This article is about an interview with the band “Playground Etiquette” who last Saturday Night, (01.18.14) at the Metro Gallery in Baltimore, MD introduced their first CD “LA MARIONNETTE” at their CD Release Concert with some of their friends like ‘DIVE’ from New Jersey. ‘CUBBIEBEAR’, ‘DANCE FOR THE DYING’, ‘RITES OF ASH’ and MIKE SHARP.
Maria Savva Interviews… Playground Etiquette . . .
December 19, 2013
Author, Publisher, Writer, Blogger, Music Lover
Blogger for UK Arts Directory
I found out about Playground Etiquette a few years ago in the days when MySpace was more popular for music. They are producing some great experimental rock music. I recently found them again via Twitter and found out that they have new music in the pipeline. They have posted a couple of new songs online, which are really good. Their music is a great mix of genres and has been classified as ‘unique’, and is described by the band on their Facebook Page as ‘A soothing sledgehammer’!! I really like their sound, so I asked them here for a chat about their music and current plans.
Learn how to get a song on iTunes at ReverbNation.com
Interview with Playground Etiquette
How long has Playground Etiquette been together, and who thought of the name for the band?
AH: This is always a question that yields a long winded answer. Playground Etiquette, in some aspect, has been around since 2006. We came up with the name after overhearing a friend’s mother say that her son had no “playground etiquette”. I thought that sounded memorable and different. Maybe it was where my head was at all the time but it stuck. But back when the band first started we were playing a different style of music and I was playing with a completely different line up. We were more pop rock. After some time, we parted ways due to differences in our desired directions for the band. Nik and I have known each other since we were 8. Lisa and I went to college together. Cody and I knew each other from the Baltimore scene and I was introduce to Tim by a mutual friend. The rest is as you know it!
You released a great album, Hit the Lights, a few years ago. What have the band been doing since the last release?
AH: Really, since the last release, we’ve been writing new material; we’ve rebranded ourselves. A lot has happened. We’re a bit more centered than we were back then.
You recently uploaded two new tracks on bandcamp. Tell us a bit about those songs, and about your collaboration with popriotmusic.com, how did that come about?
LE: I remember when Athena was first working on “Like Moths” in particular and when the lyrics and guitar came together. They are very personal and I think a lot of us can really relate to them and how we self-sacrifice for the sake of someone we love. “I’d run into the flames for you, I’d let them burn off my wings…” It’s an angst and heartbreak many can identify with.
Adding the violin lines started as improving on top of what the band was already doing and weaving in and out of the background and foreground. The violin isn’t on every track of the new EP because I joined the band and started jamming with them as the album was starting to come together, but live is an amazing experience because we really get to let go and give the fans an ultimate experience that is beautiful, raw, and different in good ways every time. The more time we spend together, the better our chemistry grows and the more we write and evolve our music… it opens up new possibilities for using various effects, which i love to experiment with on my 5 string electric violin and using live loops which I want to do more of.
AH: Lisa absolutely nailed it regarding “Inertia” and “Like Moths”. I think we, as a band, have become more trusting of not only each other but the music as well. We are more raw and honest and I think people get that when they listen to the music. Regarding, PopRiot: PopRiot Music Group is a boutique label and publishing house that my friend, Ian MacGregor, and I started January of 2012. For Playground Etiquette, it’s an opportunity to have a team we can work with to visually represent what we are creating.
You’ve covered a Lady Gaga song, Let’s Dance. Who’s idea was it to cover that?
NK: That would be our lead singer.
AH: I’m a little monster, how can I resist?
Ha, ha! Well, I admit to being a little monster too 
How important do you think it is for bands to interact on social media, and do you have any favourite social media sites?
CC: It should be one of every local bands top priorities! Social interaction with the fans is what makes them feel special. Like they’re more than just a fan, they’re part of a family. I find it easiest to use Facebook and Twitter for those purposes.
