SAY aniTHING

Twenty-four hours later and I’m still having a difficult time wrapping my head around what I just saw. Winter’s Tale, the actual movie, is not what you expect to see when considering the trailer (unless you’ve read the book, of course). The trailer made me buy into the fantasy that I would be watching a period piece, granted there’s time travel involved, so boy was I surprised with all the supernatural additions. Just wait for it...

If there's any true pleasure in the music industry, it's accompanying a band on their journey to find their sound. I stumbled upon the English band in early 2010 when they had released their second EP, Depression, Joy, & a Moment of Fame and was immediately intrigued by the uniquely edgy stylings. It wasn't an adequate dose of tracks at the time, but well worth the wait for the release of Last of Many. The studio album is set to be released on December 5, 2011 (OUT TODAY).

"Babalu" and "But I want to be in the show!" may come commonly in term (depending on where you live), but any true I Love Lucy fan catches the line and is reeled right in by the key phrases. Audiences all over the world can agree that I Love Lucy is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. This is the sitcom that set the absolute high for shows like Seinfeld, Friends, and Home Improvement to follow.

There have been several attempts to recreate I Love Lucy, or even Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz alone--all futile, of course. That is until "I Love Lucy" Live on Stage came about. The world's most popular foursome consists of Ricky, Lucy, Fred, and Ethel. Mix in some loyalty, witty banter, and charming chaos--and you have a timeless show that appeals to all sorts of audiences!

Hi Matt,

Yes, of course, I remember. I'll be editing the photos later today, and hopefully will be putting them up as well as emailing the lot to you (videos included). Again, great set.

Best,

Twenty-ten might mark an important year for you by whatever means, but it is nothing short of memorable for the two females behind London’s Smoke Fairies. The duo consists of Katherine Blamire and Jessica Davies, a pair of best friends who have gone through a tale of epic proportions to get to where they are today.

You may say Jack White is defined with the role of fairy godmother transcended with masculinity, having picked up on the music positively and was compelled to record with the two of them. Throughout compilations of A-Sides, B-Sides, an EP, and providing backing vocals for Richard Hawley’s current EP, False Lights From the Land, they are proud to announce the completion of a debut album.

Through Low Light and Trees, with what has been revealed thus far, is one of attributes for a more modernized blues feel. With breathless vocals surrounded by a cinematic of instruments, there is really no predicting how your reaction would be to such a combination. The group is proud of their progressive ways, taking on forms of seasons, coming and going, but equipped with the intentions of staying.

With a record release date of September 6th, Smoke Fairies have been kind enough to offer up a free track to download, which goes by “Strange Moon Rising” just to sink in the hook to gain your attention. I was able to get in contact with Katherine and Jessica, and this is what they had to fill me in on.

For more information on Smoke Fairies, head over to their Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/SmokeFairies) or their main website (http://smokefairies.com)

Please state your names and instruments for the record.

Katherine Blamire: Vocals and guitars. 

Jessica Davies: Vocals and guitars.

Tell me the story of how Smoke Fairies was first formed and how the name of the group came up.

JD: It came to us one night when we were driving around in the misty roads where we grew up. Sometimes the mist gathers in the winding roads between the hedgerows and creates smoky figures that we called the smoke fairies. It's also an old black and white film about two mischievous fairies trying to cause trouble, which is also quite fitting.

Who would you consider your greatest influences? Have they changed or altered as time went on and you grew more comfortable with your own sound?

  KB: Yeah, that question is always quite hard to answer because you can't really say the things that influenced you as a kid are the same things that do now; it changes as you get hungry for more. I think at first it was a lot of 70s bands like Crosby Stills and Nash, some Grateful Dead records and things like Pure Prairie League that were around the house. Then we became more influenced by blues artists like Skip James and then there was an alternative country element, like Handsome Family, Ryan Adams, Gillian Welsch, that sort of thing. And then there was a lot of English folk such as Pentangle and Waterson Carthy, twisted blues like Mark Lanegan and 16 Horsepower. It all mixed up to form something that we hope is unique, but it is sort of changing constantly in small ways, so I think it’s hard to say what the greatest influence of all is. We are just as much influenced by the weather and the seasons or the place we are living in.

