Gweedo
Stars In Stereo have been touring like crazy and becoming a real success. We managed to get some of guitarist Jordan McGraw’s time to answer a few questions. Check out what he had to say about the band and be sure to catch them live. For the Colorado folks, they will be playing 9/19 at Summit Music Hall and 9/20 at The Black Sheep. Also, don’t forget to grab their debut CD.
Jordan McGraw: We have definitely been having a fun and eventful year. We love touring and wouldn’t have it any other way. It gets hard at times but we love playing in front of people and making and meeting new fans. A rough day doesn’t last very long once we start looking around a new city or playing for a new crowd.
CMC: I was introduced to you guys when The HardDrive Tour came to Denver. I was floored by your performance. Was it fun touring with Bullet For My Valentine, Halestorm, and Young Guns?
McGraw: Thank you! That tour was so much fun... Everyone on the tour was so nice and accommodating to each other. Not to mention, that tour had some of the craziest parties we’ve had on any tour.
CMC: Thus far what band has been the best to tour with?
McGraw: It sounds like a diplomatic answer but every tour is amazing in its own way. We try and learn something from every band we are out with and, so far, every band has offered something different. Whether it’s how to keep a crowd engaged, how to take a shot of whiskey in the eye, or just putting yourself out there on the first day of tour to meet everyone... we’ve been really lucky to have some amazing new teachers and friends. Anberlin taught us the art of cornhole (the game not the sex act) though... that definitely earns them some points.
CMC: Bec Hollcraft joined Stars In Stereo in 2012, is that pretty much when the band started or had it been around for a little while?
McGraw: Bec was definitely the missing link when putting this band together. As soon as we met her we went straight into the studio to write and record. We couldn’t ask for a better leader. Stars In Stereo wasn’t a band before Bec.
CMC: It seems like you guys just started hitting the studio right after Bec joined, did you guys already have lyrics written for her?
McGraw: We definitely had some ideas floating around and so did she. We are really proud of the fact that we all have a hand in every aspect of the song writing.
CMC: Who are some of the band’s influences?
McGraw: We all come from different musical influences which has helped us create our sound but, as a band, we all love the Foo Fighters, U2, Nine Inch Nails... the list could go on.
CMC: I’ve never heard a band cover NIN – “Closer” I thought you did an excellent job. What inspired you to do that cover?
McGraw: We love what NIN do with sound and songwriting so we wanted to put our own twist on one of our biggest inspirations. We didn’t want to just do a karaoke kind of cover. We wanted to make it our own.
CMC: What are some of your short term goals? Are you working on any new music? Has your debut self-titled been doing well?
McGraw: The album has been going over great. It’s an amazing feeling when we see people singing along at a show or wearing our shirts to a show. As far as the future, we are always writing and looking for new inspirations and we love to stay out on the road playing show after show... so, more of that!
CMC: How did calling your fans “SinnerS” come about?
McGraw: It just kind of happened naturally. We abbreviate ourselves as SinS and we liked the idea of making our fans a part of that rather than forcing something that doesn’t even relate to our own name.
CMC: You’re scheduled to grace Rock Jam this year. I’m really excited to see you guys play there. Have you heard of that event before?
McGraw: We just got home from playing Rock Jam and it was a blast! Crazy crowd, amazing people working the show, and SKYNYRD! What else could you ask for?!
CMC: Are there any additional words you have for the people reading this?
McGraw: Yes! Don’t be shy about hitting us up on our Facebook (Facebook.com/StarsinStereo) or our twitter (@stars_in_stereo) and check our website for tour dates (STARSINSTEREO.COM)!
Many thanks to Jordan McGraw for his time and we wish the band further success.