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Myspace can be seen as a great tool for opening doors to many up and coming artists. I believe, though, sometimes some of these bands get overlooked in the crush of everything that is online media. I came across Meisha one day when they sent a message to our inbox asking us to take a listen to their music. So, I took the dare and popped over to their myspace page and took a listen. Now, I'm a rock girl, mostly everyone knows that, the heavier the better. But like everyone else, I do have a softer side (just take a look at my ipod). Listening to the songs on their page relaxed me slightly. Their sound is something that I think a lot of people will enjoy. I think you should take a chance, leap off from what you know and go with it.

I had the chance recently to ask Michelle and Jess some questions about their beginning, their music and how they would like to fly, even if its just with a broomstick.

"Just remember to enjoy what you do whether it's playing in your mate's bedroom or headlining Glastonbury"
Michelle: Meisha

First off, for our readers who don't know who you are. Roll call and what do you do with the band?

Michelle sings, Jess sings, James plays guitar and the Earp plays guitars and does clever things with production!

How long have you all known each other? How did you meet?

Michelle and James have known each other for about 15 years after they met through friends. Then about 5 years ago Michelle met Earp, james met Jess... We all became best friends, housemates and then became a band...

What inspired you to make music together?

Each other and a lot of alcohol.

How did you guys decide on the name for your band? (which we here at The Sound Faction actually really like.)

Well thanks! It was a nickname given to Michelle when she worked at a restaurant called the Naked Turtle where all the waitresses took turns to sing with the band that were playing - also it means 'to live' in Irish (Michelle and Jess are both half Irish) and it means something to Earp in Yugoslav which we can't quite remember... we all liked the name basically and it has different meanings for each of us :-)

Is there a specific genre of music that you would consider your music to be under? Or are you just making music that you guys as a collective group enjoy?

We get asked this quite a bit and are never quite sure how to answer... there are elements of trip hop but also pop, rock... it's varied and we don't try to be in any specific genre... just take each song as it comes and concentrate on making music we all love and believe in.

What/who are your major influences? And are there any that people are suprised by?

A big mixture really, from Britney to Elliot Smith and Metallica to Mozart but other people usually compare us to bands like Massive Attack, Zero 7, Aqualung... really it's impossible to listen to good music and not be influenced by it in some way... There are even some secret musical fans among our ranks (Julie Andrew rules!)... perhaps that would be the biggest surprise to readers..?

I understand that you are working on a new song called Silver, when you guys are working on new tracks what is the process you go through?

We sit down with a guitar and pick out parts that we all love and keep creating the song from there, then do the same with the melodies. In the studio it's pretty much 'if we love it' it stays, if not, it goes.. it's gotta be great and never just an 'ok' from any of us, each individual opinion counts massively and we each bring something different to the table...

So far, what has been your biggest challenge as a band?

Up until late last year we had been gigging as an acoustic band and we decided to go right back to the drawing board and start again to find a different sound that we really loved and could get excited about... it's taken time but we're really happy with it all now... making that decision was tough though - it was a step back but worth it to take some really big steps forward!

I understand that you guys are recording and producing your on album, how is that coming along? And what is your ultimate direction for the band?

We're having a great time at the moment putting the album together. Doing it on our own is ideal cause we can be completely free with where we go musically. We try not to be constrained by how a song 'should' be structured and really just try to make music that we love and are excited about... hopefully other people will feel that when they hear it!

Is there any advice that you want to give to others who are starting to form a band or are currently struggling to start a band?

Just remember to enjoy what you do whether it's playing in your mate's bedroom or headlining Glastonbury - don't get caught up in trying to please everyone around you, especially the music industry... you really have to enjoy the process... for us, we're having the time of our lives recording and writing together and creating something we can be proud of... that's what it's all about... And if you want to take it to a career level, you've also got to really want to do it... there are big sacrifices to make... like missing out on nights out with your friends, holidays, weekends... It's tough, but if you love it and can do it then it's the best thing in the world.

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?

At the moment we've a few songs on myspace and another on it's way really soon. We'll keep putting songs up there and hope to have the album finished early 2009... we always make sure songs are aired on myspace first so that's the best place for news and updates right now!

The Sound Faction is made up of five girls who are random at best, love to laugh and make others laugh. We try with each interview to ask five of the most random questions that you will ever experience in an interview.

If you were a potato crisp, what flavor would you be?

Jess: pickled onion monster munch - I'd eat myself! (do you even have them in Canada? they're AMAZING!)
Michelle: Corn Beef (the others will laugh at that!)

What's your favorite five letter word?

Jess: Lunch
Michelle: Sleep

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

Jess: Michelle, ha ha...
Michelle: Fresh Forest

If you could have any non-standard superpower (flying, x-ray vision, etc... comic book stuff), what would yours be?

Jess: Ah, I have no idea... the ability to live without sleep would be pretty handy... I could do with an extra 8 hours a day!
Michelle: Flying definitely, even if just on a broomstick.

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!)

Jess: I wish I was one of those people that can always remember the really hilarious lines from films and things and drop them i at the perfect moment in conversation. I'd like to be the very best at that!
Michelle: Tai chi or marshall arts

Thanks again to Jess and Michelle for talking to us, and you can check out Meisha's MySpace here.