Interview: BLAZE PROJECT

Jarod Smith

Jun 7, 2022

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

I always been into music! I think sincerely that I have been chosen 😊 , I was Listen carefully the classic music of my dad when I was 4 years old ...never quit since this time. And if a was not a musician I'll be a radio host or something like that!

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

I work for the band a lot of hours in the week (ads, promotion, fans, that kind of stuff. ) And I love nature... walking on the beach or in the forest, this quiet moment gives me a lot of inspiration, I need it! I also listen to a lot of different styles of music

How long has your band been around?

Workin’ on the project since 2014 and the band was formed in 2015, but we are all musicians with a long track record.

Where are you based and how did that influence your music?

In Baie-Comeau, Quebec / Canada. A small town of 25,000 inhabitants, bordered by beautiful nature & without stress. This gives us a perfect environment to create our music which is often about interpersonal relationships, nature, and the joy of living.

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

I was the ignitor of the project, so our first drummer came with the name ‘’Blaze Project ‘’ based on my family name ‘’Blais’’

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

Oh, that was in Québec city – Canada at a bar that was called at the time ‘’the Kashmir ‘’ during the festivities of the ‘’Carnavale de Québec ‘’. This was a full capacity night and everybody was jumping in place in perfect synergy ...that was so cool!

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

We really like to play festivals, the energy is at another level. I hope we will go soon to Europe because a lot of people listen to our music there

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

Hard questions there ,,, because so many bands we like and admire! But on the spot, I have to say: Tragically hip (with Gord Downie still alive ), Jamiroquai, Dave Matthews band, Joe Bonamassa, Pearl jam. And if it’s possible a few mores !

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

Follow your dreams, HAve confidence in your Abilities. Make your own road, doesn’t matter if it’s hard sometimes, if you really want it, someday there will something good for you. Otherwise, you will have no regrets cause you will have to try

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

Don’t try to do anything other than music, you’ll always back to it anyway (laugh)

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

I really dig Sweet little misery because it deals precisely with the passion for music & the scene

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

‘’All of the time’’ from our new album ‘’Enjoy this moment’’ , because of the great energy and emotions conveyed. When i heard it in the studio for the first time i had a little tear in my eye and chills, i can't really explain what it does to me .
And ‘’ The other day ‘’ from our first album because it’s the first single to play on radio, and our fans like it!

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

It often starts with music, I record all the ideas that go through my head on the guitar. Then when I think I have something solid we jam with the band and that's where the magic happens! For the Lyrics, the music always inspires us a song title by its energy, then we write on the subject!

Pat, our singer, also often brings excellent almost ready songs, then we just add our respective instruments.
For the musical inspiration, I Like doing books of different styles on Guitar, it gave me some fresh ideas. And everybody in the band listen to a lot of different styles of music, it gave us a lot of possibilities

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

We try to be very positive and spoke of the good things in life, we want people to feel great when they listen to our music or come to our shows. But That doesn’t mean we cannot go emotive and a little bit deep if the inspiration got us in that mood

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

Not often, to tell the truth, because everyone is there for the same reason, the passion for music. There is also huge respect between the members of the band and the decisions are taken as a gang.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

Continue to do shows, make promotion of our new album ‘’Enjoy This moment ‘’, A third single & video coming up this summer/beginning of fall. We are also pleased to announce our association With Eric Alper for the PR parts of Canada, and we will begin to work on our third album soon to create new stuff!