Band Interview: The Collection

By Mark Arellano

Lately, musicians seem to be losing that quality which makes them what they are. They struggle to produce music that is truly well thought out and crafted. When such a pattern seems to be the latest trend, a new group that stays true to genuine musicianship and honest emotion brings in a breath of fresh air with its natural talent. The Collection, a new band with a classic rock and roll sound and an intriguing lineup are taking their music seriously, coming together to make songs on their own accord, but at the same time they are still having fun starting out.

Formed in Washington State six weeks ago, The Collection consists of vocalist and guitarist Shannon Donahue, vocalist and bassist Nate Dailey, and El Segundo Graduate drummer Stephen Demuth. They are currently down in Los Angeles making a month long trip to record a demo, promote themselves, and basically get their name out there to the public. The pianist Nicholas Hartzell could not make it down for this trip. The mood and temperaments of the trio was laid back and whimsical, but at the same time very attentive and responsive to the questions asked. “Shannon and I had prior band experience in the past together, so we knew how one another played and we have interacted so much that we know how we are. When we met Stephen through a mutual friend, we were impressed by his style and passion in his playing. From there we formed our new band,” said Dailey.

The cumulative sound of these three as they played a few songs was very interesting in the sense that they already sound like an experienced band. The expertise they use in their developed playing and the ability to blend together like a real band was just right. “We’re hoping this experience and time spent down here will help to not only get our name out there to the public, but to grow and become a better band gradually as time progresses and we grow as a band,” said Demuth.

They have many influences in music, such as the Beatles, Oasis, Creedence Clearwater Revival, which they look to for inspiration and admire their music in their own lives. “We’re like a British pop band from the 1960s or 1970s; we like to have fun and make fun beats for everyone to enjoy. We have a lot of fun doing what we do and I enjoy music, so there are no complaints,” said Donahue.

A photo shoot is coming up next for the band, and some local stations have shown rather big interest in playing the group’s forthcoming material. “We are initially planning to record five songs in the studio sessions, but plan to put only a pre-selected three on the demo. The songs chosen are all great pieces of music that were deemed best suited to use on our demo, and what one would call our ‘promotional trip’ right now is looking good for our future recording career,” said Demuth.

The easygoing attitude, dedication and honest love for the music, and the youthful invigoration of The Collection brings back honor to music, as it is on a quality decline at the time being. With the advancement of The Collection at the pace they are working, it will be just a matter of time until success shines the spotlight upon them. The Collection will bring back honor to music and refresh it with the whim and power which they naturally possess.