PGH is all about helping artists highlight their most recent projects, so let us all know what your latest project is – and tell us about how it come into the world. What has the initial feedback on it been like?
Joe Caravella (Guitarist/Vocalist/Composer) JC: Well. it’s a long story. The Reign formed In 1985 on April 17th By Myself & Our Former Drummer Lenny Kibanoff (who Plays drums On More Than Half of The Album). We went through many changes over the years in our line up which is why it took so long to get a project going in the studio. We started recording this album almost on the eve of our 21st anniversary ( we did record & self release an EP back in 2002 which has been out of print since 2005). We started the album with one line up & changed members a few times resulting in a very long recording process. Lenny also was involved in a motorcycle accident which resulted in a broken neck which delayed the recording of the album while we found a drummer to record the last 5 songs for the album. The entire album took seven years to record & release thus the name “The Long Wait” & the resulting changes in line up meant that I personally had to redo a lot of the music parts myself Bass, keyboards etc.… The album was self released on iTunes on My own Label F.R.O.G records (short for Front Runners Of Genius records) the feedback since its release has been mostly Positive we have been getting 4 & 5 star reviews on iTunes and positive reviews in a few other Music periodicals etc.. sales are steady but not overwhelming which is understandable without a major or even indie label to give it a good marketing push word of mouth & Spotify has pushed & spurred our sales so far.
The Recording Process: There are so many interesting ways that music projects come into the world these days compared with what artists had to struggle through years ago. Take us on the creative arc of how this project came into being and any wisdom that you learned along the way. Also, what were some of the obstacles or struggles that you encountered when you were working on the project?
JC: As mentioned in previous question, we had some serious setbacks due to Line up changes & Personal Injuries to a central member of the band the resulted in his retirement from Music & we had to find a suitable replacement to finish the album without disrupting the sonic flow of the album I have a standing rule that no album By the Reign will ever contain less than 15 songs on a cd & The Long Wait has 16. We also released a stand alone follow up song/Single on itunes a cover of The Cure’s Proto Punk/New wave classic “Killing an Arab” 4 months after releasing The Long wait. I think what I earned from recording the first album is that I need to rely on my instincts when dealing with Band mates we had to scrap about 3 songs recorded because they were written by members who subsequently left the band during recording the album. Now I decided the Reign will record songs written or co-written by me so There can be no confusion when & if a member chooses to leave the band. I am taking The Brian Wilson approach to producing albums going forward.
Are there any particular songs on this project that are special to you or communicate a message that you’d like to share here?
JC: I have a few faves on this album. I loathe to choose fave because to me it’s like asking which of my kids I like best (if I actually had kids LOL), but if I had to pick a few select that represented what I think The Reign stands for musically I’d say “Prize” “Let me Be The One” “Forever Leads To Nothing” Not So Lonely” Victorian Proposal” would be a good list of songs since those are major parts of our live shows.
As we all know, the music industry has been devastated for many reasons over the past 10 years, what are your thoughts on these changes and are you finding some of the changes helpful to you with getting more people to hear your music?
JC: Honestly, I never cared much for what the industry stood for anyway. I know so many established artists who have nothing but horror stories about being ripped off & losing 60% of their publishing & relinquishing copyrights & what not to receive deals that made everyone but the band members rich. Be it Chip z’nuff of Enuff Z’Nuff fame (who co-produced “the Long wait” with me & my fellow producer & sometimes lead guitarist Frank Persico.) to my Friend Andy Bopp of The Myracle Brah. Too many stories of just not getting the fair end of the stick so to speak. So, I am happy releasing my own music myself. I may not get rich off it in this day & age, but at least I keep the rights to what I created & no fat jerk in a suit sitting behind a desk is gonna tell me he doesn’t hear a single, but still manage to glom every penny earned off the non singles.
Along the lines of this discussion, it would be really interesting to get your thoughts on what you think the future of ‘music enjoyment’ will look like in the coming years? How do you personally enjoy and ‘consume’ music? Any trends you’ve noticed with your own habits compared to, say, 10 years ago?
JC: I still buy Vinyl & CDs. Plus, I buy music off iTunes. That’s how I enjoy my music. I think the prospect of The LP on vinyl being a viable form again to be very pleasing in my mind. I love seeing record albums back in stores again, although my albums would be too long to put on Vinyl today without a Major label behind me because all my albums would have to be double album sets like Chicago did through uch of the 70’s. We are currently recording our 2nd album which will be 77 -78 minutes long with 21 songs all killer no filler LOL
We would love to hear what your plans on with your next project – Are you going to a full CD, an EP or just release songs as you finish them? Release them digital only or combine physical with the digital or what?
