15 years after forming in Vancouver, rock quartet Marianas Trench has won just about every award that a band could win in its native Canada. Beyond a Juno for Group Of The Year, there’s been a SOCAN No. 1 Song Award and honors from MuchMusic, INDIES.ca, and the Canadian Radio Music Awards. However, success hasn’t been exclusive to Canada for Marianas Trench, as 2011’s Ever After charted in the United States, reaching number five on the U.S. Top Heatseekers Albums list.
The band — which consists of frontman Josh Ramsay, guitarist Matt Webb, bassist Mike Ayley and drummer Ian Casselman — is currently touring the U.S. in support of last year’s Astoria with a Jul. 26 show set for The Playstation Theater on Jul. 26. Josh caught up with Downtown for some Q&A about the gig and his history with the New York area. Beyond his work with Marianas Trench, Josh has notably co-written and/or produced hit singles for other artists including Carly Rae Jepsen, Nickelback, 5 Seconds Of Summer, and Jessica Lee. He has also acted and appeared on some reality competition shows.
For more info on Marianas Trench, click on over to www.marianastrench.net. The group maintains a Twitter account via @mtrench, while Josh, Mike and Matt keep their own individual accounts.
What do you remember about the first gig you ever played in New York City?
Josh Ramsay: I had this crazy brutal case of vertigo. I barely made it through the gig. They had to carry me out to the bus, and then I went to a hospital in New Jersey, where I stayed for about a week and a half. We had to cancel the tour.
For someone thinking of coming to see you at the Playstation Theater, what’s to be expected?
JR: Our shows are pretty spontaneous. We like to keep you on your toes.
If you have a free moment while in New York, is there a place you’re hoping to check out?
JR: It’s one of my favorite cities. The best part about New York is that you can head out on foot, with no agenda, and you will naturally find something awesome.
Your latest album, Astoria, shares the name with a major part of the New York City. Have you ever been to Astoria, Queens?
JR: (laughs) Not yet!
On Astoria, there are vocals from Roger Manning Jr. on the title track. Were you a fan of his band Jellyfish?
JR: Jellyfish is one of my all time favorite bands, and a core influence for me. The day Roger sent me his vocal tracks, I just sat there laughing because it sounded so awesome. And it was a dream come true to hear my voice and his, together.
What’s ahead for you once this tour has wrapped?
JR: More tours! Europe, U.K., Australia, Asia, Canada. Never ending…
Beyond Marianas Trench, how did you get started with writing for other artists?
JR: I sort of just fell into it. Producing, too. Friends would ask and I would do it. Sort of still the same now. I don’t go chasing gigs, people who wanna work with me just kind of track me down. The 5 Seconds Of Summer gig came from Luke [Hemmings] just asking me via Twitter.
What was the first cut you had on another artist’s album?
JR: You know, I honestly can’t remember…
Do you have a co-write that you’re most proud of?
JR: Not really, either in co-writes or solo ones. I prefer to always be in the moment and be excited about whatever I’m currently doing. At at any given time, that song I’m writing is my favorite. Keeps me inspired and motivated when I feel like the next one is always the best.
When you’re writing a song, do you specifically know whether it’s going to be for Marianas Trench?
JR: Generally, yes. I like to write for a specific intention.
Do you have any professional aspirations outside of writing and performing music? I mean, you’ve done some hosting on television…
JR: (laughs) I’ve always loved acting just as much as music.
When you’re not busy with music, how do you like to spend your free time?
JR: Long runs with my goofy black lab, Bennie & The Jets. And I love to cook for people. I find cooking to be a nice creative outlet too. Put on a vintage vinyl, pour a glass of wine, spend the afternoon cooking? Oh yes.
Who’s your favorite Canadian band that our readers may not know about?
JR: There’s a great up and coming band called Nickelback. Talented kids. They play their cards right and work hard, I could see things going well for them. (laughs)
