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CONTEST ALERT: We also have Hours in the Daze CD autographed by all members of Persist – email us here and put “Persist CD” in the subject line – winner notified September 30th. Check out all our other open contests here
August 29 2012 – Very few things are as exciting as finding something new you love. Much like archaeologists that dig to find hidden treasures, we here at T-Mak World really enjoy trying to find new bands that we love. Once we find such bands, we approach our favourites to request interviews for our Emerging Artist Spotlight series. Today we set our focus on a band from Guelph, Ontario named Persist. All bands we talked to are asked similar questions to each other so we can get to know them better. The description on Persist’s website reads
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Now based in Guelph, Persist was formed in Toronto in early 2006 by Jerry (drums and vocals) and Z (guitar, bass and vocals), as they set out to find kindred spirits in their search for the ultimate sound. Soon they found K.C.Lee (vocals and guitar), a powerful vocal presence with a voice seasoned in a mix of rock and blues who added his incredible stylistic touch to the Persist sound. His soaring voice, a twin guitar attack and a deep bass groove meshed with a solid drum foundation complete the sound of Persist!
In the four years that Persist have been together, they have grown into one of Southern Ontario’s favorite indie hard rock bands! From Toronto to Las Vegas, from BC to Quebec, to see a list of the places theyíve played is to see a list of the hottest venues! Legendary Toronto spots like The Sound Academy, Velvet Underground, The Reverb, the Docks, Jeff Healeys Roadhouse, Lee’s Palace, Bovine Sex Club, the Opera House and the Hard Rock CafÈ. Across Canada at the Burton Cummings Theatre in Winnipeg, the Shaw Centre in Edmonton and The Odeon in Saskatoon. And through their recent tour with Five Finger Death Punch and Soulfly, their first ever US show at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas!
Among their many accomplishments, Persist have had the fortune to open for bands including Five Finger Death Punch, Soulfly, All that Remains, Hate Breed, Rains, Die Mannequin and Helix, have had their music featured on television (most recently on bikertv!), have appeared on a growing number of online and terrestrial radio shows (including a recent finish in the top 10 for 97.7 Hitz FM’s 25th Anniversary Party Contest and a recent feature on Hamilton’s Y108!) and have brought their heart and soul to support several benefit shows including shows to benefit Kisses for Haley, The Sick Kids Hospital and the Missing Children Society.
K.C., Z, Jerry, Christian and KJ bring a vibe, an energy, which is impossible to deny. Their melodic and crushing musical style with its traces of alternative rock, classic rock and metal is a sound all of their own and they are more determined then ever to bring it to audiences everywhere!
This is their time. Once you hear their sound, you will never forget it! Once you see them, you will know why they stand tall in the limelight!
PERSIST…and the world will listen!
Here is what they had to say to us:
1. Hey Persist, thanks for taking the time out to talk to us. Let’s start off with the obligatory introductions. Who’s in the band and what instrument does everyone rock?
PERSIST: K.C Lee – Vocals, Christian- Lead Guitar and vocals, Z – Guitar and vocals, Jerry Stro- Drums and vocals, KJ- Bass and vocals
2. How about the history of the band, when did you get started and how did it happen?
PERSIST: Persist was started by Jerry and Z about 6 years ago and performed as a 4 piece band. 2 years latter they recruited K.C who added a powerful presence on stage both visually and vocally. At the time Z played bass and switched to guitar to add a 2 guitar attach to the sound. Right before the band entered the studio with Eleven Hurts Music producer Joel Kazmi to record our first CD Hours in the Daze they found KJ and Christian who complimented the sound and added to the power packed stage show.
3. Who are some of your musical influences?
PERSIST: We are all so very different but names like the Beatles, Ac Dc , Soulfly, Thornley, Nirvana, System of the down. The band that has influenced us the most is 5 Finger Death Punch. They have taken us on 2 of their tours and allowed us to share our music with huge crowds and learn from one of the tightest and most professional touring bands in the business.
4. So based on the above how would you describe your music to someone that has never heard it?
PERSIST: We are Hard rock, we have a very heavy sound but our music is also very melodic. We have many layers to our vocals that somehow takes this heavy heavy music and makes it more mainstream.
5. Why should a music fan come and see your show instead of all the other choices available to them on any given night?
PERSIST: What we hear the most about our band is how much energy we have on stage. One of the biggest compliments we got after we returned from touring with 5 Finger Death Punch was one of our fans said “ I have seen you guys play a room with 50 people who all had their heads down and I’ve seen you play in front of 5000 screaming fans and you guy’s give the same energy every time you play. It’s not an act we are so into the music and it’s so fun to play. That’s just how we throw it down.
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6. What is your favorite single line of lyrics the band has written and why?
PERSIST: “ You Can’t push me around no more, I’m pushin Back.” So many people have told us how this song speaks to their pain and how it inspires them to stand up for themselves.
7. What does the rest of 2012 and 2013 hold for you?
PERSIST: We are writing new music and playing some local shows to promote our new CD, then we will be touring again by the spring at the latest. Probably not in Canada and maybe not in North America but we have some big things coming up
8. Imagine that you were asked to be the opener for any band’s world tour (both current and historical). Which band and tour would be your dream opening gig.
PERSIST: We would all like to answer this one but I will let Jerry answer it. “I want to open for Kiss”
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9. What is the future of the music industry? With the concept of the album and physical CD’s facing extinction, how will we be consuming music in 10 years? Are the economics feasible for emerging artists?
PERSIST:. There is a shift in the industry and I truly believe that the best of times are ahead of us. People will get their music online but artists or should I say writers will be compensated. I think CD’s and Lp’s will always have a nostalgic allure and they won’t go away very soon. The main thing is bands need to tour to make money, get face to face with the fans and show them why they should love the music the live performance is the pulse of the industry and there are a lot of very good bands out there.
10. Where can people get your music/CD, is it being sold anywhere?
PERSIST: You can buy it on our website both as a CD or download from iTunes
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11. Any closing remarks for our readers?
PERSIST: Persist … and the world will listen!!
Thanks so much to Persist. We hope that you can see them live. In the meantime check out their video below from YouTube.
Posted by Terry Makedon
T-Mak World: Toronto’s site for music, movie and culture
Great Article, Great Band!!