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Exclusive Interview With The Midway State

The Midway State is an alternative rock band from Toronto, Canada. You've likely heard their hit song Never Again off the album 'Holes'. 'Holes' was released back in 2008 and the band is now getting ready to release their newest album, 'Paris Or India', on May 31st. With the album only a few months away, we decided to sit down with lead singer Nathan Ferraro and ask him a few questions. Check it out below.

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The Midway State is an alternative rock band from Toronto, Canada. You’ve likely heard their hit song Never Again off the album ‘Holes’. ‘Holes’ was released back in 2008 and the band is now getting ready to release their newest album, ‘Paris Or India’, on May 31st. With the album only a few months away, we decided to sit down with lead singer Nathan Ferraro and ask him a few questions. Check it out below.

We Got This Covered: Can you tell us a bit about how the band first got started?

Nathan Ferraro: We started in highschool, Daenen and I and a few other friends, it’s been a very linear and comfortable growth. With people and with music.

WGTC: When do you think your first big break came?

NF: What led to our first break was being seen playing in a bar at age 17. We were spotted by a young entertainment lawyer named Jason Kimelman. He took us under his wing, let me live with him and his wife in the city and introduced us to Gavin Brown who produced our first record. To this day we speak everyday and he is one of our main driving forces personally and artistically.

WGTC: When can fans expect your next album?

NF: May 31st, 2011!

WGTC: What can we expect from the album? Will it be different than ‘Holes’?

NF: It is different from ‘Holes’, different record, different time in our lives. We had a bigger role in the production of this record, we worked with Tawgs Salter on this record and wrote more of the songs together rather than apart. There are more uptempo songs on this record and my singing has changed a bit. I certainly feel more at home in my singing and I think it translates.

WGTC: Were you surprised with the great reception that Holes received?

NF: Yes and no. Whatever the reception and success, the fact that it has enabled us to continue to make music full time is a very lucky thing. You know, the goal is to create great art, and I feel like we are getting closer and closer to that, but it takes time and energy and soul and hopefully our records successes continue to foster that growth.

WGTC: Out of all the songs you’ve done, do you have a favorite?

NF: I like the lyrics of Nobody Understands and on the new record I like the song Atlantic and Science and Hartley Salter’s Kite. I like songs that are mostly inspired, because I can’t pick them apart the same, cause it’s like, not so much a choice to write them, or rather how to write them or what to write.

WGTC: Who would you cite as your inspirations?

NF: My brothers are huge inspirations to me lately. They’re both people that I look up to artistically, morally and intellectually. Also reading memoirs from Vincent Van Gogh to his brother. It’s been very comforting to read these as an artist and also inspiring to keep searching and going. Musically I like the record ‘Loveless’ by My Bloody Valentine and I’ve been really into The Bends this year. I like its innocent unnaffected sound.

WGTC: What advice do you have for aspiring musicians

NF: I think I would maybe just say search for truth in what you do. It makes sense to me that eventually truth will always prevail. So if you believe that what you are doing is fundamentally good and worthwhile then you can perservere. In terms of the business I would think first focus on your art and don’t worry about promoting it. Once your art is where you want it then promote the shit out of it anyway you can! If your music is great then you will get a great response and can move forward in creating a “career”.

WGTC: What’s the meaning behind the band name? Where did you get The Midway State from?

NF: The Midway State is interpretive. We came up with it in highschool and liked how it felt.

WGTC: Where do you see yourselves in five years from now?

NF: I’d like to be in a place where we can facilitate making music whenever we like. And hopefully playing shows most nights to thousands of adoring beautiful fans.

WGTC: What has been your most memorable moment related to the band so far, whether it be a particular show, a big break, etc.

NF: One of the most memorable moments I have is recently recording in LA at Sound City studios. We recorded on the same console as Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Rumors’ and Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ and a bunch of other records that have really moved me. I liked the studio because it was one of the emotionally dryest places I’d ever worked out of and it told me that these great artists went somewhere else (not physically) to make these records. It was a very sobering (not literally) environment, yet somehow incredibly inspiring.

WGTC: Thank you so much for talking with us and good luck on everything!

Be sure to check out The Midway State’s Official Website.