Midnight To Twelve
Rock is blazing in the year 2008 and a lot of the bands coming out today have the passion and fire that is pretty much not seen in a lot of bands these days. The guys from the California based band MIDNIGHT TO TWELVE have just that fire and passion inside and it’s oozing out on the bands self titled debut. With versatile voice swings, guitars that are pretty and delicate but can change at any moment into some lush edgy moments. The music has touches of supple dynamics and songwriting smarts. The band consists of Jon Hartman (vocals), Al Baca (bass), Steve Oliver (keys), Daniel Jordan (guitar) and Drew Molleur (drums). I had a chance to email bassist Al Baca and find out some stuff on this new band coming at you this summer.
MIDNIGHT TO TWELVE IS A VERY INTERESTING NAME. WHAT DOES IT MEAN? AND HOW HARD IS IT TO FIGURE OUT A BAND NAME VS. ACTUALLY WRITING AN ALBUM? (LAUGHING)
When we came up with the name it really just sounded cool to us. It was a work shift that I had been working to support the band at the time. We have adopted MIDNIGHT TO TWELVE as our motto. While most are going to sleep, we are working somewhere in the country getting to the next city. I definitely think it is harder to come up with a name then writing an album.
IS IT TRUE CALI IS WHERE DREAMS COME TRUE? AND DO YOU FEEL YOU COULD HAVE STILL MADE IT AS A BAND IF YOU DIDN’T ALL MAKE THIS MOVE?
I was born and raised in Los Angeles. Steve and Daniel are from
California as well. Jon moved here when we started the band. There is something special to us being from LA. Lots of amazing bands have come from here so there is a lot of rock history here. I think our dreams were realized though all of our friends and fans from all over
America. They are truly the reason that we are making the gains that we are now.
HARD WORK IS WHAT MAKES A BAND COME THROUGH IN THIS BUSINESS, BEING FROM CALIFORNIA A BAND MEMBER IS ON EVERY CORNER HOW DO YOU TEND TO TRY TO BREAKTHROUGH IN THAT COMPETIVE RACE OUT WEST?
We actually don’t get to play home that much so the race for us is the entire country. We spend about 10 months of the year out on the road. In our early days we played a ton of shows though. We would play every weekend and weekdays. Playing
Hollywood is amazing, but on the road is where we belong.
YOUR MUSIC IS IN THE ROCK GENRE, WHAT DO YOUR SONGS RELATE TO AND WHEN WRITING MUSIC HOW DO YOU BRING OUT A SONG THAT WILL BE CREATIVE AND DIFFERENT FROM ALL THE OTHER ROCK BANDS OUT THERE?
I don’t think that we have ever written a song with the intent of being different. Honest yes, but not different for the sake of being different. I think when you deliver a song you don’t have a choice, it’s in you and it has to come out. We try and deliver it and sometimes have to stay out of the way so that it evolves naturally. When you come from that place people will respond to it. Certainly there are things that help shape what your song will become, just as your life experiences shape who you are. In that way I think people will relate to what we write about. Everyday life is what is happening to all of us.
YOUR SINGLE –SLAM- WAS ON A LITTLE SHOW CALLED ONE TREE HILL, A GOOD STEPPING STONE TO GET YOUR NAME OUT BUT IS THAT A FAN BASE THAT THE BAND IS USED TO HAVING?
No it is not, but just because we aren’t used to it doesn’t mean we wouldn’t welcome it, as we have. We still get email from all over the world about the show and our music. It has certainly increased our demographic to say the least. We sometime have trouble finding all ages venues but when we get the chance we love to do that kind of show.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE A MIDNIGHT TO TWELVE FAN? AND THE WEIRDEST MOMENT WITH A FAN?
They are the most passionate fans out there. They truly are our friends. Almost anyplace in the country we can pick up a phone and call someone if we are in need. We have had fans build complete sound systems for a club so that we might come and play there. They are beyond dedicated and they know that we are a huge team making this happen together.
YOUR SELF-TITLED DEBUT IS BEING DISTRIBUTED BY KOCH…WHAT DID THEY HAVE THAT YOU WANTED TO BE A PART OF AND WHEN DOES THE RECORD GET RELEASED?
The album comes out on JULY 22! We can’t wait to go out to a store and see our CD there. JKH/Koch saw the value in our music and noticed that we have been and are more then willing to put in the work required to get the job done. We partnered with them because we believe they still believe in developing a brand. From marketing, promotion to overall strategy, they are working on developing Midnight To Twelve into something that everyone has a chance to experience.
WHAT WAS THE GOAL OF THIS RECORD?
To introduce the world to Midnight To Twelve. We have been out there but even by staying on the road it is so hard to hit everywhere. So the album will give everyone a chance to hear what it is we have to say.
IF YOU COULD PICK ONE TRACK TO BE MOST PROUD OF, WHICH WOULD IT BE?
That is extremely difficult but I would have to say “Good Morning Again”. I had just received some news that someone very dear to me had been diagnosed with Leukemia and I was devastated. It came instantly during the writing process and I feel it’s a song that everyone can identify with. If you lose someone how do you cope with that? It stands as a reminder to celebrate every moment that we have and never take life for granted.
I LIKE THE FEEL OF HOW BAD!! CAN YOU GIVE ME AN IDEA OF WHAT THAT SONG IS ALL ABOUT?
As we have continued to chase our dream without hesitation it’s a reminder to us all. If you want something bad enough you have to be willing to do whatever it takes to get it done. Being away from your home and family for so long you have to want it bad. How Bad is a reminder of the choices and sacrifices that we have all made in life to pursue this. How bad do you want it?!
MUSICIALLY, WHAT DID EACH OF YOUR MEMBERS BRING TO THE TABLE TO MAKE THIS RECORD HAPPEN?
Everyone in this band has such a great gift of music. I think what we brought to the table was our ability to know what each other is saying in the music and knowing what song is wanting to do. We have played so many shows and shared so many stages. Its like a sports team that has so many years playing together, it just all makes sense because they know what each other is going to do. Same with us, it just all makes sense.
IF YOU COULD DESCRIBE A LIVE SHOW HOW WOULD YOU AND WHEN WILL THIS BAND BE OUT ON THE ROAD?
We are on the road now, so please check to see if we are coming to a city near you www.myspace.com/m212live .A live show is definitely where we shine. When you come to an M212 show you will laugh, get excited, feel happy, sad, and then happy again. We try and take you through a small journey in our show and most of all you should be sweaty and tired.
IF YOU COULD BE A STYLE OF ANY SHOE WHAT STYLE SHOE WOULD YOU BE AND WHO WOULD YOU WANT TO WEAR YOU?
Flip flops! Angelina Jolie
ANY FAMOUS LAST WORDS?
Please stop by our site myspace.com/m212live and if we are in a city near you please come on out and say hi. We love to hang out. Thank you for your time
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