Interviews: SHAKEOUT

In this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Alternative Rock band SHAKEOUT from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

Shakeout actually started as a solo project for me (A.J. C), back in 2014 when I was a senior in college. I was going through a lot of changes in my life at the time. The term “shakeout” often refers to a reorganization or upheaval, but pertaining to a business. I was just reorganizing my life and it felt fitting. Also, just thought it sounded cool. I didn’t really do much with the name after the first few months and then fast forward two years later when we started this project, we decided to just use the name.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

As a kid I started playing in bands pretty early, around 12 years old. I dabbled with writing and playing a lot of different styles over the years. I try to encapsulate as many of my influences in our sound as I can because I love a lot of different music. However, I’ve always felt really at home going to punk rock shows and I feel as if I will never stray from that general genre. Once a punk, always a punk.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Oh yeah. We’ve been really good friends since 9th grade, but our dads actual have worked together for years before that. We played in an easycore band together in high school that was pretty terrible haha. But yeah, we’ve been close friends for well over a decade now.

4. Each band member favorite band?

A.J. Chiarella: This is a really tough question for me, but I’d have to say Bayside just because they have been such a major influence on my songwriting for so many years now. But, anyone that knows me, also knows that I grew up and still to this day remain a huge KISS freak haha.

A.J. Kay: Been listening to a ton of Dominator Beamish lately. Some solid jams.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

I take inspiration from a lot of things. Lyrically, I like to take my life experiences, both good and bad and reflect on what I’ve learned from them. Though I do listen to and enjoy a lot of sadder music, I tend to lean towards writing in a bit of a more positive tone. I feel as if the hardest experiences in life are the biggest times where we learn and grow. This growth is what I like to write about the most, which I feel is reflected heavily on our new EP, “Balance the Imbalance.”

6. Where was your last gig?

We haven’t played a show since May at this point because we decided to take some time off to plan the release of the new record. Our last show was a local festival in our area (Westchester County, NY) called West Fest. All of our friends were on it and it was an awesome time. BUT, we are playing a bunch of record release shows this month including dates in New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Forget Me Not Fest in New Jersey with Real Friends and a ton of others.

7. Where would you like to play?

We are looking to play a bunch and are pretty much down to play wherever. One big goal of mine though is to take this band overseas. I have never been to Europe and I’m dying to get over there.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

We are honestly down to play with any band full of good and honest people.

9. Whom not?

Any band not full of good and honest people (haha).

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

Personally, I’ve been playing in bands for so long now that I don’t get super nervous anymore, however I do remember back to our first show in 2017 and I was pretty nervous. Since we are a two piece, this band requires a lot from the both of us and there’s really nothing to hide behind. But, like anything the more you do it, the more comfortable it becomes.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

I think the bands that inspire me most are the ones immediately surrounding us. I feel so grateful to know so many talented people and it really drives me to keep creating and working. Friends are always number one.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Weirdest? No one gets weirded than A.J. Kay and I when we’re together. It’d honestly be really difficult to weird us out.

13. What do you think of your fans?

It’s funny because when you’re in a band at our level, I hesitate to call people “fans,” but instead consider everyone who supports us, friends. And I love our friends.

14. What do you think of our site?

It’s super rad. Any site that supports smaller artists is great and doing something that not a lot of others want to take on. Also, the fact that there are a “Free Music” section rocks because as they say if it’s free it’s for me.

15. Something add?

Just want to thank you for giving a chance to discuss our music a bit and big thanks to anyone who’s reading this or has listened to our new record. Support DIY bands and support small artists. There’s so many talented people out there working extremely hard.