For over 7 years, Oren Barack and Finespun have graced the underground New York City music scene with its unique brand of balls-to-the-wall, hard-edged rock'n'roll. They've played some of the biggest music industry conferences -- including NEMO, NXNE, the Millenium Music Conference, and SXSW -- have opened for the likes of Gilby Clarke, The Black Crowes and King's X, and have played sold-out shows across the country. And their hard work has paid off: their newest album, Fracture, was produced by Anthony J. Resta (best known for his work on record labels EMI and Sony, he has produced Duran Duran, Megadeth, Perry Farrell, and Blondie, to name a few), they have received endorsements from Sam Ash and Knucklehead Strings, and their song "Invisible" was featured in a webisode of Hampton High Revealed, which received over 3 million plays since its inception.

There are thousands of bands in New York City today -- but Finespun are, without a doubt, one of the few "rock stars" on the scene, garnering copious amounts of commercial and critical success on their own terms, without the drama and groupies that plague other bands currently floating around in the Bowery sewers. And, unlike other bands, Finespun refuse to compromise their dignity, their sound, or their standards for anyone, and the result is the purest form of rock'n'roll and a nationwide, unwavering fan base. They are persistent, hardworking and aggressive. These gentlemen exploit every possible opportunity that comes their way. When there isn't a visible opportunity, they have a knack of creating their own.

In this exclusive interview, Finespun -- lead singer Oren Barack, drummer Ed Grazi, bassist Doug Tammany, and new guitarist Pat -- talk about their history, their new album (available in all FYE stores, on Amazon.com, and on iTunes and Rhapsody), and what they're planning for 2009.
Interview By: Bernadette Giacomazzo

BG: First and foremost, in terms of "band names," why did you pick the name "Finespun"? What other names were you considering?

Oren: When we were looking for a band name, we were having a hard time coming up with one that everyone liked. We threw names back and forth at each other for a few weeks and finally one night, it hit me. Almost every band name I could think of was a regular word or chain of words, and where does one go to look up a word? The dictionary! So I figured our name must be in there somewhere and set out to find it. I started at the letter "A" and went from there. Upon getting to "F", I came across a very un-used (and until then, I'd never heard it either) word, "Finespun". In my physical version of Webster's Dictionary, it was defined as "Finespun - spun as if to be fine"…"A word that means itself", I thought to myself, how interesting. Immediately the old movie "Shaft" popped into my head and I thought, "Finespun…Damn Right…"…I brought that to the band and the rest was history, we've been Finespun ever since.

Ed: Somewhere in the definition of the word Finespun it says "to be a tightly knit unit", so what that meant to me was that we are a "close" band; we are a "tight" band, A "solid" band. So I liked that part and gave the band name "Finespun" the two thumbs up. I was tinkering with the band name "Saving Daylight" at the time. I seemed to like the band name to explain an action of some sort. Maybe just some weird quirk I was having at the time (laughs). Like " Finding Forrester," "Deconstructing Harry" or "Giving Up The Ghost" … which is an old song of ours that Oren wrote. It's available for purchase on our website (www.finespunmusic.com) by the way!

Doug: I was excited to join a band that had a name with some meaning and not some nonsensical phrase with the sole purpose of trying to be cool or different. One of our strengths musically is how well we all gel together as writers and musicians and that's what our name means.

Pat: You know, coming up with a good name is, unfortunately, one of the many difficult parts of being in a band. I've been in other bands that just gave up after a while and settled on a name that nobody really loved, didn't make any sense, and didn't even sound cool. So, as Doug mentioned, it's refreshing to be a part of a band whose name is sort of a proclamation of who we are.

BG: How has Finespun's music evolved over the years?

Oren: Our music has just changed with the times and with the people in the band, as they change themselves. We've been around quite a few years, going on 4 CD's worth of time now, and just like everyone else, and our taste's change. We don't think we're drastically different than when we started, genre-wise, but we have definitely gained a "harder flavor" if you will. If we stayed exactly the same from CD to CD we'd get bored and so would you and that wouldn't be much fun at all, would it?

