I Am The Messenger

Fall seems to be the season to check out new music. For those of you who love a little bit of punk, house, metal core, and alternative, up and coming band I Am the Messenger is the band for you.

I Am the Messenger originally began during the summer of 2005. Consisting of six talented artists, IATM certainly has a new style to bring to the Cincinnati music scene. Their style is very original, sticks out and is made up of many genres. It is very clear that each band member has his own musical influence and background. The musical elements of the individuals are quite easy to identify. I Am the Messenger as a whole have captured a unique, consistent sound that they are proud to call their own.

How one might have come to find such a band name, some should say. When asked where the name came from, guitarist and vocalist Jamie Sivaris says, “We aren't a "Christian" band, but we try to send people with a positive message of hope and being the change they want to see in the world, and a message of acceptance of others. It isn't affiliated with any religion, but just a message of hope. With a message that we think is a pretty strong one, the name kind of fell into our laps.”

With that being said, I Am the Messenger takes pride in promoting a positive message through their lyrical content and they do their best to live life according to the ideas portrayed in their songs.

When asked about the new EP Robots, Sivaris also says,” Robots was early for us. We had just come together as a band. We were still trying to solidify the lineup of the band, and we knew it was important to get music out there. They were the first 5 songs we ever wrote as a band, and while I think the songs are good, I think they were only a stepping stone for the music we are writing now. The songs weren't rushed, but I think we are just now coming into our sound. The style of our new material hasn't changed genres, but it carries a more established sound.”

Like all bands, fan support is what inspires them to do more as far as writing even more material and booking more shows. The band has had so much support since the release of the EP that the band has continued on to book shows with big name bands such as Fall of Troy and Four Letter Lie. The band is also scheduled to play with bands such as Miss May I, Lets Get It, and more this coming New Year’s at Dayton venue, The Attic.

The band is still currently unsigned but shows no signs of slowing down or giving up the journey to become signed. They are working on establishing management and taking steps to further their local career to more of a regional level. They have also started on their full length album anticipated to come out sometime in 2010. The band members are avid networking site users; you can listen to songs from their EP on MySpace, comment them, and leave them feedback. They also keep up a band Twitter so you can keep up with them as they play shows and travel. - The Baconian - Quarterly newspaper for Roger Bacon High School in Cincinnati, Ohio.

1. How did you guys come up with the name "I Am The Messenger"?

We try to have positive overtones to our music. We aren't a "Christian" band, but we try to send people with a positive message of hope and being the change they want to see in the world. And a message of acceptance of others. With a message that we think is a pretty strong one, the name kind of fell into our laps.


2. You guys are from Ohio, what's the music scene like locally there?

Kids from Cincinnati are amazing. They are very supportive of bands, and the unity that has built in the music scene in the past few years makes us want to be nowhere else. There are so many talented bands and so many amazing fans who follow them. And, while we don't have many venues here, the ones we have are fair and incredibly easy to work with.


3. The band has been together since 2005, what are some things you have learned since the formation of the band?

We have learned a lot about working as a team. We divide up tasks to individuals. We have learned to put our personal interests behind us when they aren't in the interest of the band as a whole. This goes for songwriting too. We don't have a prime songwriter. We write the songs together, and they come out better than they would if we wrote them individually.


4. What can someone expect from a I Am The Messenger live show?

Energy! We have tons of fun on stage, but we are always energetic. We put our heart into our songs, and I think it shows live. We like to get the crowd involved, as well.


5. You guys are touring Kentucky soon including a show with Rose Funeral (Metal Blade Records), you guys amped for the tour?

It's actually just a one-off show. But, yes. We are very excited. It should be a great show. A lot of people have expressed interest in coming out.


6. Any good show stories?

Actually, the most recent was just last night. We had a band member who lost a close family member, and we had a benefit show for the family to help cover funeral costs. It was great to be able to see the family members get a night of relaxation. It was clear they had some fun, despite the fact that the music on the show wasn't really what they are into, as you could imagine. But it was really amazing...so many people came together to help throw together a very successful show. It was a really great experience.


7. You guys just released your EP "Robots", how has the reaction been to it thus far?

The reaction has been great actually. Lots of kids already learning the lyrics, singing them along at our shows, and adding the songs to their Myspace pages.


8. What's your thoughts on illegal music downloading?

I wouldn't say that I am for or against it. I don't think that there is anyone who can say that they aren't guilty of downloading SOMETHING. But, it is still product, which isn't made for stealing. At the same time, I think that the music industry has done a decent job of bouncing back. Ever since the file sharing revolution, ticket prices have gone up for events. Bands used to make money off CD sales and now bands profit from tours. At least on a national level.