How different was it working on Through Low Light and Trees than in comparison to when Frozen Heart was processed?

  JD: Through Low Light and Trees was recorded in a very secluded studio in the middle of the country whereas the Frozen Heart EP was recorded in inner-city London. As you can imagine, it made the experiences and the outcome very different. When we went into the studio to record Through Low Light and Trees, we had a lot more experience of the way we like to work in the studio and a lot of experimenting and demoing had been done beforehand, so we were way more confident with what we wanted to achieve.

  KB: It felt like we were able to let the environment seep into the record a lot more while working on Through Low Light and Trees. It was a beautiful and restful place that seemed conducive to allowing a freedom of ideas.

How would you say your music has evolved over the past year? What have you learned because of it?

  KB: Through Low Light and Trees is quite a dark and intense album, possibly because a lot of the songs were written in the winter. I'm glad its coming out in the autumn because I think it suits that time of year. It’s the point where I think people look back and forward at the same time. The weather changes and things go a bit more restless. But the summer has been hot, we've been listening to different kinds of music and I think the things we are writing now are lighter and full of a different sort of energy. I think we have learnt to just go with how we are feeling and let ourselves write whatever feels natural even if it doesn't always follow what came before. There will always be something slightly twisted about what we do, so I guess that will always be the common theme!

Can you walk me through a general day of touring, whether it be in the US or the UK? JD: Touring in the US consist of—

7-8am, get up and go out on mission to find a suitable breakfast then with a coffee and unusually overlarge sandwich frantically pack up your suitcase and head down to the van.

9am, get in the van and then drift in and out of sleep for the next 5 to 12 hours with your head bobbing up and down or resting on your band mates.

4pmish, arrive at the venue and as we are normally supporting there is an hour while the other band sound checks where we are able to go explore the city we are in.

  Touring in the UK is usually about getting up in the middle of the morning driving around looking for a nice place to have a cup of tea, maybe go for walk then have a crazy hour trying to navigate a city in search of the venue and a place to unload.

Both experiences involve a lot of loading and unloading and carrying boxes of merchandise around.

How was the experience of touring the states with Laura Marling? What did this particular teach you?

JD: It taught us how big and vast the Midwest is. With all the traveling, it is easy to forget why we were there but on this tour I learned to make the time on stage the best moment of the day.

What is each of your favorite songs to perform live and why do you think it deserves that title?

  JD: At the moment I enjoy playing “River Song” (one of two tracks recorded with Jack White) just because of the dynamics in it. The chorus gets really crazy and no matter how mad it gets, I know it is going to end with just Katherine and I singing.

KB: I quite like playing new songs. There is an element of fear and excitement, and it keeps you on your toes.

Have there been any embarrassing moments recently onstage? Can you tell me about one or two in particular?

  KB: There are too many to mention really. Probably just slightly mad stage banter after being squashed in a van for 12 hours. Once I found myself just describing the bean-roll I had eaten for lunch and how it made me feel. 

  How would you go about describing your music to a deaf person?

  KD: Imagine yourself driving down a dark road with no real idea where you are going; it’s like a journey through humid, swampy heat with the occasional cold chill.

  Other than making music, what are some other hobbies of yours?

  JD: At the moment I am trying to grow some vegetables and I have recently started making papier-mâché animals.

KB: I like to take pictures

  What would be an ideal lineup in the future? Which bands would you like to tour with? KB: There are obviously lots of bands that we would love to tour with. Touring with Laura was great because it was inspiring to hear her songs and voice every night, but it was also a fun atmosphere on the tour, so anyone fun and inspiring. It would also be great to get out on our own at some point.

  Where do you have yet to tour that you can’t wait to cover?

  JD: Despite being so close, we have never done any shows in Europe. That is the next big territory. And going to Japan would be an experience.

What and when did you realize you wanted to pursue music as a career?

