Pretty in Punk Blog

Interview with Alexa of “We’re All Just Passing Through”

1.  Would you mind giving listeners who have never heard of your band
 before a brief history of you band?
 Who are your members?
 Where and when were you formed?
 How did you come up with your band’s name?
 Who are your biggest influences? What is your favorite mainstream band
 featuring a female?

Our band, We’re All Just Passing Through was formed on Long Island, NY in 2008. It first started with just my brother Travis as a solo project; he too came up with the name before I joined. During this time he asked me to do record some back-up vocals, which then turned into him inviting me to come on as an official member of We’re All Just Passing Through in 2010.

I have many varied influences in music. My influences range from Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris, to powerhouse singers like Celine Dion and Mariah Carey. My favorite mainstream band featuring females is the Dixie Chicks.

 2. Tell us more your songwriting process. Is one band member a key
 player in songwriting or is songwriting a group effort?
 Pick lyrics to a song and ask the band to elaborate on the events that
 influenced them to write this song. How has it been received by fans?
 Any of your songs that you think are particularly relevant to young
ladies and issues they might deal with?

I have to give the credit to Travis for really being the brains behind the songwriting. I am truly in awe of his ability to write music and lyrics, he is truly incredible!

I think most of our songs are relevant to both sexes. Our songs are about falling in love, falling out of love, friendship, and good times!

 3.  Do you have any recent releases or upcoming releases?

Our second EP came out this past spring. We will be filming our second video in November and hope to get that out to our fans in late winter.
(*PIPM: sorry this is so late! Youtube has this wonderful video)
4. What is the most interesting experience you’ve had while playing a
 show? What did you learn from this experience? (If a negative
 experience, what advice would you have for other bands to avoid
similar situation?)

I think from all the shows I have been a part of I learned how to appreciate all different styles of music, even if vastly different from my own. I think over the years I have developed a newfound appreciation for any artist or band that can write original music. Whether or not I would listen to the music myself, doesn’t take away from my appreciation of their talents.

 5. How does your band feel about your local scene? Is the scene in
your hometown thriving or dying? Are the venues “pay to play”?  Has a
venue ever treated your female member(s) with disrespect ? How did you
handle this situation?  Is there any local band in your hometown that
you like working with?

The Long Island music scene is thriving and there are many different talented musicians out there today. I have only had good experiences at venues and have never felt that being a female has negatively affected me, or the way I am treated.

 6. Has there ever been discussion about having a girl in your band?
 Did the band embrace the idea? Does your band usually tell others that
the band has a girl as a way to help girls connect with the band?
 How do you feel about fashion connected with your music? Do you not
care about how you dress or do you embrace femininity as a means to help your band gather attention?  Do your fans ever notice?

Being that the band only consisted of my brother, there was no discussion about letting a female in the band. I think my brother realized that adding a female voice would help to bring his music to life more.

Fashion has always been a huge part of my life, and I haven’t really changed my style for the band. Travis and I will always coordinate our outfits, but I have pretty much kept my style true to who I have always been- teacher by day, rockstar by night J!

7 If you could go on tour with any band from the past, who would it
be? Any mainstream or underground band from the present, who would it
 be?

Oh gosh! I don’t know! Does it count if I say I want to go on tour with We’re All Just Passing Through?!!

8. Do you have a special message to share with your fans? Someone
special to thank for helping you get to where you are at the moment

I definitely need to first thank Travis, my brother, for inviting me to join We’re All Just Passing Through. Not only is it an opportunity to make music, it also gives us time to bond together as siblings. I also need to thank my parents for always encouraging me to sing, and for making music a big part of all our lives. I also want to thank my sister, friends, and family for ALWAYS coming out to support us! Last but not least I want thank ALL the fans who have followed Travis and I since the very beginning and who have shown us nothing but love!

Also, please check out our Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/werealljustpassingthrough

Lastly, you can download our newest album, Bedroom Recordings, Vol. 2” here: http://www.mediafire.com/?ie85pxzgsbcx6xj