Rockezine.com interview with Sinch on Dec 15, 2002

with Jamie Stem on Dec 15, 2002

The American band Sinch are ready to rock Europe. After claiming their ground in the US, this multitalented band is in Europe for a few promotional activities. While the song ‘Something More’ from their self-titled album is doing well on the air, we meet with vocalist/lyricist Jamie Stem. A fine opportunity for Rockezine to introduce you to Sinch.
		For everyone who isn’t familiar with Sinch, can you give us a short history lesson? We have been playing together around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the past 8 years. The five of us met in high school and have continued in the same line up since then. We are strictly doing what we do for the music, not for money, or girls, or fame. It is our goal to be able to influence and entertain in the same swift motion. We believe in unity, in diversity.
		Your album has been released July this year. How has the album been doing so far? In the US it has been doing great. We have just finished touring with Stone Sour and Chevelle and really saw a fan base building across the nation. We are just really excited that the album is available to so many people across the world.
		How did the production of the album work out? Your first release on a large label – Roadrunner - and a lot of media attention. No nerves? Of course we were nervous at first because it is a lot to handle and we are relatively shy guys, but we have grown accustomed to it and have begun to embrace the situation at hand. I guess you can make the best and worst of a situation at any given time, but we are just trying to make the most of this one.
		I guess I can laugh at myself when I see my stupid face on TV or hear my voice on the radio because I know it’s only me. I think sometimes people take themselves too seriously and get a little freaked out by fame, but it’s all in what you make of it.
		The album sounds very organic and well balanced. Did you have any idea about how the album should sound before you went into the studio? We knew we didn’t want to put up any boundaries, and we knew we wanted to do something original, but as far as an exact idea.... well we didn’t have one. We wanted it to flow out as best it could and use the studio as a creative process in itself.
		Malcolm Springer and Charlie Brocco (the producer and engineer) really helped us feel comfortable and our previous experience in producing our own albums was helpful as well.
		A few questions about the album. Listening to the album names like Tool, Ultraspank, Radiohead and even Creed come to mind. You managed to meld all these influences into your own sound. Is writing songs a band effort? Yes, we work as a team to make all the songs and we trust in each other to do the best we can. Ideas get brought up and shot down and turned upside down until we find the right sound. There is no real correct way to write, everyone has their different styles and philosophies on how to create, but I think you have to find what works for yourself if you want to ever truly be happy with your end results.
		The first big step is set, the album is out. What are your future plans? Touring and promoting the album all across the world, writing more material for the next album and getting a job again, because being a musician does not pay the bills.
		You have just come off a US tour with Stone Sour and Chevelle. How was that? It really was the best thing that we have done as a band so far. We made a lot of new friends on the road and became really close with the other musicians. On top of that we had a good time despite all the hard work that goes into it.
		How important is playing live in the total Sinch concept, for both the band and the fans? It is imperative to see us play live because I believe we represent ourselves much better that way. That is where the roots of playing lies and it is the only time that we have a chance to be with our fans with no filters between us. It is 45 minutes of total freedom to do whatever you want and we strive to improve our live show with each performance.
		Do you experience Sinch as ‘just’ a rock band or more of a total art expression in a sense of making more than music alone? We certainly don’t want to be viewed as just a rock band, but that is up to the fan to decide. We just do our best every night in every city because we know how important it is to give your all.
		What or who inspires you as artists? Here’s a list. Musicians: Beck, Bjork, Radiohead, Grandaddy, Modest Mouse, Pavement, Dinosaur Jr., Pink Floyd, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Mr. Bungle, Fiona Apple, David Bowie, Slipknot, Tool, Refused, Squarepusher, Nirvana, Rival Schools, Seether, Epidemic, The Strokes, Fantomas, Johnny Cash, etc. Comedians: David Cross, Bill Hicks, Bob Odenkirk, George Carlin. Directors: Coen brothers, David Lynch, David Fincher, and others I can’t think of. Writers: Tom Wolfe, Jack Kerouac, Hunter Thompson, Allen Ginsburg.
		A question you have probably been asked a million times before; tell us something about the Ocular Noise Machine you use on stage. What is it exactly? It’s hard to explain what it is.... I guess it’s best compared to a sampler mixed with a guitar that plays video images rather than music. It manipulates video in real time and expresses our songs in a visual manner. It was created by Jay Smith (band member) and it continues to grow each passing day. You kind of have to see it to understand it completely.
		When can we expect Sinch to play live in Europe? We are shooting for some February/March dates, but all is up in the air at this moment so I guess we will see what happens.
		I have visited the US a few weeks ago and was amazed by the amount of rock bands out there having success. Many of these bands - except a few - don’t seem to be as successful in Europe. Why do you think this could be different for Sinch? I believe that Europe is a little more open-minded than the US, which is essential when listening to our music. The bands that I listen to from Europe seem to put a lot more time and effort into making original music and not just following the next big thing that comes out of the machine. We are the same in that sense and hope that someone will recognize it in us.
		Sinch is one of the many players in the modern rock pitch. How difficult is it to be different, to stand out in the crowd? I don’t know if we do stand out from the crowd or not, we just play what is naturally coming out of us. I guess if you wanted to it would be real easy to stand out in the crowd, but we are just making music.
		We are not selling a style or look and don’t really care to stand out. Maybe our next album we won’t even use guitars, drums, or bass, maybe we’ll just play a banjo and an accordion mixed with samples of bodily functions. Who knows, right?
		Any new bands from the US we should keep an eye out for here in Europe? Ex Models, Seether, The Color Red, Epidemic, Chevelle, and Modest Mouse
		You’re in Europe right now promoting the album. Anything you would like to say to your European fans? Hello, see ya soon! And uh, Amsterdam is great !
For more information on Sinch, check out their website at www.sinch.net (Marc Lochs)