Ed: Regardless if we are a signed band or an unsigned band, when you're in a band for more than a couple years you see how the band's style changes musically. Much like you would look at classic bands like Led Zeppelin or even Motley Crue. You see the band evolve record to record, year to year. Experiencing that from the driver's seat being in the band is really something to savor.

Doug: We don't try to fit into any specific genre. We play from our hearts…and then chop it down to 3 and a half minutes. (laughs)

BG: How has the changing state of the music industry helped you? In other words, has it been easier for you to get your music out there since the decline of the major labels?

Oren: First off, I don't think it would be fair of us to say that the majors have fully declined. We know they're out there just waiting to get their paws on the next money-maker. Look what American Idol has done to our eyes and ears! With that said, while the majors are scrambling for the next Britney, a brave new world has opened up for the indie musician. We have MySpace, Facebook, hi5, tagged.com, Sonicbids, and a whole mess of other sites and other services available to us now. Where you used to have to go to the post office and mail something, it's now available with just one click. As I'm typing this, my Office 2007 suite just autocorrected the words "MySpace", just in case you were looking for a barometer of exactly how much impact the web has had on the indie band. We can do more in an hour than ever possible before, we can reach further and with much more power than ever before and we can also find a lot of porn in a lot less time, which saves us the embarrassing trip to the news stand. Better than it used to be, worse than it used to be? Like everything else, its not the size of the pencil, its how you write your name. We prefer to use magic marker and make thick broad strokes…can I get a felt tip pen?

Ed: The internet has so much info and help available to the modern day independent band. It's like the curtains have been lifted, because back in the day it would only be the major labels with all the power and the information. They don't rule the world anymore; all the resources are available on the Internet now. Sell your music, promote your music, and even book a tour. The Internet allows you to accomplish all this and more, it's quite helpful.

Doug: It's refreshing that a lot of indie bands are making on their own steam these days. It makes it easier for hard working bands to get noticed.

Pat: Not only that, it has become easier to connect with fans. Before, the label was the one who got your music out to the general public. Now it takes a MySpace player and a download function on your website. There's no middleman anymore, and that, to me, is what is so refreshing about this shift in the industry.

BG: Tell us about some of your more high-profile gigs (i.e., playing at various industry conferences). How have you gotten them? How have they helped you? What sort of opportunities have come to you since appearing there?

Oren: Where there's a will, there's a way. There are traditional and nontraditional means of gaining access to these shows, conferences and showcases. We choose to exploit them all. The word in music business to be weary of is the one at the end. Like in all business, it's not only about your talent, but also about who you know. The way they've helped is basically exposure and networking, the people we meet while on tour are great and plentiful; some of them are in the business, some aren't. Those who like us follow us and provide great support and opportunities for the future. Since we've played these conferences and beefed up our resume, it helps us gain notice from other people in the business as they see we're a hard working, touring, well-oiled machine that takes advantage of every opportunity that comes along, no matter how big or small. The other bands at the conferences and gigs are great for networking and friendly relationships as well...you meet them and down the line it turns into gig swaps and connections in other states.

Ed: The music conferences are very helpful for bands. You learn more proven ways to succeed and you meet people involved in the music business. Talk to everyone and come home with a shitload of business cards. Then have Doug sort out and organize all the business cards. We always leave more determined and focused whenever the band plays and attends these conferences. It's like a power up in a video game!

Doug: I think the greatest thing about these shows was the other bands we've met. We not only get to see the changing face of music throughout the country but met some great friends. When we hit the road again, we've got bands all across the country that we've been networking with that we can play shows with.

BG: How are you, as a band or individually, involved in the music business? What sort of lessons have you learned over all the years of being together, and touring together? Do you have fun stories to illustrate this?

