Saosin - no more musicaldifferences

Thu 2nd Nov, 2006 in Features

Marija Zeko talks to the tired yet pumped up Beau Burchell from Saosin. As the band  embarks on their second time down under, the man of enthusiasm talks about the music.

I break a few traffic rules on my way to interviewing Beau Burchell from Saosin. Driving in the opposite direction twice in a one way street, making U-turns over double unbroken lines in front of The Vibe Hotel, where the interview was to take place. No matter, this is rock n roll after all! And the main thing is I’m on time and ready to roll.

The band is in the hotel foyer, looking a little dishevelled, for as I’m about to find out “last night we finished playing approximately 10.30pm, packed up all our gear and drove back to the hotel, went to sleep, woke up at 5.30am, got on a plane (Brisbane) and flew here (Sydney)”

Beau’s enthusiasm is contagious as is his wholesome smile. Despite a gruelling schedule, he is in good spirits and extremely thankful to be doing what he loves. “Yesterday we showed up at the hotel, had an in-store signing thing, played at the venue, so it’s all day everyday. That’s why it’s so hard to look at other bands bitching about this, ‘cause people would kill to be doing this”. I remind Beau that this enthusiasm may wane in 15 years time, to which he whole heartedly responds “Nah man, I love this whole thing. I can’t see that happening!”

The gruelling schedule that the band has undertaken comprises of “Japan, Europe and the UK. We come to the US, have a day off and then embark on the tour. We have one week off for Christmas and New Years and then keep touring the States.”

Saosin are a Fab five hailing from South Orange County and consist of Cove Reber (Vocals), Chris Sorenson (Bass), Alex Rodriguez (Drums), Beau Burchell and Justin Shekoski (Guitars). The band has been together for three and a half years and shares a two bedroom apartment. Beau shares a room with Justin, whilst the others share the other. As men of Rock, this would make it awkward to bring home a girl. Beau keeps his cards close to his chest and does not go into great depth as to how this arrangement works.

It has taken the band a great while to bring out their debut album, the self titled Saosin. An EP Translating the Name opened the band to a great fan base via the web and live shows. “We took a while to record this album ‘cause I feel we needed to grow, we weren’t ready at the time”. Nevertheless all is well in Saosin land as the album has quenched the fan’s thirst. Beau is happy with the outcome, “I feel like a geek, I listen to it all the time…there’s always something that I could improve on…I listen to it and look back and think I could’ve changed something”

As a first album, most artists may find the recording process somewhat daunting. This is far from the case for Beau as this is chartered territory, “I produce records myself, I’ve done it before, so it was nothing new to me. Probably for the other guys, maybe yeah.”

Being in each others faces all the time is a good recipe for tension but Beau does not consider this to be an issue, “We’re constantly arguing about trivial things, so by the time we get onstage its like, um yeah, whatever, fine! We never hold anything back, its kinda like were always bickering. We’re always in each others faces so we just get it out”

As for the old cliché “Musical differences”, every band has them and Saosin are no different. “We have them all the time! We are into different types of music, but that’s what makes us, cause we draw from such a wide variety of music, so if you talk to us separately, you’d be thinking how do you guys even like each other?”

In terms of direction for the band and where they would like to be in a decade’s time, the answer is clear. “Still playing…possibly bigger, wherever it takes us, together playing music. I’m just happy to play the music. I’d be totally happy” Now that’s a good attitude for an eventful ride!

Saosin’s Saosin is available now.