Freestate Surrender
The combination of raw power and melody make for a powerful beast and Melbourne's FREESTATE launch their debut album with enough raw power and melody to quickly scale the heights of the Australian heavy rock scene.
With integrity and musical abilities akin to The Butterfly Effect and Karnivool and riffs that would make any Wolfmother proud, FREESTATE bring a presence which bridges the gap and pushes the boundaries of rock music genres.
Forming as FREESTATE in Melbourne in 2002, the band's members first began writing together in high school, selecting a name that pertained to the state of freedom that their music brought to their lives - emotionally, spiritually and physically. Initially just some kids having fun, the band quickly got serious when their first live shows struck a chord with their audience.
Things changed for the band when in their first year together, a beloved friend of the band passed away after a battle with cancer. Her hope, faith and laughter in the face of such adversity inspired the band to take their music further in the hope of inspiring others to grasp life with both hands.
"Throughout her life she challenged us, practiced compassion and left an imprint on everyone she met," said vocalist Drew Kario. "The experience of losing her changed our perception of life forever and taught us to grab it in all its beauty. We hope that through our music we can do for others what she has done for us."
In 2006 the band began recording demos with producer Ricki Rae and throwing the results up on their MySpace. While surfing around one night, director of Sydney label Crusade Records Tom Vernette discovered the band and chased them down until he had their signatures.
"I was online one night and a friend of mine sent through a MySpace URL of a band they'd found. I had a listen and knew straight away that it was the right band for Crusade," said Vernette. "FREESTATE are the real deal both live and on record and it's an exciting project to be on board with."
"We're really pleased to find a label like Crusade that really understand what we need as a band. We have the luxury of having SonyBMG as distributor but at the same time having the attention that only a boutique label like Crusade can provide," said Kario.
While recording their debut album Surrender, the band kept busy touring the country supporting bands such as The Butterfly Effect and Full Scale, gaining a loyal and constantly growing fan base.
Surrender is as solid a debut as you are likely to see from an Australian act. With strength in tracks like Twice Alive, hooks galore in tracks like Man Who Couldn't Lie and experimental sounds in Necessary and Phoenix, FREESTATE show themselves to be a band assured of both where they are and where they are headed. With the rest of 2007 on the road and the album hitting stores in August, make sure you don't miss the power of FREESTATE.
Interview with Drew Kario from Freestate
1. How did it feel to hear your song played all over the airwaves?
It’s always a buzz to hear your songs on the radio, you kind of double take and say "Hey that’s us!" "and then you just start calling everyone you know".
2. Did you have any pre-conceived ideas about the music industry?
I/we learnt pretty early on that it wasn’t going to be all glitz and glam, and partying. We knew it would be fast paced, unpredictable and hard work, which is what makes it so exciting & addictive.
3. Do you write your own songs? What's your inspiration?
Yes. Usually things that go on around me, the way I feel about something or someone, what I read and see, sometimes a melody or a lyric just pops into my head and I run with it.
4. What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?
I’m a sucker for the heavier side of music but at the moment I’m listening to the new NIN remix album, Gotye’s Mixed Blood, & the new Soilwork album, all on rotation.
5. What's next? Tour/Album/Single?
We’re currently touring the album.....and we’ll tour the single next year - and then of course World Domination.
6. Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?
Ummm...not really. There were some dark times there that make you question your path in life, but thanks to the support network I have, and my boys in Freestate the doubt disappears... and as they say, ‘What doesn’t kill you....’
7. Do you prefer performing live or recording?
It’s a tie. Both have their time and place, the parts you love and the parts you don’t like as much. Live has that instant reception/ reaction thing, its unpredictable and an adrenalin rush. Recording, you can keep playing a part til your heart is content, and try to get it perfect....emphasis on try! It’s very meticulous but when you get a great end result, there’s no other feeling than just cranking it up on a great sound system and being absorbed.
8. What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?
It’s a combination of established artists, such as Steve Vai, Metallica, Michael Jackson when I was young, and then it was my boys, I couldn’t think of any better career than creating music with my brothers and seeing the world....and that still inspires me....
9. What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?
When you’re faced with rejection and negativity, you really have to dig deep and believe in what you’re doing, and believe in yourself. We’ve had our fair share of that. Also some personal experiences, which have taken the focus and energy away from the musical pursuit, you can never control what life throws at you, only how you react to it.
10. What's a typical day like?
That’s the thing with the music industry, or being a musician, there’s no such thing as typical. It ranges from performing, practicing, doing interviews, organising shows, and networking. The only constant really, is the practicing and the rehearsing...and the no sleep.
11. What has been your favorite part of becoming a music artist?
There’s a couple. Having an album out, a product that will be here ‘forever’, so one day my grandkids will think their grandad was a cool rockstar hahaha....and the humbling experience of strangers, who have now become friends and fans, actually appreciating your creation...it still blows my mind.
12. If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?
Just one?...that’s not really fair.... Would love to do something with Rob Dougan, Skin from Skunk Anansie, the boys from Sevendust, Dark New Day & Killswitch Engage...Timbaland...there’s a few more...
13. Are you single? What do you look for in a partner?
No, I’m happily committed & in love. Physically - well the eyes & smile say it all! They’re the two things that will remain the same until we leave this place. Also the scent of a woman, their skin...and I must admit I love a woman’s gluteus maximus...yes yes yes, I’m an arse man! Personality - Compassion, a cheeky, witty sense of humour & being open minded.
14. Do you have a website fans can visit?
Sure do its
www.myspace.com/freestate or
www.freestate.com.au
15. Can you tell us 5 things required for a happy healthy & enjoyable life?
Obviously music, good food, great sex, (preferably all at the same time haha), loyal friends, and heaps of laughter...
16. What message would you like to say to your fans?
You are what you absorb!
17. What is the story behind the bands name?
I got the name from a song on one of my favourite albums called ‘Ultra’, by Depeche Mode, and it completely explains how our music makes us feel.....it puts us in a state of freedom.
60 Second Quiz
Full Name: Drew Kario
Nickname(s): D, Drewberry, Drew bear
Star Sign: Taurarian (cusp)
Music Talent: Sing, guitar
Favorite Food: BBQ’d octopus (and any seafood, crepes of all sorts
Favorite Film: Braveheart, Chocolat, Interview with a Vampire, The Goonies, The Lost boys, Dumb n Dumber and a squillion others...
Favorite Actor: Johnny Depp, Jeremy Piven...there’s so many more
Pet: Jessie my dog, Akira & Whisper my two cats
Describe yourself in 3 words: empathetic, passionate and loyal.
Best Feature: My listening skills
Worst Feature: My stubbornness and bottling things up for too long..
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Bono, Monica Belluci, Johnny Depp & the boys from Entourage
Hobbies/Interests: Reading, & anything that involves water
First Job: Pizza Maker
Are you a Pub, Bar or Club kind: Depends on my mood & how much money I have
What Can You Never Leave Home Without: My keys
What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning: Just one more hour, just a little longer pleeeease!
