Farewell to Freeway
To what does the band's name refer?
Farewell to Freeway was a new name and relatively a new band. We were called “Freeway”, so we said bye to the old and brought in the new, hence “Farewell to Freeway.”
How did the band come together?
We had been around for a while with a different line-up with the exception of Richie and, over a year or two of playing and touring we needed, and were forced, to change things up. So, we eventually ended up with Adam and Drew...then added keyboards, which brought us Michele.
How has the band changed and grown after five years of playing together?
We seem like we’re all on the same page of where we want this band to go right now. Also, we are always writing new material that we feel will bring us more pleasure and success. We’re also much stronger musicians because of the extensive touring we've done throughout North America.
Both your website and record label identify you as “post-hardcore.” Given your musical sense, do you ever find that label limiting?
NO, we don’t find any labeling limiting. We don’t actually believe in genres or labels such as “post-hardcore.” Labeling and creating a genre for yourself is something you need to do just so people have a rough idea of what you sound like before hearing the product. We like to call ourselves “Heavy Rock.”
Chris & Adam, you have such different vocal styles. How do you balance the two?
We just try to place clean and scream vocals where we think is right in a song. We try not to write generic or typical vocal patterns either, so we always discuss where each vocal fits best for all of us.
How did working with Michael Borkosky influence the making of In These Wounds?
Michael Borkosky was everything for this record! Mike B was the first “real” producer we had ever worked with, and it was more than we could have hoped for. He made the whole record come into place and largely influenced us for future writing. Vocals were a major piece of progress as Mike worked and brought out the voices all of us had but didn’t have the proper training to do so.
Elnino Cinema has directed three of your videos. Does it help to work with the same directors to create a consistent visual style to complement the music?
Yes, in most cases, but for us it was more of a resource thing. Also, the fact that Chad Archibald (Elnino Cinema) is an amazing independent director and has brilliant views and ideas made everything so much easier.
In the age of MySpace and downloading, how important is the hometown show?
This past hometown show on October 27th was important because we got a chance to play a new “bigger” venue, which has twice the capacity of our regular (and still loved) venue. Also, it’s always important for us to play hometown shows as we don’t get a lot of chances to play Guelph like we used to.
What's your message in the music?
Our message in our music is ROCK HARD! and HAVE FUN! We don’t have too many messages as we write music that appeals to everyone’s way of living. All we do is tell stories and write songs about life experiences that may resemble the same lives of the listener’s.
What are your plans for the future, both short and long term?
Short term: write new music for a new “life-changing” record. Long term: write music, tour the world over and over and over!