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myspoonful Band of the Month
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mySpoonful is very excited to announce Taxes as the winner of the December Band of the Month poll as...mySpoonful is very excited to announce Taxes as the winner of the December Band of the Month poll as chosen by you! Check them out again below and get another chance to download a brand new track “Advertising”! Thank you to everyone who participated. The January poll is already heating up so make sure to check out all this months bands and ‘like’ the ones you like best!
For more music and info on Taxes, please see their original spoonful.
hometown: San Francisco, Ca
categories: Indie Rock
for fans of: Jimmy Eat World, Sunny Day Real Estate, Manchester Orchestra
background check:
Here’s an exclusive interview with Robby from Taxes:
Dawson from mySpoonful (mS): Your lyrics are very personal, obviously, but sometimes they go deeper than that; sometimes they feel like a therapy session. Do you ever use songwriting as therapy? Have you ever sat down to write a song with the intention to work through something? Have you ever written a song that changed your perspective on something?
Robby from Taxes (T): Very perceptive. My therapist will be thrilled to read this. There are so many parallels between songwriting and therapy. It's also less expensive. It's like writing a letter, saying all of the things you couldn't quite say to someone directly and then never sending the letter. The songs that simply spill out and, in a sense, write themselves are fascinating because they shed a light on issues that may not have been brought up otherwise.
mS: There are sonic moments on It's Always Something that are sweeping and emotional, specifically with the string arrangements, did you have that lush sound in mind when you wrote the songs or was it something that came after the fact?
T: A lush sound? Are you suggesting that our producer was an alcoholic? Regardless, yes, we did approach this record wanting an epic sound. We aimed for hi-fi. Tristan Eckerson, our keyboardist, beautifully wrote and arranged the strings which in turn were played to perfection by Magik*Magik Orchestra. John Vanderslice at Tiny Telephone told me I simply had to use them and I couldn't be happier that I listened to him.
mS: What artists inspire you most from a songwriting perspective? From a sonic perspective?
T: It's no secret that I am obsessed with Stephen Patrick Morrissey. The Smiths' remastered albums were just released and they are gorgeous. There are countless others.
mS: Do you prefer being in the recording studio or performing live? Which one is more challenging? Which one is more rewarding?
T: Ooh, that's like being asked to choose a favorite child (if you ask my parents, it's my sister) The studio indulges the part of me that likes to tinker and nerd-out. Playing live is pugilistic and very physical. It's a catharsis of sorts every night.
mS: What type of radio station do you think Taxes' music would sound the most natural on? There are clear elements of alternative/commercial rock in your sound, however your lyrics have the type of candor and wit that are associated with artists indie artists like Death Cab for Cutie or Elliot Smith. What are the qualities do you expect, or appreciate, in a Taxes fan?
T: Well, we're still trying to write that perfect, undeniable pop song without losing our way completely. It's a fine line. I'd love a spin on Live 105, but my radio in the car is constantly set to NPR. My dream is to be interviewed by Terry Gross and I consider this a step in the right direction, so thanks for that. I've played a bunch with DCFC back in the day and I adore them. Mr. Smith is also a favorite. Again, very perceptive.
mS: If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?
T: ‘I'm sorry, you're not on the list.’ OR ‘Morrissey will see you now.’
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Taxes at Noise Pop 2012
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Up and coming San Francisco locals Taxes opened the show with their straight-forward brand of indie ...Up and coming San Francisco locals Taxes opened the show with their straight-forward brand of indie rock, fusing Foo Fighters guitar crunch with electric piano and female back-up vocals. Wearing genuine excitement on their faces, Taxes ran through their quick setlist with refreshing clarity, leaving the echo effects and reverb to the rest of the San Francisco indie scene. Family and friends crowded the front row to encourage the band, while Cursive fans lingered a few steps back, absorbing Taxes’ piecemeal approach to indie rock, as the songs switched quickly between influences — from traces of early Foo Fighters and pop-punk choruses to the spacious electric piano à la New York’s Cymbals Eat Guitars.
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New Review
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why you should check them out:
One of the key components of any good tragedy is the use of humor. ...why you should check them out:
One of the key components of any good tragedy is the use of humor. It accentuates the pain; it makes the melancholy more palatable and allows you to swallow the thing whole, whether or not you like it. Taxes is a band that knows how to play these conflicting emotions off each other and deliver the hardest punch possible. Lead singer Robby Cronholm writes emotive pop songs about his relationships and his own self-reflections. In every song there are equal amounts of pain and wit, which is an effective formula. Their debut LP, It’s Always Something, showcases the band’s superb songwriting and powerful dynamics. It’s the type of record that you can find new meaning in every time you listen to it. Cronholm leads the charge with the songs, but the band is instrumental in delivering a walloping sound that matches the pain of the lyrics note for note.
background check:
Taxes is the creation of former Crumb lead singer, Robby Cronholm, who started the project a few years after the disbandment of Crumb. Taxes released their debut EP, This is Going to End Badly, in the Spring of 2010 and followed up with a full length record, It’s Always Something, that shoots for a sound as large as the emotions in the songs. The band is made up of 6 members and is often augmented by the luscious string arrangements of Magik*Magik Orchestra that makes their songs all the more dramatic and powerful. Their live show is equally compelling and showcases the band’s collective chops. The group has played with American Music Club, The Dodos and John Vanderslice. Their music and the reaction from their audience proves that people are still very eager to relate to a heart-on-your-sleeve kind of band.
