Are you ready for a new dimension of music? Aaron and Jim are Trans Atlantic Crush - two amazing artist from Idaho. With incredible lyrics and innovative musical arrangements, these two guys have created a unique musical experience for you to enjoy.
Questions for Aaron
When did you first discover you had a talent for singing? Around the Age 16. Does music run in your family?
My father was the lead singer and guitar player for the band “The Castaways” before he headed off to Vietnam. What kind of music do you enjoy singing the most? Alternative Electronica.
What attracted you to this type of music?
I grew up listening to Depeche Mode and bands like them.
What do you enjoy the most about singing?
It gives me the ability to express things vocally that I wouldn’t otherwise speak.
What is it like being the lead vocalist for a band?
I enjoy it. It’s stressful at times but that is par for the course.
You sing with a lot of emotion and passion.What inspires the passion in your vocals?
I believe what I am singing. Of the six songs that are posted on the website, which one do you enjoy singing the most and why?
I really can’t just pick one.I enjoy them all equally for different reasons.
Questions for Jim
How long have you been a songwriter?
Ever since I can remember from the time that I sat down at the piano I have felt a connection and ability to create original music.
Tell us the story of the first song you ever wrote?
Around age seven or eight I remember a song that I played for my friends and family
The songs on your MySpace page have very strong emotional themes.What inspires the emotional themes in your music? The emotion comes from life experiences such as relationships, friendships, and people who pass through my life.I am able to put my emotions into my music because what I create is real life.
You are a wizard on the keyboard!When did you first discover your passion for the keyboard?
When I was seven or eight the piano was the roots and beginning of getting in touch with music.When I was 16 I discovered the synthesizer and that set in motion the passion that I have for synth, alternative electronica today.
What has had the greatest influence on your songwriting?
Song writing gives me the ability to pour out my emotions from life experiences in the past and present, writing a song allows me to revisit those real life emotions and because it is real life experiences it becomes very passionate.
What do you enjoy most about being a songwriter? I really enjoy the creativity and it allows me to be myself and express myself without any inhibitions and having people relate to the song.
Of the six songs on your website, which one means the most to you and why?
They all mean a lot to me and can depend upon the day and time or the moment; they all continue to tap into that emotion that created the song. Where did the name Trans Atlantic Crush come from?
Jim; When I was growing up most of the bands that inspired me were from the UK and thus the Crush was created over the Trans Atlantic.
How would you describe your musical style to people who have never heard your music before?
Jim; Our music style would fall under Alternative Electronica and might be described as a culmination of synth-pop, meets club, meets modern electronica.The melding of these influences has allowed us to create our own unique blend and sound of music and we hope will carry us to be one today’s most influential artists.
When and how did you two become a band?
Jim; In 1998 we met in a club and discovered we had similar interests in music and began working together from that point.
What are your musical influences?
Jim; There are to many artists that I am unable to narrow it down to a specific influence but many types of music and artists have inspired my music.
Aaron; Too many to get into.
Does anyone in your families play music?
Jim; My grandmother still plays the piano to this day. Aaron; Yes, my father.
What kinds of times and places have you performed?
Jim; Trans Atlantic Crush has played venues from 100 to 6,000; we’ve opened for other bands, and have headlined as well.
What else do you guys do besides play music?
Jim; spending time with friends/family, camping, fishing, and football season.
Aaron; I like working in the studio I own producing and creating new sounds.I also love spending time with my daughter; nothing makes me laugh like her
Let’s talk about the six songs on your website.“Run Away” seems to be a very emotional and heartbreaking song.Tell us what the song is all about.
Jim; The song is about feeling betrayed by someone you are close to.
I thought “Shine” was an excellent blend of a lot of different musical styles – all complementing powerful lyrics.Tell us about how you guys created this song.
Jim; Past feelings and thoughts of a relationship returned to me and inspired me to write this song.
What does it take to create a song like that?
Jim; Real life experience and being honest with yourself.
Alive seems to be all about redemption and affirmation of love.Was this song inspired by real events?
Jim; Yes.
Tell me about “Baby Goodbye” and “Let it Rain”.Both songs seem to be very painful.How do your fans respond to these songs?
Jim; I think that people on some level can relate to any song that has real experiences poured into it and that is what draws people into our music, its real.
What is special about these songs?
Jim; These songs are special because each one has a personal experience and I feel it is that ingredient that attracts people to our music and allows them to get wrapped up in our passion.
I love the funky arrangement in “Web”.This song seems different from the others – more about lust that about love.Is this song about a real person?If so – you’ve got to tell us about them!
Jim; Yes, I think that everyone at some point has felt overwhelmed, controlled, or helpless in a relationship.
What makes this kind of music "good"?
Jim; It is only as good as the people who believe in it.
Why did you guys choose to play this kind of music?
Jim; I have been listening to sinth-pop from the beginning and went through my 80’s mod phase and I have been progressing with the age of music and this kind of music really combines a lot of elements like synth, rock, industrial, Electronica and allows for expanded creativity or more freedom of expression for me. Aaron; It’s just in my blood.
What is a normal day like for you?
Aaron; I spend most of my day in the studio and watching my little girl.
Where do you guys work?
Jim; I work with developmentally disabled young adults and help them to learn valuable life skills that allows them freedom and have worked with the Severe and Profound for several years as well. Aaron; my family currently is allowing me to work from home in my studio on the Trans Atlantic Crush project.
Do you guys have any children, any pets?
Jim; I have 3 Jack Russell Terriers, 1 Whippet – Named Devo, and a Siamese cat. Aaron; I have a daughter, Emma and a cat named Kona.
Who are your favorite artists, and why?
Jim; My favorite music changes day to day and I look for artists that have new and innovative ideas that will change music. Aaron; Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, Erasure, I get what their doing.
What motivates you to create?
Jim; My life experiences have had the greatest impact on my motivation to create music. Aaron; Life.
Does your family influence your music?
Jim; Absolutely and has been a great inspiration for me. Aaron; Yes.
How does your family feel about your music and your musical career?
Our families have been extremely supportive and done everything possible to allow us to continue working on our goals for Trans Atlantic Crush.
Tell us about a time when you felt like giving up on being musicians or on being a band.
Jim; I have never felt as though I wanted to give up on music, in fact music has kept me going through some of the toughest times of my life. Aaron; Never.
Is there anything tragic that has influenced your music?
Jim; There have been tragic incidents in my life that have inspired me and music has allowed me to work through those tragedies. Aaron; Many things.
Is there a Trans Atlantic Crush CD in the works?If so – when will it be available and where can we get it?
We are currently half way through the process of creating our current album we hope to have it completed by the end of December.Currently we don’t have a distribution deal but we are exploring different mediums of getting our music out to our fans.
Any tours coming up? We have not scheduled anything at this time as we have been focused on finishing our album.We’ll let you know when we schedule our next show.
Thanks guys! I'm sure our readers in Idaho and around the country can't wait to see you guys in action. Keep us posted - and keep making those futuristic hits!
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