Walk Off the Earth first became big when they put out their cover of Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know.” Now they’re becoming a name that many people know. The band is currently on tour in support of their upcoming album Sing It All Away – which can be pre-ordered now on iTunes and will officially be released on 6/16. Pancakes and Whiskey got to chat with WOTE vocalist, and multi-talented musician, Sarah Blackwood about the new album and what it’s like being in a band with her significant other Gianni Luminati.
When did you guys get together as a band?
The band started in 2006. We’re all kind of from the same town so we all knew each other. I was playing in a different band for a long time. We also just started working on stuff together, like Johnny and I started working on a lot of music together and then I started doing videos with them. As time went on it just became this really cool YouTube thing and we put out this crazy viral video and that’s pretty much how it all happened.
What was the video that got you attention?
It was “5 People, One Guitar.” It’s a cover of Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know.” I think it just resonated with people and it was just a really well done video. People just loved it as soon as they saw it.
And you have a new album coming out in June?
Yeah, we’re very excited. It’s the best album, we feel, that we’ve put together so far. There are a lot of really good anthem songs on there and it really showcases each member of the band in a really awesome way. We’re just proud because we actually had the time to write the songs that we wanted to write unlike our first release with Columbia, which was really rushed. It was nice to have the time to actually put what we wanted to into the album and I think we all came out with something we’re super proud of and we can’t wait to share it with the world.
What inspired the songs for this album?
We get all our inspiration from life in general. We like writing about things that are very motivational for people or motivational for ourselves. There are some love songs in there. Our band motto is to follow your dreams. Figure out what you love to do and try to do it with all of your heart and we just really focused on writing things that reflected that. That’s pretty much what this entire album entails.
Do you have a favorite track off the album so far?
Yeah, my favorite track is called “Hold On.” There’s something about it that really resonates with me, just with the lyrics and the way I grew up and stuff, I think it’s just a really special song. I mean, every song off the album has a different vibe and a different story behind it, but that one in particular is really close to my heart
Are you excited to start sharing your new music on tour?
Yeah, we started the tour and we had our first big show here in our hometown in Toronto. We had two weeks of rehearsals and it was awesome. We’re so excited about it.
What’s your favorite part about performing?
Just getting to see the people’s faces. Watching people sing along and getting a crowd of 1500 to 2500 people involved in the show is a very inspirational, energizing feeling. There’s nothing like it in the world.
What’s it like being in a band with your boyfriend?
It’s actually pretty great. A lot of people would think that it’s crazy that we live together, work together, have a life together, have children together but it’s amazing. We both get to do what we love so neither of us are ever making any sacrifices so that the other can follow their dreams. We’re on the same path, so that’s good. We’re both motivated in becoming successful in our music careers. We’re just really motivational for each other and we get to spend every day together. When you’re on tour you actually don’t get to spend as much time together as you would think so since we work so much we pretty much have the same hours together as any other couple.
Are you excited to come back and play in New York City?
Yeah, New York is one of my favorite cities, especially in the spring and summer. It’s so amazing there. We’re really stoked to get back and play again because it’s super fun.
Do you have any new places you’re going on tour you’re excited about?
New places? Yeah, we’re going to Italy in the fall, which is cool. We’ve never been there as a band. I think that might be the only new place. Everywhere else we’ve been to but we’re always super excited to get back to these places. Every audience we play in front of is always so awesome. No matter where we are, it’s always pretty great.
Have you had a favorite audience you’ve played in front of?
Every show is so different, so there are different energies and different vibes with every crowd. I think it’s harder to pick a favorite than it would be to pick out a show where we felt like the vibe wasn’t there because it’s a lot more rare. I can’t whittle it down to one place because every audience has its own awesomeness.
What was a time when you felt like the vibe wasn’t there?
Sometimes when you play some corporate gigs, they can be a little bit…there not into fun and they don’t dance as much because they’re there to have a social cocktail with their work-mates and we’re just this crazy band going on stage and throwing shit around and the energy is a bit different. Usually we always turn the crowd around, even if they’re being shy and quiet at first, we always get them to get up and dance. Most of the time it works out, but every once in a while you’ll get a pretty boring crowd that doesn’t understand why they’re listening to a crazy live band at 2 in the afternoon.
What do you try to get across with your music? What do you hope your fans get out of it?
Just kind of like what we’re all about. Follow your dreams. Be passionate about what you do in life. Don’t just kind of settle for what’s going to make you enough money to live. Find the things you love in life and embrace them. Don’t take advantage of the opportunities you’re given and ones you can make for yourself if you put the time and hard work in. That’s what we’re all about. We’re all about sending that positive message out to people.
And do you guys feel like you’re following your dreams right now?
Totally, for sure!
You can pre order the album now and if you do you’ll have a total of 4 songs before the album even comes out on iTunes.
Article: Merissa Blitz
