Photo by Moe Chandler

by Matt Dixon, October '06

1. Please introduce yourself and give a brief history of the band::
Columns is a one person project, with myself being the only member. I have been writing music for this project for a couple of years now, but only actively started playing live at the end of last year. I came up with the band name around the same time I was writing the bulk of the music; I thought it was appropriate for the overall idea and feeling surrounding the music.

2. How would you describe your music?
To me the music is very soundscape // soundtrack-esque // ambient and atmoshperic; I try to convey a lot of emotion in the music, so hopefully that comes across to the listener. It's been described to me as being emotive, and again, compared to the overall feeling of a soundtrack. Other descriptions would just be general ones though, as in "really loud".

3. How did Columns come about?
I'm a big fan of instrumental music, and a large majority of the music I listen to is instrumental...i have written instrumental music for years, where it never felt as if vocals or a band really would fit into the picture, or at least not in the conventional sense. So with that in mind, I tried to write more interesting or full compositions using tools to help layer things. That way it helps to stay multi dimensional. Also, being one person means that this will grow and change in time....incorporating other tools to try to keep it new and interesting for myself.

4. What bands have influenced you?
I couldn't even begin to write a list of bands; influence includes everything from movies, to books, to art, to just everyday life. Bands do influence me, but it would have to be on par to all of the other things mentioned above.

5. When do you think is the best time and situation to listen to your music?
I'm not sure really... probably in a relaxed environment, with low light, and ear plugs.

6. Name a few bands you currently think are rad:
This is a loaded question...there is so much good music being released outside of the conventional outlets that it is impossible to keep up....here are a few bands that I find very inspirational at the moment : Oxbow, Everlovely Lightningheart, Mogwai, Isis, Growing, Khanate...the list though, really is endless.

7. What can we expect from you in the future?
Plans of recording a full length release in the very near future... playing as much as time will permit, and I'm probably going to grow a beard.

8. How can kids get in touch with you?
myspace.com/columns1
columnsband@hotmail.com
columnsband@gmail.com

9. Any last words or advice?
Don't depend on other people to try to accomplish something you want to do. So if you want a sandwich, just make it. Don't wait for someone else to do it, because by that time you may not want that sandwich anymore.