{"id":39493,"date":"2014-04-17T20:02:58","date_gmt":"2014-04-18T01:02:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/?p=39493"},"modified":"2014-05-24T07:32:53","modified_gmt":"2014-05-24T12:32:53","slug":"interview-with-chandler-mogel-of-outloud","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/2014\/interview-with-chandler-mogel-of-outloud\/","title":{"rendered":"Chandler Mogel of Outloud"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Alexandra Mrozowska<\/span>
\n– Columnist —<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Outloud<\/p>\n

Five years ago they promised they\u2019ll rock us to hell and back again \u2013 and as it seems, the Greek\/American band Outloud doesn\u2019t waste their breath! One of the best representatives of the younger generation in melodic rock return with a new album Let\u2019s Get Serious<\/em> set to be released in May. To find out more, Hardrock Haven chats with Chandler Mogel about the upcoming album \u2013 Outloud\u2019s lead singer also talks the recent band\u2019s line-up changes, post-MTV music video hegemony and their approach to Christmas albums \u2026 and more!<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: It took you three years to complete and release Love Catastrophe\u2019s full length follow-up Let\u2019s Get Serious<\/em>. Were you and your bandmates engaged in different music-related side projects during this time?<\/p>\n

Chandler Mogel: Well, only two years really if you count our EP thrown in there (laughs) It was an interesting time. We had some issues with some of the members in the band, and our schedules were a problem as well. But we didn\u2019t want to force anything, we knew that when the time was right we would start writing again. And we did in summer of 2013. <\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: In the meantime, some personal changes within the band\u2019s line-up happened as well \u2026 What was the reason for them to happen?<\/p>\n

Chandler Mogel: Well, Tony and Mark left for personal reasons, Mark\u2019s main reason being that he moved to England and it was not feasible for him to stay in the band, as he was getting married and his son was being born as well. Tony\u2019s reason was that he could really no longer commit to the band on the professional level that we were at. We tried to make it work but beyond what we already did he didn\u2019t have the drive to take things to the next level. So we parted ways amicably. We wish both him and Mark the best in whatever they do. <\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: What\u2019s the idea behind the new album\u2019s title?<\/p>\n

Chandler Mogel: It\u2019s actually Bob\u2019s idea and was something he would always say when we were working and joking around; \u201cOK, now Let\u2019s Get Serious\u201d\u2026..with a smile on his face ha ha. It also means that we are here to stay with this album, no more two-year breaks! (laughs)<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: In terms of music, Let\u2019s Get Serious<\/em> focuses mostly on what\u2019s been the essence of your previous albums \u2013 the majority of the album is melodic rock with big choruses and catchy melodies. The only exception is \u201cToy Soldiers\u201d \u2013 was there any temptation to go heavier this time?<\/p>\n

Chandler Mogel: Not a temptation, really \u2013 we just did what came naturally. If you listen to \u201cDeath Rock\u201d there is some heaviness there but it\u2019s not too much that it takes away from the melody. \u201cToy Soldiers\u201d is like a tribute to Judas Priest. We\u2019ve always had that stuff in our veins too. <\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Yet about \u201cToy Soldiers\u201d, how did you guys hook up with Mike Orlando (Adrenaline Mob) and what were the circumstances of his contribution in the studio?<\/p>\n

Chandler Mogel: He\u2019s a friend of mine from NY. He and I recorded some tracks together a couple of years ago with AJ Pero from Twisted Sister (who is in Adrenaline Mob now as well). I asked him to play a solo on the new Outloud album and he was into it. An amazing talent, it\u2019s a pleasure to have him on our record. I\u2019ve always been a big fan of his playing.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Another special guest is George Kollias (Nile), who played all drums on the album. Please, tell us about his involvement in the third effort of yours.<\/p>\n

