Author: Jessica Mahn
Date: 2009-07-13


Interview:
We had a chance to talk with Nathan of the band Meese. Here's what he had to say!

How have you guys grown musically since you started as a band?

Nathan: Our sound has changed a lot since the band first started a little over 4 years ago. We used to be a lot more mellow and piano driven then we are now. We used to only have one tune where Patrick was playing guitar we had no big 'rock-out' moments like we do now. It was just a natural progression to play more upbeat music- it makes for more entertaining shows and I think that for the 4 of us it's just more fun and natural to be in a rock n roll band. Evolution is good for us. I'd like to hear what we sound like 4 years from now.

How would you describe your music in three words?

Nathan: The bee's knees

When did you first start writing music?

Nathan: Patrick started writing at a really early age. Once we started to like our own music and not just what our parents were playing around the house (which was still really good music) Patrick started writing tunes. So probably 8 or 9 years old. The two of us have been writing together pretty much ever since then. Mike and Ben started writing back in high school and had a great band together right before they joined us to complete our outfit.

What bands have influenced your music? Are there any from Denver?

Nathan: We are all first and foremost fans of music. Anyone of us could nerd out over bands for hours, but as far as the ones that influence our music. Hmm... I've always thought we sound like a British version of Jimmy Eat World that lives in Denver. I think that Patrick is influenced by more classic songwriters- Billy Joel, Phil Collins, that sort of thing. He uses those traditional 'guy writing a song' standards and puts his own modern touch on them. We're definitely not a 'genre' band. Sometimes I wish we were so I could just say "yeah we're a screamo band" or "I'm in a hardcore band." But we're not. We all just listen to too much music to settle on one or two influences.

As far as Denver is concerned I'd say we're influenced by a couple of bands but not musically. We're influenced by The Fray's work ethic and professionalism and we're influenced by Born in the Flood's live shows. Stuff like that.

Was there an album that you heard growing up that really changed your life and convinced you that music was your future?

Nathan: Yes. There were a couple. The big one for me was the Blue Album by Weezer. There is not a bad track on the record. Also Vitology by Pearl Jam really hooked me. Something to Write Home About by The Get Up Kids was huge for me as well. The more I listened to them the more my mind was made up that music could be more than a hobby for me. And when I was 9 my dad bought me Led Zeppelin 4 and Have You Ever Been Experienced by Jimi Hendrix at the same time and made my brain explode.