Jinx the Tragedy

They may not be a household name yet, but four Gilbert kids are gaining a reputation in local music circles, each drawing from 14 years or less of life experiences to make their own contributions to music.

Jinx the Tragedy, comprising 14-year-old Sam Hirsche on drums and Treven Martin on bass, 13-year-old Austin Jones on lead/rhythm guitar and 11-year-old Noah Hirsche on keyboards, has been a band since 2008.


Already, the band members have tested their brand of alternative rock music on huge audiences before a basketball shootout event in Glendale, at the Sun Devil Stadium during P.F. Chang's marathon and at Tempe Marketplace; they've won music competition; and are about to launch their first CD.

On Thursday, Gilbert audiences can hear them play a concert at Freestone Park as part of the town's Spring Concerts in the Park series.

"We just picked it up," said Austin, who formed the band in fifth grade with classmate Sam at Sonoma Ranch Elementary. "We didn't have to sit down and take lessons for a couple of years and come back and play. We have it naturally."

The boys say they grew up with music around them: Sam's father Pye was in a band and Austin's father Thad is a music lover.

"My whole life is music," Sam said.

Jinx the Tragedy first began as "Second Skin," until someone told them that the name was taken. With the aid of letters on a license plate, a song with "tragedy" in its title and some idle chitchat while driving someplace, they coined their new name.

In the Hirsche home, posters of "Jimmy Eat World," the alternative rock band from Mesa, and Paramour, the alternative rock band from Franklin, Tenn., adorn their practice studio. Most of the band's songs are written by Austin, drawing from teen angst such as parental controls, girls, and "life in general." The tone varies from mellow to happy to loud. The boys collaborate to create the music.

"I think we're more mature than people would think that kids of our age are," he said. "That's obviously a good thing, at least to us. We try to write from our point of view to keep it real at the same time."

The first CD, which will be released in early May, will feature six originals, including "My Own Miracle," "Closer to Me" and "Kill My Fun." Two others, "Still Got You" and "Kill My Fun," have created a buzz on Internet radio, and the songs get free airplay on Jingo, iTunes and other services as the result of positive comments from the public.

Mainstream radio, however, has yet to air their music, and the boys hope that will happen once their CD is available.

Despite their accomplishments, the routine of school remains. Checking out other artists, recording and practicing - about three days a week as a group and many hours individually - eats into homework time, they say.

Treven said they are keeping their grades "for the most part," although he and Noah have had to give up football. There's simply not enough time to practice both.

"It sucks," Treven said. "But at the same time, I'm glad."

Added Austin: "If there's a choice between going to the movies with friends or going to the studio, we always know. It's just what we do."

But it will be a while before they pile into a tour bus, miss school and hold concerts across the country. If ever.

Robin Hirsche, Sam and Noah's mom, said "Music is only going to take you so far, and I'm not super fond of the whole lifestyle."

"They would want to get a big record deal and all of that, but we're going to take it one day at a time," she added. "It's early to tell and I'm not banking their whole life on it. They are doing well at school, they are going to go to college. This isn't do or die for them."

Hirsche concedes that the boys are learning valuable life lessons by cooperating with each other, making decisions, playing in shows and other experiences.

"As long as they are enjoying it, and they are having fun with it, then I'm going to encourage it," she said.

So much togetherness, however, sometimes proves to be a challenge. "We don't fight; we argue violently," Sam said, immediately withdrawing the word "violently."

But music is the glue that binds them.

"It's fun, and I like doing it," Noah said.

Added Sam: Who wouldn't want to sit behind the drums and play drum for ten hours a week and get paid to do it?"



Noah Hirsche, 11, Austin Jones, 13, Sam Hirsche, 14, and Treven Martin, 14, make up Jinx the Tragedy, a Gilbert alt-rock band.

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Listen to the band
What: "Jinx the Tragedy" plays a free concert as part of Gilbert's Spring Concerts in the Park series.

When: 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday.

Where: Freestone Park Amphitheater at 1045 E. Juniper Ave., Gilbert.

Details: 480-503-6224 or gilbertaz.gov/parks/concert.cfm
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- Arizona Republic

Awhile back, our sister company, JC Internet Radio, interviewed the Indie Pop band
Jinx the Tragedy in a super charged interview. We are pleased to now get the same opportunity as we introduce the band to our online readers of this Webzine. Jinx the Tragedy are compiled of four talented young boys (all the ages under fourteen) who are making a big splash into the music industry with their amazing sound, fantastic tunes, and great vocals. We are excited to bring you this exclusive interview with a group that will be entertaining us for years to come.

Isaac: HI Jinx the Tragedy! You are living, working, and performing in Gilbert, AZ. Describe the music scene in your location and what does this mean to you as an artist/band.

Jinx the Tragedy: Gilbert has a lot of cool opportunities for bands like us, such as competitions and other gigs, which give us the exposure/experience that we need.

Isaac: You have listed a ton of iconic music giants as your musical influences. Of these influences, who would you love to work with in a collaboration effort in the near future?

Jinx the Tragedy: Definitely Paramore. They put out great music; we would love to work with them. But it's hard to say what artists we would like working with, because we're really open to all different kinds of music and styles.

Isaac: What's the biggest challenge of pursuing a career in music?

Jinx the Tragedy: There are a lot of challenges in the music industry, but I have to say that competition is the biggie for us. There are a lot of other bands out there who want exposure just as much as us, and it gets pretty crazy sometimes.

Isaac: What do you like about performing in an intimate setting versus a huge setting and vice versa?

Jinx the Tragedy: Big shows are always fun; they always have this awesome vibe that just psychs you up no matter where you play. Smaller ones never really disappoint though, it's more of a calm, comfortable show.


Jinx the Tragedy
Photo by Kara Layne Photography (Website)

Isaac: What is the process you take to write? How do you go from a spark to a completed finished song?

Jinx the Tragedy: It's always different. They never start in a logical way; it's usually someone messing around during practice, or a variation of a part. Whether it starts with a clever lyric, or a bass line, or a sick guitar riff, it's just a natural thing. Everyone throws in a different piece of the puzzle, and it becomes this totally new, defined track.

Isaac: What are the pros and cons of doing everything yourself vs. working with others in the music industry?

Jinx the Tragedy: Working with other musicians is awesome, and it's always cool to try to mix two different bands, it's like a crazy whacked-out science experiment. There are big advantages in doing it on your own though, because you get to choose the vibe and sound of the song, and it can be your own creation.

Isaac: What is the most difficult part about juggling family life, work, and a music career for you as a performer/artist/band?

Jinx the Tragedy: Well, considering we are all 14 and under, it's rough. We all gave up our personal activities and sports to bust out some jams, and it was the best decision we have ever made. The most difficult part, though, has to be dealing with loss of our normal teenage lives, 'cause honestly, we're still just four kids who love rock and don't like school.

Isaac: What are your plans for the future?

Jinx the Tragedy: We're really looking forward to recording again, and hopefully we'll have a record label soon. In the meantime, we'll be playing shows, writing new material, and rockin' hard.



Jinx the Tragedy's Official MySpace Page

http://jinxthetragedy.com/

- Junior's Cave

Jinx the Tragedy was featured on Channel 12 news in Phoenix, AZ - Channel 12 News in Phoenix, AZ

Young Gilbert band breaking into big time

- Arizona Republic