When I started this site I was hoping it would help people decide on what music to buy, and maybe one day be able to interview some of the bands I have talked about. I never thought it would be happening so quickly! I had the pleasure of interviewing the duo Reason’s Be. As you might remember I did a review of their latest EP “Hand’s Up” and said this is a must get! I would like to thank Reason’s Be again for taking the time out of their busy day to answer these questions. Enjoy!
First off I would like to say thank you to the both of you for taking the time and answering these questions. I have to say I love the “Hands Up” EP and I can’t wait to hear more music from you guys. 
Are you working on a full length CD at the moment? If so, when do you expect that it will be released?
A pleasure to be interviewed by Catch My Ear! Reasons Be is actually in the process of recording a 2nd EP with a TBD name. If all goes according to plan it will debut early May. We have decided to give our fans a little each time with more frequent releases – it seems to be the “new biz plan.”
What type of feel does the new music you are working on have compared to the EP?
Oh this is completely Reasons Be 2.0. Don’t get me wrong, fans won’t confuse us for anyone else, but we really wanted to show a new side and a fresh new spin on our still developing style. We have a wide variety of material to present while still keeping it on the track of Reasons Be’s sound. We can’t really give out much more though; it’s all supposed to be a big surprise (coming your way May 2013).
I’ve listened to each track of the EP numerous times to write the review and I heard the music chemistry between the two of you. Was it really instant or did you have to work at it a little bit?
R.E.L – Pretty instant. In fact, coming from a background of working with numerous artists and being a former solo artist myself, Reasons Be has been the easiest collaboration so far. Of course, a lot of hard work gets put in but from the get go everything flowed really smoothly in terms of the writing process. Heck, during my audition to be Scotty’s guitar player (before Reasons Be was born), we actually wrote our first song, ‘Pictures,’ in about twenty minutes. And that song is still a fan favorite at live shows!
Scotty – Yeah, R.E.L’s right. A lot of hard work goes into developing the music and fine-tuning it, but we have a musical compatibility that I haven’t experienced working with any other writers or performers. The ideas come very quickly and we use them as building blocks for creating a great song. We understand that we have to put egos aside and try different things until each song is at the level they need to be.
What kind of music do each of you enjoy listening to and how do you incorporate it on the songs you write?
R.E.L – Well my guitar playing is extremely influenced by DMB. I really feel I wouldn’t be the musician I am today if it weren’t for all those hours spent dissecting what Dave was doing on guitar – his influence made a huge impact on me. Other than him I would have to mention Jason Mraz and John Mayer as the two other major influential forces in my musical growth. In general though, I listen to a very wide range of music – anywhere from alternative rock to funk to pop.
Scotty – I listen to all different kinds of music, so I’m influenced by artists like Marc Cohn, Bob Marley, Dave Matthews, Dispatch, Maroon 5, and many more. People often see some hippie in me, and I’m sure all the jam bands I grew up on have a great deal to do with that (Phish, the Dead, Big Wu, Yonder Mountain). I’ve developed my writing style to a point where I use certain aspects to create unique melodies and I stay relatable to listeners lyrically. The best songs are ones that you can listen to and feel a part of. All of the talented artists I’ve appreciated have become a piece of me musically in one way or another; but I also never want to sound just like someone or some band that already exists.
Besides making music what do you like to do on your free time?
R.E.L – Well there are 5 months of the year in which I eat, sleep and breathe football and fantasy football (as in the NFL). The other 7 months I’m in hibernation.
Scotty – I do a lot of acting. I also played tennis in college so I try to hit the court every once in a while. I golf, spend a lot of time at the beach, hang with my friends and family, work out (a little bit!), drink beer at sunset (sometimes sunrise), and I’m a huge Green Bay Packer fan (with a lot of family history).
R.E.L – I sure hope so! Is this a trick question?
Scotty – We’re starting a college tour in April, so we’re psyched about that!
Is there a city you want to play in when you do go on tour? And why do you want to play in that city?
R.E.L – Probably Washington DC because my dad lives just an hour away. I know it would mean a lot to him to come out and see me perform.
Scotty – I’d love to play Alpine Valley in Wisconsin because that’s the big venue in my home town and I’d love for my family and amigos to be able to come see a big Reasons Be show. I’d also love to play the Hollywood Bowl and the Gorge.
How did you come up with the band name?
R.E.L – Well that is quite the story! Actually it’s not really. Scotty and I came up with a ton of names and then played March Madness with all of them – you know like brackets and the winner moves on to the next round until you are left with one?
Well Reasons Be not only was the favorite in the majority of its matches, it was also the most dominant performer during our unofficial tournament.
Scotty – The name suits us because R.E.L and I have similar views on life. All we can do is work our hardest and grind, grind, grind, to put ourselves in the best position humanly possible to achieve success. Beyond that, it’s up to greater powers. At that point you just have to “Live Life and Let the Reasons Be,” and what’s meant to be will be.
What is the writing process like for the two of you?
R.E.L – Scotty is real quick with ideas. His mind is ever flowing with them. Most times he’ll pitch something to me and we might delve into it. Other times I come up with something and see where we take it. The really cool thing about it all is that from that one original idea others are triggered in our minds and it kinda sets off a snowball effect. We may start one place but then wind up with a completely new direction – whatever sounds best!
What is your favorite track you guys have made so far?
R.E.L – To me it’s “Love the Way.” Being the musical director and lead guitarist in Reasons Be I get turned on by musical complexity that can still stay simple to the listener. There are just a lot of intertwining melodies, parts and progressions in that song that just get me going.
Actually, sometimes I will blast the instrumental version of the track and just get immersed in the music.
Scotty – My favorite is “Voice of Mount Mary.” It was written from the perspective of my Uncle Jim to my Grandma Laverne, who recently passed away. It’s a tribute to anyone who has or has had somebody in their life that they would trade the world to see just one more time. I wrote the lyrics straight from my heart based off of their incredible relationship. It’s the song that comes directly from my home.
Image Credit: Marco Infante
