Anyway, they are a very positive band with a very positive, cool sound. Which is something I don't think is emphasized that much anymore in the world.
I talked to them briefly (does email count as talk? I THINK SO) about their new album Go For It! (yeah!!!!!!!!!!!) and the tour they've been on all summer, with a cause attached. Another reason to listen! They are an useful band! And relatively young, too! SEE HERE:
Your tour is about to come to an end! Could you explain how the tour went and a little about the cause behind it?
Rabbit!: With only a few days on this 46-day tour, I'd have to say that this was an amazing experience, one that we will never forget. As most bands know there's nothing like a long tour to really get your act together, performance-wise. I don't remember a “bad” show in the entire bunch. Whether at a house party, traditional venue, coffee shop, bookstore, ice cream parlor or kids summer program we were delighted by the reactions we got and we had a great time getting to play our songs live for people. This is really only our second time out as a touring act so it's still exciting to get that immediate positive feedback that only live performances can garner.
We really wanted to make this tour about something more then just selling CD's, T-shirts, and promoting the band so we set out to learn about, explore and participate in interesting or unique programs that we could find that give kids alternative outlets to music and arts in the summer and year round. We also wanted talk to people involved with advocating music in schools and get their opinions on the current situation, there in. We have had 4 different videographers come along on 4 different legs of the tour to film some of the places and people we came across. We hope to put together all the video into a 5-10 min documentary-style presentation to share with the world wide web what we experienced this summer. We aren't hard-core activists and we have a ton to learn still but we think this was a pretty cool reason to go out on the road and a different perspective on the typical indie rock band tour.
You've been described as "feel good" music. How do you react to that term?
Rabbit: It makes me “feel good” : ) Seriously though, what a nice refreshing change from the usual band descriptors like introverted, introspective, aggressive, heavy, epic, deep, dark, sarcastic, angry, moody, etc... I think we are adding something positive, light, fun and sincere to the music world at large, so “feel good” is fine with us.
What was it like putting your newest album, Go For It together? Why that title?
Rabbit!: Putting together a Rabbit! record, like Go For It, is a blast. There are no rules except for keeping it on the positive side and there is no one watching over you to make sure you sound current or hip or have a commercial appeal. It's all about the sheer joy of creating.
Go For It, although the title of one of the tunes on the record, felt like a fun call to action and a constant reminder to us to keep moving forward with the record, the tour, and our first baby steps into a philanthropic venture. It was easy to get bogged down with the immense details of self-funding such a lengthy tour, booking shows, writing, recording and mixing a 16-song record, rehearsing a band, reaching out and confirming daytime stops at camps and organizations that are promoting music and arts education, finding videographers to donate their time and talents to help document this adventure, keeping our day jobs intact. Along with all the other daily grind activities that come with being a four-person band with no management, label, or booking agent, there were days when you think "Hey, doing something a little less intense this summer doesn't sound so bad," ha. So we used the name “Go For It,” as a motivational catch phrase to keep us going, when the going got a little tough.
In the future, where do you guys look to?
Rabbit!: Again having no real “band” agenda, it's hard to answer that question. I personally hope we can continue to tour with a purpose and put out a few more records in the upcoming years. We got a real “take it as it comes” attitude. It helps us keep a good perspective and lets us not cling to the old rock and roll cliches of fortune and glory. I also believe it allows us to navigate those strange music business currents with grace, openness, and sincerity.
What should people know about Rabbit they may not already?
Rabbit!: We are the on-hold music at Zappos.com So call them, order some shoes, and ask to be put on hold so you can hear us...win-win : )
Are you really sipping on sunshine? How do you sip on sunshine anyway?
Rabbit!: Yes we really sip sunshine. It takes many long years of solitary and subsequent group study in the highest mountains of Nepal where only the Yeti dare to tread. In these areas you are closer to “pure” sunshine and it can be harvested, through a complicated series of weights and pulleys, chants and mantras, in it's natural unfiltered form. It's dangerous and can be fatal but the benefits are, as you can hear, astounding! (Be warned)
;)
a link to their myspace page
STREAM THE ALBUM
DOWNLOAD THE ALBUM
Check out their album! Seriously, you won't be disappointed.
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