INTERVIEW WITH GARY BENDER

Sara: For those reading who aren’t familiar with your music, how can you describe it? Who are your major influences?
Gary: Hey! What’s up my name’s Gary and I’m a singer/songwriter. I play acoustic pop rock and my influences range all over the map. My main influences now and days are John Mayer, Butch Walker, The Spill Canvas, Kris Allen. But a lot of my earlier influences that got me started off where bands like Blink-182, Jimmy Eat World, New Found Glory, The Get Up Kids, Taking Back Sunday and so many more.

S: You’ve played in a few different bands throughout the years. What’s the biggest difference between full bands and playing solo? Which do you prefer?
G: The biggest difference is how much more work is put on myself. When you’re in a band you get help from 4 or 5 other guys in so many aspects. Whether it be in writing, promoting, performing, financial backing, and in many other areas. When you go solo, its EXACTLY that. You’re kinda on your own to do as you please. You now have full creative authority, but along with that comes a lot of burden, pressure and responsibilities that otherwise wasn’t all dumped on you. This is a great question because I miss playing full band rock shows a lot. But I do enjoy the intimacy and vulnerability that comes with my music being completely stripped down to just an acoustic guitar and myself. So it’s 50/50 for me.

S: You recently went into the studio to record new songs. When can fans expect those to be released? What can you say about the songs?
G: Yes I recently decided to demo 2 new songs. They were a little different then most of my other songs. I don’t really know how they came out like this but I often tend to tell people they sound like country/pop songs. I didn’t intend or set out to make them sound like that, they just sorta came into their own. As for when they will be released that’s TBA. I’m unsure if they will actually get an OFFICIAL release, as I’m currently writing more now. But we shall see.

S: What is one message you hope to get across with your music?
G: I hope the message is simply just fun and honesty. I like to have a good time and I try and lay it all out on the line in my songs. I’m not one to be afraid to let people in and know what I’m feeling or what’s going on. And I say this all the time, I don’t write lyrics just to place words to music. Each line and every word means something very special to me, and I’d never force it just for the sake of finishing a song.

S: What are some of your favorite lyrics that you’ve written? What about favorite lyrics from other artists?
G: Like I said earlier, all my lyrics mean a lot to me, but I guess some of my favorites have been from some of my new songs I’ve been writing. My new favorite is from a song called “The Artist & The Poet.” And it goes “She always wanted to pen what it’d be like to share a kiss in the rain. He said I’ve seen it in movies and heard it in songs, but our lips could start hurricanes.” As far as other artists lyrics, I think Nick Thomas of The Spill Canvas is incapable of writing a bad love song, and is INSANELY talented and John Mayer’s lyrics will always be flawless in my eyes.

S: When did you realize you wanted to be a musician? How long have you been singing?
G: I realized I wanted to be a musician immediately after singing in my fourth grade Christmas concert. I sung a solo and the crowd went insane. At the time I didn’t know what was so special about it all, but it was defiantly the springboard which started my career into wanting to perform. So I guess you could say I’ve been singing since I was about 8 or 9.

S: What has been your favorite show you’ve ever played and why?
G: Man that’s a tough question. Some shows are my favorites for different reasons. Whether it be who I shared the stage with, or how all the fans reacted, or how well I think I played. Some of my fav shows range from playing the Surf & Skate Festival at Asbury park to a ton of kids, to performing at smaller venues like coffee shops or cafes for the intimacy factor. Any show is a fun show for me. I just love to perform and connect with people.

S: What are your plans for 2011? What do you hope to accomplish by the end of the year?
G: In 2011 I have plans to hopefully release a new E.P, Maybe get back into the studio, play a ton of shows, make some new friends and also come Spring we have a possible east coast tour with my label mates Seconds Before Sleep. So lots of fun stuff on the horizon.

S: Do you have anything else you’d like to add?
G: Thanks so much to anyone and everyone who has ever supported me or my music. It means the world to me and I’m lucky to have people that care about what I do, as much as I do. You’re all amazing. Follow me on FB, Twitter and I’ll see ya at the shows!!!