Interview with frontman Jason Vigil

With the release of his sophomore effort, Sometimes Always, singer/songwriter Jason Vigil is hoping to take his music to a larger audience. A good mix of rock and roll with a pop edge, Jason proves he can rock with the best of them. Drawing from experiences over the last few years the maturation process is evident in Vigil’s songwriting. Vigil recently took sometime out of his schedule to answer some questions for PureGrainAudio about Sometimes Always and his thoughts on the music business.

Your brand new CD titled Sometimes Always is complete and set for release. Now that it is done how do you feel about it? Are you satisfied with the outcome?
Jason: I feel great about Sometimes Always. I am very happy that it’s been completed and am satisfied with the outcome. I feel that it is definitely a big step in the direction I’d like to be heading as an artist.

What was the writing process like for this CD? Did you guys all write together? How long did it take?
Jason: The writing process for this CD started about 6 years ago and finished about 5 months ago. “Color Blue” is a song that I had written in the past and decided to bring back. I felt it was a good match with our producer, Duane Lundy. I wrote these songs myself. I usually find that I write mostly alone, though have begun to collaborate more. I anticipate a bit more collaboration with the next, future release.

How has MYSPACE and the internet impacted your band and do you think downloading helps or hinders the artists?
Jason: I feel that MYSPACE and the internet have impacted this project in a very positive way. It is much easier to reach out to current fans and potential fans than it has ever been. Blogs and newsletters are simple to send, easy to read and allow artists to let fans know all types of news. I think in most cases downloading can help an artist, because someone who may not have heard them, can hear them with the click of a button.

What can fans expect when they pick up a copy of Sometimes Always?
Jason: Fans can expect a solid pop rock sound with catchy melodies and lyrics. The songs have a distinct sound from one another. Mostly upbeat with a couple of change ups in the mix.

When playing together and ultimately recording this CD did you find that you could express yourself creatively enough?
Jason: We worked with two great producers on this release. They each were able to take the ideas we all had and shape them into something that they felt worked with the song that was being recorded at the time. I feel that my creativity and what I meant the song to be was mostly expressed through the recordings. Live, it’s easier to express creativity to crowd because there is the visual aspect. I love playing live and with my band.

How quick are you in the studio? Can you usually knock things out in a couple takes?
Jason: We’ve been fortunate to have gained experience in the studio, so I would like to say that we’re fairly quick. Our average was about 1 to 3 takes for what we were doing. We had limited time, as we are based in Denver and traveled to Kentucky to record, so it was very important that we knocked it out.

What’s your musical background?
Jason: I first picked up the guitar when I was sixteen. I began learning to play songs and took on writing, forming my first band shortly thereafter. I haven’t truly had any “schooling” or “technical” training up till now. It was truly a passion that I have followed to where I am now.

What about your personal influences’, who were you listening to early on?
Jason: I listened to Bush, Everclear, Weezer, Dave Matthews, Matchbox 20, Oasis and Fuel.

What is the toughest lesson you ever learned in the studio and on the stage?
Jason: In the studio, the hardest lesson I’ve learned is how important it is to play in time. That and how difficult it can be to self produce a record. On the stage, it’s learning how to put on a show while connecting with the audience and still being yourself enough that they feel they know who they are listening to and can relate to.

What song from the new CD is the most exciting for you to sing?
Jason: The most exciting song for me to sing is “Breaking Over You.” The most exciting song for me to play is “Color Blue.”

This is your second full release that being said how do you think you have grown as a songwriter and musician over the years?
Jason: I’ve been working on being both a stronger, more consistent vocalist and guitarist, focusing on the technical sides of those. As far as songwriting goes, I’ve been trying to expand my writing style to several genres, so that I have many different areas I can go to write from instead of what I’ve been used to. It’s been a lot of fun growing in that area. Lyrically, I’ve been working on making stronger melodies and lyrics that get to the point without saying too much.

With the success of shows like American Idol that are cranking out seemingly cookie cutter artists do you think it is more difficult for legitimate artists who have paid their dues to succeed?
Jason: No, I don’t think it is more difficult. It does put more “fish in the pond,” but I think that one thing those shows do is create more of a general interest in live music and the artists who are trying to become big in the industry. I think they really can help the legitimate artists in ways.

Along those lines technology has enabled the artist to have more control over his or her career by being able to sell direct to the public and eliminate many steps in the process of getting your work out in the market. How has this affected your career?
Jason: It’s allowed me to distribute my music in ways as an independent artist that in the past were only available to signed artists to large labels. It is very easy and simple to get the music into the hands of someone who wants it.

What is next for Jason Vigil?
Jason: Next, I am looking forward to seeing what the release of “Sometimes Always” brings in the near future. I plan on touring more, to get it out to as many people as possible. It has made me very excited for more songwriting and getting back into the studio for the next release. Overall, I plan on keeping one foot in front of the other, taking larger steps.  [ END ]