Seeking Valor is a rock group that resides outside the city of Philadelphia. Look out for their new album "7 of Diamonds", set for release this fall.
List all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Drew Feehery - Vocals
Courtney Jansen - Vocals
Brian Fritz - Lead Guitar
Frank Gannon - Guitar
John Colberg - Bass
Mike Birchard - Drums
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Seeking Valor? How long has the band been around?
We have all played in numerous projects for over 10 years, going back to as early as junior High. John, Frank and Brian played in their first band "Point Blank" in the eighth grade. Once we got to high school, we would meet Drew Feehery and go on to form "Minutes Till Nowhere". Since then we have gone on to play in many different projects such as "Janus Wake", "Orca Earth", and "The Turning". Courtney and Mike have not only played in original bands but have also have gone the route of playing in Cover bands as well, and still play in some of PA's most popular cover bands, Split Decision and Gypsy Wisdom. Seeking Valor was formed back in 2012 shortly after losing longtime friend, Gary Diamond, to suicide and depression. The album, 7 of Diamonds (set for release this fall), is a tribute to Gary, and was a way for Frank and other members of the band to cope with their loss. The album was produced and engineered by Mike Birchard of Mikey B. Media over the last few years.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
The term Valor can be defined as great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle. We decided to call our band "Seeking Valor" because of the inspiration we get from our late friend Gary Diamond. People who suffer from depression struggle with their own internal battle, and it is our hope that our music will allow people to find solace in the fact that they are not alone, and will let them seek courage within themselves.
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?
As far as the music is concerned, it is a 100% collaborative effort. Usually with lyrics, Drew, Courtney, and Frank will get together and brainstorm possible concepts and the main idea or message that we are trying to get across in a song. The main theme throughout the entire "7 of Diamonds" album has been written around different point of views relating to the loss of our Friend Gary. These songs were therapeutic in writing them, but as a band you constantly have to try and touch on new topics
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you're making?
There are countless bands from different genres that all play a role when it comes to inspiring the music that we make. Anywhere from mainstream artists like The Foo Fighers and Kings of Leon. Indie and experimental rock groups such as Dr. Dog, Minus the Bear, and Fleet Foxes. More singer/song writer types of music from Damien Rice and Bon Iver. You could also never leave out classic bands such as The Beatles, The Doors, and Fleetwood Mac
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
Growing up as in kids in the early to late 90s. When you heard the opening guitar riffs in songs such as "Smells like teen spirit" or Blink 182's "Dammit", you know you wanted to pick up a guitar and rock out with your friends. Back in the day when you could turn on MTV (when it wasn't just reality tv) and actually could watch music videos Like Green Day's basket case. These were the things that made us all want to play music.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
Other than vocal warm ups, there isn't too many out of the ordinary things we do to prepare for a show. We have always been somewhat of perfectionists when it comes to playing live and we pride ourselves on being as tight as possible with our music.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
The biggest highlight of our bands career so far would have to be the debut of our music video for the first single of our album "So Far Gone". We have received tremendous amount of positive feedback about not only the quality of the video but the message as well.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Current bands that I think we would all like to tour with would certainly include the Foo Fighters. Dave Grohl has had such an incredible history with music from my adolescence to current day. There is much to be learned from someone that started as a drummer in Nirvana, creating their own genre, to leading one of the most popular rock bands today. The fact that they are able to continue to connect with mainstream and underground music lovers of all different backgrounds. As far as past bands, not to sound cliche but there probably nothing that would compare to touring with The Beatles in the 60's because they were biggest band in the world.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A portion of the proceeds from the 7 of Diamonds album will go to The American Foundation For Suicide Prevention's Raising Awareness For Suicide And Depression. All in honor of our late friend Gary Diamond