  JD: I guess from an early age I daydreamed about life on the road as a musician. When Katherine and I met and started writing songs, there was another person to share that ambition with. After that I think it was stubbornness that kept us going.

  In some alternate universe where music does not exist, what would you see yourself doing?

  JD: I might have pursued my childhood interest in animation and puppets.

KB: I would probably have gone completely mad trying to fit into something normal.

  How do you feel about the growth in accessibility of music on the internet? Is it a help or a hindrance for a band?

  KB: It is just part of the world we live in now. We don't really know it any other way because from the start the internet has been a tool for us to utilize. I think at first it’s a help and then as you go along you realize the pitfalls, and I guess everyone has to adapt to a new market, which is going to take time and a lot of innovation. At the end of the day, it's a great way to connect with more people, but a tricky place to make a living.

  What are some artists/bands you cannot stop listening to lately?

  JD: When we were in Houston, Texas, we did an in-store at a record shop called Cactus Music. They serve beer there, which is a great idea because after a few glasses you will probably pick up something you wouldn’t normally. I was drawn to an album cover with kids dressed up as ghosts and ghouls. The band turned out to be Dead Man’s Bones, which I have been listening to a lot.  

  What are some other plans for Smoke Fairies for the rest of 2010?

Rumored to be the big movie to see this summer, or even for the entire year of twenty-ten, the idea of Inception has been apart of a long journey. With an all-star cast headed by Leonardo DiCaprio, it was more than clear the diversity of each actor involved was going to be a big feat with critics. Even through the minuscule bits revealed through trailers and such, the melody score working with the film was far more than exceptionally accurate.

Personally speaking, I am often turned off by movies that have been anticipated for (minus the Harry Potter series in films) and tend to stray far and only give them a chance when I have absolutely nothing else left to do. However, I couldn't do that with Inception, no matter how I disapprove of Leo's roles in this particular decade.

Much like DiCaprio's recent movies, this one is also a gripper where you have to sit and look through every moment of the film so you don't miss any piece of valuable information. If you leave at any uncalled moment for say the restroom or the snack stand, you are in for a rude awakening, and I guarantee you there will be plenty of difficulties in figuring out the movie. As much as I would digress than to admit it, I had successfully pegged out the end of the movie, needless to say that didn't ruin a second of it for me.

I found every bit entertaining and addicting all at the same time, only being urged to watch more and more. Another prime factor for this feature-film was how the length of the film was not obvious, at least not when you are inevitably captured by the plot. Besides, it is a movie as such that is worth something in the end.

Continuing on with summer events, the Vans Warped Tour is still going strong, having recently seeing through a heavy downpour of rain in Texas. Last time Automatic Loveletter was featured, and this time I bring to you a group you might find yourselves more familiar with; the band known as Sum 41 made up of frontman Deryck Whibley, bassist Cone McCaslin, drummer Stevo Jocz, and guitarist Tom Thacker.

These old-timers (just kidding, guys) have seen their share of crowds all over the world, but were more than delighted to come back on the Warped Tour, 2010 officially marking their second time to be involved the whole way through. With four well-known records already under these Canadian belts, they are in the early stages of promoting a new record expected to drop later this year.

I was lucky enough to catch up with two members of the band, Cone McCaslin and Stevo Jocz, to see what they had to say about their interesting experiences, summer plans, as well as hopes of confirming thoughts about the upcoming album.

 This is your 7th or 8th Warped Tour, isn't it? Somewhere around there.

Cone McCaslin: Yeah, something like that.

Stevo Jocz: It's just our second time doing Warped the entire way through.

 When was the last time you participated the entire time?

CM: 2001!

 Oh, wow. How does it feel to be back for you guys?

CM: Oh, well, ask us in about seven weeks. (Laughs) Right now it feels pretty good, we feel so clean. It makes us feel optimistic.

SJ: The sun is shining, it's not too hot, and I haven't had yet to crawl into the most disgusting port-o-potty in St. Louis or something like that, you know.

CM: Not yet.

SJ: Not yet. Everything's good. You see, I'm still within a 20-mile radius of my house so it still feels like I'm at home. Wait till I get somewhere else more challenging, but that's why God invented food. (Laughs)

  What are your favorite bits about Warped?

