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Most music comes to you out of nowhere, and recently I came across a band that seems to belong in two different places at once. They are from Spain but have made the trek across the Atlantic to reside in Toronto to get their music out to the masses. Everlyn is a very interesting band with some amazing music. I recently got the change to ask the band some questions on how they came about and where they were headed.

I believe that you have to take the time to check them out and you might just become a fan just like I have become.

"Our kind of music just match better in the USA and Canada than it does in our country."
– Mario: Everlyn

First off, for our readers who don't know, can you introduce yourself and what you do for the band?

Karol: Voice, Mario: Guitar, Sergio: Guitar, Javi: Drums

How did Everlyn come about? And what was the inspiration behind the band name?

This came up a few years ago when we started our previous band called "Pictures of Shorelines". It was more or less the same concept but a bit more "punk" or noisy if you prefer. 3 years ago we decided that our songs were no longer what we really wanted to make. Our influential bands were changing, as well our way of composing songs. We were going to accept every idea for a song, even if it was acoustic or not so "punk rock". As we changed our way of composing and thinking we felt we also had to change our name to the audience since we were not the old band with its songs anymore. So that would be "Everlyn" with the aid of Javi on drums till now. The name was just one from a big list of names we all liked. We wanted it to be personal, so we had the idea of picking just a name with no meaning further than the name itself.

You guys are originally from Madrid, what made you decide to make the leap in the North American market and become based out of Toronto?

Mario: We already toured all over our country, playing in festivals, radio stations, TV... We shared the stage with bands like Simple Plan, Further seems forever and some popular acts in Spain, but every time we got to the labels with our demo they always said the same words: “Sorry, your music is great, but we can't release a band singing in another language but Spanish". We even have some songs in Spanish but we don't want to be determined by that. We always listen to music in English and that's what we have grown with, so it was way too drastic knowing we won't be able to do it ever if we signed up with these labels. So, we thought moving to America, where most of our influences come from, to promote ourselves there and try to attract attention of any local label, would be a great move, besides we really love America and we wanted to meet another country with another musical culture. Our kind of music just match better in the USA and Canada than it does in our country. So why don't go to the source of all???

What inspires the lyrics to your songs? Are they personal to yourself and the experiences that you go through?

Karol: Yes, they are. Not only the things that happen to me but also the situation someone around me (family, friends...) is going through on a specific period of time. When I have the feeling that I have something to say to unburden myself I just put it in words.

What is your favorite part of being on stage?

Mario: I think the best part is realizing how your music influences people. When you're playing your own songs and look down to see some guy singing your words loud, smiling or crying out of emotion... that's when we are very proud of doing what we do. Taking part on someone's feelings I think it's the most amazing reward of this.

When preparing for live performances are there any rituals that you go through to prepare?

Guessing we just do what any other band does; Warm up, prepare every instrument and that kind of stuff, but just before we go up stage we merge ourselves into a hug to know that we're all together in this and put our hands together like some sort of football team screaming to cheer ourselves up. It's pretty funny and makes us go out with a smile.

What reaction do you get from the audience? And how to you use that energy to create new music?

Of course there is people who like us and there is people who don't, but we're pretty grateful and understanding with that. Each time someone tell us how good we are or how he/she really likes our songs and stuff like that, we feel like it was the first time we hear it. As days go by everyone ears are getting more demanding about what songs we want to have in our iPod since there are thousands of bands doing the same kind of music, so it's quite flattering getting to be liked by anyone, whoever he/she is. You just want to keep on making songs to surprise and please them once again.

What is the difference between the music scenes in Spain compared to your experiences in Toronto?

Sorry to say this, but in our opinion and based on our own experiences, Spain has a very close minded music scene. There are a lot of talented bands here but unfortunately they never get to reach the highest points because any or another stupid reason, so they will never be heard by the big audience. Music market is monopolized by 3 or 4 companies allied with the most popular radio stations and media, so the bands not touched by their magic finger have no chance to compete with them, and of course the "touched" ones may not be there for their music skills... It's a shame. A lot of good acts just wasted. Besides, the regular Spaniard doesn't make the effort to get to know new music but the one exposed at any time on radio and TV, which is all Spanish music or foreign popular bands. Pretty hard for bands like us with a "not popular" style of music according to Spain industry. In Toronto we felt they respect everyone with a guitar and a voice, no matter what kind of music you play. They treat us like artists and that's how things should work everywhere. Every artist should be respected.

With a new year upon us, what can we expect to see from Everlyn in the future?

Well, we keep making new songs and playing live in our country, but since we realized our music doesn't belong here anymore, we're going to try playing some gigs in the USA and Canada, try to get some support there and increase our fan base. North America is the highest level for us concerning our type of music, so getting a name there would be the main aim.

Is there any piece of advice that you would like to offer, that you've learned along the way, to another band that is just breaking into the industry?

The most important thing we've learned within these years is that no one gives anything for free in this industry. You want something; you will have to earn it for yourself. It's a really hard work and sometimes you just want to give up because you don't see any way out, but that's when your commitment is proved. If you believe in your music and you're sure that this is what you want for yourself, then just be strong, do whatever it takes to get it and never let anyone tell you can't make it. (Sounds a bit like a Will Smith movie script but it's totally true.)

Now, us here at the Sound Faction are probably five of the most random people you will ever meet, with each interview we do we try to ask five of the most random questions you've ever been asked. So, without further ado, here we go.

If you were a scented candle what would you smell like?

Mario: Vanilla

Karol: Candy

Javi: Salami

If you could play one instrument that isn't typical, like not a guitar, bass, drums, stuff like that, what would it be?

Mario: Harp

Karol: Shitar

Javi: Triangle

Sergio: Harmonica

3. Who would you want to win a date with?

Sergio: Megan Fox

Karol: Jodorowsky (A popular writer / philosopher).

Mario: (Not a date but going out and take a few drinks) The Sloth guy from the movie "Seven". We'd have so much in common... XD

Javi: Bud Spencer

What is your favorite dinosaur?

Mario: It used to be the little one which spit venom on Jurassic Park (Dylophosaurus??)

Javi: BudSpencersaurus

If you could be the champion of anything, what would it be? (and if you say The World, I might have to die of laughter!)

Karol: Champion on making the greatest bubbles with gum.

Mario: Champion on solving the Rubik's Cube with the ears faster than anyone.

I want to thank Everlyn for taking the time to talk to us. You can find them on Myspace. Their EP is also available on ITunes, so make sure that you check that out too!