Download Festival – Interview with Chevelle

We spoke to Sam from Chevelle prior to their Download Festival performance.

So why Download?

It is really about getting our name out in the UK again. It has been a long time since we have been able to focus on Europe (many reasons for this) and Download is a great way to hit a lot of people at once, so to speak.

What’s your best festival memory either personally attending as a fan or in the band? And what’s your advice to all the festival goers?

We were scheduled to play Download about 10 years ago and we were bumped off of our flight while waiting in the airport.  It was totally beyond our control but as a result we have never been able to play the festival.  As for advice, learn to enjoy bumping into people.

Who are you most looking forward to seeing at Download?

Can’t wait to see Twisted Sister

Is there anybody you’d like to call up on stage to perform with you at the festival?

Not unless we worked it out in advance.  Unless it is a random concert goer, then it is fine anytime.

Do you have any surprises in store for Download?

Our set is super short. If we have a surprise, we will probably miss our whole set.

I see you run a fan of the day post on your Facebook/website, is this your own personal way of giving something back to those who support you?

We didn’t know it at the time but people love “fan of the day.”  It is our biggest promo.  It really is just a fun thing to do and its funny to see what people post as a pic.  Some of them are hilarious.

Your website is very fan friendly and far more interactive than other bands pages, what was the decision behind taking this route?

We just tried to look at it as if we were guests on the site.  I think it is how we would enjoy a site of a band we liked.  Thanks for the compliment.

You recently released your new album, what was the writing and recording process like for this one and how did it differ compared to previous albums?

We write and demo everything at least twice before we record it.  That is something that we always do.  As for recording, Joe Barresi and the band have such a great relationship that we just enjoy playing the songs until they are “right.”  Knowing that we don’t have “Autotune” or quantizing to save us makes the songs work better for us.  Also, recording to 2 inch has a totally cool sound and feeling to it.  If you have the means, I highly recommend

We recently reviewed Chevelle’s new album, La Gárgola. You can read it here.

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