ABOUT THIS BEAUTIFUL REPUBLIC:
Based out of Toledo, OH these smalltown boys have bigtime sound! Bringing a great mix of catchy vocals and intoxicating guitars, these guys have been winning over crowds for nearly five years now. With songs that reach the heart of the human experience with striking honesty and a stage show fueled by their passion for music, the five members are making their mark locally and beginning to gain the attention that they have worked so hard to earn.
Approachable and even permeable, the only thing that their music may come in second to is their commitment to their fans! Always online, willing to sign an autograph, or pose for a picture, these guys truly believe that their fans are more important than the music or themselves. “Honestly, if we play for 3 people that are excited about the music and have a great time, we’re really satisfied,” explains Ben Olin, TBR’s vocalist, “and I think that approach is what will help us connect with people and let them know that we’re human beings that happen to strap on guitars and dance around.” On the brink of their first major label release, TBR stands poised to become one of the premier rock bands in music today. Keep an eye on them as things are moving very quickly and if you get the chance to see them live, take the time to say, “hello,” and meet some really great guys.
Introduce yourselves and the instruments you play?
My name is Ben, I am the stage conductor, Jeremy and Adam play guitar, Brandond plays bass, and Andy plays very few drums.
When do you plan to have your first single released as well as your full length album?
The first single, I have no idea. The label is kinda in charge of all of that and they are working on the marketing plan currently. The album is tenatively planned for Feb 20th and a single at the beginning of 2007. …that could all change and probably will, that how things go for us.
How is being signed to a label compared to being a local band?
Eh, it’s a lot more work. Really, for us, we work really hard anyway (practicing five days a week with shows on the weekends), so it didn’t change much for us. I could see how some bands could be shocked at how much work there is to do once they get picked up, but it didn’t really change us much. We still do exactly what we would normally, we just happen to have a multi-million dollar company invested in our success now. 🙂
Do you plan to relocate to Nashville in the future or would you all rather stay in the Toledo area?
There are certainly some huge benefits to living in Nashville. You can get plugged in really easily and it lays groundwork getting a job outside of the band should the band implode somehow. The downside is that the music industry is really political and you always have to be “in character.” You can’t let your guard down and you have to watch what you say really closely. So, I think being around it all the time would put a damper on your creativity as well. So, for now, we’re going to live up in Maumee until there’s an obvious reason for us to move.
Who would you like to tour with?
Relient K. I can’t think of a more talented band right now. Wouldn’t mind getting out with some of the Tooth and Nail style bands and see how that demographic reacts to our songs. We’ll be looking for TobyMac, Needtobreathe, Hawk Nelson, Third Day. There are a ton of great bands out right now.
How did you guys come up with your name?
It has a couple different meanings. The main meaning is just the idea that in the kingdom of Heaven, we are all equal, we all have the same beliefs and goals; it’s going to be a beautiful republic when we get there. But for us, it’s about establishing a band and letting people join in with us and be a part of what we’re doing; almost like building our own little country where all of the citizens have a unified mission and are all equal and loved.
What is your favorite song to perform live?
Probably Going Under. It’s the first song that all five of us wrote after I joined the band and it’s way too much fun. There’s a big sweeping chorus and a huge 7/4 breakdown with some screaming and stuff. It’s about as hardcore as we get and it’s a lot of fun to watch the males in the crowd get into it. 🙂
What is your favorite song that you have written?
Ugh. We’ve written 10 new songs since I’ve been in the band. I tend to like my songs before anyone critques them and changes are made, but of the ones that we have changed, I think this song called “Hold On,” is really good. I can’t take sides. It’s like asking which kid do you like the most? Unfair question. I object your Honor!!
What do you enjoy doing outside of the band?
Really, I play golf with my Dad. I used to play a lot so I can hold my own pretty well, but he always seems to eek me by two strokes or something. I really like it though, it’s a huge challenging game and offers you a getaway into nature, good conversation, and fun. There’s nothing better in the world than watching a ball go in the air, take the perfect flight, and land right next to the hole. I also like myspace, going to shows, listening to music, playing Grand Theft Auto.
What are the sacrifices you’ve had to make with signing with forefront records?
haha… Well, this is a sacrifice, but a good one to make. For me, it’s a lot of pride swallowing. I write the majority of the lyrics for the new songs and I’m very exacting about it. I write down exactly what I want to say. Sometimes what I want to say is said in such a way that is to negative or aggressive or honest and the powers that be want it changed to have more public appeal. It ends up making the song better as a whole, so it’s a sacrifice worth making, it’s just hard. 🙂 Another huge sacrifice is with our friends and families. We’re always working so hard on stuff that we rarely see them and it’s only going to get worse. But again, any sacrifice that we make always seems to come back to us tenfold. It’s been wonderful to watch.
