SMW & the House Party Band – Interview – Thanks for Asking!

SMW & the House Party Band – Interview – Thanks for Asking! – by Liam Sweeny.

RRX: Every artist’s first song is a milestone. But so is the latest song. Describe the first song/album you recorded, and also the latest song/album you recorded; what are the differences?

SW: It’s all been a wonderful growing experience doing the original music, especially because we initially started out solely as a cover band. The first original song we put out was called Wild Child (Dead Man Dance), which was initially written for a film that’s coming out next year called Dead Man’s Party. Writing and producing that track inspired me to change focus and write more originals. We are now releasing our fourth single this year, Love Vibration. This was definitely our most collaborative effort yet. It’s hard for us to always get in the room together because we all live a distance from one another, so we record remotely. The past three originals we’ve done, I had sent a pretty well fleshed out demo for the band to learn. But everyone wrote their own parts for Love Vibration, and it’s just exhilarating to listen to. It’s my favorite track we’ve done yet.

RRX: Music genres are difficult for some artists. Some strictly adhere; others not so much. What is your perspective on the genre you play, or the genres you hover around?

SW: I’m a major 80s culture enthusiast; I’m a big fan of Oingo Boingo and Danny Elfman’s arrangements. It’s an incredible sound that no one had ever heard before back then, and there’s never been anything like it ever since. Combining that influence with my musical theatre background, and classic rock creates a unique sound for us. It’s not always an easy one to market though, but I do know that being distinct is only an advantage. The House Party sound is big and high octane energy — like getting a B-12 shot.

RRX: With services like Spotify, streaming revenue can be pretty dismal. Without spilling secrets, do you have a promotional mindset or philosophy?

SW: The overall purpose of this music, however, is to lift vibrations, build community, and to create a sound of joy and hope. This project has been therapeutic for me, and I can only hope that it does the same for others who will give it a chance. I don’t necessarily have a philosophy, but I always approach it all with authenticity and light-heartedness. But ya know, at the end of the day…an ad is an ad, and somebody can simply write it off as just self promotion and noise. It’s creative practice for me either way; if it reaches someone and they love it and want to share it, that’s bonus points.

RRX: We have to play somewhere, and sometimes those places have more going for them than a stage and a power outlet. What is a memorable place you played, and bonus points if it’s not a well-known place.

SW: We’ve only been around for about two years, but we’ve had some memorable shows at great venues. The first show ever was opening for Corey Feldman at our homestead, Colony Woodstock. The vision of the band wasn’t formed yet, but that was a very surreal night. The most memorable show for me and the band was a corporate gig we did in Hawaii at the Four Seasons though. Those folks knew how to party. There are so many stories…it really was like a movie.

RRX: I know when pitching it helps to tell someone it’s “this meets that.” So let’s try that with you. If you had to give me two bands that meet each other in your sound, what are those bands? More than two bands?

SW: Our music is a love child of all my influences. Oingo Boingo, Steve Perry, Billy Joel, AC/DC, maybe a little Queen…definitely Van Halen on our newest song. Our power ballad, Shadows, was an ode to Heart and Pat Benatar. I also try to bring some Little Richard energy to it all as well. He’s a major influence.

RRX: Let’s talk about your next project, your next few. Just not the ones you’re working on now. The ones you have your eyes on for the future. What’s coming to us?

SW: I always have things cooking ~  nothing I can announce just yet though. I’m manifesting more travel and reaching a wider audience in the new year.