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Audyssey Presents: The Neighborhood
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Believe it or not, one of the key components to a great band is a singer who has a distinctive sound...Believe it or not, one of the key components to a great band is a singer who has a distinctive sound (think Matthew Pryor of The Get Up Kids and Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World). Luckily, Bay Area band Taxes is graced with vocalist Robby Cronholm, who started the group after the dismemberment his former band Crumb. Reminiscent of bands of the 90's ‘emo’ ( yes, we just said emo) bands like Sunny Day Real Estate and The Weakerthans, their songs are sweet and melodic, but also melancholy and dramatic – which is characteristic of ‘emo’ bands.
While the songs are relatively simple, the confessional style lyrics about romantic relationships, life and regret take listeners on an emotional rollercoaster ride, whisking them through relatable experiences, which end up in self-reflection on both ends (band and listener). It’s almost like listening to a diary in the form of an 8-song LP.
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Record Review
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Taxes are a new band to hit the scene hailing from California. The band’s debut EP This is Going to ...Taxes are a new band to hit the scene hailing from California. The band’s debut EP This is Going to End Badly was released at this year’s San Francisco Noise Pop Festival and should definitely make some noise in the Indie Rock scene. The bands perfect blend of hard riffs and lush keyboards on tracks like “The Shut-In” go well with the melancholy lyrics of Robby Cronholm on a rocky relationship. The standout track is “Pyramid Scheme” which kicks off with some heavy riffing before segueing in a beautiful soft guitar chord and string section. The band pulls the hard/soft contrast so well on this track that it would be a shock if this track was not a radio hit. Every element on this track fits well and is worth repeated listens. “A Picture of Waves” has a 50s ballad feel to it with a dreamy guitar chord and the slow hypnotic drumming of Brad Harbidge. Josh White’s screaming, urgent guitar lead is icing on the cake for this somber, laid-back number. For a debut, This is Going to End Badly is very promising. Each song is unique and does not run down the path of many bands that play the same song 12 times on a record. For an EP to be this good, a full length album would be a sure fire hit. The Taxes are a band poised to make a name for itself in the music world and are recommended for any fan of good rock music. This band is definitely not a write off. Check the release out at Digstation.com
Review by Jerel Johnson
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Interview with Online Magazine Junior's Cave
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Fantastic sound, awesome vocals from Robby Cronholm (Voice, Guitar), and melodic tunes are some of t...Fantastic sound, awesome vocals from Robby Cronholm (Voice, Guitar), and melodic tunes are some of the words that can best described the California Indie Band Taxes. Each member of the band adds something special to the overall appeal of Taxes’ music. And fans of Rock music will enjoy the overall wonderful style of Taxes. In this spotlight with our Webzine, we spoke to front man Robby Cronholm about his band and what makes them so good. Here’s is the entire conversation for your reading pleasure.
Isaac: Let’s get started with this interview. When and how did you first become interested in music?
robby: I couldn't have been more than five or six years old when my babysitter, Mary Murray, showed up with a mix tape. The Clash were on Side A and Greg Kihn was Side B. Even before I had heard The Clash, I remember being awestruck by the intimacy of the tape itself. Mary had this incredible, legible handwriting and the time she had taken to transcribe every song title was apparent. It seemed so personal, almost religious in it's appearance. Then my parents left and sounds of The Clash filled the house. That was it. I remember thinking I want to do this.
Isaac: How long have you been playing music?
robby: I started my first band in grade school. We were called Vicious, and we were the farthest thing from it. None of us really knew how to play instruments, so we started with the important stuff, i.e. t-shirt designs, album covers, band logos, etc. We were really into Poison, Motley Crue, Skid Row and the like. Around this time, 7th grade or so, I started taking classical guitar lessons. Not long after, I bought the only electric guitar in the classical guitar shop. It was a Lotus, cost a hundred bucks and sounded like it, too. It's still in my basement.
Isaac: Who would you say are your biggest musical influences and why?
robby: My favorite band of all time would have to be The Smiths (Morrissey). A close second is Elliott Smith. I guess I'm obsessed with the Smith name. If Justin Bieber changed his name to Justin Smith he'd probably be my third favorite. (studio laugh track) But seriously, there have been so many, many artists that have soundtracked (I just made this word up) my life. Jawbreaker, Seaweed, That Dog, Refused, Drive Like Jehu. This year it's really been about The National, Die Antwoord, I love the new Menomena record. It just goes on and on. And on and on.
Isaac: What has been the greatest highpoint in your career so far?