JC: Well, both the debut album & our follow up in production will be available on download & also physical CDs in limited pressings. CD baby is huge in that regards. I use them exclusively for releasing our music. They do all the leg work, too…LOL… so that’s the long term game plan I am running with. Making an album every few years & selling CDs at our shows & letting people who can’t make our shows get them through Itunes, Google, Amazon, etc.
What are you finding that is working well for your music right now that others may find interesting to hear about?
JC: I honestly can’t say, I think just staying true to my musical vision & playing shows & recording as much as possible is key. We just celebrated our 30th year as a band, so we aren’t kids anymore. I just hope we can stick around long enough to make a lasting impact on the power pop genre we embrace so firmly.
Okay – time for some light humor! Spinal Tap Moment: dig deep. Locate. Relive. Share that special ‘trauma’ with all of us!
JC: Ohh God…we did a benefit show where we shared a bill with Rick Derringer & Rough Cutt. They were supplying the back line for the show, so we came with just guitars in hand. The problem is, they had a flight from boston that got snowed in & couldn’t make the gig & we had to run home grab all our own gear return to the club & then play enough music to cover for our set & the other bands who couldn’t make the gig. Since it was a benefit show, we did 4 hours of music for free. With a blizzard outside, we did all this for like 17 people plus the club owner & 3 bartenders. The heat in the club stopped working, so we nearly froze on stage!
Is there a particular musician(s) you’d love to collaborate with – and why?
JC: I have a few I’d love to work with if the stars ever aligned for me…Todd Rundgren, Paul McCartney, Joey Molland & Andy Bopp that’s the short list.
Advance apologies: the so-called ‘classic’ questions. What other artists and bands have influenced your music and any particular reason why? Also, push come to shove: “Your Top 5 Albums Of All Time”? (Pop Geeks really are interested in this, trust us!)
JC: The Beatles, Badfinger, ELO, The Knack, Cheap Trick, The Raspberries, Big Star, Pre-disco Bee Gees, The Monkees, The Hollies & Kiss… LOL… had to throw in Kiss…you can’t be a NYC rock band & not feel the love for the boys in the grease paint! The obvious reasons are the harmonies & song craft for most of these bands. The production value, etc. Kiss…I have a cut off date though…I love Kiss from their debut up to & ending at Unmasked.
Top 5 albums for me that’s an Easy list
1)Revolver/Rubber soul –The Beatles – are tied for first no separating those two albums I firmly believe Capitol/EMI should have left them alone & let them make a double album those album were recorded within weeks of each other
2) Odessa –Bee Gees
3) Odessy & oracle – The Zombies
4)Straight up – Badfinger
5)Imperial bedroom Blood & Chocolate (Tied) – Elvis Costello & the Attractions
We’re always trying to find new music discover here at PGH – what are some of your favorite music releases of the last few years?
JC: I love the band Hunk. They made one album for Geffen records back in 1996, but I became friends with the former members & they reunited, on my request, & released 2 new songs this summer: “Lead In the water” & “ Ponderine’. Brilliant stuff. I hope they make more music. I will just have to bust their chops more until they do…LOL. I love the Music of BLEU & his side projects like L.E.O & also his other side project with Mike Viola of the Candybutchers (The Major Labels). I also love anything by the Honey Dogs and, most importantly, my boy Andy Bopp & his million side projects from the Myracle Brah, Modern Ruins to Love Nut & Bleaker Street Cowboys. Andy Bopp can do no wrong for me musically.
Yes, it would be great if most indie musicians could work on music full-time but the reality rarely the case for most of them. I am always asked by music fans, what are the careers or full-time jobs that the musicians of the music they are listening to do…so ‘what’s your main gig?!’
Joe C: I am a full time Musician. I am blessed that I live in NYC & I play paying gigs in every crummy bar & venue that can allow live music either with my band or Solo. I do originals & yes even covers at most gigs. I make a decent living & I pay my bills doing what I love. But, I am probably an aberration in this regard, I suppose.
Where can we hear more of your music and any other releases you have?
JC: Right now you can find Our debut album & single of Killing an Arab on itunes
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-long-wait/id842707482
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/killing-an-arab-single/id897386859
We also are doing something oddly different. We are making the tunes from our 2nd album listenable as we record them so fans can hear the album as it develops, even going so far as putting tracks with guide vocals etc. up so fans can feel like they are in the studio with us peeking in & hearing the songs as they take shape. We have these cuts & cuts from The Long Wait, demos & live recordings available on revebnnation:
https://www.reverbnation.com/thereignfeaturingjoecaravella
Thanks for asking the cool questions! Fans who want to see us can see us coming up at The NYC International Pop Overthrow show at NYC’s Bar matchless on NOV 7th 2015 11;15 pm. Hope to see you all there & you can follow our live show schedule on reverbnation as well.