CM: For me, playing. It's a shame you only get to play half an hour because the rest of the time it kind of gets boring sometimes. And you end up drinking and getting drunk the whole time.

 Wandering around, huh?

CM: Wandering around aimlessly. So basically, yeah, the playing part is the most fun.

 Who are you most excited to see this summer?

CM: We have friends in the Alkaline Trio, Reel Big Fish, and BigFace. Then Pennywise when they join later on in the summer, we're really good friends with them so they'll be our buddies on the tour.

 Location-wise, which city are you most looking forward to performing in within the next couple of months?

SJ: The fans are always sick, and you don't ever actually play in a city really-- you're always sort of in a field somewhere, but New York is kind of cool because you can go into New York City. You can get a good time over there.

CM: You could say our hometown Toronto because it's great playing there, but it's also very hectic in Toronto. We have a ton of family and friends there and they want to come, so you're seeing people here and there, there's people calling you all day, but it's definitely fun to play in your hometown.

Can you walk me through a day on this festival through Sum 41's eyes?

SJ: You wake up and the first thing you have to do is take a shit, and there's nowhere to do such a thing.

CM: You have to find the cleanest port-o-potty you can.

SJ: It's really gross, you know. You have to do that. You have to try and hold on to your humanity and dignity. If you get up early enough, it's fine and they're all fresh, but if you get up later, you're fucked. Everybody's already been to it. So there's that, that's the first thing. It's the first major dilemma of the day. (Laughs) Then you go and have your food. You wait around to find out what time you go on, and then depending on that, your day is dictated and planned out.

CM: That's the kicker.

SJ: It tells you when you should start drinking or when you should stop. Then after that, there is nothing to do. There are bands to see.

CM: But after you've seen a band, it gets old day after day.

SJ: You know, I've actually asked to do press just to have something, anything. I'll do whatever there is. It's only thirty minutes.

CM: We've never liked interviews so much on the Warped Tour.

SJ: Yeah, and they usually don't go so well. Of course, you're pretty good. (Laughs)

CM: She's great.

 How about the food intake? What does the diet consist of during tour?

CM: I was actually trying to figure out whether I'm going to gain weight or lose weight.

SJ: I think I might lose weight.

CM: Yeah, because you don't eat as often. If you miss lunch or dinner, you miss it.

 Basically then you're screwed.

SJ: Yeah, I usually don't eat breakfast at catering. I have my lunch and dinner, and then there's a barbecue. Then again, I'm going vegan on my diet.

CM: The only other problem is, you eat a lot of chips. I don't eat chips at home, but already today I walked on the bus, grabbed three bags of chips, ripped them open, and dove right in.

 Really, what kind?

CM: Salt and vinegar. Kettle…kettle chips. And that's why I'm feeling thirsty and dehydrated.

 Have you guys decided on a title yet for the new record?

SJ: Not yet.

CM: Almost.

 "Screaming Bloody Murder" has been thrown around as a rumor.

CM: That's a good title though, that's a good one.

 Is there an official date to release you're working toward, or is that still in thought?

CM: We haven't decided on that yet. It's still being mixed and mastered.

 So it will be after Warped Tour?

CM: Oh yeah, it will be released after Warped Tour. We do have a free download coming up in the next week or two.

SJ: Yeah, and then the single will probably come out while we're on Warped Tour.

CM: There is a Warped Tour Compilation out right now, and there's a song called "Scum Fuck" on it.

SJ: That's what it's called? (Laughs) 'Cause usually we just give it names like "Scum Fuck."

CM: We kept that one.

SJ: It's usually temporary.

CM: Yeah, that one stuck.

SJ: Okay! "Scum Fuck." (Laughs)

 The new record has been described to be "hard" and "aggressive." What inspired these types of songs?

CM: I don't know to be honest. I guess, we always just try to do something different with every album. The last album was more along the lines of the pop-punk genre, and with this one we just felt like not repeating things. This one is kind of like nothing we've done; it's dark and intense and there are a lot of parts that are very light. There is a song that's all piano. There is a whole bunch of different stuff.

