the miles kept

Real Talk is an upbeat pop-punk band whose music transcends state borders. In a whirlwind of 2000s throwback, these alt-rockers from both Maine and Massachusetts are undeniably passionate about encapsulating their youthful energy. Real Talk’s Maps & Miles EP comes out Tuesday, July 15th, and below you can stream “Where You’re Meant To Be.” Be sure to also check out their tour dates [with previous Showcase band Sleep On It] when they hit the road this August. For Fans Of: The Starting Line, Yellowcard, A Loss for Words Social Sites: Facebook, Twitter, Soundcloud, Bandcamp

by Ashley Aron

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band. Joey Milewski - Vocals Stephen Cormier - Guitar/Vocals Chris Francis - Guitar Pat Nadeau - Bass Sam Cropley - Drums   What’s your hometown (or what are your hometowns)? Bangor, Maine/Springfield, Massachusetts.   How did the band come together? How long has it been? Stephen, Sam, and Chris had played in previous bands together having grown up in the same hometown. Joey & Pat were additions that fell into place from other bands around the New England scene that joined in late 2013/early 2014. Under the current name, the band has been around since May of 2013.   How have you grown since you started? Real Talk originally was a female-fronted band that was more pop rock than pop punk. As we matured, and Joey joined, we found our sound. Our live show has also come a long way since the band’s formation   What sets you apart from other bands?  The genre as a whole is pretty over saturated with bands that want to sound like The Wonder Years, The Story So Far, etc who are the biggest names in the genre today. There’s nothing wrong with that, but we find a lot more enjoyment making music influenced by early 2000’s style pop punk (The Starting Line/Yellowcard). We also take pride in putting as much energy into our set whether we’re playing to five people or 500.   What’s the best part about being in your band? Real Talk is a family. If we weren’t out on the road we’d be hanging out together anyways. We take our “job” seriously, but we’re out here to have fun as friends. There’s no drama in this band.   More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?   We listen to everything. In our van you can hear Johnny Cash, Drake, Pantera, Taylor Swift, The Backstreet Boys, and so much more. As far as our new EP though, it’s more of an early 2000’s throwback to bands like The Starting Line, The Movielife, and Jimmy Eat World. We love catchy melodies and rock & roll.   What would you say the band has already accomplished and what do you have your eyes set on next? The amount of touring we’ve done for a band that has yet to release an EP is pretty unheard of. The reactions we’ve seen from crowds alone that haven’t heard recorded material excites us. Our new EP “Maps & Miles” is something we’re incredibly proud of and we just want to expose it to as many people as possible by traveling the country and playing shows.