Q: Hello Republic of Letters, how are you doing these days?
A: We are doing really good, busy writing new songs and playing some amazing shows lately. Most notably opening up for the Duke Spirit and Air Traffic here in San Diego!
Q: First of all, who are Republic of Letters?
A: Couple of guys with a lot of ambition and that want to be heard. Chris Venti – Vocals & Guitar, Nick Venti – Drums, Martin Newinski – Bass Guitar, Adrian Thorstensen – Lead Guitar
Q: How did you come up with the band name? Does it have a special meaning?
A: My brother Nick, who is the drummer, came up with the name while in college. It actually has a historical background, but for me it means the sharing of ideas. Communicating through your art is really probably the most important thing, it’s that expression that can bridge between your fans and listeners. And it’s a two way street…
Q: You released an amazing EP called “Spirit or a Ghost”, how would you describe the music/album?
A: Thanks, the EP is basically a collection of songs that we put together as soon as Adrian joined the band. It’s a snap shot into that time and place. The title Spirit or a Ghost I managed to pickup in Ireland while traveling for a few weeks in Europe, I can’t remember exactly, but I have a vague memory of some movie on really late at night that inspired the lyric. It just seemed to connect the meaning of the EP as well.
Q: Has releasing the EP changed your lives and/or carreers? And in what ways?
A: I think that through the process we were able to grow as musicians and as people. It was a great introduction to the band and really sparked some attention and opened some doors for us.
Q: On your myspace you mentioned writing/recording a new full-length. Could you tell us something about that?
A: Yeah, we have been writing as much as possible in the last few months. We are actually in the process of recording some demos of the new songs and from there we’ll see where those will take us. We have some big ideas in the works.
Q: Is there any sight on when we might expect the new album?
A: We should have a really good idea in the next month or so, there are a lot of things up in the air. To be honest we want to record as soon as possible though..
Q: Who are your biggest influences musically and when it comes to songwriting?
A: I know we all come from different places musically, but for me Springsteen and Niel Finn have been big influences on songwriting for me. I’ve been listening to a lot of the Police lately and newer bands like Idlewild, Editors, and Snow Patrol have been inspiring. Overall I am into a lot of different music, so to pinpoint it to any one artist as a biggest influence, would be hard to say. All the music I have connected to has shaped me in some way..
Q: You guys are also gearing up for a westcoast tour, and you’ve been touring through the (south)west as well. Is there any chance you’ll be able to make it further out anytime soon?
A: The West Coast tour has been postponed, but the word is that it might end up being a bigger event. We have been reaching out to Europe for the last year or so, it would be amazing to make it out there.
Q: Which of your songs is the most fun to play live and why?
A: The consensus of the band would probably be No Time for Fears. The song has a great live energy and every time we play it there is a release.
Q: Speaking of playing live, if you could play anywhere in the world, is there one place in specific you would like to play one day? Why?
A: Hmm, here in the States, I have always wanted to play Red Rock in Colorado. Probably the U2 live at Red Rock that inspired that, what an amazing venue.
Q: And lets say you could also pick the band/artist you could play that show with, who would it be, and why?
A: That would be a close tie with Springsteen, U2, and maybe Pearl Jam. Those bands have been and still are putting on one of the best live shows you can see. The energy is incredible, if you have had a chance to be there live.
Q: If you guys wouldn’t be musicians, what would you be doing for a living?
A: I was a fine arts major, so probably photography or something. I still like taking photos quite a bit.
Q: What is the best thing about being musicians, and what is the worst thing?
A: Making a connection through music. As far as the worst thing, at this point, probably trying to come up with rent every month.
Q: Where can people find out more about Republic of Letters?
A: We just put up a new designed website at www.republicofletters.com and all the important links are there. Also, we are really active with Myspace as well www.myspace.com/republicofletters.
Q: Okay a few random questions now.
Q: What are your favorite movies? Which ones would you recommend?
A: Lets see, off the top of my head. What’s eating Gilbert Grape, In the Name of The Father, Edward Scissor Hands, Amelie, Once. I would recommend them all…
Q: Day or night?
A: Night
Q: Club venue or arena venue?
A: Arena (more people more energy)
Q: CDs or digital music?
A: Vinyl :)
Q: Okay, final question. What are your thoughts on people downloading music, both legally & illegally?
A: I think that is just the new way and artists will have to figure out how to adapt to it and take advantage of all the new possibilities that it presents.
Thank you Chris for taking the time to answer our questions. We appreciate it very much!