SJ: Then there are songs that are heavy.

Definitely a little bit of everything from what I can tell.

CM: Yeah, exactly.

 Along the lines of lyrics, Deryck has shown different styles of writing. "Dear Father" was more straightforward and to the point whereas "Walking Disaster" was more on the cryptic side. What could you say his writing style is like on the upcoming record?

CM: That's a tough one because I haven't actually heard all of the songs mixed yet.

SJ: I've heard up to the demo stage where lyric-wise it's gibberish.

CM: Lyrics are always the last thing that he does. We never really hear anything till it's done.

SJ: It's all very incoherent right now.

CM: It's basically his life…lately in the past year and a half. (Laughs)

 There is a song title that has been thrown around going by "Jessica Kill." Is that confirmed?

CM: Yeah, that will be a title.

 Where did that name come from?

SJ: That's a friend of ours who has that name.

 Really? That is cool.

CM: Jessica Kill, yeah.

 Having toured all over the world, what are some places Sum 41 has yet to tour in that you would definitely be looking forward to?

SJ: I'd like to explore Europe and Asia more. Go to China and Thailand. We've been to Singapore and Japan, but that's really it. I'd like to explore South America as well.

 Out of the places you've already visited, what makes it at the top?

SJ: Japan.

CM: Japan is great!

SJ: It's just awesome. The people are awesome.

CM: Yeah, the people are friendly and the fans are awesome. I really like going to England a lot as well.

So Japan and England would turn you into a tourist?

SJ: Yeah, I do go and walk around. In Japan, more people speak English now so it makes things more familiar. Before it wasn't like that. It's like walking ten years into the future. We've had so much fun there. In Europe, I love walking around and hanging out. We just like to look around and explore, you know.

 How do you feel about the growth in accessibility of music on the internet? Would you say it's a help or a hindrance for a band?

SJ: Well, the internet has changed everything and it helps some bands. I mean, it's a help and a hindrance all at the same time. Bands now, if they have a unique voice, they can put a sample up. Take OK GO for example; they have learned to market themselves in a really cool way. It wasn't possible ten or fifteen years ago. At the same time, no one buys anything nowadays. That's going to destroy it, but it’s going to change into something else. The only thing that sucks now is that for a while, with touring, no one is buying the records so the Vans Warped Tour is taking a shit. I see it's based on the economy.

 Have there been any crazy experiences meeting with fans recently?

CM: Not recently because we haven't been touring excessively for a while. We've done little tours here and there, but today's the first day of…the start of everything.

 How about in general? A really memorable one.

CM: If you're talking about Japan, people get kind of crazy over there. I mean, they'll wait in the lobby all day. They'll be at the airports and the translations. They'll bring gifts. They'll take photos of you at the airport and by the time you get to your hotel, they've already had them developed and want you to sign them.

 What's a really amazing gift you've received from a fan?

SJ: They're always bizarre. I got these shorts, skintight shorts with a horse head on the front. It's supposed to look like you're riding a horse.

CM: That's pretty good. I've gotten sake cups. I use them all the time.

SJ: You know, all sorts of weird things pop up every once and a while.

 If the story of Sum 41 was made into a movie, who would you want cast as your character?

CM: (Whistles) I don't know.

SJ: Robert De Niro. I just think that dude's really cool. Realistically though, probably Rob Schneider. The guy who plays Carlton on The Fresh Prince would have been Dave, but he left.

CM: Who would I be?

SJ: You'd be Napoleon Dynamite.

CM: (Laughs) Jon Heder?

SJ: Yeah, Jon Heder.

CM: There you go.

SJ: Mickey Dolenz from The Monkees would get a face-lift and be Deryck. (Laughs)

 Stevo, you live in California, and Cone, you live in Toronto, correct?

CM: Toronto, yes.

 What is the biggest key point in Canada VS the US?

SJ: The health care is pretty cool.

CM: The health care is the biggest that would affect a person moving from Canada to the US.

 Are there any differences in the fan base?

