appalachian Brewing Co.

coco morier

Coco Morier – formerly half of Electrocute – has an EP out now that features the track “Ambulance” which can be streamed, along with the rest of her album, in this post.

Morier has cut her teeth as a songwriter and has work with artists ranging from Miike Snow to Britney Spears.

Lia Ices

Lia Ices released the official video to her song “Little Marriage” today. Watch the video in this post.

Lia Ices Official “Little Marriage” Video from Secretly Jag on Vimeo.

The song is from her album, Grown Unknown.

A Place To Bury Strangers - Onwards To The Wall

A Place To Bury Strangers have released a stream of their new EP, Onwards To The Wall, a week ahead of its street-date via Hype Machine. The band also announced Spring 2012 tour dates.

Tour Dates
03/08/12 – Toledo, OH – Frankies w/ Big Black Delta
03/11/12 – Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge
03/12/12 – San Francisco, CA – Independent*
03/13/12 – San Francisco, CA – Independent*
03/14/12 – Los Angeles, CA – The Music Box*
03/17/12 – Denver, CO – Bluebird Theatre*
03/19/12 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line Music Cafe*^
03/20/12 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre*^
03/21/12 – Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle w/ Apteka
03/22/12 – Bloomington, IN – The Bluebird*^
03/23/12 – Cincinnati, OH – 20th Century Theatre*^
03/24/12 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade*^
03/25/12 – Asheville, NC – Orange Peel*^
03/26/12 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club*^
03/28/12 – New York, NY – Terminal 5*^
03/29/12 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer*^
03/30/12 – Boston, MA – Paradise*^
03/31/12 – Montreal, QC – Cabaret Mile-End*^
04/02/12 – Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace*^
* = w/The Joy Formidable
^ = w/Exit Music

Teen Daze

Teen Daze has announced the release of his debut, full-length album, All of Us, Together, out May 22, 2012. He has also announce Spring 2012 tour dates. Listen to “Brooklyn Sunburn” in this post. The album is one of my most-eagerly awaited albums of the year.

Album tracklisting and tour dates below. Read my interview with him from July 2011 here.

Tracklisting
1. Treten
2. Late
3. Cold Sand
4. For Body and Kenzie
5. The New Balearic
6. Brooklyn Sunburn
7. Erbstück
8. The Future
9. Hold

Tour Dates
02.02.12 – Vancouver, BC – The Waldorf (w/ Doldrums and Myths)
03.09.12 – Bellingham, WA – The Wild Buffalo (w/ Beat Connection)
04.02.12 – Hamburg, Germany – Kulturhaus III&70 (w/ Brothertiger)
04.04.12 – Oslo, Norway – Internasjonalen (w/ Brothertiger)
04.06.12 – Stockholm, Sweden – Debaser Slussen (w/ Brothertiger)
04.07.12 – Malmo, Sweden – Debaser (w/ Brothertiger)
04.09.12 – London, England – The Lexington (w/ Brothertiger)
04.10.12 – Manchester, England – Kraak Gallery (w/ Brothertiger)
04.11.12 – Newcastle, England – Cluny 2 (w/ Brothertiger)
04.12.12 – Antwerp, Belgium – Den Eglantier (w/ Brothertiger)
04.13.12 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Nieuwe Anita (w/ Brothertiger)
04.16.12 – Madrid, Spain – TBA (Iwantanimal Festival) (w/ Brothertiger)
04.17.12 – Barcelona, Spain – TBA (Iwantanimal Festival) (w/ Brothertiger)
04.19.12 – Rome, Italy – Circolo Degli Illuminati (w/ Brothertiger)
04.20.12 – Genoa, Italy – Milk Club (w/ Brothertiger)
04.21.12 – Padova, Italy – Studio 2 (w/ Brothertiger)
04.22.12 – Luzern, Switzerland – Treibhaus (w/ Brothertiger)
04.23.12 – Ljubljana, Slovakia – Orto Bar (w/ Brothertiger)
04.24.12 – Bratislava, Slovakia – Nu Spirit Club (w/ Brothertiger)
04.27.12 – Berlin, Germany – Naherholung Sternchen (w/ Brothertiger)