May 21 2015 – Another year and another Canadian Music Week. We firmly believe this is the best festival in Toronto if you love rock. Of course the festival feature all genres of music but we only care about what we call #RealRock – music steeped in electric guitars and that carries on the spirit of rock and roll. We here at T-Mak World really enjoy trying to find new bands that we love. Once we find such bands, we approach our favorites to request interviews for our Emerging Artist Spotlight series where we have featured over 100 artists so far. We set off on this mission yet again for Canada Music Week (CMW) 2015
Today we set our focus on a band from Australia named The Lazys. All bands we talked to are asked similar questions to each other so we can get to know them better. The description on
The Lazys website reads:
Australia’s The Lazys eagerly return to Canada this spring, performing shows across Canada alongside JUNO Award nominees Danko Jones and Rival Sons. Their single “Shake It Like You Mean It” (Pheromone Recordings) hit #2 on CBC’s Rock chart in December 2014. The track was co-written by Ian D’Sa of Billy Talent and produced by Garth “GGGarth” Richardson (Rage Against The Machine, Nickelback, Mötley Crüe).
Here is what they had to say to us:
- Hey The Lazys, 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?
Leon Harrison – Vocals, Mat Morris – Lead Guitar, Liam Shearer – Rhythm Guitar, Glenn Williams – Bass, Jay Braslin – Drums
- How about the history of the band, when did you get started and how did it happen?
Like any young musician, we were all in different bands growing up around the same area. It was around 2006 I met Mat. He had loads of charisma and plenty of energy so it was an easy decision to form a band, it just felt right from the word “go”. We then formed the lineup and away we went and have never looked back. The Lazys officially started touring in April 2007.
- Who are some of your musical influences?
AC/DC, Rage Against The Machine, Soundgarden, Billy Talent, Silverchair, Nirvana, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Angels, anything with heart and soul really!
- So based on the above how would you describe your music to someone that has never heard it?
Our music is real, raw, loud, dangerous, catchy and full of energy. We deliver an intense live show as we feel this is an integral factor to why somebody would want to see our band over the next one that comes along.
- What is the significance of playing Canadian Music Week (CMW) for you?
Canadian Music Week in 2014 changed the course of our careers. We signed an international management deal with Bumstead Productions, Signed with Ralph James at The Agency Group, landed our first international record deal with Pheromone Recordings, co wrote our first single ‘Shake It Like You Mean It’ with Ian D’Sa of Billy Talent and recorded it with GGGarth Richardson (Rage Against The Machine, Nickelback, Red Hot Chili Peppers). The single is now top 10 and has been had major success on Canadian radio across the country. This all happened in one year along with two extensive tours across Canada with bands such as One Bad Son, The Headstones, Danko Jones, Big Wreck, The Trews and The Wild. Canadian Music Week 2015 saw us support Rival Sons at The Phoenix Theatre and Headline The Horseshoe Tavern on the final night of CMW to a full house. The significance of CMW for us is and will always be paramount!
- What is your favorite single line of lyrics the band has written and why?
“Scarred, beaten and bruised” – taken from our single “Shake It Like You Mean It”. These lyrics basically sum up what playing in a working rock n roll band is like.
- What does the 2015 hold for you ideally as musicians?
We plan to release our next single ‘Black Rebel’ this summer which we co-wrote with Ian D’Sa, tour more and write for our follow up album due out early next year.
- 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.
AC/DC of course!
- 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?
You know the only thing that pisses us off is when new bands aren’t given a chance. Whether it’s at radio, festival bills, support slots, whatever, we need to be always conscious of having new bands make their mark. Recycling something just because its familiar isn’t in my opinion healthy or sustainable. Selling CDs off the shelf isn’t even on the radar for my band, nor any emerging artist unless you have a major flooding the market with your name. The reality and current landscape is touring and selling CDs at the merch desk. It’s the only time you can really connect with your fans and appreciate them for supporting you. My band’s vision is that playing live will keep us alive!
- Where can people purchase or listen to your music?
iTunes, YouTube, Spotify, anywhere online really. Record stores also stock our music.
- At the end of 2014 we published our picks for top 10 albums of 2014. Lists like those are always a reflection of personal tastes so take a look at our picks and tell us if you were making the list what are some albums you would you have had on it?
Billy Talent, One Bad Son, The Trews, The Wild, Monster Truck, Rival Sons
- Any closing remarks for our readers?
Canada has an amazingly supportive music industry, and collaborative rock scene. We are so happy to be apart of the magic that is happening here right now. Thanks!
Thanks so much to The Lazys. We hope that you can see them live. They played three CMW showcases and hope they will be back soon!
The band’s website is www.lazysmusic.com and as you would expect they are on @thelazysband and www.facebook.com/thelazys. In the meantime check out their video below from YouTube.