CM: No, not at all.

SJ: Just the health care. I like the health care.

 Also, Cone, can you tell me a little bit about your other project, Operation MD? The new album Birds + Bee Stings is set to release in a couple days, right?

CM: Yeah, June 29th it comes out. It's much like the other one. It has the same kind of style, garage rock-y. It comes out June 29th, so you just have to go hear it.

 Any other big plans for the rest of 2010 for Sum 41?

CM: We're going to Europe a few times.

SJ: Touring until 2011 and then beyond.

 And then we'll see, huh?

CM: Yeah, we'll see.

SJ: You're not convinced. (Laughs) Like "there's no way you're going to survive this."

 Oh no, you know you'll be fine. (Laughs) Any last words?

SJ: We're on at six o'clock!

The Vans Warped Tour does not discriminate in gender. Over the past many female leads have taken on the festival, but Warped has never seen a woman like Juliet Simms of Automatic Loveletter. You could call her the modern day Joan Jett, and as a singer-songwriter she is not at all afraid to express her feelings. Through hard times of record labels, Automatic Loveletter was not about to be turned into hate-mail, and if you want any proof of that you can check out their debut studio album entitled Truth or Dare, hot and fresh from a release date of June 22nd.

The band is made up of four members; frontwoman Juliet Simms, brother and guitarist Tommy Simms, bassist Clint Fowler, and drummer Ryan Metcalf. Ultimately their third time seeing this particular music festival, 2010 happens to be a special year since they are officially set to participate the whole way through. No matter the difficulties of living on a bus for two whole months, Automatic Loveletter is ready to take the heat for those all over the country, more than determined to deem themselves worthy of love notes.

After delivering a heart-warming performance to a crowd full of fans singing the lyrics in unison, one of reminiscence and an opportunity to make new memories for the band’s resume, I caught up with the siblings of the band. Juliet and Tommy Simms were more than happy to refresh me on recent events as well as their thoughts about the Warped Tour, positively looking forward to a future of drawing more and more audiences to the raw rock sound their quartet specializes in.

So this is your third time taking on Warped Tour. How does it feel to be back?

Juliet Simms: Good. Feels good! I'm a little delirious because I haven't slept in three days, but right now I feel pretty good. I feel like I have to pee too.

 What's your favorite part about this festival?

JS: The chaos. Every day it's like a new adventure.

 Which performances are you most excited to see this year?

JS: Andrew W.K., The All-American Rejects, and VersaEmerge. I love Sierra. She and I have become best friends.

 I actually had a chat with her earlier and she told me about how you met and clicked. Can you tell me about a memorable moment you've had together?

JS: Probably SXSW. Did she bring that up?

 Nope!

JS: Oh, what did she bring up?

 She mentioned how she saw you performing on the Craig Owens tour, and then finding out how you live only twenty minutes away from each other.

JS: Yeah! We basically live twenty minutes away from each other in Clearwater, and we literally have had "some times" in Florida. We left that all in Florida, I'll say that much.

  (Laughs) Alright, we'll leave it at that. Your debut record Truth or Dare was just released earlier this week, congratulations!

JS: Thank you!

 How has that experience been?

JS: Good, really good! Great reviews. Killer reviews, actually. Kids are loving it. It got five stars on iTunes. It's just been awesome.

 How was it like to leave Epic Records behind for the production of the record?

JS: Discouraging at times. You know, with switching labels so many times it left me thinking, "God! Maybe I suck!" (Laughs) But then I get my head on straight and realize it was their fuck-up.

 Truth or Dare makes a really good parting gift.

JS: Definitely.

 Can you tell me about the writing process for Truth or Dare?

JS: It was a great experience. I wrote along with my brother who's actually standing right here.

 Hey Tommy!

Tommy Simms: Hey!

JS: We're just talking about the writing and recording process of the record. Tommy and I wrote a bunch of songs together and I wrote with some other people, and then we recorded with Josh Abraham who's awesome and made it fun.

TS: We almost died in a car accident.

JS: Oh yeah!

 Really?! What happened?

