IndieRec interview with David Hall of UK band Ebb Tone, February, 2005
By David DiSanzo
http://www.indierec.com

Ebb-Tone are a new band from the UK. Visit www.ebb-tone.com

IR: How Long has the band been together?

DH: The band as Ebb-Tone has been together for around 3-4 years however we have just recently had a lineup change which saw us recruit a new Drummer and Bass Guitarist. However I have been jamming with the lead guitarist for around 9-10 years under various other band names and acoustic shows etc.

IR: What is the mission statement of Ebb-Tone?

DH: The band's mission statement I guess is to perform our music to as many people as possible and hopefully provide something that can be related to and enjoyed..and of course the famous saying of all unsigned bands "to make a living out of our music". My mission statement as a songwriter is to constantly challenge my writing style and to create music that is personal to me but at the same time generic enough for listeners to make the song their own.

IR: What are your music influences and what are you musical backgrounds?

DH: I was lucky enough to be raised in a family very supportive of music and as such I started singing along to Buddy Holly records (was and still is a personal fave of mine) through my Dad's stereo on an old mic we had when I was about 7.

I started then writing what I think were songs, to be honest they could have been poems and began learning the Piano at 11 to put music behind the lyrics I had been writing, I first picked up a guitar when I was about 14 and never put it down it was perfect for me as it meant I could take it with me and write songs wherever I was.

Bands I know have influenced me amongst many others are Bob Dylan, Ryan Adams, Buddy Holly, Beth Orton, Mercury Rev, Love, Fleetwood Mac, Elliot Smith, Nirvana, Sonic Youth, Gram Parsons

IR: Who is the main creative contributor to the band?

DH: I write the songs but I try not think too much about arrangements and dynamics until I get with the band that way each member adds their own part

IR: Based in England, do you identify yourselves with any scene going on over there at the moment?

DH: A couple of years ago the British music scene was (in my opinion) uncreative and tired, with boy bands and pop groups dominating the charts however recently a new wave of guitar music has been filtering through. A lot of the bands are not really my taste but its good to see people with guitars putting on live performances as opposed to people lip syncing to throwaway pop records...

In terms of us fitting in with a scene I don't think that we really do as I would say on the unsigned circuit at least we are fairly individual.

IR: What is the biggest challenge in marketing your music?

DH: Its a combination of finding the appropriate contacts and knowledge as to which gigs to take that will work for the band, in general it is just getting your music heard by people

IR: How can you overcome this challenge?

DH: We are using the internet as a low/no cost way of putting our music across which seems to be working quite effectively and we now are striving to develop our website further so you can purchase tickets for gigs or demos online. We have also just completed 2 promotional packs with 2 demos ready to send off to management companies/labels etc.

IR: How do you finance the band?

DH: The band is financed through any money we make at gigs or through demo sales and, if needs be by money from our own pocket.

IR: What are your plans for the future short & long term?

DH: Our plans in the short term are to select 2 or 3 solid sets from the material we have and build some continuity in our live shows, also to contact management companies to get some representation to take our music to record labels. Long Term our plans are to be enjoying it as much as we do now and be playing our songs to a much wider audience..