Ahead of their much anticipated show tonight (3/18/14) at Terminal West in Atlanta, YOTHT had a chance to catch up with Devin Gallagher of Typhoon. Be sure to pick up their latest album White Lighter and listen as you read along below.
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| Photo courtesy of Typhoon's Facebook Page |
You Ought To Hear This: Where did the electric eleven get its start? Are you all from the same area?
Typhoon: We started in Salem, OR. All of us are from Oregon except Jen (Indiana) and Pieter (California).
YOTHT: Has there been any evolution to the band, member change, change in sound/direction?
T: Yes, a lot. We've been together for almost nine years. For an example: I was the sound engineer, then a guitarist, then the sole drummer, then a percussionist, and now I mostly play electric ukulele.
YOTHT: When did you each get your start in music?
T: A lot of us played music in school. All of the original Salemite members played in garage bands and we were playing in coffee shops and the like through our teenage years.
YOTHT: What are some of your individual influences?
T: We have a great many. Personally, I'd cite (in order) Motown, The Beatles, 90s alternative rock, K Records, post-millennial indie rock, and minimalist composers Glass, Young, and Riley.
YOTHT: How did you come about deciding on a name for the group?
T: Toby, Kyle, and Tyler experienced a typhoon in Japan. A man there explained to them what the word means to him, and they thought it was good for a band.
YOTHT: With eleven members, it must be hard to coordinate schedules for the recording process, practicing, and touring. How have you been able to get on the same page?
T: We just make this our priority. I've quit jobs, missed weddings, missed funerals, gave up a college scholarship, and dissolved businesses to be in this band.
YOTHT: With all this coordinating I’m sure being a band in the digital age has its benefits. Not only is it easier to interact with one another, but also your fanbase. How do you feel about social media these days and your ability to connect with fans worldwide and vice versa?
T: I like being able to interact with fans. It meant a lot to me when I was a kid and Animal Collective returned my email. I talk with fans most every day.
YOTHT: Last summer you launched a kickstater campaign to fund your fall tour in support of White Lighter. Talk about the success of the venture.
T: Specifically, we raised money to buy a van. It's great. I[‘m] sitting in it now. The biggest thing is it's safe, our old van wasn't.
YOTHT: How did you come up with the different pledge “rewards”? What was the best experience you had, other than the actual tour, through this process?
T: We brainstormed a long time. Playing the private meet and greet shows was really fun.
YOTHT: At what point did you know you could make a living in music?
T: We're not making a living at this. We have day jobs. Or, I did... I had to quit a job bussing tables to go on this tour.
YOTHT: If you weren’t in music, where would you see yourselves?
T: I can't really see myself doing anything else. Maybe a different type of art.
