Standing Still

Aftermath, a Solo Project Debut (An interview with Michael Capadais, Composer/Vocalist/Guitarist of Aftermath)

Knode: How did you get your start as a musician?

Capadais: I was in a lot of metal and alternative rock type bands that never really worked out. It was very hard working with others when I always had a sense of leadership and no one followed. So when my last band Dreaded Dishonor broke up, I decided to take a break from musical progression and just let the band type life go for awhile. I did play around 40-50 shows in the past 4-5 years but I just needed a break from the stress of other members.

Knode: What instrument did you play, and how did you contribute to the bands?

Capadais: In the early part of my career I played bass for several bands. Although bass is my forte I did expand and start learning several instruments such as guitar, vocals and a little drums. Around 2007 is when I played in a band called Act on Impulse where I composed all the pieces and sang and played rhythm guitar on the songs. That was the start of me being a serious composer and trying to my music to the next level.

Knode: So how did your musical experiences lead you to this point in your musical expose? What sparked you to start playing and producing music again?

Capadais: Many of the songs from my other bands were my own, so when I heard that my school (Columbia College Chicago) was doing a showcase of bands called Biggest Mouth, I decided I should practice and tryout. It was a perfect opportunity that I did not want to pass up, and I wanted to show the school what I was made of. I then started getting several musicians to work with me such as Steven Earl and Katie Ricard who are also on the upcoming album to help play Visions which is one of the tracks on the album also. Biggest Mouth was the event that really got this project on its feet.

Knode: Can you elaborate a little on the project you are working on currently?

Capadais: Yes, well like I said I have been in a lot of bands/projects and after hearing numerous times from people that I should start a solo project and do music on my own I acted on it. I am now currently recording a solo album tentatively called “Inside My Mind” which should be out June 26th in a few stores and online. But yeah to get to where I am now I started writing in the beginning of March and for two months have compiled an EP of five songs, spending twelve to fourteen hours of recording a day for the past week at Hammerhead Studios. I’m proud of how much I have done in such a short amount of time and I think people are gonna really dig what is gonna come of this record.

Knode: That is quite a bit of hard work and time to put into this. You could not have done all of this on your own so quickly. Have you had other people contributing?

Capadais: Yes. My friend Katie Ricard has accompanied me on three of the songs with her beautiful violin playing. She’s amazing. Also, I could not have done this without Steven Earl who plays drums in all of the songs. Also, Ben Lerner has sort of been an overseer in this project, helping with producing and arranging the album. He is sort of outside of the project, but gives meaningful and helpful input on the music. I felt like having a few people that weren’t in the project to come into the writing sessions to give some good expertise.

Knode: Excellent. And what has inspired you to produce the album and the songs themselves?

Capadais: When you are in a band you have to worry about pleasing everyone in the band. Whereas, I have been able to focus on my own stuff and do my OWN thing with a solo project. It’s also less stressful and enables me to express myself better with more freedoms.

Knode: Are there any influential factors that are prominent in the creation of this album such as people, events, places, other music..etc.?

Capadais: Five bands in particular have really helped form my own musical taste and production of my own music. Mudvayne has always been a big love and influencer of my music, as well as Finger Eleven, Staind, Deftones, and Taproot. All of these bands give an energetic vibe, and have been therapeutic to me, cheering me up and influencing me musically more than anything else. And that is what I hope my solo project can do for people. If people have a voice, they should use it. Sometimes bands can hold you back, and I urge people to not let that happen to them. If you have a voice never let anyone hold you back!

Knode: That is a beautiful hope for your music. With the songs themselves, what are, if any, some of the deeper meanings? Or what is meaningful to you about the songs?

