Fantastic sound, awesome vocals from Robby Cronholm (Voice, Guitar), and melodic tunes are some of the words that can best described the California Indie Band Taxes. Each member of the band adds something special to the overall appeal of Taxes’ music. And fans of Rock music will enjoy the overall wonderful style of Taxes. In this spotlight with our Webzine, we spoke to front man Robby Cronholm about his band and what makes them so good. Here’s is the entire conversation for your reading pleasure.
Instrumentation
Robby Cronholm sings and plays guitar.
Tristan Eckerson plays keys.
Brad Harbidge plays drums.
Josh White plays guitars.
Jonathan Kepke plays bass.
Isaac: Let’s get started with this interview. When and how did you first become interested in music?
Robby: I couldn't have been more than five or six years old when my babysitter, Mary Murray, showed up with a mix tape. The Clash was on Side A and Greg Kihn was Side B. Even before I had heard The Clash, I remembered being awestruck by the intimacy of the tape itself. Mary had this incredible, legible handwriting and the time she had taken to transcribe every song title was apparent. It seemed so personal, almost religious in its appearance. Then my parents left and sounds of The Clash filled the house. That was it. I remember thinking I want to do this.
Robby Cronholm (Voice, Guitar)
Isaac: How long have you been playing music?
Robby: I started my first band in grade school. We were called Vicious, and we were the farthest thing from it. None of us really knew how to play instruments, so we started with the important stuff, i.e. t-shirt designs, album covers, band logos, etc. We were really into Poison, Motley Crue, Skid Row and the like. Around this time, 7th grade or so, I started taking classical guitar lessons. Not long after, I bought the only electric guitar in the classical guitar shop. It was a Lotus, cost a hundred bucks and sounded like it, too. It's still in my basement.
Isaac: Who would you say are your biggest musical influences and why?
Robby: My favorite band of all time would have to be The Smiths (Morrissey). A close second is Elliott Smith. I guess I'm obsessed with the Smith name. If Justin Bieber changed his name to Justin Smith, he'd probably be my third favorite (studio laugh track). But seriously, there have been so many, many artists that have soundtracked (I just made this word up) my life. Jawbreaker, Seaweed, That Dog, Refused, Drive Like Jehu. This year it's really been about The National, Die Antwoord, I love the new Menomena record. It just goes on and on. And on and on.
Isaac: What has been the greatest highpoint in your career so far?
Robby: I suppose it happened when I was nineteen and had just been kicked out of college. I was sleeping on friends couches, my family wasn't too thrilled, I was living on a dollar a day, etc. (basically my version of Jewel's "I slept in a van" story that we were all subjected to after her record broke)... Regardless, I got the call that Warner Bros. wanted to sign us and I started to cry tears of joy. I immediately called my mom. She started crying, too. I thought, I know isn't this the best news ever?!? Sadly, her tears weren't tears of joy. Although ever since, my parents have been nothing but supportive. The band was called crumb and the next years were some of the happiest of my life. I might not have known it at the time, but they were. Also, my current band, Taxes, is a new highpoint. We set out to make something we could be proud of and I think we did just that.
Isaac: What has been the greatest disappointment in your career so far? What did you learn from that experience?
Robby: After crumb disbanded, I really went into a downward spiral. I walked away from music, or rather I sprinted. I had lost that which had sustained me. Dark days indeed. I suppose those lost years were the greatest disappointment in my career. I should have been making music instead of making myself miserable. Still, I wouldn't trade those years for anything. I learned that the life of an artist is not an easy one. Sure, it beats a cubicle existence, but the disappointments affect you in a much greater way. You have to be careful and always find ways to remind yourself of that first mix tape, that first band, the catalysts that made you want to play music. If you don't it is all too easy to let your level of success dictate your self worth.
Isaac: What draws you to want to play the type of music that you do?
Robby: I've always written by impulse and at the end of the day I just want to create something that makes me proud. I think in the end it comes down to the musicians that you surround yourself with and Taxes is filled with fantastic players. They all bring something to the table and the "type of music" that we create happens organically. On the next record we'll be working to make more conscious decisions that will really shape the audio landscape in new ways.
Isaac: What do you think you will create that will make your performances and who you are stand out in the music industry?
Robby: I've always strived to make our live shows visceral. I want to make sure that the audience gets a show. It's about being in the moment and letting the body be a conduit for the songs emotional meaning. We're certainly not shoegazers. When it comes to standing out in the music industry... I think we just do our best work and commit ourselves to the work and the rest will either follow or it won't.
Isaac: If you had the opportunity to do one cover, what cover would you do and why? How would you put your own spin on this cover?
Robby: This is a very relevant question as Taxes are in the process of doing just that, trying to pick a cover and make it our own. Personally, I like to choose songs that are fantastic but may have faded into the background. Instead of covering the most popular song on the radio at the moment try to find that song that you're constantly turning friends on to. It's a chance to say, "hey, remember this song from that little band back in the day?!?" or "you just have to hear this!"
Isaac: What does it take to be a good songwriter?
Robby: I'm still trying to answer that question. I think that's what it's all about. I still haven't written the perfect song but I keep trying. I think it's a crossroads of sorts... It's where emotional content and craft meet and complement each other. I think my best songs sort of appear. They present themselves and the it's my responsibility to get them down and shape them. "A Picture of Waves Crashing on the Shore", a song off of our most recent EP, basically just wrote itself. I just sat down on the bed, picked up the guitar and sang the entire first verse and chorus. I just kept singing it over and over, grabbed my phone, recorded it and crafted it. I wish they were all that easy.
Isaac: How difficult is it to juggle music, family and work obligation, and life in general? Explain.
Robby: It's been difficult with Taxes. Being in a band is so much easier when you're young. In the last year, both our drummer and our keyboardist have welcomed newborns into their families. Most everyone in the band has jobs and it isn't easy. We try to stay focused on creating. That's really important. Just keep making music. Having short term goals is very important. At the moment, we are gearing up for the second Taxes record, due out in 2011. We've struggled recently with keeping everyone together. I think communication is key. A band is a relationship. It's a family unit of sorts and you have to treat it as such.
Isaac: What is your definition of being an Indie artist/band?
Robby: The term indie is a strange one. I think at the end of the day, it means being your own manager, booking agent, etc. I struggle with this. Self-promotion isn't a strong suit. It really helps to have another skill set outside of simply being creative. An indie artist/band has to navigate the business part of the music business. We're working on it.
Isaac: Where can fans access your music online?
Robby: The debut EP by Taxes is entitled "This is Going to End Badly". To have a listen point your browser to myspace.com/taxesband To pay $6 for the record head to digstation.com and search for Taxes or, for Junior's Cave readers, grab the songs for free at sonicbids.com/taxes and click on the audio link. Also, if you like bad jokes, follow us at twitter.com/taxesband
Isaac: In five years…….
Robby: I can't really say where I'll be in five years as I haven't made arrangements yet. I imagine it will be dark (I'm a night owl) with a strong scent of pine. Seriously though, I imagine I'll still be trying to write the perfect song. One of these days I just might succeed.
