Getting to Know: Upstart Alt-Rockers, Ambrosia Famine
In today’s Gettting to Know, we meet Ambrosia Famine, an up-start alt-rock band that takes its music as seriously as the frienships within the band. If you are in an up and coming band that would like to partake in a Getting to Know feature, contact editor@riffyou.com to receive the questionnaire and instructions. Thanks!
Band Name: Ambrosia Famine
Band Members: Kurtis Armstrong (guitars, vocals), Dave Hagerman (drums), Cliff Menzies (vocals, guitars), and Kevin Read (bass, vocals).
Years Active: 2
City of Origin: Carleton Place, ON.
Who are you and what do you do?
“We are Ambrosia Famine, an alternative rock band from Carleton Place, Ontario (a small town outside of Ottawa).”
In 100 words or less, tell us how your band has gotten to this point.
“We’ve all know each other for most of our lives – we grew up together. We started to play music together in a band back in high school. That band stayed together for a couple of years before parting ways. While that band ended, we always remained in close contact with one another. After a couple of years playing in other acts, we started writing and playing together again. Here we are!”
What is your latest release and how would you best describe it to someone who hasn’t heard of your band?
“We are currently finishing up what will be our first release: an EP called Zenith. The whole CD is structured to flow one song into the next. We decided not to write them as standalone singles, but aimed for a complete listening experience. That’s the kind of music we are into – not just a one-hit wonder band, but a group that provides the full package. And that’s what we strive for. The music on Zenith is full of emotion and gives a variety of experiences to the listener, from head-banging to mellow rock (sometimes in the same song)! It keeps the listener on their toes, not knowing what’ll be coming next.”
When making an album, which aspect of the process do you put the most time into and why?
“Rehearsing and performing the music is easily the most important part. Music is meant to be as organic as possible. The listening experience is constantly evolving so before we feel we can put a “final product” stamp on something, we like to get as many sets of ears on it as possible.”
What is the best part of your band and why?
“There’s no compromising here – it’s an equal partnership amongst all members. We allow the music to be what it’s going to be and ensure that we’re all equally satisfied with it. There truly is never a moment where anyone says ‘you’re the drummer, so you write all of the drums’ or ‘you’re the singer, so you write all of the vocals.’ We push, support, and challenge one another and we expect nothing but the best all around effort from each other. We certainly don’t/won’t cut corners and I think all of that will help us be a successful band.”
What makes your band unique from the rest?
“We’re honest – not just with our listeners, but with ourselves. We write music honestly and we write optimistically. You’re not going to hear an Ambrosia Famine song that’s about drinking all night, abusing drugs, or other ‘rock n’ roll clichés.’ You’re going to hear songs coming from an honest place and from a positive place: How to overcome hardships; how to better yourself; and how to adjust and move on.”
How does your band survive the challenges of touring/gigging?
“We wouldn’t say we need to ‘survive’ gigging or that we’re ‘challenged’ by it. Playing shows is the best part of playing music! It’s a great way to connect with fans and get their feedback on the music, because at the end of the day, we want to give them the best experience. We roll with the punches and just try to be as well prepared as possible. ‘Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.’ That’s how we try to ensure success.”
Would you rather be critically-acclaimed; rich and famous; or an under-the-radar band with a dedicated following?
“Under the radar, for sure. There’s so much emphasis put on ‘making it big,’ and so many people pair that with being rich and famous. We just want our music to affect people the way it moves us. We don’t play to make money – we play because we love our music and want to share it with the world. And if we have a dedicated fan base, then we must be doing something right!”
If you’d have to compare your band to another one out there, living or dead, who would it be and why?
“Well, if we can sort of bend the question a little, we would love to be compared to Thrice (post-Vheissu). I wouldn’t say we have that edge right now, but we believe our compositions and structures are very Thrice-esque.”
Which band/musician would you like to share many drinks with? What would you talk about?
Cliff: “Living: O’Brother. They’re a band I fell in love with a couple of years ago when I saw them with Thrice. They just seem like a bunch of fun loving, crazy dudes. Dead: Frank Sinatra. The guy killed a bottle of Jack at every show! You have to know that being ‘the guy’ in that era would afford you a lot of great times and crazy stories.”
Kevin: “Hands down, Peter Frampton. I would just love to shoot the shit with him. Hear stories from his days on the road and get advice about life as a musician. And getting to share many drinks with him? That would just push it over the top. He’s a hero and legend.”
Kurtis: “To be completely honest, I would choose to hang out with my band. I enjoy a sense of mystery and magic when listening to music and sometimes a personal encounter or relationship can ruin that magic. My bandmates are my best friends and the only group of people in my life that I constantly make time for. I’ll take a night out with them over anybody else 10 times out of 10.”
Dave: “I would say Neil Young. I dig his music, and as a person I think he’s cool as all hell. I respect his political views, and how he uses his influence for social improvement rather than only his own personal comfort. His new PonoMusic company is focused on high quality digital music, so that true enthusiasts can enjoy music the way it was intended to be heard. It would be awesome to sit back and chat about music, recording, touring, politics and life in general.”
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