By
Song River
(Live Concert Photography and Interview Coming up in Vents Magazine)
Song
River: Originally what was the attraction to electronica?
Lou
Miceli: Well I wouldn't necessarily call it electronica, but
our
producer/DJ really got us all into it. We all became infatuated with
different styles of music and this was a main part.
SR:
Coming together from New Jersey, what were the influences that
brought you together, and drew you all towards the band's development?
Lou:
The band all came from New Jersey except for me (I'm from Florida).
They all went to high school together or close to each other and
that's how they started to play music together. I was added later
when their previous singer left. Being from such good musical states
it was all kind of natural. The tri-state area has always had such a
blend of amazing music so that helped.
SR:
Was the band originally formed around electronica and then post hard
core was added to develop a Rave sound? Or vice versa? Talk about the
sound mix and how you arrived.
Lou:
When we started we definitely played it safe and went the post
hardcore route with little hints of electronic music on top, but as
we started to grow as artists and have our musical taste buds
heighten it became more of- let's just make the music that
comes natural to us based off of what we love and listen to.
“High and Low” off of our album "Outcasts" was the
first true venture and that direction and It was the model for our
album "Mind Games" and ultimately our sound.
SR:
Would you consider Palisades to be labeled as a “Rave” band?
Lou:
Not at all, because labeling a band is putting it into a box and that
is something we never wish to limit ourselves to.
SR:
How challenging is it to meld these two styles?
Lou:
It really comes very naturally to us.
SR:
There was a ton of thumbs up from your fans back in 2014 when you all
did the Beyonce cover, “Drunk In Love.”
Lou:
Honestly, when we released the "Drunk In Love" cover we
didn't really get too much response at first, but it seems like now
it's been reaching people organically which is awesome.
SR:
Do you have requests for your version to be played often live?
Lou:
A lot of kids ask us and we did play it once.
SR:
Has Beyonce herself ever contacted you over your version?
Lou:
Ha,ha! No, but I wish she did that would be great!
SR:
With 2 Ep's and 2 Studio Albums, how has “Mind Games” (2015) been
received?
Lou:
Mind Games has been the best received musical venture thus far which
is great because they shows forward progress.
SR:
Watching the video to “No Chaser,” I felt like I was getting an
overdose of alcohol, and drugs just by watching it mentally. Message
here, as I felt this song spoke strongly to a point that may be a bit
deeper than just the abuse of consuming too much liquor.
Lou:
Honestly it was just kind of metaphor for a love interest that's got
you messed up in all sorts of way. That's what we wanted to portray,
how someone can make you feel so many different ways like you're
wasted on substances.
SR:
Reading some of the reviews over “Mind Games,” do you feel that
the album tried to tackle too many styles and fit them into one
album? Or do you feel like it flows just fine... (respond to why it
fit what you wanted.)
Lou:
I feel like it fit exactly what we wanted and for the people who say
it was too many genres, they just don't understand what we're trying
to accomplish. We want to amass certain genres that we like into one
genre and that genre is Palisades. Our own unique sound
that no one can replicate.
SR:
As you all work together, do you each take a part of a songs
development? How does your process work to create?
Lou:
Usually it starts out with our guitarists Matt and Xavier making the
skeletons of the songs and we hand it over to our DJ/Producer and
then we collectively go over how we want everything to sound and add
the vocals in last.
SR:
I had a few fans ask about the 'character symbols' used along with
Palisades... care to elaborate?
Lou:
Yeah, its Japanese katakana. We're all big into fashion and that's
where a lot of our fashion sense comes from and it was a growing
trend so we hopped on it before anyone else did.
SR:
Have you found the east coast fandom different from the west coast?
How about your fans overseas?
Lou:
I feel east coast and west coast both show love very well, but
European kids are on a whole new level because they don't get shows
as often, so I feel that they really appreciate it.
SR:
Your band has six members... what is life-like traveling and
touring? Give your fans a glimpse into your life on the road.
Lou:
It's like being with your brothers, it's annoying and amazing at the
same time! Ha,ha.
SR:
Is there one of you who is the loudest?
Lou:
Lou
SR:
One who snores?
Lou:
Xavier
SR:
One who always steals the last slice of pizza?
Lou:
Xavier
SR:
How do you all get along?
Lou:
Really well!
SR:
What do you do in between stops to keep up with being tired and the
driving road hours?
Lou:
Malls, gyms, movies, food.
SR:
Favorite games to play while touring on the bus? I.E. Cards, video
games, find the out-of-state license plate?
Lou:
We love to play the scenario game ha,ha! Where we make up all crazy
scenarios and say would you rather do this or that. They're usually
realllllllyyyy weird and funny!
SR:
What is it you want most to give your fans?
Lou:
We want to give our fans an experience. So much so that when they
leave the show they leave saying, "I have honestly never heard
anything like that before, but that is my new favorite band".
LINKS:
YouTube:
“No
Chaser” by Palisades
