Interview with It's Alive

It’s Alive is an up and coming four piece from Florida. With an album in the works, we caught up with vocalist Zach Webb to see what we can expect from this growing band and get the low down on things to come.

R13: For those in the UK and beyond that have never encountered It’s Alive, how did the band form and where did the name It’s Alive come from?
Zach: It was actually from a dream I had had before we went into the studio to do our first demos. I dreamt we walked in the control room and it said "It's Alive: Session 1" on the screen. Woke up and called Eddie first thing. He was really into the idea. It's great to us because it's positive. About being here and now.

R13:How would you describe the music you care creating?
Zach: We always aim for power. There's nothing better than a powerful song that pulls on the back of your throat from the first word. Soul is something we focus on a lot. Listening to a song is great, but feeling a song is better.

R13: What’s going on with the band right now and the next few months?
Zach: Right now we are rehearsing everyday and getting together a solid live performance. A lot goes into our live show. Everything you hear in the songs and on the record will be accounted for live. That's very important to us. We'll deliver the same conviction live. Then it's off to tour this summer.

R13: Who are your musical influences and how are these reflected in your music?
Zach: Our influences are so scattered. It's a vast range of different things. More than any band we listen for sounds that make us feel a certain way. There are so many tucked sounds and pads and whispers in our record that to us, just really make what we are all about. A lot of soundscape and thick sound design. It takes the music to a 3rd dimension. We are more influenced by sounds than actual bands.

R13: What was the last record you bought?
Zach: Last record I bought was 'Scratch My Back' by Peter Gabriel

R13: What is the most embarrassing CD in your collection?
Zach: Zero hahaha! If you like it, you rock that proudly.

R13: What is the process of writing a song and are writing responsibilities shared between band members?
Zach: We work in a bit of a different way. Eddie, & I will write the songs, work out all the kinks, structure it out and make solid progressions and melodies. Once it's all mapped out we pass it along to Clay, & Juice to add their flare and spice to it. It's a super cohesive process. We have a great understanding in the band of who does what. It just works better that way so the vision can come out fully focused. We each are so influenced by so many different things if you put us all in a room at once to write a song it'd be a huge mess. We usually don't play the song as a full band until we perform it in the studio.

R13: What is the secret of turning a good melody into a memorable song?
Zach: Conviction. If you don't mean it, no one will believe you. It's about the performance. You either feel this or you don't. And if you don't, don't bother trying to convince your audience you do, cause they'll be able to tell and they'll toss the song sideline to songs they believe in. The only thing that matters is soul.

R13: What are the most personal lyrics you have written and what was the song about?
Zach: It's a toss up between a song called ‘Questions’ and ‘Selfless’. ‘Questions’ makes even me uncomfortable when I listen to it. It's about being cheated on and all the raw emotion you experience from the visuals that cross your mind of someone else touching the one person in this world you love. It's a dirty song. May need ear muffs for the young ones. ‘Selfless’ is the only love song on the record. With that being said, I'm sure you can imagine why it's so personal. They are things I thought I'd never say out loud, much less sing. It's about unconditional love. The kind that no matter what that person does in life, you always have their back. They can do no wrong in your eyes. That's a powerful thing, and such a beautiful idea to me. If you find that kind, you can't let it go.

R13: Are any of the songs on ‘Human Resources’ based on anything personal?
Zach: This record is nothing but personal experiences. It's what the record title is based off. We were influenced by all the people around us. Whether it's relationships, family, friends. We used everyone as a resource for inspiration. Human Resources are what made this record.

R13: What is your favourite track on the album and what makes this one so memorable?
Zach: I really love the last track on the record ‘Can't Love Me’. It's a duet with myself and a good friend of ours Carolyne Neuman. The whole vibe of it just makes you float. This just oneiric soundscape about how someone can basically do everything and anything in this world, but can't do something as simple as love. Even if you can move mountains, if you can't love someone...you're not worth shit. It's a great song, and a great way to end the record.

R13: Do you have any plans to head over to the UK for some live dates any time soon?
Zach: I sure as hell hope so! I'd absolutely love too. Soon enough.

R13: If you could play with any other band/artist who would it be and why?
Zach: John Tesh, all the way. I hear his backstage parties made even Motley Crue jealous. Dude knows how to party.

R13: Are there any UK bands that have caught your eye?
Zach: Absolutely. Genesis!

R13: What is the most memorable moment in you career so far?
Zach: We had hired string players for the song ‘Selfless’. We cut the track in Quad Studios. The studio is smack right in the middle of Times Square in NYC. It was about 6 in the evening when the string players started performing over the track. Sun was going down, lights of Times Square were peeking through the 13th floor studio windows. It was such an intense moment. When you're making a debut record, there's a certain amount of pressure you have to make something that will get your foot in the door in such a saturated industry. That moment made me slow down, take a breathe, and realize not only that I felt we had something so great and to be confident about but, no matter what, I'm in the exact place I had always wanted to be. Realising you’re happy is a pretty powerful thing.

R13: What do you see for It’s Alive 5 years down the line?
Zach: 1 of 2 things: Either we are still rockin', or we are 6 feet under ground. This is it for the 4 of us. This is what we do.

‘Human Resources’ will be released in the US next month with a UK release date expected to be May 25th. To keep you entertained in the mean time, check out their Myspace or Official Site for more news.