Stiletto have mastered the art of delicate arpeggios, swooning vocals, and spot on rhythm accompaniment. The Akron quintet’s style of indie rock, neo-soul is as captivating as it is relaxing. As a result, it has created a sound that garners as much artistic vision as it does hip-swaying, melodic groves. After the success of the bands 2007 EP, Snowed In, the gentlemen welcome the challenges that lie ahead. Take a read as we talk to the them about their live show preparations, new material, and the bands definition of success.
S*KM: Where did you guys pick up that atmospheric and soulful sound?
Stiletto: Everywhere. All five of us listen to and play very different styles of music when we’re apart, so it’s just the combination of all our backgrounds that create what we are.
S*KM: You have a show coming up on August 14th with Apres Vous at Musica, do you guys do anything different the week of a show to prepare?
Stiletto: We try to practice nearly everyday of that week, and we spend a little extra time creating a set list that we haven’t used before.
S*KM: You released your “Snowed In” EP back in the spring of 2007, have you guys begun work on a follow up?
Stiletto: Yes, we have begun to write a number of new songs for a new album. Hopefully we can have it ready to record by this winter and out by spring/early summer 2009.
S*KM: What experiences has the band gone through since the last record to impact the writing and sound of the new material?
Stiletto: We have all become more comfortable with each other because of how much time we spend together. And more importantly we’re more laid back and easy going with the way we write, so it comes to us faster and with less hesitation than it used to.
S*KM: Will it be another EP or can fans look forward to the band making the jump to a full length?
Stiletto: We are going to push for a full length this time around with 10-15 songs. Maybe re-do one or two just for kicks. We’re also deciding who we are going to record with, where to do it, and whether or not the band will do a live recording.
S*KM: Give us a little band history lesson, who met who to ignite the musical journey the five of you currently share?
Stiletto: Mike and Ryan have been playing together since the beginning of time, 2003. Years later Kyle joined our band “Argyle.” A year later we added Coop, from the band Half Hearted Handgun, then shortly after that Chad came in to fill our spot at vocals. We aren’t totally sure how it happened, but we like it.
S*KM: On the bands official Myspace page it says you joined in September of 2004, assuming Stiletto has been around for the better part of four years, what are your goals for the band at this point?
Stiletto: The goals for us are simple. Have as much fun as we can with everyone we know, and along the way write some songs that people can relate to and enjoy for years to come.
S*KM: After that time together what is your outlook on elevating the bands status beyond a local level?
Stiletto: We would love to spend a few weeks on the road and see how it treats us. But with current gas prices rising it really isn’t economical for us to do that.
S*KM: Between talent, luck, business sense, dedication, and hard work, how much does a band need of each to give itself the best chance to succeed?
Stiletto: Success is defined by the individual who pursues it. If your goal is to become a famous musician, then success will be much harder to reach, however if you’re just out there enjoying yourself every minute of the day because that’s what you want, then we are successful.
S*KM: Tell us a tale that involves one of the bands more horrific moments on stage?
Stiletto: The first time we played at the grog shop Kyle’s pedal board died during our first song. So we looked like idiots on stage panicking trying to fix it, but in the end we just decided to play without them. It wasn’t the worst thing that could happen, but its the worst thing that HAS happened.
S*KM: We will give you a chance to redeem yourself, tell us a tale of a Stiletto triumph?
Stiletto: Finally getting to play out of state in TN with our friends in Gamenight and Mouth Movements. We met them down there after their tour wrapped up for their homecoming show and everyone just had an awesome time.
S*KM: With the summer blockbuster season coming to a close tell us one movie you WON”T be seeing?
Stiletto: Sex and The City and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2.
S*KM: Lets finish strong, we would like to give you some time to tell the people of Saw*Kick and the Stiletto faithful what is in store for the band in the coming months?
Stiletto: Tons of new songs, and some new covers. and of course, a full length.
You can sample Stiletto for yourself at www.myspace.com/stiletto and catch them live next on Thursday, August 14 at Musica in Akron, Ohio.
It’s Musica. I believe.
stellar interview.