A: We are doing really good, busy writing new songs and playing some amazing shows lately. Most notably opening up for the Duke Spirit and Air Traffic here in San Diego!
Q: First of all, who are Republic of Letters?
A: Couple of guys with a lot of ambition and that want to be heard. Chris Venti – Vocals & Guitar, Nick Venti – Drums, Martin Newinski – Bass Guitar, Adrian Thorstensen – Lead Guitar
Q: How did you come up with the band name? Does it have a special meaning?
A: My brother Nick, who is the drummer, came up with the name while in college. It actually has a historical background, but for me it means the sharing of ideas. Communicating through your art is really probably the most important thing, it’s that expression that can bridge between your fans and listeners. And it’s a two way street…
Q: You released an amazing EP called “Spirit or a Ghost”, how would you describe the music/album?
A: Thanks, the EP is basically a collection of songs that we put together as soon as Adrian joined the band. It’s a snap shot into that time and place. The title Spirit or a Ghost I managed to pickup in Ireland while traveling for a few weeks in Europe, I can’t remember exactly, but I have a vague memory of some movie on really late at night that inspired the lyric. It just seemed to connect the meaning of the EP as well.
Q: Has releasing the EP changed your lives and/or carreers? And in what ways?
A: I think that through the process we were able to grow as musicians and as people. It was a great introduction to the band and really sparked some attention and opened some doors for us.
Q: On your myspace you mentioned writing/recording a new full-length. Could you tell us something about that?
A: Yeah, we have been writing as much as possible in the last few months. We are actually in the process of recording some demos of the new songs and from there we’ll see where those will take us. We have some big ideas in the works.
Q: Is there any sight on when we might expect the new album?
A: We should have a really good idea in the next month or so, there are a lot of things up in the air. To be honest we want to record as soon as possible though..
Q: Who are your biggest influences musically and when it comes to songwriting?
A: I know we all come from different places musically, but for me Springsteen and Niel Finn have been big influences on songwriting for me. I’ve been listening to a lot of the Police lately and newer bands like Idlewild, Editors, and Snow Patrol have been inspiring. Overall I am into a lot of different music, so to pinpoint it to any one artist as a biggest influence, would be hard to say. All the music I have connected to has shaped me in some way..
Q: You guys are also gearing up for a westcoast tour, and you’ve been touring through the (south)west as well. Is there any chance you’ll be able to make it further out anytime soon?
A: The West Coast tour has been postponed, but the word is that it might end up being a bigger event. We have been reaching out to Europe for the last year or so, it would be amazing to make it out there.
Q: Which of your songs is the most fun to play live and why?
A: The consensus of the band would probably be No Time for Fears. The song has a great live energy and every time we play it there is a release.
Q: Speaking of playing live, if you could play anywhere in the world, is there one place in specific you would like to play one day? Why?
A: Hmm, here in the States, I have always wanted to play Red Rock in Colorado. Probably the U2 live at Red Rock that inspired that, what an amazing venue.
Q: And lets say you could also pick the band/artist you could play that show with, who would it be, and why?
A: That would be a close tie with Springsteen, U2, and maybe Pearl Jam. Those bands have been and still are putting on one of the best live shows you can see. The energy is incredible, if you have had a chance to be there live.
Q: If you guys wouldn’t be musicians, what would you be doing for a living?
A: I was a fine arts major, so probably photography or something. I still like taking photos quite a bit.
Q: What is the best thing about being musicians, and what is the worst thing?
A: Making a connection through music. As far as the worst thing, at this point, probably trying to come up with rent every month.
Q: Where can people find out more about Republic of Letters?
A: We just put up a new designed website at www.republicofletters.com and all the important links are there. Also, we are really active with Myspace as well www.myspace.com/republicofletters.
Q: Okay a few random questions now.
Q: What are your favorite movies? Which ones would you recommend?
A: Lets see, off the top of my head. What’s eating Gilbert Grape, In the Name of The Father, Edward Scissor Hands, Amelie, Once. I would recommend them all…
Q: Day or night?
A: Night
Q: Club venue or arena venue?
A: Arena (more people more energy)
Q: CDs or digital music?
A: Vinyl :)
Q: Okay, final question. What are your thoughts on people downloading music, both legally & illegally?
A: I think that is just the new way and artists will have to figure out how to adapt to it and take advantage of all the new possibilities that it presents.
Thank you Chris for taking the time to answer our questions. We appreciate it very much!