Charlie asks:
Hey Ted, Shaun and Johnny!
I was wondering, what do you do while you're not on tour? Do you have any separate projects/bands? Do work with other artists/bands? Thanks for taking the time to answer our Q's :)
From Charlie G
Johnny writes:
Hey Charlie,
When I'm not on tour with T&S I try to spend time with family and friends. I also do studio session work for different bands and projects. the other artists I sometimes work for are: Rococode, db Clifford and my Funk/soul/80's Cover band Funktapus. I love playing drums so I also practice a few hours a day... I study all styles of music and rudiments.
Cheers,
johnny
Ted writes:
Hi Charlie,
Thanks for your question. I love producing and making music. I try to do at least one project every break that is longer than a few weeks. I have produced, collaborated, played instruments and generally interfered with quite a few bands and artists in the last few years. The most recent would include Fences, The Raccoons, Rachel Cantu, Ruby Blue, Astronautalis, and of course Tegan and Sara. I'll be starting work with a Vancouver Based singer/songwriter Lindsay Bryan after the current Paramore tour wraps up.
Shaun writes:
Hey Charlie,
When I'm not on tour I try to get as involved as possible into my local music scene. I also enjoy playing tennis so I like to refer to time off touring as Tennis Season! Oh and to top it all off I am in the process of writing of book!
Leah asks:
Hey Shaun, Johnny, and Ted!
The girls get a lot of fan mail and gifts and such. (They're easier to buy for, you kind of get to know them because they talk so much!) But you guys are a HUGE part of the band too! So, I was wondering, what do you guys like as gifts?
-Leah
Johnny writes:
Hey Leah,
Hahaha... Gifts... hmmmm I just don't know... I like monkeys, anime and drums... but kind words from the heart work for me :) I'm so cheesy ha!
johnny
Ted writes:
Thanks for your kind words Leah! I thought gifts only came on my birthday! A good book is always a great choice! I suck at finding new music so I love a good playlist mix. I also have an ever growing collection of noise makers. Could be anything really...
Shaun writes:
What do I like as gifts?!! Haha, good question Leah. Umm well, I like nerdy things like Seth Godin books on business and marketing or anything Battlestar Gallactica related haha... but no let me try and think of something a little more exciting... nope, can't think of anything haha but I hear Johnny likes Snuggies!
Natalie asks:
What made you want to play music?
-Natalie
Johnny writes:
Dearest Natalie,
That's a simple answer... the underground level music in "Super Mario 2" for the original Nintendo. I loved that 16th note hip hoppy groove! And when I saw the Phil Collins music video "In the Air Tonight" when Phil does his cool srum break fill.... it kinda freaked me out as a kid.
Thank you
johnny
Ted writes:
Hi Natalie,
Thanks for your question. I always loved listening to music growing up but playing was a different story. I started in piano lessons when I was 7 and I hated it initially. I just saw it as extra homework on top of the homework I already didn't want to do from school so I quit piano at 9 and didn't pick up an instrument until i was 11. The first time I picked up a guitar I remember really enjoying it. I played 3 chords in different configurations for hours! It seems ridiculous now but I couldn't get enough of it and I've never looked back. I love music and nothing else gives me the same feeling. I think really it was just that feeling that made me want to play then and still makes me want to play now.
Shaun writes:
Natalie, my mom was involved in a lot of music while I was growing up so it was all around me I suppose. But I've always gravitated to music, can't really explain it, I just do.
Barbara asks:
Hey guys!
I hope you are all fine!
I was wondering if you have a MySpace and/or a Twitter profile? I found some of you but I know there are a lot of fake profiles out there.
Thanks.
Johnny writes:
Hello Barbara,
I do have a MySpace account... although I rarely go on it or update it... haha it's www.myspace.com/johnny5andrews. It has some fun tour photos that feature T&S and a few other bands. Hope you like it :)
johnny
Ted writes:
Hi Barbara you can find me @tedgowans on twitter.
Shaun writes:
Barbara, yes I have a twitter account as "shaunhuberts" but I am somewhat embarrassed that it is just my name. I think I need to think up a better name, something fun or clever maybe. why am I so boring haha... but please feel free to send me any suggestions for names!!
Anson asks:
Hey guys,
Did you guys play many competitive sports while you were growing up? What did you play?
Thanks dudes.
Victoria is proud.
Anson.
Johnny writes:
Hey Hey Anson,
I did not play a lot of sports growing up... I spent most of my time studying/practicing and playing music... I'm a huge music nerd! I did however skateboard a lot and played floor/street hockey...
Thanks for being proud of us Victoria BC and Anson!
johnny
Ted wrties:
Hi Anson,
Thanks for your question. I like sports and I definitely have a competitive side to me but I didn't really embrace the idea of playing past grade 10. My sport of choice in high school was basketball and I actually had a chance to meet Steve Nash once! That was really cool. Now if I get out and play anything it's more for exercise than anything else!
Shaun writes:
Hey Anson,
YES, I did play sports growing up. I started off playing soccer for a many years, then went into gymnastics and Karate for a few. I've been skiing all my life and always wanted to compete in some sort of freestyle event but never did. In school I played a volleyball, I wrestled, ran cross country and track, and raced mountain bikes. Now I play a lot of tennis. I might be missing something, but I think you can see I enjoy sport right?!
Charlie asks:
Hey! This one is for Shaun :) When did you first starts playing bass? Do you play any other instruments? I dream of being able to make a living off of playing bass. (Big ambitions, I know.) What advice would you give a 16 year old (who has played for five years) to push her in the right direction? Thanks :)
From Charlie G
Shaun writes:
Hi Charlie (#2) I started playing bass around the time it sounds like you started. I got my first bass for my tenth birthday. As for advice I'd simply say, involve yourself in as much as you can! When you are young it is important to understand that every situation you can be part of is helpful to your career later on. I always like to say even when learning or listening to music, "love a few styles of music, but learn from them all!" I played in all concert bands at school, a few Jazz bands, a country band, pop and rock bands... the more you are involved in early on, the more you'll appreciate later. And then by the time you are my age (eek... hitting 30) you can choose what direction or style of music you'll want to pursue and THEN if you're lucky, you'll hopefully be able to play for a band that you really love and appreciate, like myself! Good luck Charlie, and don't forget to have fun along the way!