I got a chance to sit down with Inquiry and ask them some questions. Here is their full interview...
Unfortunately Cindy missed this interview and she was the one who remembered to take all the interview pictures.. Sorry guys. My bad.
Meet the Members of Inquiry:
Justin Piaoan - Lead Singer/Wild Man - Age: 23 - Current Relationship Status: Single
Patrick Van Story aka Patty V. - Guitar - Age: 24 - Current Relationship Status: Dating a very cute girl from Florida
Kyle Richards - Guitar - Age: 19 - Current Relationship Status: Has a girlfriend and her name is music
Patrick Allen - Bass - Age: 24 - Current Relationship Status: Single
Bri Jackson - Drums - Age: 22 - Current Relationship Status: Single
Q. How did you meet and form Inquiry?
A. Bri and Justin met when Bri put an ad out on Craigslist looking for someone to jam with. Justin ended up being 2 hours late for this jam session but they made it happen. Pat Allen and Justin worked at Hot Topic together. Patty V. and Kyle were mutual friends and Patty came on in 2013 as the final addition.
Thoughts: Seems front man Justin is the catalystic glue that brought everyone together.
Unfortunately Cindy missed this interview and she was the one who remembered to take all the interview pictures.. Sorry guys. My bad.
Meet the Members of Inquiry:
Justin Piaoan - Lead Singer/Wild Man - Age: 23 - Current Relationship Status: Single
Patrick Van Story aka Patty V. - Guitar - Age: 24 - Current Relationship Status: Dating a very cute girl from Florida
Kyle Richards - Guitar - Age: 19 - Current Relationship Status: Has a girlfriend and her name is music
Patrick Allen - Bass - Age: 24 - Current Relationship Status: Single
Bri Jackson - Drums - Age: 22 - Current Relationship Status: Single
Q. How did you meet and form Inquiry?
A. Bri and Justin met when Bri put an ad out on Craigslist looking for someone to jam with. Justin ended up being 2 hours late for this jam session but they made it happen. Pat Allen and Justin worked at Hot Topic together. Patty V. and Kyle were mutual friends and Patty came on in 2013 as the final addition.
Thoughts: Seems front man Justin is the catalystic glue that brought everyone together.
Q. What makes you different from other bands?
A. Justin - "We're not trying to write about generic, cliché BS. We write honest music that means the most to us." They refine the sound until they're happy with it all around.
A. Justin - "We're not trying to write about generic, cliché BS. We write honest music that means the most to us." They refine the sound until they're happy with it all around.
Q. What did it take to get where you are?
A. Trial and error. They are trying to find their own sound and themselves.
A. Trial and error. They are trying to find their own sound and themselves.
Q. How would you describe your current sound?
A. Maintaining a poppy edge, but getting a little bit angrier.
A. Maintaining a poppy edge, but getting a little bit angrier.
Q. Are you working on new stuff you'll be releasing soon?
A. This is big YES!
A. This is big YES!
Q. If so, tell me more about it. What direction is the new stuff going in and how is it different?
A. Our old stuff was sporadic. The new stuff has complex licks and has more jazz and funk influence. We are also trying to look at our songs as a whole instead of parts to see how they all fit together. Justin said they are looking at these collective songs like "Here is what we have, but now how do we take that extra step?"
A. Our old stuff was sporadic. The new stuff has complex licks and has more jazz and funk influence. We are also trying to look at our songs as a whole instead of parts to see how they all fit together. Justin said they are looking at these collective songs like "Here is what we have, but now how do we take that extra step?"
Q. Are any of your members involved in other projects as well? If so, tell me more about that.
A. Guitarist Kyle is involved in a solo project. Bassist Pat Allen also plays in another band with some friends called Jerry White & the Blue Hearts.
A. Guitarist Kyle is involved in a solo project. Bassist Pat Allen also plays in another band with some friends called Jerry White & the Blue Hearts.
Q. How do you plan to succeed in today's music industry?
A. Patty V. "With the new songs, we are trying to maintain accessibility with the music and write about the stuff that matters."
A. Patty V. "With the new songs, we are trying to maintain accessibility with the music and write about the stuff that matters."
