Interview with Saint Motel

February 24, 2013 | Having released their debut album "Voyeur" Saint Motel is currently putting all their energy into writing new songs. Nevertheless, Saint Motel's A/J Jackson took the time to answer myFanbase's Soundcheck questions and tells us a little bit about the band's future projects and goals, why his piano teacher had such a big impact on his music career and which band he would love to tour with.

Note: © myFanbase 2013 - The interview is exclusive to myFanbase and may not be published on other websites or the like. You may share the first 2 questions or up to 160 characters if you link back to this site. Translations other than English and German may be posted with full credit including the writer's name and link to this site.
Foto: Saint Motel - Copyright: Saint Motel
Saint Motel
© Saint Motel

1. How would you describe your music in one sentence?

"The movie Casablanca if the soundtrack was written by ELO." That's what one reviewer said about our debut album "Voyeur" and we really dig it.

2. Was there something like a light bulb moment when you were young, maybe a concert, a certain song or a record that made you dream about a career as a musician?

I was very fortunate to have a unique piano teacher when I was a little kid. I was a difficult pupil. I hated playing the same song or scales over and over again. But instead of kicking me out and calling me a lost cause she gave me freedom to do what I wanted on the piano. It led me to start writing songs when I was about seven years old. Then we'd rehearse those. It was way more fun.

3. Are there any artists that might have influenced you or inspired you some time?

Everything seems to influence me. Rihanna, Burt Bacharach, Black Sabbath. In the end, they're all just songs. All follow the same concepts. Just different executions.

4. How do you develop your songs? What part comes first, music or lyrics?

It can go either way. Usually music first, but there's been a couple times, like with "At Least I Have Nothing" where I wrote the song around the lyric.

5. What song is most important to you? Why and how did it develop?

I don't play favorites. I'm proud of every song that makes it through the fires of the creation period. Not always proud enough to release it to the world haha, but proud that it has been born. The best song is always right around the corner.

6. In what aspects did your music change compared to when you started to make music?

It's always changing. I think it's getting better and better. But then again, I'm completely biased.

7. What has been the best experience so far, together as a band?

Well, there was that orgy...

Foto: Saint Motel - Copyright: Saint Motel
Saint Motel
© Saint Motel

8. What can you tell us about your current projects?

We are currently writing and recording the best stuff we have ever done. I'm really excited for this next wave of music.

9. And what are you aspiring to in the future, what do you want to achieve?

We want to come play in Germany!

10. With whom would you like to go on tour?

It would be an odd pairing but Rammstein would be an amazing tour to be on. Their live show is inspirational to say the least.

11. What record would we find in your CD-player right now?

Chico Buarque

12. What do you think, as artists, about platforms like Facebook, Twitter and mySpace?

Good ways reach people. Also, major privacy issues for our generation. What are our kids going to think about their parents profiles?

13. myFanbase is a website that is devoted to American television shows. Do you have a favorite show?

While we were on tour this past fall we all caught up to date on "Boardwalk Empire", "Homeland", and we are all really into "Breaking Bad".

Thank you very much for the interview and all the best.

Thank you!

Maria Gruber - myFanbase

Zur Soundcheck-Übersicht