DeadJournalist.com Exclusive Interviews
Castle Project
EXCLUSIVE Interview: Castle Project
Chuck Norton, DeadJournalist.com
12.12.06
One of the joys of XM is being able to listen to XMU and The Verge, channels with playlists not unlike that of everyone's favorite internet radio station, Seattle's KEXP.
One of the first bands that caught my attention on XM was Castle Project, a Vancouver-based band. This video of a live performance of "Apologies" on XM does the band more justice than a thousand words could.
The band's debut album, Diaries of a Broken Heart, was released in April 2005. The band is working on a new album, which will be released in 2007.
For more information on Castle Project, visit their MySpace.com page: www.myspace.com/castleproject or their page on their label's Web site: whitewhale.ca/label/artist/castleproject.
DeadJournalist.com brings you this exclusive interview with Ryan Ostiguy of Castle Project.
How did Castle Project come about?
RO: Castle Project was originally a home recording project of mine of and has since turned into a full band including, Matt Hurst, Troy Sitter and Steven Fairweather that has been playing for about two years together.
For people unfamiliar with your work, how would you describe the band's sound?
RO: The bands sound is very string/synth based ... like a movie score with vocals and drums.
How long did it take for you to record your debut album?
RO: The first record, Diaries of a Broken Heart, took about eight months to record as we took our time and went from one friends house to anothers to do the tracking. Just a very relaxed time.
What was the motivation behind the songs on this album?
RO: The end of my marriage. I was going through a serious break-up at the time and needed something to keep my mind off of the crap so I contacted a good friend of mine, producer/engineer Howard Redekopp. The songs are all based on situations and feelings I was having at the time.
Will you be touring in support of the album?
RO: We have already done a couple of cross-Canada tours and plan on doing a full American/Canadian tour in Summer 2007 as we will most likely have a new record out by that time also.
What is your favorite part of performing live?
RO: I think my favorite part of playing live is just being up on stage with good friends and great musicians ... I also like to go into my own little world and enjoy the music .
What artists influenced the band musically?
RO: Bands like New Order, the Beatles, Dinasour Jr., Sebadoh (Lou Barlow) and Hans Zimmer.
What are your plans for the 2007?
RO: Releasing a new record or two, more touring ... more touring, do some more videos and having fun.
To whom were you listening 10 years ago?
RO: Hmm, New Order, Sebadoh, Guided by Voices , Dinasour Jr., and Idaho, just to name a few.