Oren: I myself worked within the industry for a few years saw plenty of ups and downs stemming from what we refer to above as the "decline" of the industry. Over the years, we've learned to play, live and argue as a family would do. We've learned plenty about each other and plenty about the road as well. We have a few stories such as the one where we went to play MMC (Millennium Music Conference) in PA last year...our tour vehicle was broken down, so we had to take 2 civilian cars and "wagon-train" it to the show...one of us got lost on the way.

Ed: Being on the road is a lot of fun. Somebody should really put us on the road surrounded by video cameras. There's a show people would love, Finespun on the road. Hint hint
MTV.

BG: Tell us about your new album and songs. What can we expect from them? Any people of note who have worked on it (aside from you guys, of course!)?

Oren: We were real lucky on this record. We went in to do pre production and record with Anthony Santonocito of Killingworth Studios. When all the tracking was done, we were approached by Anthony Resta and Karyadi Sudtjeda of Studio Bopniue to remix a couple of tracks from the CD (4 Walls, 1 Window & Against the Fallout), AJ and Karyadi have worked with such notable acts as COLLECTIVE SOUL, ELTON JOHN, MEGADETH, PERRY FARELL among others, so we were very excited to gain that sort of attention. The tracks came out great and we're looking forward to going back into the studio with them for our next record. From the opening track 4 Walls, 1 Window, you get a feel for what this band is about: good, hard-hitting songwriting that smacks you right in the face. Dig a little deeper and you get to Against the Fallout, a heartfelt rock song about the BS a lot of us have gone through in life as it teaches us that we're not infallible and that we should take a step back and look at what we have before we lose it all. Scalpel takes a look inside the human psyche and pretty much tells you not to judge normalcy by anyone else's standards, what's good for you may not be good for others, but as long as your not expecting anything to be handed to you on a silver platter, you'll be ok.

Ed: There are very strong and melodic songs on our new album. "Someone Else's Year" "Scalpel" and "In Spite of the Fear" are just an example of the strength of our music. I'm very pleased with the job we have done with those songs. Any rock music fan will be instantly impressed with our musical efforts put forth. A lot of hard work sweat and blood goes into every one of our songs and I believe it shows. "Fracture" is by far our best album to date. A definite must have. Plus the future will be brighter and stronger with the addition of Patrick to our lineup. I see big things up ahead for us.

Pat: Thanks, Ed. I wasn't a part of the band at the time of this recording, so I can't comment on what it was like in the studio. But, when I first auditioned for the band, Oren sent me a few of the songs from the album, and I was so impressed with how great the recordings were. The first song I put on was Hourglass and I was really impressed by the production value. Everything sounded crystal clear, and it went so far beyond my expectations. Not to mention, the song itself kicks ass.

Doug: Having AJ on the album was a real treat. Collaborating with one of the greats was very exciting. A Scalpel's Precision is my personal favorite track on the album. We had a few ideas that we jammed on in rehearsal and then Oren came over one day and we worked on it some more. It was that day that I saw how well we really gelled as songwriters. I think we finished the song in about half an hour.

BG: Many bands today have questionable reputations -- they get known more for their infamy than their talent, they prefer salaciousness to wholesomeness. Yet, you have not only remained relatively drama-free, you have also created a good name for yourself amongst peers and professionals alike. Why is that? What would you say is the main reason why you refuse to cater to drama and infamy, even when it seems fashionable to do so?

Oren: We run screaming from drama, it never helped anyone. It used to be that you were special and that's what made you a star, now it's more like you become a star and that's why you're special. Sure we'd all love our chance at infamy, but at what price? We're not trying to be fashionable and stir the pot just to get noticed, we don't subscribe to any of that he said, she said nonsense, we just live our lives the best we can for ourselves and everyone around us. It's not hard to be drama free, if you try. We actually have a song called The Drama on one of our past CDs. To quote a line: "The drama wants....desire is fleeting." You don't want to be found wanting, do you?

Ed: It's important not to poison the well or slow the machine down. What we are doing here is not easy. It takes time and lots of effort. Distractions and giving into the drama only allows you to sugar coat or mask that you're giving up and that you don't have what it takes to make it in this business. We're not here to waste anybody's time.

