City Sleeps interview w/Adriel Garcia

June 7, 2006, 05:41 PM

I got the chance to talk with Adriel Garcia of City Sleeps to find out a little more about the band and their new album on Maverick, due out this summer.


I gotta tell you, it was pretty hard to find any information on you guys. It says in your bio that you signed for Maverick in 2004, but your record isn't coming out until late this summer. Was all of that time recording? Or just label politics?

Well, it took about a year to finish the record. John Feldmann, the producer, had a few projects going on and we pretty much flew back and forth from Atlanta to LA to record. And all the time since has been spent really setting up for the release; touring, promotional stuff, and yeah, a little bit of label politics.

I really like the tone of the songs I have heard so far…it has nice flow. Is there a running theme through your album that ties it together, or was it more about the sound you were going for?

A little of both I would say. We where definitly going for a sound, but lyrically it ties together well. We touch on a lot of boy girl issues, love, etc.

Did John Feldmann produce the album? Or the demos?

Well, John brought us to LA and we recorded the first three songs, in a demo like fashion. Where as, we weren't signed yet, and he did the songs with the intension of us scoring a record deal. And of course we did, so he did the record.

Are you happy with how the record came out?

I think we are all very happy with the finished product. We were all borderline obsessive on the recording end. And Feldy mixed it and remixed it 5 or 6 times. I mean, every band has their little regrets and self doubt, like "oh, maybe we could have done that better, or spent more time on that...". But in the end, I think its definitly a ground breaking record, and people are gonna really latch on.

What song is your favorite on the album and which is your favorite to play live?

On the album they're almost all my favorite. But live I'd have to say, Ordinary High. People just go nuts when they here that opening guitar riff.

You're about to go out on the road with The Outline…are you looking forward to that?

Absolutely. We are always excited about touring. Its what we live for, and seeing new faces and making new fans is what its all about.

Is this your first national tour?

No, we have been on and off the road for about 2 years.

Who would you most like to go on the road with?

I think that is all about who is going to be best for us at that time. I mean, who doesn't want to go out on an arena tour with U2. But, maybe bands like Foo Fighters, The Killers, Coldplay, Jimmy Eat World. We could fit on so many tours, its all about the opportunities that get presented to us. I'd love to go on the road with Guns N Roses. Haha, but I think we're all still waiting on Axl to come around.

What are your goals as a band? Would it mean more to you to reach the top of the charts, or to be around forever somewhere in the middle?

I would assume somewhere in the middle. You don't want to be the biggest band ever and then go away. But playing underground for food and gas money isn't good either. The ideal situation would be to have a gradual success.

Give me 5 reasons why people should buy your record…..go!
1.It beats listening to the radio.
2.Its the cool thing to do.
3.Because stealing is a crime.
4.Because it will help encourage a change in music.
5.We would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks again for the interview guys…good luck on the road and with your release, and hopefully we can do this again soon so our readers can keep up on your progress!

Anytime, thanks for the opportunity!

Check out City Sleeps' website www.citysleeps.net