Chandler Mogel: When Mark left, we needed a drummer who could fill his shoes. Bob and George were old friends, having played in the band Nightfall together. George was into it, recorded the album, but unfortunately he couldn\u2019t commit beyond the recording due to his obligations with Nile. So Bob called Kostas Milonas who is another good friend and he is now our permanent drummer \u2013 amazing player!<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Differently from the well-worn \u2018dozen-power-ballads-per-album\u2019 formula, there isn\u2019t many tear-jerkers on Outloud\u2019s new record, apart from \u201cIt Really Doesn\u2019t Matter\u201d. Why?<\/p>\n

Chandler Mogel: We figured we had enough of those for a while on the EP. We wanted to go \u201cfull on\u201d and really show people we meant business this time with what Outloud is really all about: big, driving, punchy hook-laden songs. But Outloud is about good ballads too, as showcased here. But we felt we didn\u2019t need any more than that \u2013 one ballad per album is usually enough.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Why have you decided to include a cover version of OMD\u2019s \u201cEnola Gay\u201d on the album?<\/p>\n

Chandler Mogel: Bob had the arrangement and idea in fact. We made it our own and changed the key so it would sound more \u201cOutloud!\u201d Sometimes songs from another genre (in this case, synth-pop) translate really well into another one, almost like it was really made for that genre! (laughs)<\/p>\n

\"ChandlerHardrock Haven: What do you think about recording cover versions, or the entire cover albums? Do you think one day Outloud may record one, too?<\/p>\n

Chandler Mogel: It\u2019s hard to say, but it\u2019s not something that\u2019s in the cards at this point. We\u2019re only interested in covers if we can make them sound like our own. And it took a long time to find just one right song to cover on this album!<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Are there any stories behind the particular songs you\u2019d like to share?<\/p>\n

Chandler Mogel: I guess there is a story behind every one \u2026 (laughs) But yeah, one of the coolest concepts of the songs on the album is \u201cA While To Go,\u201d this came about with Bob having an idea (originally titled \u201cBedroom Warriors\u201d) based on all of the kids and people who record videos in their bedrooms and post on YouTube\u2026 kind of a tribute to them\u2026 and this became this song. It\u2019s loosely based on this idea, not entirely. The chorus could mean that they feel they have \u201cA While To Go\u201d before they hit the big stage or make the big time \u2026 but honestly, some of those people are amazing and could probably play a show at Madison Square Garden tomorrow if they wanted to! <\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Now back to the newest release\u2026 As for the artwork, there\u2019s a sultry lady in a black dress looking at us from Let\u2019s Get Serious<\/em> cover. Is there any idea behind this, apart from the obvious eye-candy factor and a rock ‘n’ roll clich\u00e9?<\/p>\n

Chandler Mogel: Ha ha, yes actually, the style of it is done in a more \u201cserious\u201d light (going along with the album title) as opposed to the \u201cwild\u201d approach of the previous covers, but while still retaining the theme that our covers have (featuring a girl). This here is Bob\u2019s beautiful girlfriend, Angelina. Believe it or not, she is just as, if not more, beautiful in person!<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: What inspired the album in terms of lyrics? <\/p>\n

Chandler Mogel: Well, different subjects for different songs of course, but overall lyrically I was in a bit of a different place since the last album, my lyrics were not so \u201cdeep\u201d and \u201cthought provoking\u201d this time, I tried to write a bit more \u201csimple\u201d and \u201cclich\u00e9\u201d without being TOO clich\u00e9 (laughs) We are not so much an \u201880s revival band but have our own sound and approach, but of course there is an element of \u201cthrowback\u201d in our sound and I feel the lyrics are something that the listener can identify with that, so I tried to streamline the lyrics more with the overall direction of the band this time. <\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Are there any recording session outtakes which you plan to release? Do you plan to follow the formula of More Catastrophe<\/em> EP again, or will you hold us over until the next full length release? <\/p>\n

Chandler Mogel: No EP this time, we\u2019ll be going straight into writing the next album. We already have some nice ideas and demos. As for outtakes, no, with the exception of an alternate version of \u201cAnother Kind of Angel\u201d as a bonus track on the Japanese release.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Just recently you finished video shooting for \u201cI Was So Blind\u201d music video. Any comment on the video itself, or the process of making it?<\/p>\n

