"Now growing up and touring I’ve found a great feeling in writing music with others in mind and not being so selfish."
When I first blabbered about Incura, it was fresh from Canadian Music Week. Lead singer Kyle Gruninger took some time out to answer a few questions. For those who do not know of Incura yet, go read Canadian Music Week ’09 part two right here on Altsounds.com, the article is full of information or hit up any of the links at the end!
Altsounds: Please give everyone a breakdown of who is currently in the band and their function!
Kyle: Jim - Keys, Kyle - Vox, Gatlin - Guitar, Jono - Bass and Phil on Drums.
Altsounds: Where did the name INCURA come from and does it have any meaning?
INCURA is the collective name of the group that creates and separates itself from the rest by pushing the musical envelope. So no, it doesn’t come from anything but the minds of the five of us when we hit the stage. Collective…Together...Powerful …
Altsounds: How did the band come into formation?
The band met in Lethbridge, Alberta and was in many different musical acts within the community. Gatlin and Jono grew up and played in a hard punk rock band in the city. I, Kyle, went from a metal band to Theater and then Opera. I met up with Jono and Gatlin to try and mash up a style they all could agree on. Jim and I met in a professional theatre company and decided we needed a change and left theatre for the group. Phil was a drummer in some of the best bands in the city... He was the missing link in the Incura formula.
Altsounds: Recently you guys released “The Lost – EP” please do jibber a bit about the record.
The record was recorded in some of the best studios in Vancouver with the best producers and song writers. Jeff Dawson (Daniel Powter, State of Shock), Brian Howes (Hinder, Daughtry), Mike Fraser ( AC/DC, Metallica). Also on the record is Evan Morgan (SEEDS winning track “Here to Blame”), the youngest up and coming producer in Vancouver.
The music on the record is a showcase of what’s about to happen to Incura in the next year. It is seven songs of pure insanity, just a taste of what’s to come. We have now completed five new tracks written with Greig Norri and others, we are excited to play them all live.
Altsounds: Currently what is on the agenda for Incura?
We’re about to hit the road across Canada and show this country that INCURA’s live show exceeds all expectations of what live music should be. After this we’ll demo up all the new songs and give the fans another full length record.
Altsounds: What is your intention? There are so many bands trying to make a name and stay in the game, what separates Incura from the rest?
It all comes down to music. Today, bands tour, promote, market and put everything into getting to the top. Though we have a focus on what we need to do for the band to get us “out there” MUSIC is what separates INCURA. Our Main focus is our music and we take much pride in creating something original, accessible and that leaves people with a feeling that they have seen/heard something that makes them think, love, laugh and hate.
Altsounds: You guys are from Alberta, why did you migrate to Vancouver?
Lethbridge was just a place where we all grew up. It stood as the corner stone that created this monster. But to build higher we had to move to a bigger city. There is no better place to move higher then Vancouver [laughs]!
Kyle got it twisted! Toronto’s where it’s at!! Vancouver’s weather is nicer occasionally. For some reason most other Canadian cities hate Toronto. I remember watching this documentary about how much they hated Toronto. The haters say Torontonians think their city is like New York City and just as cold. Truth is, tourists tell us Toronto is like a “Mini NYC” we don’t think that way, they do. Not everyone is so frigid! Toronto has a personality of its own, there’s nothing like wandering the streets at the crack of dawn after a great live show or a night out dancing, no city compares.
Altsounds: If music never existed what would life be like for you?
Music as in INCURA? I’m sure I (Kyle) would be doing anything within the arts. I like creating and pushing myself artistically…. If Music in general didn’t exist? Please don’t make me think such horrible things.
Altsounds: What is the difference between the new record and “Swords.Souls.Secrets”?
Swords.Souls.Secrets was an album written when I was 16, 17 and
18… it’s a younger more inventive record. I wrote almost all those songs for myself… Now growing up and touring I’ve found a great feeling in writing music with others in mind and not being so selfish. I’m now in a place in my life where I feel I can start to look outside my head for inspiration and that’s just what the lost EP is.
Altsounds: When composing a tune do the lyrics come first or the music and melody?
It’s different every time, depending on the song.. it’s ALWAYS different!
Altsounds: If you could choose to work with anyone in the music biz, who would it be and why that person?
Andrew Lloyd Webber. He’s the one classical composer who has taken dark themes and made them very famous for people that might have never heard that kind of music before. Yes, yes, Phantom of the Opera is very cliché BUT!! It’s the one musical, that even your older brother who hates it can sing the main theme.
