Written by Josh Mahoney
Wednesday, November 25th, 2009
So I’m sure many of you know and remember the pop sensation band, These Silhouettes. Well after some time since their separation, vocalist Stuart Aiken is back at it with his new band, When We Stole the World. Formally the name of his acoustic identity, he is now turning it into his new project that I hope to see grow to levels that surpass his previous expedition. I got a chance to chat with Stuart and discuss what his aims are and what us as listeners should expect from WWSTW.
First off, before we start, When We Stole the World is:
Stuart Aiken: Vocals (formally from These Silhouettes)
Coady McCormack: Bass (formally from These Silhouettes)
Kyle Sipress: Guitar (formally from Carawae)
Johnny Simmens: Drums/Vocals (formally from She Swings)
DP: It’s good to see that you’re still keeping it going in music. First off, where/how did the name ‘When We Stole the World’ originate?
SA: It originated from my solo acoustic project that I had going on when I was still in These Silhouettes, I honestly liked the name when I first thought of it, because not only is it not the typical 2-3 word band name. The name is basically about the journey of band and listener being one unit. Without the listeners there is no band, without the band there is no listeners.
DP: That’s true, and pretty sweet that you show so much appreciation to your fan base, I think that’s pretty important. I saw your guitarist is from Michigan, which is a decent trek away – how did you guys manage to meet up and decide to start working together?
SA: Yeah Kyle is from Michigan, we actually met through mutual friends. Johnny our drummer actually met him on a tour he did in the states with his previous band. It was just so happened that his band broke up at the same time that we needed someone. We met up by talking on myspace/phone about stuff. Then we went and picked him up in Michigan and he now lives here in Canada he has his passport and we are working on his working papers.
DP: That’s definitely fortunate, I hope everything gets sorted away with no difficulties. So in regards to the EP that is being worked on… what should the fans expect?
SA: Thanks, in regards to the Ep, (maybe a full length) We have 5 songs now.
People should expect a new sound ranging from creepy/faster songs to sweet sounding ballads. It is honestly in the works I just know it is going to be a different sound than anything I have done before and I want to be unique but not unique enough to be unliked. I want it to be a balance of personal/fan favorites.
DP: Should be good to hear. Who are you biggest influences on the music being written?
SA: Honestly, this is a question I am reluctant to answer, because I don’t really listen to much lately. I honestly have nothing in my Itunes, I washed my Ipod by mistake, and don’t search for new music as much as I used to. I would say this CD is going to just be straight from the noggin, it isn’t really a project that we are trying to sell a million. To be honest I am just doing this for the fun and the love of it, I mean if something comes out of it that would be great, but I am not really going for it like I did in These Silhouettes. This is more of a hobby type project.
DP: That’s neat. Morseso something coming from you, and for sure a sound you’re going for, as opposed to something typical. Should make for some neat tunes.
How many songs are you planning to record (or have recorded) on your EP?
SA: We are taking it one at a time, I know at first I wanted 5, now we are at 7, so I am thinking we are going to do about 8-10. Just do a full length. They seem to be flowing well.
DP: Awesome! Is there anything you’re really hoping to achieve in particular with it?
SA: Honestly man, not really. I am doing this project for fun.
I mean if it explodes that would be cool, if it does average that would be awesome as well. I am not trying to be the next big thing with this project. I mean I went all out in These Silhouettes, spent the cash and people kept leaving the band, Although we were young and were smoking pot and being kids. We tried really hard to make it and I would say we did alright with 2.5 million plays and the shows we played. Now that I am older, I feel I have matured a lot more for this one. I just want to get some merch printed, sell the tracks on I tunes. Just show kids what I can do.
To be honest man, I don’t even know if I want to play live shows with this project. With all due respect to the local music scene. I think I am kinda over it. I mean I work a full time job were I get 10 something an hour. So I make like 80-90 bucks a day. Which isn’t much and doesn’t make me happy… (laughs). Obviously I would be happier playing music every night, but I mean in These Silhouettes I was getting like 10 bucks a day. It isn’t all about the money to me, but I do have rent/cell phone/dog/debt that I have to pay, so for me to go out and make less than I could working my job. I don’t see a point in it when I can generally do the exact same thing sitting in my house and going to the studio. I can still relate to the fans and keep them happy with updates and giveaways and live videos and stuff. I think about the success These Silhouettes had in the United States, and we never went there once. That was from online stuff. So I might as well reach people in there living rooms and save myself the stress. We will see though… I do like live shows to a degree. I really like Acoustic shows.
DP: I never realized TS never went to the states! You guys certainly made it ridiculously huge over there for never even crossing over.
SA: Yeah, we had a tour planned there actually with Kittie, It Dies Today, Portugal the Man, and Blessed By a Broken Heart, but we couldn’t get organized for the border in time.
DP: That’s a shame, would have been a neat tour. I don’t know about the readers; but I’m really interested in hearing this. It sounds great so far, and I’m sure it will only great better. Whether you do stay a studio band, or go on tour, there most definitely will be much anticipation in the release of your album. Anything else you would like to add?
SA: I don’t really have anything to add, thanks for the interview hope all is well and keep posted at http://www.myspace.com/whenwestoletheworld . Take Care.
So like he said, go check them out. At the time of this posting they already have two tracks up!
