Rani and Livia from PB & Jams on WTBU had a chance to sit down and talk with John, from Balance and Composure. Go check them out, because they are an awesome band!

Alright, so state your name and what high school superlative you think you fit under.

John: Ok, I’m John from Balance and Composure and I’m most likely to be president.

 Alright! So I really dig Separation, and I know the response for it was great. I’m just curious to know if there’s anything you would change on the album now that you’re reflecting back on it since it’s been out for a little bit.

John: I mean there’s always things you wish you could change. Songs you wrote for it…just overhearing them and playing them over time, so that’s just natural. Really though, I’m proud of what it is. It’s our first full length, I think it’s really good. So yeah, I’m proud of it!

Nice! You’ve said that you’re heavily influenced by 90s bands yet you still manage to retain a sound that is unique and separate from a throwback band. Is this a conscious effort or just something that has come naturally?

John: I think it just comes naturally. I mean, we’re not always necessarily influenced by 90s bands; we just try to do something different and push ourselves and make something different sounding, be original of course. Um…yeah it came naturally I think. We don’t really try to sound like a certain band.

Well, going off of the 90s theme, when I listen to you guys I hear a heavy 90s influence. So I’m just wondering, what do you think is missing today that was present back then?

John: Well, this is corny but I think a lot of bands are missing the heart, really. It’s all about like passions and just like, expression and people are more focused on other things like girls, money, whatever comes with all that. And they don’t really put their heart into it – they just do what sells. That’s what ruins music. If you’re just…if you’re honest and genuine in your music then I think that’s the most important thing. I think more bands need to do that. I’ve noticed more bands…there’s like a scene right now, a lot of my friends’ bands doing a good thing. So it’s getting better, I think, right now. But there was a time when it was really worrying me.

Do you think your songs are more about giving listeners a message or do you think they create their own message with the words that you write?

John: I think they create their own message. But when I write songs, I’m not really thinking about the crowd or like, our listeners. It’s like therapy for me. It’s my feelings, and I’m putting them out there, and if someone wants to relate that’s cool but it’s mainly more focused on an outlet for me. When I write lyrics and play, there’s no overall message we’re trying to send. We’re just trying to, I guess, play shows and people sing along with us if they like it, really.

Alright, so this is kind of a joke question, but how would you survive a zombie apocalypse?

John: I’d lock myself in a room filled with burritos. I’d just stay there and bolt all the doors in and I’d watch zombie movies to learn strategies in case I ever had to fight one.

Nice. Is Zombieland on the list?

John: Yes, Zombieland is on the list. And Shaun of the Dead.

Oh man, I still haven’t seen it!

John: You need to see it, it’s great.

A lot of bands now are either sticking to one label or they tend to “label hop” as we like to call it. Do you think there’s a downfall in doing either one of those, or do you think it’s a good thing?

John: I don’t know if we’ve necessarily always been on one label because of our contract and we’re happy with what we have. But I don’t necessarily think there’s a downfall; it’s all about whether the band is happy with the label or not and if they’re getting the right treatment. So, it doesn’t really matter for the band -  if they still make good music, great, but if they keep changing their sound for labels then that’s stupid obviously.

Are you guys planning any future splits with any bands?

John: Um, I don’t think so. I think we’re gonna start writing a new full length.