Doug: If we're gonna make it in the business, I want it to be because we've created something that's touched the hearts of our listeners, not because of wild behavior. Rock Stars become role models and I feel that it is important to maintain a certain level of morality and integrity when your in the public eye.

Pat: You know, I've had to do a number of studio gigs and substitute gigs at school, and that's an environment where professionalism is not only the norm, it's absolutely essential. If I walked into a studio gig drunk or got into a fight onstage, those people would never hire me again, and they'd tell all of their peers never to hire me, as well. But in a band situation, we've become the exception by acting professional. I'm glad that we're making that kind of positive impression, as opposed to the norm.

BG: Tell us about your song appearing on Hampton High Revealed. How did that come about?

Oren: That was a fun one. One day out of the blue, I got a call from a licensing supervisor who was looking to use our song "Invisible" in their commercial. She couldn't tell us where she found us or how it happened, but some how we had ended up in her iTunes software and she had been playing us in her ipod for a while...contract after contract, phone call after phone call, she got us the deal that would land our song in this Accuvue Hampton High web series that the company was putting out. With the help of Stretch the Skies and Akasha Multimedia coaching us through the deal on the backend, we had a good, happy relationship with the commercial. It's still playing on their site and on their facebook page, check it out!

Doug: Not to mention, contact lenses are…invisible!

BG: What would you say is the main secret to your longevity?

Oren: Ginseng!, Seriously, just the desire to make music and see good people having fun at our shows. Drive and determination are factors that contribute to ones success, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger...and we've been close to killed many times, so we must be as strong as the Hulk!

Ed: Focus and determination to succeed. Being close friends as well as being in a band helps a lot. It has to be a united effort or else band members start thinking they're being left out or pushed aside when it's all their doing by not being as involved as they should be in the band causing them to start blaming other members for their shortcomings and weak efforts. We've had a couple of old band members falling into this self-inflicted trap. It's a sad sight.

Doug: All I've ever wanted in this life is to create something that people enjoy listening to. What keeps me going is the reactions we get at our shows when we play new material. I know it sounds like a cliché but it's the fans that give us our longevity.

Pat: The life of a musician is tough, but it's incredibly rewarding. Traveling, writing, etc. All of these things are stressful, but when people come up to you after a show telling you how much they love your music. It's an old point, as Doug mentioned, but that's what keeps, not just us, but any band going.

BG: Finally, what advice would you give to bands who are just "starting out"?

Oren: Go home! The only advice I have for a new band is to be sure this is what you want to do. If you can answer that for yourself, honestly and without second thought, then go for it with everything you've got. If you can't answer that question or if the words "money" or "but my day job" or "but my parents want me to be a ..." come into your thought process, then maybe its best you look at another line of work.

Ed: Yeah, this is the type of business where either you're all in our you're just wasting everybody's time. There's too much to gain from all this to think of it other than a very serious career choice.

Doug: Be true to your art. There are people out there who like all kinds of music. Don't ever try to cater to any specific genre. Work hard, play what you love to play and the people will listen.

Pat: Your heart has to be in what you play. If you love what you're doing, others will too. That said, don't be afraid of constructive criticism, especially from people who aren't musicians, because those are the people who will be buying your music. Then you have to evaluate that criticism objectively - "does he/she make a point?" This is incredibly difficult, taking yourself out of your music and putting yourself in a listener's spot, but trust me, you will learn so much by doing this. Also, always keep in mind why you're doing this. Because if you do things right, you'll be doing a lot of other things that aren't necessarily that fun to do, and will take a lot out of you. It's easy to get disenfranchised, so keep that notion of "this is why I play music" in the back of your mind. It'll help a lot, even when things get rough.

Be sure to visit Finespun on the web at www.finespunmusic.com and www.myspace.com/finespun. Fracture is available now at all FYE stores, at Amazon.com, and on iTunes and Rhapsody.