Unsigned Spotlight: Conversation
Conversation strikes a balance of thoughtful post-hardcore and melodically measured alternative rock.
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Timothy John Bolton : Vocals
Erik John Potvin : Bass
Jason Oaks : Guitar and vocals
Patrick Kosak : Guitar
Yoda Perron: Drums
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to CONVERSATION? How long has the band
been around?
CONVERSATION has been around since 2013, however this line up has been together since 2015 when our lead guitarist Patty joined. The addition of Pat to the band was a huge boost for us creatively and in terms of focus; we've been working hard and touring ever since.
I (Timothy) have only ever really played in this band - I dabbled in a couple of other projects but Convo has always been my main focus.
Erik (bass) has a very similar background - He and I have been making music together for a very long time.
Jason (guitar and vocals) had a band in high school but this would be his first "serious" band.
Patty (lead guitar) has played in several bands over the years; his band previous to Convo was called PartyCat. They had some solid success in Canada and toured the states before disbanding.
Yoda (drums) played in a deathcore band called My Home The Catacombs - they toured across Canada and were proper heavy.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
We've always been called CONVERSATION
Back when Erik and I were forming the band, we wanted a name that felt honest.
This was back when social media was really beginning to make people lean more towards chatting online or through text, so the idea of CONVERSATION was starting to feel like a lost art.
So the name represents an idea of honesty through music.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you
think these topics will change over time?
The writing in this band is very organic and all members are involved heavily.
Songs start of as a riff and we will all write together until it begins to naturally become more of a formed song.
At that time, I will take the song away and put vocals and lyrics to it.
We then come back together and chip away at it until we have a finished product.
It's always an amazing feeling when we're jamming and the song really starts to feel complete.
Topics can range dramatically in my lyrics, but our last record and this new record are the culmination of what we call the Honesty EPs.
The themes of the records are Romance, Reflection, Realization and Release.
Some of the record focuses on my personal experiences but a lot of it revolves around how I see the world; how I see people living with a lot of fear and doubt.
My hope is that these records and songs might be able to pull a few people out of that fear and doubt.
I'm sure that the topics of our songs will evolve and change over time; we're always pushing ourselves musically to test our boundaries and I think it shows in the range of genres we tackle on these records.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
That's a tough question because I think it would range dramatically from member to member.
We all listen to such different music.
A quick list would be Fiona Apple, Glassjaw, Jimmy Eat World, Thrice, Deftones, Radiohead, Underoath, Saosin, Refused, Trade Wind, Them Crooked Vultures
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
Again, this would definitely range for everyone, but for me it was Taking Back Sunday.
I remember when I first moved to Canada (I'm an Australian) and I heard TBS through a friend.
I'd never heard anything else like it and something definitely switched in my mind.
I was singing in a band pretty soon after that.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc …
Stretch for 20 minutes, vocal exercises for 15 minutes, two shots of tequila.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
We've had a few big moments over the last year.
We were in a worldwide commercial for Jack Daniels - That was pretty amazing.
If you want to check it out, just search "We're Jack Daniels" on youtube.
Other than that, releasing our last record was a huge achievement for us - We were featured in some pretty huge publications and sold out our release show so it was an incredible feeling to see all the hard work pay off a little.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Ooof that's a tough one.
Again, this would range so far between all of us.
But for me it would be Taking Back Sunday (present) and Jeff Buckley (past).
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Just a huge thank you to anyone who takes the time to listen to our music and check out what we're doing.
It's a big world out there so if you chose to give us a try, we truly appreciate it.
As an independent band, every little bit makes a huge difference.