Capadais: Usually I use senseless titles and sort of go with it, but my single “Addiction” which was originally called “Unseen Misfortune” from an old band I was in called Act on Impulse is by far the most emotional song I wrote. “Addiction” is one of the few songs I wrote that actually did make sense—to me. Sometimes when anyone that has a problem gets really sad they’ll drink/smoke/pop/etc a lot, so this song is about fighting the bad habit that a lot of people have. There are a lot of metaphors in the songs which really could give different meanings to different people when they listen to the song. For example the lyrics to the chorus is, “Why do you want to control my life? Before I’m gone with this inside. Sometimes I want to hide, hide the truth so I can fly.”

Knode: So the word “fly” refers to getting drunk and high? Which I think a lot of adolescents can relate to.

Capadais: Yes, exactly. I hope to encourage people to not use drugs as an outlet, or at least, through my song, maybe they can see that there are more people like that too and that their not alone!

Knode: What other songs are on your solo album? And do you have a favorite song to play, sing or produce overall in the process?

Capadais:”Footprints” which has violin as well as “Visions,” which is a hard rock song, and “Addiction,” which is the single and also has my favorite lyrics. “Cut throat” is another one of my EP’s. My favorite song to play and sing is “Inside my mind” which has old cappy roots which if you don’t know, people back in massachusetts know what I mean. All in all, they are all awesome and super fun to play. I’ve been working very hard on this album and i hope it pays off! The production process has been an exciting, diligent one all in all.

Knode: What else makes “Addiction” different and your favorite compared to the other songs?

Capadais: With Katie Ricard as a violinist accompaniment it gives the a classical element with a lot of bands don’t have. It is also bass driven, which is my forte, and makes it more fun and groovy. It’s a lot of emotion in every instrument and I hope you guys dig it. Speaking of emotion“Visions” is another song thats up there for my favorites on the record.

Knode: Sweet. What is special about “Visions?”

Capadais: It is a good middle ground between soft and hard music. But the song is mainly about choosing a home and one’s future. For me, I came from Boston to Chicago and it hasn’t been an easy adaptation. None of my friends were too supportive of me leaving them at first, and there was a lot of pressure for me to stay in Boston like most people from my area do. But I wanted to do what I wanted to do, and do something different. I want this song to influence other people to do what they want to do and need to do, despite what other people say. You have to follow your dream even if it’s not home.

Knode: How would you be publicizing and promoting this album?

Capadais: Well for me I am very grateful I know a lot of people from other states that would be more than welcome to put up flyers, stickers etc so that helps me nationwide! For promoting we have a facebook account right now that 569 people have been a fan of us which is great but to further things I am going to go on myspace, craigslist and hopefully try to send the demo out to labels if the turnout of the EP goes very well. Flyers, stickers, teasers, anything to make the fan base as a whole come out and support!

Knode: Wow. That is quite an opportunity all ready! It seems you have connections too which is a great start! How will you be getting the music known?

Capadais: Like i said mostly through facebook, myspace, and craigslist I will be spreading the word. So it is based on internet promotions besides flyers and stickers my friends will put up everywhere. I will also be putting the album on ITUNES for sale. For all the massachusetts/New England natives it will be in Newbury Comics also and possibly other places when the cd starts picking up. I really hope, I can get a song or two on the radio locally. Plus we are going on tour in the winter which will help us a lot with promotion.

Knode: What an aspiration!! I wish you the best of luck with all of that. What do you expect to achieve in completion of the album whether publically or personally?

Capadais: But I just hope that I keep evolving with my music as a solo artist and gain a personal satisfaction from self-expression. Presently, my biggest goal is getting the word out. And keeping the music real. I just hope that I keep evolving with my music as a solo artist and gain a personal satisfaction from self-expression. I know every band/artist wants to get signed but in my opinion I just want people to feel my music and show their love. I will always stay true to my family, friends and fans and I can’t wait to show everyone the album.

Knode: I wish you the best of luck in all your endeavors. It sounds like you have the right mind and heart in all that you are doing, and that alone can get you far! Thanks for your time and conversation, Michael.
- Elizabeth Knode