Exclusive Interview
> Interview in Portuguese
In one normal day, I was making a search in the wonderful world of MySpace, when I found Just Off Turner. Suddenly I found their page, and start to listen a song called “How Much it Hurts”. My ear liked so much the music, that I wish to know more about these 4 guys from Los Angeles, to whom the sky is the limit. We trade e-mails, and with great kindness, they give an exclusive interview to Jornal Dínamo.
Here is the interview with Just Off Turner:
Bryan Mounce, Phil Metzler, Stephen Andrews and Eric Gustafson
JD: Tell me about the beginning of Just Off Turner?
PHIL: Bryan (our lead singer) grew up in a small town in Arkansas, US – He met Eric Gustafson in the late 1990s and the two moved to Los Angeles in about 2001. After the comings and goings of some other band members, Bryan and Eric met me and Stephen in 2005. Since then, we’ve taken every step we can think of to write the best songs that we can and put on the best live shows possible.
JD: Who write your lyrics and songs?
PHIL: Bryan is responsible for all the lyrics but we all collaborate on the music. It’s a great situation – One that encourages and challenges each other. I sincerely don’t think that Bryan could truly sing lyrics to our songs if he doesn’t believe in them.
JD: About the Album “The Long Walk Back” released in 2007. What are the main differences in what concerns the 1st ones?
ERIC: Well, ‘The Long Walk Back’ was written and recorded with two new members. A new bass player (Stephen) and a keyboard player (Phil) have expanded our sonic landscape quite a bit – There’s been a shift towards more Soul/R&B influences, I think. There are songs on ‘The Long Walk Back’ that couldn’t have been written before Phil & Stephen came aboard.
PHIL: I hear a lot more attention to individual ‘parts’ that showcase the keyboards, the relationship between the bass and drums and I hear Bryan getting a lot more adventurous with his guitar playing.
JD: “How Much it Hurts” is about a specific situation or about situations in live?
BRYAN: Every song I write has some basis in life experiences. It may not be about a particular experience but I think everyone can relate to some of the feelings expressed in the song.
JD: Your songs had appeared in several sitcoms. Do you see it has a good way of spreading your music?
STEPHEN: Absolutely. Television and movies tend to invoke certain feelings that are heightened by a soundtrack. The fact that some very emotional moments on MTV’s “The Real World” were scored to JOT music certainly helped associate our songs with parts of viewers lives.
JD: And how about John Mayer’s review in MySpace about the music “How Much it Hurts”. Do you see is has a recognition of your work?
ERIC: It’s nice to be noticed by someone as respected as a Grammy winner like John Mayer. It lends us credibility to people who had never heard us before. It was great that he give us the opportunity to showcase ‘How Much It Hurts’ on his MySpace page and we’re very grateful.
JD: I know that in nowadays we can ear lots of projects in the World Wide Web. It was MySpace a good way of showing your work?
ERIC: The exposure that social networks like MySpace and Facebook can give new bands is essential. The band can interact with friends and fans. Something that savvy listeners are very interested in.
STEPHEN: We can also develop relationships with other bands and concert venues on MySpace. Get the scoop about where to play, who to share the stage with and connect with concert promoters and bookers.
PHIL: Also, the multimedia facet is very important. As soon as we record a new song, film a new video, take a new picture or have something to say we can broadcast it almost instantaneously.
JD: Tell me where have you been acting this year, and where are you going to be still in 2008?
BRYAN: We’ve been staying close to home in Los Angeles writing the new album but we’ve been to South Carolina, Arizona and Northern California trying out some new songs. We’re working up a Texas tour for November right now, trying to get in the studio to record the album.
JD: What are your greatest expectations for Just Off Turner in the future?
ERIC: We won’t stop until we reach the top. We hope to be playing stadiums and arenas in the next couple of years.
PHIL: Ultimately, we want to be as successful as possible while keeping our integrity, both personally and artistically.
JD: Have you ever been in Portugal?
STEPHEN: Not yet, but we’d love to visit your beautiful country. Do you have a place for us to stay? [laughs]
JD: What would you like to say to all Just Off Turner fans in Portugal?
ERIC: Thank you so much for listening to our little songs. We hope that you enjoy them and the new songs we’re writing.
STEPHEN: I want to say “hi” and we can’t wait to tour Europe.
BRYAN: I need to learn Portuguese to thank you properly. [laughs]
PHIL: Thanks for everything and thank you too Sandra!
JD: And I like to thank you very much in my name and in Jornal Dinamo’s team, to all of you: Just Off Turner, for your kindness and joy, and I hope to see you in Portugal very soon.
Photos: Provided by Just Off Turner
