1. Is OFFICE a Chicago band?
- Yes. A Chicago band. 100%
2. Are the original members still together, or did OFFICE break up? What happened? I thought I saw a fake OFFICE out there. I thought I saw OFFICE in 2002.
- No. OFFICE is still together. We only play shows with the original members who made it a national act, and since we're all spread out between two states, performances only happen every once in a blue moon. A couple shows were played at the request of other people during 2009, but they were not OFFICE shows because not everybody in the band was onstage. We just performed together a few weeks ago, however, and it was a ton of fun. It's very confusing for us most of the time, since everybody has been involved with OFFICE at varying degrees or lengths of time.
3. When is the next OFFICE show?
- 2010, most likely. When it makes sense though, and feels like something we should do. Set something up and ask us, and maybe we'll agree to perform. That'd be interesting. We'll check our schedules.
4. When is the next OFFICE record coming out?
- When it makes sense. Everyone has to be involved though. We'd definitely want it to be a group effort on all fronts.....including production, editing, engineering, writing, and orchestrating. It's a real special energy when everybody is involved. This requires discipline and patience on everybody's part. We'll probably make a record in the next year or two.
5. What are the band members up to right now?
Lots of projects. We're making the most creative music of our lives right now:
www.myspace.com/julietsband
www.myspace.com/oldfake
www.myspace.com/loveraid
www.myspace.com/800beloved
www.myspace.com/villagegroup
www.myspace.com/scottmasson
...and more.
6. What is OFFICE's immediate future?
- There aren't any immediate plans accept for working on our current projects. We spent a lot of time together between the years of 2004-2009. It's important for musicians to create their individual identities, and experience new environments and procedures. Not to mention, it's very important for musicians to be humbled by their individual failures and successes out there in the biz. That way, nobody gets blamed or takes all the credit for past and future decisions. A band is responsible for their output and choices together. Our new projects are definitely our focus at the moment, but we'll miss each other sooner or later.
7. Why don't you promote Mecca like other bands promote their shit.....like with videos, glossies, radio slots, interviews, PR machines, Twitter, and other tools of the trade? Why so mysterious?
- Because we gave it away for free as a gift on the internet, and wanted to keep it a collectors item on vinyl. "Mecca" was created in an effort to counter-balance the weird scene we got wrapped up in during "A Night At The Ritz". We felt bad that our audience was being sold watered-down music, so we had to give "Mecca" away. There is karma in music. Not to mention, there was no need to go through the traditional promotional cycle, since we were all ready to work on our other musical endeavors. That was a good place for us to take a bit of a break, and start anew.
8. How do you all feel these days?
- Very excited and positive. Very creative.
9. I downloaded it for free, but where can I get Mecca on vinyl, since I heard only a 1000 copies are ever going to be printed?
- CLICK HERE
10. People either love you or hate you, OFFICE. Why is that? Why can't everybody just agree on you one way or the other?
- Disagreement is the sign of quality work. Or....at least, it's the sign of something "different" and challenging. Why do large groups of people agree that certain bands should be big, even though they still have not written a decent song? If a bunch of critics agree on you, then you are probably doing something pretty boring. If a bunch of industry people are frightened by your unpredictable disposition in the business world, then that probably means you are an independent thinker, or at least willing to put your "career" on the line when it's being tampered with. Or.....maybe you're just young and naive. If sincere music-lovers are into what your band is doing, then stay humbled by that appreciation, and protect it....even if you have to bail for awhile. No band is going to stay sane by constantly playing shows together, and constantly being around each other. If musicians in the band are doubting the project internally, or buying into "social scene" gossip, then the band obviously needs a break. If some musicians in the band are narrow and obsessive in their approach, or self-destructive and sad, then the band needs a break. There are so many possibilities. Every band would be lying if they didn't want the world to like them, but we'd also be a bunch of soul-less jerks if we compromised our beliefs.
On that note, we'll see you down the road.
Love,
OFFICE
