Press

7/8/09 Interview with Chad from AlternativeAddiction.com

Orlando based melodic rock band Big 10-4 are preparing to return with new music in 2009, after releasing their major label debut “Testing the Atmosphere” in 2006, lead singer Dan Verduin says the band is planning to release their new music independently this time around.

“We didn’t get any support from the label, it seemed like we were sort of out on our own,” Verduin told Alternative Addiction of the band’s prior experience with Universal Records. “Instead of sticking around, we [just] decided to get out.” Ultimately Verduin felt like the band’s clean break is best for both parties involved. “That’s what happens with major labels, sometimes you get lost in the fray,” explained Verduin. “I feel like now we have better control of our music and the sound that comes out, and the hands we are going to get it into. I am excited about where we are going.”

Rather than release an entire album in the traditional way, Verduin says the band plans on releasing four new songs digitally every month, so that the band can tour in between releases to keep fan interest peaked. The first sets of songs are expected to be released to digital outlets early this fall.

Verduin says some of the material has been carried over from recording sessions for the band’s previous album, other tracks were written by the band earlier this year. “We have 7-8 songs done, some of them were written for our last record and for whatever reason they never made it on the album,” says Verduin. “I am really excited about the ones that I have written in the last 6 months, because they seem to be going over very well acoustically and how we are arranging them in the studio now.” Fans can expect a slightly different sound from the band compared to their previous release according to Verduin.

“I tried to not shy away from singer/songwriter style stuff, a little more acoustic with vocals out front as opposed to soaring guitars,” explained Verduin. “It seems like every time we went in the studio before it was to achieve that sound, and now I think we have a bit more soulful sound.” However, fans can still expect to hear sounds in the vein of the band’s hit song “Walking Disaster” on the new tracks, as Verduin says he feels like the band still maintained their core sound. The first song that the band will be pushing is a track called “Good Girl” which Verduin describes as “a mix between Matchbox Twenty and Jason Mraz.”

“It’s a little more pop than rock right now, that’s just the vibe we decided to give it because that’s what the song lent its self to.”

Copyright © 2009, Big 10-4. All rights reserved. Photo © Ronny J. Villarreal 2009