Interview – Safe To Say

I recently had the opportunity to ask Toronto’s Safe to Say questions about their new album Down in the Dark. Continue reading to find out more about the band below.

First off, can you introduce yourself to Canadian Beats readers?

Hi, we’re a 4-piece rock band called Safe To Say from Toronto, Ontario

Who are your influences?

It would be impossible to sum up our influences in a short lists of bands/artists. We are fans of music in general, and we all listen to a diverse collection of music. Music as well as personal experiences are what influence us to create the music we create.

How did you meet?

Cory and JJ met Josh and Brad through shows. Josh and Brad have been friends since they were young.

What are the biggest similarities and differences between your debut and sophomore album Down in the Dark?

There aren’t too many similarities between With Everything In Between and Down In The Dark besides them both being a progression in the band’s sound. Sonically, there are obvious differences between the two albums. Down In The Dark was written with the idea in mind of pushing ourselves to be the best musicians we can be, and explore our songwriting and creativity as individuals and as a whole. We were all at different points in our life when each record was created and I think it’s apparent that you can see the maturity in us as humans as well as songwriters.

How was the recording process been for your new album? Were there any stand-out moments for you?

We produced, engineered and mixed the record all by ourselves. We recorded the record over the course of 3 months and just like any art project, there were moments of pure bliss and moments of crippling self-doubt. It was an experience like no other and we all grew as humans through the entire process. A memorable moment from the experience was when we wrote the song, “Only Rain” in the studio. It was one of the first songs we wrote for the new record and we did it as a collective. It was one of those studio magic moments where people just connect and something interesting happens.

How has the reception been so far? What tracks have stood out for fans?

The reception has been positive for the most part. We’ve seen a lot of support from old and new fans which is always humbling to see. On the contrary, we’ve seen a couple reviews claiming that we have an identity crisis. Who knew it was a sin to have multiple genres on a rock record. Fans have been receptive to our softer songs, such as “Tangerine,” which is a song that no one expected us to create and we’re thankful for that. Creativity is cool.

How would you describe your live performances?

We like to keep our performances energetic. We thrive of the dynamics of our music. One instance may be soft and pretty, while the next moment is chaotic and intense. We like to stay unpredictable.

What plans do you have following the release?

Tour. Tour. Tour. We may also have some more secrets up our sleeves.

At Canadian Beats, we have a tradition of including a section of the interview for questions to help fans get to know you a bit more.

Who are your favourite Canadian artists?

Matthew Good Band, Greys, Metz, The Dirty Nil, Billy Talent, Alexisonfire, Sum 41, Avril Lavigne, etc

What was the first album you purchased?

Cory: Billy Talent II

Josh: Dude Ranch – Blink 182

Brad: All Killer No Filler – Sum 41

JJ: Between The Buried And Me – The Great Misdirect

What is one thing that fans would be surprised to know about you?

Cory: I’ve showered 3 times on Warped Tour

Josh: When not touring, I’m a rep hockey coach.

Brad: I’m Taylor Swift’s #1 fan.

JJ: I can make a siren Michael Winslow sound with my mouth.

What are your favourite foods?

Cory: Whatever my Mom makes

Josh: Spaghetti

Brad: Cheeseburger + Fries

JJ: Not pasta, or rice

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do?

Cory: Holland – Eat weird candy.

Josh: Tokyo – I would buy weird things.

Brad: Iceland – Hike everywhere

JJ: Japan – Experience the different culture.

Finally, is there anything else you would like to say to our readers?

Thanks for reading this article. If you’ve supported us in any way, thank you, it’s appreciated more than you know. If you have no idea who we are, check out our new album titled, “Down In The Dark” now!

Remington Fioraso

Hi Everyone! My name is Remington Fioraso. I am a graduate of the University of the Fraser Valley’s Bachelor of Arts program in Sociology, Anthropology, and Media and Communication Studies. Within my program, I focused on social media, learning about contemporary and classical sociological theory (Including Marx, Foucault, Bourdieu, and Durkheim), and communicating effectively in various modes and for different audiences (including oral communication, business communication, academic writing, entertainment media, and presentations utilizing visual media). Within my program, the question arose for many courses, “What is the relevance in the real world?” Stepping (temporarily) away from being in university, I gained an interest in Latin American development, social movements, and business. Sooner than later, I will be applying for post-grad programs to dive further into LA development and social movements to gain a theory-background in addition to a personal perspective onto the topics. In my free time, I love to travel, consume media, eat, listen to music, and write. Listening to music and writing led to my interest in working with Canadian Beats! I have been a part of the team since April 2014. A few of my personal highlights of interviews include ones with some of my favourite artists – Sumo Cyco, Madeline Merlo, and High Valley. Be sure to connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!