TS: We drove her car out to California to record. We were writing with Kurt Schneider, who wrote with us on "Fade Away" and "Don't Let Me Down," and we were pulling out of Starbuck's and this guy who wasn't looking nailed us. It broke the windshield and straight totaled her car a day after we got out there.

JS: I had to record an hour later.

 After that experience?

TS: Yeah, we wrote a song about it that day, which resulted in "Fade Away."

That's amazing. Good thing something positive came out of that incident. Can you also tell me about the music video for your single "Heart Song" without giving too much away?

JS: It was… (Laughs) It was rock 'n' roll.

TS: I just can't wait for everyone to see it. It defines rock 'n' roll for sure. It looks like a Rob Zombie horror film.

JS: It's fucking sick.

TS: That's all I'm saying. (Laughs)

 Interesting way to describe it! So you guys tend to be related to other female-fronted bands a lot, which isn't really fair since the tables don't usually turn on that, but if you were to be related to any band out there, who would you want it to be?

JS: The Beatles!

TS: Do I need to answer this? That's pretty generic.

JS: It's generic, but they're the best band on the face of the earth and will be forever. So why not be related to the best one?

TS: Let's not be compared to someone yet. (Laughs) You know what, I feel like that's kind of a cliché answer.

JS: You're a cliché answer.

TS: Great. (Laughs)

 What was the key point in your life that made you realize you wanted to be a singer-songwriter?

JS: I always knew I wanted to. I remember I was fourteen and I kept having Tommy write music for the melodies and lyrics that I was writing until he one day said, "Fucking learn how to play guitar," and I was just like, "Alright!"

TS: She is by far the best vocal-melody writer that I've worked with, so it was second nature to her just by the way we started through me writing music and her writing melodies. She has the ability to walk into the studio and magically write these melodies that are so catchy. We did this just three days ago.

JS: Aw, thanks, Tommy.

 Since the majority of the songs on this record have something to do with a relationship, what would you straight up tell me about boys?

JS: Ohhh, what would I tell you about boys? Well, boys always say girls don't know what they want, but it's the fucking same thing with boys. Boys do not know what they want! It's so true.

 Do you agree with that, Tommy?

TS: It's true. A lot of the songs aren't about boys though. They're about some other things too.

JS: Yeah, "Fade Away" isn't about a boy. "Story of My Life" is not about a boy. "Don't Let Me Down"…

TS: It's about sex.

JS: Exactly. That's why I think boys can relate to my music too because it's not always about one.

TS: It's about the relationship. Not necessarily just boys.

 It's taking on relationships from all different angles.

JS: Right!

 I recently heard you've turned to the pescetarian side, Juliet. How has that adventure been for you?

JS: I saw Food Inc. and it really upset me. I don't like animals being treated that way. It's also a health thing just with the way food is being made these days; it's scary. I eat locally grown or organic and then fish with its protein.

 What’s your favorite seafood dish?

JS: Sushi.

 You're not a pescetarian, are you, Tommy?

TS: I am a pescetarian actually, yes. I'm a pescetarian because I was three hundred pounds and needed to do something about it.

JS: Yes, I also lost weight!

 If the story of your band was to be made into a movie, who would you want cast as your character?

JS: Oh man. I would probably have to say Kate Hudson.

TS: I would go with Val Kilmer.

JS: Oh, saucy!

TS: He's my favorite, I love Doc Holliday. Tombstone all the way!

What would the movie be called?

TS: Tombstone, duh. (Laughs)

JS: Kate Hudson wouldn't be in a movie called "Tombstone."

TS: Yes, she would.

JS: How about…"June Rock."

TS: How about "Almost Tombstone."

JS: "Almost Tombstone," there you go.

And who do you think would do well as Clint and Ryan?

JS: Clint would be a Gucci model.

TS: Jeffree Star would play Clint.

JS: Definitely. Jeffree, I love you.

TS: Ryan would be…

JS: Oh, oh! Steve Zahn.

TS: Totally! Steve Zahn. High five!

You think they would agree?

JS: Oh yeah!

