Interview with Bayless 2013
-Who are all of the band members? And what do they do in the band?
Vanessa Bayless – co lead vocals, keys
Jared Bayless – co-lead vocals, electric guitar
Rod Nance – keys/synth
Christian Lee – drums
-What's the origin of your band name, Bayless? Have you changed the band's name before?
Bayless is the last name of its founders, Jared & Vanessa Bayless.
Jared: Yes, we originally were the Jared Bayless Band, but once I met my wife, Vanessa, and she became such an intricate part of the revamped sound of the band, we decided to become just “Bayless”. Kinda seems weird to be called the Jared Bayless Band and then he sounds like a woman, am I right? J
-What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?
Vanessa: We consider ourselves Heavy Christian Rock with dark undertones. Our major influences are: Evanescence, RED, Skillet, Project 86, Demon Hunter, TFK
-How old were you when you started this band?
Jared: I started off on my own around 24 years old and since have been blessed to work with many other very talented band members.
-How long have you all known each other? How did you meet?
Vanessa: We’ve known each other in varying lengths. Jared & met in 2007, we’ve known Rod since 2009, and we’re blessed to have just added Christian to the band about 5 months ago.
Rod: Spring of 2010. I saw an ad on Craigslist -initially I was going to invite Jared to become part of the church's worship band I belong to. Pulled the ol’ switch-a-roo on me.
-When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?
Jared: Bayless was formed in 2009. Each person in the band believed in the mission and the reason for this ministry. We want to reach those who are hurting and lost and bring them the hope that we’ve found.
-Do you have a record label? If so, what is it?
Vanessa: No, we are currently unsigned. We’re free agents. J
-What can you tell me about your instruments? (i.e., Are you subject to brand loyalty or will you play with whatever's available? What made you choose the instruments you have now? Was it cost or was it a style/model/brand/color preference?
Jared: I play a 1979 Gibson Sonex Deluxe and 2 other Schecter Damian guitars. I’m not subject to any brand loyalty, just play what I think gets us the sound we need and is cost effective.
Rod: I'm a keyboard player, so the days of a Piano, Organ and a synth are long gone. Now, it's all digital although analog is still out there for those enthusiasts. As far as a brand, I completely depend on the sound of the sample that they use and that you want/need for a sound. For a piano sound, I have a Kurzweil I love. For strings, Yamaha and Roland do nicely. Cost was not the considering factor. It is the sound that comes out of it that matters most. And then don't forget the complexity of using a computer based program such as Mainstage, which I use along with Omnisphere. Sampling sounds have come a long way since the Fairlight CMI. Now days, you can have the London Symphony at your fingers and it is just amazing.
Christian: There are a few brands that I prefer over the rest but not one specifically. Right now I'm playing a 7 piece pearl export. It was a nice sounding kit for a good price and I'm very happy with how it's performed so far.
-Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?
Jared: We have played at a lot of varying venues such as: Arrowhead Stadium in KC for a Chiefs preseason game, several big festivals on the main stage such as Rock The Light, churches, outdoor venues, clubs, coffee shops. We don’t have any least favorite venues, we love playing wherever there is a crowd to play for. J We currently are working on our 4th full album and so we do not have any upcoming shows right now. That will change soon.
-Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers? Do you have a set play list for your shows?
Vanessa: The songs we perform usually the most are: Venom, 30 Silver Coins, Say When, Dying Breed, Within My Reach, Set Us Free. We don’t play any covers, mainly for the fact that we have all original music that can be very intricate at times and we really want people to resonate with that to help build up this ministry’s following. We typically have several interchangeable set lists depending on show length or location, etc.
-Who writes your songs? Is it a group effort?
Vanessa: Typically, Jared does the producing and recording as well as writing the foundations of the songs musically. I help with the melody lines and lyrics as well as musical instrumentation. We bring it to the band to have them put their creative spin on it to really polish it and get out any kinks or things that need to be worked on.
-What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?
Rod: Reaching out to those who are hurting to try and show them there is hope in this world. The topics might change, but the main direction I'm sure will be focused on those that are in or have been in situations in life that they struggle with. I don't see that changing.
Christian: I would say most of our songs are a story of hope and redemption. We send a message that no matter how much the world pulls at you and no matter how far gone you are, God will always welcome you back with open arms.
-Could you briefly describe your music-making process?
Please see previous answers
-What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time each week in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous?
Jared: Right now, like I said, we are working on new music and so we’ve been writing and recording and rehearsals have been more spontaneous because of it.
-How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?
Vanessa: Our sound is heavier and darker for the purpose of reaching a different demographic of listeners, both young and old. We want to bring light into the darkness.
Rod: Jared really does all of the writing. I feel that my main job in the band (besides bringing cookies on the road) is to try and re-create what he has done in his recordings so that in a live performance it will sound hopefully as close to what the recording sounds like. I will say Jared has kept me very busy in that "trying to re-create the album" sound. Which, I totally love.
-What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
Rod: Finding a hitch-pin at 2:30 in the morning in Phillipsburg Ks. :-)
Honestly, getting people to stop and listen to the music, either in a role as a producer or the general public. Family and friends have been extremely supportive, but the goal is to reach out to as many people as we can and the best way to do that is to be able to take the music to the next level. Getting to the next level is very challenging. We have overcome that challenge, for the most part. When we do get airplay, the comments are all very positive.
-What's your ultimate direction for your band? Are you seeking fame and fortune?
Jared: We want to be a crutch for people to lean on, but with the purpose of helping them stand on their own eventually. We want to be a ministry and source of strength and encouragement to people first and a band second. We LOVE performing live, but we love the conversations with the people after the concert to talk about life.
-What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?
Rod: First, find people that have the same goal. Work together to reach that goal and don't give up. It can be very rewarding but it can also be very trying on band members, wives, family members and such
Christian: My advice to anyone trying to form a band: Write what you feel and what you love. When you pour your heart into your music, people are going to notice that and it's going to stick with them
-How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard your music before?
Rod: It's not your lite rock station for the most part, although there are some songs of ours that would do very well there.
Music is an emotion, and there is a lot of emotion that is in our songs. Heavy guitars backed up by a string ensemble with vocal harmonies. Jared has a distinctive voice quality that comes across well live or on recording and Vanessa has an amazing voice with a vocal range that works perfectly together with Jared's.
Christian: For anyone out there who's new to our music, you're missing out! It's a mixture of catchy lyrics, rocking melodies and rhythms, and a great message. Give us a listen and I promise you won't be disappointed!
-How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
Jared: We have 3 albums available on iTunes, Amazon, as well as many other sites, and also on our website http://baylessband.com. Our first 2 albums are under “Jared Bayless” and they are “Untitled Silence” & “Dying Breed”. Our 3rd album is under “Bayless” and is entitled, “Within My Reach”.
Our official band website is http://baylessband.com to hear clips, full length songs, read blogs, get merchandise, bios, etc.
-Website links in which other people can find your music, or more information for your band?
Official Band Site: http://baylessband.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/baylessband
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/baylessband
Reverbnation: http://www.reverbnation.com/bayless
-Would you ever do an interview like this with us again?
Sure!
-Would you like to do more fun/funny questions in another interview?
Why not!
-Any last words?
Nope!....so maybe we did. Touche. J