What are some of your career goals?
For me? I want to in someway challenge myself and those around me (either listeners or co-workers or tourmates) to make music that will push our industry even farther. To be honest with people about what you’re feeling and get rid of the cliche sayings that are so prominent in the lyrical content. I think we should be able to say “bullet to the head,” or “puke in a room,” as long as the meaning is on point. I don’t know. I guess I just want to push myself to be more creative and make music that people can appreciate and connect with…. for as long as they will allow me.
What would you like to accomplish through your music?
See above. I would love for people to walk away from a TBR show challenged in some way. I doubt that they are going to be challenged by the lyrics while at a show because most people can’t pick them out, but just by the way that we handle ourselves, the way we perform, the way we interact afterwards. I hope that Jesus will shine through us and impact every hand that I high five and every heart hugged to mine.
Who are some of your influences?
Our fans. Our friends. Our families. Our God. Our inabilities.
When did you decide you wanted to pursue a career in the music industry?
Two years ago. I was in another band at the time and I had come to a point in my life where I had to decide if I was going to continue selling cars the rest of my life or if I was going to quit and take a stab at performing music for a living. I took a chance and a substantial paycut and God had it in His cards. I’ve always loved music, but I loved safety and security more. I love consistency, so it was hard for me to quit and it’s been a lack of consistency or promises since. However, I’m learning that guarantees are not what we should base our lives on; God will take care of us if we’re willing to let Him.
Ben-What was it like coming into the group as the new guy?
It was really awesome honestly. There’s obviously the feeling out stage where I didn’t know if the guys even liked me as a person, but it really did click from the very first day that we met. I think after I had learned the majority of songs, we started to write new songs to see how I would work with them and my domineering character didn’t scare them off and I’m still here. That song is amazing to us and it really, for me, showed how much I should be in this band and how incredible the ride was going to be. They made it really easy. We’re a really accepting group as a whole, we hang with anyone.
Random/Fun questions
What is your favorite theme park and ride?
Cedar Point of course. We went to Six Flags over GA when we were down there and it just sucks compared to CP. The best ride there is whatever one you’re riding at the time. Millenium Force, Top Thrill Dragster, and MaxAir are all awesome. Have you seen the plan for the NEW ride?! It’s ridiculous!
Favorite Candy?
hmmmm… again, probably whatever is infront of me. It’s not a candy, but it’s a SEVERE weakness: ice cream. I will put away some ice cream! Candy? Butterscotch discs or Bit o” Honey’s. They’re good for the voice.
What are each of your favorite bands?
We don’t play favorites, but I’ll name some bands that we really like. Underoath, Norma Jean, Terminal, Taking Back Sunday, Green Day, Kelly Clarkson, The Chariot, Maylene, Panic!, Matchbook Romance, Radiohead, Deathcab. We like a lot of serious bands it seems. There’s a lot more I just can’t put them all down.
Favorite thing about Nashville?
Free meals whenever there is a meeting. 🙂 It kinda represents, physically, a dream that we’ve had for such a long time so as we roll into the city, it’s really cool to think how far we come and how far we’d love to go.
recording or performing?
Recording- getting it right and hearing it back perfect. It’s beautiful. It’s kinda like that golf shot mentioned earlier. There’s just something really awesome about perfection…. after twenty five tries. 🙂 Performing- People. Smiling faces. High fives. People just having a great time being entertained and participating, conecting with us. We love our fans so much.
Texting or talking on the phone?
I would rather text if it’s simple stuff like this:
INCOMING: “Hey, what time is practice?”
OUTGOING: “6 and you’re out of the band if you don’t make it.”
INCOMING: ” 🙂 See you then.”
If it’s coordinating something more important talking is, by far, the better way. You can’t tell what people’s tones are over text, you can a bit more over the phone.
relaxing at home or always doing something?
Always doing something. I like other people more than myself and being stuck by myself makes me spend time with me… so I avoid it.
Favorite movie?
The Notebook.
Seriously.
Favorite Sport?
Golf. NCAA basketball on TV.
Favorite place to shop?
Thirft stores of course. But in a mall? Express or Gap… usually only for pants, but the occasional scarf does happen.
Could you live without myspace?
Of course. But I’d find something else online to play with to fill the void. 🙂 I love people, remember?
What TV show would you guys like to perform on?
Any that would have us, but probably something on TVu or any of the national programs; TRL, David Letterman, Leno, Carson Daly, or anything on Fuse. Actually Fuse would be the best because we really respect a lot of the bands that are on there. They are the hardest working bands in music. They have to try the hardest.
Check out/purchase music from This Beautiful Republic:
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