SAVANAH

T-Mak World, September 2 2014 – Very few things are as exciting as finding something new you love. Much like archaeologists that dig to find hidden treasures, we here at T-Mak World really enjoy trying to find new bands that we love. Once we find such bands, we approach our favorites to request interviews for our Emerging Artist Spotlight series where we have featured over 100 artists so far. Today we set our focus on a band from Toronto named Savanah. All bands we talked to are asked similar questions to each other so we can get to know them better. We talked to J.C Sandoval the guitarist of the band.

T: Hey Savanah, thanks for taking the time out to talk to us. Let’s start off with the obligatory introductions. Who’s in the band and what instrument does everyone rock?

SAV: We are a 4 piece original Rock band from Toronto, featuring Arjun Thomas on Lead Vocals, myself (J.C. Sandoval) on Guitar, Mark Rynkun on Bass and George Nikolov on the Drums.

T: How about the history of the band, when did you get started and how did it happen?

SAV: George and I started the band when we were 17. At first, we played a lot of all ages shows at The Big Bop before it closed (RIP). They weren’t the most glamorous shows, but they served as a good learning experience.

Over the years we have experienced a few hiatuses to find the right members. Mark Rynkun joined in 2010 and Arjun Thomas in 2013 . The band has never sounded better.

T: Who are some of your musical influences?

SAV: Each member has a diverse set of different musical influences, but we all seem to gravitate together towards bands like Queens of the Stone Age, Soundgarden, and The Mars Volta.

We enjoy rock bands that hit hard and do things unapologetically different.

So based on the above how would you describe your music to someone that has never heard it?

SAV: Just like our influences, we strive to find an edge in our sound within the boundaries of Rock music.

You can expect big riffs, frantic energy, and a subtle blues influence with a good story told by a monstrous voice.

T:
Why do you believe that a music fan should come and see your show instead of all the other choices available to them on any given night?

SAV: I believe that we have one of the best sounding rock bands in Toronto. We put on a great live show and we put a lot of work into our hometown shows.

We realize that our shows are not just about us and that it’s supposed to be entertaining and social for everyone.

To make that happen we make sure we promote the show, we bring out our own people, choose a cool venue, and team up like minded bands to create a solid night. By putting into the effort, we build a reputation that our shows are the place to go.

T: What is your favourite single line of lyrics the band has written and why?

SAV: “To live is inside of you and it takes all inside of you to live” is a line from a song called “Live”.

This is my personal favourite line because it serves a good motto for anything you do.

Basically it means that if you want do anything worthwhile in this life you must draw power and will from inside yourself, no one else is responsible for your goals and dreams.

T: What does the rest of 2014 hold for you?

SAV: For the rest of 2014 we will be focusing on recording an EP. We will also be booking a few more shows in ontario. We are very excited for the future. The universe is the limit.

T:
Imagine that you were asked to be the opener for any band’s world tour (both current and historical). Which band and tour would be your dream opening gig.

SAV: Knowing our band we’d probably prefer to be on the road with a band that is really musically gifted so we can learn all their techniques and secrets.

Currently Cedric and Omar from the Mars Volta have a project that they started called Antemasque. It would be a dream hanging out with such masters of prog-rock.

What is the future of the music industry? With the concept of the album and physical CD’s facing extinction, how will we be consuming music in 10 years? Are the economics feasible for emerging artists?

SAV: While the physical CD is definitely facing extinction; I’m not sure that the album itself is entirely down and out. I think we will be getting less albums but better quality ones.

Previously, it seemed like most artists were obligated to create a full length album, whether they could do it well or not; most of the time you would get 2-3 strong tunes and the rest was filler.

Now that artists don’t feel pressured into having to write a full length album, artists that have enough good material to write them can, while other artists can focus on putting out a number of quality shorter releases.

The re-emergence of Vinyl is good for the album, but I think we are heading towards a mostly streaming format for everything else.

As for the future the music industry as whole? Who knows? Even the experts seem baffled. It’s definitely a very volatile time, especially for emerging artists.

Indie/emerging artists now have to learn how to run every aspect of their business and still create groundbreaking work, all while the ground beneath them is constantly being shifted.

I suppose you need a vision, integrity and devotion to what you do because the reality is that the cards are stacked against you.

Hopefully with a lot of hard work, some luck and time, these obstacles can be overcome.

T:
Where can people purchase or listen to your music?

SAV: You can listen to our single “Inferno” on our website, band camp or youtube.

T: At the end of 2013 we published our picks for top 10 albums of 2013. Lists like those are always a reflection of personal tastes so if you were making the list what are some albums you would you have had on it?

SAV: Here are some on my list, I included some 2014 albums too since we are more than halfway through this year.

• Queens of the Stone Age (…Like Clockwork)
• Black Sabbath (13)
• Daft Punk (Random, Access, Memories)
• Kings Of Leon (Mechanical Bull)
• Arctic Monkeys (AM)
• Big Wreck (Ghosts)
• Mastodon (Once more ’round the sun)
• The Rival Sons (The Western Valkrie)
• St.Vincent (St.Vincent)
• Pretty Wreckless (Going To Hell)
Any closing remarks for our readers?

SAV: Come see us live on Friday, September 12th at Cherry Cola’s or catch us as at this year’s Indie Week 2014 in October.

We are planning to release another unreleased single online soon, while we go into the studio to record our new EP.

T:
Hey thanks for the time guys, we cant wait to check you out live – it has been a long time since we last saw you and are really looking forward to September 12th! Keep the #RealRock alive! - T-Mak World

Savanah seems to have found comfort in mixing the familiar with something uniquely their own. This five-piece thrusts forward with a not-so-subtle mix of classic rock/metal and grunge with hints of psych-blues wrapped around wailing vocals, loud riffs, odd time-signatures, meandering jams and funk-inspired-basslines. This is the type of band that can sometimes fall under the radar, but Savanah convincingly rocks, a back-to-basics approach combined with youthful energy, and that’s what really matters. - Lonely Vagabond- Exclaim!

Savanah seems to have found comfort in mixing the familiar with something uniquely their own. This five-piece thrusts forward with a not-so-subtle mix of classic rock/metal and grunge with hints of psych-blues wrapped around wailing vocals, loud riffs, odd time-signatures, meandering jams and funk-inspired-basslines. This is the type of band that can sometimes fall under the radar, but Savanah convincingly rocks, a back-to-basics approach combined with youthful energy, and that’s what really matters. - Lonely Vagabond- Exclaim!