Getting to Know…Cinders | Interview

From breaking two basses in one night, to finishing a set covered in blood, Cinders provide a pretty intriguing interview to The Musical Hype.  

Ah – it’s that time again! What time you ask? Time for another compelling interview of course!  This time, we check in with alternative/indie-pop collective Cinders. In case you’re unfamiliar with band which hails from Utah, members include Jordan Zabriskie, Montana Smith, Adrian De La Cruz, Chelsea Powell, Austin Harris, and Brad Bennett.  From breaking two basses in one night, to finishing a set covered in blood, The Cinders provide a pretty intriguing interview to The Musical Hype. So, what I’m saying is, ‘Interview #3’ is pretty awesome.

Brent Faulkner (The Musical Hype): Let’s get this started off right. For those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes you/your band distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

Cinders: One of the biggest things that makes us unique is our genre. We are an alternative band with pop and indie influences. The genre we have taken on was best described by fans as rowdy-acoustic-pop. You can especially hear that in our new record Looking Forward to Looking Back. We really work our hardest to make sure that the entire crowd is jumping, dancing, and screaming along to even the softest songs at our live shows.

BF: Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did your band form and what were some of the goals or the visions you had as a band early on?

Cinders: We were all friends before forming the band. We had a common love for music and a common hate for reality tv. I think those are the only two things you really need to make a great band. We always knew that we would be in a band forever. We didn’t know who it was going to be with though. So, when we did find each other, things just started working. We all were on the same page and had the same ideas in mind. We also still hate reality tv so things are still going great.

BF: Let’s talk more about goals. Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting out? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

Cinders: Our goals at the beginning were to be in a band. We didn’t know how it would work out, or far we would make it. All we knew is that we needed to be in a band. As we started to grow and move forward, vision and goals started to form. Our goal is to tour the world and play major music festivals year-round. We want to spread this music to everyone that we possibly can. The biggest perspective change happened when we realized that these big dreams and huge goals we had were actually attainable. All it takes is a lot of work.

BF: Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Who would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?

Cinders: Outside of music we would have to say our parents. They have always believed in us and pushed us to do our best. They are also the ones who initially put us in music lessons and forced us to practice. It is awesome to see them at all of our hometown shows. They are our greatest supporters. Musically we all aspire to be the greatest player of our individual instruments. We look up to so many artists of so many genres. To be listed up there with some of our heroes as professionals in our field would be amazing.

BF: Ah, the fun stuff. What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance? Feel free to be creative.

Cinders: There was one night we were playing at a University and Adrian went so hard that he broke not just one, but two basses on stage. Who does that?! It was rad. Also, the first time that we played on a larger stage for an outdoor festival, Jordan moved into Adrian’s area on stage and while throwing his guitar back and forth he hit Adrian right in the face. Blood started pouring down his face. Adrian gave Jordan a fist bump and then still finished the set… Covered in blood.

BF: Up until this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

Cinders: We would probably agree that “Walls” off of our latest record is our current favorite recorded song. It is so different from anything we have done in the past and I think it is going to come as a nice surprise to everyone listening. It is difficult to pick a favorite live song as we go through a lot of phases of favorites. Both “Illinois” and “I Could Do Better” have incredible crowd moments. It would be a fight between those too. No matter which came out as the victor, we’d be satisfied because they are both so fun.

BF: Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left of center the world should know about you? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

Cinders: I think Montana has some of the most random talents that are also the most fun to watch. He can ride a unicycle, juggle, back-flip, and spin basketballs on both hands. It blows our minds that he chose a life of music instead of his real passion. The Circus! All jokes aside, he is extremely talented and is an incredible musician and producer. Our band would not be the same without him.

BF: Closing this thing out, what is you/your band currently working on, promoting that you can share with us or want us to know about? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure.

Cinders: We are so stoked to announce that our brand-new record Looking Forward to Looking Back will be out everywhere September 29th! Make sure to follow on Spotify and Apple Music so that you can hear it first! Along with the release of the new album, we are going to be touring the West Coast. We have been working on this album for 2 years, so there isn’t anything we are currently working on. Rumor has it though that you won’t have to wait another year before even more new music comes out!

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Photo Credit: Cinders