I suppose it happened when I was nineteen and had just been kicked out of college. I was sleeping on friends couches, my family wasn't too thrilled, I was living on a dollar a day, etc. (basically my version of Jewel's "I slept in a van" story that we were all subjected to after her record broke)... Regardless, I got the call that Warner Bros. wanted to sign us and I started to cry tears of joy. I immediately called my mom. She started crying, too. I thought, I know isn't this the best news ever?!? Sadly, her tears weren't tears of joy. Although ever since, my parents have been nothing but supportive. The band was called crumb and the next years were some of the happiest of my life. I might not have known it at the time, but they were. Also, my current band, Taxes, is a new highpoint. We set out to make something we could be proud of and I think we did just that.
Isaac: What has been the greatest disappointment in your career so far? What did you learn from that experience?
robby: After crumb disbanded, I really went into a downward spiral. I walked away from music, or rather I sprinted. I had lost that which had sustained me. Dark days indeed. I suppose those lost years were the greatest disappointment in my career. I should have been making music instead of making myself miserable. Still, I wouldn't trade those years for anything. I learned that the life of an artist is not an easy one. Sure, it beats a cubicle existence, but the disappointments affect you in a much greater way. You have to be careful and always find ways to remind yourself of that first mix tape, that first band, the catalysts that made you want to play music. If you don't it is all too easy to let your level of success dictate your self worth.
Isaac: What draws you to want to play the type of music that you do?
robby: I've always written by impulse and at the end of the day I just want to create something that makes me proud. I think in the end it comes down to the musicians that you surround yourself with and Taxes is filled with fantastic players. They all bring something to the table and the "type of music" that we create happens organically. On the next record we'll be working to make more conscious decisions that will really shape the audio landscape in new ways.
Isaac: What do you think you will create that will make your performances and who you are stand out in the music industry?
robby: I've always strived to make our live shows visceral. I want to make sure that the audience gets a show. It's about being in the moment and letting the body be a conduit for the songs emotional meaning. We're certainly not shoegazers. When it comes to standing out in the music industry... I think we just do our best work and commit ourselves to the work and the rest will either follow or it won't.
Isaac: If you had the opportunity to do one cover, what cover would you do and why? How would you put your own spin on this cover?
robby: This is a very relevant question as Taxes are in the process of doing just that, trying to pick a cover and make it our own. Personally, I like to choose songs that are fantastic but may have faded into the background. Instead of covering the most popular song on the radio at the moment try to find that song that you're constantly turning friends on to. It's a chance to say, "hey, remember this song from that little band back in the day?!?" or "you just have to hear this!"
Isaac: What does it take to be a good songwriter?
robby: I'm still trying to answer that question. I think that's what it's all about. I still haven't written the perfect song but I keep trying. I think it's a crossroads of sorts... It's where emotional content and craft meet and compliment each other. I think my best songs sort of appear. They present themselves and the it's my responsibility to get them down and shape them. "A Picture of Waves Crashing on the Shore", a song off of our most recent EP, basically just wrote itself. I just sat down on the bed, picked up the guitar and sang the entire first verse and chorus. I just kept singing it over and over, grabbed my phone, recorded it and crafted it. I wish they were all that easy.
Isaac: How difficult is it to juggle music, family and work obligation, and life in general? Explain.
robby: It's been difficult with Taxes. Being in a band is so much easier when you're young. In the last year, both our drummer and our keyboardist have welcomed newborns into their families. Most everyone in the band has jobs and it isn't easy. We try to stay focused on creating. That's really important. Just keep making music. Having short term goals is very important. At the moment, we are gearing up for the second Taxes record, due out in 2011. We've struggled recently with keeping everyone together. I think communication is key. A band is a relationship. It's a family unit of sorts and you have to treat it as such.
Isaac: What is your definition of being an Indie artist/band?
robby: The term indie is a strange one. I think at the end of the day, it means being your own manager, booking agent, etc. I struggle with this. Self-promotion isn't a strong suit. It really helps to have another skill set outside of simply being creative. An indie artist/band has to navigate the business part of the music business. We're working on it.
Isaac: Where can fans access your music online?
robby: The debut EP by Taxes is entitled "This is Going to End Badly". To have a listen point your browser to myspace.com/taxesband To pay $6 for the record head to digstation.com and search for Taxes or, for Junior's Cave readers, grab the songs for free at sonicbids.com/taxes and click on the audio link. Also, if you like bad jokes, follow us at twitter.com/taxesband
Isaac: In five years…….
robby: I can't really say where I'll be in five years as I haven't made arrangements yet. I imagine it will be dark (I'm a night owl) with a strong scent of pine. Seriously though, I imagine I'll still be trying to write the perfect song. One of these days I just might succeed.
Thank you Isaac and thanks for listening.
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The Album Project Daily Rec
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Taxes has a sort of Blue Album, Weezer, thing going on in their lyrical styles with Ben Folds-esque ...Taxes has a sort of Blue Album, Weezer, thing going on in their lyrical styles with Ben Folds-esque vocals. As a complete outsider, “Drummer Song” seems to explain where the other song’s come from in their lack of faith. Taxes is solid rock that’s DIY without falling into the new and trendy “Lo-Fi” genre.
supersonic
Acquaintances, Accomplices
