10 Quick Ones with THERESA JEANE of THE NEARLY DEADS – September 2017
According to a recent press release: “Rising Nashville rock band The Nearly Deads has released their hotly-anticipated new EP, Revenge of the Nearly Deads, on vinyl, CD and digitally for purchase and stream via Kobalt Music. Led by the inimitable vocalist Theresa Jeane along with Steven Tobi (guitar), Kevin Koelsch (bass), Javier Garza Jr. (guitar) and Josh Perrone (drums), The Nearly Deads are one of the hottest, rising rock bands to come out of Nashville. The band’s amalgam of powerful pop vocals and aggressive alternative rock music combined with their love of all things geek and messages of positivity and empowerment creates a truly unique style that’s garnering attention from media and fans around the world.” We get lead singer Theresa to answer our 10 Quick Ones about new music, her influences, and more…
1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?
Our new EP Revenge of The Nearly Deads is all about how living well can be the best revenge. On the first listen you’ll get all the catchy riffs, the sing-along parts, and the choruses. But this album means a lot to us. It’s about how we’ve endured as a band, and as individuals. Sometimes we all question what we want out of life, and we’re all put into situations that make us question it even more. You’ll find a dissection of that in the lyrics of “As Good As It Gets”. There’s a lot of double meanings to my lyrics because I want people to be able to relate them to whatever they’re going through and find their own strength. There are certain things I think everyone goes through at one point or another. Love, loss, helplessness, hope. Moving on from the negativity in your life and living the way you want to is really the best revenge. Our goal as a band is to empower people and let them know that they are perfect just the way they are.
2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?
Music has always been a part of my life, since I was old enough to reach up to the piano keys. I come from a very musical family. I have always written music, and stopped taking piano lessons because I was too interested in writing my own music and never had the patience to sit and learn a classical piece of music. I wish I hadn’t! However, I’m happy to say I pursued my passion and hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Composition. I always knew that piano could be a part of rock music having been raised on bands like The Beatles and Billy Joel. It wasn’t until Evanescence came out that I realized piano could be a part of heavier rock music.
3. Who would be your main five musical influences?
Amanda Palmer of The Dresden Dolls, Brody Dalle, Avril Lavigne (seriously!), Gerard Way, and Jack McMahon (in the Something Corporate days)
4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be?
Ke$ha. I’m obsessed with her new album, and she’s so clever with lyrics. I’m very inspired by her honesty.
5. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before?
We fall somewhere in-between Evanescence, Halestorm, and Paramore.
6. What’s the best thing about being a musician?
Everything around you becomes a source of inspiration. Every emotion has meaning and purpose. You have the opportunity to help people.
7. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?
Steve cooks (or orders pizza), Josh sneaks in a bottle of Seagrams 7, Kevin shows up late, and Javier is ALWAYS on his acoustic guitar! I’m usually singing along or making sure to take plenty of Instagram photos.
8. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?
I would love to be a special effects makeup artist. I love playing with makeup and creating illusions. We did all of the effects makeup in our video for “Never Look Back”!
9. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”?
I’ve had a few moments like those. I’ve absolutely felt like we’ve hired the wrong person, worked with someone dishonest, or wasted money before. But because of those moments, I’ve learned that I should always trust my instincts. I think they’ve made us stronger and wiser. I would love to have done a few things over but I know that I can’t, so I try to just look forward.
10. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?
This is a great question! Wow, it would be SO hard to choose! I think I would have to go with Nevermind by Nirvana. The fact that they couldn’t even get their guitars in tune in the studio and then blew up to be one of the most famous bands of all time is just so intriguing to me. I’ve always been fascinated by Nirvana and what made them so special, and to be able to witness that magic as it was unfolding would be surreal. I’m also a massive fan of Butch Vig and Garbage, so I would just love to see him behind the mixing board working with them and see that perfect chemistry. I just don’t feel like connections like that happen anymore, but I’m holding onto the idea that it can. Don’t forget Dave Grohl on drums! Pre-Foo Fighters! Knowing that he would become massive as well because he is such a talented, well-rounded musician would just be phenomenal to watch. So many people go into the making of an album, and Butch is someone I would love to work with one day. I guess I would pick that album because I’d be just as excited to see the behind the scenes work as well as witnessing each individual musician’s performance.
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Category: Interviews