A Dirty Dozen with VINCENT LANE from REALATION – February 2023

According to a recent press release: “reaLation is an alternative metal band who dedicates itself to seeking the truth. The songs the band writes focus on real world problems, issues and concerns. reaLation tries to shed light on subject areas that were either taboo or ignored in the past, or issues that have yet to come to the surface. Or in simple terms, true reality. The band seeks the answers to the following questions: How do we affect our personal peace? How does the way we act and function flavor our lives?” We get singer / bassist Vincent to discuss new music, 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 you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

“FYI” is written from the perspective that the outside world is fabricated. Other people’s perceptions are often manufactured in the sense that they paint a much brighter picture of what’s really going on in their life. The protagonist in the song is proclaiming that he sees the truth for what it really is. The line “I lust the want, but despise the get.” is indicative of the protagonist’s ever eternal struggle with wanting what he has after he makes to steps to get what he wants in the moment and the fear that he’ll never be happy for very long with anything.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

When I was 5 years old, my parents bought their first house. Living next door at the time was a young couple that befriended me. He worked as a music editor for a local newspaper and taught me all about the stalwarts of rock and roll: The Beatles, Stones, Jimi Hendrix,  and The Who. He took me to my first concerts where I was allowed to accompany him backstage while he interviewed the artists. This was extremely impacting as I got to see the industry from behind the scenes. I was immediately hooked. They both were very accommodating to a kid who was a bit lost at the time.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

When I was 13 I saw a video of the Doors Live at the Hollywood Bowl. I was mesmerized by how Jim Morrison was able to create and stay in a role of “Rock God” while balancing his obvious own issues and uncomfortableness with it. Mind you I didn’t figure that out until later on in life, but I do recall saying to myself at 13, “He’s more of an actor than anything.”

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Prince. I would love to see his writing and recording process. I know he was heavily involved in all aspects of song creation, so I guess I would like to see how he led and how he was able to translate his vision to the musicians he was working with. I never of him being a tyrant, so it would be interesting to see how he imparted his influence.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I like heavy exercise regimens. Boxing, Interval Training, Basketball. Things like that. For someone who lives in their head a lot, it allows me a chance to get outside of myself and focus on something else in the moment. This also allows me to build the energy necessary to give a performance my all.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

We created a bit of a moniker of it – Concept Based Grunge Alternative Metal. I think that encapsulates our musical style pretty well. Lyrically our songs all have a message describing some psychological or interpersonal trial or tribulation that must be dealt with to get to the truth. This truth will allow us to better interact or relate to those around us and our self. So “reaLation.” is the real relation to ourselves and those around us to maximize our time on this planet and try to be as happy as we can be here. Someone once said we sounded like “a better Three Doors Down”. I didn’t take it as a dis, but I really don’t hear it.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Steve (Guitars, Vocals) and Matt (drums) both can cook up a storm, but we tend to enjoy others cooking for us. The posher the spot, the better. We all enjoy the finer things in life, so you won’t catch us slumming it. Lol. All restaurants, bars and hotels must meet a certain standard for us. It may sound a little elitist, but after years of playing shows on the road while staying at shithole motels and picking up food at less than desirable locations, we don’t compromise this. So nice clothes, nice meals, high end cocktails. After all, we are representing!

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I don’t do the “starstruck” thing. I’ve spent a fair time in NYC and have passed many “celebrities” on the street. Obviously there is a recognition, but I never approach anyone. I going to assume that they, like the rest of us, are probably headed somewhere important and a bit behind the clock.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best part of being a musician is that it allows you to freedom to be creative. If you think about it, we really are making everything up as we go along. Every note you hear wasn’t there before we played and every word we sang wasn’t there before we wrote it. Couple this with that fact that, if you’re really lucky, other people will hear your creation and it will help them through a hard time or celebrate a good one. And they pay you! It’s really wild if you think about it. Considering creating is life to me, I would just continue to do so in another vain if I wasn’t able to make music anymore,  I have a few other business interests which allows me to be creative as well, so I guess that’s where I would go and focus all my attention.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I love answering any questions about what the songs are about or what they mean. The answers vary, but I also preface my answer by stating this is what the song meant to me in the space I was in when I wrote it. It may mean something different to me now and it certainly can mean something different to the listener. As far as a question I am tired of answering? I remember when we released our first single “Isabella” off our EP What Lies Beneath. Everyone either asked “Who is Isabella?” or “Are you using your platform to get back at an ex?” Just for the record “Isabella” isn’t a specific person. In fact, she’s a collection of women I have known and others I have heard about in conversation. Sorry to say it’s a lot less romantic then some believe.

11. 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,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I don’t really look at things that way. I believe everyone I met and played music with has gotten me to the point I am today. And today I am creating some pretty cool shit with guys I admire, trust and respect. I am truly blessed. Just like in any relationship, things work when they work. And they don’t when they don’t.

12. 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?

In my opinion, there is only one answer to this question: Abbey Road – 1967 – The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The template really. They laid the groundwork on how modern recording should be done all the while creating a truly timeless piece. I’m not sure where we would be without it.

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Category: Interviews