FES: Could you please give our readers not familiar with Pilot Speed the band 411?

Chris: We met about six years ago. Three of us went to art school together in Toronto [Ontario] then we some how met up with our singer Todd. We worked around the Toronto scene for a while, after a few years put out a couple of records up here in Canada, which did not do too bad. Finally got some attention down in the states earlier this year and signed a deal with Wind-up Records.

FES: Do you feel going to art school has given you a different kind of perspective as a musician than a musician that did not?

Chris: Maybe just a bit. I have to be honest with you, I think a lot of people who go to art school do it because it’s something to do, ya know? It’s kind of a lazy way out in a lot of ways. I don’t regret going, I don’t know if I consider it the best education you can have. Maybe it does teach you to think in a different way. I don’t know.

Pilot Speed

FES: The band recently changed their name can you tell us why you had to do that?

Chris: We were called originally Pilate. We had that name for a few years, when it came time to trademark the name in the States before we signed this deal with [Wind-Up Records] it became apparent to our label and their lawyers it would not be possible, there’s too many other companies with that name I think there was a couple of record labels with the same name so we really had to do something and come up with a new name. I think the worst part about it was having this discussion of what you’re going to call your band six years or five years in when it really felt those are the sort of conversations you have right at the beginning. We wanted to keep something of the Pilot word and build on that to make the transition a little easier in Canada. That was our main concern at the beginning we didn’t want to confuse or lose too many people up here. I think in a year or two nobody will care too much.

FES: What are your thoughts on your latest album "Into The West?"

Chris: I’m really happy with it. I think we all are. I think we’ve taken the right steps after our first record. It was done out in the west coast out in Vancouver, partly which is why it’s called “Into The West” It was a lot more of a live record with the four of us and our producer just sort of bashing everything out in the space all live. There’s very little overdubbing compared to our first record and that’s sort of what we set out to do. I think we’re all pretty happy with it.

FES: What other songs besides "Into Your Hideout" and Barely Listening" will be released as singles here in the states?

Chris: That’s tough to say. I don’t know if that’s entirely up to me or the band [to decide] as I’m sure as you know labels have obviously a pretty vested interested in what that is going to be. It’s a discussion the band will have with the label. Often times, the last person who should be evaluating what their best song is is the band. Sometimes it’s good to have somebody else’s opinion.

FES: What went through your mind the first time you heard one of Pilot Speed's songs on the radio?

Chris: It was exciting. I still remember where I was, I was sitting in a patio with some pals in Toronto. This particular patio always has the local alternative rock station playing. I remember when it came on I was pretty pumped about it. Now it’s not so much if you hear a song you’re like “oh wow they’re playing our song on the radio” it’s more like “What other stations are playing it? I wonder how many times their spinning it a week?” The initial giddiness of hearing it for the first time is sort of replaced with maybe worries about whether they are playing it enough or that sort of thing.

FES: Did the band perform live on XM Satellite Radio?

Chris: Yeah, we did a few sessions actually. We did a session in New York and we did a couple of sessions here in Toronto and we just did one yesterday which they’re going to broadcast on The Verge, which I think it’s an all Canadian indie channel.

FES: Do you know when that will be?

Chris: I’m not sure but it’ll be soon in the next few weeks. They’ve [XM] have been really good to us in particular this one guy named Ryan Leek who’s been really great. We like doing them it’s a nice change. Todd and I will go in and try to interpret the songs with a couple of acoustic guitars or a guitar and piano something like that. I like doing it.

FES: Do you feel you have more artistic freedom being with an Indie label?

Chris: I think there’s a certain amount of that certainly. Wind-up while, still technically an indie is a pretty big indie. They’ve got a lot of sass, a lot of cash, a lot of clout and a lot of history as well. They have had some huge successes right?

FES: Yes they have absolutely.

Chris: If we were up in Canada I think we’d have quite a bit more freedom. It’s tough to say we’ve never been on a major [label] so I’m sure I could speculate on all the horror stories you hear about bands being locked into a corner where they can’t really put out the kind of music they want to, but I don’t see that happening to us.

FES: With more and more bands and labels making their music available for sale at online sites do you think this is the beginning of the end for the CD?

Chris: I don’t know it could be. I think there’s going to be a certain amount of people who will always want to be able to hold something in their hands and own something tangible that’s just not something stored on their hard drive. I still know a lot of people who will only buy vinyl and they’re certainly a dying breed. I think there will always be people who want to have the artwork and to have a collection but I think the majority of casual music fans and casual music listeners once it becomes really easy to download and buy online a lot of people will do it that way as well as other things people buy online too. I don’t think it’s just going to be music.

FES: My question about buying music from online stores is what if your computer crashes and you lose all your music. Will those online sites allow you to download the music you lost for free or will you have to pay for it again?

Chris: I would assume they would just like at like if your house burned down and all you’re CDs got torched I don’t think you could walk into a record store say, “Well, I had them before I paid for them and bought them here.”

FES: Yes, I agree.

FES: What can we expect from Pilot Speed in 2007?

Chris: As far as down your way hopefully a lot of touring. I would expect there will be a lot more touring in the states. We should be down there for a while. I would not completely rule out us putting out some new music in some form. Whether it’s posting stuff on the website; not too sure yet, it’s definitely a possibility for [this] year.

FES: Do you prefer to be in the studio or performing on the road?

Chris: Both are good for different reasons. It seems you go in these cycles where the studio is really great when you’re coming off the road. It’s good to be in a nice control environment not too many X factors and distractions, but once you’re cooped up in the studio for a couple of weeks you sort of miss getting on stage.

FES: Do you prefer to perform outdoors or indoors?

Chris: Indoors, only because outdoors shows are generally a lot less controlled like festival style shows usually there’s no sound check you just sort of roll in put up your stuff line check and go for it and they can be fun too, we’ve been fortunate enough to play on some really, really great festival bills with bands you would never see together in a club show. As far as a controlled sound and that sort of thing I think indoors is the way to go. But festivals can be great as well. They do summer concerts in Toronto on this little Island just south of the city on Lake Ontario, which there are no cars and no roads on the Island they have huge parks and they have outdoor shows just about every summer and those are pretty tough to beat.

FES: How important do you think online publications such as Florida Entertainment Scene are in helping to get the word out about bands such as Pilot Speed?

Chris: I think it’s really important the way people are going to the ‘net to get their info. I think publications like [Florida Entertainment Scene] and weekly papers are key as well. You get the names out and the concert dates out especially for smaller up and coming bands like us. If people are looking in the major papers they’re probably not going to see our name. It’s good if we can get smaller indie publications whether its online or weekly’s or whatever to get on board I think it makes our life easier.

FES : Do you have anything to say to your fans that read this interview?

Chris: Well, check out the music and come see us live and see for yourself.

Pilot Speed is from Toronto, Ontario and tour and a regular basis.

Pilot Speed's latest album 'Into The West' is now available at all the usual places.

Pilot Speed Is:
Todd Clark - Vocals
Ruby Bumrah - Bass
Chris Greenough - Guitar
Bill Keeley - Drums

For more band information log onto: pilotspeed.net. To sample music visit the Pilot Speed page at myspace.com.

Musician Interview by Michael Montes - Copyright © 2007 Florida Entertainment Scene - All Rights Reserved.