9. What are you guys currently listening to?

I can't speak for everyone, but I have recently gotten into MC Lars. Also, the new Devil Wears Prada is amazing. Other CDs that frequent my CD player (or the "most played iPod list) are the new Taking Back Sunday, various Jimmy Eat World albums (all great, and never get old), Michael Jackson (and not just because of his passing, been a fan since I was 5). And I have gotten into Alexisonfire recently as well.


10. What's next for I Am The Messenger?

We are working on establishing management and taking steps to further our local career to more of a regional level. We are still a young band and have a lot of steps to take to get there. We are taking the next several months to expand our name and make ourselves known.


11. Any shoutouts?

Honestly, if we were to mention all the people we love and love working with, we would be here a while. But just a few are Zach Wright and Bazookas Go Bang (myspace.com/bazookasgobang), The Beneath (myspace.com/thebeneath), Chris Human, Ron Williams, and of course every one of our fans.



Read more: http://fromthedepthsent.blogspot.com/2009/07/interview-i-am-messenger-71409.html - http://fromthedepthsent.blogspot.com

I Am The Messenger recently sat down with Suite101 and discussed their music, their take on the local scene, and their message.

The Band

The Cincinnati Ohio band consists of six men: David, Mark, Jamie, Jp, and Blake. All six come from different musical backgrounds; each had been in other bands before joining what was once The Winners Circle in the summer of 2005. Jp thought of the name I Am The Messenger only a few months ago and the band members agreed that the new name was suitable for what they were trying to do.

"We try to deliver a positive message; one of hope and holding your head high through tough situations, and of being the change you wish to see in the world." Jamie said.

The band felt like they had learned many things from being in other bands, and those things helped prepare them for what they are doing with I Am The Messenger.

"For me it was just the ability to work with others and compromise," Jamie said.” The ability to fall back on your best friends when needed, and the ability to sacrifice "your way" for the betterment of the band and for the sake of compromise and keeping everyone content."



The Music

When it comes to working together I Am The Messenger does just that. Jamie and David write most of the lyrics, which are based off of true situations or topics in which each band member has either gone through, is going through, or has a strong opinion on. Jamie admits that creating the music as a whole enlists the help of the entire band.

"We all contribute different ideas. Everything we write from the first cord hit, the drum parts, the lyrics, scream patterns and melodies are 100% collaboration." Jamie said.

I Am The Messenger has gathered their inspirations from many varying artists such as Refused, The Police, Jimmy Eat World, and Underoath.But although the band many have many influences musically they try more than anything to sound like themselves and not just the "brand new thing on the block" as Jamie put it.

"That's not to say we don't try to be original or different." Jamie said. He added that they just don't want to end up sounding like something they are not.

Local and National Music Scenes

I Am The Messenger's goal is to keep their audience satisfied, but still guessing at the same time. The band's combination of pop and heavy metal is what they feel helps make them different from many other bands.

"They are hardcore/metal songs written with the structure of pop and punk bands." Jamie said.

The band also points out that there are many things missing from both the local and national music scenes.

Jamie says that the biggest thing missing from the local music scene is unity.

"Local bands tend to work against each other. They tend to forget it isn't a competition and they don't work together." Jamie added that the national scene is missing a whole lot more. " Mainstream music has no soul. Music used to be about art and self-expression. Now it's about dollar signs and decimals."

Sending A Message

What I Am The Messenger does hope people hear when they listen to them is energy.

"We also want people to think, if only for a moment, that things aren't always that bad. It's almost never about the actual unfortunate situation that makes things that bad, but more about how we perceive or react to them." Jamie said.

Unlike the bands in the national scene I Am The Messenger's goal is not to become rich and famous. What the band hopes to achieve is that many people can listen to their music and that they can make an impact on people by offering them different perspectives on dealing with the hardships that they all encounter.

Jamie states that some of the bands motivations come from hardships and the will to overcome life’s trials and tribulations.

“As cliché as that might sound we are very inspired by hardships and “negative” situations. We have found that by writing about positive reactions to these situations helps us not only as an outlet, but it helps us to actually live in a positive way.”

To check out I Am The Messenger’s music visit their website at: myspace.com/iamthemessengeronline



Read more: http://metalmusic.suite101.com/article.cfm/i_am_the_messenger#ixzz0XwubfUMQ

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