We recently sat down with Billy Talent’s drummer Aaron Solowoniuk to discuss the band’s greatest hits album, collaborations and bears! See what happened below.
So you’re about to release your greatest hits album – how did you decide on what songs to include on it?
We had a really good time looking back on the last ten years and picking three songs off each record that mean a lot to us. We also put 2 new tracks on there. Kingdom of Zod is a song about what was going on with our mayor at the time and Chasing the Sun was written after my brother passed away.
Which song would you say is your favourite on it?
Really hard to answer that question. Red Flag is a song I love playing live because people lose their minds when we play it. Chasing the Sun means a lot because of what it’s about.
If you could travel back in time and give yourself advice when you were just starting out, what would it be?
Change your name from Pezz to Billy Talent earlier!! Everything seemed to take off right after we did that. In hindsight, I wouldn’t change anything.
Similarly if you could change anything about your past releases, would you? And if so, what?
I really wouldn’t want to change anything about anything. We have gone through so much and every experience is different and special and weird, which makes it all good.
How do you keep things fresh from album to album?
Ian is such an interesting guitar player and song writer. There is nothing better than Ian saying, “Hey guys, what do you think of this?” 9 times out of 10, it’s incredible. I’m not sure how he does it.
If you could have any band cover one of your songs, what would you choose?
Hm. I think to have any band cover any of our songs would be cool. What about Green Day doing Red Flag?
If you could collaborate with a band or musician, who would it be?
I’m just speaking for myself but I think doing a song with Alexisonfire would be cool. Also, Zach de la Rocha is such a force. That would be bad ass as well.
If you could choose an animal to represent the band, what would it be?
A bear. I can’t bear to tell you why.
And if Billy Talent could put their name to a product, what would you choose?
Bear repellent.
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Billy Talent’s Hits is out now and can be picked up from here.
