ION INDIE MAGAZINE November 2016, Volume 30 | Page 11

ION: WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE TO BE ON STAGE PERFORMING AND
LOOK OUT AND SEE THE AUDIENCE SINGING YOUR SONGS ALONG
WITH YOU?
Neil: It is very surreal, honestly. When we released this new album on Aug 1st, I
didn’t realize how quickly people would latch on and relate to the songs. Our
rst show after the release was on Sept 9th at AMOS SOUTHEND--which is a
very well-known music venue in Charlotte. It was unbelievable…the 100's of
fans who turned out, and packed the place…and the fact that most everyone
was singing the songs. Many of these songs, we had never played live before.
We ran in-ear buds and didn't have a crowd mic set up for the show. I looked out
across the crowd and could see everyone singing in time, and it was only when
I pointed my mic toward the crowd that the sea of voices began to overwhelm
me. And I then realized that what we had done with this collection of songs was
real. At that moment all the hard work, hours and hours of time, and all the life
experiences stood for something bigger than us. I will never forget it. I wish we
could have thanked and shook the hand of everyone in the venue that night-just to let them know how much it meant to us.
ION: AS A LOCAL BAND FROM THE CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA
AREA, HOW IS THE MUSIC SCENE HERE? AND DO YOU FEEL IT
SUPPORTS AND GIVES UP AND COMING BANDS A CHANCE TO EXCEL
AND ACHIEVE SOME SUCCESS?
Neil: The music scene in Charlotte is denitely thriving, but unfortunately, we
are losing many of our bigger sized historical venues to growth and expansion
in the city. That won't stop the music though, I assure you. There are new spots
popping up every day. And though they may not be the size of an Amos' or a
Tremont Music Hall, as long as the music is there and there are ears to hear it,
Charlotte local music will continue to thrive. There are also a few Charlotte
booking agents/promoters that really give opportunities to local bands that are
working hard. That has been huge for many of us. Many thanks to those
people--you know who you are.