Chandler Mogel: Yes \u2013 it was amazing! We had a bunch of friends and fans come out who will be in the video as well. It was directed by a very talented guy named Themis Fad who is one of the best in Greece. It\u2019s being edited now and should be completed in a couple of weeks. I personally can\u2019t wait to see it!<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Do you think the music videos are important now, with MTV\u2019s glory days long gone? <\/p>\n

Chandler Mogel: Most definitely. Obviously there is YouTube now, on which you can watch almost ANY video\u2026 but yes I think it\u2019s important for a band to be able to depict its songs visually, as it takes the music to another level for the listener being able to associate a solid visual with the song. It\u2019s also a good way for people to get acquainted with the band if they don\u2019t know what we look like, style, etc.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: With you living in New York and the band being based in Greece, were there any difficulties during making this record? How did the songwriting and the recording process look in such circumstances, did you rely on online, or face-to-face communication more?<\/p>\n

Chandler Mogel: Not at all, thanks to modern technology! This is actually the first time on an Outloud record for which I didn\u2019t record over in Greece. I recorded at my engineer\u2019s studio here in New Jersey, and we get a really good sound there. So then I just sent everything over and all was good. As far as the songwriting, Bob would send me music tracks and I would write over top of them, for most of the songs. There were a couple songs that we wrote together in Greece earlier on, and one where I had the initial melody idea \u2026 and even a song co-written with a famous Greek producer! <\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: A few years ago Outloud also happened to record a \u2026 holiday season song \u201cThe Last Days Of December\u201d. Can we expect a band\u2019s Christmas compilation to be released sometime in the future? Are the holiday season songs and albums as purely commercial efforts, or is there more to this?<\/p>\n

Chandler Mogel: (laughs) Probably not, we just wanted to say we released a Christmas song, and that\u2019s it (laughs) We\u2019ll milk it for all it\u2019s worth down the line\u2026 (laughs) This was actually one of my favorite Outloud songs and vocal performances of mine. It\u2019s a great song.
\nI think most artists do the Christmas \/ holiday song thing as it\u2019s a good way for them to generate extra income and exposure, if you are big enough that people will buy an entire Christmas album from you. If you are doing original Christmas songs, I believe there\u2019s more opportunity there, as you can offer a bit of what you\u2019re about artistically, and also capitalize on the seasonal market. Mariah Carey\u2019s \u201cAll I Want For Christmas is You\u201d is an original song and is the biggest selling Christmas song of all time!<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: What are the band\u2019s next plans?<\/p>\n

Chandler Mogel: We are going for the Guinness World Record for \u201cfastest drum beat on a hard rock song\u201d \u2013 our song \u201cDeath Rock\u201d is 220 bpm! (laughs) Well, getting the video out, on an immediate basis. Also booking some festivals this summer, then tour in the fall \/ winter \u2013 then getting right into the next album! Hope to see everyone at the shows this time around.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Thank you so much for the interview! Is there anything you\u2019d like to share with our readers?<\/p>\n

Chandler Mogel: Our new album Let\u2019s Get Serious<\/em> comes out on May 23rd. We are really excited to be back in action and connecting with the fans again. It\u2019s you guys who make this stuff real. We couldn\u2019t do it without you! And if you\u2019re hearing of us for the first time \u2013 thank you for checking us out! We hope we can offer each one of you something to make your time on Earth that much more enjoyable! <\/p>\n

Read Outloud’s Let\u2019s Get Serious<\/em> CD Review: http:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/2014\/04\/outloud-lets-get-serious-cd-review\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Alexandra Mrozowska – Columnist — Five years ago they promised they\u2019ll rock us to hell and back again \u2013 and as it seems, the Greek\/American band Outloud doesn\u2019t waste their breath! One of the […]<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":39494,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10850],"tags":[9075,9140,9139,2847,9138],"class_list":{"0":"post-39493","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arcint2014","8":"tag-aor-heaven","9":"tag-chandler-mogel","10":"tag-lets-get-serious","11":"tag-melodic-hard-rock","12":"tag-outloud"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39493","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39493"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39493\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39494"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39493"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39493"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39493"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}