What song are you most proud of off the album?

JS: "Heart Song." Definitely taking that. It's the epitome of a rock song. I love the record and I love every song, but "Heart Song" is definitely southern rock.

TS: Dirty rock. People might think that the record has kind of an in cohesive feel to it, but it starts with the "Heart Song," this raunchy rock song. It goes through this whole journey through music. Every song is almost a different genre. It was on purpose.

JS: Yeah, we weren't trying to make a record where all the songs sounded the same. We were trying to make a record that every song would stand out on.

Would that be your favorite to perform live as well? Putting it all out for "Heart Song"?

JS: Yeah, definitely. (Laughs)

Was there a song in particular you had a lot of doubts about during the recording process?

JS: "Butterflies."

How so?

JS: The lyrics.

TS: Can I be honest? Every album needs a filler song.

JS: You figured it out, there you go!

TS: I'm sorry. It's catchy, some people like it, but in the end we needed that space filled up.

Good honesty, I like it. How do you plan on staying cool this summer?

TS: Going on the bus with the air conditioning.

JS: Clubbing and chilling.

TS: Do you mean being cool or staying cool temperature-wise?

Temperature-wise.

JS: Oh!

TS: Just hanging out on the bus. I also took the sleeves off all my shirts. How about you, Juliet?

JS: I just walk around naked like a hippie slash indian slash nudist. (Laughs)

TS: A hippie Indian, which is as hippie as it gets.

What are some other plans for Automatic Loveletter for the rest of 2010?

JS: Wow, we're going to go to Japan after the summer, and then tour. That's it.

TS: Melting faces off too.

JS: Yeah, off their skulls. Your face is not going to be there anymore. (Laughs)

TS: Like Angie. Aw, I miss Angie.

JS: Aw, that's our sister.

What would you like to be remembered for?

JS: The music! The music is why we're here so that's what I want to be remembered for.

TS: Warped Tour is only a stepping stone for us; we don't want to be doing Warped Tour forever. I want to be remembered for finally being another band that has that girl, that woman. We need a new Joan Jett, a new Alanis Morissette. It's time for that new female rock icon, and I think Juliet has the talent to be that.

I would have to agree with you there, Tommy.

JS: Aw, thank you! You know, Warped Tour might be a stepping stone, but…

TS: It's a beautiful thing. I didn't mean that in a bad way at all.

JS: It's definitely the stepping stone that can take you somewhere.

Any final comments?

JS: I love you!

Finally, the last bit of phtographs from my Warped Tour adventure including performance shots from The All-American Rejects and We Are The In Crowd.

Resuming with Warped Tour in mind, here is a preview of the shots I captured during the performances of Sum 41 and You Me At Six, again live in Carson, California on June 25th, 2010.

For more photographs, onward to my flickr:

I captured a bunch of shots from the Automatic Loveletter and VersaEmerge performances on the very first day of Warped Tour in Carson, California (June 25th, 2010). Just direct yourself to my flickr for further access:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/loversanthem/sets

You might know him from a song popularized by a commercial leading you to romance in a coffee shop, and upon recent times you may know him from contributing to the Shrek 4 Ever After soundtrack, but he usually comes out to the public eye as Landon Pigg. Active as a singer-songwriter officially since 2002 with the album Demonstration, he didn't receive as much well-earned credit to his talent till the third studio album titled The Boy Who Never, acquiring the spots on top Heatseekers and Billboard charts in no time. The familiar single "Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop" had everyone running to the nearest cafe in search for romance, and he made sure to steal a couple hearts when he made his debut on the big screen in Whip It as the rock star boyfriend to Ellen Page.

For a little more than ten years, a rock band known as Rooney has been captivating music enthusiasts due to their reminiscent feel of 1980s pop topped off with bits and pieces from the British Invasion era. Having come a long way after building a secure fan base in hometown Los Angeles, California, they now have avid listeners worldwide who have been waiting on the line for three years in hopes of a new record. Last year it was confirmed Rooney would be releasing one, and to please fans even more they gave them a satisfactory yet taunting taste through the Wild One EP.