Altsounds: Anything you want to pimp out? Say it now or forever hold your peace!
ALWAYS QUESTION WHY….!!! ALWAYS!
Altsounds: Thank you so much Kyle for dropping a few words! Best of luck!
Altsounds: Please give everyone a breakdown of who is currently in the band and their function!
Kyle: Jim - Keys, Kyle - Vox, Gatlin - Guitar, Jono - Bass and Phil on Drums.
Altsounds: Where did the name INCURA come from and does it have any meaning?
INCURA is the collective name of the group that creates and separates itself from the rest by pushing the musical envelope. So no, it doesn’t come from anything but the minds of the five of us when we hit the stage. Collective…Together...Powerful …
Altsounds: How did the band come into formation?
The band met in Lethbridge, Alberta and was in many different musical acts within the community. Gatlin and Jono grew up and played in a hard punk rock band in the city. I, Kyle, went from a metal band to Theater and then Opera. I met up with Jono and Gatlin to try and mash up a style they all could agree on. Jim and I met in a professional theatre company and decided we needed a change and left theatre for the group. Phil was a drummer in some of the best bands in the city... He was the missing link in the Incura formula.
Altsounds: Recently you guys released “The Lost – EP” please do jibber a bit about the record.
The record was recorded in some of the best studios in Vancouver with the best producers and song writers. Jeff Dawson (Daniel Powter, State of Shock), Brian Howes (Hinder, Daughtry), Mike Fraser ( AC/DC, Metallica). Also on the record is Evan Morgan (SEEDS winning track “Here to Blame”), the youngest up and coming producer in Vancouver.
The music on the record is a showcase of what’s about to happen to Incura in the next year. It is seven songs of pure insanity, just a taste of what’s to come. We have now completed five new tracks written with Greig Norri and others, we are excited to play them all live.
Altsounds: Currently what is on the agenda for Incura?
We’re about to hit the road across Canada and show this country that INCURA’s live show exceeds all expectations of what live music should be. After this we’ll demo up all the new songs and give the fans another full length record.
Altsounds: What is your intention? There are so many bands trying to make a name and stay in the game, what separates Incura from the rest?
It all comes down to music. Today, bands tour, promote, market and put everything into getting to the top. Though we have a focus on what we need to do for the band to get us “out there” MUSIC is what separates INCURA. Our Main focus is our music and we take much pride in creating something original, accessible and that leaves people with a feeling that they have seen/heard something that makes them think, love, laugh and hate.
Altsounds: You guys are from Alberta, why did you migrate to Vancouver?
Lethbridge was just a place where we all grew up. It stood as the corner stone that created this monster. But to build higher we had to move to a bigger city. There is no better place to move higher then Vancouver [laughs]!
Kyle got it twisted! Toronto’s where it’s at!! Vancouver’s weather is nicer occasionally. For some reason most other Canadian cities hate Toronto. I remember watching this documentary about how much they hated Toronto. The haters say Torontonians think their city is like New York City and just as cold. Truth is, tourists tell us Toronto is like a “Mini NYC” we don’t think that way, they do. Not everyone is so frigid! Toronto has a personality of its own, there’s nothing like wandering the streets at the crack of dawn after a great live show or a night out dancing, no city compares.
Altsounds: If music never existed what would life be like for you?
Music as in INCURA? I’m sure I (Kyle) would be doing anything within the arts. I like creating and pushing myself artistically…. If Music in general didn’t exist? Please don’t make me think such horrible things.
Altsounds: What is the difference between the new record and “Swords.Souls.Secrets”?
Swords.Souls.Secrets was an album written when I was 16, 17 and
18… it’s a younger more inventive record. I wrote almost all those songs for myself… Now growing up and touring I’ve found a great feeling in writing music with others in mind and not being so selfish. I’m now in a place in my life where I feel I can start to look outside my head for inspiration and that’s just what the lost EP is.
Altsounds: When composing a tune do the lyrics come first or the music and melody?
It’s different every time, depending on the song.. it’s ALWAYS different!
Altsounds: If you could choose to work with anyone in the music biz, who would it be and why that person?
Andrew Lloyd Webber. He’s the one classical composer who has taken dark themes and made them very famous for people that might have never heard that kind of music before. Yes, yes, Phantom of the Opera is very cliché BUT!! It’s the one musical, that even your older brother who hates it can sing the main theme.
Altsounds: Anything you want to pimp out? Say it now or forever hold your peace!
ALWAYS QUESTION WHY….!!! ALWAYS!
Altsounds: Thank you so much Kyle for dropping a few words! Best of luck!
