To read part 1, click here. To read part 2, click here.
Cendrine Marrouat: As an independent group, what are the main challenges that you encounter?
Bojan Bugarinovic: Some of the major challenges include the management side of things, i.e. how to promote our group given a very tight budget and time. On one side, we are proud to be a self-sufficient unit and to be able to support our recording, practices, and tours. On the other side, we are striving for bigger opportunities, where we can play for larger audiences, and work towards having music as a full-time career.
Chris Dufault: The biggest challenge as an independent group is working our day-jobs and only being able to do this part-time. We would love to be able to make music our lives!
David Eadie: Probably the time factor for promotion and networking. This tends to fall a lot more on Ranj’s shoulders as he is the main contact for the band. The other factor is simply carving out the time for individual practice, band rehearsals and gigs while working and managing life commitments.
Getting a foot in the door can be difficult. We have done a lot of really small gigs in front of small crowds in all kinds of weather – we have paid our dues – and we will still look at any gig opportunity – we recently played a neighbourhood street party in East Van with the perc of free cabbage rolls. A highlight for us this summer was playing a CBC radio noon hour concert in front of the CBC building. Afterwards we were invited to be interviewed by Sheryl Mackay the host of CBC radio’s “North by Northwest”. Ranj and I were interviewed and when the segment was aired, CBC also played two of the tracks off our “Found a Way Home” album.
Ranj also had a live radio phone interview on CBC in Montreal and got to talk about the album. These have been exciting developments for the band as our wish is to find a larger audience for our music.
Ranj Singh: Trying to get promoters to give an unheard-of band a chance to play is our main challenge. Today venues first ask you “How many people can you bring in”? If you can fill the house they will let you play.
CM: What is next for you?
Bojan Bugarinovic: We would definitely like to get involved more on the music scene in BC as well as the rest of Canada. We are hoping to play more festivals and get involved with all the major events next year. We are proud of the work we've done so far and see no reason why we shouldn't play more.
Also, there is always new material we are working on. We are a hard-working band and spend many hours in rehearsals refining our existing music, but also creating new material. As the group has been together long enough, this process is now getting more enjoyable. We have some great building blocks to work with...
Chris Dufault: Rehearsal to get ready for our next round of shows in October and November. Then hopefully book some bigger festival shows in the spring and summer of 2012 (wow! 2012 already!)
Dan Huget: Now that I have seniority over David and Bojan, I'm probably in the clear re-being sacrificed to the gods of publicity. That does mean we have to keep an eye out for a new drummer or bass player!
David Eadie: I would love to see the band finding more opportunities to play music festivals. I think the music is tailor-made for the festival audience and setting. I would like to see the band tour. Lastly, creating more music with a punchier beat-driven style for the next album. We will often jam live and have come up with some really cool riffs and progressions so I know we have the talent and capacity in the band to create a lot more really great tracks.
Ranj Singh: Booking festivals for 2012.
CM: Where can people find more information on you and your music?
Bojan Bugarinovic: Most of the information about our band and our music can be found online. Our main site is where we try and keep the most up-to-date schedule. We are also on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
CM: Any last words?
Chris Dufault: Thank you Cendrine and everyone who supports our cause!
David Eadie: Yes. Thanks for taking the time out to interview the band. We really value your time, effort and support.
Ranj Singh: Yes….I really don’t like the guys at all and will consider any and all replacements. (laughs)
Thanks Cendrine for all you do!!
End of the interview.
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Cendrine Marrouat may be contacted for potential interviews, reviews and general enquiries at info@cendrinemarrouat.com. Website: www.cendrinemarrouat.com.
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