Loyola Greyhound

Issue date: 10/6/09 Section: Arts & Society

Media Credit: Photo Courtesy of Ty Fischer. Callahan

Media Credit: Photo Courtesy of Dean Hlavinka Deni Hlavinka

Music is for the masses. That's why there are so many genres out there. So everyone can find something they like. Well, this week, I was lucky enough to talk to five people for this week's Greyhound. The first four is a group of guys that call themselves Callahan, and they hail from Springfield Ohio. The guys in the band are: Ryan Clay (vocals), Jake Sims (bass/vocals), Brad Comer (guitar) and Wes Comer (drums). I talked to Jake, and asked them a few simple things about the band.

Meghan Hole: How did you guys meet?
Jake Sims: Well Brad, Wes and myself went to high school together. We were all apart of the local scene, but we were in different bands. We met Ryan just by playing shows with his old band.

MH: How long have you been together as a band?
JS: We have been together for almost three years.

MH: What genre of music do you guys place yourselves under?
JS: I'd say Pop/rock, but it's leaning more towards rock.

MH: When did you all start getting into music?
JS: Music has been in my family for generations. The Comers got into it around the 6th grade, and Ryan was kind of a late bloomer and started at a later age.

MH: Who are your [musical] influences?
JS: Metallica, The Starting Line, Paramore, Boys Like Girls, etcetera.

MH: Who are your biggest supporters?
JS: Our parents, by far.

MH: How is it being on tour right now?
JS: Well, touring has been great. You meet a lot of different people and you actually get to see your fan base grow.

MH: Which place on tour has been your favorite so far?
JS: We all love Chicago.

MH: How do you promote yourselves?
JS: Every way possible. Word of mouth, MySpace, stickers - all that kind of stuff.

MH: How do you keep in contact with fans?
JS: We try to talk to everyone on MySpace and we also do Skickam [video] chats.

MH: Do you think Twitter works for bands and promoting?
JS: Oh definitely. I mean, it's instant and direct. Kids get it straight to their phones, so you really can't beat that.

MH: How did you come up with the names of your EPs?
JS: Calm Before the Storm was kind of a last minute thing (laughs). And we thought the Face the Day EP just rolled off the tongue.

MH: How do you guys come up with music?
JS: We all sit down and [throw] out ideas and once we find one we all like and agree on we work off of it.

MH: What do you "bring to the table" that other bands don't?
JS: I would have to say personality. We all have a unique way of doing things and talking to fans that I think they really enjoy.

MH: What was it like making the video for "The Dive"?
JS: It was a very long day, but it was an amazing experience.


The "fifth" person I talked to is a girl by the name of Deni Hlavinka. She's a 16-year-old with big talet and a big voice. I also got to chat with her, to see what it's like juggling school as well as trying to pursue music.

Meghan Hole: When did you get started with music?
Deni Hlavinka: I have loved music since I can remember. I got my "official" or "professional" start when I was in my school's third grade musical. I was the grandpa (laughs). Don't hate.

MH: Who are some of your influences?
DH: I am influenced by a ton of different artists. Mostly Ingrid Michaelson, Sara Bareilles, Regina Spektor, Jason Mraz, etcetera - quirky singer/songwriters. I like keeping my songs simple and easy to relate to.

MH: Do you promote yourself in any way?
DH: I really just got started in this industry. I have a music MySpace, and I am on YouTube. As for shows - not so much yet. I want to get a solid demo CD recorded before I want to start putting professional shows under my belt.

MH: What's it like balancing school and music?
DH: It's pretty difficult balancing them. Securing a promising future for myself is equally (if not more) important as my music. But I always make sure that both of them are smooth sailing. I play music for hours every day. I couldn't survive without it. However, music is the true source of my procrastination of schoolwork.

MH: How long have you been playing piano?
DH: I've been playing by ear since around second grade. I started [taking] official lessons three years ago.

MH: How long have you been singing?
DH: As embarrassing as this is, I used to make music videos of Spice Girls songs with my friends when I was in elementary school. I think that's when I realized that I had fallen in love with singing.

MH: What was it like recording?
DH: I record with Sven Bridstrup in Warrenton (www.foundationrecordingstudio.com), and he is an absolute godsend. He has such an ear for music, and we mesh really well together.

MH: How do you create your songs?
DH: It varies from song to song. It depends on the source of influence. Unless something intense happens that sparks my lyrics, my songs typically start with a melody. Then I sing the melody on scat syllables, and they eventually form themselves into words. I'm not much of a lyricist. But all of my songs are influenced by personal experiences. They are very raw - I think that's what makes them relatable.

MH: Would you like to do music professionally?
DH: That's the goal. I still have a long way to go..

MH: Where are you from?
DH: Front Royal, Virginia. We moved to Stephens City when I was in third grade.

MH: Where do you go to school?
DH: I am a junior at Sherando High School in Stephens City, Virginia. [I'm] [s]ixteen years old.

MH: Have you performed anywhere?
DH: Nowhere exciting. Just competitions and talent shows and private parties. No big gigs - yet. My showerhead has received many private concerts though.

MH: You remind me a lot of Regina Spektor. Do you listen to her?
DH: Aw, thank you so very much! Regina is so talented. I like that she's not afraid to take risks with her songs, and she doesn't alter herself to please a certain audience. Music is about being individual and expressing yourself in a way that others can empathize with and enjoy.

Check out Callahan at www.myspace.com/callahan, and also check out Deni at www.myspace.com/denihlavinkamusic. ?

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