Exclusive OutLoud Interview with
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Interview by Katie Condon
Top photo by Mac Ward
Most bands make demos, get signed, and dream for the opportunity to play tours like Warped Tour. But TV/TV has rewritten music industry rules to fit their own.
What started as a hobby in an East Village apartment turned into a dream, and TV/TV decided to grow organically and not rush into signing with a label.
"We have been doing it ourselves for two years. I think the fact is that we’re committed to doing things on our terms," lead vocalist Josh Ocean said. "Eventually for us to grow into the band we want to be, we’re going to have to align with certain companies."
TV/TV began recording demos using Garage Band on a laptop in 2006. By 2007, they were recording with Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount of Tree Sound Studios (Mayday Parade, All Time Low).
"The kind of spirit and excitement of the recording process is always there," he said. "But going from our apartment to a facility like Tree Sounds in Atlanta, which is like one of the best recording studios in the Atlanta area, was such a crazy experience."
Although TV/TV is not attached to a label, their music has been played on MTV shows such as The Hills and The Real World. They will also play the entire Vans Warped Tour this summer.
"We were very lucky to get that opportunity," Ocean said. "It’s important for us to break certain barriers."
The tour will allow the band to play music off of their new EP, Not Enough Red, recorded with Bleu McAuley (Boys Like Girls) and Mark Needham (The Killers) set to drop June 30.
"TV/TV always has that exciting and energetic feel to the songs with pop hooks and pop melodies," Ocean said. "I think that we were able to take the rock sound and make a bigger sounding rock sound in the new EP."
Even with the pop vibe, Ocean has an unexpected range of influences, one of them being NOFX, who he is excited to see at Warped Tour.
"I’d say NOFX definitely is a foundation of why I got into music," he said. "Their music was very original sounding, but it had so much attitude and the punk kind of spirit that I really gravitated towards."
Other than bands, Ocean believes New York City helped TV/TV discover their sound.
"There’s always this theme in our music of being young and all the emotions, frustrations, and excitement that comes with being young and living in the city," he said. "To be able to go out and see all different types of bands really helps give us a more global perspective on different types of sound."
TV/TV will continue to grow and develop their sound, and they don’t plan on slowing down soon.
"This band right now is our life. I don’t think any of us really imagine doing anything else," Ocean said. “We have been conscious to set ourselves up independently first, because we want to do this for such a long time, and we don’t want to be a flavor of the week band by any means."
Meet TV/TV at OUTLOUD’s Warped Tour tent on July 25, 2009!
Visit www.myspace.com/OutLoudMedia for more information