Interview: Matt Langston of Eleventyseven - Page 2

I asked Matt how long Eleventyseven has been together and where they saw themselves going musically in the next few years. After all you can only be a "teen" band for so long and I always find it interesting to see what comes next for people in the entertainment industry who are, for one reason or another, typecast by what they do. Matt said, "We got together in High School and have been together for four years now. We were signed by Flicker Records which was then bought by Sony."

"I want to stay in pop music," he continued. "I love the 'hooks' in it and the durability of it. 'Scene' bands come and go and I want us and our music to last."

I told Matt that I felt that their song "Myspace" was really witty in a sardonic way and a biting social commentary on the blogging world. I also said that I felt the song totally transcended the "teen" audience because of the popularity of blogging among people of all sizes, shapes, colors, and ages and asked him if he thought that this song would be the one which got the band wide exposure in front of a more diverse audience.

"We hope it gets us wider exposure," he replied. "The subject matter is a hot topic. It (the blog world/Myspace) has become as much of a hangout for people as a bar, club or mall. I hope people take the time to really think about the message in it and apply it to themselves and to think about the futility of spending all their time creating a false persona."

Having discussed that particular song, I wondered where the band gets their inspirations for the music they create. Matt said, "I'm an isolated writer. Ideas come to me when I am driving my car by myself or when I am thinking about conversations that I have had with people. I take that stuff and elaborate on it and expand on it 'til it turns into a song. Once or twice I have gotten ideas from nursery rhymes — but that is rare," he quickly added.

Article Author: Mike Johnston

Covering mainstream music, the New York City indie rock scene and off-Broadway theater productions. Also articles on science, the ongoing effects of climate change, and alternative energy.

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