responded to every single person who has ever reached out to us. Whether it was someone telling us we sucked or someone telling us they loved the new song or someone who is just like, "Wow! I can't believe you guys followed me! Thank you so much!" Responding to every single persona and letting them know we're real and that we're actively trying to make this music to make connections with people and not feeling like we're above anyone or better than anyone. I think goes a long way and it really spreads to where if we post a music video and there are a few thousand comments and people see that we responded to every single one, they're more likely to follow us and support us and know that there is an actual connection being made and it's not just where we're a band and they're a potential fan.
Damien: Living in a day and age like Andrew said with having so many opportunities for people to connect with you from all over the world because of social media and everything like that. It's a great thing that also takes a lot of work. You still have to get them to at least find you and click on you and hopefully listen to your music. Which is the hardest part. You still need to deliver a good product and put good stuff out so that they're interested. Like Andrew said, by constantly keeping engagement up and just interact with them. Sometimes seeing these fans out there who have seen us start from the beginning. They've stuck with us and it's meant a lot. It kind of gives us that courage to keep on going and keep on making music. People believe ins, you know what I mean? Where sometimes you're feeling down at times in your life, like everyone goes through. But, when you have that backing you're like, "You know what? I can't stop. It's for them just as much as it is for myself and all of us."
Andrew: I'd say the last part is we always have very high standards for what we put out as far as content. Just whatever you can do to put out quality content and always have high standards for what content you put out. If we're going to put out a picture of us, has every member of the band okay'd? Have we talked to the photographer about what we're trying to do with the picture? Always having high-quality content to put out makes people believe that maybe we're more professional then we may be at times. That helps
too Having high standards of content like, we see bands were friend with and they'll put out a music video that maybe was shot by one of their friends who has a camcorder. We can't do that. We have to find a way to pay for the highest quality stuff. Because if we are going to be trying to build a relationship with these people we have to show them the respect that we have very high standards for what we put out and everything that we do. Which is why we work with a producer at Gold Records and why we make high budget music videos and make sure all of our photographers have great resumes and everything that goes along with it.
Anzzia: Exactly. It's quality. How do you find balance in band life and work and socialize? I know that can be a juggle. /laughs knowingly
Cory: We have had this little phrase that Andrew and I would always joke around about and we would always say, “BAE.” and it means “Band Above Everything.”
Anzzia: /laughs
Cory: We would tell our girlfriends and stuff the band is our first priority. It doesn’t mean we don’t love you and we don’t care about you but, I am doing this for a future and if you’re going to be a part of it it can be your future too. As much as your career is going to be our future.
Anzzia: Yes.
Cory: We understand that band priorities are number one in everything. It goes above personal ventures. It goes above going out to a theme park or, going out to a movie or, hanging out with our friends. We just treat it like a business because essentially it is a business. It's like another job for us so, we do our nine to fives and then we clock right back in and it's about the grind and hustle. Sometimes we've put the band above our personal jobs because it means that much to us. There really is no time for social life and personal life. It's a 24/7, even on holidays where we're still grinding, checking emails, answering calls, responding to fans, doing interviews.
Damien: Yeah I mean, it's such a great question. It can be super, super difficult finding that