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We make it a point to check out every band that contacts us, or any and all suggestions that you, the readers, send our way... so when we got a message on our MySpace Page from a band called Albatross, I was the lucky one that got to the message first and checked out the band's profile. Good thing I did too, because I fell in love with the music within the first fifteen seconds of listening to it, and it hasn't left my iPod rotation yet!

Because we're all about giving promo opportunities and the "little guy" a boost, I immediately asked the guys for an interview so we could send them your way too! So enjoy!

“Keep writing I’d say, keep playing shows, one day somebody will pick you up and take you to success. Yeah that’s my advice.”
Charles Cheang: Albatross

For our readers who don't know who you are, could you introduce yourself, and tell us what you do?

Well hello everyone! Happy that you’re taking your time to read this. My name is Charles Cheang and I am the lead singer and guitarist of Albatross. We’re an alternative/indie/acoustic band from Toronto, Canada. I have two amazing band mates, Andrew Elias (guitarist), and Jared Cherry (drummer. And we are so passionate about what we do. Albatross started off as Austrian Wolf but after some thinking, we changed our name to Albatross. It all began February 2008 and we’ve been playing shows, trying to get ourselves out there as much as possible. With the new year in action, we are really working hard with shows and writing music and you’ll be seeing us on a lot of bills of shows in the next while, you should keep your ears open!

How did Albatross come to be, and where did the inspiration for the name come from?

Albatross first started off with just Andrew and I (Charles), and we always wanted to have a full band with a drummer and anything but at the time we started Albatross, we failed to find one. So it was just an acoustic duo project kind of thing you know? And we just wrote melodic, cheerful, hopeful songs to try and send positive messages out to people.

The name came into play as a nickname for me in Grade 7 from my drama teacher, Mrs. Taylor-Dolha. I miss her a lot actually haha and that’s why I chose this for the band name instead of being selfish and using my real name. An Albatross is actually a white bird which has the largest wing span of all birds in our modern time, so that is pretty fascinating.

You're based out of Toronto. How is the local scene there? Did you find it particularly hard to crack into?

The local scene is Toronto is actually wonderful. There’s a show every night if we really wanted to play it. We just like to come out with new content and different stuff every time we play a show just to keep fans on their toes, you know? Although it’s great and all, we have not cracked into this big scene and we’re working on it but I think it is difficult especially being in High School and not doing this full-time but it truly is my passion and I will be pursuing this as my career in the future.

What inspires your lyrics? Is there one specific lyric that means the most to you?

Our lyrics are actually inspired by the things we love in life and the things we value most. Things like love, friendship, unity drive our lyrics. It might sound mushy and cliché, but it really is something from the heart and that’s what I feel is the most important in song writing and being a musician. Have to stay true to yourself even if people try to change you.

There is one particular lyric in our repertoire that I personally feel most connected to and that I find most meaningful. It comes out of the song named “Jalal”. It was written for my very best friend who passed away October 11th 2008 from Leukemia. He had a struggle in Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto for 8 months. May he rest in peace...The lyric is “Jalal, I know you’re still here. You don’t know how much I miss you. Your smile never ceases to, put one on my face”. It’s a very emotional lyric and song in general for me and it represents all the good times we had together and how much I have been missing him. Yeah, that definitely is my most meaningful lyric.

What kind of message are you trying to get out with your music?

We try and send out a message of the things we feel are missing in the society at the moment. In one of our songs, Youth & Asia, it goes “Hope, the drought of the world.” We feel that hope is what is really needed right now in the world and the lack of it causes depression and leads to other terrible things. We want people to be happy when they listen to our music and be able to relate to it in positive and optimistic ways.

For those readers who haven't seen you play live, can you describe your live show? What gets the best reaction from the crowd?

So sad eh, very sad. I’d love for everyone to see us play live hahaha! But in a nutshell, our live show consists of some upbeat stuff mixed, with some soulful acoustics, passionate vocals, and a bit of groovy solo playing. It’s really something you gotta see for you to understand, so we’re going to try and play everywhere can to be honest! Personally, I think the show stopper is when we go from rocking out to some raw and natural acoustic guitar along with me singing my heart out. It gets some oo’s and ah’s haha which I love hearing when I’m on stage.

What has been the biggest moment for the band? What has been the biggest challenge?

Biggest moment of the band would be getting our drummer, Jared. He’s an amazing guy, with some outrageous talent and we’re looking forward to everything to come ‘cause now we’re a full rock band and I just love that diversity within us.

Biggest challenge, hmmm I would have to say drawing the attention of Toronto and Canada and the world. It’s hard writing music and trying to perfect everything and try and publicize yourself. So a promoting company would be stellar at the moment haha but we do what we can to continue. Hopefully it’ll pick up and we’ll get huge in the music world. I would be pinching myself everyday to make sure I’m not dreaming.

For the kids out there with bands of their own who are trying to crack into the industry, do you have any advice or words for them?

It is so important to be true to your music and do what feels right, not what the social norms are! Keep writing I’d say, keep playing shows, one day somebody will pick you up and take you to success. Yeah that’s my advice. Oh yeah and love life!

The music industry is a rough one to be in, What fuels your passion to keep going?

The fact that one day I could be on a big stage sending a message to the world about how I feel is probably just one of the most amazing things I could even think of. Having somebody listen to what I have to say especially with something I’ve created is just mind-blowing and it makes me want to work my hardest at it and try as long as I am able, to be triumphant in this hard industry.

So what can Impulsive Decision fans look forward to in the future?

They can look forward to a CANADIAN TOUR that will be happening this summer starting the beginning of July hopefully until the end or close to the end of July. It will be great because it’s our first tour and we’re going to make it unbelievable. Fans in Canada will be able to see us all over Canada.

We’re also going to heading to the studio to record some new tracks to feed the hunger of our amazing fans that come out to shows and support our music. I am so excited for this it’s crazy.

Here at the Sound Faction we are five of the most random people you will ever meet, so we like to end our interviews on a less serious note with five random questions. Are you up for that?

Hell yeah, I’m a goofy guy and I love to have fun. I calculated and I figure I’m 704% up for this part of the interview hahahaha.

What was your favourite Halloween costume as a kid?

Going to go with the “Pregnant Nun”. Yeah that definitely cracks me up haha.

What girls fashion trend confuses you?

UGGS. Come on girls, they’re expensive. I’ve tried them and they’re comfy, but seriously, not beautiful.

If you had to be stuck forever in an 80's teen movie, which would it be, and why?

I really have not seen any 80’s teen movies hahaha. Sad I know, but the modern teen movie I would want to be stuck in would be the whole American Pie series. Seems like a good teen life to me.

Which is worse, cheeto fingers or juice mustaches?

They’re both equally unique and stylish to me. I would choose both at the same time.

Who would you want to win a date with?

Female wise...probably American Idol judge, Kara. She can sing and she’s beautiful, is there a better woman? Band wise...Coldplay, Midway State or Tegan and Sara.

And here's your shameless self-promo spot: anything you'd like to add about yourselves, the music, or anything else?

Come out to our shows! They're fun and entertaining! So just do it! Ya and check out our MySpace and tell everyone! Myspace.com/albatrosstoronto

Thanks a ton to Charles of Albatross for taking time out to chat with us and help us get to know the band a bit better! If you want to hear samples of the music, hit up the band's MySpace page at myspace.com/albatrosstoronto! Also, keep your eyes peeled around the site for an exclusive acoustic performance by Albatross coming soon!