LE: In this day and age its become a necessity. Everyone is very connected, so to reach your fans you need to reach out to them and connect. Facebook obviously is a favorite because there is a great platform to link your ReverbNation or bandcamp or other music site, but twitter can be awesome because you never know who you will catch at the right time! Every now and then you’ll be live tweeting and chatting with a celebrity you admire! On other social networks you can be restricted to just your friend group, but with Twitter, the global reach is right there.
Which bands/musicians have influenced Playground Etiquette’s musical style?
NK: We all were influenced by completely unique musical styles, some of them more closely related than others. For me it started with Paul McCartney’s bass lines and the sound of the bouzouki while dancing. The movement caused by music was where I found my inspiration to want to listen and play.
AH: All five of us have a different genre as our comfortable zone or one that we grew up listening to, but also we are all equally eclectic so really there is an endless list of who has influenced us. My dad was also very musical so I rocked out to a lot of greats when I was a kid. I grew up listening to Pink Floyd, REM, Elton John, and KD Lang. But presently for me, I’m heavily influenced and inspired by Bach, Lady Gaga, Puscifer, and Metric.
CC: Bands like Paramore, 30 Seconds To Mars, and Muse definitely play a part in our influences. We individually take a lot of inspiration from a lot of different music styles. Which gives us a lot of diversity.
LE: I’ve definitely can say I love and admire the greats like Tchaikovsky, Barber and Gershwin, and in terms of our generation, definitely the innovative Depeche Mode, Madonna., Paramore, Gaga, Esthero, to name a few… There are so many i couldn’t even begin to mention them all and there are still so many i need to enrich myself with.
TL: I love to listen to and draw inspiration from Alice in Chains, Depeche Mode, Silverchair, Phoenix, and Seal.
Are you working on any new music at the moment?
AH: We are always working on new music. Right now, we’re enjoying “La Marionnette” and are anticipating its release. That hasn’t stopped us from writing for our next album.
Where are the best places for people to listen to/buy your music online?
LE: Playgroundetiquette.bandcamp.com, www.reverbnation.com/playgroundetiquette. You can also go to www.popriotmusic.com and we will be relaunching our main site in January around our CD release.
Who writes Playground Etiquette’s songs? Where does the inspiration come from?
TL: We all write our respective parts but usually Athena comes to us with ideas and we all jam around that.
Do you have any more news for your fans?
CC: We love you! Keep on checking for shows and new material! It’s going to get heavy.
TL: We will also be playing more shows in NYC and Pittsburgh.
AH: Lots and lots of new music! We’re really excited about our shows as well.
Thank you! I’m looking forward to hearing the new music!
The Band Bio:
Playground Etiquette is a unique 5 piece band from Baltimore, Maryland that creates a fusion of genres and art to make them one of the most well-known rock bands to come out of the Mid-Atlantic. Their songs are catchy but display an amazing depth and instrumental dynamic that is unusual in mainstream music.
The band Members:
Athena Hiotis / (vocals, guitar, keys)
Tim Lockemy / (guitar, vocals)
Nicholas Kosmas / (bass, vocals)
Lisa Catherine / (electric violin, vocals)
Cody Cook / (drums, vocals)
Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playgroundetiquette
ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/playgroundetiquette
Bandcamp: http://playgroundetiquette.bandcamp.com/
PopRiot: http://www.popriotmusic.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pgeband
Thanks!
Maria Savva
Her official website: http://www.mariasavva.com
Her other blog is at Goodreads, where She has interviewed some great musicians in the past. On that blog she mainly chats about her writing news, and she also interviews other authors. You can find it here: http://www.goodreads.com/author
She’s also part of the Bestsellerbound.com team, and maintains a blog that promotes indie authors. You can find it here:
http://quietfurybooks.com/bestsellerboundrecommends/
You can also follow her on Twitter at: @maria_savva
Until next time, remember to help “SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC” . . .
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