Q. We have sort of gotten into this a little bit... I'm looking for your take on how you guys see the present and future of your band and your scene.
What are your thoughts on that?
A. Pat Allen - "The scene is going through a period of adjustment and growth. It's not sustainable. But it's finding itself." Kyle also added that the scene is "lacking originality".
A. Pat Allen - "The scene is going through a period of adjustment and growth. It's not sustainable. But it's finding itself." Kyle also added that the scene is "lacking originality".
Q. What do you think your band contributes to the scene that you see is lacking?
A. Patty V. - "We're a breath of fresh air." Pat Allen - "We're new and relevant." Justin - "We're part of a new tide."
A. Patty V. - "We're a breath of fresh air." Pat Allen - "We're new and relevant." Justin - "We're part of a new tide."
Since you guys have taken it back to the early 2000's because that's when you think the music you love was at its best..
Q. Where do you want to go from there?
A. Patty V. "We really just need to see where it goes." Pat Allen clarified that it has to happen organically.
A. Patty V. "We really just need to see where it goes." Pat Allen clarified that it has to happen organically.
Q. What do you believe would've been a more ideal evolution of rock music over the last 15 years?
A. Patty V. "If there had been a more progressive mindset the scene as a whole would be further." Someone chimed in "We blame Nickelback!"
You guys also did do very well with how you present your band's image to "The Enemy" which was impressive because a lot of people can tend to forget to be careful around journalists.. The reason why I mention this is because if there is any dissension in the group it tends to show and I've seen it a lot. It's refreshing to see a group that is so together.
Q. How has your band crafted its image? How do you maintain the unified front? Is this something you've worked out in advance to present a consistent message? Did you pow wow before responding?
A. Justin handles the band's PR. We also have weekly band meetings. Patty V. - "We put everything on the table and don't hide anything. Every band having problems needs to stop hiding. Believe in what you're doing."
A. Justin handles the band's PR. We also have weekly band meetings. Patty V. - "We put everything on the table and don't hide anything. Every band having problems needs to stop hiding. Believe in what you're doing."
Q. What do you want new people who've never heard of Inquiry to know about you?
"We're just normal people who are trying to pursue a dream we're passionate about.
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I also got the chance to speak one-on-one with drummer Bri Jackson and ask her a few questions...
Q. So how did you get into drumming?
A. I started in 6th grade. I had just moved to a new city and needed after school activities. Then in 10th grade I got more into rock music and started playing to my favorite bands like Paramore. I had a dream of being onstage and people going crazy.
Bri told me "My main motivation has been looking up to other bands.
Q. You remind me of Lenny Kravitz's drummer Cindy Blackman. I could really see you building a name for yourself and making it on these Top Female Drummer Lists. What are you doing to further yourself?
A. "I've been doing videos of my drum covers to get my name out there."
Q. My advice would be to maybe diversify and sit in with some other bands to get a feel for different styles and different genres because I think that would improve your skills to benefit yourself and Inquiry. (not really a question)
A, Probably one of my biggest weaknesses is playing other genres. But I think it's a good idea.
***Get at her if you're looking for a drummer to sit in for session work. You won't be sorry.
"We're just normal people who are trying to pursue a dream we're passionate about.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I also got the chance to speak one-on-one with drummer Bri Jackson and ask her a few questions...
Q. So how did you get into drumming?
A. I started in 6th grade. I had just moved to a new city and needed after school activities. Then in 10th grade I got more into rock music and started playing to my favorite bands like Paramore. I had a dream of being onstage and people going crazy.
Bri told me "My main motivation has been looking up to other bands.
Q. You remind me of Lenny Kravitz's drummer Cindy Blackman. I could really see you building a name for yourself and making it on these Top Female Drummer Lists. What are you doing to further yourself?
A. "I've been doing videos of my drum covers to get my name out there."
Q. My advice would be to maybe diversify and sit in with some other bands to get a feel for different styles and different genres because I think that would improve your skills to benefit yourself and Inquiry. (not really a question)
A, Probably one of my biggest weaknesses is playing other genres. But I think it's a good idea.
***Get at her if you're looking for a drummer to sit in for session work. You won't be sorry.
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