Q: Hello Garen, how have you been?
A: I am doing amazing. I recently got an apartment in New York City and can’t wait to get settled.
Q: First of all, can you introduce yourself and your music?
A: My name is Garen and I am originally from New Jersey. I am the lead singer/songwriter for Kill the Alarm which is a rock band based in New York.
Q: You were known as Granian before, why the change to Kill The Alarm?
A: I had just felt that the songs I was writing had a more modern rock feel. To some extent a very new sound than before.
Q: As Kill The Alarm, you released Fire Away, (which is a great album, for those who haven’t heard it yet). How have the reactions been so far?
A: I have been fortunate…the reactions everywhere have been really great. Now we just need more people to hear it.
Q: Which of the songs on the record is the most fun to play live, and why?
A: I Would have to say No More Excuses. It just feels like such an epic song…like a big wall of sound. And its just a blast to play live.
Q: Do you already have plans for another record in the (near) future?
A: I am finishing a bunch of new songs for a new record now. We are gearing up to hit the studio again in a few months and will hopefully release something in early 2008. And then we’ll take the show on the road…
Q: Who would you say are your biggest influences when it comes to your sound & song writing?
A: I listen to everything if it is good. Everything under the sun. As far as song writing goes, I would say my influences stem from some late 90’s bands… Pearl Jam, Live, etc.
Q: When you write your songs, do you usually start with music, or with the lyrics. Or is it different all the time?
A: It varies but for some reason a majoity of both the music and lyrics I write end up being done in the car while driving to some city somewhere too many hours away… and probably back home in the same day.
Q: If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would you like to do play?
A: I really love playing in New York City to my home crowd. The fans here really get into the music and sing every word out loud. It would also be great to someday get to Europe.
Q: And if you could pick any band or musician in the world, who would you want to tour with? And why?
A: Green Day…. Their live show is a lesson in rock.
Q: Let’s say you’re approached by a magazine who are making a CD with cover songs. And you could pick the song you want to cover yourself. What song would you pick, and why that song?
A: Dissident, Pearl Jam. I think I just decided to cover that song. Thanks!
Q: What is the best thing about being a musician and what is the worst thing?
A: The best thing is having the ability to play music for my fans. Getting out on the road and always meeting new people.
Q: Where can we go for more information about you?
A: www.myspace.com/killthealarm & http://www.killthealarm.com
Q: Okay a few random questions now.
Q: What are your favorite movies?
A: Braveheart and Nacho Libre
Q: Club venue or arena venue?
A: PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ. It is about 30 seconds from the house I grew up in and it would be the culmination of a childhood vision. I have seen myself rocking that stage so many times, it just hasn’t actually happened quite yet.
Q: CDs or digital music?
A: It’s all digital now baby!
Thank you so much for the interview. It’s been a pleasure!
A: I am doing amazing. I recently got an apartment in New York City and can’t wait to get settled.
Q: First of all, can you introduce yourself and your music?
A: My name is Garen and I am originally from New Jersey. I am the lead singer/songwriter for Kill the Alarm which is a rock band based in New York.
Q: You were known as Granian before, why the change to Kill The Alarm?
A: I had just felt that the songs I was writing had a more modern rock feel. To some extent a very new sound than before.
Q: As Kill The Alarm, you released Fire Away, (which is a great album, for those who haven’t heard it yet). How have the reactions been so far?
A: I have been fortunate…the reactions everywhere have been really great. Now we just need more people to hear it.
Q: Which of the songs on the record is the most fun to play live, and why?
A: I Would have to say No More Excuses. It just feels like such an epic song…like a big wall of sound. And its just a blast to play live.
Q: Do you already have plans for another record in the (near) future?
A: I am finishing a bunch of new songs for a new record now. We are gearing up to hit the studio again in a few months and will hopefully release something in early 2008. And then we’ll take the show on the road…
Q: Who would you say are your biggest influences when it comes to your sound & song writing?
A: I listen to everything if it is good. Everything under the sun. As far as song writing goes, I would say my influences stem from some late 90’s bands… Pearl Jam, Live, etc.
Q: When you write your songs, do you usually start with music, or with the lyrics. Or is it different all the time?
A: It varies but for some reason a majoity of both the music and lyrics I write end up being done in the car while driving to some city somewhere too many hours away… and probably back home in the same day.
Q: If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would you like to do play?
A: I really love playing in New York City to my home crowd. The fans here really get into the music and sing every word out loud. It would also be great to someday get to Europe.
Q: And if you could pick any band or musician in the world, who would you want to tour with? And why?
A: Green Day…. Their live show is a lesson in rock.
Q: Let’s say you’re approached by a magazine who are making a CD with cover songs. And you could pick the song you want to cover yourself. What song would you pick, and why that song?
A: Dissident, Pearl Jam. I think I just decided to cover that song. Thanks!
Q: What is the best thing about being a musician and what is the worst thing?
A: The best thing is having the ability to play music for my fans. Getting out on the road and always meeting new people.
Q: Where can we go for more information about you?
A: www.myspace.com/killthealarm & http://www.killthealarm.com
Q: Okay a few random questions now.
Q: What are your favorite movies?
A: Braveheart and Nacho Libre
Q: Club venue or arena venue?
A: PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ. It is about 30 seconds from the house I grew up in and it would be the culmination of a childhood vision. I have seen myself rocking that stage so many times, it just hasn’t actually happened quite yet.
Q: CDs or digital music?
A: It’s all digital now baby!
Thank you so much for the interview. It’s been a pleasure!